Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1982. Chart © by Billboard, a part of MRC Media and Info, a division of MRC. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Billboard here.
Top 100 Songs of 1982
1
I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
2
Ebony & Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
3
Physical – Olivia Newton-John
4
Hurts So Good – John Cougar
5
Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band
6
Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago
7
I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) – Daryl Hall and John Oates
8
867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone
9
You Should Hear How She Talks About You – Melissa Manchester
10
Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner
11
Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield
12
The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known) – Juice Newton
13
Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson
14
We Got the Beat – The Go-Go’s
15
The Other Woman – Ray Parker Jr.
16
Turn Your Love Around – George Benson
17
Sweet Dreams – Air Supply
18
Only the Lonely – The Motels
19
Who Can It Be Now? – Men At Work
20
Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac
21
Eye In the Sky – Alan Parsons Project
22
Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind and Fire
23
Open Arms – Journey
24
Leather and Lace – Stevie Nicks and Don Henley
25
Even the Nights Are Better – Air Supply
26
I’ve Never Been to Me – Charlene
27
’65 Love Affair – Paul Davis
28
Heat of the Moment – Asia
29
Take It Easy On Me – The Little River Band
30
That Girl – Stevie Wonder
31
Private Eyes – Daryl Hall and John Oates
32
Trouble – Lindsey Buckingham
33
Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard On Me – Juice Newton
34
Young Turks – Rod Stewart
35
Freeze-Frame – J. Geils Band
36
Keep the Fire Burnin’ – REO Speedwagon
More 64 Top Songs of 1982
-
- Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
- Centerfold – The J. Geils Band
- Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
- Jack & Diane – John Cougar
- Tainted Love – Soft Cell
- Chariots Of Fire – Vangelis
- Harden My Heart – Quarterflash
- Rosanna – Toto
- Key Largo – Bertie Higgins
- Shake It Up – The Cars
- Let It Whip – The Dazz Band
- Leader of the Band – Dan Fogelberg
- Pac Man Fever – Buckner and Garcia
- Making Love – Roberta Flack
- Do You Believe In Love – Huey Lewis and The News
- Cool Night – Paul Davis
- Caught Up In You – 38 Special
- Why Do Fools Fall In Love – Diana Ross
- Love In the First Degree – Alabama
- Hooked On America – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Wasted On the Way – Crosby, Stills and Nash
- Think I’m In Love – Eddie Money
- Love Is In Control (Finger On the Trigger) – Donna Summer
- Personally – Karla Bonoff
- One Hundred Ways (Find 100 Ways) – Quincy Jones
- Blue Eyes – Elton John
- Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s
- You Could Have Been With Me – Sheena Easton
- You Can Do Magic – America
- Did It In a Minute – Daryl Hall and John Oates
- I Ran (So Far Away) – A Flock Of Seagulls
- Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne
- Oh No – The Commodores
- Take It Away – Paul McCartney
- It’s Gonna Take a Miracle – Deneice Williams
- A Love Song – Kenny Rogers
- Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
- Comin’ In and Out of Your Life – Barbra Streisand
- Gloria – Laura Branigan
- Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) – Elton John
- Yesterday’s Songs – Neil Diamond
- Crimson and Clover – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – The Police
- Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) – Air Supply
- I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You’re Near) – Michael Mcdonald
- Get Down On It – Kool and The Gang
- Any Day Now – Ronnie Milsap
- Make a Move On Me – Olivia Newton-John
- Take My Heart (You Can Have It if You Want It) – Kool and The Gang
- Mirror, Mirror – Diana Ross
- Vacation – The Go-Go’s
- (Oh) Pretty Woman – Van Halen
- Should I Do It – Pointer Sisters
- Hot In the City – Billy Idol
- Kids in America – Kim Wilde
- Man On Your Mind – The Little River Band
- What’s Forever For – Michael Murphy
- Waiting On a Friend – The Rolling Stones
- All I Do – Stevie Wonder
- Working for the Weekend – Loverboy
- Goin’ Down – Greg Guidry
- Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross
- Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
- Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
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Top 100 Songs of 1982 – Final Thoughts
The year 1982 was a time of musical transition, with the rise of synth-pop and new wave artists. The top 100 songs of the year featured a mix of classic rock, R&B, and emerging genres. Michael Jackson dominated the charts with hits like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” while Toto’s “Africa” became a global anthem.
Other notable songs included Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which became a timeless classic, and Prince’s “1999,” which foreshadowed his future success. The top 100 songs of 1982 captured the essence of the decade, showcasing the diversity and innovation that defined the era’s music scene.