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
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- Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie
- I Miss You – Klymaxx
- Broken Wings – Mr. Mister
- Party All the Time – Eddie Murphy
- Burning Heart – Survivor
- Kyrie – Mr. Mister
- Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
- There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) – Billy Ocean
- Never – Heart
- Higher Love – Steve Winwood
- Stuck With You – Huey Lewis and The News
- Holding Back the Years – Simply Red
- Sara – Starship
- Human – Human League
- I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
- Take My Breath Away – Berlin
- Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
- These Dreams – Heart
- Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) – Glass Tiger
- Live to Tell – Madonna
- Venus – Bananarama
- True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
- Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
- What Have You Done for Me Lately – Janet Jackson
- Amanda – Boston
- Two of Hearts – Stacey Q
- Crush On You – Jets
- If You Leave – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD)
- Invisible Touch – Genesis
- The Sweetest Taboo – Sade
- What You Need – INXS
- Talk to Me – Stevie Nicks
- Nasty – Janet Jackson
- Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
- We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart
- All Cried Out – Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam With Full Force
- Your Love – Outfield
- I’m Your Man – Wham!
- Perfect Way – Scritti Politti
- Living In America – James Brown
- R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A. – John Cougar Mellencamp
- Who’s Johnny – El Debarge
- Word Up – Cameo
- Why Can’t This Be Love – Van Halen
- Silent Running – Mike + The Mechanics
- Typical Male – Tina Turner
- Small Town – John Cougar Mellencamp
- Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
- All I Need Is A Miracle – Mike + The Mechanics
- Sweet Freedom – Michael McDonald
- True Blue – Madonna
- Rumors, Timex Social Club
- Life In a Northern Town – Dream Academy
- Bad Boy – Miami Sound Machine
- Sleeping Bag – ZZ Top
- Tonight She Comes – Cars
- Love Touch – Rod Stewart
- A Love Bizarre – Sheila E.
- Throwing It All Away – Genesis
- Baby Love – Regina
- Election Day – Arcadia
- Nikita – Elton John
- Take Me Home – Phil Collins
- Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C.
- Sweet Love – Anita Baker
- Your Wildest Dreams – Moody Blues
- Spies Like Us – Paul McCartney
- Object of My Desire – Starpoint
- Dreamtime – Daryl Hall
- Tender Love – Force M.D.’s
- King for a Day – Thompson Twins
- Love Will Conquer All – Lionel Richie
- A Different Corner – George Michael
- I’ll Be Over You – Toto
- 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.
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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.