Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s: Ranking [2025]
You can still catch glimpses of the achievements of popular Western music artists from the 1980s, who left behind many great songs, in many places today.
They are still loved by many fans today, but aren’t you curious how they would rank by modern standards? We’ve compiled a ranking of popular Western music artists from the ’80s, so let us introduce it to you.
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1980s Popular Western Music Artist Rankings [2025] (71–80)
I Can Dream About YouDan Hartman71rank/position
It reached No.
6 on the U.
S.
charts in 1984.
In the film “Streets of Fire,” starring Diane Lane and Michael Paré, it’s presented as a number performed late in the story by the Black doo-wop group the Sorels.
Dan was originally a musician specializing in soul and dance styles and was talented enough to have been a member of the Edgar Winter Group.
He has also provided many compositions, and his most famous work as a composer is “Living in America,” sung by James Brown in the film “Rocky IV,” which reached No.
4 in the U.
S.
Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News72rank/position
Huey Lewis and the News is a popular American rock band.
Their song “The Power of Love,” released in 1985, is well-known for being the theme song of the film Back to the Future.
In Japan, it became familiar to many because it was used in a Honda Integra commercial featuring Michael J.
Fox.
Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr73rank/position
There are plenty of so-called one-hit wonders in America—what we in Japan call ippatsu-ya—and John Parr is considered one of them.
That said, in addition to his massive movie theme hit “St.
Elmo’s Fire,” his debut single also reached No.
23 on the Billboard chart, so he was actually quite popular.
Right and a Wrong WayKeith Sweat74rank/position
Keith Sweat, a quintessential R&B singer of the 1980s, explores the complexities of love and relationships in his classic song.
Featured on the album “Make It Last Forever,” the track was released in 1987 and became a pioneer of the New Jack Swing sound.
With soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, it questions the true meaning of love and teaches the importance of respecting your partner.
It’s a perfect song to listen to on a long autumn night with someone special.
Ideal for those struggling with romance or looking to strengthen their bond with a partner.
I Miss YouKlymaxx75rank/position
Klymaxx is an all-female R&B band from Los Angeles whose members play their own instruments and handle songwriting and production.
This work is a gem of a ballad written by keyboardist Lynn Malsby, based on her own experiences.
The pure feeling of still not being able to forget someone you’ve grown apart from and longing to see them again is something anyone who’s suffered heartbreak can painfully relate to.
Lead vocalist Joyce Irby’s poignant voice blends with the beautiful tones of the synthesizer, drawing you into a sentimental world.
Released as a single from the classic album “Meeting in the Ladies Room” in November 1985, the song reached No.
5 on the U.
S.
charts and remained a hit for 29 weeks.
It may be the kind of song that gently keeps you company on nights when you want to sit quietly with your thoughts.
CelebrationKool and The Gang76rank/position
With the staccato cutting guitar in the intro and that familiar melody played by the signature synthesizer, this is a smash hit by the iconic ’80s group Kool & The Gang.
While driven by a dance beat, the song features dramatic developments and flavors, making it a track that’s perfect both for dancing and for losing yourself in listening.
It’s an irresistibly danceable number that still carries the lingering vibes of the ’70s funk boom.
GloriaLaura Branigan77rank/position
One of Laura Branigan’s signature songs, it was released as a single from her debut album “Branigan” in 1982 and became a hit.
In fact, it’s not her original song—the original was released in 1979 by Italian male singer Umberto Tozzi.
The original is sung in Italian and, with its repeated, memorable main phrase and light, piano-centered arrangement, has a stronger pop flavor.
Laura’s version, on the other hand, is a danceable track tailored to the era, showcasing her powerful vocals—said to span five octaves.
It’s fun to listen to both and enjoy the differences.