Hidden Gems: 3 Unreleased ’80s Songs Fans Are Still Begging to Hear

The 1980s gave the world some of the most unforgettable pop and rock music ever made — from synth-driven anthems to hair-metal ballads and dance-floor hits that still get people moving today. But behind the radio staples and MTV classics, there’s a secret collection of songs that never officially made it out of the vault. Some were shelved for mysterious reasons, others leaked through bootlegs or demos, and a few have only been heard by the most dedicated fans.

A handful of these lost gems still make people wonder, “Why hasn’t that been released yet?” Here are three forgotten tracks from the 1980s that absolutely deserve an official studio release — songs that could have been major hits if they’d just gotten their moment.

Madonna’s Hidden Pop Treasure – “Each Time You Break My Heart”
By the mid-1980s, Madonna was unstoppable. Every single she touched turned into a chart-topping hit, and her True Blue era had her sitting comfortably on top of the pop world. But even during that creative high, one of her songs somehow slipped through the cracks.

“Each Time You Break My Heart” was co-written by Madonna and her go-to collaborator Stephen Bray — the same duo responsible for some of her biggest tracks. She even recorded a demo, but for reasons never fully explained, she didn’t include it on any of her albums. Instead, the song found its way to British model and singer Nick Kamen, who released his own version in 1986. Madonna provided backing vocals, giving it her unmistakable touch, and the track became a hit in Europe.

Still, fans can’t help but wonder what might have been if Madonna had recorded her own polished version. The melody fits perfectly with her mid-’80s sound — catchy, emotional, and radio-ready. Her demo reportedly sounded nearly identical to Kamen’s version, proving the song was already pop perfection. If she ever decides to open her archives, this one should be first on the list.

Depeche Mode’s Early Mystery – “Radio News”
Before Depeche Mode became the dark, synth-driven icons we know today, they were just a group of young musicians experimenting with electronic pop in Basildon, England. One of their earliest and least-known songs is “Radio News,” written by founding member Vince Clarke — the same genius who later formed Yazoo and Erasure.

The song was recorded as part of a 1980 demo tape, long before Depeche Mode broke through with Speak & Spell. For years, some music magazines even claimed it was never recorded, though it turns out the track does exist — just not in a proper studio version. Fans have passed around low-quality copies for decades, and it’s said the band even performed it live once in Essex that same year.

Listening to the rough recording, it’s easy to hear the early DNA of Depeche Mode’s future hits. The melody has that playful, catchy synth-pop charm that Vince Clarke was famous for, and it offers a glimpse of what the band sounded like before they found their darker tone. “Radio News” may be rough around the edges, but it’s a fascinating piece of their history — and one that deserves a full, cleaned-up release someday.

ELO’s Unreleased Love Letter – “Beatles Forever”
Electric Light Orchestra frontman Jeff Lynne has never hidden his love for The Beatles — and in the early 1980s, he wrote a song that made that admiration crystal clear. “Beatles Forever” was recorded during sessions for ELO’s 1983 album Secret Messages, which was originally planned as a double album. Unfortunately, when the record label decided to cut it down to a single LP, this track was left behind.

Most of the songs from those sessions have eventually been released over the years, but “Beatles Forever” remains locked away. Lynne has never given a clear reason why, though fans suspect it might have something to do with rights issues or perhaps his own perfectionism.

Bits of the song’s melody later resurfaced in ELO’s 1984 track “Video!,” proving that Lynne still had affection for the idea. From the snippets that have leaked online, “Beatles Forever” sounds like a bright, nostalgic tune filled with the kind of layered harmonies and orchestral flourishes that made ELO famous. It’s not hard to imagine it fitting perfectly next to hits like “Hold On Tight” or “Rock ’n’ Roll Is King.”

If there’s ever a time for Lynne to dust it off and release it, it’s now — fans have been waiting more than four decades to hear this missing piece of ELO history.

Why These Songs Still Matter

Every decade has its share of lost music, but the ‘80s feel especially full of forgotten treasures. Back then, artists were experimenting nonstop — recording demos, remixing tracks, and moving so fast that even great songs sometimes got left behind.

“Each Time You Break My Heart,” “Radio News,” and “Beatles Forever” all capture something special: the spirit of creativity and risk-taking that defined the decade. They remind fans that even superstars like Madonna, Depeche Mode, and ELO had moments that slipped through the cracks — and that sometimes, the songs we never officially heard are just as fascinating as the ones that topped the charts.

Here’s hoping these three long-lost tracks finally get the spotlight they deserve. Because honestly, the ‘80s wouldn’t mind one more comeback.