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!
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s
- Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads
- Classic and hit Western pop songs from the 1970s
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- [Western Music] Nostalgic Western songs that everyone has probably heard at least once!
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- Christmas songs from 80s Western music: from hit tracks to hidden gems
- A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
Nostalgic or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hits of the 80s (21–30)
JumpVan Halen
This is a song by a band that revolutionized rock with numerous guitar techniques.
The opening melody of this track is very famous, and the guitar solo by Edward Van Halen at the end is also a highlight.
Van Halen is also known for popularizing a guitar technique called the “right-hand tapping” method.
Back In BlackAC/DC
The album featuring this song is the third best-selling album in the world, following Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon.
It’s still a familiar name for rock fans, isn’t it? In 2016, Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses joined the tour as the vocalist.
Somebody’s Watching MeRockwell
That unforgettable classic with the striking phrase, “Is somebody watching me?”—the one you can’t help but hum.
Known as the signature song of Rockwell, a formidable talent and son of the founder of Motown, it’s famous for the anecdote that he secured his record deal without revealing his father’s name.
Released in December 1983, it became a massive hit, reaching No.
2 on the U.S.
charts.
The juxtaposition of paranoid lyrics—as if under constant surveillance—with a danceable, catchy synth-funk sound is brilliant.
And on the standout chorus, none other than Michael Jackson lends his vocals.
Featured on his debut album, Somebody’s Watching Me, this track is perfect for Halloween season or whenever you’re in the mood for a little thrill.
Can’t take my eyes off you.Boys Town Gang
A classic that lit up the disco scene of the ’80s.
Its sweet, bittersweet lyrics and danceable rhythm make it especially memorable.
Released in 1982 by Boys Town Gang, it became a massive hit across Europe, reaching No.
1 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain, and No.
4 in the UK.
This version is a cover by a San Francisco–based post-disco band of the original 1967 song.
Its exhilarating, dance-floor–filling sound and straightforward lyrics about being in love are its biggest charms.
Perfect for livening up karaoke or spicing up a party—this is a track so full of positive energy it’ll get your body moving the moment you hear it.
Holding Out for a HeroBonnie Tyler
This song was produced for the soundtrack of the 1984 film Footloose.
Bonnie Tyler’s powerful, husky voice is striking, isn’t it? Some of you may remember it being used in the scene where the teenagers have a tractor race in the movie.
Later, in May 1986, it was included on and released as part of the album Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire.
The lyrics, which long for a hero who is “strong, fast, and just back from the fight,” resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a track that can give you energy when you want to find the hero within yourself or need the courage to face difficulties.
Don’t Stop Believin’Journey
A hit song by Journey, a band that epitomizes so-called “arena rock.” It was one of the numbers frequently covered by college bands around 1990.
You can fully enjoy the magnificent vocals of Steve Perry, often regarded as the best singer in the band’s history.
The Final CountdownEuropa
Europe is a hard rock band from Sweden and a pioneer in popularizing Nordic metal.
The intro of this song is famous and is often used as background music in serious scenes on variety shows and the like.
The album of the same title that includes this song became a hit, selling 6.5 million copies.