[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs
The 1980s brought changes to music history and had a huge influence on later musicians.
Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire…
Even those who didn’t live through the era can sink into a sense of nostalgia that feels familiar somehow.
Compared to modern songs, the classics of the ’80s often boast purer song quality and stronger musical structure—or, seen another way, the larger market meant bigger budgets, letting you enjoy luxuriously produced sounds.
Find a favorite track and really dive into it!
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[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (91–100)
Don’t CryASIA
A supergroup formed in 1982 by members hailing from some of the biggest names in the progressive rock scene of the ’70s.
There’s none of the typical prog complexity here; instead, John Wetton’s outstanding pop sensibility shines through in catchy songs that became massive hits worldwide.
ShoutTears for Fears
A song that catapulted these UK natives to fame in the United States and around the world.
Since two of the original members experienced their parents’ divorce in childhood, many of their songs lean toward anti-establishment themes, boldly and consistently presenting soft-spoken laments and cries about the state of the world.
Owner Of A Lonely HeartYES
It’s a song by the British rock band YES, released in 1983.
In stark contrast to their previous progressive sound, it has a pop-rock style, and it has been featured frequently in commercials and anime in Japan.
Burn Rubber On MeGap Band
The Gap Band, an American group that established a sound influencing everything from funk and R&B to modern hip-hop.
Their signature hit, which lit up the disco scene of the ’80s, is a masterpiece that expresses the sorrow of a man betrayed by his lover through an uptempo funk groove.
Featured on the album The Gap Band III, the track is marked by an exquisite groove driven by Charlie Wilson’s Minimoog synthesizer bassline.
It topped the U.S.
R&B chart in 1980 and earned the band their first platinum record.
It’s a song that shines not only on the dance floor but also for cruising and party scenes, and was even included on the soundtrack of the racing game DiRT 3.
A Night To RememberShalamar
This is a landmark of post-disco sound created in January 1982 by Shalamar, one of America’s leading R&B groups.
Its catchy melody line and groove-laden rhythm made it an iconic track that electrified dance floors.
Released as a single from the album “Friends,” it reached No.
44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.
5 in the UK.
The song was also used in a commercial for the Harvester restaurant chain and featured in the TV series “Girlfriends.” With its shimmering blend of synthesizers and a funky bassline, it offers the full thrill of 80s disco.
Whether you love dance music or need a guaranteed party-pleaser, this track won’t disappoint.
The One That You LoveAir Supply
When talking about the Western music scene of the ’80s, we mustn’t forget Air Supply.
Everyone was captivated by their beautiful voices, lush sound, and grand melodies.
Following their previous hit “Lost in Love,” this song became one of their biggest hits.
You could say it established the quintessential Air Supply sound.
I remember hearing it everywhere—on the streets, in cafés, in all sorts of places.
It’s Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel
A singer-songwriter, vocalist, pianist, and composer—he wears many hats and is undoubtedly one of the defining artists of the 1970s and 1980s.
Following his 1970s signature song “Piano Man,” this rock ’n’ roll track became a massive hit in the ’80s as well.
His music is loved across generations and has been covered by many artists, making him one of the greats who have influenced the history of music.