Famous Western music musicians
In Japan, partly because there are so many outstanding musicians, domestic music holds a large share.
But how about exploring Western music—the origin of rock and pop? We’ve put together a collection of works by prominent Western musicians all in one place.
Thanks to the influence of Hollywood films and overseas TV dramas, Western music is becoming more widely recognized, and by listening to music from around the world, your own horizons are sure to expand!
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- Updated daily! Today's featured Western music picks!
Famous Western musicians (11–20)
ThrillerMichael Jackson
A rare superstar whose name is known even by people uninterested in music.
As a top-tier entertainer, the 1980s were truly his heyday.
Thriller, released in 1982, is a monster album that sold 65 million copies worldwide.
Girls,Girls,GirlsMötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is a heavy metal band formed in the United States in 1981.
The four-piece lineup features Vince Neil on vocals, along with Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Mick Mars.
Released in May 1987, this work is an homage to strip clubs such as those on Los Angeles’s Sunset Strip.
It portrays the glamour and rawness of the nightlife, embodying the spirit of rock ’n’ roll.
The music video was filmed on the night of April 13, 1987, and there were twists and turns before it aired on MTV.
The album containing this track was certified platinum in multiple countries, and as one of Mötley Crüe’s signature songs, it continues to be loved by many fans.
Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis
It’s one of Oasis’s most undeniably famous masterpieces, released in 1995 as a track on an album.
In the band’s home country of the UK, it’s even called a national anthem, but in Japan many people may know it as the theme song for the live-action film based on the band manga “BECK.”
Glory BoxPortishead
The 1994 release by the British trio Portishead is known as a classic of trip hop.
Beth Gibbons’s sultry vocals and the distinctive sound built on sampling and theremin are striking.
The lyrics, which express a woman’s desire for self-actualization, call for liberation from gender roles.
Issued as a single from the album Dummy, it reached the UK Top 20.
Certified Gold in 1995, the track resonates with adults weary of romance.
Loved by many listeners, it’s a perfect song for a downbeat mood.
Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield
Apparently, the boyfriend of a girl Rick thought was cute in a class he attended was named Gary.
He wanted to use the name of a real friend in his song, but “Gary” didn’t flow well, so he came up with “Jessie.” There’s also a story that he thought of it because Rick happened to be wearing a T-shirt of the athlete Ron Jessie at the time.