[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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
Club TropicanaWham!
This is a track bursting with the breezy freedom of a tropical resort, woven from lively Latin jazz rhythms and post-disco sounds.
Released in July 1983 by the British pop duo Wham!, the song paints an ideal holiday scene unfolding poolside while satirically portraying escapism from society under the Thatcher government.
Included on their debut album Fantastic, it spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 4.
The music video, filmed on the Spanish island of Ibiza, vividly captured the youth culture of the time, enhanced by its liberating atmosphere.
It’s a perfect pick for summer drives and vacation soundtracks, as well as a refreshing mood booster at work or parties.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (21–30)
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.