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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- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Hidden gems of Western music. Lesser-known songs.
- Recommended Summer Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic and Popular J-Pop Hits [2026]
Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (101–110)
When Doves CryPrince
A single cut from the 1984 album Purple Rain.
It was Prince’s first major hit, spending five consecutive weeks at number one on the charts and earning platinum status with over two million copies sold.
Despite its memorable riff, it’s experimental in that it repeats the same melody without a traditional chorus.
The breezy, beeping programmed sounds evoke the trends of the ’80s.
Even now, it sounds incredibly stylish—testament to a timeless talent.
Losing My ReligionR.E.M.
R.E.M., the legendary rock band that has had a global impact.
They formed in 1980 and disbanded in 2011, yet their popularity remains strong, and they continue to be widely respected by fans in the alternative rock scene today.
Among their works, the one I especially recommend for summer is Losing My Religion.
It’s alternative rock with a slightly dark, acoustic arrangement, and its deeply atmospheric melody makes it a perfect track to listen to on a late summer night.
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.
Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (111–120)
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.