To define an era is to be etched in history as unforgettable. As arguably one of the most popular decades of all time, the 1980s are ed for many things, including some of the biggest television shows, movies, and a wide variety of the most popular music of all-time. The selection of tunes was vast, as some artists continued to build on their legendary careers, while others were just beginning.

It was a truly magical period when the biggest names ever released hit after hit. From pop music to rock music, to even some heavy metal's most perfect albums, there are certain songs that define this time period. For those who experienced the decade firsthand, there is a unique nostalgia to hearing artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, or even Queen.

Those who didn't experience it firsthand still get to see some of what the 1980s were like today as acts like Journey, Metallica, and Billy Joel still tour, selling out the biggest arenas. One unmistakable aspect of the era is that the sounds and sights uniquely belong to it. Perhaps, more than any before or since, the '80s is a true time capsule, and here are 10 songs that truly define this era in music history.

10 Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Album: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)

It's not easy to sing about the ever-changing world of politics, but Tears for Fears decided to take on the challenge. Released in 1985, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" debuted at the height of a politically charged era, specifically regarding the Cold War. The song explores themes of power and control that resonated with the global climate. Whenever this song is played, it can transport a listener back to what it felt like to live at that time in the 1980s.

In many ways, this track has served as a template for other musicians who choose to tackle such a heavy topic. Since many do, it makes the tune feel timeless as the themes it explores continue to be sung about, decade after decade. Furthermore, the song experienced a resurgence on the popular app TikTok, where it has been used over one million times as the soundtrack to videos. It has become a perfect backdrop to not only represent a specific climate of the '80s, but other time periods as well.

9 A-ha - Take On Me

Album: Hunting High and Low (1985)

When A-ha released "Take On Me," the band's decision to adopt a creative approach to their music video paid off. Instead of something traditional, the band opted to mix real-life elements with animated features. The video has become legendary. It was even parodied in the hit FOX animated series Family Guy. Overall, it has been viewed over two billion times on YouTube. In fact, it's so significant that drawings from the video have been put on display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The video has become legendary and has been viewed over two billion times on YouTube.

Beyond the incredible music video, the song itself showcases lead singer Morten Harket's impressive vocal range. Additionally, the track's message, which addresses the emotional risks of love, was easily relatable to listeners. It's a message that can resonate in any decade, as a love song, even if tinged with fleeting hope, will never go out of style. The song will always represent what was possible at the time, and it should never be forgotten how unique A-ha was for taking a risk like this.

8 Metallica - Master Of Puppets

Album: Master of Puppets (1986)

When Metallica burst on the scene in the early 1980s with their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning, everyone knew they had all the makings to be one of the great heavy metal bands going forward. However, the release of Master of Puppets certified that they were vying to be one of the most legendary bands of all-time.

The album's title track, "Master of Puppets," became an anthem for the band. The opening instrumental is absolutely iconic, and it further demonstrated what was possible for heavy metal at the time. Metallica was setting the foundation for future bands, all while building their career. Everyone now knows how much more success they would go on to have, but this Metallica track will always represent a defining period in heavy metal that served as a turning point.

7 Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

Album: Whitney (1987)

In 1985, the world was introduced to Whitney Houston with her debut album Whitney Houston. During this time period, you couldn't listen to the radio without eventually hearing the incredible Houston sing. With hits like "Saving All My Love for You," "How Will I Know," and "Greatest Love of All," her voice became a defining musical component of the '80s.

When her sophomore album Whitney was released in 1987, the song "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" was a massive hit. It not only highlighted some of the most beautiful aspects of her voice, but the song served as a dance anthem. There was no party you'd go to at this time without this song playing. To this day, it can transport anyone back to what it was like to bust a move in the 1980s.

6 Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure

Album: Hot Space (1982)

When Queen and David Bowie teamed up for "Under Pressure," it was a mix of one of the greatest bands with one of the greatest artists. Both had significant success prior to the release, so this was a true meeting of minds. The changing imagery in the music video made it very memorable, but it's the vocals of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie that make it truly unforgettable.

The song has gone 4x Platinum in the United States, marking it as a tune that fans clamor for. It serves as a track that represents two icons, which makes it a very important piece of music history. It's even been labeled by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 greatest songs ever. It's not often artists of this magnitude team up, but this is a reminder of how special it can be when they do.

5 Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

Album: Eye of the Tiger (1982)

If you attend a sporting event, there's a good chance you will hear the 1982 classic "Eye of the Tiger." The song represents everything '80s athletics, as it was used as the main theme for Rocky III. Everyone wanted to play this song and train like Rocky Balboa after seeing Sylvester Stallone make it look so cool. Judging by its one and a half billion streams on Spotify, people still want this song as their pump-up jam.

The song represents everything '80s athletics, as it was used as the main theme for Rocky III.

This wasn't the only time a Survivor song had benefited from the use of the Rocky franchise, as a few years later their song "Burning Heart" would also receive a boost from inclusion in the film series. The partnership between the band and the movies became legendary, to the point where if you think of one, you think of the other. It's the pairing of the two that has caused the band to be ed as a core part of 1980s entertainment.

4 Billy Joel - We Didn’t Start The Fire

Album: Storm Front (1989)

The well-known Billy Joel track "We Didn't Start the Fire" just made it into the decade, as it came out in September 1989. The song chronicles 119 significant events in politics, sports, science, and culture dating back to 1949. Musically, critics and Billy Joel himself do not hold the song in high regard; however, the message he delivered is what makes it so memorable.

The song has been used many times since its release in cartoons, in ads such as Coca-Cola, and recently it was redone by the band Fall Out Boy. Even if it's not musically ed as a Billy Joel masterclass, the structure of the song has become very important. Additionally, given the events and the way they are chronicled, it's a timepiece of what it was like to learn and live that history in 1989.

3 Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’

Album: Escape (1981)

From weddings to graduations to just about any kind of event you can think of, "Don't Stop Believin'" has served as an anthem. Journey created a timeless classic and did so through the true art of storytelling. It's a unique song that waits until the very end to reach its three-line chorus, but once it kicks in, it causes a room to start singing.

Although the song transcends generations, it belongs to the '80s, having debuted in 1981. Its release came at the perfect time because, as life rapidly evolved with advancements throughout the decade, this tune was the perfect backdrop for moving forward. With over two billion streams on Spotify, and going 18x Platinum in the United States, it's safe to say no one has stopped believin'.

2 Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Album: She's So Unusual (1983)

Over one and a half billion people on YouTube have learned the fact that if you want to be transported to the 1980s, you should watch the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" music video. It has everything '80s nostalgia, from the colors to the way the rooms look - and even movie and SNL references. The video also features a cameo from famed World Wrestling Federation manager, "Captain" Lou Albano, at a time when professional wrestling was at one of its hottest periods.

If you want to be transported to the 1980s, you should watch the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" music video.

Cyndi Lauper took the world by storm and became the face of channels like MTV. As a pop culture icon, she even repaid the favor to the World Wrestling Federation for "Captain" Lou's appearance by showing up at multiple events, including WrestleMania I. The song serves as a time capsule to the period; even the instrumental alone is unmistakably from the 1980s. Lauper deserves a lot of credit for the fame she achieved at this time, and being able to represent the decade so well.

1 Michael Jackson - Thriller

Album: Thriller (1982)

What is the best-selling album of all-time? That would be Thriller by Michael Jackson, with over 70 million copies sold worldwide, with 48 million copies being sold in the 1980s alone. The album featured a slew of hits, including "Billie Jean" and "Beat It." However, what Michael Jackson's album is arguably best known for is the song "Thriller." Not only was it a dance everyone wanted to learn, but it was the kind of music video that made people pick up their phones to call their friends about.

The over 13-minute video was revolutionary for the time and is a true masterclass that still holds up today. The video was inspired by Jackson's love for horror films, and particularly An American Werewolf in London, which came out a year prior. The theatrical video may have been a risk, but it paid off. It set the stage for what would be possible in music for generations to come. As an artist, Michael Jackson cannot belong to just one decade. However, "Thriller" can, and it will always be ed as an innovative 1980s classic.