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[2025] Recommended for people in their 50s! A roundup of timeless, crowd-pleasing Western music classics

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

People in their 50s today are the generation who spent their youth from the late 1970s to the 1980s, and back then you listened to tons of Western hits that were huge in Europe and the U.

S.

, through TV shows like Best Hit USA and on the radio.

Even now, when you meet old friends and the conversation heats up about music, it’s those songs from back then—many of you are probably like that.

Or maybe you drifted away from Western music, but this time we’re bringing you an article that will revive those passionate, exciting memories from that era!

We’ve rounded up a bunch of massive hits that music-loving 50-somethings can’t help but react to, so feel free to use it as a reference for karaoke or event background music!

[2025] Recommended for People in Their 50s! A Compilation of Guaranteed Crowd-Pleasing Western Music Classics (31–40)

With or Without YouU2

U2 – With Or Without You (U2 At The BBC)

With or Without YouU2

U2, the legendary band from Ireland.

I’ve seen them live myself, and I think there are still plenty of hardcore fans in their 50s.

This was the first single cut from their massively successful album The Joshua Tree, and the way the song builds from the intro and then explodes makes it a track that stirs you from the heart, from the soul.

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Call meBlondie

Blondie – Call me

Call meBlondie

I picked this song because it reminded me of my older brother, now in his 50s, who was obsessed with it back when it came out.

He bought the single and listened to it day after day without ever getting bored—haha.

The super-sexy Debbie Harry from those days still pops vividly into my mind; it’s a track that always gets me hyped.

She barely resembles her old self now, but once this song brings back those memories, the excitement is guaranteed.

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Born in the USABruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (Official Video)

Born in the USABruce Springsteen

Bruce, the Jewish American often called a working-class hero.

His gutsy, full-throttle singing, electrifying performances, and songs that embody a steadfast policy—all of it still hits hard today.

And among Bruce’s works, this fist-pumping anthem has an overwhelming power; when it comes on, you can’t help but raise your fist and sing along.

It’s a guaranteed crowd-igniter.

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just can’ get enoughDepeche Mode

Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough (Remastered)

just can' get enoughDepeche Mode

The first time I saw Depeche Mode, I was instantly captivated by that world of black, leather, and style.

It felt as if the atmosphere of London, so far from Japan, was flowing out of the screen through them.

I remember thinking that someday I would definitely go to London and breathe the same air as they did.

This is one of those songs that makes people in their 50s think, “Ah, nostalgic!”

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I’m in the mood for dancingNolans

The Nolans – I’m In the Mood for Dancing (Official Video)

I'm in the mood for dancingNolans

The Nolans, a sister group from Ireland.

For people in their 50s, they must be incredibly nostalgic, right? Among the sisters, which one did you like? I bet there were plenty of boys back then who shouted their answers in unison! I’m actually one of those who went to their concert when they came to Japan, and wow—they were so cute, or rather, so sexy.

I was in elementary school, but I remember it well.

This is one of their signature songs.

I’m sure many people got hyped up to it at discos back in the day.

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[2025] Recommended for Your 50s! A Definitive Collection of Classic Western Hits That Always Get the Crowd Going (41–50)

Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

Queen was probably one of the bands that had the greatest impact on people in their 50s.

Coming out as gay and coming out about AIDS were shocking at the time.

Freddie Mercury was a genius-level entertainer.

Even now, I have many hardcore fans around me.

Among their signature songs, the sheer grandeur of this chorus’s build-up is incredible—overwhelming and breathtaking.

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Da ya think I’m sexy?Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? (Official HD Remastered Video)

Da ya think I'm sexy?Rod Stewart

What Bay City Rollers fans were equally obsessed with was Rod Stewart.

I imagine women in their 50s have a lot of truly nostalgic memories.

Come to think of it, Masanori Sera was like a Japanese-style Rod, wasn’t he…? I think this is the song that’s guaranteed to get former Rod fans fired up.

You can’t help but start moving to it.

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