Cool, popular Western hit songs that are highly regarded

Englishman In New YorkSting

Sting – Englishman In New York

Sting’s 1987 album Nothing Like the Sun includes the song Englishman in New York.

While it wasn’t a major hit at the time, it is now regarded as a classic.

Sting has stated that the “Englishman” in the lyrics was modeled on Quentin Crisp, who publicly came out as gay.

In New York at the time, discrimination against gay people like him was still strong.

The lyrics convey messages about loneliness and about getting through life with dignity and courtesy.

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Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve

The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony

It’s the biggest smash hit by the British rock band The Verve—arguably one of the defining songs of the ’90s.

Blending classical orchestral sounds with looped elements, it’s a rhythmic track whose vocals also carry a distinctly British vibe.

BrianstormArctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys – Brianstorm (Official Video)

It’s a hit song from the English rock band Arctic Monkeys’ 2007 album.

The gritty, school-of-rock-style guitar sound and the wild vocals make it a really cool track.

Straight Through My HeartBackstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys – Straight Through My Heart

Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, and this upbeat song that makes you want to dance captures a man’s feelings of being infatuated with a woman, set to a breezy melody.

The members’ vocal harmonies are beautiful, and the cool choreography in the music video is also a highlight.

VenusBananarama

Bananarama – Venus (Tonight At The London Palladium)

This song is a cover of the classic “Venus,” which became a huge hit after Shocking Blue released it in 1969 and has since been sung by numerous artists, and it was propelled to another major breakthrough by the British pop group Bananarama.

The voices of the three women blend into a single, beautiful harmony, and the chic sound pleasantly makes your body sway.