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!

Playlist

80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s popular hit song, a world-famous classic
2	My OneJoseph Williams		80s picnic commercial, Joseph’s famous song
3	Hole in My HeartCyndi Lauper		A bright, upbeat Cindy Lauper song commercial
4	Can’t Take My Eyes Off YouBoys Town Gang		In 1982, the Boys Town Gang...
5	The Power Of LoveHuey Lewis & The News		A classic sci-fi movie song, No. 1 in the U.S., Academy Award–nominated
6	Is There Something I Should Know?Duran Duran		Duran Duran’s 1980s hit song
7	Causing A CommotionMadonna		Madonna’s signature song, a dance tune
8	(I Just) Died In Your ArmsCutting Crew		80s hit song, a classic that reached No. 1 in the U.S.
9	Run To YouBryan Adams		Bryan Adams’s classic song “Run To You”
10	JumpVan Halen		Van Halen’s “Jump” is a famous classic.
11	Danger ZoneKenny Loggins		The compatibility between Toyota commercials and “Danger Zone”
12	Ellie, My LoveRay Charles		Ray Charles covers “Itoshi no Ellie.”
13	Don’t Stop BelievinJourney		The famous Journey song from the Elgrand commercial
14	Bad BoysWham!		Wham!’s “Bad Boys” in a Maxell commercial
15	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		A groove-packed classic by Earth, Wind & Fire
16	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		Billy Joel’s classic song “Uptown Girl”
17	I.G.Y.Donald Fagen		Fagen's classic song by Steely Dan
18	GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.		the catchy theme song from Ghostbusters
19	CelebrationKool and The Gang		The classic masterpiece “Celebration” performed by children around the world
20	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		A popular Western song made famous by NEC’s TV commercial
21	Waiting For The Green LightOur Town		A soundtrack-style song is used in the commercial.
22	La Isla BonitaMadonna		Madonna, the queen leading pop music
23	Part Time LoverStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder’s musical career
24	Rock Me AmadeusFalco		A hit song born from the film Amadeus
25	I’m In the Mood for DancingThe Nolans		an idol-popular vocal group
26	Open ArmsJourney		Journey's hit song 'Open Arms'
27	DJ IN MY LIFEAnnie		Annie’s classic hit, a synth-pop favorite in Japan
28	Private motionJohn Warren		An unconventional hard rock song by a yacht rock singer
29	When the phone stops ringingEighth Wonder		Ace of Wonder’s signature song is in a commercial.
30	When You Say You Love MeGene Miller & Deborah Davis		Deborah & Jean's commercial song 'Whisper'
31	She Wants to Dance With MeRick Astley		The hit song by Rick Astley, a popular singer from the 1980s
32	There Must Be An AngelEurythmics		Eurythmics’ 80s hit song
33	WomanJohn Lennon		John Lennon of the Beatles shot dead
34	FreedomWham!		80s hit act Wham!'s album is hugely popular
35	Dolce VitaRyan Paris		Dior's summer commercial: the sun and the allure of women
36	Special WomanChris Farren		The iconic song from the Super Dry commercial
37	Can’t Help Falling In LoveCorey Hart		A cover of Corey Hart’s classic love song
38	Over Night SuccessTERI DESARIO		The cassette commercial song became a big hit in Japan.
39	ALWAYS MINEBETH ANDERSEN		Beth Andersen song used at a wedding
40	StrutSheena Easton		Sheena Easton’s signature song “Strut”
41	I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE		Mikako Tabe, absorbed in gachapon, smiles on the Set 500
42	Fooled By A SmileSwing Out Sister		A classic by Swing Out Sister
43	Fireboy Meets His MatchBoy George		Boy George’s pure commercial jingle
44	DesireGail Lennon		Love Desire is a Eurobeat song
45	Bad MedicineBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s classic hit chosen for a SANYO video commercial
46	XanaduOlivia Newton-John		A commercial that stands by the customer and earns their trust
47	The Blood That Moves The Bodya-ha		A-ha's song is featured in a Gatsby commercial.
48	FunkytownLipps Inc		Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.
49	Tuxedo BodyLeo Sayer		A commercial video that conveys the refreshing feel of the Okinawan sea.
50	Lay Your Hands On MeThompson Twins		Internal conflict and musical activities of a new wave band
51	Just Like ParadiseDavid Lee Roth		David Lee Roth's classic song commercial
52	In the CityMadness		Madness, a representative band of ska music
53	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A special taste even without alcohol
54	The ReflexDuran Duran		Duran Duran, who took the music scene by storm
55	Sowing The Seeds Of LoveTears for Fears		Sixth-generation Silvia, a stylish commercial
56	Open ArmsJourney		Elgrand commercial: power and an American-style production
57	Call MeBlondie		A classic Blondie track from the ’80s, dance rock
58	Never Ending StoryLimahl		Honda uses 'Never Ending Story' in a commercial
59	SukiyakiMarlena Shaw		A classic cover by Marlena Shaw
60	XanaduOlivia Newton-John		Olivia Newton-John’s classic song