Top 100 Songs of 1982

Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1982. Chart © by Billboard, a part of MRC Media and Info, a division of MRC. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Billboard here.

Table of Contents

Top 100 Songs of 1982

1I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts

2Ebony & Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

3Physical – Olivia Newton-John

4Hurts So Good – John Cougar

5Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band

6Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago

7I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) – Daryl Hall and John Oates

8867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone

9You Should Hear How She Talks About You – Melissa Manchester

10Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner

11Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield

12The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known) – Juice Newton

13Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson

14We Got the Beat – The Go-Go’s

15The Other Woman – Ray Parker Jr.

16Turn Your Love Around – George Benson

17Sweet Dreams – Air Supply

18Only the Lonely – The Motels

19Who Can It Be Now? – Men At Work

20Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac

21Eye In the Sky – Alan Parsons Project

22Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind and Fire

23Open Arms – Journey

24Leather and Lace – Stevie Nicks and Don Henley

25Even the Nights Are Better – Air Supply

26I’ve Never Been to Me – Charlene

27’65 Love Affair – Paul Davis

28Heat of the Moment – Asia

29Take It Easy On Me – The Little River Band

30That Girl – Stevie Wonder

31Private Eyes – Daryl Hall and John Oates

32Trouble – Lindsey Buckingham

33Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard On Me – Juice Newton

34Young Turks – Rod Stewart

35Freeze-Frame – J. Geils Band

36Keep the Fire Burnin’ – REO Speedwagon

More 64 Top Songs of 1982

37. 37. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
    38. Centerfold – The J. Geils Band
    39. Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
    40. Jack & Diane – John Cougar
    41. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
    42. Chariots Of Fire – Vangelis
    43. Harden My Heart – Quarterflash
    44. Rosanna – Toto
    45. Key Largo – Bertie Higgins
    46. Shake It Up – The Cars
    47. Let It Whip – The Dazz Band
    48. Leader of the Band – Dan Fogelberg
    49. Pac Man Fever – Buckner and Garcia
    50. Making Love – Roberta Flack
    51.  Do You Believe In Love – Huey Lewis and The News
    52. Cool Night – Paul Davis
    53.  Caught Up In You – 38 Special
    54.  Why Do Fools Fall In Love – Diana Ross
    55.  Love In the First Degree – Alabama
    56.  Hooked On America – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    57.  Wasted On the Way – Crosby, Stills and Nash
    58.  Think I’m In Love – Eddie Money
    59.  Love Is In Control (Finger On the Trigger) – Donna Summer
    60.  Personally – Karla Bonoff
    61.  One Hundred Ways (Find 100 Ways) – Quincy Jones
    62.  Blue Eyes – Elton John
    63.  Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s
    64.  You Could Have Been With Me – Sheena Easton
    65.  You Can Do Magic – America
    66.  Did It In a Minute – Daryl Hall and John Oates
    67.  I Ran (So Far Away) – A Flock Of Seagulls
    68.  Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne
    69.  Oh No – The Commodores
    70.  Take It Away – Paul McCartney
    71.  It’s Gonna Take a Miracle – Deneice Williams
    72.  A Love Song – Kenny Rogers
    73.  Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
    74.  Comin’ In and Out of Your Life – Barbra Streisand
    75.  Gloria – Laura Branigan
    76.  Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) – Elton John
    77.  Yesterday’s Songs – Neil Diamond
    78.  Crimson and Clover – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
    79.  Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – The Police
    80.  Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) – Air Supply
    81.  I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You’re Near) – Michael Mcdonald
    82.  Get Down On It – Kool and The Gang
    83.  Any Day Now – Ronnie Milsap
    84.  Make a Move On Me – Olivia Newton-John
    85.  Take My Heart (You Can Have It if You Want It) – Kool and The Gang
    86.  Mirror, Mirror – Diana Ross
    87.  Vacation – The Go-Go’s
    88.  (Oh) Pretty Woman – Van Halen
    89.  Should I Do It – Pointer Sisters
    90.  Hot In the City – Billy Idol
    91.  Kids in America – Kim Wilde
    92.  Man On Your Mind – The Little River Band
    93.  What’s Forever For – Michael Murphy
    94.  Waiting On a Friend – The Rolling Stones
    95.  All I Do – Stevie Wonder
    96.  Working for the Weekend – Loverboy
    97. Goin’ Down – Greg Guidry
    98.  Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross
    99.  Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
    100.  Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks

Need More Awesome Songs from the 90s and 2000s?

If so, check out our thoughts on the Top 10 Everclear Songs, the Best Blue October Songs of All Time, the Best 3 Doors Down Songs, the Best Third Eye Blind Songs of All Time, the Top 10 Candlebox Songs, and the Top Staind Songs of All Time for more incredible song selections.

Top 100 Songs of 1982 – Final Thoughts

The year 1982 was a time of musical transition, with the rise of synth-pop and new wave artists. The top 100 songs of the year featured a mix of classic rock, R&B, and emerging genres. Michael Jackson dominated the charts with hits like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” while Toto’s “Africa” became a global anthem.

Other notable songs included Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which became a timeless classic, and Prince’s “1999,” which foreshadowed his future success. The top 100 songs of 1982 captured the essence of the decade, showcasing the diversity and innovation that defined the era’s music scene.