[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 (121–130)
Money For NothingDire Straits
It topped the U.S.
charts in 1985.
It was the very first song aired when MTV Europe launched in 1987.
When the music video’s computer graphics appeared, many music fans were astonished.
The song is also known for having Sting as a co-writer; he was reportedly invited to join the recording while he happened to be vacationing on the island of Montserrat.
Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)Pink Floyd
The music video is notable for its strong social message.
This track is among Pink Floyd’s biggest hits of the 1980s.
They still have a devoted fan base, but their highly progressive style was not universally embraced.
However, this song is different.
It can’t exactly be called catchy, yet it was highly regarded by many.
Stray Cat StrutStray cats
From the late 1970s through the ’80s, Brian Setzer became the musician who epitomized the neo-rockabilly boom.
He also thrived with the big band The Brian Setzer Orchestra, but many people probably still prefer him in the three-piece band Stray Cats.
In his early twenties back then, with his blond pompadour perfectly styled, he always looked incredibly cool.
Last ChristmasWham!
They are a duo formed in the UK as a student band.
They gained popularity from their debut, and songs like “Careless Whisper,” which was also covered in Japan, are well-known.
The song released as a single in the same year has since become a classic Christmas standard.
George Michael passed away in 2016.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (131–140)
Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!
Wham! had enjoyed idol-like popularity since the early ’80s, but with this song they aimed for a cheerful image makeover and became even bigger stars.
The track—released in Japan under the title “Ukiki Wake Me Up”—was included on the album Make It Big, which became a global smash and spent a total of 11 weeks at No.
1 on Japan’s international album chart.
Not only the song but also the shirts featured in the music video sparked a craze.
TrueSpandau Ballet
It’s a long-running hit from the ’80s—a piece of contemporary music that still feels fresh today.
It topped the UK singles chart for four weeks and ranked sixth for two consecutive years.
It was highly acclaimed in 20 other countries.
This song is Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit.
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.
