The Ultimate List of 1987 Top 10 Music Hits Every Music Fan Should Know

If you close your eyes and picture the late 1980s, your mind likely fills with vivid imagery: neon leg warmers, towering hairspray-defying hairstyles, MTV playing music videos on loop, and the satisfying click of a cassette tape sliding into a Walkman. But above all, what truly defined the era was its undeniable soundtrack.

The year 1987 was a monumental year for popular music. It served as a fascinating crossroad where hair metal reached its stadium-filling peak, synth-pop matured into sophisticated chart-dominators, and pop icons delivered career-defining masterpieces.

Whether you are an 80s fanatic reliving your glory days or a modern listener exploring the origins of today’s pop resurgence, here is the ultimate list of the top 10 music hits from 1987 that every music fan needs on their playlist.

Why 1987 Was a Golden Era for Pop Culture

Before diving into the track list, it is essential to understand why 1987 was such a powerhouse year for the music industry.

• The MTV Dominance: Music videos were no longer just promotional tools; they were cultural events. A great video could launch a song into the Top 10 overnight.
• Genre Crossovers: Hard rock met mainstream pop radio, while traditional pop blended with R&B, rockabilly, and traditional folk roots.
• Blockbuster Albums: 1987 gave us landmark records such as U2’s The Joshua Tree, Michael Jackson’s Bad, Def Leppard’s Hysteria, and George Michael’s Faith.

Now, let us turn back the clock and examine the top songs that defined the Billboard charts in 1987.

The Top 10 Hits of 1987

1. “Walk Like an Egyptian” – The Bangles

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #1
• Genre: New Wave / Pop Rock

topping the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles chart of 1987, “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles became an ubiquitous global anthem. Produced by Liam Sternberg, the song stood out with its infectious rhythm, playful whistling tracks, and distinct guitar riffs.

What made the track iconic was its vocal trade-offs between band members Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs. Paired with an insanely popular MTV music video featuring street-goers and historical figures performing the famous novelty “Egyptian pose,” this track remains an unforgettable staple of 80s radio.

2. “Alone” – Heart

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #2
• Genre: Glam Metal / Power Ballad

When sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart released “Alone” in May 1987, they defined the ultimate power ballad. Originally written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, Heart transformed the track into a emotional powerhouse.

Ann Wilson’s soaring, operatic vocals on the chorus—supported by heavy drums and synthesizer swells—captured the anguish of unrequited love like few songs ever have. Spending three weeks at the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, “Alone” proved that rock bands could dominate mainstream pop charts with raw emotional vulnerability.

3. “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #3
• Genre: Hard Rock / Glam Metal

Is there a more recognizable intro in rock history than the talk-box bassline of “Livin’ on a Prayer”? Released as part of their breakthrough 1986 album Slippery When Wet, the song peaked at #1 in early 1987 and became an enduring working-class anthem.

Telling the story of Tommy and Gina—a young couple struggling to make ends meet—Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora crafted a song that transcends generations. Between its explosive chorus, high-octane key change, and soaring optimism, “Livin’ on a Prayer” remains a mandatory singalong at sporting events, karaokes, and parties worldwide.

4. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #4
• Genre: Dance-Pop / Synth-Pop

Whitney Houston was an unstoppable force in 1987. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” served as the lead single for her second studio album, Whitney, and instantly became a generational dance-pop masterpiece.

Driven by sparkling 80s synthesizer production and Houston’s effortless, four-octave vocal agility, the song captures the joyful desperation of wanting love. It earned Houston a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and cemented her status as one of music history’s greatest vocalists.

5. “With or Without You” – U2

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #15 (Chart-Topper overall)
• Genre: Alternative Rock / Post-Punk

1987 was the year Irish rock outfit U2 evolved from a critically acclaimed college-radio band into global superstars. “With or Without You,” the lead single from The Joshua Tree, was the band’s first number-one hit in the United States.

Built upon Adam Clayton’s minimalist bassline, The Edge’s atmospheric “infinite guitar” effects, and Bono’s raw, yearning vocals, the song builds from a quiet whisper to an overwhelming wave of emotion. It redefined how rock music could sound on mainstream pop radio.

6. “Shakedown” – Bob Seger

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #9
• Genre: Heartland Rock / Pop Rock

Featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster film Beverly Hills Cop II, Bob Seger’s “Shakedown” delivered a driving, synth-infused rock groove that captured the slick, action-packed vibe of late 80s cinema.

Interestingly, the song was initially intended for Seger’s friend Glenn Frey (of The Eagles), who fell ill right before the recording session. Seger stepped in, tweaked the lyrics, and scored his first and only #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

7. “Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #7
• Genre: Hair Metal / Power Ballad

Whitesnake original recorded “Here I Go Again” in 1982, but it was their re-recorded 1987 version—tailored with slicker production, heavier guitar solos, and radio-ready synth polish—that struck gold.

Frontman David Coverdale’s soulful voice carried the ultimate anthem for independent wanderers. Paired with a legendary music video featuring actress Tawny Kitaen dancing across sports cars, the track soared to the top of the charts, making it one of the defining rock anthems of the decade.

8. “La Bamba” – Los Lobos

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #11
• Genre: Chicano Rock / Roots Rock

In the summer of 1987, East Los Angeles rock group Los Lobos accomplished something extraordinary: they took an upbeat Spanish-language Mexican folk song and turned it into the #1 hit in America.

Recorded as the title track for the biopic based on the life of 1950s rock pioneer Ritchie Valens, Los Lobos’ version of “La Bamba” brought rich cultural heritage, electrifying guitar solos, and irresistible dance beats to top-40 radio worldwide.

9. “Faith” – George Michael

• Billboard Year-End Rank: #1 (1988 Year-End, released late 1987)
• Genre: Rockabilly / Pop

After stepping away from pop duo Wham!, George Michael set out to prove himself as a solo artist. In late 1987, he released “Faith”—a minimalist track built around an acoustic guitar strum, a boogie-woogie beat, and his soulful vocals.

With its iconic music video featuring Michael in sunglasses, a leather jacket, ripped jeans, and a guitar, “Faith” catapulted him into global megastardom. The song dominated the airwaves at the tail end of 1987 and went on to become the biggest-selling single of 1988.

10. “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley

• Billboard Year-End Rank: Charted late 1987 / early 1988
• Genre: Dance-Pop / Hi-NRG

Long before it became the internet’s favorite prank meme (the “Rickroll”), “Never Gonna Give You Up” was a legitimate pop juggernaut. Released in August 1987 by a then-unknown 21-year-old British singer named Rick Astley, the song topped charts in 25 countries.

Produced by the hitmaking trio Stock Aitken Waterman, the song featured a pulsing Hi-NRG dance beat paired with Astley’s surprisingly deep, rich bass-baritone voice. It remains one of the most cheerful, unironically catchy pop tracks ever recorded.

Summary Table: 1987 Hits At a Glance

Honorable Mentions Worth Adding to Your Playlist

While the top 10 songs capture the mainstream highlights, 1987 was far too rich in musical output to stop there. If you want a complete audio snapshot of the year, make sure to add these tracks to your queue:

• “Bad” by Michael Jackson: The lead title track from Jackson’s follow-up to Thriller, featuring sleek urban-pop production and an iconic video directed by Martin Scorsese.
• “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses: Released on their landmark July 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction, this song redefined rock guitar riffs for a generation.
• “Open Your Heart” by Madonna: A sparkling synth-pop jewel that proved Madonna was the undisputed queen of 80s dance floors.
• “Need You Tonight” by INXS: Sleek, funky Australian dance-rock that dominated radios late in the year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the number one overall song on Billboard in 1987?

The #1 song on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles chart of 1987 was “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles.

What albums made 1987 so famous?

1987 saw the release of several iconic studio albums, including U2’s The Joshua Tree, Michael Jackson’s Bad, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, George Michael’s Faith, and Def Leppard’s Hysteria.

Why does 80s music from 1987 sound so distinct?

Music from 1987 relied heavily on specific studio production techniques of the era, such as gated-reverb snare drums, Roland synthesizers, chorus-effect guitar pedals, and vocal compression, giving it a rich, polished sound.

Final Thoughts: The Legacy of 1987 Music

The music of 1987 was vibrant, theatrical, emotionally charged, and structurally impeccable. It was a time when artists weren’t afraid of big guitar solos, bigger vocals, and unforgettable hooks. Today, as modern synthwave and pop artists like The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, and Harry Styles borrow heavily from 80s soundscapes, the hits of 1987 continue to sound as fresh and energizing as ever.

What is your personal favorite music hit from 1987? Did your top track make the list? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this list with your fellow music lovers!

Penulis: W.S