Top 100 Songs of 1986

Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1986. 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 1986

1 On My Own – Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald

2 That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight

3 How Will I Know – Whitney Houston

4 Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston

5 Secret Lovers – Atlantic Starr

6 Friends & Lovers – Carl Anderson and Gloria Loring

7 Glory of Love (Theme from “the Karate Kid, Pt. II”) – Peter Cetera

8 West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys

9 Alive and Kicking – Simple Minds

10 Kiss – Prince and The Revolution

11 Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel

12 Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna

13 You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi

14 When I Think of You – Janet Jackson

15 When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going – Billy Ocean

16 Mad About You – Belinda Carlisle

17 Something About You – Level 42

18 Dancing On the Ceiling – Lionel Richie

19 Conga – Miami Sound Machine

20 No One Is to Blame – Howard Jones

21 Let’s Go All the Way – Sly Fox

22 I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On – Robert Palmer

23 Words Get In the Way – Miami Sound Machine

24 Manic Monday – Bangles

25 Walk of Life – Dire Straits

More 75 Top Songs of 1986

26. 26. Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie
    27. I Miss You – Klymaxx
    28. Broken Wings – Mr. Mister
    29. Party All the Time – Eddie Murphy
    30. Burning Heart – Survivor
    31. Kyrie – Mr. Mister
    32. Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
    33. There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) – Billy Ocean
    34. Never – Heart
    35. Higher Love – Steve Winwood
    36. Stuck With You – Huey Lewis and The News
    37. Holding Back the Years – Simply Red
    38. Sara – Starship
    39. Human – Human League
    40. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
    41. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
    42. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
    43. These Dreams – Heart
    44. Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) – Glass Tiger
    45. Live to Tell – Madonna
    46. Venus – Bananarama
    47. True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
    48. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
    49. What Have You Done for Me Lately – Janet Jackson
    50. Amanda – Boston
    51. Two of Hearts – Stacey Q
    52. Crush On You – Jets
    53. If You Leave – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD)
    54. Invisible Touch – Genesis
    55. The Sweetest Taboo – Sade
    56. What You Need – INXS
    57. Talk to Me – Stevie Nicks
    58. Nasty – Janet Jackson
    59. Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
    60. We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart
    61. All Cried Out – Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam With Full Force
    62. Your Love – Outfield
    63. I’m Your Man – Wham!
    64. Perfect Way – Scritti Politti
    65. Living In America – James Brown
    66. R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A. – John Cougar Mellencamp
    67. Who’s Johnny – El Debarge
    68. Word Up – Cameo
    69. Why Can’t This Be Love – Van Halen
    70. Silent Running – Mike + The Mechanics
    71. Typical Male – Tina Turner
    72. Small Town – John Cougar Mellencamp
    73. Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
    74. All I Need Is A Miracle – Mike + The Mechanics
    75. Sweet Freedom – Michael McDonald
    76. True Blue – Madonna
    77. Rumors, Timex Social Club
    78. Life In a Northern Town – Dream Academy
    79. Bad Boy – Miami Sound Machine
    80. Sleeping Bag – ZZ Top
    81. Tonight She Comes – Cars
    82. Love Touch – Rod Stewart
    83. A Love Bizarre – Sheila E.
    84. Throwing It All Away – Genesis
    85. Baby Love – Regina
    86. Election Day – Arcadia
    87. Nikita – Elton John
    88. Take Me Home – Phil Collins
    89. Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C.
    90. Sweet Love – Anita Baker
    91. Your Wildest Dreams – Moody Blues
    92. Spies Like Us – Paul McCartney
    93. Object of My Desire – Starpoint
    94. Dreamtime – Daryl Hall
    95. Tender Love – Force M.D.’s
    96. King for a Day – Thompson Twins
    97. Love Will Conquer All – Lionel Richie
    98. A Different Corner – George Michael
    99. I’ll Be Over You – Toto
    100. Go Home – Stevie Wonder

Want More Songs About Doing Wrong or Being Done Wrong?

Well, have a look at our detailed articles on the Best Songs About Revenge, the Best Songs About Monsters, the Top Songs about Greed, the Top Songs about Regret, and the Top Songs About The Jungle for more naughty song selections.

And you’ll need to listen to them. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Headphones For Rock & Metal Music, the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Headphones Under $200, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best iPhone Earbuds, and the Most Comfortable Earbuds you can buy in 2023.

Top 100 Songs of 1986 – Final Thoughts

The top 100 songs of 1986 were a diverse mix of genres and styles that reflected the changing landscape of the music industry. From pop and rock to R&B and hip-hop, the year produced many memorable hits that have stood the test of time. The chart-toppers included classics such as “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys, “Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna, “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel, and “Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles.

The year also saw the emergence of new artists who went on to become major stars, including Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Bon Jovi. Overall, the top 100 songs of 1986 showcase a rich and vibrant musical landscape that continues to captivate audiences to this day.