[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 (41–50)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams, a hit in 1983.
Its distinctive intro and interlude stick in your ears, and once you hear it, you can’t get it out of your head.
The cool electropop sound gained popularity and reached No.
1 in the U.S.
One of its draws was the androgynous, beautiful female vocals.
The ReflexDuran Duran
It’s the third single from the British band Duran Duran’s 1983 album “Seven and the Ragged Tiger,” and it reached number one in both the UK and the US.
Its danceable vibe is invigorating even for the listener!
99 LuftballonsNena
A song by the West German rock band Nena.
Despite being in German, it reached No.
2 in the United States and No.
1 in the United Kingdom the year after its 1983 release, and it also topped Japan’s Western music chart for four consecutive weeks.
It was later given English lyrics and re-released.
Walk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles
True to its quirky title, “Walk Like an Egyptian,” the music video drew attention for its amusing concept of people dancing a style called the Egyptian dance.
The creator, Liam Sternberg, has said he was inspired after seeing people boarding a ferry in the English Channel walking while trying to keep their balance.
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.
RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood
Their debut single “Relax” was banned by many broadcasters in various countries at the time due to issues with its lyrics.
However, its powerful sound gained popularity, and it has been included in disco compilations and compilation CDs as one of the defining hits of the ’80s.
In Japan, it’s so famous that the chorus alone has even been used in commercials.
Purple RainPrince
Alongside Michael Jackson, he was one of the defining Black artists of the 1980s.
A charismatic figure whose wide-ranging musicality influenced the music scene, he can truly be called a genius.
He passed away in 2016, but his name and works will continue to be spoken of forever, even after his death.