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 (31–40)
Waiting for a Girl like YouForeigner
This is a single from their fourth album, “4,” released in 1981, which became a record-breaking smash hit with 15 million copies sold.
Blocked by Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical,” it set a record as a massive hit that never reached number one, spending 10 consecutive weeks at No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Final CountdownEurope
A Swedish band.
This song, included on their third album The Final Countdown, was their first single.
It reached number one on the charts in Europe and peaked at number 25 on the U.S.
Billboard chart.
In Japan, it is often used at sporting events and the like, so many people will find it familiar.
UrgentForeigner
A track included on their fourth album, Foreigner 4, released in 1981.
The album spent 10 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard charts.
The album also features the ballad “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” which has become one of the band’s signature songs.
Under PressureQueen
Released in 1981, this song is a posthumous work born from a jam session between the late Freddie Mercury and David Bowie.
It appears on Queen’s “Hot Space” and Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” Freddie handles the high vocals while Bowie takes the low.
Beat ItMichael Jackson
A track by Michael Jackson, the globally renowned artist known as the King of Pop.
Noted for featuring three guitarists, the song layers Jackson’s soulful vocals over rock-driven guitars, resulting in a catchy number that brilliantly fuses R&B with hard rock.
It is one of Michael Jackson’s signature songs that made a major impact on the music scene of the 1980s.
Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (41–50)
Don’t Stop Me NowQueen
The moment the piano intro starts, you’re swept up in a rush of excitement that makes your heart dance—this is one of the signature songs by the British band Queen.
Released as a single in 1979, it’s included on the classic album “Jazz.” Written by Freddie Mercury, the song brims with overwhelming energy and euphoria, declaring, “No one can stop me.” Guitarist Brian May reportedly had reservations at first about its unabashedly hedonistic content.
In Japan, it’s well known from commercials for Cosmo Oil and JR Central, as well as its use in the film “Shaun of the Dead,” and just listening to it makes you feel invincible.
It’s a timeless killer tune that’s perfect for pumping up a drive or a party.
OneMetallica
One of Metallica’s signature songs included on their fourth album, “…And Justice for All,” released in 1988.
The track was nominated in the Rock category at the 1989 Grammy Awards, and garnered attention for its music video in collaboration with the film “Johnny Got His Gun.” In 2016, the band released “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct,” their first new album in eight years.