Speaking of Western music from the ’80s, it was the heyday of MTV, with countless flashy music videos airing on TV.
There were innumerable global hits that we enjoyed with the same familiarity as domestic hit songs in Japan.
For those who spent their youth in the ’80s, chances are that a beloved classic from Western music is playing somewhere in the pages of your memories.
In this article, we’ve gathered masterpieces that focus specifically on “ballads” from ’80s Western music.
The ’80s catalog is far too deep to cover exhaustively, but please enjoy a wide range of ballad classics—from straightforward ballads to medium-tempo ballads and power ballads by rock bands.
- A collection of popular Western rock ballads: a roundup of moving, tear-jerking masterpieces.
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- I Want to Be Healed from the Heart: Recommended Western Ballads Sung by Female Vocalists
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- A classic medium-tempo ballad in Western music
- [2025] A roundup of recommended popular ballads sung by male Western artists
- Songs That Make You Cry: Heart-Wrenching Western Music—from Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits
- Breakup songs in Western music that were hits in the 80s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- [1980s] A Collection of Classic Western Ballads with Female Vocals
- Piano ballads of Western music—from timeless hits to the latest songs
- Tear-jerking Western songs: The world's recommended weep-inducing tracks
- Hidden gems of Western ballad songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Western Music] The World of Power Ballads: A Collection of Must-Listen Gems to Start With
All timeless hits! A nostalgic compilation of 80s Western ballads (1–10)
Every Breath You TakeThe Police
The song that dominated the Billboard chart at No.
1 for eight consecutive weeks following its 1983 release was The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” It’s a beautiful ballad featuring a uniquely voiced arpeggiated guitar phrase, and its suggestive lyrics—expressing overflowing feelings for “you”—drew attention.
Sting, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, is said to have completed the song in 30 minutes.
At the 1984 Grammy Awards, it won Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
Open ArmsJourney
The piano ballad used as the theme song for the 2004 film Umizaru is Journey’s “Open Arms.” Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973, known for their keyboard-driven sound.
“Open Arms” is a track from the album Escape, which reached No.
1 in the U.
S.
, and when it was released as a single, it peaked at No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyond the film, it was also featured in commercials for Nissan’s Elgrand, making it a well-known classic in Japan as well.
Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
When it comes to ballads by Cyndi Lauper—an artist known for her distinctive fashion—“Time After Time” stands out.
Released as a single from her 1983 album She’s So Unusual, it became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With lyrics that say, “No matter how many times you fall, I’ll be there to support you,” it’s a love song that expresses pure, profound devotion.
It’s a timeless classic beloved and covered by many artists across countries and genres, including jazz trumpeter Miles Davis and, in Japan, Noriyuki Makihara.
HeavenBryan Adams
When it comes to Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams’s major hits, “Heaven” stands out.
Released as a single in 1983, it reached No.
1 on the U.
S.
Billboard Hot 100.
It’s said that the song was inspired by Journey’s smash ballad “Faithfully,” as Bryan was serving as their opening act at the time—you can feel the influence in the piano intro and the power-ballad vibe.
Also, the music videos for “Heaven” and the 1984 single “Run to You” are connected in a continuous storyline, so be sure to check them out!
Right Here WaitingRichard Marx
This is a masterpiece that stands as a pinnacle of 80s ballads, woven from a sweetly aching vocal and a piano tone that resonates deep in the heart.
The lyrics, which sing of the sorrow of longing for a lover far away, struck a chord with many and became a worldwide smash.
Released in June 1989 as a single from Richard Marx’s second album, “Repeat Offender,” it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in many countries, including Australia and Canada.
It’s the perfect song not only for those in a long-distance relationship, but also for anyone who wants to reaffirm their feelings for someone special.
Take My Breath AwayBerlin
Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” was written specifically for the movie Top Gun, which sparked renewed attention when its sequel was released in 2022.
The song reached No.
1 on both the U.
S.
and U.
K.
charts and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song as well as the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
It was composed by the renowned Italian music producer Giorgio Moroder.
Its romantic lyrics, which tie in with the film’s story, make it a memorable love ballad.
Purple RainPrince
When it comes to Prince, who captivates fans with his unique sound and worldview, the iconic 1984 song is Purple Rain.
Featured on the soundtrack of the film Purple Rain, in which Prince starred, it reached No.
2 on the US singles chart.
The album won Best Original Song Score at the 57th Academy Awards and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 27th Grammy Awards.
It’s a powerful ballad that fuses rock, R&B, and gospel elements, and it features a fiery guitar solo by Prince at the end.