Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
When it comes to the music scene of the ’80s, it’s often said that here in Japan, Western music was at its most dazzling, and the era produced countless hit songs that remain vivid in both memory and record.
With the disco boom, the spread of synthesizers that brought glittering, flashy sounds, and the visual strategies built around music videos following the birth of MTV, a succession of legendary superstars emerged.
In this article, we’ve focused on summer hits from the ’80s, while also weaving in tracks with a summery feel and timeless songs that seem perfect for listening to in the summer.
For those who lived through the era, it’s nostalgic; for younger listeners, it’s fresh.
Enjoy this selection of hits!
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Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (91–100)
Sunshine ReggaeLaid Back
Laid Back definitely falls into the so-called one-hit wonder category.
They’re a duo from Denmark.
In the ’80s they vanished after this single song, but it’s a great track that’s perfect for listening to lazily under the blazing sun.
And the two middle-aged guys’ voices are so gentle.
Down UnderMen At Work
Men at Work are one of the quintessential Australian rock bands of the 1980s.
While they’re a rock band, their sound leans more toward new wave, and every one of their songs brims with a striking individuality.
Among their catalog, a track that’s especially perfect for summer is Down Under.
One of the styles they’d later be known for—reggae rock—was already emerging at this point, giving the song a relaxed yet groovy feel, while retaining the distinctive character typical of new wave.
Give it a spin as your summer driving music.
Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley
Rick Astley’s timeless hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” became a global sensation.
It’s so famous that most people have probably heard it at least once.
There’s even an Instagram Live filter that re-creates the music video, and many younger people might know the song from that.
Musically, it’s grounded in synth-pop, which was mainstream in the 1980s.
Synth-pop is also trending again in the 2020s.
If you want to explore the latest in synth-pop with a nod to the past, this song is a great place to start.
Steal AwayRobbie Dupree
A sweet love song by lovers singing, “Let’s sneak out at night, just the two of us.” From the intro, romance is in full bloom.
Robbie Dupree, from Brooklyn.
His debut album was even nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
The Japanese title is “A Night for Just the Two of Us.”
Dressed For SuccessRoxette
A track released as a single in 1988 by the Swedish rock duo Roxette.
It became a hit around the world, reaching No.
2 on the Swedish charts, and was certified Platinum in Australia.
Don’t Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project is the project of Alan Parsons, who made his name as an engineer on works by mega-acts like The Beatles and Pink Floyd and also found success as a solo musician.
The song being introduced here, “Don’t Answer Me,” is a track they released in 1984 that became a hit.
It strikes a remarkable balance: while it features a conceptual sound crafted with the meticulous production techniques he honed behind the scenes, it remains highly accessible.
With its refreshing melody and pleasing choral work, it’s like a model pop song; yet combined with its bitter-end lyrics, the songwriting’s subtle sense of poignancy and melancholy is striking.
It’s a classic you might deliberately choose to listen to alone at the end of summer.
We Got The BeatThe Go-Go’s
An energetic track from The Go-Go’s that dominated the rock scene of the 1980s.
Featured on their debut album Beauty and the Beat, it was also released as a stand-alone single in 1981.
Marked by its rhythmic drumbeat and catchy guitar riffs, it’s brimming with the kind of appeal that electrifies the dance floor.
The lyrics vividly depict young people dancing to the music and having fun late into the night, perfectly capturing the liberating spirit of summer.
It’s also famous for being used in the opening of the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
With a timeless charm, it remains a perfect song to play on hot summer nights when you’re heading out for a drive with friends.
Suddenly Last SummerThe Motels
This is a 1983 hit song with a Japanese title that evokes the scent of the ’80s: “Omoide no Last Summer.” The Motels, formed in California in the 1970s and led by vocalist Martha Davis—known for her mysterious allure and languid delivery—were a new wave band that scored their biggest successes in the ’80s.
Still sporadically active in the 2020s, they landed two Top 10 hits on the U.S.
charts during their peak decade, and the song introduced here is one of them.
Its restrained arrangement leaves a strong impression, and it carries a distinctly grown-up atmosphere—a genuine classic.
If you have an unforgettable summer memory, why not play this track as your background music and let your thoughts drift back with nostalgia to those days that can never return?
Under The BoardwalkBette Midler
An insert song from the moving film “Forever Friends,” which depicts a 30-year friendship between two women.
It’s sung by the star, Bette Midler.
By the way, in this film, the actress who plays Midler’s character as a child is Mayim Bialik, known for her role as the nerdy girl Amy in the popular overseas TV series “The Big Bang Theory.”
Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin
Suddenly, but what kind of image do you have of summer? Many people probably picture events like the beach or the pool.
However, some may imagine enjoying a relaxing summer while lying on a sunbed.
For those people, I recommend the piece “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It’s a classic by jazz singer Bobby McFerrin, and it’s a very rare song in which every sound is created solely with his voice.
Its laid-back sound will set the mood for a chill summer moment.