[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 (51–60)
Another One Bites the DustQueen
Queen is one of the rock bands that represent the United Kingdom.
They had been active since the 1970s, and in 1980 they released what became the band’s biggest hit: “Another One Bites the Dust.” In Japan, it was hugely popular at the time under the title “Jigoku e Michizure.” Its dance music–like rhythm is complemented by Freddie Mercury’s distinctive vocals, giving it a unique and unparalleled appeal.
AllentownBilly Joel
Peaked at No.
17 in the U.S.
in 1983.
Billy Joel’s 1982 album The Nylon Curtain is now regarded as a classic, but at the time of its release it was harshly criticized as “dark” and “uncharacteristic.” It was probably a turning point for him, coinciding with his motorcycle accident.
This song was the second single, following “Pressure.” The lyric “I’ve got the diploma on the wall but it never helped me at all” really resonates.
Billy soon released An Innocent Man, reeling off a string of hit singles and blowing away the negative reception of this album, though in hindsight An Innocent Man itself feels a bit curious.
Let’s DanceDavid Bowie
After moving away from the glam rock of the ’70s and shifting to a pop-rock direction, David Bowie released “Let’s Dance” in 1983, which became one of his signature songs.
With this track, he succeeded in capturing the hearts of the youth of the time, and it became a major hit.
The album Let’s Dance, which includes the song, was also a worldwide success, establishing David Bowie’s status as a star.
LukaSuzanne Vega
Peaked at No.
3 in the U.S.
in 1987.
A single cut from the album “Solitude Standing.” It’s the second track on an album that tackles introspective yet socially conscious themes.
The first track, “Tom’s Diner,” starts abruptly with a cappella, with her singing like she’s muttering to herself.
Then comes this second track.
The bright, breezy intro makes it feel as if light suddenly pours in, but in fact it’s a serious song about child abuse, which was becoming a social issue in the U.S.
at the time.
Back then I thought, “Child abuse? America is such a strange country,” but later in Japan as well… Even so, the fact that a song like this reached No.
3 on the charts shows that, in a way, America is pretty remarkable.
Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr
In 1984, John Parr debuted with the dubious tagline of a “rocker with amnesia.” The theme song for the film St.
Elmo’s Fire became a huge hit in the U.S., and for some reason the song alone became well-known in Japan as well.
Meanwhile, this debut track strikes a perfect balance between a cool melody and a goofy music video.
GoodbyeNight Ranger
It’s a deeply moving classic ballad by Night Ranger that sings, “I’m not good at saying goodbye.” The vocals are handled by drummer Kelly Keagy.
Among the many rock bands that emerged from the West Coast in the ’80s, this band is especially renowned for their ballads.
Sunday Bloody SundayU2
Speaking of U2, they’re now a monster band in the rock world, but in the ’80s they were still a promising up-and-coming act.
Their third album, War, released in 1983, was a powerful work that tackled social issues and religious views in their native Ireland head-on, and it’s regarded as an early masterpiece that set the stage for their breakthrough.
Waiting For A Girl Like YouForeigner
It peaked at No.
2 on the U.S.
charts in 1981—an astonishing 10 consecutive weeks—earning it the nickname “the tragic Number Two.” For nine of those ten weeks, Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” held the top spot.
That’s understandable.
However, even when “Physical” dropped to No.
3, it still couldn’t reach No.
1; at that time, Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” was No.
1.
Incidentally, the band later soothed their frustrations by finally scoring their first U.S.
No.
1 in 1985 with “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Smooth OperatorSade
A single from the 1984 debut album Diamond Life.
The album has sold six million copies worldwide, and Smooth Operator has been covered by numerous artists to this day.
Its languid sound and her husky voice captivated many fans.
ManiacMichael Sembello
It reached No.
1 in the U.S.
in 1983.
He originally made his name on the jazz scene, but he also built a track record as a session musician for major rock artists, which led to his big break on the soundtrack of the blockbuster film Flashdance.
Phil Ramone, who handled the film’s music, happened to like this song—originally written for a horror movie—and decided it was perfect for the protagonist’s training scenes.
It didn’t get much attention, but he’s also a master guitarist.
The highlight is the guitar solo in the interlude.