Totally Awesome 80s Love Songs & The Mug That Makes It Better

Hey there... we are less than 10 days from Galentine's and Valentine's Day. ❤️

When I clean, I usually source United Kingdom 80's stations. Apparently, "Music" from this decade makes the job less boring. Just kidding, I made that study up, but 80's music 🎶📻🕶️ ( Like, “Sunglasses at Night”… you know the one. Hiding from the ’80s world… I wonder why?)

just makes me feel great... every genre of it. 💘

I thought I would incorporate a list of the 80's love songs.

Part One: Totally Awesome 1980s Love Songs

1. Careless Whisper - George Michael (not Wham!) ‧ 1984
   Scene: In a gym in grade seven, this song was playing. I so wanted to dance with that boy. 😉

2. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel ‧ 1986
   Hey Diane, just say yes to Lloyd! Boom boxes are heavy!

3. Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears ‧ 1985
   It's one of those sucky songs you'd blare on the radio in your parent's car (mom's station wagon) when you heard it on CFNY. It just turned "40" in 2025. This is their latest song, and I love it too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ2P9r-jOwI. I was privileged to see them in Toronto in 2018, and they still sound great!

4. True - Spandau Ballet ‧ 1983
   The pinnacle of slick, elegant romance from the 1980s.

5. Raspberry Beret - Prince ‧ 1985
   Sucky, catchy, funny, and Prince is singing it! 😏

6. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran ‧ 1982
   Possibly their best love song. It's dreamy, eerie, and melancholy. I saw them in Toronto in 2011. Unfortunately, the speaker blew out on my side but we still bopped to the music.

7. Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen ‧ 1987
   The carnival ride serves as the ideal metaphor for the exhilarating and terrifying journey into the unknown that is love, where you have to accept the things that are beyond your control.

8. Kayleigh - Marillion ‧ 1985
   Built on a soaring guitar riff, it is the big, emotional sound that dominated UK and rock radio in Canada too in 1985 and is a true cornerstone of romantic angst.

9. Maybe for Sure - Debbie Harry ‧ 1989
   It's a song about being stuck in a confusing relationship where you're not really sure where you stand, and you're probably more into them than they are into you. It's not a simple "I love you" song.

10. All I Want Is You - U2 ‧ 1988
    Ultimately one of my fav U2 songs, and a RAD driving song! It is the ultimate statement that one person is more important than all the treasures in the world and all the journeys in life.

Runnerup songs: 

Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper ‧ 1983, a quintessential love song of the 1980s!

Love In The First Degree by Bananarama ‧ 1987, Poppy, fun and catchy... Danna Bananas has to include a Bananarama song. 😜

It Must Be Love by Madness ‧1981, there are so many British bands out there, and this is one of them... A sweet and slightly quirky confession of love. It Must Be Love!

If You Were Here – Thompson twins ‧ 1984, If you saw Sixteen Candles... Happy 16th! 😍

Fire in the Twilight by Wang Chung ‧ 1986, had to include Wang Chung. OMG (never won anything before), I won tickets to be part of their live album taping at the El Mocambo in Toronto. They talked about their music being in the films of John Hughes like The Breakfast Club, which is SO 80s.

Invincible by Pat Benatar ‧ 1985, It's not a romantic love song for someone. Instead, it’s a celebration of inner strength, resilience, and believing in oneself.

Bring on The Dancing Horses by Echo and the Bunnymen ‧ 1985, thought I would also include this song, as it is 2026 will be the Year of the Horse.

Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds ‧ 1985, It's not a joyful, in-the-moment love song. It's an appeal for remembering and a statement of enduring influence from someone who doesn't want to be forgotten by a close friend or former love interest. I saw them in concert last summer (2025) and they performed this song... epic or what!

It is the Year Of The Hors for the Chinese New Year. In honour of that,...

Bring on The Dancing Horses by Echo and the Bunnymen ‧ 1985

Final song, but last but not least

CARAVAN OF LOVE by HouseMartins ‧ 1986, another great Brit. band. 

The words appeal straight to everyone"every woman, every man"to come together in a figurative caravan, spreading the world's healing by means of love and unity. The theme is communal love, caring, and togetherness. 

Join the Caravan of Love! 💛

As there are SO MANY TOTALLY AWESOME 1980's Love Songs, this is Part One!

Team Danna Bananas