80s vs 90s Silent Disco Playlist: 50 Songs for the Ultimate Decades Battle (Free on Spotify)

This 80s vs 90s playlist has 50 songs for the ultimate decades battle. Every odd track is from the 80s and every even track is from the 90s, so it goes Take On Me then Wannabe, Billie Jean then Baby One More Time, all the way to Here I Go Again then Mr. Vain.

Each pair is matched by mood. Big pop meets big pop, rock anthems face Britpop and power ballads take on the 90s diva moments.

The full tracklist

1. Take On Me - a-ha (1985)
2. Wannabe - Spice Girls (1996)
3. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson (1982)
4. ...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears (1998)
5. Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi (1986)
6. Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis (1996)
7. Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper (1983)
8. No Scrubs - TLC (1999)
9. Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
10. Common People - Pulp (1995)
11. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics (1983)
12. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1991)
13. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds (1985)
14. Rhythm Is a Dancer - Snap! (1992)
15. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! (1984)
16. Freed from Desire - Gala (1996)
17. Like a Prayer - Madonna (1989)
18. The Rhythm of the Night - Corona (1993)
19. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (1981)
20. Wonderwall - Oasis (1995)
21. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears (1985)
22. Mr. Jones - Counting Crows (1993)
23. Jump - Van Halen (1984)
24. Song 2 - Blur (1997)
25. Tainted Love - Soft Cell (1981)
26. What Is Love - Haddaway (1993)
27. Footloose - Kenny Loggins (1984)
28. Macarena - Los Del Rio (1995)
29. Africa - Toto (1982)
30. I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys (1999)
31. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler (1983)
32. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston (1992)
33. Wonderful Life - Black (1987)
34. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
35. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley (1987)
36. Barbie Girl - Aqua (1997)
37. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel (1983)
38. Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...) - Lou Bega (1999)
39. Purple Rain - Prince (1984)
40. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve (1997)
41. Don't You Want Me - The Human League (1981)
42. Rhythm of the Night - Corona (1993)
43. Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N' Roses (1987)
44. Believe - Cher (1998)
45. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory (1990)
46. Like a Virgin - Madonna (1984)
47. Waterfalls - TLC (1995)
48. Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin (1999)
49. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake (1987)
50. Mr. Vain - Culture Beat (1993)

Why these songs work

Decade battles are one of the most requested silent disco formats. People love arguing about which era had better music. This order gives both sides a fair fight.

We chose songs by how many people still play them on Last.fm today. Every track has well over a hundred thousand listeners, so nothing is filler.

Bring this playlist to life at a silent disco

For a true battle, give our 80s playlist and our 90s playlist a channel each. This mixed playlist takes the third for anyone who refuses to pick a side.

Headsets glow in their channel colour, so you can count the red and blue heads to decide the winner. Each guest controls their own volume.

Our Full Service crew can host the decades battle anywhere in South Wales and West Wales. Further afield, order DIY hire and we'll courier the kit to the UK mainland and Northern Ireland. Book your decades battle.

Frequently asked questions

Which decade had the best party songs?

That's the battle. The 80s bring Bon Jovi and Madonna while the 90s bring Spice Girls and Oasis. Let your guests decide.

How does a decades battle silent disco work?

Each channel plays a different decade. Guests switch with one button and the headset colour shows which side they're on.

Is this playlist good for a 40th birthday?

Yes. Anyone in their late thirties to fifties grew up with these songs.

Is the 80s vs 90s playlist free?

Yes. It's free on the V360 Silent Disco Spotify account.

Can I add other decades?

Yes. Our 70s and 2000s playlists work well on the third channel.

Do you hire silent disco headphones for this?

Yes. DIY hire reaches the UK mainland and Northern Ireland while our Full Service crew covers South Wales and West Wales.

More free playlists

• 80s Playlist
• 90s Playlist
• 2000s Pop Playlist
• 40th Birthday Playlist

Hire silent disco headphones

Settle the 80s vs 90s argument once and for all. Three channels, colour coded headsets and delivery to the UK mainland and Northern Ireland. Our crew can also run the battle in South Wales and West Wales.

DIY hire | Full Service | Book now