Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
80s music is back in the spotlight amid the current revival boom.
The 1980s were a whirlwind of genres, but I can confidently say that dance music best represents the decade’s character.
This time, we’ve selected Western hits from the 80s that lit up disco dance floors.
Unlike today, rock was also popular as a form of dance music back then, and there are plenty of tracks that crank up the voltage.
If you want to boost your mood with nostalgic tunes, please enjoy to the very end.
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[Club Hits] Western Dance Music That Rocked the Floor in the 1980s (31–40)
Caribbean QueenBilly Ocean
Born in the Caribbean and raised in the UK, he is known as the best-selling R&B singer in Britain.
This song became a major hit especially in the United States and won a Grammy Award in 1984.
In Europe, it was released under the title “European Queen,” with the lyrics changed.
ObsessionAnimotion
With their debut single, they suddenly scored a hit, reaching No.
6 in the U.S.
and No.
5 in the U.K., but unfortunately this is their only hit song.
There’s a scene in the music video where they do some sword-fighting, so it’s a must-see.
Rock The CasbahThe Clash
They were considered a punk band on par with the Sex Pistols since they were from the same generation, but The Clash were hugely popular as a more straight-laced, big-brother-like presence.
They were a flexible band that incorporated a variety of styles, including rockabilly, reggae, and R&B.
This one is a classic that’s danceable and easy to move to.
Stars On 45Stars On 45
Not only in discos but also frequently on the radio, Stars on 45 was everywhere.
This music project, born in the Netherlands, made a splash with its innovative style of mixing together hit songs by famous artists of the time and performing them in a disco-style arrangement.
Everybody Have Fun TonightWang Chung
As the title suggests—“Let’s all have fun tonight”—it has an uplifting, feel-good vibe.
The part where the vocals soar into the high notes is the song’s biggest charm.
Although they’re a band from the UK, this track became a massive hit in the U.S., reaching as high as number two on the charts.
[Club Hits] Western Dance Music That Rocked the Dance Floors in the 1980s (41–50)
1-2-3Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is an American singer-songwriter known for her airy vocals.
Although she was born in Cuba, unlike other singers with similar backgrounds, she pursued a pop-oriented sound rather than Latin music.
One of her signature songs is 1-2-3.
Rooted in the dance-pop and pop-rock trends of the time, it became a major hit thanks to its catchy “one, two, three” hook.
FunkytownLipps Inc
This is the song “Funky Town” by the American music group Lipps, Inc, who were active in the early 1980s.
Many people in Japan have probably heard it in commercials and elsewhere.
Once you hear it, the melody sticks in your head.
Its slightly laid-back vibe is addictive.
The soulful vocals match unexpectedly well and make it really cool.
