
Certain aspects of high school don’t really vary from decade to decade. But the music? Oh yeah! The music we listen to shapes the very fabric of our lives, giving it color and texture and affecting our moods and emotions—especially when we were in high school. Every moment had an accompanying song. Your first kiss? “The Way You Make Me Feel” by MJ. The home team won the big game? “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. We’ve gathered together 19 iconic ’80s songs that really defined our high school experience! Which songs did you have to have in the ’80s?
#1: “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey (1981)
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” was one of those tracks that defined the 1980s. You could barely get through your day without hearing this song blaring from someone’s in-car stereo. A favorite of high school dances, road trips, and karaoke nights, “Don’t Stop Believin'” has become a rock anthem for the ages with its poignant message of hope, perseverance, and resilience.
