[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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- 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.
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- [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 (41–50)
CONGAGloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
It’s no exaggeration to say the Latin rhythms captivated everyone—this song became a massive hit worldwide.
Its bright, upbeat groove was very popular in Japan as well, drawing large crowds to their concerts there.
Gloria Estefan, the lead vocalist, is also highly regarded for her ballads, and her solo work was attracting significant attention.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (51–60)
RioDuran Duran
“Rio” is the second album by the British new wave and synth-pop band Duran Duran, first released worldwide on May 10, 1982.
It reached number 2 in the UK and topped the charts at number 1 in Australia.
With synth percussion, a driving bassline, and arpeggiators, it’s a breezy midsummer number.
Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang
This is a quintessential dance track from the 1980s.
It was such a popular anthem that whenever it played in dance clubs—then commonly called discos—everyone would start dancing.
In Japan, it’s known by the title “Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru,” and it remains enduringly popular today.
The Screams Of PassionThe Family
One of the many bands produced by Prince—known collectively as the so-called Prince Family—was aptly named The Family.
The female vocalist was Susannah Melvoin, sister of Prince’s favorite guitarist, Wendy.
Their music video, in which she sings wearing a nightgown, became a hot topic.
I Want to Know What Love IsForeigner
Foreigner is an American band that churned out many hits from the 1970s through the 1980s.
Their hallmark is grand, keyboard-forward ballads.
Among them, the biggest favorite was the song known in Japan as “I Wanna Know,” which became a massive hit not only in the United States but around the world.
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.
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.