[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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- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (161–170)
West End GirlsPet Shop Boys
This track from Pet Shop Boys’ debut studio album released in 1986 breathed new life into dance music as a fresh electronic pop song at the time.
It was also performed by them at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
The cool, stylish delivery—more spoken and measured than belted—really stands out.
DominosRobbie Nevil
C’est La Vie was a huge hit across the United States.
Perhaps because his subsequent activities were relatively low-profile, Robbie has sometimes been labeled a one-hit wonder, but in America he continued to turn out hit songs.
He is also well known as a producer and even provided songs for Seiko Matsuda in the past.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (171–180)
Psycho KillerTalking Heads
In the opening of the film they starred in, Stop Making Sense, there’s a striking scene where David Byrne walks onto the stage alone carrying a boombox, switches it on, and calmly begins performing this song.
Incidentally, the film was directed by Jonathan Demme—then still unknown—who later made The Silence of the Lambs.
There’s far too much to say about them, but for example, the Tom Tom Club, which they launched as a side project within the band: their single Genius of Love was a commercial success, and their early engagement with African beats had a major impact on the music scene that followed.
In any case, they were the most formidable artistic collective of the 1980s.
Make It RealThe Jets
A sibling band from Minneapolis that was a big hit in the ’80s.
You don’t hear this one as often as their U.S.
No.
1 “You Got It All,” but it’s another heartbreak song full of melancholy.
The group’s appeal, above all, lies in the overwhelming vocal power of Elizabeth.
They Don’t KnowTracey Ullman
As an actress, Tracey Ullman continues to be active in films and TV dramas.
Her nostalgia-filled music video truly showcases her acting prowess.
Her comedic performance is irresistibly cute.
And there’s even a surprise appearance at the end by the real Paul McCartney.
Tryin’ To Kill A Saturday NightKeane
A group centered around the Keane brothers, Tom and John, it was also known as TOTO’s younger-brother band.
Remarkably, Tom and John, who handled all the writing, composing, and performing, were still teenagers at the time.
They continue to be active as producers today.
A masterpiece highly regarded not only by rock fans but also as AOR.
Especially For YouKylie Minogue & Jason Donovan
A pop ballad duet by Kylie Minogue, an ’80s songstress on par with Madonna, and Jason Donovan, a popular actor and singer from Australia like her.
The collaboration between these two top idols of the time became a major talking point.