Summary of Western pop music: A comprehensive introduction to famous pop songs from overseas.
Countless pop songs have emerged on the Western music scene, captivating music fans around the world.
Beyond catchy, memorable tunes, Western pop delights us in every way—lyrics, singers’ voices, and even the visual aspects like choreography and music videos.
In this article, we’ll introduce a roundup of classic Western pop hits!
From universally known masterpieces to highly recommended tracks, we’ve selected plenty for you to enjoy.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan of Western music or someone who isn’t very familiar with it yet, take this opportunity to give them a listen.
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Compilation of Western pop music: A comprehensive showcase of famous international pop songs (61–70)
Every Rose Has Its ThornPoison
It’s a heartbreak song by Poison, an American heavy metal band that was especially popular in the ’80s, featured on their smash-hit second album Open Up and Say…
Ahh!, and it’s said to be based on real experiences.
It starts with a relaxed acoustic guitar intro and gradually swells into something grand, which is really moving.
This may be sudden, but haven’t you ever hurt your partner with just a casual word? In the lyrics, that kind of drifting apart is poignantly compared to the dual nature of a rose’s beauty.
It really resonates with a broken heart…
And perhaps because of the sound’s atmosphere, there’s a curious warmth to it as well.
Brett Michaels’s husky yet crystalline vocals gently seep in—what a lovely song.
When Doves CryPrince
Prince is the very definition of a superstar among superstars—a musician whose name is indelibly etched in American music history.
His track “When Doves Cry” appears on an album that was a massive commercial success and is widely regarded as a classic.
Among its releases, this single in particular showcases his dazzling sensibility, offering a completely new listening experience.
No wonder: it contains no bass or guitar, and its rhythm is built from uniquely striking attack sounds.
And yet it remains effortlessly listenable and pop, a track with a mysteriously compelling groove.
Fight SongRachel Platten
This song, which carries the message “It’s okay, I can still fight,” is a worldwide hit released in 2015 by American artist Rachel Platten.
Reflecting her own struggles and hopes in her music career, it resonated with many people and was used in a variety of contexts.
It was frequently played during Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and became an iconic track.
Its universal theme of believing in one’s inner strength and moving forward without giving up likely struck a chord with countless listeners.
Even those who aren’t very familiar with Western pop music have probably heard it at least once!
Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley
Rick Astley is a singer-songwriter from England who was hugely successful in the 1980s.
He’s an artist known for his sweet looks paired with an unexpectedly deep, dandy voice, and he produced a number of hit tunes throughout the decade.
Among his works, the especially big hit is “Never Gonna Give You Up.” It’s a song still used in Japanese media today, radiating a cheerful vibe.
It’s perfect for when you want to soak up the fun feeling of the 1980s.
Killing Me Softly With His SongRoberta Flack
It’s a landmark R&B classic that almost everyone has heard at least once.
Sung by American artist Roberta Flack, the song is marked by its gently enveloping melody and deeply resonant lyrics.
Released in January 1973, it spent five consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The following year, it achieved the remarkable feat of winning three Grammy Awards.
Its lyrics, which portray a woman who deeply identifies with the performer’s delivery, have continued to captivate listeners.
In Japan, it’s well known from a Nescafé commercial, and its Japanese title, “Yasashiku Utatte” (literally, “Sing Gently”), may be even more familiar.
Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon&Garfunkel
Known in Japan by the title “Bridge over Tomorrow,” it is one of the signature songs by the American folk duo Simon & Garfunkel.
Influenced by gospel music, the song conveys a message of dedicating oneself to a loved one.
I Just Called to Say I Love YouStevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder has many famous love songs, but isn’t this one of the best-known? It’s a wonderful track that, while very simple, captures straightforward feelings of love and lingers in your ears.
It’s like magic—turning an ordinary day into a special one!