Gen X 80s Top 20 Countdown: Hope Is a Mixtape

This week, we’re doing something different.

There’s no countdown. No rankings. No flashy transitions.

Just 30 songs from the 1980s that offer light when the world feels heavy.

This is a playlist of power, compassion, resilience, and love—songs that say: you’re not alone, and you’re not done yet.

These aren’t just hits from a bygone decade. These are lifelines.

And in times like these, we all need something to hold on to.

We’re taking a pause from our regular UK Top 20 and Patreon releases this week to bring you this special one-off collection—because sometimes the music matters too much to wait.

If one of these tracks speaks to you, let us know. And if it helps even a little… that’s everything.

New: Bonus Episode 3 of our Top 80 Protest Songs of the 1980s series is now live.

You can also support the show at Buy Me a Coffee or join our exclusive content on Patreon.

Thank you for being here.

Intro music by Vasileios Ziogas from Pixabay