# List of UK singles chart number ones of the 1980s

The UK Singles Chart is the official record chart in the United Kingdom. Until 1983, it was compiled weekly by the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) on behalf of the British record industry with a two-week break each Christmas. The BMRB used motorcycle couriers to collect the sales figures taken up to the close of trade on Saturday. This data was compiled on Monday and given to the BBC on Tuesday to be announced on BBC Radio 1 at lunchtime and later published in Music Week. On 4 January 1983, the chart was taken over by Gallup who expanded the chart from the Top 75 to the Top 100 and began the introduction of computerised tills which automated the data collection process. The chart was based entirely on sales of physical singles from retail outlets and announced on Tuesday until October 1987, when the Top 40 was revealed each Sunday, due to the new automated process.
During the 1980s there were a total of 191 singles which took the UK chart number 1 spot. In terms of number-one singles, Madonna was the most successful single act of the decade, as six of her singles reached the top spot. George Michael had significant involvement with eight number-one singles; with two number-one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham!, one as a duet with Aretha Franklin and one as a member of charity supergroup Band Aid. The longest duration of a single at number one was nine weeks, achieved by Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes" in 1984.
The best-selling single of the decade was "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid, selling over 3.5 million copies, and passing "Mull of Kintyre" by Wings to become the best-selling single ever. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is currently the second best-selling song after "Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John.
The 1980s saw the introduction of the cassette single (or "cassingle") alongside the 7-inch and 12-inch record formats and in 1987 major record labels developed a common format for the CD single. For the chart week ending 3 May 1989, chart regulations confined Kylie Minogue's song "Hand on Your Heart" to number two. Minogue would have reached number one if sales from cassette singles were included but they were sold for £1.99 – cheaper than was allowed at the time. Following the debacle the British Phonographic Industry reduced the minimum price for cassette singles to become eligible towards sales figures.

## Number-one singles

Key :
| † | Best-selling single of the year |
| ‡ | Best-selling single of the decade |
| No. | Artist | Single | Record label | Week ending date | Weeks at number one |
| 1980 ||||||
| 448 | Pink Floyd | "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" | Harvest | 15 December 1979 | 5 |
| 449 | Pretenders | "Brass in Pocket" | Real | 19 January 1980 | 2 |
| 450 | The Special A.K.A. | Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. Live! (EP) | 2 Tone | 2 February 1980 | 2 |
| 451 | Kenny Rogers | "Coward of the County" | United Artists | 16 February 1980 | 2 |
| 452 | Blondie | "Atomic" | Chrysalis | 1 March 1980 | 2 |
| 453 | Fern Kinney | "Together We Are Beautiful" | WEA | 15 March 1980 | 1 |
| 454 | The Jam | "Going Underground" / "Dreams of Children" | Polydor | 22 March 1980 | 3 |
| 455 | The Detroit Spinners | "Working My Way Back to You – Forgive Me Girl" | Atlantic | 12 April 1980 | 2 |
| 456 | Blondie | "Call Me" | Chrysalis | 26 April 1980 | 1 |
| 457 | Dexys Midnight Runners | "Geno" | Late Night Feelings | 3 May 1980 | 2 |
| 458 | Johnny Logan | "What's Another Year" | Epic | 17 May 1980 | 2 |
| 459 | The Mash | "Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide is Painless)" | CBS | 31 May 1980 | 3 |
| 460 | Don McLean | "Crying" | EMI | 21 June 1980 | 3 |
| 461 | Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra | "Xanadu" | Jet | 12 July 1980 | 2 |
| 462 | Odyssey | "Use It Up and Wear It Out" | RCA | 26 July 1980 | 2 |
| 463 | ABBA | "The Winner Takes It All" | Epic | 9 August 1980 | 2 |
| 464 | David Bowie | "Ashes to Ashes" | RCA | 23 August 1980 | 2 |
| 465 | The Jam | "Start!" | Polydor | 6 September 1980 | 1 |
| 466 | Kelly Marie | "Feels Like I'm in Love" | Calibre Plus | 13 September 1980 | 2 |
| 467 | The Police | "Don't Stand So Close to Me" † | A&M | 27 September 1980 | 4 |
| 468 | Barbra Streisand | "Woman in Love" | CBS | 25 October 1980 | 3 |
| 469 | Blondie | "The Tide Is High" | Chrysalis | 15 November 1980 | 2 |
| 470 | ABBA | "Super Trouper" | Epic | 29 November 1980 | 3 |
| 471 | John Lennon | "(Just Like) Starting Over" | Geffen | 20 December 1980 | 1 |
| 472 | St Winifred's School Choir | "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" | MFP | 27 December 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 ||||||
| 473 | John Lennon | "Imagine" | Apple | 10 January 1981 | 4 |
| 474 | John Lennon | "Woman" | Geffen | 7 February 1981 | 2 |
| 475 | Joe Dolce Music Theatre | "Shaddap You Face" | Epic | 21 February 1981 | 3 |
| 476 | Roxy Music | "Jealous Guy" | E.G. | 14 March 1981 | 2 |
| 477 | Shakin' Stevens | "This Ole House" | Epic | 28 March 1981 | 3 |
| 478 | Bucks Fizz | "Making Your Mind Up" | RCA | 18 April 1981 | 3 |
| 479 | Adam and the Ants | "Stand and Deliver" | CBS | 9 May 1981 | 5 |
| 480 | Smokey Robinson | "Being with You" | Motown | 13 June 1981 | 2 |
| 481 | Michael Jackson | "One Day In Your Life" | Motown | 27 June 1981 | 2 |
| 482 | The Specials | "Ghost Town" | 2 Tone | 11 July 1981 | 3 |
| 483 | Shakin' Stevens | "Green Door" | Epic | 1 August 1981 | 4 |
| 484 | Aneka | "Japanese Boy" | Hansa | 29 August 1981 | 1 |
| 485 | Soft Cell | "Tainted Love" | Some Bizzare | 5 September 1981 | 2 |
| 486 | Adam and the Ants | "Prince Charming" | CBS | 19 September 1981 | 4 |
| 487 | Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin | "It's My Party" | Stiff | 17 October 1981 | 4 |
| 488 | The Police | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | A&M | 14 November 1981 | 1 |
| 489 | Queen and David Bowie | "Under Pressure" | EMI | 21 November 1981 | 2 |
| 490 | Julio Iglesias | "Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)" | CBS | 5 December 1981 | 1 |
| 491 | The Human League | "Don't You Want Me" † | Virgin | 12 December 1981 | 5 |
| 1982 ||||||
| 492 | Bucks Fizz | "The Land of Make Believe" | RCA | 16 January 1982 | 2 |
| 493 | Shakin' Stevens | "Oh Julie" | Epic | 30 January 1982 | 1 |
| 494 | Kraftwerk | "The Model" / "Computer Love" | EMI | 6 February 1982 | 1 |
| 495 | The Jam | "Town Called Malice" / "Precious" | Polydor | 13 February 1982 | 3 |
| 496 | Tight Fit | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Jive | 6 March 1982 | 3 |
| 497 | Goombay Dance Band | "Seven Tears" | Epic | 27 March 1982 | 3 |
| 498 | Bucks Fizz | "My Camera Never Lies" | RCA | 17 April 1982 | 1 |
| 499 | Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder | "Ebony and Ivory" | Parlophone | 24 April 1982 | 3 |
| 500 | Nicole | "A Little Peace" | CBS | 15 May 1982 | 2 |
| 501 | Madness | "House of Fun" | Stiff | 29 May 1982 | 2 |
| 502 | Adam Ant | "Goody Two Shoes" | CBS | 12 June 1982 | 2 |
| 503 | Charlene | "I've Never Been to Me" | Motown | 26 June 1982 | 1 |
| 504 | Captain Sensible | "Happy Talk" | A&M | 3 July 1982 | 2 |
| 505 | Irene Cara | "Fame" | RSO | 17 July 1982 | 3 |
| 506 | Dexys Midnight Runners | "Come On Eileen" † | Mercury | 7 August 1982 | 4 |
| 507 | Survivor | "Eye of the Tiger" | Scotti Bros. | 4 September 1982 | 4 |
| 508 | Musical Youth | "Pass the Dutchie" | MCA | 2 October 1982 | 3 |
| 509 | Culture Club | "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" | Virgin | 23 October 1982 | 3 |
| 510 | Eddy Grant | "I Don't Wanna Dance" | Ice | 13 November 1982 | 3 |
| 511 | The Jam | "Beat Surrender" | Polydor | 4 December 1982 | 2 |
| 512 | Renée and Renato | "Save Your Love" | Hollywood | 18 December 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 ||||||
| 513 | Phil Collins | "You Can't Hurry Love" | Virgin | 15 January 1983 | 2 |
| 514 | Men at Work | "Down Under" | Epic | 29 January 1983 | 3 |
| 515 | Kajagoogoo | "Too Shy" | EMI | 19 February 1983 | 2 |
| 516 | Michael Jackson | "Billie Jean" | Epic | 5 March 1983 | 1 |
| 517 | Bonnie Tyler | "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | CBS | 12 March 1983 | 2 |
| 518 | Duran Duran | "Is There Something I Should Know?" | EMI | 26 March 1983 | 2 |
| 519 | David Bowie | "Let's Dance" | EMI America | 9 April 1983 | 3 |
| 520 | Spandau Ballet | "True" | Chrysalis | 30 April 1983 | 4 |
| 521 | New Edition | "Candy Girl" | London | 28 May 1983 | 1 |
| 522 | The Police | "Every Breath You Take" | A&M | 4 June 1983 | 4 |
| 523 | Rod Stewart | "Baby Jane" | Warner Bros. | 2 July 1983 | 3 |
| 524 | Paul Young | "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" | CBS | 23 July 1983 | 3 |
| 525 | KC and the Sunshine Band | "Give It Up" | Epic | 13 August 1983 | 3 |
| 526 | UB40 | "Red Red Wine" | DEP International | 3 September 1983 | 3 |
| 527 | Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" † | Virgin | 24 September 1983 | 6 |
| 528 | Billy Joel | "Uptown Girl" | CBS | 5 November 1983 | 5 |
| 529 | The Flying Pickets | "Only You" | 10 | 10 December 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 ||||||
| 530 | Paul McCartney | "Pipes of Peace" | Parlophone | 14 January 1984 | 2 |
| 531 | Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Relax" | ZTT | 28 January 1984 | 5 |
| 532 | Nena | "99 Red Balloons" | Epic | 3 March 1984 | 3 |
| 533 | Lionel Richie | "Hello" | Motown | 24 March 1984 | 6 |
| 534 | Duran Duran | "The Reflex" | EMI | 5 May 1984 | 4 |
| 535 | Wham! | "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" | Epic | 2 June 1984 | 2 |
| 536 | Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Two Tribes" | ZTT | 16 June 1984 | 9 |
| 537 | George Michael | "Careless Whisper" | Epic | 18 August 1984 | 3 |
| 538 | Stevie Wonder | "I Just Called to Say I Love You" | Motown | 8 September 1984 | 6 |
| 539 | Wham! | "Freedom" | Epic | 20 October 1984 | 3 |
| 540 | Chaka Khan | "I Feel for You" | Warner Bros. | 10 November 1984 | 3 |
| 541 | Jim Diamond | "I Should Have Known Better" | A&M | 1 December 1984 | 1 |
| 542 | Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "The Power of Love" | ZTT | 8 December 1984 | 1 |
| 543 | Band Aid | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" ‡ | Mercury | 15 December 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 ||||||
| 544 | Foreigner | "I Want to Know What Love Is" | Atlantic | 19 January 1985 | 3 |
| 545 | Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson | "I Know Him So Well" | RCA | 9 February 1985 | 4 |
| 546 | Dead or Alive | "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" | Epic | 9 March 1985 | 2 |
| 547 | Philip Bailey and Phil Collins | "Easy Lover" | CBS | 23 March 1985 | 4 |
| 548 | USA for Africa | "We Are the World" | CBS | 20 April 1985 | 2 |
| 549 | Phyllis Nelson | "Move Closer" | Carrere | 4 May 1985 | 1 |
| 550 | Paul Hardcastle | "19" | Chrysalis | 11 May 1985 | 5 |
| 551 | The Crowd | "You'll Never Walk Alone" | Spartan | 15 June 1985 | 2 |
| 552 | Sister Sledge | "Frankie" | Atlantic | 29 June 1985 | 4 |
| 553 | Eurythmics | "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" | RCA | 27 July 1985 | 1 |
| 554 | Madonna | "Into the Groove" | Sire | 3 August 1985 | 4 |
| 555 | UB40 and Chrissie Hynde | "I Got You Babe" | DEP International | 31 August 1985 | 1 |
| 556 | David Bowie and Mick Jagger | "Dancing in the Street" | EMI America | 7 September 1985 | 4 |
| 557 | Midge Ure | "If I Was" | Chrysalis | 5 October 1985 | 1 |
| 558 | Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" † | CBS | 12 October 1985 | 5 |
| 559 | Feargal Sharkey | "A Good Heart" | Virgin | 16 November 1985 | 2 |
| 560 | Wham! | "I'm Your Man" | Epic | 30 November 1985 | 2 |
| 561 | Whitney Houston | "Saving All My Love for You" | Arista | 14 December 1985 | 2 |
| 562 | Shakin' Stevens | "Merry Christmas Everyone" | Epic | 28 December 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 ||||||
| 563 | Pet Shop Boys | "West End Girls" | Parlophone | 11 January 1986 | 2 |
| 564 | A-ha | "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." | Warner Bros. | 25 January 1986 | 2 |
| 565 | Billy Ocean | "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" | Jive | 8 February 1986 | 4 |
| 566 | Diana Ross | "Chain Reaction" | Capitol | 8 March 1986 | 3 |
| 567 | Cliff Richard and the Young Ones featuring Hank Marvin | "Living Doll" | WEA | 29 March 1986 | 3 |
| 568 | George Michael | "A Different Corner" | Epic | 19 April 1986 | 3 |
| 569 | Falco | "Rock Me Amadeus" | A&M | 10 May 1986 | 1 |
| 570 | Spitting Image | "The Chicken Song" | Virgin | 17 May 1986 | 3 |
| 571 | Doctor and the Medics | "Spirit in the Sky" | IRS | 7 June 1986 | 3 |
| 572 | Wham! | "The Edge of Heaven" | Epic | 28 June 1986 | 2 |
| 573 | Madonna | "Papa Don't Preach" | Sire | 12 July 1986 | 3 |
| 574 | Chris de Burgh | "The Lady in Red" | A&M | 2 August 1986 | 3 |
| 575 | Boris Gardiner | "I Want to Wake Up with You" | Revue | 23 August 1986 | 3 |
| 576 | The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris | "Don't Leave Me This Way" † | London | 13 September 1986 | 4 |
| 577 | Madonna | "True Blue" | Sire | 11 October 1986 | 1 |
| 578 | Nick Berry | "Every Loser Wins" | BBC | 18 October 1986 | 3 |
| 579 | Berlin | "Take My Breath Away" | CBS | 8 November 1986 | 4 |
| 580 | Europe | "The Final Countdown" | Epic | 6 December 1986 | 2 |
| 581 | The Housemartins | "Caravan of Love" | Go! Discs | 20 December 1986 | 1 |
| 582 | Jackie Wilson | "Reet Petite" | SMP | 27 December 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 ||||||
| 583 | Steve "Silk" Hurley | "Jack Your Body" | DJ International | 24 January 1987 | 2 |
| 584 | Aretha Franklin and George Michael | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" | Epic | 7 February 1987 | 2 |
| 585 | Ben E. King | "Stand by Me" | Atlantic | 21 February 1987 | 3 |
| 586 | Boy George | "Everything I Own" | Virgin | 14 March 1987 | 2 |
| 587 | Mel and Kim | "Respectable" | Supreme | 28 March 1987 | 1 |
| 588 | Ferry Aid | "Let It Be" | CBS | 4 April 1987 | 3 |
| 589 | Madonna | "La Isla Bonita" | Sire | 25 April 1987 | 2 |
| 590 | Starship | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" | Arista | 9 May 1987 | 4 |
| 591 | Whitney Houston | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" | Arista | 6 June 1987 | 2 |
| 592 | The Firm | "Star Trekkin'" | Bark | 20 June 1987 | 2 |
| 593 | Pet Shop Boys | "It's a Sin" | Parlophone | 4 July 1987 | 3 |
| 594 | Madonna | "Who's That Girl" | Sire | 25 July 1987 | 1 |
| 595 | Los Lobos | "La Bamba" | Slash | 1 August 1987 | 2 |
| 596 | Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett | "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" | Epic | 15 August 1987 | 2 |
| 597 | Rick Astley | "Never Gonna Give You Up" † | RCA | 29 August 1987 | 5 |
| 598 | MARRS | "Pump Up the Volume" | 4AD | 3 October 1987 | 2 |
| 599 | Bee Gees | "You Win Again" | Warner Bros. | 17 October 1987 | 4 |
| 600 | T'Pau | "China in Your Hand" | Siren | 14 November 1987 | 5 |
| 601 | Pet Shop Boys | "Always on My Mind" | Parlophone | 19 December 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 ||||||
| 602 | Belinda Carlisle | "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" | Virgin | 16 January 1988 | 2 |
| 603 | Tiffany | "I Think We're Alone Now" | MCA | 30 January 1988 | 3 |
| 604 | Kylie Minogue | "I Should Be So Lucky" | PWL | 20 February 1988 | 5 |
| 605 | Aswad | "Don't Turn Around" | CBS | 26 March 1988 | 2 |
| 606 | Pet Shop Boys | "Heart" | Parlophone | 9 April 1988 | 3 |
| 607 | S'Express | "Theme from S'Express" | Rhythm King | 30 April 1988 | 2 |
| 608 | Fairground Attraction | "Perfect" | RCA | 14 May 1988 | 1 |
| 609 | Wet Wet Wet / Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey | "With a Little Help from My Friends" / "She's Leaving Home" | Childline | 21 May 1988 | 4 |
| 610 | The Timelords | "Doctorin' the Tardis" | KLF Communications | 18 June 1988 | 1 |
| 611 | Bros | "I Owe You Nothing" | CBS | 25 June 1988 | 2 |
| 612 | Glenn Medeiros | "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" | London | 9 July 1988 | 4 |
| 613 | Yazz and the Plastic Population | "The Only Way Is Up" | Big Life | 6 August 1988 | 5 |
| 614 | Phil Collins | "A Groovy Kind of Love" | Virgin | 10 September 1988 | 2 |
| 615 | The Hollies | "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" | EMI | 24 September 1988 | 2 |
| 616 | U2 | "Desire" | Island | 8 October 1988 | 1 |
| 617 | Whitney Houston | "One Moment in Time" | Arista | 15 October 1988 | 2 |
| 618 | Enya | "Orinoco Flow" | WEA | 29 October 1988 | 3 |
| 619 | Robin Beck | "First Time" | Mercury | 19 November 1988 | 3 |
| 620 | Cliff Richard | "Mistletoe and Wine" † | EMI | 10 December 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 ||||||
| 621 | Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan | "Especially for You" | PWL | 7 January 1989 | 3 |
| 622 | Marc Almond featuring Gene Pitney | "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" | EMI | 28 January 1989 | 4 |
| 623 | Simple Minds | "Belfast Child" | Virgin | 25 February 1989 | 2 |
| 624 | Jason Donovan | "Too Many Broken Hearts" | PWL | 11 March 1989 | 2 |
| 625 | Madonna | "Like a Prayer" | Sire | 25 March 1989 | 3 |
| 626 | The Bangles | "Eternal Flame" | CBS | 15 April 1989 | 4 |
| 627 | Kylie Minogue | "Hand on Your Heart" | PWL | 13 May 1989 | 1 |
| 628 | The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden and Stock Aitken Waterman | "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" | PWL | 20 May 1989 | 3 |
| 629 | Jason Donovan | "Sealed with a Kiss" | PWL | 10 June 1989 | 2 |
| 630 | Soul II Soul | "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" | Virgin | 24 June 1989 | 4 |
| 631 | Sonia | "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" | Chrysalis | 22 July 1989 | 2 |
| 632 | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Swing the Mood" | Music Factory Dance | 5 August 1989 | 5 |
| 633 | Black Box | "Ride on Time" † | Deconstruction | 9 September 1989 | 6 |
| 634 | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "That's What I Like" | Music Factory Dance | 21 October 1989 | 3 |
| 635 | Lisa Stansfield | "All Around the World" | Arista | 11 November 1989 | 2 |
| 636 | New Kids on the Block | "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" | CBS | 25 November 1989 | 3 |
| 637 | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Let's Party" | Music Factory Dance | 16 December 1989 | 1 |
| 638 | Band Aid II | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | PWL | 23 December 1989 | 3 |

## By artist

American entertainer Madonna was the most successful act of the decade in terms of number-one singles. She had six number ones: "Into the Groove" (1985); "Papa Don't Preach", "True Blue" (both 1986); "La Isla Bonita", "Who's That Girl" (both 1987); and "Like a Prayer" (1989). George Michael had significant involvement with seven number-one singles; he was also involved with Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but his contribution was less significant. He had two number-one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham!, and one as a duet with Aretha Franklin. The following artists achieved three or more number-one hits during the 1980s.
| Artist | Number ones | Weeks at number one |
| Madonna | 6 | 14 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 4 | 12 |
| David Bowie | 4 | 11 |
| Shakin' Stevens | 4 | 10 |
| The Jam | 4 | 9 |
| Wham! | 4 | 9 |
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | 3 | 15 |
| Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | 3 | 9 |
| Kylie Minogue | 3 | 9 |
| The Police | 3 | 9 |
| Phil Collins | 3 | 8 |
| Paul McCartney | 3 | 8 |
| George Michael | 3 | 8 |
| Jason Donovan | 3 | 7 |
| John Lennon | 3 | 7 |
| Bucks Fizz | 3 | 6 |
| Whitney Houston | 3 | 6 |
| Blondie | 3 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 5 |
Additionally, Adam Ant and Boy George each had one solo number one hit and two number one hits as lead singers of bands (Adam and the Ants and Culture Club respectively) totalling three number one hits each.

## By record label

The following record labels had five or more number ones on the UK Singles Chart during the 1980s.
| Record label | Number ones |
| Epic | 23 |
| CBS | 19 |
| Virgin | 11 |
| EMI | 9 |
| RCA | 9 |
| A&M | 7 |
| Chrysalis | 7 |
| PWL | 7 |
| Parlophone | 6 |
| Sire | 6 |
| Arista | 5 |
| Motown | 5 |

## Songs with the most weeks at number one

The following songs spent at least five weeks at number one during the 1980s.
| Artist | Song | Weeks at number one |
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Two Tribes" | 9 |
| Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" | 6 |
| Lionel Richie | "Hello" | 6 |
| Stevie Wonder | "I Just Called to Say I Love You" | 6 |
| Black Box | "Ride on Time" | 6 |
| Adam and the Ants | "Stand and Deliver" | 5 |
| The Human League | "Don't You Want Me" | 5 |
| Billy Joel | "Uptown Girl" | 5 |
| The Flying Pickets | "Only You" | 5 |
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Relax" | 5 |
| Band Aid | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | 5 |
| Paul Hardcastle | "19" | 5 |
| Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" | 5 |
| Rick Astley | "Never Gonna Give You Up" | 5 |
| T'Pau | "China in Your Hand" | 5 |
| Kylie Minogue | "I Should Be So Lucky" | 5 |
| Yazz and the Plastic Population | "The Only Way Is Up" | 5 |
| Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Swing the Mood" | 5 |

## Million-selling and platinum records

The British Phonographic Industry classified singles and albums since 1973 by the number of units sold, with the highest threshold being a "platinum record". Before 1989, a platinum record was given to singles that sold over 1,000,000 units, a gold record for 500,000 unit sales and a silver record for 250,000. For singles released after 1 January 1989, the number of sales required to qualify for platinum, gold and silver records was dropped to 600,000 units (platinum), 400,000 units (gold) and 200,000 units (silver). Fifteen records were classified platinum in the 1980s. These include two songs from the 1970s that were classified platinum in the 1980s: Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody", released in 1973, re-entered the charts and was classified platinum in 1980 and sold over one million copies by 1985. Pink Floyd's 1979 release "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" was classified platinum at the beginning of 1980 and, although certified as selling 0.995 million units, is believed to have surpassed a million copies in the 1980s when sales not "over-the-counter" are included.
In the 1980s, twelve songs were released that were classified platinum in the decade; eleven of these also sold one million units in that time. The double A-side, "Last Christmas" / "Everything She Wants" by Wham!, is notable for being the only million-selling single of the decade not to reach number one due to Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" being released at the same time. In addition, a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II was released in December 1989 and was classified platinum in 1990 and John Lennon's "Imagine" (originally released in 1975), reached number one in 1981 following his death and sold over a million copies.
Twelve other songs originally released in the 1980s have since sold one million units, eleven of them following the introduction of music downloads in 2004. The other song released in the 1980s to sell a million copies is "Blue Monday" by New Order which charted in several years during the 80s, but was not listed as a million seller until later.
| Artist | Song | Date released | Date certified platinum | Year of millionth sale |
| John Lennon | "Imagine" | 1 October 1975 | 1 February 1981 | 1981 |
| The Human League | "Don't You Want Me" | 27 November 1981 | 1 January 1982 | 1981 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express | "Come On Eileen" | 1 June 1982 | 1 September 1982 | 1982 |
| New Order | "Blue Monday" $^{[No.3]}$ | 7 March 1983 | — | 1983 |
| Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" | 6 September 1983 | 1 October 1983 | 1983 |
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Relax" | 1 January 1984 | 1 March 1984 | 1984 |
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Two Tribes" | May 1984 | 1 June 1984 | 1984 |
| George Michael | "Careless Whisper" | 23 July 1984 | 1 September 1984 | 1984 |
| Stevie Wonder | "I Just Called to Say I Love You" | 17 August 1984 | 1 September 1984 | 1984 |
| Band Aid | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | 28 November 1984 | 1 December 1984 | 1984 |
| Wham! | "Last Christmas" / "Everything She Wants"$^{[No.2]}$ | 3 December 1984 | 1 January 1985 | 1984 |
| Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" | 28 May 1985 | 1 November 1985 | 1985 |
| Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Swing the Mood" | June 1989 | 1 August 1989 | — |
| Black Box | "Ride On Time" | 18 August 1989 | 1 October 1989 | 2004–10 |
| Band Aid II | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | 11 December 1989 | 1 April 1990 | — |
| Adam and the Ants | "Stand and Deliver" | 1 May 1981 | — | 2004–10 |
| Tight Fit | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | 1 January 1982 | — | 2010–12 |
| Irene Cara | "Fame" | 1 June 1982 | — | 2004–10 |
| Survivor | "Eye of the Tiger" | 2 July 1982 | — | 2004–10 |
| Billy Joel | "Uptown Girl" | 30 September 1983 | — | 2004–12 |
| Ray Parker, Jr. | "Ghostbusters"$^{[No.2]}$ | 17 August 1984 | — | 2004–10 |
| The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl | "Fairytale of New York"$^{[No.2]}$ | 23 November 1987 | — | 2011 |
| UB40 | "Red Red Wine" | 20 August 1983 | — | 2014 |
| Journey | "Don't Stop Believin'"$^{[No.62]}$ | 1 December 1981 | — | 2014 |
| Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan | "Especially for You" | 28 November 1988 | — | 2014 |

## Additional information

$^{[No.2]}$: The singles "Ghostbusters" and "Fairytale of New York" peaked at number two in the UK singles chart. "Last Christmas" peaked at number two upon its original release, but eventually reached number one in 2021.
$^{[No.3]}$: "Blue Monday" was originally released as a 12" single in 1983, where it peaked at number 9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released in 7" format in 1988 as "Blue Monday 1988" where it reached a higher peak of number 3. It has also been re-released on other occasions, most notably 1995. New Order's label, Factory Records, were not a member of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) so they never received any sales certifications. However, "Blue Monday" sold more than one million units through combined sales total.
$^{[No.62]}$: "Don't Stop Believin'" originally peaked in the UK at number 62 in 1982, but reached number 6 in 2010 following performances on The X Factor.