Every #1 Song of 1983: Moonwalks, Breakups & Power Ballads That Defined a Generation
1983 was the sound of the ‘80s fully arriving. Michael Jackson moonwalked into history, synthpop met rock, and Gen X had its first real taste of pop culture domination. Here’s every song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983, complete with commentary that’ll hit you right in the nostalgia.
📅 January 1–8: “Maneater” – Hall & Oates
Starting the year with a femme-fatale groove. Hall & Oates were untouchable in the early ’80s, and this track made us all side-eye the mysterious girls in leather jackets. Slick saxophone and smooth warning signs.
📅 January 15–22: “Down Under” – Men at Work
A Vegemite-scented banger that taught American kids about mysterious Australian snacks, muscle men who crush you with beer, and the phrase “chunder.” Totally weird, totally catchy, totally Gen X.
📅 January 29–February 5: “Africa” – Toto
This song wasn’t just a hit—it was a mood. Ethereal lyrics, epic harmonies, and that iconic keyboard riff. It took us to a place we’d never been… and still haven’t. Gen X approved and still memed today.
📅 February 12–March 19: “Baby, Come to Me” – Patti Austin & James Ingram
Smooth, romantic, and tailor-made for slow dancing in the living room while your parents argued about the phone bill. A grown-up song that made 1983 feel a little sexier.
📅 March 26: “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
The moment music videos became cultural events. MJ moonwalked into immortality, and we all tried to learn the choreography in our socks. That bassline? Iconic. That single glove? Legendary.
📅 April 2–30: “Come On Eileen” – Dexys Midnight Runners
The ultimate “what is he even saying?” jam. Bagpipes, overalls, and emotional chaos never sounded so infectious. A one-hit wonder we still shout-sing at weddings.
📅 May 7–14: “Beat It” – Michael Jackson
Eddie Van Halen on guitar. MJ telling the world to walk away from trouble. The video fight scene? Pure ’80s theater. Gen X was officially obsessed. “Just beat it” wasn’t advice—it was gospel.
📅 May 21–28: “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie
Bowie went pop, and Gen X was HERE for it. With Nile Rodgers on production and Stevie Ray Vaughan shredding guitar, “Let’s Dance” was cool, mysterious, and dangerously danceable.
📅 June 4: “Flashdance… What a Feeling” – Irene Cara
Legwarmers. Leotards. Water falling dramatically from the ceiling. This song was pure inspiration. Every Gen X kid thought they could be a dancer after hearing this. Most of us weren’t, but we believed.
📅 June 11: “Too Shy” – Kajagoogoo
A synth-fueled anthem for every awkward teen too nervous to ask someone to dance. Limahl’s hair was a personality all its own. Bonus points if you had the cassette single.
📅 June 18–July 16: “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
Creepiest love song of all time. Sting basically said, “I’m watching you forever,” and somehow we all swooned instead of calling the cops. Still one of the most misunderstood tracks ever.
📅 July 23: “Electric Avenue” – Eddy Grant
We were gonna rock down to this funky, reggae-influenced street whether we understood the lyrics or not. Industrial-synth meets island vibes = an anthem for rebellious summer energy.
📅 July 30–August 6: “Every Breath You Take” (returns)
It’s back—because nothing says “1983” like a song about obsessive love sung like a lullaby. Gen X: confused but captivated.
📅 August 13–20: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics
Annie Lennox in a suit with orange hair. Robotic synths and cold, elegant perfection. This was the sound of the new wave taking over. Gen X’s dreamscape just got cooler and weirder.
📅 August 27–September 3: “Maniac” – Michael Sembello
Another Flashdance hit, and the ultimate workout jam. The lyrics made zero sense, but the tempo made you want to run through a brick wall in legwarmers.
📅 September 10–October 1: “Tell Her About It” – Billy Joel
Billy Joel goes Motown and nails it. This one was for your mom’s favorite radio station, but we all sang along anyway. Just tell her, already!
📅 October 8: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
The drama. The wind machines. The eyeliner. The song that launched a thousand karaoke nightmares. Over-the-top in the best way, and totally unforgettable.
📅 October 15–22: “Islands in the Stream” – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Written by the Bee Gees, sung by the most iconic duo of the decade. Gen X didn’t know we needed Dolly and Kenny duetting, but this was a love song for the ages.
📅 October 29–November 5: “All Night Long (All Night)” – Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie invented the party song you could play for your grandma and your friends. Steel drums, fake Jamaican accents, and eternal good vibes.
📅 November 12–19: “Say Say Say” – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Two of the biggest names in music teamed up for a track that was catchy, weird, and wildly overplayed. MJ and McCartney tried to out-charm each other—and we all won.
📅 November 26–December 3: “All Night Long (All Night)” (returns)
You just can’t stop the party. Lionel came back to make sure 1983 ended on a happy, danceable note.
📅 December 10–31: “Say Say Say” (returns)
Rounding out the year with two musical legends harmonizing in a faux Old West-themed video. Why? Because it was 1983 and we didn’t question greatness.
1983 was the year of the moonwalk, the mullet, and the music video revolution. From synth-pop to sax solos, from obsessive ballads to feel-good funk, this was the soundtrack of Gen X’s adolescence—awkward, stylish, and unforgettable.