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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- [Western Music] Summer songs that were hits in the ’90s: Recommended classics and popular tracks
- Summer songs from Western music that were hits in the 2000s
- 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 (91–100)
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.”