This American Songwriter piece looks back at four songs from the 1980s that each marked an artist's very first chart-topping hit, spotlighting the moment these acts first reached No. 1 on the charts. It's a light, nostalgic feature aimed at pop and rock fans revisiting landmark tracks from the decade.

The four songs are Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" (his first solo No. 1, though he'd topped the charts before with the Jackson 5), U2's "With Or Without You" (a US and Canada No. 1 inspired by themes of letting go), Bryan Adams' "Heaven" (influenced by Journey's "Faithfully", with Journey's drummer featuring on the recording), and Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" (her only No. 1, which won two 1982 Grammy Awards and spent five weeks atop the Billboard chart, reportedly delighting the real Bette Davis).

– Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" was his first solo chart-topper
– U2's "With Or Without You" hit No. 1 in the US and Canada
– Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" won two 1982 Grammy Awards