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.
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Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (41–50)
AloneHeart
This song, included on their ninth album “Bad Animals” released in 1987, spent three consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard chart.
The original was a track on I-Ten’s “Taking a Cold Look,” and Heart’s cover turned it into a massive hit.
Many artists, including Celine Dion, have covered it.
Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s (51–60)
The RiverBruce Springsteen
A song by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
Its intro, featuring a wistful blues harp and acoustic guitar, the effectively used piano, and a gritty, powerful vocal all resonate deeply.
It’s an energetic track left behind in the 1980s by a great artist regarded as a titan of the American rock scene.
Money For NothingDire Straits
A 1988 hit by the British band Dire Straits.
It was included on their sixth release, the best-selling album Brothers in Arms, and was issued as a single from the 1988 release of Money for Nothing.
The song satirized the music channel MTV, yet thanks to its success, their own track was ironically played repeatedly on MTV.
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.
Straight from The HeartBryan Adams
He became a worldwide big name with the huge success of 1984’s Reckless, but even before that he had already started attracting attention as “the Bruce Springsteen of Canada,” showing signs of an impending breakthrough.
Although this song is almost unknown in Japan, it reached No.
10 on the U.S.
charts in 1983.
Promises In The DarkPat Benatar
A song by American singer-songwriter Pat Benatar, who began her career as one of the few female rock singers at the time.
It starts like a beautiful ballad before shifting into an intense band sound, and her hard rock–style, gritty yet powerful vocals make it an energizing number.
Her high-tone voice—she rose to the rank of top singer in the U.S.
in the 1980s—is a must-hear.
Purple RainPrince & The Revolution
Prince, who became a charismatic figure in the rock world of the 1980s.
One of his signature songs, released in 1984, it won an Academy Award.
His unique sound, blending rock, R&B, and funk, was highly acclaimed and influenced many musicians.