10 Metal Songs That Defined the 1980s

The 1980s are often associated with neon fashion, synth-driven new wave, and radio-friendly pop. However, for metalheads, it was an era of raw power, electrifying riffs, and headbanging anthems. This decade saw the evolution of heavy metal, with groundbreaking albums, the birth of subgenres, and an explosion of creativity that reshaped the musical landscape.

While some may immediately think of hair metal when discussing ’80s hard rock, the truth is far more diverse. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) brought forth legendary bands, while thrash, death, and black metal emerged from the underground. The decade also saw experimental fusions with hip-hop, funk, and electronic music, proving that ’80s metal was as versatile as it was powerful. Here are ten songs that defined the era.

10. Ozzy Osbourne – “Crazy Train”

Album: Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy Osbourne embarked on a solo career that would cement his place as a metal icon. Blizzard of Ozz introduced the world to Randy Rhoads’ dazzling guitar work and Ozzy’s signature theatricality. “Crazy Train” became an instant classic, opening with its unforgettable “All aboard!” and setting the stage for a decade of legendary music from the Prince of Darkness.

9. Venom – “In League With Satan”

Album: Welcome to Hell (1981)

Venom emerged from Newcastle with a sound that was raw, aggressive, and darker than their NWOBHM peers. Their 1981 debut album, Welcome to Hell, laid the foundation for thrash, death, and black metal. “In League With Satan” showcased their blasphemous themes and unrelenting energy, fueling the ’80s Satanic Panic and influencing countless extreme metal bands.

8. Iron Maiden – “The Number of the Beast”

Album: The Number of the Beast (1982)

By 1982, Iron Maiden had gone through multiple lineup changes, but with Bruce Dickinson on vocals, they struck gold. The Number of the Beast propelled them to global superstardom, and the title track became an enduring anthem. With galloping riffs, soaring vocals, and a sinister storytelling style, the song solidified Maiden as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

7. Def Leppard – “Photograph”

Album: Pyromania (1983)

In 1983, Def Leppard helped bridge the gap between hard rock and mainstream success. Pyromania saw the band shift towards a polished, radio-friendly sound, and “Photograph” became a massive hit. The song’s infectious melody and slick production played a crucial role in shaping the glam metal explosion that followed.

6. Ratt – “Round and Round”

Album: Out of the Cellar (1984)

Hair metal ruled the Sunset Strip in the mid-’80s, blending glam aesthetics with hard rock swagger. Ratt’s “Round and Round” became an anthem of the era, delivering an irresistible mix of sleaze, hooks, and attitude. While some dismissed hair metal as style over substance, songs like this proved its enduring appeal.

5. Faith No More – “We Care A Lot”

Album: We Care A Lot (1985)

Metal wasn’t just about excess and spectacle—innovation thrived in the ’80s underground. Faith No More’s debut single, “We Care A Lot,” introduced their unique blend of alternative metal, funk, and rap-infused rock. The song hinted at the band’s future greatness and laid the groundwork for the genre’s evolution.

4. Slayer – “Raining Blood”

Album: Reign in Blood (1986)

Thrash metal reached its peak in the late ’80s, and Reign in Blood remains one of the most ferocious albums ever recorded. “Raining Blood” encapsulates everything great about Slayer—blistering speed, unrelenting aggression, and an apocalyptic atmosphere. The song’s legendary status continues to inspire metal fans worldwide.

3. Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle”

Album: Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Guns N’ Roses brought raw, gritty rock ‘n’ roll back into the mainstream with Appetite for Destruction. “Welcome to the Jungle” didn’t find immediate success, but once MTV put it on the air, the song exploded in popularity. With its bluesy riffs and Axl Rose’s venomous delivery, it became an enduring symbol of rebellion and excess.

2. Metallica – “One”

Album: …And Justice for All (1988)

Metallica’s complex, emotionally charged “One” showcased their evolution as musicians and storytellers. Inspired by Johnny Got His Gun, the song’s haunting atmosphere and explosive climax made it one of the band’s most powerful tracks. It also marked their first major chart success, proving that metal could be both cerebral and commercially viable.

1. Mötley Crüe – “Dr. Feelgood”

Album: Dr. Feelgood (1989)

By the end of the decade, glam metal was beginning to fade, but Mötley Crüe delivered one last massive hit with “Dr. Feelgood.” The song’s tight production, heavy groove, and larger-than-life persona solidified the band’s legacy. While grunge and alternative rock would soon take over, “Dr. Feelgood” remains a definitive anthem of ’80s metal excess.

The 1980s was a decade of explosive creativity and genre-defining moments in heavy metal. These ten songs not only shaped the era but also laid the foundation for future generations of metal artists. Whether you prefer the soaring anthems of NWOBHM, the raw aggression of thrash, or the glammed-up excess of hair metal, the ’80s had something for every headbanger.