This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.

List of years in music (table)
In radio
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
In television
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
+...
Alternative rock singer Siouxsie Sioux in 1980

Specific locations

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Specific genres

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Events

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January–March

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April–June

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July–September

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October–December

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Also in 1980

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Bands formed

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See Category:Musical groups established in 1980

Bands disbanded

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See Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1980

Albums released

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January

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Day Album Artist Notes
4 The Romantics The Romantics
8 Union Jacks The Babys
10 The Age of Plastic The Buggles Australia; UK release on 4 February
11 Pretenders The Pretenders
14 Permanent Waves Rush
18 Just Testing Wishbone Ash
Metamatic John Foxx
21 True Colours Split Enz New Zealand
28 Love Stinks The J. Geils Band
Terminal Jive Sparks
30 Air Pocket Roger Powell
? God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners Robert Fripp
No Place to Run UFO
Malice in Wonderland Nazareth [8]
Is This Real? Wipers
The Return of the Durutti Column The Durutti Column
Sheer Greed Girl
Short Stories Jon and Vangelis
Sit Down and Talk to Me Lou Rawls
Un Peu de l'Âme des Bandits Aksak Maboul

February

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Day Album Artist Notes
4 End of the Century Ramones
5 Boys Don't Cry The Cure Compilation
7 Sugarhill Gang The Sugarhill Gang
12 Bryan Adams Bryan Adams
14 Bebe le Strange Heart
Lady T Teena Marie
15 Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School Warren Zevon
...But the Little Girls Understand The Knack
Earth & Sky Graham Nash
Get Happy!! Elvis Costello
Metal for Muthas Various Artists
Protect The Innocent Rachel Sweet
Too Much Pressure The Selecter [9]
22 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Sheep Farming in Barnet Toyah Expanded reissue of 1979 EP
25 Against the Wind Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Warm Thoughts Smokey Robinson
27 Remorse Code Desperate Bicycles
29 Departure Journey [10]
? After Dark Andy Gibb
Argybargy Squeeze
Colossal Youth Young Marble Giants
Conquest Uriah Heep
Mad Love Linda Ronstadt
Martin Rev Martin Rev
Soldier Iggy Pop
Supercharged Tavares
Survivor Survivor
That's What You Get Babe Kevin Ayers
Willie Nile Willie Nile

March

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Day Album Artist Notes
3 Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
7 Coal Miner's Daughter Various Artists Soundtrack
Nobody's Heroes Stiff Little Fingers
The Psychedelic Furs The Psychedelic Furs
10 Hot Spikes Myofist - As Fist[11]
12 Glass Houses Billy Joel
14 On Through the Night Def Leppard Debut
Released Patti LaBelle
17 Let's Get Serious Jermaine Jackson
18 Dreams Grace Slick
21 For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder? The Pop Group
24 Keepin' the Summer Alive The Beach Boys
Rarities The Beatles US Compilation
26 Naughty Chaka Khan
One Eighty Ambrosia
Women and Children First Van Halen
Welcome To The Club Ian Hunter
28 Duke Genesis
Look Hear? 10cc
31 Animal Magnetism Scorpions
? Progressions of Power Triumph
Half-Mute Tuxedomoon
Sequel Harry Chapin
Feel the Heat The Radiators
Frantic City Teenage Head
Let the Music Do the Talking The Joe Perry Project
Lost in Love Air Supply
Sacred Songs Daryl Hall
Suddenly The Sports
Reaching For Tomorrow Switch
Somebody's Waiting Anne Murray

April

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Day Album Artist Notes
3 Wheels of Steel Saxon
The Magic of Boney M. – 20 Golden Hits Boney M. Compilation
The Barbara Dickson Album Barbara Dickson
4 Light Up the Night Brothers Johnson
11 British Steel Judas Priest [12]
Snakes and Ladders Gerry Rafferty
14 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly Dolly Parton
16 Just One Night Eric Clapton Live
18 Heaven and Hell Black Sabbath [13]
Seventeen Seconds The Cure
Solo in Soho Phil Lynott
Sky 2 Sky
Holiday '80 The Human League EP
Power The Temptations
21 Empty Glass Pete Townshend
Hypnotised The Undertones
24 Cameosis Cameo
28 Flush the Fashion Alice Cooper
Go to Heaven Grateful Dead
30 Roses in the Snow Emmylou Harris
? The Golden Years Motörhead EP[14]
Los Angeles X
The Boys Light Up Australian Crawl
Crazy Rhythms The Feelies
Give 'Em Hell Witchfynde
Growing Up in Public Lou Reed
Lookin' for Trouble Toronto
Marauder Magnum Live
Middle Man Boz Scaggs
Ska 'n' B Bad Manners
Tommy Tutone Tommy Tutone
Waters Edge Sweet
Day Album Artist Notes
1 Tangram Tangerine Dream
5 Totale's Turns The Fall
9 Bass Culture Linton Kwesi Johnson
Warm Leatherette Grace Jones
16 McCartney II Paul McCartney
Freedom of Choice Devo
20 Unmasked Kiss
22 Diana Diana Ross
23 Ready an' Willing Whitesnake [15]
Flesh and Blood Roxy Music
21 at 33 Elton John
Travelogue The Human League
The Up Escalator Graham Parker
I Just Can't Stop It The Beat
28 Tight Shoes Foghat
30 Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Third Album[16]
? Can't Stop the Music Village People Soundtrack
The Correct Use of Soap Magazine
Bad Reputation Joan Jett Self-titled album released in 1980. Re-released as Bad Reputation in Jan 1981
New Clear Days The Vapors
Music Man Waylon Jennings
Quicksand Shoes Streetheart
Songs the Lord Taught Us The Cramps
Space Race Mi-Sex
Sportscar Judie Tzuke
Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev Suicide
The Tale of the Tape Billy Squier
Three Mantras Cabaret Voltaire
Young and Restless Prism
Woman Love Burton Cummings

June

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Day Album Artist Notes
2 Found All the Parts Cheap Trick EP
I'm a Rebel Accept
Romance Dance Kim Carnes
4 East Cold Chisel
One for the Road The Kinks Live
6 The Blue Meaning Toyah
10 Uprising Bob Marley & The Wailers
16 Come Upstairs Carly Simon
20 The Blues Brothers Various Artists Soundtrack
Rise Up Peter Frampton Brazil
23 Emotional Rescue The Rolling Stones
Saved Bob Dylan
24 Hold Out Jackson Browne
25 Huey Lewis and the News Huey Lewis and the News
27 Xanadu Olivia Newton-John and ELO Soundtrack
30 Demolition Girlschool
The Game Queen
Metal Rendez-vous Krokus
Real People Chic
? Live at Last Black Sabbath Live 1973
Danger Zone Sammy Hagar
Cultösaurus Erectus Blue Öyster Cult
Underwater Moonlight The Soft Boys
The Art of Walking Pere Ubu
Chipmunk Punk The Chipmunks
Breaking Silence James Freud and the Radio Stars
Dark Room The Angels
"The Dugites" The Dugites
Heroes Commodores
Defector Steve Hackett
Endangered Species Klaatu
I've Got Something to Say David Allan Coe
Scream Dream Ted Nugent
Tomcattin' Blackfoot
Urban Cowboy Soundtrack Various Artists Soundtrack

July

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 John Anderson John Anderson
4 Deepest Purple: The Very Best of Deep Purple Deep Purple Compilation
There & Back Jeff Beck
11 Vienna Ultravox
Head On Samson
Searching for the Young Soul Rebels Dexys Midnight Runners
15 Back on the Streets Donnie Iris
16 Garden of Love Rick James
18 Closer Joy Division
Crocodiles Echo & the Bunnymen
Full Moon Charlie Daniels Band
Honeysuckle Rose Willie Nelson Soundtrack
Live Seventy Nine Hawkwind
No Night So Long Dionne Warwick
21 Chicago XIV Chicago
25 Back in Black AC/DC
TP Teddy Pendergrass
28 Zapp Zapp
29 Voices Hall & Oates
? Wild Cat Tygers of Pan Tang [17]
Espresso Bongo Mental As Anything
Hot on the One James Brown Live
Playing for Keeps Eddie Money
Sinsemilla Black Uhuru
The Voice of America Cabaret Voltaire
Seeds of Change Kerry Livgren

August

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 The Affectionate Punch Associates
Kaleidoscope Siouxsie & the Banshees
Special Things The Pointer Sisters
4 What's the Word The Fabulous Thunderbirds
5 Crimes of Passion Pat Benatar
8 Glory Road Gillan [18]
Give Me the Night George Benson
12 One-Trick Pony Paul Simon
13 S.O.S. The S.O.S. Band
14 Give Love at Christmas The Temptations Christmas
15 Alibi America
Hats Off Step Lively Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons
Panorama The Cars
18 No More Dirty Deals Johnny Van Zant
20 24 Carrots Al Stewart
21 Black Rose Cher
22 Drama Yes
Living in a Fantasy Leo Sayer
27 Wild Planet The B-52's
29 A Jethro Tull
Signing Off UB40
? Common One Van Morrison
Doc at the Radar Station Captain Beefheart
Gamma 2 Gamma
Jealous Again Black Flag EP
Loverboy Loverboy
The Michael Schenker Group Michael Schenker Group
Neutronica Donovan
Off the Coast of Me Kid Creole and the Coconuts
Reach for the Sky The Allman Brothers Band
Stand Up and Fight Quartz
The Swing of Delight Carlos Santana
Toy Love Toy Love

September

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 Change of Address The Shadows
I'm No Hero Cliff Richard
Audio-Visions Kansas
Especially for You Cilla Black [19]
2 Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables Dead Kennedys
5 Telekon Gary Numan
Waiting for a Miracle Comsat Angels
8 Never for Ever Kate Bush
I Am What I Am George Jones
Out of Control Peter Criss
Times Square Various Artists Soundtrack
9 Heartattack and Vine Tom Waits
12 Blizzard of Ozz Ozzy Osbourne UK
Black Sea XTC
Empires and Dance Simple Minds
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) David Bowie
15 Nothin' Matters and What If It Did John Cougar
17 Oingo Boingo Oingo Boingo EP
One Step Closer The Doobie Brothers
19 The Absolute Game Skids
White Spirit White Spirit
More Specials The Specials
23 Greatest Hits Kenny Rogers Compilation
Guilty Barbra Streisand
24 Deface the Music Utopia
26 Paris Supertramp Live
Absolutely Madness
Clues Robert Palmer
Triumph The Jacksons
29 Celebrate! Kool & the Gang
Hotter than July Stevie Wonder
Kurtis Blow Kurtis Blow
30 Aretha Aretha Franklin
? Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits Andy Gibb
Audio-Visions Kansas
Beatin' the Odds Molly Hatchet
Kenny Loggins Alive Kenny Loggins Live
Mr. Hands Herbie Hancock
Rev Up The Rezillos as The Revillos
Shadows and Light Joni Mitchell Live

October

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 Group Sex Circle Jerks
3 Zenyatta Mondatta The Police
Lightning to the Nations Diamond Head Debut
6 Feel Me Cameo
8 Dirty Mind Prince
Remain in Light Talking Heads
10 Chance Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Chinatown Thin Lizzy
Beat Crazy Joe Jackson [20]
Icehouse Icehouse as Flowers
Kilimanjaro The Teardrop Explodes
13 INXS INXS Debut
Avoid Freud Rough Trade
Grace and Danger John Martyn
14 Faces Earth, Wind & Fire
15 Solid Pleasure Yello Debut
17 Making Movies Dire Straits
The River Bruce Springsteen
Levitation Hawkwind
Just Supposin' Status Quo
Love Zombies The Monochrome Set
20 Boy U2
The Wanderer Donna Summer
22 Rockabilly Blues Johnny Cash
24 Stage Struck Rory Gallagher Live
Organisation Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
All Shook Up Cheap Trick
27 Drugstore Dancer Streetheart
31 Ace of Spades Motörhead
QE2 Mike Oldfield
Dig It Klaus Schulze
? Killing Joke Killing Joke Debut
Black Market Clash The Clash 10" mini LP/US & Canada
Stagefright Witchfynde
Borderline Ry Cooder
Commercial Album The Residents
A-Z Colin Newman
The Concert Creedence Clearwater Revival Live 1970
Explorer Suite New England
More George Thorogood and the Destroyers George Thorogood and the Destroyers
The Numbers The Numbers
On the Edge The Babys
Seconds of Pleasure Rockpile
The Skill The Sherbs
The Witch of Berkeley A II Z Live
Yellow EP Gang of Four EP
Greener Postures Snakefinger

November

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Day Album Artist Notes
3 In the Flat Field Bauhaus Debut
The Black Album The Damned
Live...in the Heart of the City Whitesnake Live[15]
Super Trouper ABBA
Hawks & Doves Neil Young
Slade Smashes! Slade Compilation
7 Gentlemen Take Polaroids Japan
The Turn of a Friendly Card The Alan Parsons Project
Song of Seven Jon Anderson
Eagles Live Eagles Live
Divine Madness Bette Midler Live
Kings of the Wild Frontier Adam and the Ants
10 Visage Visage
The Jazz Singer Neil Diamond Soundtrack
11 Greatest Hits Aerosmith Compilation
12 Ultra Wave Bootsy Collins
17 Double Fantasy John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Grotesque The Fall
19 Barry Barry Manilow
21 Foolish Behaviour Rod Stewart
Gaucho Steely Dan
Hi Infidelity REO Speedwagon
24 Yesshows Yes Live
9 to 5 and Odd Jobs Dolly Parton
Bird Noises Midnight Oil EP
26 Autoamerican Blondie
28 Laughter Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Sound Affects The Jam
Toyah! Toyah Live
? Strong Arm of the Law Saxon [21]
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers Motörhead EP
Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf Models
The Birthday Party The Birthday Party
Five Great Gift Ideas from The Reels The Reels EP
Jeopardy The Sound
Loonee Tunes! Bad Manners
Stone Jam Slave
This Is My Dream Switch
Taking Liberties Elvis Costello Compilation

December

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Day Album Artist Notes
5 Live Fleetwood Mac Live
Made in America The Blues Brothers Live
The Paris Collection Dollar
Trombipulation Parliament
8 Flash Gordon Queen Soundtrack
Replay Crosby, Stills & Nash
10 Dream, After Dream Journey Soundtrack
12 Sandinista! The Clash
26 Stand in the Fire Warren Zevon Live
29 Arc of a Diver Steve Winwood [22]
? Angel Witch Angel Witch Debut
The Decline of Western Civilization Various Artists Soundtrack
I've Always Wanted to Do This Jack Bruce
Love Uprising Tavares
National Breakout The Romantics
Shades of Blue Lou Rawls

Release date unknown

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Awards

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Biggest hit singles

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The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1980.

# Artist Title Year Country Chart entries
1 Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall (part 2) 1980   UK 1 – Dec 1979, US BB 1 – Feb 1980, Canada 1 – Jan 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Feb 1980, France 1 – Feb 1980, Austria 1 – Feb 1980, Switzerland 1 – Jan 1980, Norway 1 – Jan 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1980, Republic of Ireland 1 – Dec 1979, Poland 1 of all time, US CashBox 3 of 1980, Netherlands 3 – Dec 1979, Australia 4 of 1980, KROQ 6 of 1980, POP 7 of 1980, South Africa 8 of 1980, Germany 9 of the 1980s, Europe 11 of the 1970s, Italy 12 of 1980, US BB 15 of 1980, RYM 18 of 1979, TheQ 28, Virgin 39, Belgium 50 of all time, Scrobulate 51 of live, RIAA 296, Rolling Stone 375, Acclaimed 392, OzNet 594
2 Barbra Streisand Woman in Love 1980   UK 1 – Oct 1980, US BB 1 – Sep 1980, Netherlands 1 – Sep 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Oct 1980, Austria 1 – Dec 1980, Switzerland 1 – Oct 1980, Norway 1 – Nov 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1981, Republic of Ireland 1 – Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 2 weeks Sep 1981, South Africa 2 of 1980, Italy 3 of 1981, France 7 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 9 of 1980, Australia 21 of 1980, Germany 36 of the 1980s, RYM 157 of 1980
3 John Lennon (Just Like) Starting Over 1980   UK 1 – Nov 1980, US BB 1 – Nov 1980, Canada 1 – Nov 1980, Switzerland 1 – Dec 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Dec 1981, Austria 2 – Feb 1981, Norway 2 – Dec 1980, Sweden (alt) 3 – Nov 1980, Germany 6 – Jan 1981, France 9 – Nov 1980, US BB 12 of 1980, Australia 18 of 1981, Italy 29 of 1981, RYM 32 of 1980, POP 49 of 1980, US CashBox 57 of 1980, Germany 298 of the 1980s, OzNet 683, Acclaimed 1637
4 Lipps Inc Funkytown 1980   US BB 1 – Apr 1980, Netherlands 1 – Apr 1980, Austria 1 – Jul 1980, Switzerland 1 – May 1980, Norway 1 – Jul 1980, Germany 1 – Jun 1980, UK 2 – May 1980, Sweden (alt) 2 – Jun 1980, US BB 4 of 1980, POP 5 of 1980, Scrobulate 7 of disco, Australia 9 of 1980, US CashBox 10 of 1980, Germany 14 of the 1980s, Italy 30 of 1980, RYM 73 of 1979, Acclaimed 520
5 Diana Ross Upside Down 1980   US BB 1 – Aug 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Aug 1980, France 1 – Aug 1980, Switzerland 1 – Aug 1980, Norway 1 – Aug 1980, New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Aug 1981, UK 2 – Jul 1980, Netherlands 2 – Jul 1980, Austria 2 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 4 of 1980, Germany 4 – Sep 1980, Canada 8 – Sep 1980, Italy 8 of 1980, South Africa 11 of 1980, Australia 15 of 1980, POP 22 of 1980, US BB 30 of 1980, Scrobulate 42 of disco, RYM 83 of 1980, Germany 87 of the 1980s, Acclaimed 1364

US and UK and Japan #1 hit singles

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(in chronological order)

Top 40 Chart hit singles

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Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart Performance(s)
"(Just Like) Starting Over" John Lennon November 1980 1 1 1 (8 countries) See chart performance entry
"A Forest" The Cure March 1980 n/a 31 20 (Belgium) 26 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 100]) - 38 (New Zealand) - 47 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs)
"Against The Wind" Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band April 1980 5 n/a 5 (US) 6 (Canada) - 8 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 30 (Belgium) - 92 (Australia)
"Ah! Leah!" Donnie Iris October 1980 29 n/a 6 (Canada) 19 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 22 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 34 (Australia)
"All Out Of Love" Air Supply February 1980 2 11 2 (Canada, US) See chart performance entry
"An American Dream" Nitty Gritty Dirt Band January 1980 13 n/a 3 (Canada, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) See chart entry performance
"Amigo" Black Slate September 1980 n/a 9 9 (UK, New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Amoureux solitaires" Lio October 1980 n/a n/a 1 (Italy) 3 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 4 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 6 (Austria) - 11 (West Germany) - 14 (Belgium)
"Another One Bites the Dust" Queen August 1980 1 7 1 (Canada, Israel, Spain, United States) See chart performance entry
"Antmusic" Adam and the Ants November 1980 n/a 2 1 (Australia) See chart performance entry
"Army Dreamers" Kate Bush September 1980 n/a 16 2 (Israel) 14 (Ireland) - 25 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 36 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40])
"Ashes To Ashes" David Bowie August 1980 n/a 1 1 (UK) See chart performance entry
"Babooshka" Kate Bush June 1980 n/a 5 2 (Australia) See chart performance entry
"Back Together Again" Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway May 1980 56 3 3 (UK) 6 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) - 8 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"Baggy Trousers" Madness September 1980 n/a 3 3 (UK, New Zealand) See chart entry performance
"Banana Republic" The Boomtown Rats November 1980 n/a 3 3 (Germany, Ireland, Norway, UK) See chart entry performance
"Bankrobber" The Clash August 1980 n/a 12 12 (United Kingdom) 14 (Ireland, New Zealand)
"Biggest Part of Me" Ambrosia March 1980 3 n/a 3 (US) 1 (Radio & Records) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 18 (Canadian RPM Top Singles) - 30 (New Zealand) - 35 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"Boulevard" Jackson Browne June 1980 19 n/a 4 (Canada) 13 (U.S. Billboard Cash Box Top 100)
"Brass in Pocket" The Pretenders January 1980 14 1 1 (Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom) See chart performance entry 1979 overlap
"Breakdown Dead Ahead" Boz Scaggs March 1980 15 n/a 8 (Canada) 12 (U.S. Cahs Box Top 100) - 65 (Australia)
"Breaking the Law" Judas Priest May 1980 n/a 12 12 (United Kingdom) 19 (Ireland)
"Can't Help Myself" Flowers June 1980 n/a n/a 10 (Australia) 29 (New Zealand) - 50 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs)
"Can't Stop the Music" Village People April 1980 n/a 11 1 (Australia, South Africa) See chart performance entry
"Coming Up" Paul McCartney April 1980 1 2 1 (Canada, United States) 2 (Australia, New Zealand) - 2 (U.S. Cashbox Top 100) - 48 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"Cruisin'" Smokey Robinson April 1980 4 n/a 1 (New Zealand) 1 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 4 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 34 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 66 (Canada) - 70 (Australia)
"Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time" The Spinners July 1980 4 4 4 (UK) 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"Desire" Andy Gibb January 1980 4 n/a 4 See chart performance entry
"Don't Ask Me Why" Billy Joel July 1980 19 n/a 4 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Don't Do Me Like That" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers January 1980 10 n/a 3 (Canada) 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 17 (New Zealand)
"Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes March 1980 4 n/a 1 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Dreamin'" Cliff Richard September 1980 10 8 1 (Denmark) See chart performance entry
"Drivin' My Life Away" Eddie Rabbitt June 1980 5 n/a 5 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Duncan" Slim Dusty November 1980 n/a n/a 1 (Australia) 7 (New Zealand)
"Echo Beach" Martha and the Muffins February 1980 n/a 10 5 (Canada) 6 (Australia) - 11 (Ireland)
"Emotional Rescue" The Rolling Stones June 1980 3 9 1 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" The Korgis May 1980 18 5 1 (France) See chart performance entry
"Fame" Irene Cara May 1980 4 1 1 (5 countries) See chart performance entry
"Fashion" David Bowie October 1980 70 5 5 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Fire Lake" Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band January 1980 6 n/a 3 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Funkytown" Lipps Inc. March 1980 1 2 1 (14 countries)[broken anchor] See chart performance entry[broken anchor]
"Games Without Frontiers" Peter Gabriel February 1980 48 4 3 (Ireland) 7 (Canada) - 44 (Australia) - 60 (U.S. Cashbox Top 100)
"Generals and Majors XTC August 1980 104 32 16 (New Zealand) 24 (Australia) - 28 (U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks) - 92 (Canada)
"Geno" Dexy's Midnight Runners March 1980 n/a 1 1 (United Kingdom) 2 (Ireland) - 44 (Australia)
"Give Me the Night" George Benson June 1980 4 7 3 (France) See chart performance entry
"Going Underground"/"Dreams of Children" The Jam March 1980 n/a 1 1 (United Kingdom) 18 (Sweden) - 28 (New Zealand) - 50 (Australia)
"He's So Shy" The Pointer Sisters July 1980 3 n/a 1 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Hey!" Julio Iglesias 1980 n/a 31 1 (Spain) 24 (Ireland) - 56 (Australia)
"Him" Rupert Holmes January 1980 6 31 4 (Canada)

See chart performance entry

"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" Pat Benatar September 1980 9 n/a 9 (United States) 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 10 (Canada) - 33 (Australia)
"Hungry Heart" Bruce Springsteen October 1980 5 44 5 (Canada, United States) See chart performance entry
"Hurt So Bad" Linda Ronstadt March 1980 8 n/a 8 (United States) 17 (Canada) - 25 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 37 (Canadian RPM charts) - 43 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40])
"I Can't Tell You Why" Eagles February 1980 8 n/a 5 (Canada) 2 (Canada Adult Contemporary) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 11 (New Zealand) - 49 (Netherlands [Single Top 100])
"I Die: You Die" Gary Numan August 1980 102 6 6 (United Kingdom) 16 (Ireland)
"I Got You" Split Enz January 1980 53 12 1 (Australia, Israel, New Zealand) 13 (Canada) - 19 (Ireland) - 50 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"I Hope I Never" Split Enz May 1980 n/a n/a 18 (Australia) 30 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 33 (New Zealand)
"I Made It Through the Rain" Barry Manilow November 1980 10 37 10 (United States) 4 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 18 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 20 (Ireland)
"I Pledge My Love" Peaches & Herb January 1980 19 n/a 1 (New Zealand) 23 (Canada) - 25 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 33 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 37 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"I Wanna Be Your Lover" Prince January 1980 11 41 3 (New Zealand) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs)
"I Want To Be Straight" Ian Dury & The Blockheads August 1980 n/a 22 18 (Australia) n/a
"Il jouait du piano debout" France Gall 1980 n/a n/a 2 (France) 22 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 26 (Netherlands [Single Top 100])
"It's Hard to Be Humble" Mac Davis March 1980 43 27 3 (New Zealand) 4 (Canada RPM Country) - 9 (Australia) - 10 (U.S. Billboard Country) - 14 (Canada) - 35 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Johnny and Mary" Robert Palmer September 1980 n/a 44 1 (Spain) See chart performance entry
"Killer on the Loose" Thin Lizzy September 1980 n/a 10 5 (Ireland) n/a
"King" / "Food for Thought" UB40 February 1980 n/a 4 1 (New Zealand) 10 (Ireland) - 36 (Australia) - 46 (Netherlands [Single Top 100])
"Let My Love Open The Door" Pete Townshend June 1980 9 46 5 (Canada) 11 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 82 (Australia)
"Let's Get Serious" Jermaine Jackson March 1980 9 n/a 9 (United States) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) - 24 (Australia)
"Little Jeannie" Elton John May 1980 3 33 1 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Longer" Dan Fogelberg January 1980 2 59 2 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Looking for Clues" Robert Palmer November 1980 105 33 3 (Germany) See chart performance entry
"Lost In Love" Air Supply January 1980 3 n/a 3 (New Zealand, United States) 1 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 2 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 4 (Canada RPM Top Singles) - 10 (France) - 13 (Australia)
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" Joy Division June 1980 n/a 13 1 (New Zealand) 1 (UK Indie Singles Chart) - 26 (Australia) - 42 (U.S. Billboard Disco Top 100)
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" Stevie Wonder September 1980 5 2 (6 countries) See chart performance entry
"Misunderstanding" Genesis May 1980 14 42 1 (Canada) 14 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 32 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"More Love" Kim Carnes June 1980 10 n/a 10 (United States) 6 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 7 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 13 (Canada) - 46 (Australia)
"More Than I Can Say" Leo Sayer October 1980 2 2 1 (Australia) 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 2 (Ireland, South Africa) - 3 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 5 (New Zealand) - 7 (Canada)
"Me Myself I" Joan Armatrading June 1980 n/a 21 13 (Ireland) 13 (South Africa) - 14 (New Zealand) - 24 (Australia) - 38 (Netherlands [Single Top 100)]
"My Perfect Cousin" The Undertones March 1980 n/a 9 9 (United Kingdom) 9 (Ireland)
"Never Knew Love Like This Before" Stephanie Mills August 1980 6 4 1 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) See chart performance entry
"Off the Wall" Michael Jackson February 1980 10 7 4 (Norway) See chart performance entry
"On and On and On" ABBA September 1980 90 n/a 7 (France) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 1 (Australia) - 9 (Australia) - 24 (Japan)
"On the Radio" Donna Summer January 1980 5 32 2 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"One Step Ahead" Split Enz November 1980 n/a n/a 5 (Australia) 17 (Canada) - 104 (U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)
"People" Mi-Sex March 1980 n/a n/a 3 (New Zealand) 6 (Australia)
"Pilot of the Airwaves" Charlie Dore February 1980 13 66 3 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Private Idaho" The B-52's October 1980 74 n/a 11 (Australia) 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) - 78 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Real Love" The Doobie Brothers August 1980 5 n/a 5 (United States) 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 10 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 12 (Canada) - 15 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 53 (Australia)
"Rat Race" The Specials May 1980 n/a 5 17 (Ireland) 89 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs)
"Refugee" Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers January 1980 15 n/a 2 (Canada) 3 (New Zealand) - 11 (U.S. Cash Top Box 100) - 23 (Belgium) - 24 (Australia) - 24 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40])
"Ride Like The Wind" Christopher Cross February 1980 2 69 2 (United Kingdom) 3 (Canada) - 24 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 31 (New Zealand)
"Running Free" Iron Maiden February 1980 n/a 34 34 (United Kingdom) 35 (New Zealand)
"Santa Maria" Roland Kaiser June 1980 n/a n/a 1 (Germany, Netherlands) n/a
"Sara" Fleetwood Mac January 1980 7 37 7 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Sexy Eyes" Dr. Hook January 1980 5 4 1 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Shaddap You Face" Joe Dolce October 1980 53 1 1 (9 countries) See chart performance entry
"She's Out of My Life" Michael Jackson April 1980 10 3 3 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Shining Star" The Manhattans February 1980 5 45 2 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"So Long" Fischer-Z March 1980 n/a 72 5 ( Portugal) 12 (Netherlands) - 14 ( Belgium) - 15 (Australia)
"The Spirit of Radio" Rush February 1980 51 13 13 (United Kingdom) 22 (Canada)
"Steal Away" Robbie Dupree April 1980 6 n/a 6 (United States) 2 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 5 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 14 (Canada) - 24 (Australia) - 85 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"Stomp!" The Brothers Johnson February 1980 7 6 1 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Stop the Cavalry" Jona Lewie December 1980 n/a 3 1 (Austria, France) See chart performance entry
"Take Your Time (Do It Right)" The S.O.S. Band March 1980 3 51 3 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Talk of the Town" The Pretenders April 1980 n/a 8 8 (United Kingdom) 14 (Ireland) - 24 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 55 (Australia)
"This Is It" Kenny Loggins January 1980 11 n/a 9 (Canada) 8 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 9 (Canada) - 16 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 17 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 19 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 26 (Netherlands [Dutch top 40]) - 35 (New Zealand) - 85 (Australia)
"Tired of Toein' the Line" Rocky Burnette May 1980 8 58 1 (Australia) 3 (New Zealand, South Africa) - 4 (Canada) - 6 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 9 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 39 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"Total Control" The Motels March 1980 n/a n/a 7 (Australia) 9 (US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100) - 11 (New Zealand) - 19 (France)
"Too Hot" Kool & the Gang January 1980 5 23 5 (United States) 3 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 11 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 18 (Canada)
"Touch and Go" The Cars August 1980 37 n/a 16 (Canada) 38 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100 Singles) - 42 (New Zealand) - 62 (Australia)
"Turn It On Again" Genesis March 1980 58 8 8 (Italy, United Kingdom) 12 (Ireland) - 32 (France) - 38 (Netherlands) - 49 (Canada) - 55 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Turning Japanese" The Vapors January 1980 36 3 1 (Australia) See chart performance entry
"Upside Down" Diana Ross June 1980 1 2 1 (11 countries) See chart performance entry
"The Wanderer" Donna Summer September 1980 3 48 3 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"We Are Glass" Gary Numan May 1980 n/a 5 5 (United Kingdom, Israel) 9 (Ireland) - 15 (Australia) - 42 (New Zealand)
"We Can Get Together" Flowers September 1980 62 n/a 16 (Australia) 36 (New Zealand)
"What I Like About You" The Romantics January 1980 49 n/a 2 (Australia) 8 (Netherlands) - 11 (Belgium) - 53 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"With You I'm Born Again" Billy Preston and Syreeta January 1980 4 2 2 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Woman in Love" Barbra Streisand August 1980 1 1 1 (18 countries) See chart performance entry
"Xanadu" Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra June 1980 8 1 1 (10 countries) See chart performance entry
"You May Be Right" Billy Joel March 1980 7 n/a 6 (Canada) 14 (South Africa) - 23 (New Zealand) - 28 (Australia) - 48 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 60 (Japan)
"You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" Jona Lewie March 1980 n/a 16 3 (New Zealand) 21 (Australia)

Other Chart hit singles

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Notable singles

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Gary Numan in 1980
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart Performance(s)
"A Forest" The Cure March 1980 20 (Belgium) - 26 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 100]) - 31 (UK Singles Chart) - 38 (New Zealand) - 47 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs)
"Another Nail in My Heart" Squeeze January 1980 10 (Irish Singles Chart) - 17 (UK Singles Chart) - 56 (Canada)
"C·30 C·60 C·90 Go" b/w "Sun Sea and Piracy" Bow Wow Wow July 1980 34 (UK Singles Chart)
"Freedom of Choice" Devo May 1980 8 (US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 71 (Australia) - 103 (US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100)
"The Breaks" Kurtis Blow June 1980 4 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 9 (U.S. Billboard Dance chart) - 87 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
"The Friend Catcher" The Birthday Party September 1980 21 (UK Indie Charts)
"Holiday in Cambodia" The Dead Kennedys September 1980 2 (UK Indie Charts)
"I Will Follow" U2 October 1980 20 (U.S. Billboard Top Tracks) - 34 (New Zealand) - 71 (Australia) Note: This single charted in 1981.
"Kill the Poor" Dead Kennedys October 1980 1 (UK Indie Chart) - 49 (UK Singles Chart)
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" Joy Division June 1980 1 (New Zealand) - 1 (UK Indie Singles Chart) - 13 (UK Singles Chart) - 26 (Australia) - 42 (U.S. Billboard Disco Top 100)
"Rescue" Echo & the Bunnymen May 1980 62 (UK Singles Chart)
"Sister Europe" The Psychedelic Furs February 1980 47 (New Zealand) - 100 (Australia)
"Wardance" Killing Joke February 1980 50 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs)

Other notable singles

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Births

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Deaths

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie hits, 1980–1989: the complete U.K. independent charts (singles & albums). London: Cherry Red. ISBN 978-0-9517206-9-1. OCLC 38292499.
  2. ^ Dave Thompson, Alternative Rock: Third Ear - The Essential Listening Companion (Miller Freeman, 2000) p588
  3. ^ David Buckley, R.E.M. Fiction: An Alternative Biography (Random House Books, 2012)
  4. ^ "Gary Numan". Official Charts.
  5. ^ "Duran Duran – The Early Days Chapter 4". durancompilations.com. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Baldwin, Roberto (February 14, 2014). "Early hip-hop's greatest drum machine just got resurrected". Wired. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  7. ^ Richards, Chris (December 2, 2008). "What's an 808?". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  8. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 577. ISBN 9780862415419.
  9. ^ "More Selecter" (PDF). Record Mirror. February 2, 1980. p. 5. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "RIAA certifications".
  11. ^ "Fist – Hot Spikes (1980, Vinyl)". 1980 – via www.discogs.com.
  12. ^ "British Steel certification".
  13. ^ "Heaven and Hell – Black Sabbath Online". www.black-sabbath.com. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Great Rock discography". p. 567.
  15. ^ a b "BPI certifications for Whitesnake".
  16. ^ Mic, Smith (2002). Peter Gabriel (booklet). Peter Gabriel. Box, Wiltshire, UK: Real World. p. 1.
  17. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 850. ISBN 9780862415419.
  18. ^ "BPI certifications".
  19. ^ "BPI".
  20. ^ "Joe's Beat" (PDF). Record Mirror. October 4, 1980. p. 3. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 719. ISBN 9780862415419.
  22. ^ "Winwood LP" (PDF). Record Mirror. November 22, 1980. p. 4. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  23. ^ Current Biography Yearbook. H. W. Wilson Company. 2007. p. 506.
  24. ^ a b c John Willis; Crown (September 1981). John Willis' Screen World, 1981. Crown Publishing Group. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-517-54482-2.
  25. ^ Bernas, Richard and Ruth B Hilton. "Susskind, Walter", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 June 2014 (subscription required)
  26. ^ Roger D. Kinkle (1997). Leading Musical Performers (popular Music and Jazz) 1900–1950: 2150 Biographies Updated to 1996 with Additions and Corrections. Windmill Publications. p. 117.
  27. ^ Thedeadrockstarsclub.com — accessed August 2010
  28. ^ Vijay Poolakkal (March 10, 2014). Remembering Mohammed Rafi. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-329-50177-5.
  29. ^ "Joe Dassin, le roman de sa vie (France 3) – Le destin singulier d'une l'icône de la chanson française". Télé 7 Jours.