Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
When it comes to the music scene of the ’80s, it’s often said that here in Japan, Western music was at its most dazzling, and the era produced countless hit songs that remain vivid in both memory and record.
With the disco boom, the spread of synthesizers that brought glittering, flashy sounds, and the visual strategies built around music videos following the birth of MTV, a succession of legendary superstars emerged.
In this article, we’ve focused on summer hits from the ’80s, while also weaving in tracks with a summery feel and timeless songs that seem perfect for listening to in the summer.
For those who lived through the era, it’s nostalgic; for younger listeners, it’s fresh.
Enjoy this selection of hits!
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Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (91–100)
Summer RainBelinda Carlisle
Belinda Carlisle, who has been successful as a solo artist since leaving the Go-Go’s.
This hit tune is from her 1989 album Runaway Horses, which marked the peak of her career.
As you can tell from the music video, it’s a song about a woman who waits with her child for her husband who has gone off to war.
Under The BoardwalkBette Midler
An insert song from the moving film “Forever Friends,” which depicts a 30-year friendship between two women.
It’s sung by the star, Bette Midler.
By the way, in this film, the actress who plays Midler’s character as a child is Mayim Bialik, known for her role as the nerdy girl Amy in the popular overseas TV series “The Big Bang Theory.”
Golden Age of Western Music! Recommended Summer Songs That Hit in the ’80s (101–110)
Never SurrenderCorey Hart
A track released as a single in 1985 by Canadian singer Corey Hart.
It reached No.
1 on the Canadian charts and No.
3 in the United States, and won a Juno Award.
The hitchhiking-themed music video was filmed in downtown Toronto.
Let’s Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams
A refreshing urban dance classic makes its appearance! Denise Williams’s vocals blow away the summer heat in this track.
Its lyrics, which honestly express feelings for a loved one, resonate with listeners.
Released in April 1984, the song was also featured on the Footloose soundtrack and became a major hit.
Issued as a single from the album Let’s Hear It for the Boy, it reached No.
1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Shimmering synths and a lively beat fully evoke the 1980s vibe.
It’s a perfect tune for active moments like summer drives or BBQs with friends.
Walk Of LifeDire Straits
Dire Straits, the legendary rock band from the UK.
While they found success in the pop scene, they never chased trends and stayed true to their own musical identity.
That commitment is why they’re still highly regarded today.
One of their classic tracks is Walk of Life.
The song has a rockabilly-like feel, making it perfect for situations like listening during a summer night barbecue.
LambadaKaoma
In the late 1980s, amid Japan’s booming bubble economy, a massive craze swept the country: lambada, the dance and music said to have originated in South America.
The excitement was so great that in 1990 a film themed around lambada, titled “Lambada/Heat of Youth,” was released, giving you an idea of just how big the phenomenon was.
Composed of passionate Latin rhythms and a sensual partner dance, lambada is the very image of midsummer.
A representative song on the musical side of this trend is “Lambada,” released in 1989 by Kaoma, a multinational band from France.
For those who spent their youth during the bubble era, it likely remains a treasured summer memory.
Sunshine ReggaeLaid Back
Laid Back definitely falls into the so-called one-hit wonder category.
They’re a duo from Denmark.
In the ’80s they vanished after this single song, but it’s a great track that’s perfect for listening to lazily under the blazing sun.
And the two middle-aged guys’ voices are so gentle.