The 101 Top Songs of 1983

• Release Date: January 2nd, 1983

Michael Jackson quite literally woke up on January 1st, 1983 and decided 1983 was going to be the year he ended everybody. The following day, "Billie Jean" was officially released to radio, and as they say, the rest was history. Or HIStory shall we say.

• Release Date: May 20th, 1983

This magical classic of song was released on May 20th, 1983, and has gone on to become on the defining songs of the early 1980s. "Every Breath You Take" was written by Sting, and the song spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Release Date: March 1983

"Flashdance… What a Feeling," aka the final song that Jennifer Beals dances to for her audition in Flashdance. Classic movie, and a classic song from a wonderful artist.

• Release Date: June 12th, 1983 (U.S.)

We're willing to bet there isn't a single soul on planet Earth that doesn't know this song (or at least recognize the opening notes). Another defining jam from the early 1980s.

• Release Date: February 14th, 1983

"Beat It." Number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Ranked the No. 5 song of 1983. Certified 8x platinum. Over 11 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. A masterpiece of a song.

• Release Date: November 2nd, 1981

"Down Under" was what you call a "slow burn" single, as it was released in Australia at the beginning of November 1981. The following month, the song reached No. 1 on the Australian charts, and its popularity began to spread. "Down Under" hit No. 1 on the New Zealand charts in February 1982, and topped the Canadian charts eight months later in October 1982. Finally, in November 1982, the track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and two months later, it snagged the top spot giving the band a number one hit. All-in-all, it took over about a year for the song to crossover to the States, and a little over a year for it to hit No.1. You don't really see that too often anymore.

• Release Date: May, 1983

Another classic song from Flashdance that's insanely catchy.

We saw Hall & Oates in concert a couple of year back, and it can confirm that "Maneater" still very much gets the people going.

A timeless song that's just super lovey dovey and feel good.

• Release Date: January 21st, 1983

If "Sweet Dreams" doesn't put you in a trance, then we're not sure if you can rock with us. Shout to the fashion killa Annie Lenox.

• Release Date: May 10th, 1983

She works hard for the money so you better treat her right. Ya heard?

• Release Date: June 25th, 1982

If you've ever heard "Come on Eileen," then you already know it sounds like three songs in one. Because it's so unique, it takes more than one listen to fully catch on, but once it does, you're in.

• Release Date: September 2nd, 1982

All together now. "Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?" Time to bust out the Shaq singing meme again.

• Release Date: April 14th, 1983

What is life if you don't shout "Let's Dance" at the top of your lungs? One of Bowie's best in our honest opinion (and that's saying something).

• Release Date: October 27th, 1982

Right before the Purple Rain era, Prince had us partying like it was 1999. In fact, we're still partying like "1999" to this day.

• Release Date: October 10th, 1982

Those hypnotic 1980s synthesizers have never failed anyone, and they definitely didn't fail Naked Eyes when they put out "Always Something There to Remind Me." Also, shoutout to Burt Bacharach for the songwriting.

• Release Date: April 15th, 1983

Those of us who grew up in the 2000s got our introduction to this song via Sky High. Can only imagine what it was like hearing it for the first time in the 1980s.

• Release Date: Late 1983

What else can we say? Cyndi Lauper was absolutely correct—girls really do just want to have fun.

• Release Date: June 27th, 1982

When we say this song get stuck in your head...it get's stuck in your head.

• Release Date: November 1983 (U.K.)

Don't worry. We've got something special coming for "Thriller" the song later on this year, but for now..."Thriller." Nothing else needs to be said here.

• Release Date: April 1983

An iconic slow jam from the early 1980s. Sérgio Mendes did his thing with this one.

Aww. A young New Edition. "Candy Girl" is the jam.

• Release Date: March 1983

The beat drop on this track will always be freakin iconic. Do you hear us? Freakin iconic.

• Release Date: April 24th, 1983

Wondering where Notorious B.I.G. got "Big Poppa" from? Here ya go. This is music strictly for the grown folks.

• Release Date: September 29th, 1983

All together now. "Uptown girl. She's been living in her uptown world. I bet she's never had a backstreet guy. I bet her momma never told her why." There goes the Shaq meme again.

• Release Date: August 31st, 1983

Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever. We're still partying to Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" 40 years later.

• Release Date: December 3rd, 1982 (U.S. re-release)

Does "Hungry Like the Wolf" remind anyone else of the movie Big Fat Liar? You know the scene where Paul Giamatti's character is dancing before he jumps into the pool full of blue dye? Come on, we know you remember it.

• Release Date: November 4th, 1983

Another one of them feel good R&B joints from the early 80s. This time by the legendary Chaka Khan.

• Release Date: May 8th, 1983

Too high to get over. Too low to get under. You're stuck in the middle. And the pain is thunder. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' has so many quotables it's not even funny.

• Release Date: September 12th, 1983

We are young. Heartache to heartache we stand. No promises, no demands. Love is a battle field.

• Released: Late 1983

The Pointer Sisters were some talented girlies that deserve all their dues and credits.

• Released: September 19th, 1983

A certified 1980s club banger that still goes hard till this day.

• Released: January 1983

An all-time track by the all-time great Eric Clapton.