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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- Hidden gems of Western music. Lesser-known songs.
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Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (101–110)
The FlameCheap Trick
A track originally produced for Elkie Brooks, a British singer.
It sings about a love that burns brightly.
Released by Cheap Trick in 1987, it reached No.
1 on the charts in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard
This song features an ear-catching guitar riff and an unforgettable chorus that delivers a refreshing sensation, as if blowing away the summer heat.
It’s included on the 1987 album Hysteria and achieved major success, peaking at No.
2 on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100.
The lyrics symbolically depict a sensual experience, sparking the listener’s imagination.
Combined with Joe Elliott’s powerful vocals, it’s a track that lets you fully savor the liberating feeling of summer.
It’s perfect for listening to on a hot summer night while driving with friends.
Ideal not only for classic rock fans but also for anyone looking for energetic music.
Rhythm Of The NightDeBarge
When it comes to dance classics and urban soul anthems that capture the feel of a summer in the ’80s, DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night” immediately comes to mind! Signed to the legendary Motown label, this family group—so popular at the time that they were often compared to the Jacksons—released the song in 1985.
It became a refreshing, feel-good hit not only in the U.S.
but around the world.
With a “funk-latina” vibe where funk and Latin-flavored rhythms intertwine beautifully, the high, clear-toned vocals deliver a wonderfully poppy performance—pure exhilaration.
The impeccable family-group harmonies are another highlight.
As a side note, the track was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2016 Ghostbusters remake.
Let’s Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams
A refreshing urban dance classic makes its appearance! Denise Williams’s vocals blow away the summer heat in this track.
Its lyrics, which honestly express feelings for a loved one, resonate with listeners.
Released in April 1984, the song was also featured on the Footloose soundtrack and became a major hit.
Issued as a single from the album Let’s Hear It for the Boy, it reached No.
1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Shimmering synths and a lively beat fully evoke the 1980s vibe.
It’s a perfect tune for active moments like summer drives or BBQs with friends.
Walk Of LifeDire Straits
Dire Straits, the legendary rock band from the UK.
While they found success in the pop scene, they never chased trends and stayed true to their own musical identity.
That commitment is why they’re still highly regarded today.
One of their classic tracks is Walk of Life.
The song has a rockabilly-like feel, making it perfect for situations like listening during a summer night barbecue.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)Eurythmics
This is the song Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, the charismatic duo of the British synth-pop scene.
It was included on the self-titled album released in 1983.
Major artists like Avicii and Marilyn Manson have released covers of it.
Even in different eras, something about the song must have resonated with them.
It has had a tremendous influence on many musicians.
And Annie Lennox—also known for her activism—delivers a powerful vocal performance that is undeniably captivating.
It’s a highly addictive track.
Paradise CityGuns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses is a hard rock band from the United States that racked up hit after hit in the 1980s and remains hugely popular in Japan.
They’ve released numerous classic songs, and among them, the one I especially recommend is Paradise City.
It’s a track from their 1987 debut album, Appetite for Destruction, and it was released as a single in November of the following year thanks to its exceptional quality.
At 6 minutes and 46 seconds, it’s a long song, but every phrase is crafted with such detail that you never get bored with its progression.
It stands as one of the finest works in the history of hard rock, so if you love rock music, be sure to check it out.
Sealed With A KissJason Donovan
Born in Australia.
Active since childhood as a child actor, and became an idol in her teens.
In the 1980s, she became popular in Japan through a duet with Kylie Minogue.
This song is an oldies number known in Japan as “Namida no Kuchizuke” (Tears of a Kiss).
Many artists, including Brian Hyland and The Lettermen, have covered it.
LambadaKaoma
In the late 1980s, amid Japan’s booming bubble economy, a massive craze swept the country: lambada, the dance and music said to have originated in South America.
The excitement was so great that in 1990 a film themed around lambada, titled “Lambada/Heat of Youth,” was released, giving you an idea of just how big the phenomenon was.
Composed of passionate Latin rhythms and a sensual partner dance, lambada is the very image of midsummer.
A representative song on the musical side of this trend is “Lambada,” released in 1989 by Kaoma, a multinational band from France.
For those who spent their youth during the bubble era, it likely remains a treasured summer memory.
All Night LongLionel Richie
Lionel Richie is a singer-songwriter and pop star who achieved extraordinary success not only in Black music but in the history of popular music as a whole.
Originally active with the group the Commodores, Lionel showcased not only his sweet, velvety vocals but also his talent as a composer, providing songs to other artists and earning high acclaim.
After going solo, he released his second album, Can’t Slow Down, in 1983, which became a massive hit—and it includes All Night Long (All Night).
This track topped the U.S.
charts and is an upbeat, danceable pop tune perfect for energizing midsummer parties.
The percussion with a world music feel and the lyrics that sound like they’re in an African language make it a pure joy to listen to.