21 hit songs from 1983 celebrating their 40th anniversary this year
There are some absolute bangers
Last updated 5th Oct 2023
Absolute 80s presents 21 some of the biggest songs from 40 years ago, 1983.
Featuring timeless anthems from David Bowie, Tina Turner, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Phil Collins, Madonna, Eurythmics, New Order and many more, take a look through the gallery and reminisce below.
In fact, many of these songs are so good they still sound as fresh and relevant as ever today.
Take a look through 21 hits from 1983:
Culture Club – ‘Karma Chameleon’
Featuring on Culture Club's 1983 album 'Colour By Numbers', 'Karma Chameleon' became the UK's biggest-selling single of the year, as well as reaching Number 1, it was also certified Platinum in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Billy Joel – ‘Uptown Girl’
Written and sung by Billy Joel, 'Uptown Girl' was the second best-selling single of 1983, as well as becoming a Number 1 single for Billy. The song was later covered by Westlife as a charity single in 2001.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Men At Work - 'Down Under'
Men At Work's biggest UK hit was 'Down Under', originally released as a B-side in 1980, the song was re-released a year later, but it was in 1983 that it became popular in the UK, reaching Number 1. It was also certified 2× Platinum in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Spandau Ballet - ‘True’
Spandau Ballet's song 'True' was the title track of their third album. The song was hugely popular reaching Number 1 in the UK and several other countries around the world.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Spandau Ballet - ‘Gold'
Another huge hit for Spandau Ballet in 1983 was 'Gold'. The song was also included on the band's album 'True'. 'Gold' was certified Platinum and reached Number 2 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
David Bowie - ‘Let’s Dance'
Written by David Bowie, 'Let's Dance' was a huge hit for the singer, who produced the song along with Chic legend Nile Rodgers, who turned the song into its well-known sound, from a folk-sounding song. 'Let's Dance' was a Number 1 hit for David.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Eurythmics - ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’
Reaching Number 2 in the UK, the Eurythmics' timeless song 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' has been reissued several times over the years, the most recent time being in 2020.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ZZ Top - 'Gimme All Your Lovin''
Perhaps ZZ Top's best-known song is 'Gimme All Your Lovin''. The 1983 song reached Number 10 in the UK and was re-released in 2000, entering the charts at 28 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
The Police - ‘Every Breath You Take’
The Police's 'Every Breath You Take' was hugely popular. The song was certified 2× Platinum in the UK and became one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll! It was also nominated for three Grammys, winning Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Kajagoogoo – ‘Too Shy’
'Too Shy' was Kajagoogoo's debut song, and also their biggest hit, going to Number 1 in the UK and beyond. The song was written by the band and produced by Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes along with Colin Thurston.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Tina Turner – ‘Let’s Stay Together'
We sadly lost Tina Turner in 2023, however back in May 1983 she released 'Let's Stay Together', a cover of Al Green's 1972 song. Tina's version was very popular reaching Number 6 in the UK, which was a place higher than the original.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Lionel Richie - 'All Night Long (All Night)'
One of Lionel Richie's best-known songs 'All Night Long (All Night)' was released in 1983. The song featured on his second solo album 'Can't Slow Down' and reached Number 2 in the UK, as well as topping the charts around the world.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Bonnie Tyler – ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’
'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' was a big hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1983, the song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the fifth-best-selling single of the year. It was also Bonnie's biggest hit to date, later being covered by Nikki French in 1994.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Cyndi Lauper - ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’
Cyndi Lauper's version of 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' was a huge song in 1983 when it was released, four years after the original by Robert Hazard. The year after the song's release it won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Rufus and Chaka Khan - 'Ain't Nobody'
A Top 10 song in the UK when it was released in 1983, Rufus and Chaka Khan's 'Ain't Nobody', was also ranked 403 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2021. 'Ain't Nobody' was also remixed in 1989 when it achieved a higher chart position than the original release.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Duran Duran – ‘Is There Something I Should Know'
They're still going strong today, but in 1983 Duran Duran were in their infancy, releasing 'Is There Something I Should Know', which was their eighth release. This song not only became their first Number 1 song in the UK, it featured on the first of the Now That's What I Call Music! series of albums, which started in 1983.
Watch the music video on YouTube
UB40 – ‘Red Red Wine’
Although a cover, 'Red Red Wine' was a huge hit for UB40 in 1983 when it reached Number 1. The song was originally released by Neil Diamond, but not in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Phil Collins – ‘You Can't Hurry Love’
Originally a hit back in the 60s for The Supremes, Phil Collins released 'You Can't Hurry Love' in 1983 to great success. The song reached Number 1 in the UK and was certified Gold.
Watch the music video on YouTube
Madonna - ‘Holiday’
She's still going strong today, and about to embark on her 'Celebration' tour, but back in 1983 Madonna released her hit 'Holiday'. The song featured on Madonna's debut album and was a Top 10 hit three times in total (1983, 1985 and 1991).
Watch the music video on YouTube
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers – ‘Islands In The Stream’
Written by the Bee Gees, 'Islands In The Stream' was originally for Marvin Gaye or Diana Ross, but it was eventually recorded by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, in 1983. When it was released it was a Top 10 hit in the UK for the duo.
Watch the music video on YouTube
New Order – ‘Blue Monday’
New Order released 'Blue Monday' in 1983 and it has been successful several times in the UK, with re-releases. The song became a Top 10 hit when it was released, and has now been certified 2× Platinum in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
You can hear songs from these artists on Absolute Radio.
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