Nostalgic Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]

We’ll be introducing classic Western songs in a ranking format by artist.

From oldies standards like rockabilly and doo-wop to rock ’n’ roll legends who are still active today, only super-famous tracks will make an appearance.

Playlist

Nostalgic Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Bohemian RhapsodyQueen		A quintessential work of 1970s dance music…
2	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		Oasis classic “Wonderwall” inspires people
3	Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses		The appeal of the classic song 'Sweet Child O’ Mine'
4	Open ArmsJourney		Journey’s classic song “Open Arms” is moving.
5	Beat ItMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's masterpiece, the power of peace
6	More Than WordsExtreme		A moving love song by Extreme
7	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		The iconic 80s classic “Time After Time.”
8	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A hit song by The Police has held the number-one spot for eight consecutive weeks.
9	Stairway To HeavenLed Zeppelin		Legendary rock ballad, a supreme masterpiece
10	Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi		Introduce Bon Jovi’s hit songs
11	Take On Mea-ha		The shimmering, sparkling tones of the synthesizer leave an impression…
12	Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles		Eagles, the legendary country rock band
13	Basket CaseGreen Day		In the alternative rock scene of the ’90s...
14	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		A Backstreet Boys classic that portrays the conflicts of love
15	Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates		A classic hit from the ’80s that portrays trust and doubt in love
16	Karma ChameleonCulture Club		Culture Club’s classic hit conquers the world
17	AfricaTOTO		Toto’s signature song “Africa,” with its refined musicality
18	Dream OnAerosmith		Aerosmith’s classic “Dream On” becomes a legend
19	SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire		A groove-filled masterpiece that captivates the heart.
20	JumpVan Halen		A representative of hard rock and heavy metal...
21	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		The ultimate love song about stepping aside for the one you love
22	Like A VirginMadonna		The appeal of Madonna’s classic hits from the ’80s
23	WannabeSpice Girls		Spice Girls friendship song
24	Enter SandmanMetallica		A shocking event that shook the metal scene of the ’90s…
25	Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers		A soul’s cry: an urban ballad of loneliness and rebirth
26	Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		The classic song “Hard to Say,” which sings of the pain of heartbreak.
27	Purple HazeThe Jimi Hendrix Experience		Jimi Hendrix Experience is...
28	With Or Without YouU2		U2’s signature song, a love song that hit No. 1 in the US
29	EverlongFoo Fighters		The Moving Masterpiece by Foo Fighters
30	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		The gen… that changed the music scene of the ’90s,
31	Purple RainPrince		The Appeal of Prince’s Masterpiece “Purple Rain”
32	CreepRadiohead		Radiohead's cry of loneliness and alienation
33	Stayin’ AliveBee Gees		A signature 1977 song by the Bee Gees. A disco masterpiece that sings of the determination to keep moving forward even in the face of adversity.
34	Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest WordElton John		Elton John's classic song that sings about the pain of a broken heart
35	Are You Gonna Go My WayLenny Kravitz		A quintessential piece of the ’90s—full of summer-ready energy…
36	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman
37	Waiting for a Girl Like YouForeigner		A heart-stirring song born from meeting the woman of destiny
38	Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple		Deep Purple’s classic song, Burn
39	AloneHeart		A sentimental yet powerful masterpiece that stirs the heart.
40	The ReflexDuran Duran		A classic song by a British band that defined the MTV era
41	LoserBeck		A masterpiece that turns despair and resignation into laughter
42	Eye Of The TigerSurvivor		A boxing-themed film, Rocky...
43	1979The Smashing Pumpkins		A youthful nostalgia song by Smashing Pumpkins
44	Let’s DanceDavid Bowie		The musicality and depth of spirit of David Bowie
45	Last ChristmasWham!		A Christmas song about heartbreak, a timeless classic that resonates with the heart
46	Back in BlackAC/DC		The appeal of AC/DC’s classic song “Back in Black”
47	Heart of GlassBlondie		A classic rock song from the 70s, a signature track by Blondie
48	Tears in HeavenEric Clapton		Elegy for Eric Clapton’s son
49	The Final CountdownEurope		A representative Nordic metal band, currently active.
50	Don’t SpeakNo Doubt		This song, which depicts the pain of a relationship’s end, was a hit in the ’90s…
51	My GenerationThe Who		Brought innovation to the British rock scene of the 1960s…
52	Shape Of My HeartSting		Film music by Sting and Dominic
53	Hot StuffDonna Summer		Donna Summer, 'Hot Stuff' is a legendary song.
54	That’s The Way (I Like It)KC and The Sunshine Band		KC and the Sunshine Band’s 1975 disco-funk masterpiece. A worldwide hit song.
55	Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne		A classic song by Ozzy, a pioneer of heavy metal
56	Isn’t She LovelyStevie Wonder		The Birth of a Stevie Wonder Classic
57	Strawberry Fields ForeverThe Beatles		A British rock b… that epitomized the 1960s
58	(I Can’t Get No) SatisfactionThe Rolling Stones		A song that represents the rock scene of the 1960s…
59	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		The iconic song from Top Gun, a passionate love ballad
60	My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion		Titanic theme song, a famous masterpiece that sings of love
61	To Be With YouMr. BIG		Includes Mr. Big’s signature song “To Be With You.”
62	One More NightPhil Collins		Phil Collins's wistful night ballad
63	Pump Up The JamTechnotronic		The 1990s, a decade that saw remarkable growth in electronic music...
64	Good VibrationsThe Beach Boys		The Beach Boys’ musical contribution amounts to …
65	Heaven Is a Place On EarthBelinda Carlisle		An iconic hit from the ’80s, Belinda Carlisle’s classic.
66	Song 2Blur		Blur’s hard-hitting guitar sound
67	Blue MondayNew Order		An emotional song by a rock band that overcame tragedy
68	Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine		A song of social criticism, defiance against authority
69	DreamsThe Cranberries		The Cranberries’ captivating debut song
70	Do They Know It’s ChristmasBand Aid		Band Aid's charity song for famine relief
71	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		Bonnie Tyler’s classic, resonant in the heart
72	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		A heartwarming night with a charming love song
73	IrisGoo Goo Dolls		An angel’s heartrending love, a song of the resolve to cast away one’s life
74	U Can’t Touch ThisMC Hammer		So danceable it’ll make your body start swaying before you know it...
75	Down UnderMen At Work		1980s hit songs from Australia
76	99 LuftballonsNena		A prayer for peace, a classic of 80s synth-pop
77	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		REO Speedwagon's classic song
78	Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley		Classic dance music hits of the '80s
79	All I Wanna DoSheryl Crow		The Charm of Sheryl Crow’s Breezy Songs
80	LovefoolThe Cardigans		The popular Swedish band, The Cardiga...
81	You Really Got MeThe Kinks		It can be called a masterpiece etched into the history of rock sound...
82	And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers		An iconic song that sees heartbreak in a positive light, with a rhythm that resonates with the heart.
83	I’m Not In Love10cc		A classic song that sings of the heartrending feelings of a man who has fallen in love
84	Straight from The HeartBryan Adams		Gaining attention before their breakthrough, a major hit in ’84
85	Genie In A BottleChristina Aguilera		A heartrending melody entwines with sensual lyrics, a 90...
86	Pour Some Sugar On MeDef Leppard		An ear-catching guitar riff and an unforgettable chorus...
87	LaylaDerek and the Dominos		...had a major impact on the rock scene of the 1970s...
88	If We Hold On TogetherDiana Ross		A heart-touching ballad that sings of love and bonds
89	The Boys Of SummerDon Henley		A classic that evokes the end of summer
90	RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood		An edgy smash hit from the ’80s
91	Alone AgainGilbert O’Sullivan		A singer-songwriter from Ireland…
92	Virtual InsanityJamiroquai		The acid jazz groove, hugely popular in Japan as well…
93	FootlooseKenny Loggins		A vibrant, energetic dance tune that epitomizes the 1980s
94	Born To Be WildSteppenwolf		60 years that symbolize the spirit seeking freedom and adventure…
95	Walk Like an EgyptianThe Bangles		A famous song by the Bangles, a popular female band from the ’80s
96	Don’t You Want MeThe Human League		A wistful love song by The Human League from the ’80s
97	Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)The Offspring		A killer tune that’s perfect for the hot summer season, and…
98	The HustleVan McCoy		The 1970s were an era of eccentricity known as New Wave...
99	Save The Best For LastVanessa Williams		One of the greatest ballads representing the 1990s...
100	Buddy HollyWeezer		Weezer’s youthful power-pop classic