American Songwriter has compiled a list of four pop songs from 1986 that were commercial hits at the time but have since faded from popular memory, despite remaining musically strong. The feature highlights tracks spanning sophisti-pop, adult contemporary and mainstream pop, arguing they deserve renewed attention decades later.

– "Digging Your Scene" by The Blow Monkeys — reached No. 12 in the UK and No. 14 in the US
– "Your Wildest Dreams" by The Moody Blues — hit No. 9 on the Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart
– "Sweet Freedom" by Michael McDonald — peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100
– "True Blue" by Madonna — reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK Singles chart