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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The golden age of Western pop! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the ’80s (1–10)
Cum on Feel the NoizeQuiet Riot
Quiet Riot is one of the quintessential American hard rock bands of the 1980s and is also known as a leading act that helped drive the so-called LA metal boom.
Their history goes back a long way: the band originally formed in 1973 around Randy Rhoads, who would go on to be remembered as a legendary guitarist.
This track is a cover of a song by Slade, released as a single in July 1983 and included on their album Metal Health; it’s one of their signature songs.
It was featured in the film Footloose and the game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and it notably reached No.
5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With its irresistibly sing-along, catchy melody and tight sound perfect for the hot summer, it’s a thrilling number that captures the very essence of ’80s heavy metal!
Need You TonightINXS
One of the signature works released in 1987 by INXS, the Australian band that wielded enormous influence in the dance-rock scene of the 1980s, this landmark track cemented their international success.
Seamlessly blending funk and rock, the song paints a sexy, urban nighttime scene, highlighted by Michael Hutchence’s sensual vocals.
At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, it won five categories including Video of the Year, and its innovative visual expression became a hot topic.
The electronic beat generated by the drum machine and the distinctive guitar riff feel great, creating an atmosphere perfect for summer night drives or sophisticated, grown-up moments.
VacationThe Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s are a pioneering all-female band, known for their debut album “Beauty and the Beat,” released in 1981, which became the first U.
S.
number one by a girls’ band.
As its title suggests, “Vacation” is brimming with summer vibes.
Released in 1982 as the lead single from their second album of the same name, it’s also known as one of the band’s biggest hits.
The Go-Go’s signature hard-driving guitars, catchy synths, and breezy melody will put you in a great mood just by listening.
The delightfully dated, blatantly synthetic music video has its own charm too, so be sure to check it out along with the song!
Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that hit in the ’80s (11–20)
Youth Gone WildSkid Row
The anthem included on Skid Row’s self-titled debut album, released in 1989 by the New Jersey–born band, is highly regarded as a song that perfectly embodies the rebellious spirit of 1980s hard rock.
With lyrics that sing of young people forging their own path free from society’s norms, powerful songwriting by Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Rachel Bolan, and Sebastian Bach’s passionate vocals, it stands as a masterpiece.
It reached No.
99 on the U.
S.
Billboard chart and gained buzz through heavy rotation on MTV.
For those feeling worn out by rules and conventional wisdom in everyday life, the album’s thirst for freedom and raw energy is sure to resonate.
La Isla BonitaMadonna
Madonna, a female singer-songwriter who was hugely active from the 1980s through the 1990s.
If Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, then Madonna feels like the Queen of Pop.
Among her works, the song that suits summer the best is La Isla Bonita.
Crafted as a Latin pop track, it stands out for its tone, which differs from Madonna’s usual vibe.
If you want to enjoy relaxed pop music, be sure to check it out.
Let’s DanceDavid Bowie
Released in 1983 at the height of the disco boom, this track is the biggest hit of legendary British artist David Bowie’s career.
Produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic, it’s crafted as a dance number depicting a couple dancing under the moonlight.
On the surface it sounds romantic, but in reality it’s a deeper piece portraying people dancing while wearing the masks of life.
The guitar is played by the then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose bluesy playing adds a perfect edge to the song.
It’s a quintessential ’80s classic that makes you want to listen while strolling through the city on a summer night!
SummertimeFun Boy Three
The Fun Boy Three, a pop band representing the UK.
In 2023, their vocalist Terry Hall passed away, bringing tears to fans around the world.
In 1982, they released Summertime.
This track incorporates elements of Afrobeat, and its lyrics, set against a summer backdrop, portray the boundless potential of children.
Another highlight is the violin, whose tone evokes a certain sense of melancholy.