The Greatest Songs of the 80s

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▶CD
3▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Purple Rain
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Bros. Records Inc. (not for release label use, company behind the “WB Records” imprint) (in 1984) and NPG Records, Inc. (in 2017)
recorded at:
First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (on 1983-08-03) and Sunset Sound, Studio 3 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1983-08 until 1983-09)
edit of:
Purple Rain (live, 1983‐08‐03: First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA, with overdubs) by Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
live recording of:
Purple Rain (on 1983-08-03)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Because Éditions, Controversy Music and Island Music Ltd.
Prince & The Revolution2.54:07
2Bette Davis Eyes
recording engineer:
Val Garay (in 1981-01)
producer:
Val Garay
electric guitar:
Waddy Wachtel (in 1981-01)
lead vocals:
Kim Carnes (in 1981-01)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Capitol Records, LLC (not for release label use! fka Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007), Capitol Records (imprint of Capitol Records, Inc.) (in 1981), Capitol Records, Inc. (not for release label use; US company behind the “Capitol Records” imprint) (in 1981), Chrysalis Records (don’t use as an imprint; please use “Chrysalis” instead) (in 1981), EMI America Records, Inc. (holding – file NO releases here!) (in 1981), EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1981), EMI Records USA (formerly EMI USA, renamed since early 1990s) (in 1981), EMI USA (renamed EMI Records USA in the beginning of the 1990s) (in 1981) and EMI–Manhattan Records (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1981)
recorded at:
Record One in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1981-01)
part of:
Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 18) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 425)
cover recording of:
Bette Davis Eyes (in 1981-01)
writer:
Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss
publisher:
Donna Weiss Music Inc., Mothfrog Publishing, Plain and Simple Music, PolyGram Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Brothers Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc. and Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019)
Kim Carnes3.953:45
3Eye in the Sky
additional recording engineer and additional producer:
Chris Blair (senior mastering engineer at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK)
assistant engineer:
Tony Richards (recording engineer)
engineer and producer:
Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project)
executive producer:
Eric Woolfson
acoustic guitar and electric guitar:
Ian Bairnson
bass guitar:
David Paton (of Pilot)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Stuart Elliott (session drummer, member of Cockney Rebel)
electric piano and lead vocals:
Eric Woolfson
keyboard:
Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project) and Eric Woolfson
saxophone:
Mel Collins
synthesizer:
Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project)
background vocals:
Chris Rainbow
conductor:
Andrew Powell (known for contributions to Alan Parsons Project)
chorus master:
Bob Howes (percussionist)
orchestrator:
Andrew Powell (known for contributions to Alan Parsons Project)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Arista Records, Inc. (manufacturing and distribution company, do not add releases here) (in 1982), Arista Records, LLC (holding company - file NO releases here!) (in 1982) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1982, in 2007)
part of:
Paste: The 25 Greatest Yacht Rock Songs of All Time (number: 21)
recording of:
Eye in the Sky
writer and composer:
Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project) and Eric Woolfson
publisher:
Careers Music, Inc., Careers–BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Universal Music Publishing International MGB Ltd. and Woolfsongs Ltd.
The Alan Parsons Project4.34:33
4All Out of Love
executive producer:
Clive Davis (record producer, A&R executive and music industry chief executive)
producer:
Robie Porter
assistant mixer:
Linda Corbin
mixer:
Jim Hilton
bass guitar:
Criston Barker
drums (drum set):
Ralph Cooper (drummer)
guitar [lead guitar]:
David Moyse
guitar [rhythm guitar]:
Graham Russell (Air Supply)
keyboard:
Frank Esler‐Smith and Sam McNally
background vocals:
Criston Barker, Tommy Dassalo (percussionist and backing vocalist for Air Supply), Russell Hitchcock, Marcy Levy, David Moyse and Graham Russell (Air Supply)
lead vocals:
Russell Hitchcock
vocals:
Graham Russell (Air Supply)
arranger:
Air Supply and Robie Porter
orchestrator:
Frank Esler‐Smith and Robie Porter
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Arista Records, Inc. (manufacturing and distribution company, do not add releases here) (in 1980), Arista Records, LLC (holding company - file NO releases here!) (in 1980), Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. (in 1980), Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. Pty Ltd. (in 1980) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1980)
recorded at:
Paradise Studios (Sydney) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and Studios 301 (Byron Bay) in Byron Bay (Byron Bay, New South Wales), New South Wales, Australia
mixed at:
Larrabee Sound Studios (original location of Larrabee Sound Studios from 1969–1991) in West Hollywood, California, United States
part of:
The Downloader’s Music Source Book (number: 290)
recording of:
All Out of Love
writer:
Clive Davis (record producer, A&R executive and music industry chief executive) and Graham Russell (Air Supply)
publisher:
Arista Music, Inc., BMG Music Publishing Ltd., BRM Publishing, Careers–BMG Music Publishing, Inc., DJDMP, Inc., Nottsongs, Riva Music Ltd., Universal Music Careers, Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music) and Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM)) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Air Supply4.454:04
5The Power of Love
producer:
Wolfgang Detmann (aka Candy de Rouge) and Gunther Mende
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH (not for release label use! for © & ℗ or distributor only, defunct since 2005/03/09) (in 1984) and Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH (not for use as release label! © & ℗ holders or distributors since 2009/01/14) (in 1984)
recording of:
The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song)
writer:
Mary Applegate, Wolfgang Detmann (aka Candy de Rouge), Gunther Mende and Jennifer Rush
publisher:
CBS Songs Ltd., EMI April Music Inc., EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., EMI Songs Ltd., EMI Songs Musikverlag GmbH, Libra Phone Music Verlag GmbH, フジパシフィック音楽出版 SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc. SBK Division) (until 2014-12-31), フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) (until 2015-01-01), イーエムアイ音楽出版 ソニー事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan Ltd., Sony Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Jennifer Rush2.54:26
6Total Eclipse of the Heart
vocals:
Bonnie Tyler (in 1983)
performer:
Rory Dodd (in 1983)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS Records (manufacturer/distributor, not for release label use!) (in 1983), CBS Records Ltd. (UK record company, subsidiary of CBS United Kingdom Ltd.) (in 1983) and Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1983)
recording of:
Total Eclipse of the Heart (in 1983)
lyricist and composer:
Jim Steinman
publisher:
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! see annotation), BMG VM Music Ltd., EMI Virgin Music Australia Pty Ltd, EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), Lost Boys (BMI affiliated) and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd.
Bonnie Tyler4.154:33
7Will You?
recording of:
Will You?
lyricist and composer:
Hazel O’Connor
publisher:
Albion Music Ltd.
Hazel O’Connor4:47
8Africa
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (EMI‐owned 1931–1990, worldwide except US, CA, MX, ES, & JP; largely defunct since Jan 1973) (in 1982)
recording of:
Africa (Toto)
writer:
Jeffrey Porcaro and David Paich
publisher:
Hudmar Publishing Co. Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. (UK), Rising Storm Music, Sony Music Publishing (worldwide except Japan, ended 1995), Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Spirit Two Music
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
Toto3.54:27
9Time After Time
additional engineer:
John Jansen (US recording engineer and producer) and Rod O’Brien
assistant engineer:
John Agnello (engineer & producer)
engineer:
William Wittman
associate producer:
William Wittman
producer:
Rick Chertoff
lead vocals:
Cyndi Lauper
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 1983), Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc. (in 1983), Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1983), Sony Music Entertainment (Holland) B.V. (Sony Music Entertainment's NL subsidiary until 2004) (in 1983) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1983, in 1984)
recorded at:
The Record Plant (New York) in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States
a cappella versions:
Time After Time by Forte A Cappella (Centerville High School)
part of:
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 19), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 116) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 494)
recording of:
Time After Time
writer:
Rob Hyman and Cyndi Lauper
publisher:
Sony Songs Inc. (ended, ), CBS Songs Ltd., Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Dub Notes Music (publisher) (, in 1984), Gray Matter Music, Human Boy Music, Reilla Music Company, Rella Music Co. (publisher) (, in 1984), Rellla Music Corp., Sony Music Publishing (worldwide except Japan, ended 1995), Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell North America, WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan), Inc., A Division (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), Warner Brothers Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named between 1970/01/23–1971/04/26 and 1972/04/25–1988/08/23), Warner/Chappell Music Japan, Synch division (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (holding company – do not use as release label)
Cyndi Lauper4.34:00
10Sexual Healing
producer:
Marvin Gaye
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1982), Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1982), Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc. (in 1982) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1982)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 198) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 231)
recording of:
Sexual Healing
writer:
Odell Brown, Marvin Gaye and David Ritz (American author)
publisher:
April Music Publishing Inc., Blackwood Music Inc. (1953-02-07–1987-12-30), Bugpie Music Publishing, EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., EMI Songs Ltd. and April Music Inc. (in 1982)
Marvin Gaye3.754:03
11Radio Africa
recording of:
Radio Africa
writer:
Mike Jones (lyricist of Latin Quater), Ron Keefe and Steve Skaith
Latin Quarter3:53
12Broken Wings
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1985) and RCA/Ariola International (not for release label use! precursor of Bertelsmann Music Group aka BMG, 1985–87) (in 1985)
recording of:
Broken Wings
writer:
Steve George (US keyboardist for Mr. Mister & Pages), John Lang (US songwriter for Mr. Mister & Pages) and Richard Page (singer-songwriter; former lead singer & bassist of Mr. Mister)
publisher:
Ali‐Aja Music, Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Entente Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Indolent Sloth Music, Panola Park Music, Poppy‐Due Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
sub-publisher:
Warner/Chappell Music Japan, Synch division (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (holding company – do not use as release label)
Mr. Mister54:45
13Come Back and Stay
producer:
Laurie Latham
bass guitar:
Pino Palladino
guitar:
Paul Young (English pop singer and musician)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1983) and Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG (not for release label use! for copyrights use only, existed from 2001/06/08–2004/09/23) (in 2002)
cover recording of:
Come Back and Stay
lyricist and composer:
Jack Lee (US songwriter and musician)
publisher:
Chrysalis Music Ltd. (music publisher, affiliated with PRS) and Chrysalis Songs
Paul Young4.54:25
14All Cried Out
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1984)
recording of:
All Cried Out
writer:
Steve Jolley, Alison Moyet and Tony Swain (songwriter, producer)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), J&S Music, Mega Music Ltd., Rondor Music (London) Ltd., Sonet Publishing Ltd. and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd.
Alison Moyet43:43
15I Like Chopin
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1983)
recording of:
I Like Chopin
lyricist:
Gazebo (80s Italian synth‐pop artist Paul Mazzolini “I Like Chopin”)
composer:
Pierluigi Giombini (arranger ,composer and producer)
publisher:
Abramo Allione Ed Mus SRL, Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd., Televis Edizioni Musicali S.R.L. (publisher), Universal Music Publishing Group Japan (work publisher – do NOT use as a release label) and 渡辺音楽出版 (Watanabe Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Japanese publisher, 1962–present)
Gazebo34:10
16The Way It Is
engineer:
Elliot Scheiner
producer:
Bruce Hornsby and Elliot Scheiner
drums (drum set) and percussion:
John Molo
piano and synthesizer:
Bruce Hornsby
vocals:
Bruce Hornsby
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
RCA Records (not for release label use! for the imprint, please use “RCA” instead), BMG Entertainment (in 1986), RCA/Ariola International (not for release label use! precursor of Bertelsmann Music Group aka BMG, 1985–87) (in 1986) and Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1986)
produced for:
Trackman, Inc.
recording of:
The Way It Is
lyricist and composer:
B.R. Hornsby
publisher:
BMG Music Ltd., Bob‐a‐Lew Songs (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing (use ONLY if no country‐specific information is available), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) and Zappo Music (from 1986 to present)
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
Bruce Hornsby & the Range4.055:01
17Appetite
producer:
Thomas Dolby
mixer:
Thomas Dolby and Mike Shipley (audio engineer, mixer, producer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1985)
recording of:
Appetite
lyricist and composer:
Paddy McAloon
publisher:
EMI Songs Ltd. and Kitchen Music (publisher)
Prefab Sprout4.353:59
18Don’t Stop Believin’
assistant engineer:
Wally Buck
engineer:
Kevin Elson
producer:
Kevin Elson and Mike Stone (producer and engineer, 1960s–80s)
bass guitar:
Ross Valory (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Steve Smith (US drummer most associated with Journey) (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
guitar:
Neal Schon (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
keyboard and piano:
Jonathan Cain (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
background vocals:
Jonathan Cain (from 1981-04 until 1981-06), Neal Schon (from 1981-04 until 1981-06) and Ross Valory (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
lead vocals:
Steve Perry (former lead singer of Journey) (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS Records Inc. (for rights/distribution/manufacture use only; international subsidiary of CBS, Inc.) (in 1981), Columbia Records (not for release label use! company owned by Sony Music Entertainment, only use for manufacturing/distribution and copyright holding) (in 1981), Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1981) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1981)
recorded at:
Fantasy Studios (Berkeley) in Berkeley, California, United States (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
mixed at:
Fantasy Studios (Berkeley) in Berkeley, California, United States
part of:
SWR1 Hitparade 2022 (Baden-Württemberg) (number: 10), VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 11), Offizielle deutsche Charts – Single-Jahrescharts 2025 (number: 34), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 51) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 133)
recording of:
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey song) (from 1981-04 until 1981-06)
writer:
Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry (former lead singer of Journey) and Neal Schon
publisher:
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! see annotation), Lacey Boulevard Music, Sharandall Music, Sony Music (global brand, excluding JP, owned by Sony Music Entertainment), Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!) and Weedhigh‐Nightmare Music
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), 日音 Synch事業部 (NICHION, INC. Synch Division), フジパシフィック音楽出版 (Fujipacific Music inc.) (until 2014-12-31) and フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.) (from 2015-01-01 to present)
Journey4.34:11