[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists
The 1980s are often associated with a dazzling, glamorous image, and you can see that reflected in the hit charts of the time.
Here in Japan as well, it’s said to be the era when Western music shone the brightest, and compilation albums of hits from that period remain steadily popular even now in the 2020s.
In this article, we focus on the debut songs of male artists from that radiant 1980s Western music scene.
Our lineup centers on singers who debuted in the ’80s, including those who built careers in bands before launching solo debuts during the decade.
Please enjoy everything from the massive hits that defined the ’80s to lesser-known hidden gems!
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- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
- Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s: Ranking [2025]
- A roundup of debut songs by male Western artists/singers from the ’90s
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- Debut songs by male Western artists from the 2000s
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- Breakup songs in Western music that were hits in the 80s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Nostalgic or fresh? Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs from the 1980s
[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists (21–30)
Let’s Get It StartedMC Hammer
MC Hammer became rap’s first major superstar when “U Can’t Touch This” became a worldwide smash.
However, his career nosedived afterward, and the stark contrast in his circumstances fueled tabloid gossip.
This debut single is also the title track of his second album.
Darling PrettyMark Knopfler
As the frontman of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler produced hit songs like “Sultans of Swing” and classic albums such as “Brothers in Arms.” His guitar solo also leaves a strong impression on this debut single, “Darling Pretty.”
[80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists (31–40)
The Other WomanRay Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr.
’s most famous work is, without a doubt, “Ghostbusters,” the theme song for the film of the same name.
As a solo artist, he also had hits like “A Woman Needs Love” and “Jack and Jill.” His debut as a solo act was the 1982 album The Other Woman.
The featured video is the album’s title track, which was also released as a single and became a hit.
Spread a Little HappinessSting
It sometimes happens that a member of a famous group makes their solo debut by contributing a song to a movie soundtrack, and this track is one such example.
It plays over the ending of the film Brimstone and Treacle, which has not been released in Japan, and Sting also appears in the movie.
Take On Mea-ha
It’s a masterpiece that could be called a monument of 80s synth-pop, distinguished by its shimmering, sparkling synthesizer tones! This memorable track was the debut single released in 1985 by Norway’s a-ha, a landmark song that catapulted the group to global stardom.
Their debut album, Hunting High and Low, which includes this song, also achieved international success, reaching No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts with a boost from heavy rotation on MTV.
Evoking the radiant spirit of the 1980s, this work captivates with its catchy melody and soaring high vocals, and can also be enjoyed as a coming-of-age anthem about taking a positive, proactive approach to love.
Ganz WienFalco
Falco, who became famous with 1985’s “Rock Me Amadeus,” actually debuted four years earlier in 1981.
His debut single didn’t make much impact, but his second single, “Der Kommissar,” was a hit in his native Austria and across Europe.
Even after “Rock Me Amadeus,” he continued to score hits in his home country.
Desert MoonDennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung, the former frontman of Styx, made his solo debut in 1984.
It was an immediate hit, reaching No.
10 on the Billboard chart.
In Japan, Hiroko Taniyama covered the song for some reason, and it became a minor hit.
DeYoung later returned to Styx but left again, and he is now active as a solo artist.