Nostalgic or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs from the 1980s
The 1980s transformed music history and had a profound impact on later musicians.
Even those who didn’t live through the era can bask in a sense of nostalgia that feels somehow familiar.
Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper…
We researched pop hits from the West that defined the ’80s.
From those, we carefully selected the most popular tracks based on reliable feedback from music fans who visit our site.
Find a favorite track and dive in!
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Nostalgic? Or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (71–80)
Sister ChristianNight Ranger
Their two ace guitarists’ outstanding technique and the contrasting pop sensibilities of their two vocalists won wide popularity, leading to a string of big hits in the 1980s.
After disbanding once in 1989, they reunited in the 1990s and have continued to work steadily ever since.
Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates
Hall & Oates is an American R&B duo.
They are very popular artists in Japan as well.
This song was featured in a digital camera commercial, among others.
In addition to this track, they are also known for hit songs like “Kiss On My List” and “Maneater.”
Eternal FlameThe Bangles
This piece has become a standard, often used as wedding background music, and has been covered by many artists.
“Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles, the song in question, was recently used as the ending theme for the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Sunday Bloody SundayU2
U2’s signature song released in 1983 is marked by a powerful drumbeat and an intense, stirring guitar riff.
Set against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict, its lyrics express a heartfelt wish for peace.
Opening the album War, it became a song that symbolizes the band’s political message.
It also holds a key place in their live performances, with their 1987 show in Colorado being especially famous.
Universally conveying fear and revulsion toward the cycle of violence, the track continues to move countless listeners to this day.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who longs for peace.
Dancing In the DarkBruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is an American musician with an astonishing record of having sold over 100 million records.
He is a musician who will surely appear on any timeline when discussing music of the 1970s and 1980s.
His appeal lies in rock sung with a sexy flair, in a style influenced by R&B.
Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO
This is a power ballad by Chicago, released in May 1982, known for its poignant, heart-tugging melody.
Centered on breakup and reconciliation, it poignantly conveys the difficulty of apologizing and the hope of mending a relationship.
The song spent two consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy.
It earned high praise worldwide, topping the charts in many countries.
Peter Cetera’s crystalline vocals blend beautifully with David Foster’s sophisticated production.
It’s a perfect song for anyone hoping to repair a cherished relationship after a breakup or a fight.
What A FeelongIrene Cara
This is the song known as the theme from the movie Flashdance.
In Japan, it became a mega-hit, topping the Oricon Western music singles chart for 21 consecutive weeks.
Namie Amuro, who recently made headlines with her retirement announcement, covered the song in 2008 and it became a hit.