80s R&B
Below are the Top 40 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in alphabetical order using the year end Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart for each year from 1980 to 1989. These 80s R&B charts were created using the most popular R&B songs reported to Billboard by various services like national and local radio stations, US streaming digital services, digital downloads, etc. Over the years, the charts have gone through a series of name changes. Currently, the chart is called “HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS. Previous chart names included “Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles”, “Best Selling Soul Singles”, “Hot Black Singles”, “Hot R&B Singles”, “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks”, and “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Table of Contents
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1980
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1980 were: Celebration by Kool & The Gang, Love T.K.O. by Teddy Pendergrass, and Master Blaster (Jammin’) by Stevie Wonder.
- AGONY OF DEFEETbyParliament
- BOOGIE BODY LANDbyBarkays
- BURN RUBBER (WHY YOU WANNA HURT ME)byThe Gap Band
- CELEBRATIONbyKool & The Gang
- COULD I BE DREAMINGbyThe Pointer Sisters
- DO ME RIGHTbyDynasty
- FANTASTIC VOYAGEbyLakeside
- FREAK TO FREAKbySweat Band
- GANGSTERS OF THE GROOVEbyHeatwave
- HAPPY ANNIVERSARYbyRay, Goodman & Brown
- HEARTBREAK HOTELbyThe Jacksons
- HEAVENLY BODYbyThe Chi-lites
- I JUST LOVE THE MANbyThe Jones Girls
- I’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER (FIND ANOTHER LIKE YOU)byThe Manhattans
- INHERIT THE WINDbyWilton Felder
- IT’S MY TURNbyDiana Ross
- KEEP IT HOTbyCameo
- KID STUFFbyTwennynine With Lenny White
- LITTLE GIRL DON’T YOU WORRYbyJermaine Jackson
- LOOK UPbyPatrice Rushen
- LOVE OVER AND OVER AGAINbySwitch
- LOVE T.K.O.byTeddy Pendergrass
- LOVE UPRISINGbyTavares
- LOVE X LOVEbyGeorge Benson
- LOVELY ONEbyThe Jacksons
- MAKE THE WORLD STAND STILLbyRoberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
- MASTER BLASTER (JAMMIN’)byStevie Wonder
- MELANCHOLY FIREbyNorman Connors
- MORE BOUNCH TO THE OUNCEbyZapp
- MUG PUSHbyBootsy
- PROVE ITbyMichael Henderson
- REMOTE CONTROLbyThe Reddings
- SHINE ONbyLTD
- THE LOOK IN YOUR EYESbyMaze Featuring Frankie Beverly
- TOO TIGHTbyConFunkShun
- UNITED TOGETHERbyAretha Franklin
- UPTOWNbyPrince And The Revolution
- WHAT CHA DOIN’bySeawind
- WHEN WE GET MARRIEDbyLarry Graham
- YOUbyEarth, Wind & Fire
1981
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1981 were: Let’s Groove by Earth, Wind & Fire, Turn Your Love Around by George Benson, and Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It) by Kool & The Gang.
- BAD LADYbyConFunkShun
- BE MINE (TONIGHT)byGrover Washington, Jr
- BLUE JEANSbyChocolate Milk
- BREAKIN’ AWAYbyJarreau
- CALL MEbySkyy
- CONTROVERSYbyPrince
- COOL (PART )byThe Time
- DO IT TO MEbyVernon Burch
- FUNKY SENSATIONbyGwen McCrae
- GHETTO LIFEbyRick James
- HIT AND RUNbyBarkays
- HOW CAN LOVE SO RIGHT (BE SO WRONG)byRay, Goodman & Brown
- I BELIEVE IN LOVEbyRockie Robbins
- I CAN’T GO FOR THAT (NO CAN DO)byDaryl Hall John Oates
- I FOUND THAT MAN, OF MINEbyThe Jones Girls
- I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINEbyRoger
- I WANT YOUbyBooker T Jones
- I WILL FIGHTbyGladys Knight And The Pips
- I’M JUST TOO SHYbyJermaine Jackson
- IF YOU THINK YOU’RE LONELYbyBobby Womack
- IT’S MY TURNbyAretha Franklin
- KICKIN’ BACKbyLTD
- LET THE FEELING FLOWbyPeabo Bryson
- LET’S GROOVEbyEarth, Wind & Fire
- LOVE FEVERbyGayle Adams
- LOVE IN THE FAST LANEbyDynasty
- NUMBERSbyKraftwerk
- OH NObyCommodores
- PULL FANCY DANCER PULLby
- SHAKEbyGQ
- SHARING THE LOVEbyRufus With Chaka Khan
- SNAP SHOTbySlave
- SOMETHING ABOUT YOUbyAngela Bofill
- STEAL THE NIGHTbyStevie Woods
- SWEETER AS THE DAY GOES BYbyShalamar
- TAKE MY HEART (YOU CAN HAVE IT IF YOU WANT IT)byKool & The Gang
- TURN YOUR LOVE AROUNDbyGeorge Benson
- WALKING INTO SUNSHINEbyCentral Line
- WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVEbyDiana Ross
- YOU’RE MY LATEST, MY GREATEST INSPIRATIONbyTeddy Pendergrass
1982
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1982 were: Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye, Truly by Lionel Richie, and The Girl Is Mine by Michael Jackson And Paul McCartney.
- AFTER I CRY TONIGHTbyLanier & Co
- AIN’T NOBODY, BABYbyConFunkShun
- ARE YOU SERIOUSbyTyrone Davis
- BABY, COME TO MEbyPatti Austin A Duet With James Ingram
- BAD BOY/HAVING A PARTYbyLuther Vandross
- BAD BOYbyRay Parker Jr
- BETCHA SHE DON’T LOVE YOUbyEvelyn King
- byPrince
- CHANGE THE WORLDbyAlfonzo
- DO IT (LET ME SEE YOU SHAKE)byBarkays
- GOT TO BE THEREbyChaka Khan
- HEARTBEATSbyYarbrough & Peoples
- HEARTBREAKERbyDionne Warwick
- KNOCKOUTbyMargie Joseph
- LET’S GO DANCIN’ (OOH LA, LA, LA)byKool & The Gang
- LOVE ME RIGHTbyAretha Franklin
- MIND UP TONIGHTbyMelba Moore
- MOVIN’ VIOLATIONbySkyy
- MUSCLESbyDiana Ross
- NASTY GIRLbyVanity
- NIPPLE TO THE BOTTLEbyGrace Jones
- OUTSTANDINGbyThe Gap Band
- PAINTED PICTUREbyCommodores
- PEOPLE TREAT YOU FUNKY (WHEN YA AIN’T GOT NO MONEY!)byRichard “Dimples” Fields
- PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISKbyPlanet Patrol
- PUT IT IN A MAGAZINEbySonny Charles
- SEXUAL HEALINGbyMarvin Gaye
- SWEET BABYbyHarry Ray
- THE BEST IS YET TO COMEbyGrover Washington Jr With Patti LaBelle
- THE GIRL IS MINEbyMichael Jackson And Paul McCartney
- THE LADY IN REDbyAlphonse Mouzon
- THE SMURFbyTyrone “Tystick” Brunson
- THE WALKbyThe Time
- THERE I GObyAlfie Silas
- TRULYbyLionel Richie
- TURN TO MEbyMaxine Nightingale Featuring Jimmy Ruffin
- WELCOME TO THE CLUBbyThe Brothers Johnson
- WILD NIGHTbyOne Way
- YA MAMAbyWuf Ticket
- YOUNG LOVEbyJanet Jackson
1983
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1983 were: Time Will Reveal Debarge, Say Say Say Paul McCartney And Michael Jackson, and Joanna Kool & The Gang.
- ALL NIGHT LONG (ALL NIGHT)byLionel Richie
- BABY, I’M HOOKED (RIGHT INTO YOUR LOVE)byConFunkShun
- BODY TALKbyThe Deele
- BOYSbyMary Jane Girls
- ELECTRIC KINGDOMbyTwilight 22
- ENCOREbyCheryl Lynn
- HOLIDAYbyMadonna
- HOW COME U DON’T CALL ME ANYMOREbyStephanie Mills
- HOW MANY TIMES CAN WE SAY GOODBYEbyDionne Warwick & Luther Vandross
- I AM LOVEbyJennifer Holliday
- I JUST CAN’T WALK AWAYbyFour Tops
- I NEED YOUbyThe Pointer Sisters
- I STILL CAN’T GET OVER LOVING YOUbyRay Parker Jr.
- I’LL LET YOU SLIDEbyLuther Vandross
- I’M ON YOUR SIDEbyAngela Bofill
- IF ONLY YOU KNEWbyPatti LaBelle
- JAM THE MOTHA’byThe Gap Band
- JOANNAbyKool & The Gang
- JOYSTICKbyDazz Band
- JUST LET ME WAITbyJennifer Holliday
- KEEPIN’ MY LOVER SATISFIEDbyMelba Moore
- LET THE MUSIC PLAYbyShannon
- LET’S TAKE TIME OUTbyHoward Johnson
- MAGNETICbyEarth, Wind & Fire
- MY FIRST LOVEbyRene & Angela
- NUBIAN NUTbyGeorge Clinton
- POPCORN LOVE/JEALOUS GIRLbyNew Edition
- RADIO ACTIVITY (PART 1)byRoyal Cash
- ROCKIN’ RADIObyTom Browne
- RUNNING WITH THE NIGHTbyLionel Richie
- SAY SAY SAYbyPaul McCartney And Michael Jackson
- SOMETHING’S ON YOUR MINDbyD Train
- STAY WITH ME TONIGHTbyJeffrey Osborne
- TELL ME IF YOU STILL CAREbyThe S.O.S. Band
- TIME WILL REVEALbyDebarge
- TOUCH A FOUR LEAF CLOVERbyAtlantic Starr
- U BRING THE FREAK OUTbyRick James
- WET MY WHISTLEbyMidnight Star
- WORDS AND MUSICbyTavares
- YAH MO B THEREbyJames Ingram With Michael McDonald
1984
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1984 were: Operator by Midnight Star, Solid by Ashford & Simpson, and Show Me by Glenn Jones.
- ALL OF YOU by Lillo Thomas
- APPRECIATION by Alicia Myers
- BEEP A FREAK by The Gap Band
- C.O.D. (I’LL DELIVER) by Mtume
- CENTIPEDE by Rebbie Jackson
- CONTAGIOUS by The Whispers
- COOL IT NOW by New Edition
- DO WHAT YOU DO by Jermaine Jackson
- DON’T STOP by Jeffrey Osborne
- FRIENDS/FIVE MINUTES OF FUNK by Whodini
- GOTTA GET YOU HOME TONIGHT by Eugene Wilde
- HANG ON TO YOUR LOVE by Sade
- I FEEL FOR YOU by Chaka Khan
- IN THE DARK by Roy Ayers
- JAILHOUSE RAP by Fat Boys
- JAMIE by Ray Parker Jr.
- LET IT ALL BLOW by Dazz Band
- LIKE A VIRGIN by Madonna
- LOOK THE OTHER WAY by Isley, Jasper, Isley
- LOVE LIGHT IN FLIGHT by Stevie Wonder
- LOVER GIRL by Teena Marie
- MISLED by Kool & The Gang
- MISSING YOU by Diana Ross
- MR. TELEPHONE MAN by New Edition
- NO ONE’S GONNA LOVE YOU by The S.O.S. Band
- OPERATOR by Midnight Star
- OUT OF TOUCH by Daryl Hall John Oates
- PENNY LOVER by Lionel Richie
- PURPLE RAIN by Prince And The Revolution
- RAIN FOREST by Paul Hardcastle
- SECRET FANTASY by Tom Browne
- SEX O MATIC by Barkays
- SHOW ME by Glenn Jones
- SOLID by Ashford & Simpson
- STRONGER THAN BEFORE by Joyce Kennedy
- TEARS by Force M.D.’s
- THE MEN ALL PAUSE by Klymaxx
- THE WORD IS OUT by Jermaine Stewart
- TREAT HER LIKE A LADY by The Temptations
- YOU USED TO HOLD ME SO TIGHT by Thelma Houston
1985
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1985 were: Don’t Say No Tonight by Eugene Wilde, Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie, Count Me Out by New Edition.
- A LOVE BIZARRE by Sheila E.
- ALICE, I WANT YOU JUST FOR ME by Full Force
- CAN YOU FEEL THE BEAT by Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam With Full Force
- CAN YOU ROCK IT LIKE THIS by Run-D.M.C.
- CARAVAN OF LOVE by Isley, Jasper, Isley
- COLDER ARE MY NIGHTS by The Isley Brothers
- COUNT ME OUT by New Edition
- CURIOSITY by The Jets
- DIGITAL DISPLAY by Ready For The World
- DO ME BABY by Meli’sa Morgan
- DO YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR BABY by The Temptations
- DON’T SAY NO TONIGHT by Eugene Wilde
- EMERGENCY by Kool & The Gang
- EVERYBODY DANCE by Ta Mara & The Seen
- FREEDOM by The Pointer Sisters
- GO HOME by Stevie Wonder
- GORDY’S GROOVE by Choice M.C.’s Featuring Fresh Gordon
- GUILTY by Yarbrough & Peoples
- HE’LL NEVER LOVE YOU (LIKE I DO) by Freddie Jackson
- HONEY FOR THE BEES by Patti Austin
- I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO by LL Cool J
- I LIKE THE WAY YOU DANCE by 9.9
- IF I RULED THE WORLD by Kurtis Blow
- LET ME BE THE ONE by Five Star
- PARTY ALL THE TIME by Eddie Murphy
- SAY YOU, SAY ME by Lionel Richie
- SECRET LOVERS by Atlantic Starr
- SEDUCTION by Val Young
- SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM by Grace Jones
- STAND BACK by Stephanie Mills
- SUN CITY by Artists United Against Apartheid
- THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Dionne & Friends
- THE SWEETEST TABOO by Sade
- THINKING ABOUT YOU by Whitney Houston
- WHAT A WOMAN by The O’Jays
- WHAT YOU BEEN MISSIN’ by Starpoint
- WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING by Billy Ocean
- WHO DO YOU LOVE by Bernard Wright
- WHO’S ZOOMIN’ WHO by Aretha Franklin
- YOUR PERSONAL TOUCH by Evelyn “Champagne” King
1986
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1986 were: Girlfriend by Bobby Brown, Victory by Kool & The Gang, and Control by Janet Jackson.
- AS WE LAY by Shirley Murdock
- BALLERINA GIRL by Lionel Richie
- BIG FUN by The Gap Band
- C’EST LA VIE by Robbie Nevil
- CANDY by Cameo
- CAUGHT UP IN THE RAPTURE by Anita Baker
- COME SHARE MY LOVE by Miki Howard
- CONTROL by Janet Jackson
- CRAZAY by Jesse Johnson (Featuring Sly Stone)
- FACTS OF LOVE by Jeff Lorber & Karyn White
- FALLING by Melba Moore
- GIRLFRIEND by Bobby Brown
- GOIN’ TO THE BANK by Commodores
- GOLDMINE by The Pointer Sisters
- I WANNA KNOW YOUR NAME by Force M.D.’s
- I’M NOT PERFECT (BUT I’M PERFECT FOR YOU) by Grace Jones
- IKE’S RAP/HEY GIRL by Isaac Hayes
- IT’S THE NEW STYLE by Beastie Boys
- JIMMY LEE by Aretha Franklin
- LET’S GO OUT TONIGHT by Levert
- LOVE IS FOREVER by Billy Ocean
- LOVE YOU DOWN by Ready For The World
- MISUNDERSTANDING by James ‘D-Train’ Williams
- ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY by Vesta
- ONCE IN A LIFETIME GROOVE by New Edition
- PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS by Krystol
- SERIOUS by Donna Allen
- SEXY by Klymaxx
- SHIVER by George Benson
- SOMEONE by El DeBarge
- STOP TO LOVE by Luther Vandross
- TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT by Ray, Goodman & Brown
- TALK TO ME by Chico DeBarge
- TASTY LOVE by Freddie Jackson
- TELL ME WHAT I GOTTA DO by Al Jarreau
- TIGHT FIT by Chaka Khan
- TWO PEOPLE by Tina Turner
- U-TURN by J. Blackfoot
- VICTORY by Kool & The Gang
- YOU BE ILLIN’ by Run-D.M.C.
1987
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1987 were: The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson, My Forever Love by Levert, and I Want To Be Your Man by Roger.
- (I WANNA GET) CLOSE TO YOU by Vaneese Thomas
- BABY, BE MINE by Miki Howard
- COME INTO MY LIFE by Joyce Sims
- CRITICIZE by Alexander O’Neal
- GET LUCKY by Well Red
- GIRLFRIEND by Pebbles
- HOT THING by Prince
- HOW YA LIKE ME NOW by Kool Moe Dee
- I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT by David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick
- I LIVE FOR YOUR LOVE by Natalie Cole
- I WANT HER by Keith Sweat
- I WANT TO BE YOUR MAN by Roger
- I WISH YOU BELONGED TO ME by Lou Rawls
- IF YOU CAN DO IT: I CAN TOO!! by Meli’sa Morgan
- IN THE MOOD by The Whispers
- LET ME TOUCH YOU by The O’Jays
- LET’S START LOVE OVER by Miles Jaye
- LET’S TRY AGAIN by Surface
- LOVE CHANGES by Kashif & Meli’sa Morgan
- LOVE IS FOR SUCKERS (LIKE ME AND YOU) by Full Force
- LOVE OVERBOARD by Gladys Knight And The Pips
- MY FOREVER LOVE by Levert
- NOTHING VENTURED – NOTHING GAINED by Charlie Singleton & Modern Man
- OVER YOU by Ray Parker Jr. With Natalie Cole
- RESERVATIONS FOR TWO by Dionne & Kashif
- SECRET LADY by Stephanie Mills
- SHE’S FLY by Tony Terry
- SKELETONS by Stevie Wonder
- SO AMAZING by Gerald Albright
- SO EMOTIONAL by Whitney Houston
- SOMEONE TO LOVE ME FOR ME by Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam Featuring Full Force
- SUPERBAD by Chris Jasper
- SYSTEM OF SURVIVAL by Earth, Wind & Fire
- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL by Michael Jackson
- THIS BE THE DEF BEAT by Dana Dane
- TO PROVE MY LOVE by Michael Cooper
- TOUCH AND GO by Force M.D.’s
- TWO OCCASIONS by The Deele
- WANNA MAKE LOVE (ALL NIGHT LONG) by Lillo Thomas
- WHAT’S TOO MUCH by Smokey Robinson
1988
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1988 were: Tumblin’ Down by Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers, Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson, Oasis by Roberta Flack.
- ALL OR NOTHING by Rene Moore
- BABY DOLL by Tony Toni Tone
- CAN U READ MY LIPS by Z’Looke
- CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN by New Edition
- CAN’T GO BACK ON A PROMISE by Jeffrey Osborne
- DIAL MY HEART by The Boys
- DON’T STOP YOUR LOVE by Keith Sweat
- DREAMIN’ by Vanessa Williams
- EVERYTHING I MISS AT HOME by Cherrelle
- GET UP EVERYBODY (GET UP) by Salt-N-Pepa
- GIVING YOU THE BEST THAT I GOT by Anita Baker
- HEAVEN ON EARTH by Donna Allen
- HEY LOVER by Freddie Jackson
- HIM OR ME by Today
- I JUST WANNA STOP by Angela Bofill
- I MISSED by Surface
- I WANNA HAVE SOME FUN by Samantha Fox
- I WANT TO BE YOUR LOVER by Aleese Simmons
- IF EVER A LOVE THERE WAS by Four Tops (Duet With Aretha Franklin)
- IT’S MY PARTY by Chaka Khan
- KILLING ME SOFTLY by Al B. Sure!
- OASIS by Roberta Flack
- PULL OVER by Levert
- RONI by Bobby Brown
- SAY YOU WILL by Starpoint
- SHE WON’T TALK TO ME by Luther Vandross
- SILHOUETTE by Kenny G
- SMOOTH CRIMINAL by Michael Jackson
- SO GOOD by Al Jarreau
- SUPERWOMAN by Karyn White
- SWEET, SWEET LOVE by Vesta
- TAKE ME WHERE YOU WANT TO by Gerald Alston
- TALKIN’ ALL THAT JAZZ by Stetsasonic
- THANKS FOR MY CHILD by Cheryl Pepsii Riley
- THE LOVER IN ME by Sheena Easton
- THIS TIME by Kiara (Duet With Shanice Wilson)
- TUMBLIN’ DOWN by Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers
- TURN ON (THE BEAT BOX) by Earth, Wind & Fire
- WHERE IS THE LOVE by Robert Brookins (Duet With Stephanie Mills)
- YOU MAKE ME WORK by Cameo
1989
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1989 were: Tender Lover by Babyface, Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson, I’ll Be Good To You by Quincy Jones Featuring Ray Charles & Chaka Khan.
- (I’LL BE YOUR) DREAM LOVER by Richard Rogers
- AIN’T NUTHIN’ IN THE WORLD by Miki Howard
- ALL NITE by Entouch Featuring Keith Sweat
- ALL OF MY LOVE by The Gap Band
- BLAME IT ON THE RAIN by Milli Vanilli
- CAN WE SPEND SOME TIME by Surface
- CHA CHA CHA by MC Lyte
- DON’T CHA’ THINK by After 7
- FOOLISH HEART by Sharon Bryant
- FRIENDS B-4 LOVERS by Full Force
- HEAVEN by Miles Jaye
- HERE AND NOW by Luther Vandross
- I JUST WANNA LOVE YOU by The Main Ingredient
- I WANNA BE RICH by Calloway
- I’LL BE GOOD TO YOU by Quincy Jones Featuring Ray Charles & Chaka Khan
- IT’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT by Ruby Turner
- IT’S THE REAL THING by Angela Winbush
- JAZZIE’S GROOVE by Soul II Soul
- LET’S GET IT ON by By All Means
- LOVE HAS GOT TO WAIT by Eric Gable
- MAKE IT LIKE IT WAS by Regina Belle
- NO FRIEND OF MINE by Club Nouveau
- NO MORE LIES by Michel’le
- OPPOSITES ATTRACT by Paula Abdul (Duet With The Wild Pair)
- OWWWW! by Chunky A
- PUMP UP THE JAM by Technotronic Featuring Felly
- REAL LOVE by Skyy
- RHYTHM NATION by Janet Jackson
- RIGHT AND HYPE by Abstrac’
- SCANDALOUS! by Prince Featuring Kim Basinger
- SERIOUS HOLD ON ME by The O’Jays
- SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU by Michael Cooper
- SILKY SOUL by Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
- SPECIAL by The Temptations
- TENDER LOVER by Babyface
- TURN IT OUT by Rob Base
- WALK ON BY by Sybil
- WHATCHA GONNA DO? by Tyler Collins
- YO MISTER by Patti LaBelle
- YOUR SWEETNESS by Good Girls