The Best New Wave Songs Of All Time Ranked

New wave music encompassed a wide variety of styles that shared a quirky, lighthearted, and humorous tone were very popular in the late 1970s and 1980s. New wave includes several pop-oriented styles from this time period. Common characteristics of new wave music include a humorous or quirky pop approach, the use of electronic sounds, and a distinctive visual style in music videos and fashion. According to Simon Reynolds, new wave music had a twitchy, agitated feel. New wave musicians often played choppy rhythm guitars with fast tempos; keyboards, and stop-start song structures and melodies are common. Reynolds noted new-wave vocalists sound high-pitched, geeky, and suburban. As new wave originated in Britain, many of the first new wave artists were British. These artists became popular in America, in part, because of channels like MTV, which would play British new wave music videos because most American hit records did not have music videos to play. British videos, according to head of S-Curve Records and music producer Steve Greenberg, “were easy to come by since they’d been a staple of UK pop music TV programs like “Top of the Pops” since the mid-70s.” This rise in technology made the visual style of new wave artists important for their success. Here are all of the best New Wave songs of all time.

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15. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics

“Rhyming the words “made of this” with the word “disagree” might be a bad move for 99.9% of the people out there. However, for two pop geniuses like Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox, it’s all gravy. The song works because of its melody. The pulsing keyboard beat heats things up, but the line, “Keep your head up, moving on,” is the icing on the cake.”

14. Just What I Needed – The Cars

“Just What I Needed isn’t just a new wave song; it also draws elements from pop rock and hard rock. The 1978 track from The Cars was a hit, with critics praising the combination of high-energy, danceable instrumentals with the excellent vocal performance from frontman Benjamin Orr.”

13. Shout – Tears for Fears

“Arthur Janov’s Primal Therapy helped Tears for Fears write this piece. This type of therapy encourages patients to scream and shout to deal with their frustrations; the group was a follower of this methodology. Many of John Lennon’s songs were also inspired by Primal Therapy, which he went through in 1970.”

12. Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads

“A surreal foresight into a midlife crisis by the Heads. Their ability to stretch the boundaries of what a pop song could be is their modus operandi. Where would music be without the immortal phrase, “Same as it ever was?” Also, the hilarious arm-chopping motion by David Byrne made the video an MTV staple.”

11. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive

“You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record) was one of the biggest hits of 1985. The new wave dance-pop song was released by the UK band Dead Or Alive, which had previously only seen moderate success. The hook was later sampled by hip hop singer Flo Rida in his 2009 song, Right Round.”

10. Kids in America – Kim Wilde

“This song is an ode to youth and their life in the United States during the 80s. It was Kim Wilde’s first single and a hit in both the US and UK. The Jonas Brothers covered this as ‘Kids of the Future’ for the movie Meet The Robinsons in 2007.”

9. Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles

“Video Killed The Radio Star was released in 1979 and was famously the first video to air on MTV when it began in 1981. It was a massive hit in the UK and Australia but a sleeper hit in the US before climbing to the top of the charts in 1980. The song’s lyrics are a commentary on the rapidly-changing technology of the 20th century.”

8. Tainted Love – Soft Cell

“Tainted Love was first composed in the 1960s before the advent of the new wave genre. But the song received a second life when the band Soft Cell covered it in 1981. The duo gave it a new wave makeover, swapping out synthesizers for the original instruments.”

7. Hungry Like the Wolf – Duran Duran

“Duran Duran was highly popular throughout the 1980s, but one of their best-known songs is 1982’s Hungry Like The Wolf. The track’s music video, which was filmed in the Sri Lankan jungle, was a hit on MTV and propelled the band to international fame. It also won a Grammy Award the following year. “

6. Blue Monday – New Order

“This track’s narrator seems to have had a rough life, either from addiction or a troubled relationship of some kind. Beyond that, the lyrics are somewhat abstract and up to the listener’s interpretation. ‘Blue Monday’ is considered one of the most influential electronica songs and was possibly the first British dance track to make its way to New York City clubs.”

5. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds

“Scottish band Simple Minds released Don’t You (Forget About Me) in 1985. It was famously featured in the John Hughes’ film The Breakfast Club, which played a significant role in the track’s popularity. Today, it is considered one of the quintessential songs of the 1980s new wave.”

4. Girls on Film – Duran Duran

“Duran Duran explores the exploitation of fashion models in this track. The five members of the band who wrote the track likely drew from personal experience, as they were known to date models. The song’s controversial music video served to further highlight its main message.”

3. Every Breath You Take – The Police

“I actually believe that the bridge of “Every Breath You Take” is the greatest piece of recorded music ever. Just pure honesty and soul bearing going on right there. I sing it at the top of my lungs every time.”

2. Take On Me – a-Ha

“Another great video means another great Family Guy parody, another piece of perfect pop. This time it comes from Oslo, Norway. These guys went for the high note like nobody else. Their follow-up song was called… what? Anybody remember? “The Sun Always Shines on TV.” It made it to the Top 20 on their name alone, but as soon as people heard it, a-ha came crashing down. Alas the sun never again shined on them, at least, not in America.”

1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears

“If you listen to the lyrics, you’ll understand why Dennis Miller chose it as the theme song for his political-comedy show. There’s a whole lot more going on here than in your average #1 pop song. I absolutely love the bridge part, “There’s a room where the light won’t find you. Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down.” I always like the bridge the best though. “I can’t stand this indecision married with a lack of vision” is Bush-worthy to say the least. This is a freakin’ song right here!”