30 Best '80s Songs for a "Stranger Things" Themed Party or Wedding
Stranger Things has brought the ‘80s back in a big way. The retro Netflix series is turning a whole new generation on to some of the decade’s best music. However, I’d actually like to hear more music on the show. There’s so much dark stuff going on all the time, so I think what it needs are more songs about love and having fun (much like the tunes you’d play at a wedding or party).
We haven’t seen anyone on Stranger Things get married yet, so we don’t know what songs our favorite Hawkins characters would ask a DJ to put on a wedding playlist. (However, we know that Dustin will definitely serenade his future bride with "The Neverending Story.") We also haven’t seen a lot of partying on Stranger Things, likely because everyone has been too busy battling Demogorgons and people-melting monsters from the Upside Down to have a good time. However, it’s fun to imagine what tunes the Stranger Things crew would play at a wedding or party. They’d probably bust a move to at least some of the awesome ‘80s songs below, and if you’re a fan of the show, you might also want to play a few of them at your next big shindig.
So, whether you're throwing a Stranger Things-themed party or are just a fan of the ‘80s and want to celebrate your marriage by dancing to some tunes from your favorite era, I hope you choose to play some of these great songs at your event.
Songs for an '80s Themed Party or Wedding
Song
| Artist
|
|---|---|
1. “The Safety Dance”
| Men Without Hats
|
2. “Bust a Move”
| Young MC
|
3. “Let’s Dance”
| David Bowie
|
4. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"
| Wang Chung
|
5. "All She Wants to Do Is Dance"
| Don Henley
|
6. "Kiss"
| Prince
|
7. "Need You Tonight"
| INXS
|
8. "Faith"
| George Michael
|
9. “Like a Virgin”
| Madonna
|
10. “Push It”
| Salt-n-Pepa
|
11. “Addicted to Love”
| Robert Palmer
|
12. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”
| Dead or Alive
|
13. “Super Freak”
| Rick James
|
14. “Abracadabra”
| Steve Miller Band
|
15. “Come On Eileen”
| Dexys Midnight Runners
|
16. “Take My Breath Away”
| Berlin
|
17. “Hold Me Now”
| Thompson Twins
|
18. “The Promise”
| When in Rome
|
19. “You Make My Dreams”
| Hall and Oates
|
20. "Boys Don't Cry"
| The Cure
|
21. “I Melt With You”
| Modern English
|
22. “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
| Foreigner
|
23. "(I Just) Died in Your Arms"
| Cutting Crew
|
24. “Time After Time”
| Cyndi Lauper
|
25. “Every Breath You Take”
| The Police
|
26. “White Wedding”
| Billy Idol
|
27. “Pour Some Sugar on Me”
| Def Leppard
|
28. “You Shook Me All Night Long”
| AC/DC
|
29. "I Love Rock N' Roll'
| Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
|
30. “Start Me Up”
| Rolling Stones
|
Songs About Dancing and Having a Good Time
Let’s get this party started with some tunes that will encourage everyone to hit the dance floor.
1. “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats
Album: Rhythm of Youth
Release Year: 1982
This song lets your party or wedding guests know that they’re no friends of yours if they don’t get into the groove and move to the music.
2. “Bust a Move” by Young MC
Album: Stone Cold Rhymin'
Release Year: 1989
It may not be one the nicest songs on this list (see the lyric "Come on, fatso, and just bust a move"), but it is one of those tunes that inspires everyone to get out on the dance floor. The song also has a happy ending that takes place at a wedding, making it perfect for a newlyweds’ reception playlist. By the time Stranger Things makes it to 1989, maybe Nancy and Jonathan will be playing it at their wedding.
3. “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie
Album: Let's Dance
Release Year: 1983
Unlike the artists above, David Bowie doesn’t use threats to get people out on the dance floor. His simple request is irresistible, especially if you’re wearing red shoes or partying outside beneath some “serious moonlight.”
4. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung
Album: Mosaic
Release Year: 1986
This upbeat song will put everyone in a celebratory mood, but I’m still not sure what this new wave group is asking people to do when they tell them to “Wang Chung tonight.”
5. "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" by Don Henley
Album: Coyote Ugly Movie Soundtrack
Release Year: 1985
Whatever you do, don’t use this song for cocktail inspiration at your wedding or party (unless you need a fiery weapon to fight a Demogorgon). However, do let its infectious beat get you out of your seat.
The Sexiest '80s Songs for a Party or Wedding
The songs in this section are some of the hottest tunes of the '80s, and many of them are automatic self-esteem boosters; they’ll make any woman feel like Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
6. "Kiss" by Prince
Album: Under the Cherry Moon Movie Soundtrack
Release Year: 1986
The kiss is one of the biggest events at a wedding, so be sure to celebrate it with one of the sexiest songs ever written on the subject. Since Eleven and Mike have become so fond of making out, I'm sure the lovebirds will love this one when it comes out in the Stranger Things universe.
7. "Need You Tonight" by INXS
Album: Kick
Release Year: 1987
What woman wouldn’t melt after hearing the line, "There's something about you, girl, that makes me sweat?" If a future groom has any sense, he'll make sure this one gets on the wedding reception playlist.
8. "Faith" by George Michael
Album: Faith
Release Year: 1987
For the second sexiest line from an '80s song, I submit the George Michael lyric, "Not everybody has a body like you." If strike-out Steve is still single by the time 1987 rolls around on Stranger Things, he might try serenading a love interest with this song.
9. “Like a Virgin” by Madonna
Album: Like a Virgin
Release Year: 1984
This could be one of the most ironic songs you play at a wedding. Some people would get a kick out of it, but it might make the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom a bit uncomfortable. For its Madonna tribute, Stranger Things paid for the less sexual ode to shopping, “Material Girl.” This one might be better for a bride who spent a ton on her wedding.
10. “Push It” by Salt-n-Pepa
Album: Hot, Cool & Vicious
Release Year: 1987
Salt-n-Pepa will spice up your ‘80s party or wedding with their sexy lyrics. Have fun watching everyone trying to dance to this one in their formal wear.
11. “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer
Album: Riptide
Release Year: 1986
Why exactly are you getting married? Because you're addicted to love, of course. And, if you’re at a party, you’re likely looking for some form of it. The line, “You like to think that you’re immune to the stuff,” makes me think of Will on Stranger Things, because he’s the only member of his group of friends who hasn’t yet fallen for someone. However, I doubt this will be the case for long.
12. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive
Album: Youthquake
Release Year: 1984
Vinyl is making a comeback, right? But even if you don't listen to records, this dizzying tune is still fun to spin around on the dance floor to.
13. “Super Freak” by Rick James
Album: Street Songs
Release Year: 1981
If your party playlist needs a little more funk, Rick James is just the man for the job. This super freaky song is perfect for a Stranger Things-themed party because the show is full of super freaks.
14. “Abracadabra” by Steve Miller Band
Album: Abracadabra
Release Year: 1982
Talk of black panties may be a bit much for Aunt Mildred and Uncle Earl, but I just love this sexy Steve Miller song. If you want to add a little magic to your wedding, this is one of the best ‘80s songs for the job.
15. “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
Album: Too-Rye-Ay
Release Year: 1982
A song that talks about removing clothing might also be too risque for some people, but how can you resist that vivacious violin music? Underneath all the sexual innuendo, there’s also a sweet love story about two lovers growing up together.
Slow-Dance Songs and Sweet Love Songs of the '80s
Some of the tunes in this section are perfect to insert between the more upbeat dance songs on this list so that everyone can get a bit of a cooldown. They’re also great songs for a bride or groom to dedicate to one another.
16. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
Album: Count Three & Pray
Release Year: 1986
Top Gun fans have to put this romantic song on their wedding playlists. I can also see this one being played during a future episode of Stranger Things when someone falls in love (or is watching the movie). Maybe it will be the next duet Dustin and Suzie perform on the show.
17. “Hold Me Now” by the Thompson Twins
Album: Into the Gap
Release Year: 1983
This song paints a picture of a relationship that’s not perfect, but whose is? It should appeal to newlyweds or hormonal teens in serious relationships because it’s about trying to mend one that’s “tattered and torn;” the goal is for partners to get back to a place where they can “let loving start.” The “fussing and fighting” lyric definitely reminds me of more than one Stranger Things couple.
18. “The Promise” by When in Rome
Album: When In Rome
Release Year: 1987
This sweet song is perfect for a groom who struggles to write his vows. It's about a man who wants to tell a woman how much he cares about her, but he just can’t find the right words to properly express his feelings.
19. “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates
Album: Voices
Release Year: 1980
This gleeful Hall and Oates hit is another great song for a new husband to dedicate to his wife. It lets her know that she’s his dream girl and that she’s improved his life.
20. “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure
Album: Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Release Year: 1987
We’ll switch musical genres up a bit with this endearing alt-rock song. Wordsmith Robert Smith reminisces about a heavenly romance, and he paints such a vivid picture of the amorous encounter that it’s almost like you’re living it. The music is cheery and uplifting, and this song might give you the same giddy feeling that you get when you’re in love.
21. “I Melt With You” by Modern English
Album: After the Snow
Release Year: 1982
Sure it's been used in fast food commercials, but I still contend that this song is one of the sexiest and sweetest songs of the '80s. It’s perfect for a romantic wedding moment (or a great celebration of the appetizers). It was played during the party at Steve’s house during season 1 of Stranger Things.
22. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” by Foreigner
Album: 4
Release Year: 1981
This rock ballad also got some love during season 1 of Stranger Things (it’s the song that’s playing when Nancy decides to go all the way with Steve for the first time). Sure, Nancy and Steve didn’t last, but their failed romance shouldn’t scare a groom away from serenading his bride with this song that lets her know that she’s the one.
23. "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew
Album: Broadcast
Release Year: 1986
This sensual song is perfect for couples who really want to wrap their arms around each other while they slow dance. On Stranger Things, it was the tune that was playing while Mrs. Wheeler was preparing to be Billy’s Mrs. Robinson.
24. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
Album: She's So Unusual
Release Year: 1984
Stranger Things fans who are about to tie the knot will definitely want to add this to their wedding playlist because it was one of the tunes played at the Snow Ball school dance on the show.
25. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
Album: Synchronicity
Release Year: 1983
Mike and El also danced to this song at the Snow Ball. Sure, the lyrics are a bit stalker-ish and possessive, but Sting's heart is in the right place.
‘80s Songs That Rock
These wedding and party songs are perfect for music fans who prefer rock over synth pop.
26. “White Wedding” by Billy Idol
Album: Billy Idol
Release Year: 1982
This is one of the quintessential wedding songs of the ‘80s, and the color white has never seemed so dark.
27. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
Album: Coyote Ugly Movie Soundtrack
Release Year: 1988
You may consider this diabetes-inducing tune one of the sexiest songs of the ‘80s or one of the cheesiest, but one thing's for sure; it gets people on the dance floor. As an added plus, it often inspires some of the most hilarious dancing you'll ever see. The lyrics about being sweet and sticky make it a perfect cake-cutting song for a wedding.
28. “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
Album: Back in Black
Release Year: 1980
Who knew comparing a woman to a machine could be so sexy? For those who want more songs that rock on their party or wedding playlist, this classic headbanger fave is essential listening.
29. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Album: I Love Rock 'n Roll
Release Year: 1982
Joan Jett definitely had one of the sexiest voices of the '80s, and this song featuring her sultry, rebellious snarl has become one of the best party songs for those who want to rock. I can totally picture El and Max rocking out to this one.
30. “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones
Album: Tattoo You
Release Year: 1981
This Stones' classic is great for getting the party started, and it will have everyone showing off their moves like Jagger.
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