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.

Playlist

Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s: Ranking [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Open ArmsJourney		Journey’s classic song “Open Arms” is moving.
2	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		The iconic 80s classic “Time After Time.”
3	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A hit song by The Police has held the number-one spot for eight consecutive weeks.
4	Take On Mea-ha		The shimmering, sparkling tones of the synthesizer leave an impression…
5	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Introduce Bon Jovi’s hit songs
6	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		A classic hit from the ’80s that portrays trust and doubt in love
7	Beat ItMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's masterpiece, the power of peace
8	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		Culture Club’s classic hit conquers the world
9	AfricaTOTO		Toto’s signature song “Africa,” with its refined musicality
10	Sweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ Roses		A classic song by Guns N' Roses
11	JumpVan Halen		A representative of hard rock and heavy metal...
12	Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		The classic song “Hard to Say,” which sings of the pain of heartbreak.
13	Like A VirginMadonna		The appeal of Madonna’s classic hits from the ’80s
14	Waiting for a Girl Like YouForeigner		A heart-stirring song born from meeting the woman of destiny
15	AloneHeart		A sentimental yet powerful masterpiece that stirs the heart.
16	The ReflexDuran Duran		A classic song by a British band that defined the MTV era
17	Another One Bites the DustQueen		A signature song by Queen, with a black music vibe.
18	With Or Without YouU2		U2’s signature song, a love song that hit No. 1 in the US
19	Purple RainPrince		The Appeal of Prince’s Masterpiece “Purple Rain”
20	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		A boxing-themed film, Rocky...
21	Back in BlackAC/DC		The appeal of AC/DC’s classic song “Back in Black”
22	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		The musicality and depth of spirit of David Bowie
23	The Final CountdownEurope		A representative Nordic metal band, currently active.
24	Last ChristmasWham!		A Christmas song about heartbreak, a timeless classic that resonates with the heart
25	Saving All My Love For YouWhitney Houston		A classic that captivates with its passionate vocals
26	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		The iconic song from Top Gun, a passionate love ballad
27	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
28	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		A classic song by Ozzy, a pioneer of heavy metal
29	AngelAerosmith		Aerosmith’s classic song “Angel,” perfect for autumn
30	Let’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire		Funk music and disco mus…
31	One More NightPhil Collins		Phil Collins's wistful night ballad
32	Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle		An iconic hit from the ’80s, Belinda Carlisle’s classic.
33	Do They Know It’s ChristmasBand Aid		Band Aid's charity song for famine relief
34	Blue MondayNew Order		An emotional song by a rock band that overcame tragedy
35	Call MeBlondie		That one-of-a-kind sound—cool and edgy…
36	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		Bonnie Tyler’s classic, resonant in the heart
37	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		A heartwarming night with a charming love song
38	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		An edgy smash hit from the ’80s
39	Down UnderMen At Work		1980s hit songs from Australia
40	99 LuftballonsNena		A prayer for peace, a classic of 80s synth-pop
41	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		REO Speedwagon's classic song
42	Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley		Classic dance music hits of the '80s
43	Don’t You Want MeThe Human League		A wistful love song by The Human League from the ’80s
44	Can’t Take My Eyes Off YouBoys Town Gang		Expressing the thrilling feeling of love in an 80s disco classic
45	Straight from The HeartBryan Adams		Gaining attention before their breakthrough, a major hit in ’84
46	Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard		An ear-catching guitar riff and an unforgettable chorus...
47	The Boys Of SummerDon Henley		A classic that evokes the end of summer
48	FootlooseKenny Loggins		A vibrant, energetic dance tune that epitomizes the 1980s
49	Jessie’s GirlRIck Springfield		The appeal of Rick Springfield
50	Walk Like an EgyptianThe Bangles		A famous song by the Bangles, a popular female band from the ’80s
51	Still Loving YouScorpions		A poignant power ballad that sings of love’s revival
52	TrueSpandau Ballet		Spandau Ballet’s classic, a mature love
53	Mr. RobotoStyx		A leading band of progressive hard rock appears
54	Rock the CasbahThe Clash		The Clash in JoJo Part 5 is named after the band.
55	You Spin Me RoundDead Or Alive		The classic song by Dead or Alive
56	Money For NothingDire Straits		A famous song co-written with Sting, a big hit on MTV
57	I Should Be So LuckyKYLIE MINOGUE		A breezy 80s disco hit
58	Girls, Girls, GirlsMötley Crüe		Mötley Crüe, the emblem of ’80s metal
59	Let the Music PlayShannon		Shannon’s iconic ’80s hit passionately sings of romantic longing.
60	You Might ThinkThe Cars		Award-winning 'You Might Think' making waves on MTV
61	Start Me UpThe Rolling Stones		A legendary rock band that has been active for over half a century
62	Owner of a Lonely HeartYES		A lonely anthem for Jesus, packed with groove
63	Hurts So GoodJohn Mellencamp		John Mellencamp's Hurt…
64	Funky TownLipps Inc		A classic song that sings of a yearning for the city and a desire to change one’s circumstances.
65	Every Rose Has It’s ThornPoison		An iconic 80s hair metal track, the pain of a broken heart
66	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		A classic Stevie Wonder song perfect for autumn
67	CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band		J. Geils' hit tops the U.S. charts at No. 1
68	And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers		An iconic song that sees heartbreak in a positive light, with a rhythm that resonates with the heart.
69	I Heard RumourBananarama		Bananarama’s massive 1980s hit song “Venus.”
70	Sunglasses at NightCorey Hart		Hearing that distinctive synth phrase in the intro...
71	I Can Dream About YouDan Hartman		Insert song from the movie “Streets of Fire”
72	Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News		The famous song from Back to the Future
73	Naughty NaughtyJohn Parr		A one-hit wonder, or as they say in Japan, kinda like...
74	Right and a Wrong WayKeith Sweat		Keith Sweat’s classic love song
75	I Miss YouKlymaxx		A heartrending ballad singing about the pain of a broken heart, climax
76	CelebrationKool and The Gang		An iconic song from the ’80s—the dance beat is amazing.
77	GloriaLaura Branigan		Laura Branigan's hit song was originally by an Italian singer.
78	TrulyLionel Richie		Timeless songs that heal the heart and sing of eternal love
79	ManiacMichael Sembello		American singer-songwriter Mi...
80	Smooth OperatorSade		Sade’s mature music is captivating.
81	LukaSuzanne Vega		The songstress of the folk scene, classic tunes perfect for autumn
82	ShoutTears for Fears		Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith...
83	KokomoThe Beach Boys		The Beach Boys: a band of diverse music and remarkable longevity
84	Making Love Out Of Nothing At AllAir Supply		「Making Love Out Of …
85	AlwaysAtlantic Starr		A moving R&B hit song that sings of eternal love
86	Eyes Without A FaceBilly Idol		From punk rocker to world-renowned musician
87	Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners		An iconic song of the ’80s, music of hope and passion
88	Sweet DreamsEurythmics		Eurythmics’ classic song “Sweet Dreams”
89	I Love Rock ‘n’ RollJoan Jett & The Blackhearts		Unconditional love for rock and roll
90	Breaking The LawJudas Priest		Judas Priest’s classic song “Breaking the Law”
91	Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes		An adult dance hit that captivates a femme fatale
92	Can You Stand The RainNew Edition		A classic 80s R&B song that portrays deep bonds and love
93	Cold HeartedPaula Abdul		An American singer who colored the 80s, P…
94	Cum On Feel The NoizeQuiet Riot		A wildly popular anthem of 80s LA metal!
95	Lay It DownRatt		An iconic 80s glam metal song, passionate
96	GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.		The popular theme song of Ghostbusters
97	BreakoutSwing Out Sister		An iconic 80s synth-pop track with a sleek, fast-paced sound
98	Love ShackThe B-52’s		The B-52’s’ classic song “Love Shack”
99	VacationThe Go-Go’s		A pioneering all-female band...
100	It’s Raining MenThe Weather Girls		Men falling from the sky, an energetic dance track