The Human League perform circa 1982.
We'll breakdown 1982, but you can relive all the Hot 100's number one hits year by year:
- 80s: 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
- 90s: 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
- 00s: 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
Much like the Beatlemania of the 1960s, a second "British invasion" hit American radio in 1982—but this time, synth-pop and new wave stole the show. By July, English band The Human League stepped in to top Billboard charts for three straight weeks with "Don't You Want Me."
But American artists dominated the charts overall, with smash hits like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts' heart-thumping ballad "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," J. Geils Band's "Centerfold," and Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes." (And what would Rocky III be without Survivor's iconic "Eye of the Tiger?") Finally, this was also a star year for one-hit wonders, bringing us classics like Toni Basil's "Mickey" and Vangelis' "Chariots Of Fire."
In all, 17 tracks cinched the top spot on Billboard's Top 100 in 1982—scroll (and listen) on to find out which.
Olivia Newton-John, "Physical"
Daryl Hall & John Oates, "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)"
The J. Geils Band, "Centerfold"
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, "I Love Rock 'N Roll"
Vangelis, "Chariots Of Fire - Titles"
Paul McCartney And Stevie Wonder, "Ebony And Ivory"
The Human League, "Don't You Want Me"
Survivor, "Eye Of The Tiger"
The Steve Miller Band, "Abracadabra"
Chicago, "Hard To Say I'm Sorry"
John Cougar, "Jack & Diane"
Men At Work, "Who Can It Be Now?"
Joe Cocker And Jennifer Warnes, "Up Where We Belong"
Lionel Richie, "Truly"
Toni Basil, "Mickey"
Daryl Hall & John Oates, "Maneater"