Top 15 David Bowie Songs from the 1980s

David Bowie was never an artist to follow the status quo. If his career had a motto, it might simply be: be yourself.

This approach was consistent throughout his life but perhaps most evident in the 1980s. By then, Bowie had accumulated years of experience, reaching a point of personal and professional contentment. In 1987, he reflected to writer Gary Graff (via Billboard), “I’m much happier than I was in my early 20s. At that time, I always felt I should have been older. I’ve caught up with myself, really.”

While Bowie’s output in the 1970s is often regarded as his most creative and influential, the 1980s brought him his greatest commercial success. During this period, he hit his stride artistically and commercially. As he told Graff, “I don’t find it a problem to use the techniques and styles I’ve used before, where at one time I thought, ‘I can’t do that!’ I was very into making the Big Artistic Statement — it had to be innovative, it had to be cutting edge. I was desperately keen on being original. Now I’m not trying so obsessively to be up against the sky. It’s almost like I’m finding a style — a David Bowie Sound.”

Bowie’s ’80s work reveals a musician comfortable in his skin, experimenting freely but no longer chained by the pressure of constant reinvention. Below are 15 of the finest examples of his output from that decade:

1. “Ashes to Ashes”

Album: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)

Bowie rarely revisited his past, but with “Ashes to Ashes,” he reintroduced Major Tom — the character from “Space Oddity” — as a way of closing a chapter. The track, featuring Roy Bittan of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band on a flanged piano, weaves themes of corruption, drug addiction, and lost innocence into a haunting, futuristic soundscape.

2. “Fashion”

Album: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)

“Fashion” critiques the emerging obsession with trends in the early ’80s. Featuring blistering guitar work from Robert Fripp of King Crimson, Bowie’s biting lyrics highlight a grim determination among people to stay stylish, stripping away the joy and spontaneity once associated with fashion.

3. “Under Pressure” (with Queen)

Single: October 1981

The legendary collaboration between Bowie and Queen produced “Under Pressure,” a song that captured the urgency and beauty of two powerful creative forces coming together. Despite some creative tensions during recording, the song’s iconic bassline and emotional vocals ensured its place as one of their most beloved hits.

4. “Modern Love”

Album: Let’s Dance (1983)

Blending New Wave with rock, soul, and funk influences, “Modern Love” is a rhythmic celebration of self-awareness and emotional resilience. With contributions from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Nile Rodgers, it stands as a prime example of Bowie’s ability to evolve without losing his essence.

5. “Let’s Dance”

Album: Let’s Dance (1983)

“Let’s Dance” propelled Bowie to mainstream pop superstardom, topping charts worldwide. Though Bowie later expressed frustration about how this song boxed him into a pop image, its infectious energy and catchy hooks remain undeniable.

6. “China Girl”

Album: Let’s Dance (1983)

Originally co-written with Iggy Pop, Bowie’s 1983 version of “China Girl” added a glossy production and unforgettable bassline. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passionate guitar work, paired with Bowie’s emotive vocals, created a track both deeply personal and commercially appealing.

7. “White Light/White Heat” (Live)

Album: Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1983)

Bowie’s live cover of the Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat” — recorded in 1973 but released a decade later — showcases his enduring admiration for Lou Reed’s raw, revolutionary spirit. The performance captures Bowie’s early glam-rock energy at its most electrifying.

8. “Blue Jean”

Album: Tonight (1984)

“Blue Jean” demonstrates Bowie’s talent for crafting sultry verses and powerful choruses. Influenced by ’60s psychedelic pop and rockabilly, the song displays Bowie’s eclectic musical palette and earned success on both sides of the Atlantic.

9. “Tonight” (with Tina Turner)

Album: Tonight (1984)

Teaming up with Tina Turner, Bowie delivered a soulful duet that also marked a pivotal moment in Turner’s career resurgence. Bowie’s endorsement helped Turner secure a new record deal, ultimately leading to her monumental comeback.

10. “This Is Not America” (with Pat Metheny Group)

Single: February 1985

Recorded for the film The Falcon and the Snowman, this collaboration with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny resulted in a haunting, minimalist piece. Bowie’s nuanced vocals and Metheny’s subtle composition together create a profoundly moving track often overlooked in his catalog.

11. “Dancing in the Street” (with Mick Jagger)

Single: August 1985

Bowie and Mick Jagger’s spirited cover of “Dancing in the Street” was born out of plans to perform together for Live Aid. Though technical challenges prevented a live duet, their studio recording and accompanying video captured their exuberant chemistry and raised funds for famine relief efforts.

12. “Absolute Beginners”

Single: March 1986

While the film Absolute Beginners struggled commercially, Bowie’s title song became a standout success. A masterclass in melodic construction and emotional range, “Absolute Beginners” remains one of his finest ballads of the decade.

13. “Magic Dance”

Soundtrack: Labyrinth (1986)

Bowie’s contributions to Jim Henson’s Labyrinth included “Magic Dance,” a whimsical and mischievous song filled with playful spirit. When a real baby refused to make gurgling noises during recording, Bowie simply did them himself — a testament to his inventive and charming nature.

14. “New York’s in Love”

Album: Never Let Me Down (1987)

While Never Let Me Down received mixed reviews, “New York’s in Love” is an energetic, sarcastic homage to the city Bowie would later call home. Its driving beat and bold chorus showcase Bowie’s enduring ability to find inspiration even in challenging periods.

15. “Time Will Crawl”

Album: Never Let Me Down (1987)

Addressing themes of environmental destruction and global disaster, “Time Will Crawl” was partly inspired by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Beneath its bright intro lies a sobering reflection on humanity’s precarious future — a theme that still resonates today.

David Bowie’s 1980s catalog reflects an artist who was constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, and refusing to be confined by any one musical style. His work during this decade, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, continues to influence artists across genres and generations.