1. “Physical” (1981), Olivia Newton John, #1 for 10 weeks.
2. “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981), Kim Carnes, #1 for 9 weeks.
3. “Endless Love” (1981), Lionel Richie and Diana Ross, #1 for 9 weeks.
4. “Every Breath You Take” (1983), The Police, #1 for 8 weeks.
5. “I Love Rock and Roll” (1982), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, #1 for 7 weeks.
6. “Ebony and Ivory” (1982), Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, #1 for 7 weeks.
7. “Billie Jean” (1983), Michael Jackson, #1 for 7 weeks.
8. “Eye of the Tiger” (1982), Survivor, #1 for 6 weeks.
9. “Flashdance... What a Feeling” (1983), Irene Cara, #1 for 6 weeks.
10. “Lady” (1980), Kenny Rogers, #1 for 6 weeks.
11. “Say Say Say” (1983), Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, #1 for 6 weeks.
12. “Centerfold” (1982), The J. Geils Band, #1 for 6 weeks.
13. “Call Me” (1980), Blondie, #1 for 6 weeks.
14. “Like a Virgin” (1984), Madonna, #1 for 6 weeks.
15. “(Just Like) Starting Over” (1980), John Lennon, #1 for 5 weeks.
16. “When Doves Cry” (1984), Prince, #1 for 5 weeks.
17. “Jump” (1984), Van Halen, #1 for 5 weeks.
18. “Upside Down” (1980), Diana Ross, #1 for 4 weeks.
19. “All Night Long (All Night) (1983), Lionel Richie, #1 for 4 weeks.
20. “Maneater (1982), Hall and Oates, #1 for 4 weeks.

Compiled by Joel Whitburn, Billboard

1. Thriller (1983), Michael Jackson, #1 for 37 weeks.
2. Purple Rain (1984), Prince and the Revolution, #1 for 24 weeks.
3. Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (1987), #1 for 18 weeks.
4. Synchronicity (1983), The Police, #1 for 17 weeks.
5. Business as Usual (1982), Men at Work, #1 for 15 weeks.
6. Hi Infidelity (1981), REO Speedwagon, #1 for 15 weeks.
7. The Wall (1980), Pink Floyd, #1 for 15 weeks.
8. Whitney Houston (1986), Whitney Houston, #1 for 14 weeks.
9. Whitney (1987), Whitney Houston, #1 for 11 weeks.
10. Miami Vice Soundtrack (1995), #1 for 11 weeks.
11. Forever Your Girl (1989), Paula Abdul, #1 for 10 weeks.
12. 4 (1981), Foreigner, #1 for 10 weeks.
13. Footloose Soundtrack (1984), #1 for 10 weeks.
14. Brothers in Arms (1985), Dire Straits, #1 for 9 weeks.
15. The Joshua Tree (1987), U2, #1 for 9 weeks.
16. Asia (1982), Asia, #1 for 9 weeks.
17. American Fool (1982), John Cougar, #1 for 9 weeks.
18. Tattoo You (1981), The Rolling Stones, #1 for 9 weeks.
19. Slippery When Wet (1986), Bon Jovi, #1 for 8 weeks.
20. Girl You Know It’s True (1989), Milli Vanilli, #1 for 8 weeks.

Compiled by Joel Whitburn, Billboard

Based on total chart appearances in the Top 40

1. Michael Jackson*
2. Madonna
3. Hall and Oates
4. Prince
5. George Michael/Wham!
6. Lionel Richie
7. Billy Joel*
8. Elton John*
9. Phil Collins
10. John Cougar
11. Huey Lewis and the News
12. Kool and the Gang
13. Duran Duran
14. Kenny Rogers
15. Whitney Houston
16. Stevie Wonder*
17. Rick Springfield
18. Journey
19. Diana Ross
20. Bruce Springsteen*
* In Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Compiled by Joel Whitburn, Billboard

Based on total chart appearances in the Top 40

1. Prince
2. Michael Jackson*
3. Bruce Springsteen*
4. Whitney Houston
5. Madonna
6. The Rolling Stones*
7. Billy Joel*
8. The Police
9. U2
10. John Cougar
11. George Michael/Wham!
12. Van Halen
13. Phil Collins
14. REO Speedwagon
15. Barbara Streisand
16. Bon Jovi
17. Men at Work
18. Journey
19. Foreigner
20. Pat Benatar
* In Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Compiled by Joel Whitburn, Billboard

1. Michael Jackson: 27 weeks (8 solo songs, 1 duet)
2. Lionel Richie: 21 weeks (4 solo songs, 1 duet)
3. George Michael: 21 weeks (3 songs with Wham!, 4 solo songs, 1 duet)
4. Paul McCartney: 16 weeks (1 song with Wings, 2 duets)
5. Madonna: 15 weeks (7 songs)
6. Stevie Wonder: 15 weeks (2 solo songs, 2 duets)
7. Olivia Newton-John: 14 weeks (“Magic,” “Physical”)
8. Whitney Houston: 13 weeks (7 songs)
9. Diana Ross: 13 weeks (“Upside Down,” “Endless Love” (Lionel Richie duet))
10. Phil Collins: 12 weeks* (6 solo songs, 1 duet)
11. Daryl Hall & John Oates: 12 weeks (5 songs)
12. Prince: 10 weeks (4 songs)
13. Blondie: 9 weeks (3 songs)
14. Kim Carnes: 9 weeks (“Bette Davis Eyes”)
15. Bon Jovi: 8 weeks (4 songs)
16. The Police: 8 weeks (“Every Breath You Take”)
17. Kenny Rogers: 8 weeks (“Lady,” “Islands In The Stream” (Dolly Parton duet))
18. Queen: 7 weeks (“Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Another One Bites The Dust”)
19. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: 7 weeks (“I Love Rock And Roll”)
20. Huey Lewis and the News: 6 weeks (3 songs)
21. Starship: 6 weeks (3 songs)
22. Paula Abdul: 6 weeks (3 songs)
23. Janet Jackson: 6 weeks (“When I Think Of You,” “Miss You Much”)
24. Survivor: 6 weeks (“Eye Of The Tiger”)
25. Irene Cara: 6 weeks (“Flashdance... What A Feeling”)
26. J. Geils Band: 6 weeks (“Centerfold”)

*Phil Collins spent 4 weeks at #1 in late 1989 and early 1990 with “Another Day In Paradise.” Only the first week is included in his ’80s total, since the other three weeks were in 1990. He also spent an addition week at #1 in 1986 as a member of Genesis with the song “Invisible Touch.”

1980: “Fame” by Irene Cara.

Among the nominees:
    “Nine to Five” by Dolly Parton
    “On the Road Again” Willie Nelson

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Call Me” by Blondie
    “Late in the Evening” by Paul Simon
    “On the Radio” by Donna Summer

1981: “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross.

Among the nominees:
    “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
    “For Your Eyes Only” by Sheena Easton

1982: “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

Among the nominees:
    “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
    “It Might Be You” by Stephen Bishop

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Cat People” by David Bowie
    “Somebody’s Baby” by Jackson Browne

1983: “Flashdance ...What a Feeling” by Irene Cara.

Among the nominees:
    “Maniac” by Michael Sembello

1984: “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder.

Among the nominees:
    “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins
    “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
    “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr.
    “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Breakin’ ... There’s No Stoppin’ Us” by Ollie and Jerry
    “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey
    “I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman
    “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain” by Prince

Note: Prince won a 1984 Oscar for Best Original Song Score for “Purple Rain.”

1985: “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie.

Among the nominees:
    “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News
    “Separate Lives” by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Crazy for You” by Madonna
    “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
    “Into the Groove” by Madonna
    “Rhythm of the Night” by DeBarge
    “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” by John Parr
    “A View to a Kill” by Duran Duran
    “We Don’t Need Another Hero” by Tina Turner

1986: “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin.

Among the nominees:
    “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera
    “Somewhere Out There” by Linda Rondstat and James Ingram

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Coming Around Again” by Carly Simon
    “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
    “If You Leave” by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark
    “Live to Tell” by Madonna
    “Sweet Freedom” by Michael McDonald
    “Wild Wild Life” by Talking Heads

1987: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Among the nominees:
    “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship
    “Shakedown” by Bob Seger

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen
    “She’s Like the Wind” by Patrick Swayze
    “Who’s That Girl” by Madonna

Note: David Byrne won a 1987 Best Original Score Oscar for his contributions to “The Last Emperor.”

1988: “Let the River Run” by Carly Simon.

Among the nominees:
    “Two Hearts” by Phil Collins

Eligible songs that failed to be nominated:
    “Da Butt” by E.U.
    “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys.

1989: “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid.”

Among the nominees:
    “I Love to See You Smile” by Randy Newman

Singles

1. “Rock With You” (1980), #1 for 4 weeks.
2. “Billie Jean” (1983), #1 for 7 weeks.
3. “Beat It” (1983), #1 for 3 weeks.
4. “Say Say Say” (1983), #1 for 6 weeks.
5. “We Are the World” (USA for Africa) (1985) #1 for 4 weeks.
6. “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (1987), #1 for 1 week.
7. “Bad” (1987), #1 for 2 weeks.
8. “The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987), #1 for 1 week.
9. “The Man in the Mirror” (1988), #1 for 2 weeks.
10. “Dirty Diana” (1988), #1 for 1 week.

Note: “The Girl Is Mine” peaked at #2 for 3 weeks in 1982.

Albums

1. Thriller (1982), #1 for 37 weeks.
2. We Are the World (USA for Africa) (1985), #1 for 3 weeks.
3. Bad (1987), #1 for 6 weeks.

Compiled by Billboard

Singles

1. “Like a Virgin” (1984), #1 for 6 weeks.
2. “Crazy for You” (1985), #1 for 1 week.
3. “Live to Tell” (1986), #1 for 1 week.
4. “Papa Don’t Preach” (1986), #1 for 2 weeks.
5. “Open Your Heart” (1986), #1 for 1 week.
6. “Who’s That Girl” (1987), #1 for 1 week.
7. “Like a Prayer” (1989), #1 for 3 weeks.

Note: “Material Girl” spent 2 weeks at #2 in 1985; “Causing a Commotion” spent 3 weeks at #2 in 1987; “Express Yourself” spent 2 weeks at #2 in 1989; “Cherish” spent 2 weeks at #2 in 1989.

Albums

1. Like a Virgin (1984), #1 for 3 weeks.
2. True Blue (1986), #1 for 5 weeks.
3. Like a Prayer (1989), #1 for 6 weeks.

Compiled by Billboard

Singles

1. “When Doves Cry” (1984), #1 for 5 weeks (with The Revolution).
2. “Let’s Go Crazy” (1984), #1 for 2 weeks (with The Revolution).
3. “Kiss” (1986), #1 for 2 weeks (with The Revolution).
4. “Batdance” (1989), #1 for 1 week (as Prince).

Note: “Purple Rain” spent 2 weeks at #2 in 1984; “Raspberry Beret” spent 2 weeks at #2 in 1985; “U Got the Look” spent 1 week at #2 in 1987.

Albums

1. Purple Rain (1984), #1 for 24 weeks.
2. Around the World in a Day (1985), #1 for 3 weeks.
3. Batman Soundtrack (1989), #1 for 6 weeks.

Compiled by Billboard

Singles

1. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984), #1 for 3 weeks (as Wham! U.K.).
2. “Careless Whisper” (1984), #1 for 3 weeks (as Wham! U.K.).
3. “Everything She Wants” (1985), #1 for 2 weeks (as Wham! U.K.).
4. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (1987), #1 for 2 weeks (as Aretha Franklin and George Michael).
5. “Faith” (1987), #1 for 4 weeks (as George Michael).
6. “Father Figure” (1988), #1 for 2 weeks (as George Michael).
7. “One More Try” (1988), #1 for 3 weeks (as George Michael).
8. “Monkey” (1988), #1 for 2 weeks (as George Michael).

Note: “I Want Your Sex” was #2 for one week in 1987.

Albums

1. Make it Big (1984), #1 for 3 weeks (as Wham!).
2. Faith (1987), #1 for 12 weeks (as George Michael).

Compiled by Billboard