Best 80s New Wave Songs – New Wave Greatest Hits

Best 80s New Wave Songs – New Wave Greatest Hits

Core Essentials

These are the tracks that define the genre’s sound and attitude.

• “Just Like Heaven” – The Cure
• “Enjoy the Silence” – Depeche Mode
• “Blue Monday” – New Order
• “Take On Me” – A‑ha
• “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League
• “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
• “Cars” – Gary Numan
• “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics
• “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order
• “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division

Synth‑Pop Royalty

The shimmering, electronic side of New Wave.

• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears for Fears
• “Voices Carry” – ’Til Tuesday
• “Obsession” – Animotion
• “Send Me an Angel” – Real Life
• “I Ran (So Far Away)” – A Flock of Seagulls
• “Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats
• “Dancing With Myself” – Billy Idol
• “Major Tom (Coming Home)” – Peter Schilling

Darkwave & Post‑Punk Edge

Moody, stylish, and atmospheric.

• “A Forest” – The Cure
• “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” – Bauhaus
• “She Sells Sanctuary” – The Cult
• “Under the Milky Way” – The Church
• “This Charming Man” – The Smiths
• “Whip It” – Devo
• “Once in a Lifetime” – Talking Heads

Dance‑Floor New Wave

Where synths meet pure energy.

• “Relax” – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• “Situation” – Yazoo
• “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie
• “Der Kommissar” – After the Fire
• “Promises, Promises” – Naked Eyes
• “99 Luftballons” – Nena
• “Don’t Change” – INXS

Deep‑Cut Favorites

Beloved by fans who dig a little deeper.

• “Love Plus One” – Haircut 100
• “I Melt With You” – Modern English
• “The Killing Moon” – Echo & the Bunnymen
• “Tenderness” – General Public
• “Doot‑Doot” – Freur
• “The Promise” – When in Rome
• “Space Age Love Song” – A Flock of Seagulls