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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!

Playlist

Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Every Breath You TakeThe Police
Every Breath You TakeThe Policeplay_arrow
A beautiful s... that everyone has heard at least once
2Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauper
Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauperplay_arrow
Announced retirement from tours in 2024, 20…
3Summer Of ‘69Bryan Adams
Summer Of ‘69Bryan Adamsplay_arrow
A major star born in Canada, and in 2020...
4The Boys of SummerDon Henley
The Boys of SummerDon Henleyplay_arrow
The legendary band that will go down in rock history, the Eagles’ dra…
5JumpVan Halen
JumpVan Halenplay_arrow
A representative of hard rock and heavy metal...
6La Isla BonitaMadonna
La Isla BonitaMadonnaplay_arrow
They were enormously active from the 1980s through the 1990s…
7SummertimeFun Boy Three
SummertimeFun Boy Threeplay_arrow
Britain’s representative pop band, Funbo…
8Hungry like the WolfDuran Duran
Hungry like the WolfDuran Duranplay_arrow
A dynamic portrayal of a hunter’s mood, ravenous like a wolf...
9PanamaVan Halen
PanamaVan Halenplay_arrow
A powerful guitar riff that leaps into your ears...
10VacationThe Go-Go’s
VacationThe Go-Go'splay_arrow
A pioneering all-female band...
11Endless Summer NightsRichard Marx
Endless Summer NightsRichard Marxplay_arrow
A assertive snare resonance and a romantic sa...
12CongaMiami Sound Machine
CongaMiami Sound Machineplay_arrow
Speaking of Latin disco from the ’80s, Glo...
13I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houston
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)Whitney Houstonplay_arrow
The flashy synth sound in the opening...
14Need You TonightINXS
Need You TonightINXSplay_arrow
In the dance-rock scene of the 1980s, abs...
15Cum on Feel the NoizeQuiet Riot
Cum on Feel the NoizeQuiet Riotplay_arrow
The ... of 1980s American hard rock
16Youth Gone WildSkid Row
Youth Gone WildSkid Rowplay_arrow
A skit from the U.S. state of New Jersey…
17Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates
Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oatesplay_arrow
The 1980s saw booms across a variety of genres…
18Let’s DanceDavid Bowie
Let's DanceDavid Bowieplay_arrow
In 1983, when the disco boom was in full swing, Lily...
19Ain’t NobodyRufus and Chaka Khan
Ain't NobodyRufus and Chaka Khanplay_arrow
It's impossible to talk about the funk scene of the '80s without mentioning...
20Into The GrooveMadonna
Into The GrooveMadonnaplay_arrow
This song, which sings of a passion for the dance floor and a budding romance, is a mas…
21Hot Summer NightsMiami Sound Machine
Hot Summer NightsMiami Sound Machineplay_arrow
In the Western music scene of the 1980s, the most “...
22Our Last SummerABBA
Our Last SummerABBAplay_arrow
Everyone must have some memories related to summer. Tho…
23ShoutTears for Fears
ShoutTears for Fearsplay_arrow
Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith...
24Karma ChameleonCulture Club
Karma ChameleonCulture Clubplay_arrow
The British band that gained worldwide popularity in the 1980s…
25RosannaTOTO
RosannaTOTOplay_arrow
Released in 1982 by Toto...
26RioDuran Duran
RioDuran Duranplay_arrow
Combining outstanding looks with advanced musicality, ...
27Long Hot SummerThe Style Council
Long Hot SummerThe Style Councilplay_arrow
The British rock band, The Style Coun...
28Summertime RollsJane’s Addiction
Summertime RollsJane’s Addictionplay_arrow
R.E.M and Red Hot Chili Pepp...
29Dirty DianaMichael Jackson
Dirty DianaMichael Jacksonplay_arrow
A song about a woman at a concert or club...
30Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes
Bette Davis EyesKim Carnesplay_arrow
Donna Weiss and Jackie D…
31Cold HeartedPaula Abdul
Cold HeartedPaula Abdulplay_arrow
An American singer who colored the 80s, P…
32If You Don’t Know Me By NowSimply Red
If You Don't Know Me By NowSimply Redplay_arrow
Originally, Kenny Gamble and Leo…
33Lonely Summer NightsStray cats
Lonely Summer NightsStray catsplay_arrow
Stray Cats, the ’81 “goin’ D…
34KokomoThe Beach Boys
KokomoThe Beach Boysplay_arrow
When it comes to summer, this band—the legendary Beach Bo...
35Eyes Without A FaceBilly Idol
Eyes Without A FaceBilly Idolplay_arrow
B… is a British rock musician...
36Like A PrayerMadonna
Like A PrayerMadonnaplay_arrow
Lily by Madonna in 1989…
37Summer NightsVan Halen
Summer NightsVan Halenplay_arrow
Van Halen’s seventh album, released in ’86…
38Club TropicanaWham!
Club TropicanaWham!play_arrow
George, a pop star representing the United Kingdom...
39On The BeachChris Rae
On The BeachChris Raeplay_arrow
From their home country of the UK, as an AOR artist…
40MagicOlivia Newton-John
MagicOlivia Newton-Johnplay_arrow
The movie Xanadu, released in 1980…
41CherishKool and The Gang
CherishKool and The Gangplay_arrow
With seagull cries and the sound of waves playing as sound effects, a sorrowf...
42Walking On SunshineKatrina and The Waves
Walking On SunshineKatrina and The Wavesplay_arrow
He was originally the guitarist for The Soft Boys...
43Papa Don’t PreachMadonna
Papa Don’t PreachMadonnaplay_arrow
The album “To…” released in 1986
44south_eastCold HeartedPaula Abdul
Cold HeartedPaula Abdulplay_arrow
Paula Ab..., an American singer
45GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.
GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.play_arrow
Ghost, a film that has been loved for many years...
46ManiacMichael Sembello
ManiacMichael Sembelloplay_arrow
American singer-songwriter Mi...
47Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield
Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfieldplay_arrow
Handsome singer from Australia, Ri…
48Self ControlLaura Branigan
Self ControlLaura Braniganplay_arrow
The Brooklyn-born singer, Laura Branigan…
49Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencamp
Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencampplay_arrow
John Mellencamp's Hurt…
50Don’t You Want MeThe Human League
Don’t You Want MeThe Human Leagueplay_arrow
The heyday of British synth-pop was, with this song, a...
51Sea Of LoveRobert Plant
Sea Of LoveRobert Plantplay_arrow
Former Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robe…
52Goin’ CrazyDavid Lee Roth
Goin' CrazyDavid Lee Rothplay_arrow
A hard rock sound that explodes right from the intro...
53Caribbean QueenBilly Ocean
Caribbean QueenBilly Oceanplay_arrow
He broke through with the 1984 album Suddenly...
54There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)Eurythmics
There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)Eurythmicsplay_arrow
Sung about happiness through love and pure joy...
55Forever YoungAlphaville
Forever YoungAlphavilleplay_arrow
A song about the virtues of youth and the fear of aging and death...
56Little JeannieElton John
Little JeannieElton Johnplay_arrow
In 1980 by Elton John...
57Summer’s HereJames Taylor
Summer’s HereJames Taylorplay_arrow
As a song that makes you feel the arrival of summer, “Summe…”
58Danger ZoneKenny Loggins
Danger ZoneKenny Logginsplay_arrow
In the Western music scene of the 1980s, the most “...
59Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield
Jessie's GirlRIck Springfieldplay_arrow
Australian singer Rick …
60Take On Mea-ha
Take On Mea-haplay_arrow
The genre that gained the most popularity in the 1980s and…
61The One That You LoveAir Supply
The One That You LoveAir Supplyplay_arrow
A soft rock group from Australia…
62Just Like ParadiseDavid Lee Roth
Just Like ParadiseDavid Lee Rothplay_arrow
The 80s, draped in the glittering atmosphere of summer…
63Wild Summer NightsEddie&The Cruisers
Wild Summer NightsEddie&The Cruisersplay_arrow
『Wild Summer Nights』…
64If This Is ItHuey Lewis & The News
If This Is ItHuey Lewis & The Newsplay_arrow
An American band that represents the ’80s, and...
65south_eastHurts So GoodJohn Mellencamp
Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencampplay_arrow
An American singer-songwriter...
66Summer FunThe Barracudas
Summer FunThe Barracudasplay_arrow
The Barracudas, in 1979...
67Permanent VacationAerosmith
Permanent VacationAerosmithplay_arrow
In 1987, Geffen Records…
68It’s Still Rock & Roll to MeBilly Joel
It’s Still Rock & Roll to MeBilly Joelplay_arrow
Speaking of 1980, a new wave emerged in the music world...
69High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)Def Leppard
High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night)Def Leppardplay_arrow
A hard rock band from Sheffield, England...
70Straight UpPaula Abdul
Straight UpPaula Abdulplay_arrow
A revolution in the late-80s dance-pop scene…
71The Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News
The Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The Newsplay_arrow
The band H…, based in San Francisco
72Cruel SummerBananarama
Cruel SummerBananaramaplay_arrow
This woman with the distinctive name Bananarama...
73You Give Love A Bad NameBon Jovi
You Give Love A Bad NameBon Joviplay_arrow
Not just in America, but the world’s hard roc…
74Coming UpPaul McCartney
Coming UpPaul McCartneyplay_arrow
By Paul McCartney in 19…
75south_eastComing UpPaul McCartney
Coming UpPaul McCartneyplay_arrow
The legendary rock band, The Beatles…
76Eye Of The TigerSurvivor
Eye Of The TigerSurvivorplay_arrow
Everyone’s familiar with Survivor’s “Eye …”
77KissPrince & The Revolution
KissPrince & The Revolutionplay_arrow
Beautifully blurring the line between funk and pop...
78Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!
Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!play_arrow
Wham, the duo that’s hugely popular in Japan as well. Speaking of Wham...
79I’m So ExcitedThe Pointer Sisters
I'm So ExcitedThe Pointer Sistersplay_arrow
The P... is an American R&B group.
80Hot In The CityBilly Idol
Hot In The CityBilly Idolplay_arrow
In the 70s, positioned as the younger brother of the Sex Pistols, and...
81Summer RainBelinda Carlisle
Summer RainBelinda Carlisleplay_arrow
After leaving the Go-Go’s, Be… has been active as a solo artist.
82Under The BoardwalkBette Midler
Under The BoardwalkBette Midlerplay_arrow
A moving portrayal of a 30-year friendship between two women.
83Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin
Don't Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrinplay_arrow
Suddenly, but what kind of image do you have of summer…
84Dancing In the DarkBruce Springsteen
Dancing In the DarkBruce Springsteenplay_arrow
Primarily active in pop rock and heartland rock…
85The FlameCheap Trick
The FlameCheap Trickplay_arrow
Originally a British singer, Elki…
86Never SurrenderCorey Hart
Never SurrenderCorey Hartplay_arrow
Canadian singer Corey Har...
87Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard
Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppardplay_arrow
An ear-catching guitar riff and an unforgettable chorus...
88Rhythm Of The NightDeBarge
Rhythm Of The NightDeBargeplay_arrow
A dance classic that evokes the summers of the ’80s…
89Let’s Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams
Let's Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williamsplay_arrow
An urban dance classic overflowing with exhilaration...
90Upside DownDiana Ross
Upside DownDiana Rossplay_arrow
Singer Dia from Detroit, USA…
91Walk Of LifeDire Straits
Walk Of LifeDire Straitsplay_arrow
The legendary rock band from the United Kingdom, Da...
92Sunset GrillDon Henley
Sunset GrillDon Henleyplay_arrow
No explanation is needed at this point, but the Eagles’ dra...
93Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)Eurythmicsplay_arrow
A charismatic duo in the UK synth-pop scene…
94Paradise CityGuns N’ Roses
Paradise CityGuns N' Rosesplay_arrow
An American who churned out hit songs in the 1980s...
95Flashdance… What A FeelingIrene Cara
Flashdance… What A FeelingIrene Caraplay_arrow
The 1983 film “Flashdance…”
96Sealed With A KissJason Donovan
Sealed With A KissJason Donovanplay_arrow
Originally from Australia. Active since childhood as a child actor, …
97Crazy Crazy NightsKISS
Crazy Crazy NightsKISSplay_arrow
Speaking of a rousing song that colored the summers of the ’80s,…
98LambadaKaoma
LambadaKaomaplay_arrow
In the late 1980s, buoyed by the booming bubble economy...
99Sunshine ReggaeLaid Back
Sunshine ReggaeLaid Backplay_arrow
The so-called one-hit wonder…
100All Night LongLionel Richie
All Night LongLionel Richieplay_arrow
Not only in Black music but also in popular...
101FunkytownLipps Inc
FunkytownLipps Incplay_arrow
The disco hit that took the world by storm in 1980...
102La BambaLos Lobos
La BambaLos Lobosplay_arrow
Originally popular at weddings and other celebratory occasions…
103Down UnderMen At Work
Down UnderMen At Workplay_arrow
A leading representative of Australia in the 1980s, Ro...
104PhysicalOlivia Newton-John
PhysicalOlivia Newton-Johnplay_arrow
Olivia Newton-Johnによ…
105Nothin’ But A Good TimePoison
Nothin' But A Good TimePoisonplay_arrow
An energetic ... that blows away the summer heat.
106When Doves CryPrince
When Doves CryPrinceplay_arrow
The 1984 album “Purpl…
107Losing My ReligionR.E.M.
Losing My ReligionR.E.M.play_arrow
A legendary rock band that had a global impact...
108Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley
Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astleyplay_arrow
Rick Astley, who achieved a global smash hit...
109Steal AwayRobbie Dupree
Steal AwayRobbie Dupreeplay_arrow
Singing, “Let’s sneak out together at night, just the two of us…”
110Dressed For SuccessRoxette
Dressed For SuccessRoxetteplay_arrow
Rox…, a Swedish rock duo
111Don’t Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Project
Don't Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Projectplay_arrow
The Alan Parsons Project is Bee...
112We Got The BeatThe Go-Go’s
We Got The BeatThe Go-Go'splay_arrow
Th… who dominated the rock scene of the 1980s
113Suddenly Last SummerThe Motels
Suddenly Last SummerThe Motelsplay_arrow
An '80s film called 'One Last Summer of Memories'…
114Your LoveThe Outfield
Your LoveThe Outfieldplay_arrow
Based in London, England, and highly regarded around the world...
115Summer GirlsY&T
Summer GirlsY&Tplay_arrow
A hard rock band from California…
116Turn Up the RadioAutograph
Turn Up the RadioAutographplay_arrow
This song, known as a hit from the 1980s...
117SacrificeElton John
SacrificeElton Johnplay_arrow
The painful lyrics depicting a breakup between a man and a woman are striking…
118You Belong to the CityGlenn Frey
You Belong to the CityGlenn Freyplay_arrow
Don Henley, a fellow member of the Eagles…
119Stone In LoveJourney
Stone In LoveJourneyplay_arrow
That nostalgic summer night is calling me—what should I do…
120School’s OutKrokus
School’s OutKrokusplay_arrow
A Swiss-born ha—who rose to popularity in the 1980s...
121Toy SoldiersMartika
Toy SoldiersMartikaplay_arrow
A track that sings about drug addiction. A…
122SledgehammerPeter Gabriel
SledgehammerPeter Gabrielplay_arrow
Hailing from the UK, the legendary rock band Gen…
123Love ShackThe B-52’s
Love ShackThe B-52’splay_arrow
The moment that singing voice hit my ears, I sudde...
124Summer of LoveThe B-52’s
Summer of LoveThe B-52’splay_arrow
Known for a pop sound that uses keyboards...
125MagicThe Cars
MagicThe Carsplay_arrow
The Cars’ fifth album, Heartbeat…
126What’s Love Got To Do With ItTina Turner
What's Love Got To Do With ItTina Turnerplay_arrow
Black music with a rock flavor…
127It’s Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel
It's Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joelplay_arrow
In 1980 by Billy Joel…
128SailingChristopher Cross
SailingChristopher Crossplay_arrow
Speaking of the leading and quintessential figure in AOR, …
129Don’t Stop BelievinJourney
Don't Stop BelievinJourneyplay_arrow
Gaining immense popularity in the rock scene of the 1980s...
130Round and RoundRatt
Round and RoundRattplay_arrow
Combining outstanding looks with advanced musicality, ...
131Roll With ItSteve Winwood
Roll With ItSteve Winwoodplay_arrow
A perfect love song for summer—and even a cheer anthem...