# 80s War Songs You Should Hear

> Three 1980s hits about war that charted and still resonate.
- Title: 80s War Songs You Should Hear · American Songwriter | Shortify
- Summary: Three 1980s hits about war that charted and still resonate. Tears For Fears' 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and Ultravox's 'Dancing With Tears In My…
- Keywords: tears for fears, ultravox, nuclear war, 1980s, pop music, dancing with tears in my eyes, everybody wants to rule the world, breathing, music, culture, 80s, War
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/3-mainstream-songs-from-the-80s-about-war-that-everyone-should-hear
- Author: Kat Caudill
- Published: 2026-10-16T17:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tears for fears, ultravox, nuclear war, 1980s, pop music, dancing with tears in my eyes, everybody wants to rule the world, breathing, music, culture
## Tears For Fears
Tears For Fears' 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' was originally titled 'Everybody Wants To Go To War'.

> This song is all about power hungry people using war as an excuse to gain more power and prestige
## Ultravox
Ultravox's 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' addresses nuclear war from the 1980s.

> They knew it was the end, but they had time to think about how they wanted to choose their final moments
## Kate Bush
Kate Bush's 'Breathing' explores nuclear war through an unborn child's perspective.

> Breathing is about human beings killing themselves
## Key takeaway

Tears For Fears' 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and Ultravox's 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' address nuclear war fears from the 1980s.