Recommended Western music for men in their 40s: world classics and popular songs

Club TropicanaWham!

Wham! – Club Tropicana (Official Video)

This is a track bursting with the breezy freedom of a tropical resort, woven from lively Latin jazz rhythms and post-disco sounds.

Released in July 1983 by the British pop duo Wham!, the song paints an ideal holiday scene unfolding poolside while satirically portraying escapism from society under the Thatcher government.

Included on their debut album Fantastic, it spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 4.

The music video, filmed on the Spanish island of Ibiza, vividly captured the youth culture of the time, enhanced by its liberating atmosphere.

It’s a perfect pick for summer drives and vacation soundtracks, as well as a refreshing mood booster at work or parties.

Rock the CasbahThe Clash

The Clash – Rock the Casbah (Official Video)

Many references to Western music in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure include punk bands, and a representative example is the Stand name “Clash” used by Squalo in Part 5, Golden Wind.

It’s said to be based on The Clash, one of the defining British punk bands of the 1970s, known for their aggressive performances, their genre-blending music that incorporated reggae and dub, and their socially conscious stance.

As mentioned, not only their early punkish sound but also their later albums, which show musical evolution, are all compelling—so I recommend giving them a listen, even if you’re not a dedicated punk fan.

The Final CountdownEurope

Europe – The Final Countdown (Official Video)

It was released in 1986 as the band’s biggest hit, included on the third studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe.

It’s characterized by a crystalline melody and a clear, transparent sound.

The song tells of an astronaut setting off on a journey, and its grand intro is famous in rock history.

Virtual InsanityJamiroquai

Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity (Official Video)

This song by the British funk band Jamiroquai is a message piece that sounds an alarm to society.

Centered on the rapid advance of technology and the loss of humanity, it paints the future with sharp insight.

Released in 1996 and included on the album “Travelling Without Moving,” the track won four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards the following year, and its music video is still talked about today.

Jay Kay’s distinctive vocals and dance leave a strong impression, and the unique sound—fusing funk with acid jazz—captivated many music fans.

As a warning to modern society, this song prompts us to consider the balance between technology and humanity.

ImagineJohn Lennon

John Lennon – Imagine HD

It is one of the most popular songs from John’s solo work.

Released as a single in 1971, it re-entered the charts after John’s death in 1981 and reached number one in the UK.

Frequently used on film soundtracks and reissued as a single each time, it is a historic song that continues to make waves on the charts.

Take On Mea-ha

a-ha – Take On Me (Official Video) [4K]

It’s a single released in 1985 by the Norwegian band a-ha.

The music video’s animation was very well received, and it won six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

ThrillerMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Official Video – Shortened Version)

A story about terrifying creatures that appear only in the dead of night, and the resolve to protect a loved one from those eerie monsters.

It’s a track from the album Thriller, released in November 1982 by Michael Jackson from the United States.

The music video is a film-like work running a full 14 minutes, memorable for its zombie dance.

It caused a sensation on MTV at the time and won eight awards at the 1984 Grammys.

Listening to it as Halloween approaches sends a chill down your spine while stirring a powerful determination to protect the one you love.