Oldies Western Music: Popular Rankings [2025]

Karma ChameleonCulture Club15rank/position

Culture Club – Karma Chameleon (Official Music Video)

When it comes to Culture Club’s signature song, it has to be this number.

Featured on their 1983 album “Colour by Numbers,” it topped the charts in 16 countries worldwide and became the best-selling single of 1983 in the UK.

Boy George’s distinctive vocals, combined with a sound that incorporates elements of reggae and calypso, captivate listeners and won’t let go.

The lyrics convey themes of instability in human relationships and a warning against living a life that betrays one’s true self.

It’s a track where an upbeat, dancefloor-ready rhythm and a profoundly meaningful message blend in perfect balance.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy 80s music or sink into a nostalgic mood.

Don’t Stop BelievinJourney16rank/position

Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (Escape Tour 1981: Live In Houston)

Journey is a rock band that enjoyed immense popularity in the 1980s rock scene.

They’re also extremely popular in Japan and still have many fans today.

Among Journey’s many classic songs, one I especially recommend is Don’t Stop Believin’.

Released in 1981, it pairs a fresh, energetic melody with story-style lyrics.

Its sound is perfect for a morning or midday drive, so be sure to add it to your leisure soundtrack!

Private EyesDaryl Hall & John Oates17rank/position

Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes (Official HD Video)

Here lies a masterpiece that electrified dance floors in the 1980s.

The opening handclaps are catchy, and the rhythmic groove that grabs the audience and won’t let go is the very essence of ’80s pop.

The lyrics explore trust and doubt in romance, skillfully using the metaphor of a detective.

Featured on Daryl Hall & John Oates’ tenth studio album and released in September 1981, the track spent two consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was frequently aired on MTV and became one of their signature songs.

Perfect for anyone feeling nostalgic or looking to rediscover the charm of ’80s music.

JumpVan Halen18rank/position

Van Halen – Jump (Official Music Video) [HD]

Van Halen is a rock band that epitomizes hard rock and heavy metal.

They’re extremely popular in Japan as well, and if you’re into rock—even if you’re young—you’ve probably heard of them.

One of their signature tracks is Jump.

Chances are you’ve heard this song at least once through some form of media.

Its memorable synthesizers blend perfectly with its crisp rock sound, making it an ideal BGM choice for enjoying time at leisure facilities in the summer.

AfricaTOTO19rank/position

Toto – Africa (Official HD Video)

TOTO is an American rock band formed in 1976.

Throughout their career, they have changed their musical style several times, exploring pop rock, AOR, hard rock, progressive rock, and soft rock.

Among their works, a song I especially recommend is Africa.

Released in 1982, it features a distinctive melody that feels like a blend of the AOR boom of the 1970s and the pop rock trend of the 1980s.

Enter SandmanMetallica20rank/position

Metallica: Enter Sandman (Official Music Video)

This is a groundbreaking track that shook the metal scene in the ’90s.

Featured as the opening song on Metallica’s 1991 album “Metallica,” it became a massive hit that transcended the boundaries of heavy metal.

The lyrics, themed around childhood fears and nightmares, portray the mythological figure of the Sandman in an eerie light, leaving a deep impression on listeners.

This song marks a shift from their earlier thrash metal style to a more groovy, catchy sound, making it truly iconic.

It’s frequently used at American sporting events and is beloved by a wide audience.

A classic recommended not only for metal fans but also for newcomers to rock.

Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers21rank/position

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge [Official Music Video]

A soul-baring cry of pain and regeneration has taken shape as a sweeping ballad set in Los Angeles.

Included on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, released in September 1991, the song vivid­ly portrays deep loneliness and a love for the city, carried by melodious guitar tones.

Written during recovery from drug addiction, it wraps the vocalist’s inner turmoil and his bond with the city in a warm, gentle sound.

After its single release in March 1992, it won the Viewer’s Choice award at the MTV Video Music Awards and reached No.

2 on the U.

S.

charts.

It is a track that resonates with those who, even while harboring loneliness and a sense of loss deep within, strive to keep moving forward.