American Top 40 1980

Whatever you were doing in 1980 and whoever you were doing it with, these are the songs you were doing it to, presented by the host who played the hits from coast to coast , Casey Kasem!

Memorable moments from 1980:


British Invasion II Begins: As the Sun set on the Disco era, the dawn of a new decade brought in a new sound and new artists. The Punk and New Wave styles ushered in what was dubbed the "Second British Invasion" starting in 1980, with The Clash as the headline act. British artists sporting the new style with Top 40 hits that year include The Vapors (Turning Japanese), Devo (Whip It), and, of Course, The Clash (Train in Vain). These groups, along with continued success from acts like The Cars and Blondie, established Punk and New Wave as the dominant style to replace Disco, the popular dance style during the previous six years.

Rock Veterans Strike Gold: Billy Joel's number one hit It's Still Rock and Roll to Me summed it up best: with the styles changing, it's all still Rock and Roll. Those artists who adapted to the change had a big year in 1980, as three veteran Rock acts, Pink Floyd, Queen, and Billy Joel, all scored their first ever number one hits. Although Pink Floyd's number one hit Another Brick in the Wall was vintage Pink Floyd sound, the other two just mentioned adapted to the "New Wave" in their own way. In his first number one It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, Billy Joel notes that the old styles and new styles are all Rock and Roll, and the changes don't seem to bother him. The Rock group Queen took a different road, and changed their sound to reflect the "New Wave." The result: two enormously successful number one hits in Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Another One Bites the Dust. Crazy Little Thing Called Love sported the pseudo-'50's Punk sound, while Another One Bites the Dust gave us a Blondie-like New Wave sound. In 1980, Queen had the most successful year of any group since the Bee Gees' hits from Saturday Night Fever in 1978.

Instant Top 10 Hit: It was nothing any superstar couldn't do. Diana Ross' hit Upside Down became only the second single ever and the first single since 1971 to enter the Top 40 in the Top 10! On August 9, the Ross song entered the Top 40 at number 10, moving up the Hot 100 from number 49 in one week! Predictably, Upside Down reached number 1, where it spent 4 weeks. Yet another amazing feat by Motown great Diana Ross.

Rock Loses Two Legends: The tragic side of 1980 was the deaths of former Beatle John Lennon and Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. John Lennon was in the midst of a comeback following an almost six-year hiatus from the Top 40 when he met a most brutal fate on December 8. When he and wife Yoko Ono left their New York City apartment that night, crazed fan Mark David Chapman shot Lennon several times in the chest. Lennon died almost instantly, sending shock waves through the Rock world over the following 24 hours. Chapman murdered Lennon because he wanted to "hurt the whole world." Lennon's hit Starting Over, popular at the time of his death, reached number one in January, 1981. John Lennon was only 40.

John Lennon's murder followed the untimely death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham on September 25. After a night of heavy drinking, Bonham was found dead that morning, apparently from choking on his own vomit. Although Led Zeppelin met only moderate success on the Top 40, Rock fans consider them to be one of the greatest Rock bands of all time, as their albums continue to sell well and their album tracks receive excessive air play on Classic Rock radio stations. Bonham died at 33.

[ ]--Original Date of Entry Into Top 40
( )--Peak Position on Chart



Please Don't Go--K.C. & the Sunshine Band [see 1979] (#1)
Escape (The Piña Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes [see 1979] (#1)
Rock With You--Michael Jackson [see 1979] (#1)
Send One Your Love--Stevie Wonder [see 1979] (#4)
Do That to Me One More Time--Captain & Tennille [see 1979] (#1)
Babe--Styx [see 1979] (#1)
Still--Commodores [see 1979] (#1)
Coward of the County--Kenny Rogers [see 1979] (#3)
Ladies Night--Kool & the Gang [see 1979] (#8)
We Don't Talk Anymore--Cliff Richard [see 1979] (#7)
Cool Change--Little River Band [see 1979] (#10)
Cruisin'--Smokey Robinson [see 1979] (#4)
The Long Run--Eagles [see 1979] (#8)
Head Games--Foreigner [see 1979] (#14)
Better Love Next Time--Dr. Hook [see 1979] (#12)
Jane--Jefferson Starship [see 1979] (#14)
I Wanna Be Your Lover--Prince [see 1979] (#11)
This Is It--Kenny Loggins [see 1979] (#11)
I Want You Tonight--Pablo Cruise [see 1979] (#19)
You're Only Lonely--J.D. Souther [see 1979] (#7)
No More Tears--Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer [see 1979] (#1)
Don't Do Me Like That--Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers [see 1979] (#10)
Wait For Me--Daryl Hall & John Oates [see 1979] (#18)
Don't Let Go--Issac Hayes [see 1979] (#18)
Sara--Fleetwood Mac [see 1979] (#7)
Take The Long Way Home--Supertramp [see 1979] (#10)
Damned If I Do--Alan Parsons Project [see 1979] (#27)
Third Time Lucky (The First Time I Was a Fool)--Foghat [see 1979] (#23)
Deja Vu--Dionne Warwick [see 1979] (#15)
Chiquitita--ABBA [see 1979] (#29)
Yes I'm Ready--Teri Desario and K.C. [see 1979] (#2)
Pop Muzik--M [see 1979] (#1)
Half The Way--Crystal Gayle [see 1979] (#15)
Heartache Tonight--Eagles [see 1979] (#1)
Romeo's Tune--Steve Forbert [1/5] (#11)
Rotation--Herb Alpert [see 1979] (#30)
Rapper's Delight--Sugar Hill Gang [1/5] (#36)
Train, Train--Blackfoot [see 1979] (#38)
I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love--Rita Coolidge [1/5] (#38)
Forever Mine--O'Jays [1/5] (#28)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen [1/12] (#1)
An American Dream--Dirt Band [1/12] (#13)
Savannah Nights--Tom Johnston [1/12] (#34)
Fool in the Rain--Led Zeppelin [1/12] (#21)
Daydream Believer--Anne Murray [1/19] (#12)
Why Me--Styx [1/19] (#26)
Longer--Dan Fogelberg [1/19] (#2)
You Know That I Love You--Santana [1/19] (#35)
Voices--Cheap Trick [1/19] (#32)
September Morn--Neil Diamond [1/19] (#17)
Do You Love What You Feel--Rufus & Chaka Khan [1/19] (#30)
On the Radio--Donna Summer [1/26] (#5)
Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me Girl--Spinners [1/26] (#2)
Wonderland--Commodores [1/26] (#25)
Lost Her In the Sun--John Stewart [1/26] (#34)
Last Train to London--Electric Light Orchestra [1/26] (#39)
Desire--Andy Gibb [2/2] (#4)
When I Wanted You--Barry Manilow [2/2] (#20)
Second Time Around--Shalamar [2/2] (#8)
Too Hot--Kool & the Gang [2/9] (#5)
Refugee--Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers [2/9] (#15)
Another Brick In The Wall--Pink Floyd [2/9] (#1)
How Do I Make You--Linda Ronstadt [2/9] (#10)
Him--Rupert Holmes [2/9] (#6)
99--Toto [2/9] (#26)
Heartbreaker--Pat Benatar [2/9] (#23)
Give It All You Got--Chuck Mangione [2/16] (#18)
Special Lady--Ray, Goodman, & Brown [2/16] (#5)
Let Me Go Love--Nicolette Larson & Michael McDonald [2/16] (#35)
I Can't Help Myself--Bonnie Pointer [2/16] (#40)
Off the Wall--Michael Jackson [2/23] (#10)
Three Times In Love--Tommy James [2/23] (#19)
Kiss Me In the Rain--Barbra Streisand [2/23] (#37)
Ride Like the Wind--Christopher Cross [3/1] (#2)
I Can't Tell You Why--Eagles [3/1] (#8)
With You I'm Born Again--Billy Preston & Syreeta [3/1] (#4)
When a Man Loves a Woman--Bette Midler [3/1] (#35)
I Thank You--Z.Z. Top [3/1] (#34)
Fire Lake--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band [3/1] (#6)
Call Me--Blondie [3/8] (#1)
Back On My Feet Again--Babys [3/8] (#33)
Lost In Love--Air Supply [3/8] (#2)
Baby Talks Dirty--Knack [3/8] (#38)
Come Back--J. Geils Band [3/8] (#32)
Sexy Eyes--Dr. Hook [3/15] (#5)
I Pledge My Love--Peaches & Herb [3/15] (#19)
Even It Up--Heart [3/15] (#33)
And The Beat Goes On--Whispers [3/15] (#19)
You May Be Right--Billy Joel [3/22] (#7)
Hold On to My Love--Jimmy Ruffin [3/22] (#10)
Pilot of the Airwaves--Charlie Dore [3/22] (#13)
Years--Wayne Newton [3/22] (#35)
Think About Me--Fleetwood Mac [3/29] (#20)
Set Me Free--Utopia [3/29] (#27)
Any Way You Want It--Journey [3/29] (#23)
Cars--Gary Numan [3/29] (#9)
Keep the Fire--Kenny Loggins [4/5] (#36)
Fire In the Morning--Melissa Manchester [4/5] (#32)
Carrie--Cliff Richard [4/5] (#34)
Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer--Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes [4/12] (#4)
Stomp--Brothers Johnson [4/12] (#7)
Brass In Pocket--Pretenders [4/12] (#14)
Only a Lonely Heart Sees--Felix Cavaliere [4/12] (#36)
Do Right--Paul Davis [4/12] (#23)
Hurts So Bad--Linda Ronstadt [4/19] (#8)
The Biggest Part of Me--Ambrosia [4/19] (#3)
Breakdown Dead Ahead--Boz Scaggs [4/19] (#14)
I Can't Help It--Olivia Newton·John & Andy Gibb [4/19] (#12)
Funkytown--Lipps Inc. [4/19] (#1)
Heart Hotels--Dan Fogelberg [4/19] (#23)
Train in Vain (Stand by Me)--Clash [4/19] (#23)
The Rose--Bette Midler [4/19] (#3)
Seduction--James Last Band [4/19] (#28)
Steal Away--Robbie DuPree [5/3] (#6)
Let Me Be the Clock--Smokey Robinson [5/3] (#31)
Wondering Where the Lions Are--Bruce Cockburn [5/3] (#21)
Let's Get Serious--Jermaine Jackson [5/3] (#9)
Starting Over Again--Dolly Parton [5/3] (#36)
Against the Wind--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band [5/10] (#5)
Coming Up--Paul McCartney [5/10] (#1)
She's Out Of My Life--Michael Jackson [5/10] (#10)
Gee Whiz--Bernadette Peters [5/10] (#31)
Little Jeannie--Elton John [5/10] (#3)
Headed For a Fall--Firefall [5/10] (#35)
Should've Never Let You Go--Neil & Dara Sedaka [5/10] (#19)
I Don't Wanna Walk Without You--Barry Manilow [5/17] (#36)
We Live for Love--Pat Benatar [5/17] (#27)
Cupid / I've Loved You For a Long Time--Spinners [5/24] (#4)
Let Me Love You Tonight--Pure Prarie League [5/24] (#10)
Lady--Whispers [5/24] (#28)
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel [5/24] (#1)
Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)--Isley Brothers [5/24] (#39)
Love Stinks--J. Geils Band [5/24] (#38)
Shining Star--Manhattans [5/31] (#5)
Twilight Zone--Manhattan Transfer [5/31] (#30)
We Were Meant to be Lovers--Jim Photoglo [5/31] (#31)
New York, New York--Frank Sinatra [5/31] (#32)
Tired of Toein' the Line--Rocky Burnette [6/7] (#8)
Two Places at the Same Time--Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio [6/7] (#30)
New Romance (It's a Mystery)--Spider [6/7] (#39)
One Fine Day--Carole King [6/14] (#12)
Answering Machine--Rupert Holmes [6/14] (#32)
Magic--Olivia Newton·John [6/14] (#1)
More Love--Kim Carnes [6/14] (#10)
All Night Long--Joe Walsh [6/14] (#19)
I'm Alive--Electric Light Orchestra [6/14] (#16)
Gimme Some Lovin'--Blues Brothers [6/21] (#18)
Angel Say No--Tommy Tutone [6/21] (#38)
Misunderstanding--Genesis [6/21] (#14)
Atomic--Blondie [6/21] (#39)
In America--Charlie Daniels Band [6/28] (#11)
Love The World Away--Kenny Rogers [6/28] (#14)
Take Your Time (Do It Right)--S.O.S. Band [6/28] (#3)
Stand By Me--Mickey Gilley [6/28] (#22)
Ashes By Now--Rodney Crowell [6/28] (#37)
The Empire Strikes Back--Meco [7/5] (#18)
Emotional Rescue--Rolling Stones [7/5] (#3)
Sailing--Christopher Cross [7/5] (#1)
Let My Love Open the Door--Pete Townshend [7/5] (#9)
Walks Like a Lady--Journey [7/5] (#32)
Clones--Alice Cooper [7/5] (#40)
Take a Little Rhythm--Ali Thompson [7/12] (#15)
Into the Night--Benny Mardones [7/12] (#11) (see also 1989 Hits)
Old Fashion Love--Commodores [7/12] (#20)
King Of the Hill--Rick Pinette & Oak [7/12] (#36)
JoJo--Boz Scaggs [7/12] (#17)
Make a Little Magic--Dirt Band [7/12] (#25)
I Can't Let Go--Linda Ronstadt [7/19] (#31)
All Out Of Love--Air Supply [7/19] (#2)
A Lover's Holiday--Change [7/19] (#40)
Fame--Irene Cara [7/26] (#4)
Boulevard--Jackson Browne [7/26] (#19)
Why Not Me--Fred Knoblock [7/26] (#18)
Cocaine / Tulsa Time--Eric Clapton [7/26] (#30)
Drivin' My Life Away--Eddie Rabbitt [7/26] (#5)
You're The Only Woman--Ambrosia [8/2] (#13)
Give Me the Night--George Benson [8/2] (#4)
Lookin' for Love--Johnny Lee [8/2] (#5)
Upside Down--Diana Ross [8/9] (#1)
One In a Million You--Larry Graham [8/9] (#9)
Hot Rod Hearts--Robbie DuPree [8/9] (#15)
Someone That I Used to Love--Natalie Cole [8/9] (#21)
Late In the Evening--Paul Simon [8/16] (#6)
All Over the World--Electric Light Orchestra [8/16] (#13)
You'll Accomp'ny Me--Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band [8/16] (#14)
Don't Ask Me Why--Billy Joel [8/16] (#19)
I'm Alright--Kenny Loggins [8/23] (#7)
Hey There Lonely Girl--Robert John [8/23] (#31)
Jesse--Carly Simon [8/23] (#11)
Another One Bites The Dust--Queen [8/30] (#1)
Xanadu--Olivia Newton·John and the Electric Light Orchestra [8/30] (#8)
How Does It Feel to be Back--Hall & Oates [8/30] (#30)
Never Knew Love Like This Before--Stephanie Mills [8/30] (#6)
He's So Shy--Pointer Sisters [8/30] (#3)
You're Supposed to Keep Your Love For Me--Jermaine Jackson [8/30] (#34)
No Night So Long--Dionne Warwick [9/6] (#23)
Look What You've Done to Me--Boz Scaggs [9/6] (#14)
Real Love--Doobie Brothers [9/6] (#5)
Woman In Love--Barbra Streisand [9/13] (#1)
How Do I Survive--Amy Holland [9/13] (#22)
First Time Love--Livingston Taylor [9/13] (#38)
Who'll Be the Fool Tonight--Larsen / Feiten Band [9/13] (#29)
Don't You Wanna Play This Game No More--Elton John [9/20] (#39)
The Wanderer--Donna Summer [9/27] (#3)
Midnight Rocks--Al Stewart [9/27] (#24)
Dreaming--Cliff Richard [9/27] (#10)
On The Road Again--Willie Nelson [9/27] (#20)
The Legend of Wooley Swamp--Charlie Daniels Band [9/27] (#31)
Out Here On My Own--Irene Cara [9/27] (#19)
Master Blaster--Stevie Wonder [10/4] (#5)
Dreamer--Supertramp [10/4] (#15)
I'm Coming Out--Diana Ross [10/4] (#5)
Whip It--Devo [10/4] (#14)
I'm Almost Ready--Pure Prairie League [10/4] (#34)
Lady--Kenny Rogers [10/4] (#1)
Let Me Be Your Angel--Stacey Lattisaw [10/4] (#21)
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling--Hall & Oates [10/11] (#12)
Lovely One--Jacksons [10/11] (#12)
Touch and Go--Cars [10/11] (#37)
Walk Away--Donna Summer [10/11] (#36)
That Girl Could Sing--Jackson Browne [10/18] (#22)
More Than I Can Say--Leo Sayer [10/18] (#2)
Could I Have This Dance--Anne Murray [10/18] (#33)
She's So Cold--Rolling Stones [10/18] (#26)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot--Pat Benatar [10/18] (#9)
Without Your Love--Roger Daltry [10/25] (#20)
You Shook Me All Night Long--AC/DC [10/25] (#35)
Never Be the Same--Christopher Cross [10/25] (#15)
Love On the Rocks--Neil Diamond [11/1] (#2)
I'm Happy That Love Has Found You--Jimmy Hall [11/1] (#27)
Starting Over--John Lennon [11/1] (#1)
Theme From The Dukes Of Hazard--Waylon Jennings [11/1] (#21)
Sometimes a Fantasy--Billy Joel [11/1] (#36)
Hungry Heart--Bruce Springsteen [11/8] (#5)
Deep Inside My Heart--Randy Meisner [11/8] (#22)
Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime--Korgis [11/8] (#18)
This Time--John Cougar [11/8] (#27)
Hold On--Kansas [11/8] (#40)
Guilty--Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb [11/15] (#3)
Every Woman In The World--Air Supply [11/15] (#5)
It's My Turn--Diana Ross [11/15] (#9)
Turning Japanese--Vapors [11/15] (#36)
If You Should Sail--Neilsen / Pearson [11/15] (#38)
I Believe in You--Don Williams [11/15] (#24)
De Do Do Do, De Dah Dah Dah--Police [11/22] (#10)
Celebration--Kool & the Gang [11/22] (#1)
Sequel--Harry Chapin [11/22] (#23)
Suddenly--Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton·John [11/22] (#20)
One-Trick Pony--Paul Simon [11/22] (#40)
Tell It Like It Is--Heart [11/29] (#8)
Passion--Rod Stewart [11/29] (#5)
The Tide Is High--Blondie [11/29] (#1)
Girls Can Get It--Dr. Hook [11/29] (#34)
On