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 (71–80)
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.
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.
The Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (’81–’90)
Round and RoundRatt
RATT, known as a band that epitomized the ’80s glam metal scene with their striking looks and advanced musicianship.
This track from their 1984 debut album “Out of the Cellar” became a major hit with its catchy riffs and memorable chorus, reaching No.
12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The lyrics, themed around love, heartbreak, and the cycles of life, resonated with many listeners and are etched into memories alongside summer moments.
Featured in films like “The Wrestler” and the TV series “Stranger Things,” the song has remained beloved for years.
It’s the perfect pick to amp up an energetic vibe—whether on a summer drive or at a BBQ with friends.
I’m So ExcitedThe Pointer Sisters
A pop-groove track released in 1982 by the American R&B group The Pointer Sisters.
It became a hit in the United States and various European countries.
The track has been featured in many films, including Summer Lovers.
Goin’ CrazyDavid Lee Roth
From the very first seconds, the hard rock sound explodes, and David Lee Roth’s uniquely energetic vocals leave a strong impression! This is one of the signature tracks from the new band Roth formed with guitarist Steve Vai and others after leaving Van Halen.
It was released in September 1986 as the second single from the album “Eat ’Em and Smile.” Blending hard rock with glam metal, it also drew attention for its music video, which showcased Roth’s trademark humor and flamboyant theatrics, and it reached No.
66 on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100.
It’s a thrilling rock number you’ll want to blast at full volume on a hot summer day with your mind switched off!
Straight UpPaula Abdul
Paula Abdul, an American artist who revolutionized the late-’80s dance-pop scene.
Having first found success as a choreographer, she released her debut album Forever Your Girl in 1988, and its third single became a landmark work that would define her musical career.
Its sound—an adroit blend of New Jack Swing and funk—stands out alongside lyrics that candidly express the complexities of romance.
The black-and-white music video, directed by David Fincher, featured Abdul’s own sophisticated choreography and became a sensation, winning four awards at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.
The song topped the Billboard chart for three consecutive weeks and became a global smash, reaching the top 10 in more than 16 countries.
A perfect pick for your midsummer playlist!