Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s: Ranking [2025]

I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE57rank/position

I Should Be So Lucky (Extended Version)

This is the debut single by Kylie Minogue, who burst onto the ’80s disco scene like a comet.

With its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm, it’s a track that lifts your spirits just by listening.

The lyrics, singing of hope and optimism in finding love, highlight Minogue’s youthful, innocent charm.

Released in the UK in December 1987 and in Australia the following year, it topped charts in many countries and catapulted Minogue to stardom.

This song remains a shining example of ’80s pop that hasn’t lost its luster.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to have a blast on the dance floor.

Girls, Girls, GirlsMötley Crüe58rank/position

Motley Crue – Girls, Girls, Girls [HD]

The emergence of bands called LA metal or hair metal—embodying the look of a quintessential bad boy, outrageous behavior, and the dangerous, wicked aura of rock—is an indispensable topic in the rock scene of the 1980s.

Mötley Crüe, who achieved massive worldwide hits while dealing with countless problems and troubles, yet continue to perform intermittently even into the 2020s, are truly the very definition of that culture.

Their 1987 release, the album Girls, Girls, Girls, whose title track reached No.

2 on the U.

S.

charts, is the perfect killer tune to get a quick sense of what Mötley Crüe is all about.

That wicked, glamorous, exhilarating hard rock driven by a tightly wound, quintessentially ’80s 8-beat explodes with so much energy that there’s no room for dull criticism to creep in.

Empty your head and enjoy it at maximum volume!

Let the Music PlayShannon59rank/position

Shannon – Let The Music Play (Official Music Video)

This is the debut track released in 1983 by Shannon from the United States, a song that shook 80s dance floors.

With its blasting synthesizers and powerful beat, it was so groundbreaking that it changed the course of music genres.

The electronic vibe known as the “Shannon sound” hasn’t faded one bit even today.

But in its lyrics, it actually tells a bittersweet story: “I want to give myself over to the music, but I can’t dance because the person I like is watching me…” That gap between the ultra-cool track and the shy feelings expressed over it is irresistible.

If you’ve ever felt your heart race on a crowded dance floor because you were aware of your crush’s gaze, you’ll definitely find yourself nodding along.

You Might ThinkThe Cars60rank/position

The Cars – You Might Think (Official Music Video)

Speaking of the ’80s, it was the heyday of MTV, but the landmark song that beat out Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to win the very first MTV Video Music Awards’ “Video of the Year” was “You Might Think”! The video, which made extensive use of what was then rare computer graphics, was groundbreaking, and it’s a visual work packed with the band’s innovation alongside an ultra-pop, catchy track.

“You Might Think” is one of the signature hits released in 1984 by The Cars, a leading new wave band active from the late ’70s to the mid-’80s.

With live performances on par with their studio recordings, the outstanding songwriting talent of Ric Ocasek—who would later shine as a producer for bands like Weezer—and a lineup of distinctive members, they not only wrote great songs but also had a strong commitment to visuals and artwork, making them a wonderful band that balanced artistry with commercial success.

Be sure to check out the MVs for their other songs too!

Start Me UpThe Rolling Stones61rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up – Official Promo

The Rolling Stones are a band that has never disbanded and has continued to be active on the front lines from the 1960s to the present.

Over their long career, they have taken on a variety of styles, spanning a wide range that includes classic rock, hard rock, psychedelia, and blues rock.

Their hit song “Start Me Up,” released in 1981, is crafted as an exhilarating piece of dance music.

Owner of a Lonely HeartYES62rank/position

YES – Owner of a Lonely Heart (Official Music Video)

This is a superbly danceable dance-rock number by the British progressive rock band Yes.

Its unforgettable sound fuses razor-sharp guitar riffs with the then state-of-the-art sampler’s orchestral hits.

The song is an anthem for those carrying lonely hearts, packed with a powerful message: don’t fear the future—forge your own path.

Its perspective is unique: loneliness isn’t a bad thing; it’s far better than having your heart shattered.

Released in October 1983, the track appears on the classic album 90125 and was also featured in a Toyota commercial.

If you’re looking to surrender to the groove and enjoy a party night, this one’s perfect!

Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencamp63rank/position

Hurts So Good (Live Broadcast 1992)

This is the song Hurts So Good by John Mellencamp.

It was included on the 1982 album American Fool and was also a hit single from that album.

It was used in the American musical film Footloose.

John Mellencamp also helped popularize heartland rock, a subgenre of country-influenced music.

Its simple blues feel is somehow nostalgic and really hits you in the chest.

It brings back memories of bittersweet youth.