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 featured in commercials: A nostalgic roundup of CM songs (21–30)
When the phone stops ringingEighth Wonder
Eighth Wonder is a British band fronted by vocalist Patsy Kensit.
Their 1987 song “When The Phone Stops Ringing,” known in Japan by the title “Uwaki na Teddy Boy,” was used in a Noevir Cosmetics commercial.
When You Say You Love MeGene Miller & Deborah Davis
This song is a duet by Deborah Davis and Gene Miller titled ‘When You Say You Love Me’ (Japanese title: ‘Sasayaki wa Destiny’).
It was used as the commercial song for the Toyota Corolla FX in 1987.
1980s Western pop hits featured in commercials. Nostalgic CM song roundup (31–40)
She Wants to Dance With MeRick Astley
Rick Astley is one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 1980s.
Among his works, “She Wants to Dance With Me” is especially popular, and you can enjoy the contrast between his deep, rich low voice and the bright track.
The dance-pop and synth-pop styles that Rick Astley excelled at are currently trending worldwide, so if you listen to recent Western pop, this song will likely feel very comfortable to you!
There Must Be An AngelEurythmics
Eurythmics are a British duo who consistently released hit songs throughout the 1980s.
Their song “There Must Be an Angel” was used as the theme for a Kao Sofina commercial.
WomanJohn Lennon
John Lennon, who, alongside Paul McCartney, served as a central member handling guitar and vocals in the legendary British band The Beatles, was tragically shot and killed in 1980.
His song “Woman” was used that same year as the commercial song for the Mitsubishi eK Wagon.
FreedomWham!
When it comes to massive international hits that defined the 1980s, Wham!’s Make It Big is indispensable.
Released in 1984, the album includes many well-known tracks that were featured in Japanese commercials, among other places.
Notably, Freedom was used as the song for the 2018 Asahi Super Dry “Shunrei Karakuchi” commercial starring Masaki Suda.
Its summery vibe fits the ad’s atmosphere perfectly.
Dolce VitaRyan Paris
Perfumes, sunscreen, and an array of cosmetics—this commercial showcases Dior’s lineup of products for the summer.
True to its title, “Chase the Sunlight,” the ad strikingly depicts women spending time under the sun in their own ways.
The background music is Lian Paris’s 1983 track “Dolce Vita.” As the title—meaning “sweet life” in Japanese—suggests, the song captivates with its moody lyrics and dreamy, atmospheric melody.
