As the saying goes, time sure does fly by. To think, we are entering our fourth decade since our cherished ’80s began and, no matter how much I try to keep it front of mind, it just keeps getting further and further in the rear-view mirror. Many have a daily struggle with not having enough time, wanting more, appreciating or enjoying the time they do have, making the most of it. The clock often rules most people’s lives. It is no surprise then that TIME makes for a natural inspiration or subject matter for songs and often appears in the song titles.
Honorable Mention: “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band –
19. “All This Time” (1988) by Tiffany – From her second studio album, this was her fourth and final U.S. top 10 hit.
18. “Party All the Time” (1985) by Eddie Murphy – Rick James produced, co-wrote and even sang some backing vocals on this song which surprisingly made it all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
17. “This Time I Know It’s For Real” (1989) by Donna Summer – This song made it to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of the decade and was her last single to reach the Top 40 in her career.
15. “Time to Get Ill” (1986) by Beastie Boys – This was the final track on their debut Licensed to Ill album, but never released as a single.
14. “Time to Chill” (1988) by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – This “rap record that had the pace of a slow song” samples “Breezin’” (1976) by George Benson.
13. “Nothin’ But a Good Time” (1988) by Poison – The first single off the band’s second studio album, Open Up and Say… Ahh! would peak at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
12. “Too Much Time On My Hands” (1981) by Styx – The second single released from their Paradise Theatre album, it peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
11. “This Time” (1983) by Bryan Adams – Check out my interview with the song’s co-writer Jim Vallance for more details.
9. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (1987) by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – From the soundtrack of the motion picture Dirty Dancing, it went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song as well as the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
8. “Time (Clock of the Heart)” (1982) by Culture Club – The second hit single from their debut album, Kissing to be Clever, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. “Back in Time” (1985) by Huey Lewis & the News – From the soundtrack of the motion picture Back to the Future. As a side note, the license plate on the DeLorean read “OUTATIME”.
6. “The Next Time I Fall” (1986) by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant – Co-written by Paul Gordon and Bobby Caldwell, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts. Check out our interview with Paul Gordon to find out more.
5. “The Longest Time” (1983) & “This Is the Time” (1986) both by Billy Joel –
4. “One Moment in Time” (1988) by Whitney Houston –
3. “Big Time” (1986) by Peter Gabriel –
2. “Only Time Will Tell” (1982) by Asia –
1. “Time After Time” (1983) by Cyndi Lauper –
There’s my list. I included music videos for the top 5, but you can easily find the others if you are not familiar with them or just have the urge to listen to them now.
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