Many songs could compete for the best song of the 1980s. The decade saw the heyday of superstars like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, George Michael and Madonna. Hair bands like Metallica and AC/DC ruled the airwaves.
However, one song ascended to the top amid the leg warmers, stone-washed jeans, and banana clips, and it was recorded by an Aussie pop sensation.
Sirius XM ranked the top 500 songs of the 1980s. Number 1? Physical by Olivia Newton-John.
‘Physical’ Set the Stage ‘for a Decade of Megapop to Come’
According to Billboard, Physical was the “final of Olivia Newton-John’s five No. 1s,” and the song “was her biggest and also her finest, setting the stage for a decade of megapop to come.”
The song helped define the end of the 1970s disco era. It “set the tone for the mainstream pop of the decade to come,” wrote Billboard. Part of the song’s success came because it was accompanied by a music video on a new station that was about to redefine music.
The song “debuted on September 28, 1981, less than two months after the seismic launch of MTV,” Billboard noted. Aerobic exercise was soon to become a fitness fad made popular by other stars as well, like Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda.
Newton-John was capitalizing on her popularity in the movie, Grease, which came out in 1978.
Which 1980s Songs Made the Top 10?
After Physical, the list includes iconic anthems, love songs, and an appearance by the great Kenny Rogers. According to Sirius XM’s list, here are the other songs that made the top 10.
2. Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes (81)
3. Lionel Richie/Diana Ross Endless Love (81)
4. Survivor Eye Of The Tiger (82)
5. Police Every Breath You Take (83)
6. Irene Cara Flashdance…What A Feeling (83)
7. Queen Another One Bites The Dust (80)
8. Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson Say, Say, Say (83)
9. Blondie Call Me
10. Kenny Rogers Lady (80)
You can read the full list here.
Olivia Newton-John Died in 2022 at the Age of 73
Olivia Newton-John promotional photo for the ABC tv special ‘Olivia Newton-John: Let’s Get Physical’.
(Photo by Erik Hein /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
Sadly, Newton-John passed away in 2022. She was 73. She “died peacefully at her California ranch surrounded by family and friends,” BBC reported.
“Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again,” John Travolta, who starred with Newton-John in Grease, wrote on Instagram.
Newton-John had been diagnosed with cancer in 1992, BBC reported, adding that she became a highly-regarded advocate for cancer research.
Her husband John Easterling told BBC that Newton-John was “a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years, sharing her journey with breast cancer.”
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer,” he told BBC.
In its obituary for her, The New York Times noted that Newton-John sang some of the 1980s’ biggest hits. She “amassed No. 1 hits” along the way, the newspaper added.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on May 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.