Jump to content

1984 in music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in 1984.

Specific locations

[edit]

Specific genres

[edit]

Events

[edit]

January–March

[edit]

April–June

[edit]

July–September

[edit]

October–December

[edit]

Bands formed

[edit]

Bands disbanded

[edit]

Bands on hiatus

[edit]

Bands reformed

[edit]

Albums released

[edit]

January

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
9 1984Van Halen-
13 Learning to CrawlThe Pretenders[7]
16 She's StrangeCameo-
19 OblivionUtopia-
20 Defenders of the FaithJudas Priest-
21 DisillusionLoudness-
23 Bon JoviBon JoviDebut
27 Footloose soundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Milk and HoneyJohn Lennon & Yoko Ono-
MovingThe Raincoats-
Christine McVieChristine McVieUS
30 Slide It InWhitesnakeUK
CrusaderSaxon-
Somebody's Watching MeRockwellDebut
SoftwareGrace Slick-
? Fistful of MetalAnthraxDebut
Flex-AbleSteve VaiDebut
Just a Little LoveReba McEntire-
Lady of the StarsDonovan-
Live Europe '83Joan BaezUK
Mother's SpiritualLaura Nyro-
Roll OnAlabama-
All the RageGeneral PublicDebut
Tour de Force38 Special-

February

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
1 Let the Music PlayShannonDebut
6 The Flat EarthThomas Dolby-
Ricochet DaysModern English-
Sparkle in the RainSimple Minds-
13 It's My LifeTalk Talk-
Love at First StingScorpions-
DeclarationThe AlarmDebut
14 Mister HeartbreakLaurie Anderson-
17 Out of the CellarRattDebut
Great WhiteGreat WhiteDebut
Parting Should Be PainlessRoger Daltrey-
Budapest LiveManfred Mann's Earth BandLive
Into the GapThompson Twins-
20 The SmithsThe SmithsDebut
Keep MovingMadness-
21 Rhyme & ReasonMissing Persons-
23 Michael W. Smith 2Michael W. Smith-
24 N.E.W.S.Golden Earring-
Wings of TomorrowEurope-
Metal QueenLee Aaron-
27 The WorksQueen-
Dead Can DanceDead Can Dance-
Human RacingNik KershawDebut
28 "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D"Weird Al" Yankovic-
? Ammonia AvenueThe Alan Parsons Project-
Points on the CurveWang Chung-
PenetratorTed Nugent-
Hail to EnglandManowar-
Animal GraceApril Wine-
The Great PretenderDolly Parton-
Live at the Grand Opera House BelfastVan MorrisonLive
Mystery WalkM + M-
The Splendour of FearFelt-
Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!ToyahCompilation
Violence & ForceExciter-

March

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
2 This Is Spinal TapSpinal Tapsoundtrack
5 About FaceDavid Gilmour-
Rising ForceYngwie Malmsteen-
9 Human's LibHoward Jones-
Stoneage RomeosHoodoo Gurus-
12 FugaziMarillion-
Love LifeBerlin-
Heartbeat CityThe Cars-
14 Body and SoulJoe Jackson-
16 Alchemy: Dire Straits LiveDire StraitsLive
Café BleuThe Style Council-
19 Talk ShowThe Go-Go's-
21 The SwingINXSAustralia
22 The Dungeons Are CallingSavatageEP
23 Three of a Perfect PairKing Crimson-
The Icicle WorksThe Icicle WorksDebut
27 Run-D.M.C.Run-DMC-
? Against All Odds soundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
All Those Wasted YearsHanoi RocksLive
Blueprints for a BlackoutThe Ex-
Burning the WitchesWarlock-
Climate of HunterScott Walker-
Deià...VuKevin Ayers-
Meltdown (Steve Taylor album)Steve Taylor-
Minor ThreatMinor ThreatCompilation
My WarBlack Flag-
Psalm 9Trouble-
SwoonPrefab SproutDebut
Texas FeverOrange Juice-

April

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
2 Caught in the ActStyxLive
Keep Your Hands Off My Power SupplySlade-
4 VengeanceNew Model Army-
5 Street TalkSteve PerrySolo Debut
6 LamentUltravox-
9 ReckoningR.E.M.-
12 Grace Under PressureRush-
16 BananaramaBananarama-
25 VarietyMariya Takeuchi-
30 Junk CultureOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark-
The Pros and Cons of Hitch HikingRoger WatersSolo Debut
The TopThe Cure-
New SensationsLou Reed-
? 99 LuftballonsNena-
At War with SatanVenom-
Eye for an EyeCorrosion of Conformity-
History, Mystery & ProphesyLee "Scratch" Perry-
Jermaine JacksonJermaine Jackson-
LegendClannadSoundtrack
Self ControlLaura Branigan-

May

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
4 Jam on RevengeNewcleusDebut
Ocean RainEcho & the Bunnymen-
6 Mirror MovesThe Psychedelic Furs-
7 HysteriaThe Human League-
LegendBob Marley and the WailersCompilation
8 Farewell My Summer LoveMichael JacksonCompilation
10 Stay HungryTwisted Sister-
14 Chicago 17Chicago-
Hallowed GroundViolent Femmes-
15 Couldn't Stand the WeatherStevie Ray Vaughan-
VicesKick Axe-
23 All Over the PlaceThe Bangles-
25 A Little SpiceLoose EndsUK debut
Slades GreatsSladeCompilation
29 Private DancerTina Turner-
A Pagan PlaceThe Waterboys-
Fat BoysThe Fat Boys-
30 Nuclear FurnitureJefferson Starship-
? Live SentenceAlcatrazzLive
Civilized ManJoe Cocker-
The BoxThe Box-
Breaking CurfewRed Rider-
From the Promised LandPlay Dead-
Give 'Em The AxeLizzy BordenEP
In the Long GrassThe Boomtown Rats-
Major MovesHank Williams, Jr.-
Mange ToutBlancmange-
Man on the LineChris de Burgh-
Nick Lowe and His Cowboy OutfitNick Lowe-
Russ BallardRuss Ballard-
Russians and AmericansAl Stewart-
Stealing FireBruce Cockburn-
Ten Thousand LightyearsBoney M.-
Touch DanceEurythmicsRemix EP
Through the FireHagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (HSAS)-

June

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
4 Born in the U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen-
The Glamorous LifeSheila E.-
EdenEverything but the GirlDebut
8 HyænaSiouxsie and the Banshees-
GhostbustersVarious artistsSoundtrack
15 No BrakesJohn Waite-
In the StudioThe Specials-
18 Breaking HeartsElton John-
CamouflageRod Stewart-
From Her to EternityNick Cave and the Bad SeedsDebut
Goodbye Cruel WorldElvis Costello and the Attractions-
19 The AllnighterGlenn Frey-
Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise?Art of Noise-
22 MaskRoger Glover-
25 DiscoveryMike Oldfield-
ParadeSpandau Ballet-
Purple RainPrince and The RevolutionSoundtrack
Brilliant TreesDavid Sylvian-
26 SidewalkIcehouse-
28 Akimbo AlogoKim MitchellDebut
? The Las Vegas StoryThe Gun Club-
Pulling Rabbits Out of a HatSparks-
Rock Will Never DieMichael Schenker GroupLive
Rewind (1971–1984)the Rolling StonesCompilation

July

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
2 The Last in LineDio-
VictoryThe Jacksons-
3 Zen ArcadeHüsker Dü-
6 New EditionNew Edition-
This Is What You Want... This Is What You GetPublic Image Ltd-
7 IconIcon-
9 Ice Cream CastleThe Time-
16 Diamond LifeSadeUK
PrimitiveNeil Diamond-
21 The Yellow and Black AttackStryper-
23 Hard to HoldRick Springfield-
VOASammy Hagar-
27 Ride the LightningMetallica-
Condition CriticalQuiet Riot-
Projects in the JunglePantera-
30 Go InsaneLindsey Buckingham-
Right By YouStephen Stills-
? All Fired UpFastway-
City of New OrleansWillie Nelson-
Double Nickels on the DimeMinutemen-
Honour & BloodTank-
In Rock We TrustY&T-
King of the DeadCirith Ungol-
Lights OutPeter WolfDebut
Now That's What I Call Music 3Various ArtistsCompilation
Signs of LifeBilly Squier-
Walkin' the Razor's EdgeHelix-

August

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
4 Haunting the ChapelSlayerEP
10 The Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersDebut
War and PainVoivod-
17 W.A.S.P.W.A.S.P.Debut
20 Sound-SystemHerbie Hancock-
The Story of a Young HeartA Flock of Seagulls-
21 WarriorScandal-
23 Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect StrangerFrank Zappa-
25 EvoluciónMenudo-
27 Soda StereoSoda Stereo-
28 The Woman in Red (soundtrack)Various ArtistsSoundtrack
31 DreamtimeThe CultDebut
? Where the Beat Meets the StreetBobby and the Midnites-
The Best of KansasKansasCompilation
The BlitzKrokus-
L.A. Is My LadyFrank Sinatra-
PhantomsThe Fixx-
Two Steps from the MoveHanoi Rocks-

September

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
3 PowerslaveIron Maiden-
Sentence of DeathDestructionDebut/EP
7 Don't Break the OathMercyful Fate-
No RemorseMotörheadCompilation + 4 new tracks
The WarningQueensrÿcheDebut
Under WrapsJethro Tull-
11 Cats Without ClawsDonna Summer-
12 Like ThisThe dB's-
SuddenlyBilly Ocean-
13 AnimalizeKiss-
Swept AwayDiana Ross-
17 Tooth and NailDokken-
Now VoyagerBarry Gibb-
20 Live PCPPEPButthole SurfersLive / EP
21 A Private HeavenSheena Easton-
PerspectiveAmerica-
24 Some Great RewardDepeche Mode-
TonightDavid Bowie-
27 Forever YoungAlphavilleDebut
Sign In PleaseAutographDebut
? Stop Making SenseTalking HeadsSoundtrack
Bachman–Turner OverdriveBachman–Turner Overdrive-
BewitchedAndy Summers & Robert Fripp-
The CatchNazareth-
Desert MoonDennis DeYoung-
Don't StopJeffrey Osborne-
Dream StreetJanet Jackson-
Eyes of InnocenceMiami Sound Machine-
Family ManBlack Flag-
How Men AreHeaven 17-
I Often Dream of TrainsRobyn Hitchcock-
The MagazineRickie Lee Jones-
Night on BröckenFates Warning-
No Tellin' LiesZebra-
ReflectionsRick JamesCompilation
Riddles in the SandJimmy Buffett-
Riff RaffDave Edmunds-
Spring Hill FairThe Go-Betweens-
The PlanTubeway Army-
Till We Have FacesSteve Hackett-
Vital SignsSurvivor-
What About Me?Kenny Rogers-

October

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
1 The Unforgettable FireU2-
I Feel for YouChaka Khan-
Apollonia 6Apollonia 6Debut
In the Eye of the StormRoger HodgsonSolo debut
Too Tough to Diethe Ramones-
We Want Moore!Gary MooreLive
Red Sails in the SunsetMidnight Oil-
Glorious Results of a Misspent YouthJoan Jett and the Blackhearts-
2 Knights of the New ThunderTNT-
Let It BeThe Replacements-
5 True ColoursLevel 42-
You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' OddThe J. Geils Band-
8 ShoutDevo-
The Wonderful and Frightening World Of...The Fall-
It'll End in TearsThis Mortal Coil-
9 EmotionBarbra Streisand-
March of the SaintArmored Saint-
12 Big Bam BoomHall & Oates-
RattlesnakesLloyd Cole and the Commotions-
15 The Age of ConsentBronski BeatDebut
The Big ExpressXTC-
Sign of the HammerManowar-
ValotteJulian LennonDebut
16 Geffery MorganUB40-
17 EscapeWhodini-
18 IsolationTotoReleased in Europe on 5 November
'74 JailbreakAC/DCEP recorded 1974–76
Chinese WallPhilip Bailey-
Them or UsFrank Zappa-
19 SteeltownBig Country-
22 Waking Up with the House on FireCulture Club-
Give My Regards to Broad StreetPaul McCartneySoundtrack
24 HajimemashiteMiyuki Nakajima-
26 The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short StoriesFelt
29 Perfect StrangersDeep Purple-
Welcome to the PleasuredomeFrankie Goes to Hollywood-
31 Wheels Are Turnin'REO Speedwagon-
? At the Feet of the MoonThe Parachute Club-
BathoryBathoryDebut
Gates to PurgatoryRunning WildDebut
Girls with GunsTommy Shaw-
Heavy Metal BreakdownGrave DiggerDebut
How Will the Wolf Survive?Los LobosDebut
Italian X RaysSteve Miller Band-
Music from SongwriterKris Kristofferson & Willie NelsonSoundtrack
Why Not MeThe Judds-

November

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
1 TropicoPat Benatar-
TreasureCocteau Twins-
2 Bad AttitudeMeat LoafUK
5 Make It BigWham!-
RecklessBryan Adams-
Teases & DaresKim Wilde-
AlfAlison Moyet-
Aural SculptureThe Stranglers-
9 BerserkerGary Numan-
11 StarchildTeena Marie-
12 Like a VirginMadonna-
1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)EurythmicsSoundtrack
ArenaDuran DuranLive
Hatful of HollowThe SmithsCompilation
The Honeydrippers: Volume OneRobert PlantEP
TreasureCocteau Twins-
15 2:00 AM Paradise CafeBarry Manilow-
EmergencyKool & the Gang-
16 ZoolookJean-Michel Jarre-
19 Building the Perfect BeastDon Henley-
FriedJulian Cope-
The RiddleNik Kershaw-
The Rock ConnectionCliff Richard-
Thunder SevenTriumph-
Word of MouthThe Kinks-
21 Francesco ZappaFrank Zappa-
22 See Ya 'RoundSplit Enz-
23 AnimotionAnimotionDebut
26 The Killing FieldsMike OldfieldSoundtrack
29 Real LiveBob DylanLive
30 Black CarsGino Vannelli-
Rough CuttRough Cutt-
? Brewing Up with Billy BraggBilly Bragg-
The Deed Is DoneMolly Hatchet-
Guardian AngelThe Shadows-
Hits 1Various ArtistsCompilation
Kalimba de Luna – 16 Happy SongsBoney M.Compilation
Lay Down the LawKeel-
Live at the InfernoRavenLive
Lush LifeLinda Ronstadt-
The Method to Our MadnessThe Lords of the New Church-
Morbid TalesCeltic Frost-
Now That's What I Call Music 4Various ArtistsCompilation
The Orange JuiceOrange JuiceFinal album
Planetary InvasionMidnight Star-
So-LoDanny ElfmanDebut
Something Heavy Going DownGolden EarringLive
This Is Hawkwind, Do Not PanicHawkwindLive
Two Minute WarningThe Angels-
Who's LastThe WhoLive

December

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
12 Deep BreakfastRay Lynch-
Yemenite SongsOfra Haza-
14 Agent ProvocateurForeigner-
21 Thing-FishFrank Zappa-
? Beverly Hills CopVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Slip It InBlack Flag-
Live '84Black FlagLive
Fantastic Boney M.Boney M.Compilation
Psychic... Powerless... Another Man's SacButthole SurfersDebut
RemissionSkinny PuppyEP
A Sense of WonderVan Morrison-
Various PositionsLeonard Cohen

Release date unknown

[edit]

Biggest hit singles

[edit]

The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1984.

# Artist Title Year Country Chart entries
1George MichaelCareless Whisper1984United KingdomUK 1 - Aug 1984 (21 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Dec 1984 (20 weeks), US BB 1 of 1985, US Radio 1 of 1985 (peak 1 12 weeks), Canada 1 - Dec 1984 (12 weeks), Holland 1 - Aug 1984 (14 weeks), Switzerland 1 - Sep 1984 (17 weeks), Poland 1 - Mar 1983 (44 weeks), Italy 1 for 3 weeks - Jan 1985, Eire 1 for 3 weeks - Aug 1984, Canada RPM 1 for 2 weeks - Jan 1985, Australia 1 for 4 weeks - Sep 1984, Springbok 1 - Nov 1984 (21 weeks), Top Song of 1985 of the Billboard 50th list, ASCAP song of 1984, ARC 2 of 1985 (peak 1 16 weeks), Sweden (alt) 2 - Sep 1984 (21 weeks), France 2 - Aug 1984 (3 weeks), Austria 2 - Nov 1984 (4 months), Norway 2 - Aug 1984 (16 weeks), Belgium 2 - Sep 1984 (12 weeks), Italy 2 of 1984, Canada 2 of 1985, US Platinum (certified by RIAA in May 1992), UK Platinum (certified by BPI in Sep 1984), Sweden 3 - Sep 1984 (13 weeks), Germany 3 - Sep 1984 (3 months), ODK Germany 3 - Sep 1984 (21 weeks) (8 weeks in top 10), South Africa 3 of 1985, Brazil 4 of 1985, Australia 4 of 1984, US CashBox 5 of 1985, France (SNEP) 7 - Dec 1984 (1 month), UK sales 8 of the 1980s (1,360 k in 1984), Switzerland 9 of 1984, Scrobulate 13 of soft rock, POP 20 of 1985, Europe 30 of the 1980s (1984), US Songs 2014-23 peak 33 - Jan 2017 (1 week), UK Songs 2013-23 peak 44 - Jan 2017 (2 weeks), nuTsie 94 of 1980s, France (InfoDisc) 112 of the 1980s (peak 2, 35 weeks, 585k sales estimated, 1984), OzNet 183, Germany 250 of the 1980s (peak 3 12 weeks), UKMIX 297, Acclaimed 2242 (1984), RYM 37 of 1984, Guardian Pop 67
2Stevie WonderI Just Called to Say I Love You1984United StatesUK 1 - Aug 1984 (39 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Aug 1984 (25 weeks), Canada 1 - Sep 1984 (16 weeks), Holland 1 - Aug 1984 (17 weeks), Sweden 1 - Sep 1984 (8 weeks), Sweden (alt) 1 - Aug 1984 (23 weeks), Austria 1 - Oct 1984 (5 months), Switzerland 1 - Sep 1984 (21 weeks), Norway 1 - Sep 1984 (17 weeks), Poland 1 - Jan 1984 (26 weeks), Belgium 1 - Sep 1984 (20 weeks), Italy 1 of 1984, Italy 1 for 8 weeks - Nov 1984, Germany 1 - Sep 1984 (4 months), ODK Germany 1 - Sep 1984 (24 weeks) (6 weeks at number 1) (13 weeks in top 10), Eire 1 for 5 weeks - Sep 1984, Canada RPM 1 for 3 weeks - Oct 1984, Canada 1 of 1984, New Zealand 1 for 8 weeks - Oct 1984, Australia 1 for 8 weeks - Oct 1984, Springbok 1 - Oct 1984 (25 weeks), Europe 1 for 14 weeks - Sep 1984, Germany 1 for 6 weeks - Sep 1984, Spain 1 for 2 weeks - Nov 1984, Oscar in 1984 (film 'The Woman In Red'), Golden Globe in 1984 (film 'The Woman in Red'), France (SNEP) 2 - Oct 1984 (3 months), UK Platinum (certified by BPI in Sep 1984), Brazil 3 of 1984, UK sales 3 of the 1980s (1,780 k in 1984), US Gold (certified by RIAA in Nov 1984), Germany Gold (certified by BMieV in 1984), Australia 6 of 1984, US Radio 8 of 1984 (peak 1 12 weeks), US CashBox 9 of 1984, Switzerland 11 of 1984, ARC 12 of 1984 (peak 1 15 weeks), US BB 25 of 1984, POP 26 of 1984, France (InfoDisc) 30 of the 1980s (peak 1, 31 weeks, 926k sales estimated, 1984), Germany 52 of the 1980s (peak 1 15 weeks), UKMIX 63, Scrobulate 100 of r & b, NY Daily Love list 4
3PrinceWhen Doves Cry1984United StatesUS Billboard 1 - Jun 1984 (21 weeks), US BB 1 of 1984, US CashBox 1 of 1984, ARC 1 of 1984 (peak 1 16 weeks), US Radio 1 of 1984 (peak 1 14 weeks), Canada 1 - Jun 1984 (15 weeks), Canada RPM 1 for 3 weeks - Jul 1984, Australia 1 for 1 week - Aug 1984, Top Song of 1984 of the Billboard 50th list, Golden Globe in 1984 (film 'Purple Rain') (Nominated), US Platinum (certified by RIAA in Aug 1984), nuTsie 3 of 1980s, UK 4 - Jun 1984 (15 weeks), Holland 5 - Jul 1984 (12 weeks), Belgium 6 - Aug 1984 (9 weeks), Springbok 6 - Sep 1984 (12 weeks), US Songs 2014-23 peak 8 - May 2016 (2 weeks), Sweden 9 - Sep 1984 (3 weeks), Scrobulate 9 of funk, Norway 10 - Sep 1984 (1 week), Canada 10 of 1984, Poland 14 - Jul 1984 (10 weeks), Australia 14 of 1984, ODK Germany 16 - Aug 1984 (19 weeks), Switzerland 17 - Aug 1984 (9 weeks), Sweden (alt) 18 - Aug 1984 (2 weeks), Austria 19 - Oct 1984 (1 month), Germany 22 - Aug 1984 (2 months), UK Songs 2013-23 peak 26 - May 2016 (1 week), Holland free40 27 of 1984, KROQ 39 of 1984, Acclaimed 40 (1984), Brazil 44 of 1984, Rolling Stone 52, POP 57 of 1984, 59 in 2FM list, Vinyl Surrender 69 (1984), DMDB 81 (1984), Europe 98 of the 1980s (1984), OzNet 206, Belgium 259 of all time, WXPN 564, UK Silver (certified by BPI in Aug 1984), RYM 1 of 1984, Guardian Pop 65, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500
4 Band AidDo They Know It's Christmas?1984United KingdomUK 1 - Dec 1984 (49 weeks), Canada 1 - Dec 1984 (8 weeks), Holland 1 - Dec 1984 (9 weeks), Sweden (alt) 1 - Dec 1984 (19 weeks), Austria 1 - Jan 1985 (2 months), Switzerland 1 - Dec 1984 (14 weeks), Norway 1 - Jan 1985 (17 weeks), Belgium 1 - Dec 1984 (7 weeks), Italy 1 for 3 weeks - Jan 1985, ODK Germany 1 - Dec 1984 (36 weeks) (2 weeks at number 1) (8 weeks in top 10), Eire 1 for 5 weeks - Dec 1984, Canada RPM 1 for 2 weeks - Dec 1984, New Zealand 1 for 4 weeks - Jan 1985, Australia 1 for 4 weeks - Jan 1985, Europe 1 for 4 weeks - Jan 1985, Germany 1 for 2 weeks - Jan 1985, UK sales 1 of the 1980s (3,550 k in 1984), Germany 2 - Jan 1985 (3 months), UK Platinum (certified by BPI in Dec 1984), US Gold (certified by RIAA in Dec 1984), Scrobulate 6 of Christmas, Poland 8 - Dec 1984 (6 weeks), US Billboard 13 - Dec 1984 (8 weeks), Springbok 13 - Feb 1985 (5 weeks), Australia 19 of 1985, Italy 19 of 1985, Sweden 23 - Dec 2007 (4 weeks), KROQ 25 of 1984, Switzerland 29 of 1985, Canada 40 of 1985, Holland free40 50 of 1985, Japan (Tokyo) 62 - Dec 1988 (2 weeks), US CashBox 73 of 1985, Europe 78 of the 1980s (1984), US Radio 122 of 1985 (peak 13 4 weeks), UKMIX 183, OzNet 301, Germany 325 of the 1980s (peak 1 8 weeks), RYM 24 of 1984, Guardian Pop 68, Global 7 (10 M sold) - 1984
5Tina TurnerWhat's Love Got to Do with It1984United StatesUS Billboard 1 - May 1984 (28 weeks), Canada 1 - Jul 1984 (13 weeks), Canada RPM 1 for 3 weeks - Aug 1984, Australia 1 for 1 week - Sep 1984, Grammy in 1984, Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012 (1984), US BB 2 of 1984, US CashBox 2 of 1984, ARC 2 of 1984 (peak 1 18 weeks), Springbok 2 - Sep 1984 (19 weeks), UK 3 - Jun 1984 (16 weeks), Canada 3 of 1984, Sweden (alt) 4 - Sep 1984 (12 weeks), Austria 4 - Nov 1984 (3 months), US Gold (certified by RIAA in Aug 1984), US Radio 5 of 1984 (peak 1 13 weeks), Sweden 5 - Sep 1984 (4 weeks), ODK Germany 7 - Aug 1984 (24 weeks) (5 weeks in top 10), France 8 - Aug 1984 (1 week), Switzerland 8 - Aug 1984 (17 weeks), Germany 8 - Aug 1984 (4 months), Norway 10 - Nov 1984 (1 week), nuTsie 11 of 1980s, France (SNEP) 14 - Nov 1984 (1 month), South Africa 14 of 1985, POP 14 of 1984, Holland 15 - Sep 1984 (7 weeks), Poland 20 - Aug 1984 (6 weeks), Australia 22 of 1984, Belgium 23 - Oct 1984 (2 weeks), UK Songs 2013-23 peak 35 - Jun 2023 (2 weeks), RIAA 38, Brazil 53 of 1984, Italy 100 of 1984, OzNet 221, Rolling Stone 309, Acclaimed 359 (1984), UK Silver (certified by BPI in Aug 1984), RYM 57 of 1984

Top 40 Chart hit singles

[edit]
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart Performance(s)
"2 Minutes to Midnight"Iron MaidenAugust 1984n/a1111 (United Kingdom)10 (Ireland) – 70 (Germany)
"Aces High"Iron MaidenOctober 1984n/a2020 (United Kingdom)29 (Ireland)
"Agadoo"Black LaceMay 1984n/a22 (United Kingdom)3 (South Africa) – 5 (Ireland) – 9 (New Zealand) – 16 (Australia) – 48 (France)
"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)"Phil CollinsFebruary 198412(6 countries)See chart performance entry
"All Cried Out"Alison MoyetSeptember 1984n/a86 (New Zealand)See chart performance entry
"All Join Hands"SladeNovember 1984n/a159 (Ireland)19 (Sweden)
"All Through the Night"Cyndi LauperSeptember 19845645 (United States)4 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary) – 5 (Austria) – 5 (Chile) – 7 (Canada) – 16 (Switzerland) – 17 (Australia) – 19 (New Zealand) – 35 (Germany) – 38 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart)
"Automatic"Pointer SistersJanuary 1984521 (Ireland)See chart performance entry
"It's a Miracle"Culture ClubMarch 19841342 (Ireland)5 (New Zealand) – 14 (Australia) – 15 (Belgium, Netherlands) – 16 (Canada) – 41 (Germany)
"Like to Get to Know You Well"Howard JonesAugust 1984n/a43 (Ireland)8 (Sweden) – 56 (Germany)
"Original Sin"INXSJanuary 198458n/a1 (Australia, France)See chart performance entry 1983 overlap
"Out of Touch"Hall & OatesOctober 19841481 (United States)See chart performance entry

Number One hit singles

[edit]
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Date reached number one Weeks at number one Country(s)
"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)"Phil CollinsFebruary 1984April 19843 weeks4 countries
"All Night Long (All Night)"Lionel RichieAugust 1983November 19834 weeks6 countries
"Automatic"The Pointer SistersJanuary 1984May 19841 week1 country
"Big in Japan"AlphavilleJanuary 1984April 19843 weeks3 countries
"Break My Stride"Matthew WilderAugust 1983February 19844 weeks1 countries
"Caribbean Queen"Billy OceanMay 1984November 19842 weeks3 countries
"Careless Whisper"George MichaelJuly 1984August 19843 weeks25 countries
"Come Back and Stay"Paul YoungSeptember 1983November 19837 weeks3 countries
"Dancing in the Dark"Bruce SpringsteenMay 1984June 19845 weeks2 countries
"Easy Lover"Philip Bailey & Phil CollinsNovember 1984March 19854 weeks4 countries
"Footloose"Kenny LogginsJanuary 1984March 19843 weeks5 countries
"Freedom"Wham!October 1984October 19843 weeks4 countries
"Ghostbusters"Ray Parker Jr.June 1984August 19843 weeks3 countries
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun"Cyndi LauperSeptember 1983January 198410 weeks8 countries
"Hello"Lionel RichieFebruary 1984March 19846 weeks9 countries
"High Energy"Evelyn ThomasApril 1984August 19845 weeks3 countries
"Hold Me Now"Thompson TwinsNovember 19830 weeks
"I Just Called to Say I Love You"Stevie WonderAugust 1984September 19846 weeks28 countries
"I Feel for You"Chaka KhanOctober 1984November 19843 weeks3 countries
"I Should Have Known Better"Jim DiamondOctober 1984December 19841 week1 country
"I Want to Break Free"QueenApril 1984April 19844 weeks3 countries
"Infatuation"Rod StewartMay 19841 week1 Country
"Jump"Van HalenDecember 1983February 19845 weeks2 countries
"Last Christmas"Wham!December 1984January 20217 weeks16 countries
"Let's Go Crazy"Prince and the RevolutionJuly 1984September 19842 weeks2 countries
"Love Is a Battlefield"Pat BenatarSeptember 1983February 19845 weeks2 countries
"Missing You"John WaiteJune 1984September 19841 week2 countries
"99 Luftballons" / "99 Red Balloons"NenaJanuary 1983March 19843 weeks4 countries
"Owner of a Lonely Heart"YesOctober 1983January 19842 weeks1 country
"One Night in Bangkok"Murray HeadOctober 1984November 198411 weeks6 countries
"Original Sin"INXSDecember 1983January 19842 weeks3 countries
"Out of Touch"Hall & OatesOctober 1984December 19842 weeks1 country
"Purple Rain"Prince and the RevolutionSeptember 1984October 19846 weeks2 countries
"Pride (In the Name of Love)"U2September 1984September 19841 week1 country
"Pipes of Peace"Paul McCartneyDecember 1983January 19842 weeks2 countries
"People Are People"Depeche ModeMarch 1984April 19843 weeks1 country
"p:Machinery"PropagandaJuly 198519861 week1 country
"Radio Ga Ga"QueenJanuary 1984February 198410 weeks19 countries
"Relax"Frankie Goes to HollywoodOctober 1983January 19845 weeks7 countries
"Rock Me Amadeus"FalcoMay 1985June 19854 weeks8 countries
"Self Control"Laura BraniganApril 1984June 19846 weeks7 countries
"Say Say Say"Paul McCartney & Michael JacksonOctober 1983December 19836 weeks7 countries
"Sounds Like a Melody"AlphavilleMay 1984October 19843 weeks2 countries
"Such a Shame"Talk TalkMarch 1984April 19845 weeks2 countries
"The Reflex"Duran DuranApril 1984May 19845 weeks4 countries
"To All the Girls I've Loved Before"Julio Iglesias & Willie NelsonFebruary 1984April 19844 weeks4 countries
"Two Tribes"Frankie Goes to HollywoodMay 1984June 19849 weeks5 countries
"The War Song"Culture ClubSeptember 1984October 19841 week1 country
"The Wild Boys"Duran DuranOctober 1984November 19844 weeks2 countries

Other Chart hit singles

[edit]

Notable singles

[edit]
The Replacements in 1984
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart Performance(s)
"A New Day"Killing JokeJuly 198456 (UK singles chart)
"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)"The Icicle WorksMarch 19842 (UK Indie Charts) – 13 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Charts) – 19 (Canada) – 37 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100) – 90 (UK singles chart)
"Blasphemous Rumours" b/w "Somebody"Depeche ModeJune 1984See chart performance entry
"Celebrated Summer"Hüsker DüDecember 1984n/a
"Dazzle" b/w "I Promise" / "Throw Them to the Lions"Siouxsie and the BansheesMay 198433 (UK singles chart)
"Eighties"Killing JokeApril 198460 (UK singles chart)
"Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" b/w "Suffer Little Children"The SmithsMay 198410 (UK singles chart) – 11 (Irish Singles Chart)
"I Will Dare"The ReplacementsJuly 1984n/a
"It's My Life" b/w "Does Caroline Know?"Talk TalkJanuary 1984See chart performance entry
"The Killing Moon" b/w "Do It Clean"Echo & the BunnymenJanuary 19847 (Irish Singles Chart) – 9 (UK singles chart) – 12 (New Zealand) – 96 (Australia)
"Message to My Girl"Split EnzJanuary 198412 (Australia) – 13 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) – 28 (New Zealand)
"Overground" b/w "Placebo Effect"Siouxsie and the BansheesNovember 198447 (UK singles chart)
"Pink Frost" b/w "Purple Girl"The ChillsJune 198417 (New Zealand)
"Seven Seas" b/w "All You Need Is Love"Echo & the BunnymenJuly 198410 (Irish Singles Chart) – 16 (UK singles chart)
"Silver" b/w "Angels and Devils"Echo & the BunnymenApril 198414 (Irish Singles Chart) – 30 (UK singles chart)
"So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)"R.E.M.May 198485 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
"Such a Shame" b/w "Again, a Game... Again"Talk TalkMarch 1984See chart performance entry
"What Difference Does It Make?" b/w "These Things Take Time"The SmithsJanuary 198412 (United Kingdom, Ireland)
"William, It Was Really Nothing" b/w "How Soon Is Now?" / "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" The SmithsAugust 198483 (UK singles chart)

Other Notable singles

[edit]

Christmas songs

[edit]
[edit]

Classical music

[edit]
  • Samuel Adler – Sonata for viola and piano
  • Elliott Carter
    • Canon for 4, Homage to William, for flute, bass clarinet, violin and cello
    • Esprit rude/esprit doux, for flute and clarinet
    • Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi, for violin
  • Brian CherneyInto the Distant Stillness
  • George Crumb
    • A Haunted Landscape for orchestra
    • The Sleeper for soprano and piano
  • Mario DavidovskyDivertimento for cello and orchestra
  • Peter Maxwell DaviesSymphony No. 3
  • Ludovico EinaudiAltissimo
  • Lorenzo Ferrero
    • My Blues
    • Ombres, for orchestra and live electronics
  • Frans Geysen
    • A + B = A/B, for keyboard instrument
    • Kataloog in grijs 1, for marimba
    • Late spiegels, for flute, oboe, piano and double bass
    • Omtrent a-b-c, for recorder quintet
    • Tonen-Trappenhuisje voor Hanne, for keyboard instrument
    • Twee orgels, for two organs
  • Karel Goeyvaerts
  • Daron HagenA Walt Whitman Requiem
  • John Harbison – String Quartet no. 1
  • Robin Holloway – Concerto for Viola
  • Mauricio KagelDer Eid des Hippokrates, for piano 3 hands
  • Wojciech KilarAngelus, cantata for soprano, mixed choir and symphony orchestra
  • Ian McDougall – Concerto for Clarinet
  • Elizabeth Maconchy – String Quartet no. 13, Quartetto Corto
  • Ingram MarshallVoces Resonae
  • Henri Pousseur
    • Chronique canine, for 2 pianos
    • Cortège des belles ténébreuses au jardin boréal, for cor anglais, viola, horn, tuba and 2 percussionists
    • L'étoile des langues, for narrators and 4 singers
    • Litanie du cristal des fleurs, for piano left hand
    • Litanie du miel matinal, for high melody instrument
    • Les noces d'Icare et de Mnémosyne, for variable forces
    • Patchwork des tribus américaines, for wind orchestra
    • Sixième vue sur les jardins interdits, for string trio
    • Sonate des maîtres viennois ('Dicté par ... no.4'), for piano
    • Tango de Jeanne-la-Sibylle, for piano left hand
  • Steve ReichThe Desert Music
  • Wolfgang Rihm
    • Vorgefühle for orchestra
    • Schattenstück for orchestra
    • Fusées for orchestra
    • Blaubuch: String Quartet No. 6
  • John Serry Sr.Elegy for Organ
  • Tōru Takemitsuriverrun for piano and orchestra
  • Robert Ward – Saxophone Concerto
  • Malcolm Williamson
    • A Pilgrim Liturgy – for soloists, mixed choir & orchestra
    • Cortège for a Warrior for orchestra
    • Hymna Titu for piano solo
    • Symphony No. 7

Ballet

[edit]

See List of 1984 ballet premieres

Opera

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Jazz

[edit]

Musical theater

[edit]

Musical films

[edit]

Births

[edit]
January 20: Toni Gonzaga
February 9: Han Geng
April 10: Mandy Moore
November 12: Sandara Park
December 22: Jonas Altberg

Deaths

[edit]

Awards

[edit]

Grammy Awards

[edit]

Country Music Association Awards

[edit]

Eurovision Song Contest

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

List of no. 1 hits

[edit]

List of no. 1 albums

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. "Love Is – Iain Williams & the 1984 Project (ft. vocals by Lelo)". Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  2. "Why did the BBC ban Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'Relax'?". faroutmagazine.co.uk. June 16, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  3. "Thompson Twins". Official Charts Company.
  4. "Duran Duran". Official Charts Company.
  5. "30 Years Ago Today: Duran Duran's 'The Reflex' Hit No. 1 on the Hot 100". Billboard.
  6. Week of December 8, 1984: Cyndi Lauper makes history on the chart
  7. "BPI".
  8. Shennan, Rhona (February 26, 2020). "Singer Duffy has revealed she was drugged, raped and held captive for days". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  9. "Хелена Фишер: "Я родилась в Сибири" /Helene Fischer: "I was born in Siberia"" (in Russian). TopNews24.ru (Poslednie Novosti). February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  10. Pacheco, Nuno (November 29, 2018). "Carminho quis ser apenas "Maria" numa viagem a depurar o fado". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  11. "Vivian G. F. Kresch, 71, singer and voice teacher". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 4, 1984. p. 53.