Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s
Aerosmith, Queen, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC…
From the legendary Western rock that defined the 1980s, here are the classic and hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
It’s a mighty playlist by rock giants who rewrote the history of music worldwide.
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- The Greatest American Rock Band [All Time Best]
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Legendary hard rock masterpieces and popular songs etched in the history of music
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Classic songs by foreign (non-Japanese) all-female bands. Recommended popular tracks.
- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (11–20)
Sweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ Roses
This track, included on their debut album Appetite for Destruction by the band formed in 1985, was released as a single in 1987 and became a massive hit.
It has been featured on soundtracks for films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and State of Grace.
In 2016, they resumed their concert tours with original member Slash.
I Wanna RockTwisted Sister
Twisted Sister, a hard rock band emblematic of the ’80s.
Their songs captured the hearts of young people yearning for rebellion and freedom.
This track is included on the album Stay Hungry, released in May 1984.
With its catchy chorus and driving beat, it has become an anthem loved across generations.
In the music video, actor Mark Metcalf plays a strict teacher, depicting a challenge to school authority.
The song gained worldwide popularity, reaching No.
4 in Argentina and No.
5 in Norway.
It’s a must-listen not only for rock fans but also for anyone who wants to express their true self.
PanamaVan Halen
If there’s one song that epitomizes the heavy metal scene of the 1980s, it’s this one.
Crafted by Van Halen, the track is defined by Eddie Van Halen’s stunning guitar riff.
It appears on the album 1984 and was released in January 1984.
It’s a hugely popular song among rock fans.
Interestingly, the lyrics were inspired by a race car David Lee Roth saw.
The music video is full of playful touches, including a bass shaped like a Jack Daniel’s bottle.
It’s a perfect track for a drive or a party.
WaitWhite Lion
Featured on the classic 1987 album Pride, this song is known as one of White Lion’s signature tracks.
With moving lyrics and melody, it expresses the resolve to win back a lost love.
Its music video began receiving regular airplay on MTV in 1988, and the song reached the U.S.
Top 10.
As a mid-tempo rock ballad, it has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
The album Pride was a major success, peaking at No.
11 on the U.S.
album chart and selling around two million copies.
It’s a recommended track for when you want a romantic atmosphere or to enjoy a classic hit from the ’80s.
Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi
A song by Bon Jovi, the American rock band renowned worldwide.
Its distinctive intro, played on guitar with a talk box, grabs listeners’ attention right away, and the husky vocals lift the energy in this catchy number.
It’s one of Bon Jovi’s signature tracks from the 1980s, frequently heard in Japan on television and elsewhere.
Dream WarriorsDokken
This work is known as one of the signature songs by Dokken, a heavy metal band that epitomized the 1980s.
Its intense yet melancholic melody and Don Dokken’s distinctive vocals leave a strong impression.
Released in February 1987, it was featured on the soundtrack of the film A Nightmare on Elm Street 3.
The lyrics, which portray the protagonist confronting loneliness in the space between dreams and reality, perfectly match the film’s worldview.
It also achieved commercial success, reaching No.
22 on the US Main chart.
It’s a recommended track for long night drives or moments when you want to face yourself.
Be sure to check out this song, which is packed with the essence of Dokken.
Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (21–30)
JumpVan Halen
A song from their seventh album, 1984, released in 1983.
The album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 10 million copies, earning Diamond certification.
This was the last album before vocalist David Lee Roth left, after which the Sammy Hagar era began.
In recent years, they reunited with David Lee Roth and released a new album in 2012, their first in 13 years.