[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists
The 1980s are often associated with a dazzling, glamorous image, and you can see that reflected in the hit charts of the time.
Here in Japan as well, it’s said to be the era when Western music shone the brightest, and compilation albums of hits from that period remain steadily popular even now in the 2020s.
In this article, we focus on the debut songs of male artists from that radiant 1980s Western music scene.
Our lineup centers on singers who debuted in the ’80s, including those who built careers in bands before launching solo debuts during the decade.
Please enjoy everything from the massive hits that defined the ’80s to lesser-known hidden gems!
- Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s
- A Collection of Classic 80s Western Ballads with Male Vocals
- Must-listen! Recommended! Spotlight on male solo artists in Western music
- [Western Music] A roundup of male solo singers who were active in the ’80s
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- [J-Pop] Debut songs by male solo artists from the 1990s
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
- Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
- A roundup of debut songs by male Western artists/singers from the ’90s
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- Debut songs by male Western artists from the 2000s
[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists (21–30)
It’s Your NightJames Ingram
James Ingram was a singer from the United States.
Known as a protégé of Quincy Jones and a powerhouse talent, he debuted as a solo singer in 1983.
His 1984 duet with Michael McDonald, “Yah Mo B There,” became a hit that reached the upper ranks of the Billboard charts.
His debut work was the 1983 album It’s Your Night.
The featured video is the title track from the album, It’s Your Night.
Let’s Get It StartedMC Hammer
MC Hammer became rap’s first major superstar when “U Can’t Touch This” became a worldwide smash.
However, his career nosedived afterward, and the stark contrast in his circumstances fueled tabloid gossip.
This debut single is also the title track of his second album.
[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists (31–40)
Darling PrettyMark Knopfler
As the frontman of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler produced hit songs like “Sultans of Swing” and classic albums such as “Brothers in Arms.” His guitar solo also leaves a strong impression on this debut single, “Darling Pretty.”
The Other WomanRay Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr.’s most famous work is, without a doubt, “Ghostbusters,” the theme song for the film of the same name.
As a solo artist, he also had hits like “A Woman Needs Love” and “Jack and Jill.” His debut as a solo act was the 1982 album The Other Woman.
The featured video is the album’s title track, which was also released as a single and became a hit.
Spread a Little HappinessSting
It sometimes happens that a member of a famous group makes their solo debut by contributing a song to a movie soundtrack, and this track is one such example.
It plays over the ending of the film Brimstone and Treacle, which has not been released in Japan, and Sting also appears in the movie.
Take On Mea-ha
It’s a masterpiece that could be called a monument of 80s synth-pop, distinguished by its shimmering, sparkling synthesizer tones! This memorable track was the debut single released in 1985 by Norway’s a-ha, a landmark song that catapulted the group to global stardom.
Their debut album, Hunting High and Low, which includes this song, also achieved international success, reaching No.
1 on the U.S.
charts with a boost from heavy rotation on MTV.
Evoking the radiant spirit of the 1980s, this work captivates with its catchy melody and soaring high vocals, and can also be enjoyed as a coming-of-age anthem about taking a positive, proactive approach to love.
Ganz WienFalco
Falco, who became famous with 1985’s “Rock Me Amadeus,” actually debuted four years earlier in 1981.
His debut single didn’t make much impact, but his second single, “Der Kommissar,” was a hit in his native Austria and across Europe.
Even after “Rock Me Amadeus,” he continued to score hits in his home country.