Prince’s ‘Kiss’ Reigns Over Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 200 Songs of the 80s’ / Michael, Whitney, & Madonna Make Top 10

Published: Tuesday 5th Dec 2023 by Rashad

Despite rendering some of Pop music history’s most memorable hits (see: ‘1999,’ ‘When Doves Cry,’ ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ etc.), an easy standout in Prince‘s prized discography comes courtesy of 1986’s ‘Kiss.

The fourth of his five career Hot 100 chart-toppers, the tune – which smooched the summit of the all-genre hitlist for two weeks that year – has seen its commercial impact outweighed only by its enduring critical and cultural significance.

A mainstay on ‘Best Ever’ lists over the years, the Gold-certified smash is featured in the top 20 of Billboard’s ‘500 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time,’ the top 10 of NME’s ‘150 Greatest Singles of All Time‘, and the top 100 of Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time.’

In a more recent toast to the legacy of ‘Kiss,’ the latter publication rolled out yet another all-time ranking that has the legendary tune towering over the competition.

Taking to press, Rolling Stone lifted the lid on its ‘200 Best Songs of the 80s’ – a tally that toasts the brilliance of music history’s most eclectic and unique sonic decade yet.

At #1 sits Prince’s ‘Kiss,’ leading a list of heavy hitters that includes King and Queen of Pop Michael Jackson and Madonna – found at #4 and #2 for their respective hits ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Like a Prayer’ – as well as Whitney Houston‘s ‘How Will I Know‘ (#6).

Peep the top 10 below.

RS 200 Best Songs of the 80s

10 – The Smiths, ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’

9 – Kate Bush, ‘Running Up That Hill’

8 – Duran Duran, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’

7 – The Go-Gos, ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’

6 – Whitney Houston, ‘How Will I Know?’

5 – Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise’

4 – Michael Jackson, ‘Billie Jean’

3 – Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, ‘The Message’

2 – Madonna, ‘Like a Prayer’

1 – Prince, ‘Kiss’

Click here to see the full list.

Your thoughts?

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  1. Anne December 6, 2023

    Great choice for #1! Will always consider Prince the most talented artist of his time, maybe even of all times. Also surprisingly great to see The Message in the top five. No complaints, overall great top ten, imo.

  2. MDNPRN December 6, 2023

    Notice that Prince is also present at #2 since he plays guitar on certain versions of Like a Prayer.

    • James December 6, 2023

      Wow didn’t know that

  3. What Would 50 do December 6, 2023

    Prince was a real divo.

  4. Stink Friday 2 December 6, 2023

    Nicki Minaj could never

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