[For Beginners] Classic LA Metal Anthems: A Roundup of the Most Popular Standards

In the United States during the 1980s, many bands emerged that combined a distinctive sound adding glamorous elements to heavy metal with flashy looks; these bands came to be known as glam metal or hair metal.

In Japan, those bands—especially the ones from Los Angeles—were given a unique label: “LA metal,” and they had a major impact on the Japanese metal scene.

The soundscape woven by powerful guitar riffs, lyrical melodies, and soaring high-pitched vocals continues to captivate many listeners even today.

This time, we’ll introduce classic songs that are perfect for learning about the history and allure of LA metal.

Playlist

[For Beginners] Classic LA Metal Anthems: A Roundup of the Most Popular Standards
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Round And RoundRatt		Ratt’s signature hit from 1984
2	18 And LifeSkid Row		A song themed around a boy's shooting incident
3	Turn up the RadioAutograph		Autograph's 1984 hit song
4	High EnoughDamn Yankees		Damn Yankees’ debut single
5	Cherry PieWarrant		Warrant’s classic song “Cherry Pie”
6	Rock MeGreat White		Introduction to Great White’s signature works
7	Somebody Save MeCinderella		Expressing a yearning for freedom through Cinderella’s iconic song
8	Nothin’ But A Good TimePoison		Poison's party rock song
9	Fly To The AngelsSlaughter		Slaughter: Global Hit Song Requiem
10	In My DreamsDokken		Dokken’s feelings for his lover in a dream
11	Dr. FeelgoodMötley Crüe		Motley Crue’s signature song “Dr. Feelgood”
12	I Wanna Be SomebodyW.A.S.P.		Wasp's debut song succeeds and gives courage
13	To Hell With The DevilStryper		A metal masterpiece singing the resolve to defeat the devil
14	Hold on to 18Black ‘n Blue		A song that expresses youthful impulses and a thirst for freedom
15	Rock and Roll (Is Gonna Set the Night on Fire)Pretty Boy Floyd		Signature song of Pretty Boy Floyd
16	Cum On Feel The NoizeQuiet Riot		Quiet Riot’s 80s metal party song
17	Never EnoughL.A. Guns		L.A. Guns' highly addictive masterpiece
18	Give ‘Em the AxeLizzy Borden		Lizzie Borden's Shocking Debut Song
19	Never Gonna DieRough Cutt		Rough Cut: Indomitable Spirit Power Rock
20	Poison IvyFaster Pussycat		The addictive rock of Faster Pussycat
21	Kickstart My HeartMötley Crüe		1989 single by Mötley Crüe
22	ThunderbirdQuiet Riot		Quiet Riot mourns late guitarist
23	Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses		Guns N’ Roses’ 1988 single
24	Babylons BurningW.A.S.P.		Biblical songs by W.A.S.P.
25	HonestlyStryper		A classic Christian metal song that sings of God's love
26	The Last MileCinderella		A song released by Cinderella in 1989
27	HeavenWarrant		A heavenly love ballad by Warrant
28	Don’t Close Your EyesKix		Kix's classic power ballad
29	When The Children CryWhite Lion		White Lion's biggest hit song
30	Kiss Me DeadlyLita Ford		Lita Ford’s signature song from 1988
31	PanamaVan Halen		Van Halen 1984 single song
32	House Of PainFaster Pussycat		the band's only Top 40 chart hit
33	You Give Love A Bad NameBon Jovi		Bon Jovi's 1986 single
34	Lick It UpKISS		Kiss 1983 single
35	Talk Dirty To MePoison		Poison's first hit song, released in 1987
36	The PriceTwisted Sister		Things sacrificed to achieve the goal
37	Dream WarriorsDokken		Dream Warriors movie theme song
38	The Ballad Of JayneL.A. Guns		L.A. Guns album Jayne Mansfield
39	House Of Broken LoveGreat White		Great White 1989 hit song
40	SeventeenWinger		Winger's earliest biggest hit
41	Crazy BitchBuckcherry		Backcherry 2006 single song