Oldies Western Music: Popular Rankings [2025]

Shape Of My HeartSting43rank/position

Sting – Shape of My Heart (Official Music Video)

A song co-produced by Sting and guitarist Dominic Miller, who has played with him for many years.

Larry Adler performs the harmonica.

The track was used in the ending of the 1994 film ‘Léon: The Professional’ and in the 2011 TV drama ‘Hustle.

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I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston44rank/position

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You (Official 4K Video)

Whitney Houston is one of the greatest singers in music history.

The song she so powerfully sang was originally by country singer Dolly Parton, but Whitney’s version is the most famous.

Its theme is the ultimate form of love: choosing to step away for the sake of a loved one’s future.

The sincerity of wishing the other person’s happiness strikes deeply at the listener’s heart.

Thinking about the firm vow behind this bittersweet decision—“I will always love you”—leaves one with an indescribable feeling.

Chosen as the theme song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, which Whitney starred in, it set a monumental record by staying at No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts for 14 consecutive weeks.

When you’ve experienced parting from someone important, listening to it may bring you to tears with its profound love.

The Final CountdownEurope45rank/position

Europe – The Final Countdown (Official Video)

They are a pioneering and hugely popular Nordic metal band that had a massive hit in the 1980s.

The image of Nordic metal as “melodic tunes and high-pitched vocals” owes much to their success.

They reunited in the 2000s and are still active today.

Back in BlackAC/DC46rank/position

AC/DC – Back In Black (Official 4K Video)

Even now, past the 2020s, AC/DC—an Australian rock band boasting record-breaking sales—remain in full force.

Their unwavering musical identity and pure rock ’n’ roll spirit continue to set listeners’ hearts ablaze in any era.

Released in 1980, their masterpiece album Back in Black made history with an astounding 50 million copies sold worldwide, and its title track is truly one of AC/DC’s signature numbers—a quintessential killer tune.

Angus Young, one of the central Young brothers in the band, penned the legendary guitar riff—simple yet tinged with a bluesy flavor—that has been quoted countless times in various contexts.

Brian Johnson, who joined with this album, delivers electrifying shouts; Malcolm Young’s burnished, no-frills rhythm guitar locks in with an ultra-tight rhythm section.

It’s no exaggeration to say this track embodies everything that is the essence of rock.

Play it as loud as you possibly can!

Tears in HeavenEric Clapton47rank/position

Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven (Official Video)

Eric Clapton, revered worldwide by musicians and often called the “God of the Guitar,” crafted this gem of a ballad out of the most painful experience of his life.

In the wake of the sudden tragedy in 1991—the immeasurable sorrow of saying goodbye to his beloved son—he wrote it while sending his thoughts to the child in heaven, as a way to endure the grief.

Carried by gentle acoustic guitar, his voice asks whether his son will remember him when they meet again, a question that tugs at the listener’s heartstrings.

Created as the theme song for the film Rush, its performance on the live album Unplugged drew global acclaim.

A deeply personal sorrow was transformed into a universal song of healing and hope—an undeniably moving track that stands as one of the defining songs of the 1990s.

Don’t SpeakNo Doubt48rank/position

No Doubt – Don’t Speak (Official 4K Music Video)

This song, which portrays the pain of a relationship’s end, is known as one of the defining international hits of the 1990s.

Featured on No Doubt’s 1995 album Tragic Kingdom, the track captured many listeners’ hearts with Gwen Stefani’s stirring vocals and relatable lyrics.

When it was released as a single in April 1996, it became the most-played song on American radio and achieved high positions on various charts.

It was also a major international hit, reaching number one in many countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia.

Quiet yet powerful in its expression of heartbreak, the song continues to be beloved as an anthem that speaks for those who have gone through similar experiences.

You Give Love A Bad NameBon Jovi49rank/position

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

Bon Jovi is a rock band that represents not only America but the global hard rock scene.

Their songs are used across various media in Japan, so even younger people are likely familiar with them.

Among Bon Jovi’s tracks, one of the most popular is “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Released in 1986, it’s crafted as a sharply executed hard rock number.

As such, it’s the perfect song for summer driving music.