Breakup songs in Western music that were hits in the 80s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
Breakup songs are often poignantly lyrical, with beautiful melodies and the like.
They’re very captivating.
Among them, Western songs—since they’re mostly in English—can be even more enjoyable if you listen while consulting a translation site.
The real charm lies in considering the singer’s feelings behind turns of phrase that a straightforward Japanese-to-English translation can’t fully capture.
Breakup songs in Western music that were hits in the 80s: World-famous and popular songs (1–10)
I miss youKlymaxx
This song is a breakup song, yet it has a beautiful melody.
There’s a line that goes, “Every time the phone rings, I pray to God it’s you,” and we’ve all had that kind of experience after a breakup, haven’t we? These days, would it be the sound of a message on a cell phone?
Right Here WaitingRichard Marx
This song opens with a piano performance, and you can really feel the loneliness seep in.
In the chorus, which goes something like, “No matter where you go or what you do, I’ll be here waiting,” the sorrow of heartbreak is expressed.
I recommend it for men who want to fully sink into a breakup and have a good cry.
AloneHeart
The chorus means “How do I get you alone?”—as in, how can I have you all to myself? It expresses possessiveness.
For someone who strongly wants to make their lover theirs alone, someone who’s had their lover taken away, or someone dealing with heartbreak, how about this song?
Separate WaysJourney
The sound that starts on the keyboard at the beginning of this song is great.
It’s a song about a man who, while regretting the breakup and still loving the woman who’s leaving, says that if that’s the path she chooses, he wishes for her happiness.
A guy like that is just too cool, isn’t he?
Didn’t We Almost Have It AllWhitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s singing ability is exceptionally outstanding.
She scores a perfect 100 even when singing love songs, but her breakup songs are powerful too, and that strength seems to express anger.
If you could sing along with her, it feels like the anger from a breakup would just fly away.
Don’t YouSimple Minds
In the chorus, after “Don’t you forget about me,” the way “Don’t” is repeated four times really conveys strong feeling.
Yet the tune itself has a fresh, crisp vibe, which gives the impression of a stylish song.
Hold Me NowThompson Twins
I like how this song begins with a sound like a xylophone.
I ended up having a fight with my girlfriend, but it keeps repeating, “Hold me now, warm my heart”—hold me and warm my heart.
It kind of feels like a woman’s line, but there are probably more men like this than you’d think.