[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 (71–80)
Mr. RobotoStyx
A band representing American progressive hard rock that has been active since the 1970s.
In the 1980s, this song—part of the rock opera “Kilroy Was Here” and featuring Japanese lyrics—quietly drew attention in Japan, where it was treated somewhat like a novelty.
Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins
It’s a single released in 1989 by the British musician Phil Collins.
It was a popular song that reached No.
2 on the UK Singles Chart and No.
1 on the Billboard 200.
Later, it was used in Japan for a Mazda “Cronos” commercial.
When Doves CryPrince
Purple Rain, the masterpiece by Prince, who passed away in 2016.
Released in 1984, the album became a massive hit, and its track When Doves Cry was also released as a single in Japan under the title “Beat ni Dakarete.” Its distinctive guitar intro and danceable rhythm still have a timeless appeal even today.
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.
Woman in LoveBarbra Streisand
Her presence as both an actress and a singer was indispensable in the ’80s.
This song became her biggest hit, a ballad whose blend of poignancy and grandeur captivated everyone.
Despite being an actress, her powerful, diva-like vocals likely stem from having performed as a singer in nightclubs during her teenage years.
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.
VacationThe Go-Go’s
It reached No.
8 in the U.S.
in 1982.
They were pioneers of the all-girl band scene, formed around Jane Wiedlin and Belinda Carlisle.
There were hard rock acts like the Runaways, but this might have been the first time a pop band of this kind also achieved major commercial success.
That said, they originally started out as a punk/new wave band.
In the music video, the five members stand side by side in pink outfits, doing water-skiing—the same image used on the album cover—which left a strong impression.
But apparently the actual water-skiing was done by professional players, and the video used compositing.
Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon
Reached No.
1 in the U.S.
in 1985.
A massive hit ballad in a style they excel at.
They were once dubbed “the most famous band in America that doesn’t sell,” but their steady dedication to live performances paid off when Keep On Loving You became a surprise No.
1 hit in the U.S.
in 1981.
For some reason, they’re a band that makes you feel “if you work hard, you’ll be rewarded.” It doesn’t have much to do with the lyrics, but the music video, which reflects on a person’s life, makes me cry every time I watch it.