[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 (11–20)
Manic MondayBangles
They reached No.
2 in the U.S.
in 1986.
When you think of girl bands that brightened the mid-to-late ’80s, it’s The Bangles.
The band is memorable for the cute vocals of Susanna Hoffs—the beauty who wielded a Rickenbacker guitar favored by John Lennon—and a favorite of Prince, who also wrote this song.
Musically, the Peterson sisters provided solid support, and they were first-rate as a rock band, with tight performances.
They went on to release numerous hits and are often cited not just as an emblematic ’80s act, but as one of the most successful girl bands in history.
ThrillerMichael Jackson
If you’re talking about must-include mega-hits of the ’80s, it has to be “Thriller.” Its short-film-style music video, running over 13 minutes, was groundbreaking for its time and is said to have had a budget ten times that of a typical music video back then.
The 1982 album “Thriller,” which features this track, is recognized as the best-selling album of all time, and its sales continue to grow.
I Miss YouKlymaxx
Klymaxx is an all-female R&B band from Los Angeles whose members play their own instruments and handle songwriting and production.
This work is a gem of a ballad written by keyboardist Lynn Malsby, based on her own experiences.
The pure feeling of still not being able to forget someone you’ve grown apart from and longing to see them again is something anyone who’s suffered heartbreak can painfully relate to.
Lead vocalist Joyce Irby’s poignant voice blends with the beautiful tones of the synthesizer, drawing you into a sentimental world.
Released as a single from the classic album “Meeting in the Ladies Room” in November 1985, the song reached No.
5 on the U.S.
charts and remained a hit for 29 weeks.
It may be the kind of song that gently keeps you company on nights when you want to sit quietly with your thoughts.
Take My Breath AwayBerlin
This is the award-winning ballad that served as the love theme for the 1986 blockbuster film Top Gun, honored with an Academy Award.
It was performed by the American band Berlin, with the composition handled by disco maestro Giorgio Moroder.
Teri Nunn’s passionate, soulful vocals leave a strong impression.
The bittersweet yet burning emotions of falling in love—so overwhelming you can hardly breathe—resonate warmly alongside the majestic synthesizer tones.
Released in June 1986, the song reached No.
1 on the U.S.
singles chart.
It’s sure to make a romantic evening with someone special even more dramatic.
Don’t You Want MeThe Human League
Here’s that Human League song with the nostalgic synthesizer sound in the intro.
It was released in 1982 and became a hit.
The song is about a man who picks up a woman, polishes her up, and is ultimately dumped by her, and it’s structured like a male–female back-and-forth.
In fact, the unit reportedly added a female member who was in high school at the time when she joined, and later they went on to have a hit.
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.
About A GirlNirvana
Nirvana, the band that emerged from Washington State in the late ’80s and brought a fresh breeze to the music scene.
Contrary to the intense sound typically associated with grunge, this track resonates with a poppy, beautiful melody reminiscent of the Beatles.
The small misunderstandings and frustrations of living with a partner come through painfully in Kurt Cobain’s languid yet gentle voice.
Included on their 1989 debut album Bleach, some may have discovered it through the 1994 acoustic live recording.
It’s a song that, when listened to at a time when a relationship has started to feel “normal,” can make you realize anew just how much the other person means to you.
(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)Beastie Boys
It’s a rousing rock anthem that humorously portrays the rebellious spirit of young people getting scolded by their parents—“Stop partying and study!” Hailing from New York City, the Beastie Boys originally started as a punk band, then took the world by storm by fusing hip-hop and rock.
This track was released as a single in December 1986 and appears on their debut album, Licensed to Ill.
While it was actually intended as a parody poking fun at generic party songs, it was embraced as a straightforward rallying cry and climbed to No.
7 on the U.S.
charts.
That gap between intent and reception is pretty fascinating, isn’t it? Watching them push back against unreasonable oppression and demand their rights might just blow away your everyday frustrations.
True ColorsCyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper, a singer from the United States known for her colorful and energetic image, is truly memorable.
This work is a ballad that symbolizes her career, having topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks in October 1986.
Imbued in her whisper-soft, gentle vocals is the desire to overcome the sorrow of losing a close friend and to be there for the listener’s heart.
It carries a warm message that affirms your true self and tells you “you are beautiful” when you’re feeling down and on the verge of losing your colors.
A track from the album “True Colors,” it was featured in Kodak commercials and the Olympics, becoming a timeless classic loved across generations.
When you lack confidence or want to encourage someone dear to you, listening to it will surely cleanse your heart.
Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates
Released in 1981, this song is a signature track from Hall & Oates at the height of their success.
While the song itself is highly polished, the performers can seem a bit hesitant in the video… Still, given their top-tier musicianship that captivated audiences worldwide, their true strength was likely in their live performances.
Their Blue-Eyed Soul era from their 1972 debut through 1978 also has some really nice tracks.