Every #1 Hit Song From 1983 Ranked From Worst to Best

https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-songs/best-1983-hit-songs

Featuring Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Bonnie Tyler, Toto and more

By Paste Staff | July 15, 2023 | 10:00am

From the start of July through August 2023, we’re ranking every Billboard #1 hit from 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013 from worst to best in each respective year. Last week, we looked at what 1973 had to offer—including anthems and ballads from Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones and Elton John. It was a long list of 27 songs, and that number has greatly shrunk this time around. Today, we’re looking at all 17 tracks that found musical immortality in the 52 weeks of 1983. Eight of the songs held the #1 position for at least three weeks, while two of them ruled America for at least seven.

As is the case with the era these songs come from, there are a few underwhelming entries. But, there are just as many all-time great tracks that have transcended the limitations of any box that the mainstream charts might have once put them in. To score a #1 hit is an achievement that makes your career immortal in some capacity—these artists put in the work and got to the promised land. 1983 offered up a great mix of one-time chart-toppers and rock ‘n’ roll legends. From songs by Billy Joel to Lionel Richie to Bonnie Tyler to Michael Jackson, here is every #1 hit from 1983 ranked. —Matt Mitchell, Assistant Music Editor