1980

The Number One Hits Of 1980

December 22, 1979 – January 4, 1980
Rupert Holmes
Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Rupert Holmes is a Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist who has also written several novels and plays.
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) became a popular hit due to its catchy chorus and unique storytelling aspect.
January 5, 1980 – January 18, 1980
KC and the Sunshine Band
Please Don’t Go
KC and the Sunshine Band, led by Harry Wayne Casey, are a Miami-based disco and funk group.
Please Don’t Go marked a departure from the group’s typical upbeat disco sound and is a heartfelt ballad.
January 19, 1980 – February 15, 1980
Michael Jackson
Rock with You
Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, had an influential career spanning over four decades.
Rock with You was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones; it showcased Michael’s smooth falsetto.
February 16, 1980 – February 22, 1980
Captain & Tennille
Do That to Me One More Time
Captain & Tennille was a husband-and-wife duo consisting of Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille.
Do That to Me One More Time was a romantic ballad that became one of the duo’s most successful hits.
February 23, 1980 – March 21, 1980
Queen
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Queen is a British rock band led by the charismatic frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love was a tribute to Elvis Presley, and Mercury wrote it in just 10 minutes while taking a bath.
March 22, 1980 – April 18, 1980
Pink Floyd
Another Brick in the Wall
Pink Floyd is an iconic English progressive rock band known for their conceptual albums.
Another Brick in the Wall is a three-part song from their album “The Wall” that critiques the educational system.
April 19, 1980 – May 30, 1980
Blondie
Call Me
Blondie is a New Wave band fronted by the charismatic singer, Debbie Harry.
Call Me was the theme song for the film “American Gigolo” and was produced by disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder.
May 31, 1980 – June 27, 1980
Lipps Inc
Funkytown
Lipps Inc was an American disco and funk group created by Steven Greenberg.
Funkytown is their most well-known hit, featuring a catchy synth riff and a memorable bassline.
June 28, 1980 – July 18, 1980
Paul McCartney
Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)
Paul McCartney, a former member of The Beatles, is a legendary singer-songwriter and musician.
Coming Up (Live at Glasgow) is a live version of McCartney’s solo hit, recorded with his band Wings during a concert in Glasgow.
July 19, 1980 – August 1, 1980
Billy Joel
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
Billy Joel is an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his storytelling and numerous hit songs.
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me is a commentary on the changing music scene, with Joel defending the relevance of rock music.
August 2, 1980 – August 29, 1980
Olivia Newton-John
Magic
Olivia Newton-John is an English-Australian singer and actress known for her role in the movie “Grease.”
Magic is a pop ballad from the soundtrack of the film “Xanadu,” in which Newton-John starred alongside Gene Kelly.
August 30, 1980 – September 5, 1980
Christopher Cross
Sailing
Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter known for his soft rock hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Sailing is a mellow, Grammy-winning song that expresses the tranquility and freedom of sailing on the open sea.
September 6, 1980 – October 3, 1980
Diana Ross
Upside Down
Diana Ross is a legendary singer and actress who first gained fame as the lead singer of The Supremes.
Upside Down was written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic and showcases Ross’s dynamic vocals.
October 4, 1980 – October 24, 1980
Queen
Another One Bites the Dust
Queen’s bassist, John Deacon, wrote Another One Bites the Dust, which became one of the band’s biggest hits.
The song features a distinctive bassline and marked a departure from the band’s usual rock sound, incorporating elements of funk and dance music.
October 25, 1980 – November 14, 1980
Barbra Streisand
Woman in Love
Barbra Streisand is an award-winning singer, actress, and director with a career spanning six decades.
Woman in Love is a passionate ballad written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, reflecting on the power of love.
November 15, 1980 – December 26, 1980
Kenny Rogers
Lady
Kenny Rogers was an American country music legend known for his warm, distinctive voice and storytelling skills.
Lady is a romantic ballad written and produced by Lionel Richie, which became one of Rogers’s signature songs.
December 27, 1980 – January 30, 1981
John Lennon
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennon was a former member of The Beatles and a celebrated singer-songwriter and activist
(Just Like) Starting Over was released shortly before Lennon’s tragic death and reflects his optimism for the future and his relationship with Yoko Ono

The Biggest Pop Artists of 1980 include:
Air Supply, Billy Joel, Bob Seger, Blondie, Boz Scaggs, The Brothers Johnson, Christopher Cross, Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Dr. Hook, Earth, Wind & Fire, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), George Benson, Jermaine Jackson, John Lennon, KC & the Sunshine Band, Kenny Loggins, Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, Kool & the Gang, Micheal Jackson, Pat Benatar, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Olivia Newton-John, Prince, Queen, Ray Parker Jr & Raydio, Shalamar, The Spinners, S.O.S. Band, Stevie Wonder, Teddy Pendergrass, The Whispers

(HPS music data is compiled from charts, including Billboard’s Pop, Rock, Airplay, R&B/Dance, and Singles Charts. The Hot 100 is the primary chart used for this list.)

 

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