Every year, songs shoot to the top of the charts, either for just one week, or for multiple weeks in a row. In a series of posts, we’re going to rank Billboard’s “The Hot 100” number one singles for each year of the 1980s and 1990s. Today, we’re looking at the year 1980.
Note: Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes made it to number one this year, but it had previously also done so in 1979, and so, as is our rule, we will not include it here.
As always, these lists are subjective — we’re not claiming to be the definitive ranking here. We’re not that important, but you are, so we hope seeing the below songs conjures up a friendly memory or two.
But first, to get you in the mood for the year 1980…
- John Lennon was shot and killed on December 8th by a fan who did not like his comments about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus, nor the lyrics of his solo songs God and Imagine.
- Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state erupted on May 18th after a series of earthquakes and smaller eruptions, killing 57 people.
- The Rubik’s Cube was officially put on sale in May, and soon became a worldwide craze that still lingers to this day.
- CNN began broadcasting on June 1st, and was the first 24 hours news network available to cable subscribers in the US and Canada.
- In April, Post-It Notes were officially introduced to the market. They had previously been market-tested in the late ‘70s with the name “Press n’ Peel.”
- John Lennon was shot and killed on December 8th by a fan who did not like his comments about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus, and the lyrics of his solo songs God and Imagine.
- Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state erupted on May 18th after a series of earthquakes and smaller eruptions, killing 57 people.
- The Rubik’s Cube was officially put on sale in May, and soon became a worldwide craze that still lingers to this day.
- CNN began broadcasting on June 1st, and was the first 24 hours news network available to cable subscribers in the US and Canada.
- In April, Post-It Notes were officially introduced to the market. They had previously been market-tested in the late ‘70s with the name “Press n’ Peel.”
13. Olivia Newton-John - Magic
Recorded for the soundtrack for the film Xanadu, and released as the lead single off the album, this song was Newton-John’s 25th US chart hit.
5. Michael Jackson - Rock With You
This song was first offered to Karen Carpenter, but she turned it down. It’s the second single from Jackson’s Off the Wall album.
3. Blondie - Call Me
The theme for the movie American Gigolo, though the song has had much more of a life of its own separate from the film.
What was your favorite number one hit from the year 1980? Let us know in the comments!
