80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
“What was that song they used in that commercial again…?” Everyone’s had that moment at least once.
And when it’s a Western song, you might only remember the lyrics vaguely.
In this article, we’re rounding up and introducing popular tracks from the 1980s—the so-called golden age of Western music—that were featured in Japanese commercials!
The lineup includes not only nostalgic commercials from the ’80s for those who remember the era, but also recent ads that have revived ’80s hits.
Younger readers might even discover that a familiar commercial jingle was actually a hit from the 1980s.
Enjoy!
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1980s Western pop hits used in commercials. A nostalgic roundup of CM songs (1–10).
(I Just) Died In Your ArmsCutting Crew
The British rock band Cutting Crew had a huge hit in the United States with their classic song “(I Just) Died in Your Arms.” After its release in the UK in 1986, it was remixed for American radio the following year and reached No.
1 on the U.S.
charts.
The song was used in a commercial for Suzuki’s Cultus.
Its somewhat cool and wistful sound perfectly matched the mood of the ad, which featured a car racing along the seaside.
Run To YouBryan Adams
“Run To You,” the classic hit by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams.
Released as the lead single from his 1984 album “Reckless,” the song was also used in Suzuki’s 2014 commercial for the SWIFT.
While it holds back on straight-ahead rock elements, its melody remains distinctly catchy—that’s a hallmark of the track.
The lyrics depict an affair with a mistress, and listening while reading a Japanese translation might change how the song comes across.
JumpVan Halen
Speaking of Van Halen’s “Jump,” it’s a famous song that has been used in many commercials and TV dramas in Japan.
It’s included on their sixth album, 1984, released in 1984.
The song was also used in a commercial for Suntory’s non-alcoholic beer All-Free featuring Shingo Katori and Goro Inagaki—the ad became a hot topic with the catchphrase “I’m alive!” In this version, the two appear alongside Takeo Tsukaji, making a trio who show up as Meiji Restoration patriots.
80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A nostalgic collection of CM songs (11–20)
Danger ZoneKenny Loggins
The Toyota Caldina commercial that aired in 1997 featured Kenny Loggins’s 1986 release “Danger Zone.” The song’s sense of speed fits perfectly with the ad’s message of powerful, sporty performance.
By the way, part of that driving feel comes from the song’s style, but I suspect many people also associate it with that image because it’s the theme song from the movie Top Gun.
Ellie, My LoveRay Charles
Ray Charles, a legendary soul musician, covered Southern All Stars’ “Itoshi no Ellie” in English at Suntory’s request in 1989 and released it as “Ellie My Love.” The song was featured in a commercial for Suntory Whisky White and became a hit, selling 402,000 copies.
The commercial, which used a puppet of Ray, was also memorable.
The arrangement adds a touch of soul and jazz compared to the original, so be sure to give it a listen!
Don’t Stop BelievinJourney
In a 2004 commercial for the Elgrand—Nissan’s long-popular minivan—Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” was featured.
Many people likely remember the footage of the Elgrand speeding through the great outdoors set to the song’s expansive, majestic sound.
Released in 1981 on the album Escape and later issued as a single, the track is one of the band’s signature songs.
Even if you don’t know the band’s name or the song title, chances are you recognize its chorus.
That quintessential sound of the ’80s American rock scene never fails to give you chills, no matter when you hear it!
Bad BoysWham!
The Maxell cassette tape commercial featuring the two members of Wham! used their song “Bad Boys” as the background music.
The single was released in May 1983 and was also included on the album Fantastic, which came out in July of the same year.
It’s a pop track with a strikingly powerful bassline, and it’s such a cool song that it may feel fresh to those who only know “Last Christmas.”