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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Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s Ranking [2025] (21–30)
AngelAerosmith29rank/position
Aerosmith is a rock band that boasts high name recognition in Japan.
Even people in their teens or twenties have probably at least heard the name.
They’ve produced numerous classics, including the theme song for the movie Armageddon, but among them, a number that’s especially perfect for autumn and highly recommended is Angel.
It’s a rock ballad: while it’s wrapped in a bright melody, it’s characterized by a sense of fragility and poignancy.
Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire30rank/position
Earth, Wind & Fire are iconic figures in funk and disco music.
While they were hugely active in the 1970s, they also produced hit songs in the early 1980s.
Speaking of their 1980s work, their biggest hit of that era is likely “Let’s Groove.” The sound mixes their signature funk with electronic music, making it incredibly compelling.
If you’re a fan of Black music, be sure to check it out.
Top Foreign Pop Artists of the 1980s Ranking [2025] (31–40)
One More NightPhil Collins31rank/position
A renowned ballad from the first album released after Phil Collins, formerly the drummer of the British progressive rock group Genesis, went solo.
The sound and vocals evoke a dim, shadowy space that, true to the title, conjures the night—so striking that it invites comparison to Miles Davis’s equally nocturnal “’Round Midnight.” The lyrics, with their plaintive repetition of “one more night, one more night…,” are simple yet piercing.
Although Phil went on to rack up numerous hits with catchy, pop-savvy tunes after this number, he is in fact a master of heartfelt ballads as well, as shown by “Take a Look at Me Now,” which he performed for the film Against All Odds.
On a night when you’re alone with a bittersweet ache, give this song a listen, too.
Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle32rank/position
This is the song “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” released in 1987.
It’s sung by Belinda Carlisle, a singer who was extremely popular in Japan at the time.
Her soaring, electrifying voice captivated the world.
Although it was released in 1987, it’s still a classic that you often hear on TV and elsewhere even today!
Do They Know It’s ChristmasBand Aid33rank/position
Band Aid is a charity project formed by rock and pop artists mainly from the UK.
It was formed in 1984 and released “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The project became a huge hit and helped spark the formation of USA for Africa, famous for “We Are the World.” Since Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure of Ultravox handled the songwriting, the melody carries a certain Ultravox-like atmosphere.
Blue MondayNew Order34rank/position
Overcoming the tragedy of their predecessor band and steering toward the dance floor, the British rock band New Order released this track in March 1983.
A groundbreaking dance tune running over seven minutes, it revolutionized the club scene.
In contrast to its mechanical, cool beat, the lyrics portray confusion and heartache over mistreatment by someone they once trusted.
Some may remember it being used in a Sunkist commercial.
Often hailed as a bridge between ’70s disco and ’90s house, this song seeps deep into the heart on nights when you want to be alone with your thoughts, its stylish, melancholic sound resonating all the more.
Call MeBlondie35rank/position
A classic by Blondie, a female band that epitomizes new wave, with their one-of-a-kind sound and super cool, edgy vocals.
They’re an electro band known for their groundbreaking sound that shattered the norms and conventions of the time.
It’s a new wave rock number with fans around the world, the kind you’ll occasionally feel like revisiting—never losing its luster no matter how much time passes.