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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Western pop hits from the 80s used in commercials. Nostalgic CM song roundup (41–50)
DesireGail Lennon
This song is Gail Lennon’s track known in Japan as “Ai no Desire.” It’s a Eurobeat-style number with female vocals.
The song was used as the commercial jingle for TAKARA’s “Barbican” in 1987.
I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE
This commercial, which opens with Mikako Tabe repeatedly turning a capsule toy machine while holding a 500-yen coin, introduces McDonald’s 500-yen set menu.
After failing to get the character she wants no matter how many times she tries and finding herself down to her last 500-yen coin, she suddenly remembers the McDonald’s Set 500, stops playing the gacha, and heads to McDonald’s.
Her blissful expression as she bites into a hamburger is striking—it really makes you want to go to McDonald’s! The background music is a cover of Kylie Minogue’s signature song “I Should Be So Lucky.” Its bright, catchy melody is instantly familiar and lifts your spirits as you listen.
FunkytownLipps Inc
Lipps Inc.
is an American technopop music unit.
When Stephen, who was originally in charge of instrumentation, produced the song “Funkytown,” there was no vocalist, and Cynthia—who would go on to handle vocals—was selected through an audition.
This song was used as the commercial theme for Honda’s That’s in 1984.
Bad MedicineBon Jovi
The song used in the commercial for SANYO’s S-VHS video deck was “Bad Medicine” by the American rock band Bon Jovi.
This hard rock tune, which expresses the ‘sickness’ of love, was released in 1988 and spent two consecutive weeks at No.
1 in the U.S., becoming one of their signature songs.
For the commercial, Bon Jovi performed live, giving it a finish that feels almost like a music video.
I imagine many people decided to buy the product after seeing the ad.
It’s a real mood booster, so be sure to listen to “Bad Medicine” along with the commercial!
Lay Your Hands On MeThompson Twins
Thompson Twins are a British new wave band whose song “In The Name of Love” became a hit after being featured in the film Ghostbusters.
However, internal conflicts arose within the band, and they became a trio.
Their song “Lay Your Hands on Me” was used in a commercial for the Maxell UD series.
Just Like ParadiseDavid Lee Roth
“Just Like Paradise,” which was used as the CM (commercial) song for Toshiba Arena, is sung by David Lee Roth, who was very popular in Japan at the time—so those of that generation may remember it.
It has an upbeat, catchy sound.
In the CityMadness
Madness is a British ska band that was active in the 1980s, known for a distinctive sound based on ska, bluebeat, and rock.
Their 1981 song “In the City” was used as the commercial theme for Honda’s City.