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 1983.
Note: Maneater by Hall & Oates started the year at number one, but it had also previously done so in 1982, and as is our rule, we will not include it here, since it was already included in our list for 1982.
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. This list was particularly difficult as there were a lot of quality number one hits in 1983.
But first, to get you in the mood for the year 1983…
- Elizabeth Dole became the first woman to serve as the secretary of transportation, and NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride became the first American woman in space.
- More than 10 million computers were being used in the U.S., and the first-ever version of Microsoft Word (1.0) was released.
- Favorite back-to-school supplies included Mead Composition notebooks, Casio wrist calculators, up-to-the-knee gym socks, pencil cases, and square metal lunch boxes.
- McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets were made available worldwide after testing them in select markets for a couple years — everyone wanted them, but they didn’t have enough chicken supply at first to provide them to all chains globally.
- Bop magazine (1983-2014) appeared on newsstands for the first time, and Vanity Fair began publication.
- Elizabeth Dole became the first woman to serve as the secretary of transportation, and NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride became the first American woman in space.
- More than 10 million computers were being used in the U.S., and the first-ever version of Microsoft Word (1.0) was released.
- Favorite back-to-school supplies included Mead Composition notebooks, Casio wrist calculators, up-to-the-knee gym socks, pencil cases, and square metal lunch boxes.
- McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets were made available worldwide after testing them in select markets for a couple years — everyone wanted them, but they didn’t have enough chicken supply at first to provide them to all chains globally.
- Bop magazine (1983-2014) appeared on newsstands for the first time, and Vanity Fair began publication.
Soap opera General Hospital used this ballad that was originally released in 1981 as the love theme for the character Luke Spencer.
Joel intended this song to be an homage to the Motown sound, but said in an interview that, heard in the context of the entire album, it sounded more like a Tony Orlando and Dawn song than Motown.
Sembello originally wrote this song intended as a horror theme after watching the film Maniac, but was convinced to change it up to be used in the film Flashdance instead.
In the 2000s, Men at Work was sued for plagiarism of the children’s song “Kookaburra” in “Down Under,” specifically the flute section, which the band ultimately lost.
Released as the third single off the album Thriller, the music video featuring Jackson bringing two gangsters together through the power of music and dance helped boost his international pop power.
The power ballad became Tyler’s biggest hit — it was originally seven minutes long, but was shortened for radio play to four minutes and thirty seconds.
Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart wrote the song after the breakup of their band The Tourists — they were playing around with some new synthesizers and the dueling synth sound was born.
Considered The Police and Sting’s signature song, in 2010 this song was estimated to generate somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of Sting’s music publishing income.
Jackson said the lyrics were based on groupies’ claims that his older brothers were the fathers of their children while touring with The Jackson 5. It’s one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over 10 million copies.
What was your favorite number one hit from the year 1983? Let us know in the comments!
