Most Popular Western Music Bands Ranking [2025]

Cake By The OceanDNCE71rank/position

DNCE – Cake By The Ocean

This is a unique track that expresses fun and passion over a breezy funk-pop groove.

The September 2015 debut by American dance-rock band DNCE skillfully weaves in elements of 1970s disco and R&B, spinning a metaphor that likens a romantic seaside moment to sweet treats.

Brimming with a spirit of adventure and humor, the lyrics and Joe Jonas’s charming vocals harmonize in perfect balance.

Reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard charts, the song continues to captivate listeners worldwide with its funky guitar riffs and catchy melodies.

It’s an ideal pick for parties or drives, and a great choice whenever you want to lift your mood.

Rock This TownStray cats72rank/position

Stray Cats – Rock This Town (Live 1983)

Speaking of the ’70s and ’80s, it was common to stick words like “neo” or “post” in front of genre names, and the Stray Cats are a prime example with “neo-rockabilly”! Using period-correct gear, they revived the rockabilly of the ’50s and ’60s, and this “Rock This Town” is the result.

It’s a top-notch neo-rockabilly number.

Their fashion is amazing too!

Like a StoneAudioslave73rank/position

Audioslave – Like a Stone (Official Video)

This is a song by Audioslave, the American supergroup formed by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and members of Rage Against the Machine.

It is said to portray the state of mind of someone at the end of their life, quietly waiting to reunite with a loved one in the afterlife.

The late Chris Cornell’s powerful yet heartrending vocals gently embrace profound themes of solitude and mortality.

You can almost picture someone waiting alone, like a stone, in complete stillness for that moment to come.

Coupled with a guitar solo that feels like an inexpressible cry from the heart, it’s an affecting track that squeezes the chest with an unbearable loneliness.

CelebrationKool and The Gang74rank/position

Kool & The Gang – Celebration

A timeless classic brimming with positive energy has remained beloved around the world as the band’s signature song.

Released in October 1980, this track reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot for two weeks.

Born from religious inspiration, its lyrics convey the importance of celebrating life’s joy and success.

Representing the culmination of Kool & the Gang’s musical style, the song is used in a variety of celebratory moments—weddings, birthdays, sports events—and has truly become a universal anthem of celebration.

It’s the perfect track to send heartfelt cheers to anyone embarking on a new chapter—give it a listen.

MIDI SURFTHE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS75rank/position

MIDI SURF

A stunning masterpiece of loud rock that fuses fiercely distorted sound with digital tones.

While grounded in the aggressive elements of punk and hardcore, this unique track skillfully incorporates late-’90s digital sound.

Featured on the album “OSC-DIS” and released as a single in August 1998, it also showcases innovative, street culture–inspired visuals in its music video.

Garnering high acclaim overseas, it played a major role in the band’s global breakthrough.

The track has been used in skateboarding and action sports videos, underscoring its strong affinity with the street scene.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking energetic dance rock and for those intrigued by the fusion of punk and electronica.

Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang76rank/position

🍀 I'm in Love with Your Eyes — Can't Take My Eyes Off You / Ritsumeikan University Cheerleading Squad Wind Ensemble, Ritsumeikan Univ. Symphonic & Marching Band

Famous for the cover by Boys Town Gang, this song charms with its sweet lyrics that express the feelings of someone in love.

Released in 1982, this version is characterized by an energetic rhythm and catchy melody that set the dance floor on fire.

It became a huge hit, topping the charts in several European countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium.

In wind band concerts, it pairs perfectly with a dazzling brass sound.

It’s sure to be a piece that both audience and performers can enjoy together.

Do It AgainSteely Dan77rank/position

Steely Dan – Do It Again

Steely Dan is an American rock band formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

Their hallmark is a complex sound that combines elements of jazz, R&B, soul, and more.

Do It Again appears on their 1972 debut album, Can’t Buy A Thrill, and became a hit in the United States.

The song is memorable for its enigmatic lyrics and a solo phrase played on electric sitar.

Although Walter Becker passed away in 2017, Donald Fagen continues to be highly active as a solo artist.