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Post-punk, new wave and alternative rock — the year-end charts, a definitive Top 100, the Modern Rock revolution, 25 essential videos and the 50 artists who changed the dial.

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AW-1981 STEREO RECEIVER● FM
Substance album cover
102.1MHz
ON AIR · #1 OF 1980
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Year-end top 5 · track 1/5Full chart →

Drag the dial or knob, scroll over it, or use your arrow keys to tune across 1977–1995.

The record crate

Covers that defined a generation

Browse all 100 →
Substance by Joy Division
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Joy Division · 1980
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure
Just Like Heaven
The Cure · 1987
Substance by New Order
Blue Monday
New Order · 1983
The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
The Smiths · 1986
Violator by Depeche Mode
Enjoy the Silence
Depeche Mode · 1990
Remain in Light by Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads · 1980
Ocean Rain by Echo & the Bunnymen
The Killing Moon
Echo & the Bunnymen · 1984
London Calling by The Clash
London Calling
The Clash · 1979
Juju by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Spellbound
Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1981
The Hurting by Tears for Fears
Mad World
Tears for Fears · 1982
Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
How Soon Is Now?
The Smiths · 1985
Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Where Is My Mind?
Pixies · 1988
The Breakfast Club by Simple Minds
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds · 1985
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret by Soft Cell
Tainted Love
Soft Cell · 1981
Brotherhood by New Order
Bizarre Love Triangle
New Order · 1986
Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Pretty in Pink
The Psychedelic Furs · 1981
Rio by Duran Duran
Hungry Like the Wolf
Duran Duran · 1982
The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Cars
Gary Numan · 1979
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Eurythmics · 1983
Violator by Depeche Mode
Personal Jesus
Depeche Mode · 1989
Document by R.E.M.
The One I Love
R.E.M. · 1987
Disintegration by The Cure
Lovesong
The Cure · 1989
It's My Life by Talk Talk
It's My Life
Talk Talk · 1984
Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
Bela Lugosi's Dead
Bauhaus · 1979
Dare by The Human League
Don't You Want Me
The Human League · 1981
Organisation by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Enola Gay
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark · 1980
A Flock of Seagulls by A Flock of Seagulls
I Ran (So Far Away)
A Flock of Seagulls · 1982
Parallel Lines by Blondie
Heart of Glass
Blondie · 1978
Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
She's Lost Control
Joy Division · 1979
Nevermind by Nirvana
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana · 1991
Rhythm of Youth by Men Without Hats
The Safety Dance
Men Without Hats · 1982
Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
A Forest
The Cure · 1980
Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads · 1977
Metro Music by Martha and the Muffins
Echo Beach
Martha and the Muffins · 1980
Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain
Just Like Honey
The Jesus and Mary Chain · 1985
Love by The Cult
She Sells Sanctuary
The Cult · 1985
The Smiths by The Smiths
This Charming Man
The Smiths · 1983
Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Never Let Me Down Again
Depeche Mode · 1987
Freedom of Choice by Devo
Whip It
Devo · 1980
Hounds of Love by Kate Bush
Running Up That Hill
Kate Bush · 1985
The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
I Wanna Be Adored
The Stone Roses · 1989
This Year's Model by Elvis Costello
Pump It Up
Elvis Costello · 1978
War by U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday
U2 · 1983
Reggatta de Blanc by The Police
Message in a Bottle
The Police · 1979
Pretenders by Pretenders
Brass in Pocket
Pretenders · 1979
The B-52's by The B-52's
Rock Lobster
The B-52's · 1979
Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Teen Age Riot
Sonic Youth · 1988
Starfish by The Church
Under the Milky Way
The Church · 1988
Vienna by Ultravox
Vienna
Ultravox · 1980
Night Time by Killing Joke
Love Like Blood
Killing Joke · 1985
Substance by Joy Division
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Joy Division · 1980
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure
Just Like Heaven
The Cure · 1987
Substance by New Order
Blue Monday
New Order · 1983
The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
The Smiths · 1986
Violator by Depeche Mode
Enjoy the Silence
Depeche Mode · 1990
Remain in Light by Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads · 1980
Ocean Rain by Echo & the Bunnymen
The Killing Moon
Echo & the Bunnymen · 1984
London Calling by The Clash
London Calling
The Clash · 1979
Juju by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Spellbound
Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1981
The Hurting by Tears for Fears
Mad World
Tears for Fears · 1982
Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
How Soon Is Now?
The Smiths · 1985
Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Where Is My Mind?
Pixies · 1988
The Breakfast Club by Simple Minds
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds · 1985
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret by Soft Cell
Tainted Love
Soft Cell · 1981
Brotherhood by New Order
Bizarre Love Triangle
New Order · 1986
Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Pretty in Pink
The Psychedelic Furs · 1981
Rio by Duran Duran
Hungry Like the Wolf
Duran Duran · 1982
The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Cars
Gary Numan · 1979
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Eurythmics · 1983
Violator by Depeche Mode
Personal Jesus
Depeche Mode · 1989
Document by R.E.M.
The One I Love
R.E.M. · 1987
Disintegration by The Cure
Lovesong
The Cure · 1989
It's My Life by Talk Talk
It's My Life
Talk Talk · 1984
Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
Bela Lugosi's Dead
Bauhaus · 1979
Dare by The Human League
Don't You Want Me
The Human League · 1981
Organisation by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Enola Gay
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark · 1980
A Flock of Seagulls by A Flock of Seagulls
I Ran (So Far Away)
A Flock of Seagulls · 1982
Parallel Lines by Blondie
Heart of Glass
Blondie · 1978
Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
She's Lost Control
Joy Division · 1979
Nevermind by Nirvana
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana · 1991
Rhythm of Youth by Men Without Hats
The Safety Dance
Men Without Hats · 1982
Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
A Forest
The Cure · 1980
Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads · 1977
Metro Music by Martha and the Muffins
Echo Beach
Martha and the Muffins · 1980
Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain
Just Like Honey
The Jesus and Mary Chain · 1985
Love by The Cult
She Sells Sanctuary
The Cult · 1985
The Smiths by The Smiths
This Charming Man
The Smiths · 1983
Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Never Let Me Down Again
Depeche Mode · 1987
Freedom of Choice by Devo
Whip It
Devo · 1980
Hounds of Love by Kate Bush
Running Up That Hill
Kate Bush · 1985
The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
I Wanna Be Adored
The Stone Roses · 1989
This Year's Model by Elvis Costello
Pump It Up
Elvis Costello · 1978
War by U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday
U2 · 1983
Reggatta de Blanc by The Police
Message in a Bottle
The Police · 1979
Pretenders by Pretenders
Brass in Pocket
Pretenders · 1979
The B-52's by The B-52's
Rock Lobster
The B-52's · 1979
Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Teen Age Riot
Sonic Youth · 1988
Starfish by The Church
Under the Milky Way
The Church · 1988
Vienna by Ultravox
Vienna
Ultravox · 1980
Night Time by Killing Joke
Love Like Blood
Killing Joke · 1985
Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
This Corrosion
The Sisters of Mercy · 1987
Kick by INXS
Need You Tonight
INXS · 1987
Alien Shores by Platinum Blonde
Crying Over You
Platinum Blonde · 1985
Talkback by Spoons
Romantic Traffic
Spoons · 1984
Doolittle by Pixies
Here Comes Your Man
Pixies · 1989
Viva Hate by Morrissey
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Morrissey · 1988
Entertainment! by Gang of Four
Damaged Goods
Gang of Four · 1979
First Issue by Public Image Ltd
Public Image
Public Image Ltd · 1978
Drums and Wires by XTC
Making Plans for Nigel
XTC · 1979
Disintegration by The Cure
Pictures of You
The Cure · 1989
The Scream by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Hong Kong Garden
Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1978
Chairs Missing by Wire
Outdoor Miner
Wire · 1979
Real Life by Magazine
Shot by Both Sides
Magazine · 1978
La Folie by The Stranglers
Golden Brown
The Stranglers · 1981
Visage by Visage
Fade to Grey
Visage · 1980
Upstairs at Eric's by Yazoo
Only You
Yazoo · 1982
Speak & Spell by Depeche Mode
Just Can't Get Enough
Depeche Mode · 1981
Forever Now by The Psychedelic Furs
Love My Way
The Psychedelic Furs · 1982
Echo & the Bunnymen by Echo & the Bunnymen
Lips Like Sugar
Echo & the Bunnymen · 1987
Boy by U2
I Will Follow
U2 · 1980
Tin Drum by Japan
Ghosts
Japan · 1982
Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Heaven or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins · 1990
Please by Pet Shop Boys
West End Girls
Pet Shop Boys · 1985
The Innocents by Erasure
A Little Respect
Erasure · 1988
Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
Head Over Heels
Tears for Fears · 1985
Once Upon a Time by Simple Minds
Alive and Kicking
Simple Minds · 1985
This Is the Sea by The Waterboys
The Whole of the Moon
The Waterboys · 1985
The Golden Age of Wireless by Thomas Dolby
She Blinded Me with Science
Thomas Dolby · 1982
Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
Blister in the Sun
Violent Femmes · 1983
I Just Can't Stop It by The English Beat
Mirror in the Bathroom
The English Beat · 1980
The Singles by The Specials
Ghost Town
The Specials · 1981
Youthquake by Dead or Alive
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
Dead or Alive · 1984
The Age of Consent by Bronski Beat
Smalltown Boy
Bronski Beat · 1984
Diesel and Dust by Midnight Oil
Beds Are Burning
Midnight Oil · 1987
Murmur by R.E.M.
Radio Free Europe
R.E.M. · 1983
Reach the Beach by The Fixx
One Thing Leads to Another
The Fixx · 1983
Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday
Voices Carry
'Til Tuesday · 1985
Love and Rockets by Love and Rockets
So Alive
Love and Rockets · 1989
Deep by Peter Murphy
Cuts You Up
Peter Murphy · 1990
The Parachute Club by Parachute Club
Rise Up
Parachute Club · 1983
Snow in June by Northern Pikes
She Ain't Pretty
Northern Pikes · 1990
Ritual de lo habitual by Jane's Addiction
Been Caught Stealing
Jane's Addiction · 1990
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches by Happy Mondays
Step On
Happy Mondays · 1990
Billy Idol by Billy Idol
White Wedding
Billy Idol · 1982
Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
Weird Science
Oingo Boingo · 1985
Benefactor by Romeo Void
Never Say Never
Romeo Void · 1981
The Crossing by Big Country
In a Big Country
Big Country · 1983
Wish by The Cure
Friday I'm in Love
The Cure · 1992
Pablo Honey by Radiohead
Creep
Radiohead · 1992
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic by The Sundays
Here's Where the Story Ends
The Sundays · 1990
Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
This Corrosion
The Sisters of Mercy · 1987
Kick by INXS
Need You Tonight
INXS · 1987
Alien Shores by Platinum Blonde
Crying Over You
Platinum Blonde · 1985
Talkback by Spoons
Romantic Traffic
Spoons · 1984
Doolittle by Pixies
Here Comes Your Man
Pixies · 1989
Viva Hate by Morrissey
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Morrissey · 1988
Entertainment! by Gang of Four
Damaged Goods
Gang of Four · 1979
First Issue by Public Image Ltd
Public Image
Public Image Ltd · 1978
Drums and Wires by XTC
Making Plans for Nigel
XTC · 1979
Disintegration by The Cure
Pictures of You
The Cure · 1989
The Scream by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Hong Kong Garden
Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1978
Chairs Missing by Wire
Outdoor Miner
Wire · 1979
Real Life by Magazine
Shot by Both Sides
Magazine · 1978
La Folie by The Stranglers
Golden Brown
The Stranglers · 1981
Visage by Visage
Fade to Grey
Visage · 1980
Upstairs at Eric's by Yazoo
Only You
Yazoo · 1982
Speak & Spell by Depeche Mode
Just Can't Get Enough
Depeche Mode · 1981
Forever Now by The Psychedelic Furs
Love My Way
The Psychedelic Furs · 1982
Echo & the Bunnymen by Echo & the Bunnymen
Lips Like Sugar
Echo & the Bunnymen · 1987
Boy by U2
I Will Follow
U2 · 1980
Tin Drum by Japan
Ghosts
Japan · 1982
Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Heaven or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins · 1990
Please by Pet Shop Boys
West End Girls
Pet Shop Boys · 1985
The Innocents by Erasure
A Little Respect
Erasure · 1988
Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
Head Over Heels
Tears for Fears · 1985
Once Upon a Time by Simple Minds
Alive and Kicking
Simple Minds · 1985
This Is the Sea by The Waterboys
The Whole of the Moon
The Waterboys · 1985
The Golden Age of Wireless by Thomas Dolby
She Blinded Me with Science
Thomas Dolby · 1982
Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
Blister in the Sun
Violent Femmes · 1983
I Just Can't Stop It by The English Beat
Mirror in the Bathroom
The English Beat · 1980
The Singles by The Specials
Ghost Town
The Specials · 1981
Youthquake by Dead or Alive
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
Dead or Alive · 1984
The Age of Consent by Bronski Beat
Smalltown Boy
Bronski Beat · 1984
Diesel and Dust by Midnight Oil
Beds Are Burning
Midnight Oil · 1987
Murmur by R.E.M.
Radio Free Europe
R.E.M. · 1983
Reach the Beach by The Fixx
One Thing Leads to Another
The Fixx · 1983
Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday
Voices Carry
'Til Tuesday · 1985
Love and Rockets by Love and Rockets
So Alive
Love and Rockets · 1989
Deep by Peter Murphy
Cuts You Up
Peter Murphy · 1990
The Parachute Club by Parachute Club
Rise Up
Parachute Club · 1983
Snow in June by Northern Pikes
She Ain't Pretty
Northern Pikes · 1990
Ritual de lo habitual by Jane's Addiction
Been Caught Stealing
Jane's Addiction · 1990
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches by Happy Mondays
Step On
Happy Mondays · 1990
Billy Idol by Billy Idol
White Wedding
Billy Idol · 1982
Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
Weird Science
Oingo Boingo · 1985
Benefactor by Romeo Void
Never Say Never
Romeo Void · 1981
The Crossing by Big Country
In a Big Country
Big Country · 1983
Wish by The Cure
Friday I'm in Love
The Cure · 1992
Pablo Honey by Radiohead
Creep
Radiohead · 1992
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic by The Sundays
Here's Where the Story Ends
The Sundays · 1990
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