Welcome to Eighties Archive.

My name is John Wilson and I’m the founder, researcher and editor behind the site. At the time of writing, Eighties Archive is very much a one-person project, built from a lifelong passion for the music of the 1980s.

Growing up in the eighties, we simply didn’t have access to the incredible amount of music, videos and information that is available today. If you wanted to hear a favourite song, you had to wait for it to appear on the radio, buy the single or album, or record it onto cassette. Finding lyrics, release information or different versions of a song was almost impossible.

Over the years I built up a large collection of compilation albums, singles and CDs, but what really fascinated me were the extended mixes and remixes that appeared on 12-inch singles, cassette singles and later CD singles. Those versions often revealed a completely different side of a song, highlighting individual instruments, adding new arrangements or simply giving the music room to breathe. For me, they remain one of the defining features of the decade.

The idea for Eighties Archive came from hosting 1980s-themed music nights at home. While putting together playlists I found myself constantly searching different websites for lyrics, music videos, chart information, release formats and track listings. Everything I wanted existed somewhere on the internet—but rarely in one place.

That’s when I decided to build the website I always wished existed.

Eighties Archive aims to become a comprehensive reference guide to every UK Top 40 hit released during the 1980s. Rather than visiting several different websites to piece together information, my goal is to bring together the key facts, historical details and media for each song in one convenient location.

Every song page is designed to include as much information as possible, including:

  • A brief history of the single and its release.

  • High-quality scans of the original record sleeve where available.

  • A-side and B-side information.

  • The song’s UK chart run.

  • Details of officially released versions and remixes.

  • An official music video where available.

  • Song lyrics.

  • Contemporary promotional advertisements where they can be found.

  • Additional facts and information relevant to the release.

Why Create Another Music Website?

It’s a fair question.

For me, discovering more about a favourite song has always been part of the enjoyment. Sometimes I wanted to know the lyrics. Other times I wanted to watch the original promotional video, find out what was on the B-side, or discover whether a longer 12-inch version existed.

The 1980s were a remarkable decade for music production. Extended mixes weren’t simply longer versions—they often transformed the original recording, introducing new instrumental passages, alternative arrangements and creative remixes that made familiar songs feel completely different.

Many of those versions have become difficult to find, and the stories behind them are scattered across countless websites. Eighties Archive exists to help preserve that information and make it easier to discover.

Although I work hard to research every page thoroughly, no archive is ever completely perfect. Information is gathered from a variety of reliable sources and carefully checked wherever possible, but mistakes can happen. If you spot an error or have additional information that would improve the site, I’d genuinely appreciate hearing from you.

Who Is Eighties Archive For?

Quite simply, anyone who loves 1980s music.

Whether you grew up during the decade, discovered the music years later through streaming services, or are hearing these songs for the very first time, I hope you’ll find something of interest here.

Every year, a new generation discovers the artists and songs that defined the decade. The popularity of 1980s music has never really faded, and hopefully this archive helps explain why it continues to inspire listeners around the world.

Building the Archive

Eighties Archive has had several false starts.

Having worked in IT, I initially thought building the website would be straightforward and that I could simply add new features as I went along. Like many projects, however, it quickly became clear that planning for the future was just as important as publishing content.

The site has been redesigned and rebuilt more than once to make it easier to expand, improve and maintain as the archive grows. Every lesson learned has helped shape what you see today.

There are more than 3,500 UK Top 40 hits from the 1980s to document, so completing the archive will take time. This isn’t a project that will be finished in a few months—it’s a long-term commitment and a genuine labour of love.

Thank you for visiting Eighties Archive. I hope you’ll enjoy exploring the music, rediscovering old favourites and perhaps finding a few forgotten gems along the way.

If you have any suggestions, corrections or memories you’d like to share, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

John Wilson
Founder & Site Administrator
Eighties Archive