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. 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!
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.
ALWAYS MINEBETH ANDERSEN
There’s a song called “Always Mine” sung by Beth Andersen.
It seems the song is sometimes used for weddings or reception openings.
It was also featured as the commercial song for the 1987 Honda Tact Full Mark New.
StrutSheena Easton
Sheena Easton, the British singer who debuted with “Modern Girl” in 1980.
The song that played in the memorable version of the Takara Shochu Jun commercial—where she appeared in a kimono and sang—was this track, “Strut.”
Fireboy Meets His MatchBoy George
The lead singer of Culture Club at the time, who was churning out hits like “Karma Chameleon,” was Boy George.
The song used in the commercial for TAKARA CAN Chu-Hi Jun, in which he appeared as the monk Xuanzang, was the Japanese-titled track he sang, “Koi no Fire Boy” (Fire Boy of Love).
Western pop hits from the 80s used in commercials. Nostalgic CM song roundup (41–50)
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.
Fooled By A SmileSwing Out Sister
Swing Out Sister is a British pop duo that was hugely successful in the 1980s, known for genres like synth-pop and blue-eyed soul.
Their classic track Fooled By A Smile was used in a Dido Drink commercial, and it’s notable for its melody that evokes the vibe of 1970s disco music.
It’s a work that exquisitely blends the musical sensibilities of the 1980s and the 1970s, so if you like music from those eras, you’ll probably enjoy it.