1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
When it comes to the 1980s, it’s often called the “golden era” of Western rock music.
From the perspective of rock bands, it was a time when many veteran groups—still active today—made their debuts, and countless worldwide hits that went down in history were born.
This time, we’re spotlighting hit songs and classics by Western rock bands from that very 1980s!
Alongside energetic, quintessentially ’80s rock numbers and stadium-ready ballads, we’ve assembled a varied lineup that also reflects the era’s birth of the so-called New Wave—unbound by traditional rock—and the alternative rock that would lead into the 1990s.
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[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Famous and Hit Songs (111–120)
Karma ChameleonCulture Club
This is a signature song by the British new wave band Culture Club led by Boy George.
It was included on the 1983 album Colour by Numbers and released as a single.
In Japan, Boy George’s visual style and the fact that he is gay, combined with the lyric “Karma, karma, karma, karma,” have together made the song completely associated with okama (a camp/effeminate gay stereotype).
[1980s] Masterpieces and hit songs by legendary Western rock bands (121–130)
Walk Of LifeDire Straits
A song by Dire Straits, who were active from the 1970s through the 1990s and enjoyed worldwide popularity for their unique musical style that added originality to roots music.
Released as the fourth single from their fifth album, Brothers in Arms—known as their biggest hit with sales exceeding 30 million copies—the track hooks you with an arrangement that’s catchy yet distinctly apart from the trends of the time.
Its light, exhilarating sound still feels irresistibly addictive even today.
It’s a number that, while pop, carries a unique sense of melancholy—one that makes Dire Straits’ lasting popularity easy to understand.
EpicFaith No More
Faith No More is an American band that rose to popularity from the late 1980s to the 1990s, presenting a genre-defying sound rooted in funk metal and crossover influences.
After the eccentric Mike Patton joined as vocalist, their third album, The Real Thing, released in 1989, became a major hit.
The track Epic from that album is a classic: its rap-style verses, melodic chorus, and funky groove are unbelievably cool.
Later released as a single, it climbed to No.
9 on the Billboard charts.
Serving as a kind of bridge to 1990s alternative rock, it’s a must-listen if you haven’t heard it yet.
Our Lips Are SealedFun Boy Three
Terry Hall, the vocalist of The Specials—a quintessential 2 Tone ska band—sadly passed away in December 2022.
After leaving the band, he formed a new group called Fun Boy Three.
At the time, the UK had many rock musicians who were producing sounds influenced by Black music such as funk, and Fun Boy Three was very much part of that trend.
Although their active period was less than two years, the albums they released were commercially successful.
Our Lips Are Sealed was co-written by Jane Wiedlin, guitarist of the Go-Go’s, and Terry Hall, and is known for having been released in separate versions by both artists—both of which became hits.
Once In A LifetimeTalking Heads
Talking Heads, a band that thrived during the early-1980s New Wave boom.
Their track “Once in a Lifetime” is famous for featuring ambient musician Brian Eno as producer.
Perhaps thanks to Eno’s influence, long, ambient-like tones are woven throughout, creating the song’s powerful impact.
Personally, I think the music video is fantastic as well, and highly recommend watching it.
Should I Stay Or Should I GoThe Clash
The Clash, the punk band famous for that striking album cover of smashing a guitar and a forerunner of the 1970s punk boom.
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go” is a 1982 track from the later period of their career, and rather than being just a hard-hitting punk song, its laid-back performance is also a highlight.
The Queen Is DeadThe Smiths
The Smiths’ signature song, “The Queen Is Dead,” by the British band led by Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
The track appears on their third, self-titled album released in 1986.
The Smiths are regarded as a band that greatly influenced the alternative boom that would emerge in the 1990s.