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.
- 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 (111–120)
Turn Up the RadioAutograph
Known as a hit from the ’80s, this song centers on breaking free from everyday life in search of a balance between work and play.
As the lyric “turn up the radio” symbolizes, it’s a refreshing number that fully highlights the liberating power of music.
Included on the debut album Sign In Please, released in 1984, it reached No.
29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of the following year.
Boosted by heavy rotation on MTV, it became widely recognized as the band’s signature track.
It remains hugely popular today, even featuring in the opening of the film Hot Tub Time Machine.
It’s a perfect song for a summer drive or blowing off steam after work.
The energetic vocals and guitar sound are sure to get your heart racing.
SacrificeElton John
The song “Sacrifice,” known for its poignant lyrics about the breakup of a man and a woman, is a classic by Elton John, one of the United Kingdom’s most renowned singer-songwriters.
Released in 1989, it became his first song to reach number one on the UK charts and was a worldwide hit.
It features his signature blend of catchy yet laid-back sound.
For that reason, it’s recommended for those who want to spend the summer with a relaxed track.
You Belong to the CityGlenn Frey
If fellow Eagles member Don Henley’s summer song is “The Boys of Summer,” then Glenn Frey’s signature summer number would be “You Belong to the City.” Written specifically for the 1980s smash-hit crime drama Miami Vice, it was included on the show’s soundtrack and also became a hit single, reaching No.
2 on the U.S.
Billboard chart.
It’s an urban AOR track you can enjoy for its evocative, romantic saxophone, and Glenn’s wistful vocals are superb.
Put on this mellow, urbane song—steeped in adult sophistication—while you’re driving, and you might just feel like a dashing man spending a hot summer in Miami, at least in spirit.
Stone In LoveJourney
A song that stirs nostalgia for our younger days, as if those fond summer nights are calling, reminding us of how hopelessly in love we were.
When it comes to Journey, this album is the one—taken from Escape, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
It’s a quintessentially Journey track: edgy, catchy, and full of punch.
School’s OutKrokus
A hard rock band from Switzerland that was popular in the ’80s.
The original is Alice Cooper’s hit tune from ’79.
It’s a cheerful song that proclaims, “We don’t need no textbooks, no classes, no teachers! It’s summer vacation, so goodbye to school!” You often hear it used in school-themed horror movies.