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 (11–20)
Endless Summer NightsRichard Marx
From the assertive snap of the snare and the romantic tone of the saxophone right in the intro, this is a song that practically screams the ’80s.
It’s one of the signature tracks by American singer-songwriter Richard Marx, whose 1987 debut album, “Richard Marx,” became a sudden smash and catapulted him to stardom.
Released as a single from that debut in 1988, it was also a hit that reached No.
2 on the U.S.
Billboard chart.
The lyrics vividly portray a summer romance that never lasted, and anyone who’s had a similar experience will likely find themselves empathizing with the song’s protagonist.
It’s fresh and breezy, yet tinged with a certain melancholy—that bittersweet mix is part of its charm.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s massive hit with that gloriously flashy synth sound in the opening—80s to the max! Even the Japanese title “Suteki na Somebody” (literally “Lovely Somebody”), which really feels of its time, perfectly matches the vibe of the track.
Like “How Will I Know,” her first U.S.
No.
1, this one was also written by the husband-and-wife duo George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, resulting in a sparkling, danceable pop song.
Beyond her overwhelming vocal power, Whitney—still with a touch of innocence—beltedly asking “Won’t someone dance with me?” is just impossibly cute.
It’s not exactly a summer song, but with that memorable cover of Whitney in a tank top, it’s guaranteed to lift your spirits when you play it in the summer!
Hungry like the WolfDuran Duran
A dynamic dance tune that captures the feeling of a hunter hungry like a wolf, this track stands as a defining song of the early 1980s New Wave scene and still shines with undimmed appeal today.
Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, the lyrics thrillingly express fierce desire and primal impulses in love, while Simon Le Bon’s sensual vocals lend a taut tension to the entire piece.
Featured on the album Rio, it achieved global success—its innovative, adventure film–like music video, shot in Sri Lanka, became a hot topic on MTV and won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
With sparkling synths from the Roland Jupiter-8 and a funky groove, it’s the perfect track for a summer drive or a beach party!
Cum on Feel the NoizeQuiet Riot
Quiet Riot is one of the quintessential American hard rock bands of the 1980s and is also known as a leading act that helped drive the so-called LA metal boom.
Their history goes back a long way: the band originally formed in 1973 around Randy Rhoads, who would go on to be remembered as a legendary guitarist.
This track is a cover of a song by Slade, released as a single in July 1983 and included on their album Metal Health; it’s one of their signature songs.
It was featured in the film Footloose and the game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and it notably reached No.
5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With its irresistibly sing-along, catchy melody and tight sound perfect for the hot summer, it’s a thrilling number that captures the very essence of ’80s heavy metal!
Youth Gone WildSkid Row
The anthem included on Skid Row’s self-titled debut album, released in 1989 by the New Jersey–born band, is highly regarded as a song that perfectly embodies the rebellious spirit of 1980s hard rock.
With lyrics that sing of young people forging their own path free from society’s norms, powerful songwriting by Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Rachel Bolan, and Sebastian Bach’s passionate vocals, it stands as a masterpiece.
It reached No.
99 on the U.S.
Billboard chart and gained buzz through heavy rotation on MTV.
For those feeling worn out by rules and conventional wisdom in everyday life, the album’s thirst for freedom and raw energy is sure to resonate.
Ain’t NobodyRufus and Chaka Khan
An indispensable figure when discussing the funk scene of the 1980s, American singer Chaka Khan—hailed as the “Queen of Funk”—released this ultimate dance classic in 1983 as part of the band Rufus.
The song is a passionate love ballad that lays bare her feelings for a beloved, showcasing Chaka Khan’s overwhelming vocal prowess in full.
Its striking synthesizer phrase in the intro is unforgettable once heard, and it was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Breakin’.
Topping the U.S.
R&B chart and winning a Grammy, this timeless masterpiece continues to be loved across generations, perfectly suited for summer drives or special moments shared with a partner.
Need You TonightINXS
One of the signature works released in 1987 by INXS, the Australian band that wielded enormous influence in the dance-rock scene of the 1980s, this landmark track cemented their international success.
Seamlessly blending funk and rock, the song paints a sexy, urban nighttime scene, highlighted by Michael Hutchence’s sensual vocals.
At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, it won five categories including Video of the Year, and its innovative visual expression became a hot topic.
The electronic beat generated by the drum machine and the distinctive guitar riff feel great, creating an atmosphere perfect for summer night drives or sophisticated, grown-up moments.
Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates
The 1980s saw booms across a variety of genres.
Among them, the genre known as blue-eyed soul strongly reflected the musical sensibilities of the time and carried a distinctive mood.
Daryl Hall & John Oates were a duo emblematic of blue-eyed soul and gained worldwide popularity.
Their song “Private Eyes” is one of their classics, a piece that blends the adult ambiance of blue-eyed soul with a fresh, upbeat sound—making it a perfect melody for a summer night.
Let’s DanceDavid Bowie
Released in 1983 at the height of the disco boom, this track is the biggest hit of legendary British artist David Bowie’s career.
Produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic, it’s crafted as a dance number depicting a couple dancing under the moonlight.
On the surface it sounds romantic, but in reality it’s a deeper piece portraying people dancing while wearing the masks of life.
The guitar is played by the then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose bluesy playing adds a perfect edge to the song.
It’s a quintessential ’80s classic that makes you want to listen while strolling through the city on a summer night!
Into The GrooveMadonna
This song, which sings of a passion for the dance floor and a budding romance, is a hit released in July 1985 by Madonna, the American “Queen of Pop.” Created as an insert song for the film Desperately Seeking Susan, it’s a dance-pop masterpiece co-written with keyboardist Stephen Bray.
Its rhythmic sound, woven from synthesizers and drum machines, pairs with captivating lyrics that beckon listeners to the dance floor.
It spent four consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the UK charts, becoming her biggest hit in Britain.
It’s the perfect track for when you want to feel like you’re falling in love or to turn up the energy at a summer party.