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 (41–50)
With or Without YouU2
This was the breakthrough work of the globally successful rock band U2.
The vocalist Bono is also known as a philanthropist.
Later on, they would score hits such as Elevation, which featured in the film Tomb Raider, and Vertigo, known as the song from the iPod commercials.
Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
It’s a song that has become a standard number, having been covered by numerous artists and used repeatedly in commercials.
Cyndi Lauper, who is also known as a great admirer of Japan, has even appeared on the NHK New Year’s Eve music show, Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
FlashQueen
A signature song by Queen that changed the history of rock ’n’ roll.
The majestic soundscape created for the film Flash Gordon still moves listeners to this day.
Released on December 8, 1980—the same day the sad news of John Lennon’s death broke—this track was followed by a performance of Imagine at the next day’s concert as a tribute to Lennon.
Its vast sonic world, woven from synthesizers and guitar, gives the sensation of racing through outer space.
Also used as the theme for F1 broadcasts, it’s the perfect song to boost the excitement of watching sports or to fire yourself up.
ARTHR’S THEME (BEST THAT YOU CAN DO)Christopher Cross
A gemlike ballad that sings of love and dreams against the backdrop of a moonlit New York night.
Released in 1981 as the theme song for the film “Arthur,” this piece won both an Academy Award and a Grammy and remains one of Christopher Cross’s signature songs, beloved by many to this day.
His sweet, wistful vocals and the piano’s tones seep into the heart, beautifully capturing the feelings of people wavering between dreams and reality.
The song reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Gold certification.
It’s perfect for those struggling with love or for moments when you want to reminisce about someone special.
Wrapped in Cross’s voice, why not spend a dreamy moment yourself, somewhere between the moon and New York City?
Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper
A quintessential dance-pop classic of the 1980s that symbolizes freedom and liberation.
Cyndi Lauper’s dazzling vocals are unforgettable.
Released on her 1983 debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” the song reached the top 10 in more than 25 countries worldwide.
Its music video—shot in New York’s Lower East Side—caused a stir on MTV at the time and won Best Female Video at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
With lyrics celebrating women’s independence and empowerment, it resonated with many and became an anthem of the feminist movement.
It’s the perfect track to liven up parties and events.
Break My StrideMatthew Wilder
Matthew Wilder, a new wave musician and a figure from the music genre that was popular in the 1980s.
His music consisted of pop songs that boldly incorporated synthesizers, known as synth-pop.
While synthesizers are mainstream now, back then they were novel and cutting-edge instruments.
BadU2
A song released to the world in 1984 by a rock band that Ireland is proud of.
Although it tackles a socially conscious theme, portraying people suffering from heroin addiction, you can feel a powerful sense of encouragement throughout.
Included on the album The Unforgettable Fire, it reached No.
19 on the charts and has continued to be loved as one of U2’s signature songs.
Their performance at Live Aid in 1985 is especially famous—the passionate 12-minute rendition left a lasting impression on many.
Highly recommended for those who need the courage to face issues of drug dependency or who are interested in social issues.