Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Speaking of Western music from the ’80s, it was the heyday of MTV, with countless flashy music videos airing on TV.

There were innumerable global hits that we enjoyed with the same familiarity as domestic hit songs in Japan.

For those who spent their youth in the ’80s, chances are that a beloved classic from Western music is playing somewhere in the pages of your memories.

In this article, we’ve gathered masterpieces that focus specifically on “ballads” from ’80s Western music.

The ’80s catalog is far too deep to cover exhaustively, but please enjoy a wide range of ballad classics—from straightforward ballads to medium-tempo ballads and power ballads by rock bands.

All timeless hits! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads (41–50)

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

Billy Joel – Uptown Girl (Official Video)

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

This song features a lively melody strongly influenced by 1960s doo-wop.

Billy Joel skillfully portrays a universal love story in which a working-class young man falls in love with a woman from high society.

Set to a bright, cheerful tune, the piece depicts a romance that transcends social class and was released as a single from the album An Innocent Man in September 1983.

It reached No.

1 in the UK and became a major hit, selling approximately 975,000 copies.

In 1984, it was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award and received high praise as a sophisticated pop tune.

Its upbeat rhythm and hopeful message encourage a positive outlook on love.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

After listening to the exquisite ’80s Western ballad classics introduced this time, I imagine many of you felt a strange sense of familiarity—as if you already knew these melodies, even though they weren’t born in your era.

As I mentioned at the start, the catalog is so deep that there are still countless masterpieces I’d love to introduce.

So if you’re a young music fan who’s interested, be sure to dive deeper through compilation albums or subscription playlists!