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)
HallelujahHappy Mondays
A British rock band, affectionately known as “Hapiman.” It’s also well known that their name comes from New Order’s classic track “Blue Monday.” Their appeal lies in Shaun Ryder’s commanding vocals and their catchy dance-pop sound.
Love Will Tear Us ApartJoy Division
A song that thrived in the 1970s, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” was released in 1980, the year vocalist Ian Curtis died by suicide.
In the late phase of the 1970s punk boom, Joy Division were a band labeled post-punk, and 1980 was the year when a rock star who helped lead the ’70s passed away.
It’s a track that signals the dawn of the 1980s.
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.
Teen Age RiotSonic youth
One essential 1980s rock band is Sonic Youth.
Their musicality, artwork, and ideas had a tremendous impact on the rock band boom of the ’90s.
While they’re categorized as alternative rock, they also released many experimental tracks with a fresh spirit aimed at upending the alternative scene.
Perhaps that’s one reason their work never seems to lose its luster.
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.