Forty years ago, it was 1986. Ronald Reagan was in the White House, MTV was the soundtrack of pop culture, and music videos were must-see television. In movie theaters, Top Gun made everyone want aviators and a volleyball montage (check out our Top Gun profile here), while Ferris Bueller’s Day Off convinced a generation that skipping school was basically a civic duty. John Hughes also gave us Pretty in Pink, another 1986 classic that we celebrated in its own Theme Ride Thursday earlier this year. At home, people were glued to The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, Murder, She Wrote, and The Golden Girls. And get this: the year’s actual No. 1 song on the Billboard year-end chart wasn’t a rock anthem at all. It was “That’s What Friends Are For,” the AIDS research charity single by Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. Bet you weren’t expecting that one! This song would make a great cool-down.
Nintendo owners were lining up to play The Legend of Zelda for the very first time, Oprah took her local Chicago talk show national, and Halley’s Comet swung by for its once-every-76-years flyby. Kids traded Garbage Pail Kids cards at recess, adults were rocking acid-wash jeans and shoulder pads, and just about everyone knew the latest MTV video by heart. Somewhere out there, a rider in your class was living every bit of it in real time.
Big hair, bold fashion, unforgettable choruses. The year 1986 had it all, and these songs still hold up four decades later. Here’s a lineup to get your legs moving and your riders singing along, whether they lived it the first time or are just now discovering it.
Livin’ on a Prayer, Bon Jovi, 4:09, 123 bpm
Tommy and Gina are still livin’ on a prayer 40 years later. Start with a steady seated climb, then let riders unleash everything on those iconic choruses at 1:15–1:47 (32s), 2:23–2:54 (31s), and 3:15–3:56 (41s). Bonus points if the whole room belts out, “Whoa, we’re halfway there!”
You Give Love a Bad Name, Bon Jovi, 3:43, 123 bpm
Back-to-back Bon Jovi? Absolutely. Keep the resistance on from “Livin’ on a Prayer” and roll right into another powerful climb. Same tempo, same arena-rock energy, and another chorus everyone knows by heart.
Sledgehammer, Peter Gabriel, 5:14, 96 bpm
Remember the groundbreaking claymation music video? This funky groove is perfect for settling riders into a strong seated flat or easing through a warm-up while the legs come alive.
Addicted to Love, Robert Palmer, 5:50, 112 bpm
Between the unforgettable guitar riff and those famously expressionless backup models, this song is pure ’80s. Ride just below the beat, then surge to tempo for a smooth, progressive warm-up.
Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Wang Chung, 4:47, 129 bpm
“Wang Chung tonight!” Need we say more? This is pure fun. Build a playful climb with plenty of opportunities to crank the resistance and encourage riders to smile as much as they sweat.
Kiss, Prince, 3:46, 111 bpm
Prince proves you don’t need a wall of instruments to own a room. Keep the resistance light, build toward the beat with quick leg surges, and let that irresistible groove do the rest.
The Final Countdown, Europe, 5:10, 118 bpm
If that opening keyboard doesn’t make people grin, nothing will. Make this track your grand finale with one last heavy climb or use the title literally and count riders down to the finish line.
Walk Like an Egyptian, The Bangles, 3:25, 191 bpm
Believe it or not, this song was inspired after songwriter Liam Sternberg watched people trying to keep their balance while walking on a rocking ferry. Their bent-arm shuffle reminded him of the figures in ancient Egyptian artwork, and one of the biggest hits of 1986 was born. A fun, upbeat flat road or warm-up track that’s guaranteed to get riders smiling (and maybe even doing the walk!).
Higher Love, Steve Winwood, 5:52, 99 bpm
Six minutes of feel-good energy make this song ideal for a sustained flat road. Encourage riders to settle into a rhythm, breathe, and enjoy the ride while the song slowly builds.
Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins, 3:35, 157 bpm
Straight out of Top Gun. Cue the imaginary aviators, turn up the intensity, and let riders fly down a fast-paced flat road like Maverick buzzing the tower.
Papa Don’t Preach, Madonna, 4:29, 122 bpm
Madonna knew how to build anticipation. Use the verses to settle into a seated climb, then stand and push through the memorable choruses at 1:18–1:38 (20s), 2:10–2:30 (20s), and 3:05–3:55 (50s).
Venus, Bananarama, 3:49, 126 bpm
Pure dance-floor energy from start to finish. Alternate seated and standing climbs with every chorus and let riders channel their inner ’80s pop star.
True Colors, Cyndi Lauper, 3:48, 85 bpm
Not every great ride needs to stay at full throttle. In fact, recovery is what makes the hard efforts count. Spin an easy flat road and let heart rates come down, catch your breath, and enjoy one of the decade’s most beautiful ballads.
Two of Hearts, Stacey Q, 4:00, 131 bpm
A hidden gem that deserves way more love. Keep the cadence lively with an energetic climb that’ll have riders wondering why this song isn’t on more playlists.
Rock Me Amadeus, Falco, 3:22, 88 bpm
Only the ’80s could turn Mozart into a chart-topping pop star. Cruise a steady flat road, gradually layer on resistance, and have fun with one of the decade’s most delightfully quirky hits.
ICA members can access our 1986 Spotify Bucket Playlist below, packed with ~115 hits from that year to help you build the ultimate throwback ride.
Did we miss one of your favorite 1986 songs? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to keep growing this bucket playlist so instructors have an even bigger library of iconic ’80s hits to choose from.