The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs of the 1980's: #10 through #1

We have arrived at the Top 10 for the decade.  Here are the 10 most popular Adult Contemporary Songs of the 1980's*:

#10:

 "Careless Whisper"

 Wham

1985

 

This classic spent five weeks at #1 in 1985, achieving that against songs such as Chicago's "You're The Inspiration", "One More Night" from Phil Collins, and "All I Need" by Jack Wagner.

 

#9:

   "Greatest Love of All"
 Whitney Houston
1986

One of Whitney's biggest career hits, her cover of George Benson's song reached #1 for five weeks.  Its competition included "Live To Tell" from Madonna. 

 

#8:

   "You Are"
 Lionel Richie
1983

Lionel Richie spent six weeks at #1 in 1983 with one of his early solo hits.  It took over from Bob Seger's "Shame On The Moon", and also fought off "Baby, Come To Me" and "Make Love Stay" for its long reign at the top. 

 

#7:

    "Stuck On You"

 Lionel Richie

1984

 

Richie achieved his seventh AC #1 in eight releases with this smash, a #1 song in 1984 for five weeks.  It had great competition, including "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" from Peabo Bryson, Billy Joel's "Leave A Tender Moment Alone", and "Drive" by the Cars.

 

 

#6:

  "Right Here Waiting
 Richard Marx
1989

Marx spent six weeks at the top of the AC chart, taking over from another six-week #1, "If You Don't Know Me By Now" from Simply Red.

 

#5:

    "If You Don't Know Me by Now"

 Simply Red

1989

 

And since the two songs were so close in achievement in 1989, it's no surprise that they are next to each other for the decade.  Besides "Right Here Waiting", Simply Red competed against "Miss You Like Crazy" and Howard Jones's "Everlasting Love".

#4:

   "Lost in Love"
 Air Supply
1980

Air Supply was a strong contender for #1 for the decade, putting up six weeks at #1 against "GIve It All You Got" from Chuck Mangione, "Three Times In Love" by Tommy James, and Bette Midler's "The Rose.

 

 

#3:

      "Don't Know Much"
 Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
1989

Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville combined for this smash #1 of five weeks, holding off the classic "Another Day In Paradise" by Phil Collins.

#2:

      "Hello"
 Lionel Richie
1984

Here's the best of three Lionel Richie songs in The Top 10* for the decade.  He spent six weeks at #1 with this one, taking over from "Got A Hold On Me", itself a four-week #1.  "Hello" also competed against "An Innocent Man" and "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel, "Think Of Laura" by Christopher Cross, and "Time After Time" from Cyndi Lauper.

 

 

#1:

   "Cherish"
 Kool & the Gang

Kool & the Gang sit on top for the 80's with this classic, a six-week song at #1.  It competed against "Everytime You Go Away" from Paul Young, Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love For You", and "Who's Holding Donna Now" by DeBarge.

 

 

We hope you have enjoyed the first music special produced on Inside The Rock Era--many more to follow!