1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
When it comes to the 1980s, it’s often called the “golden era” of Western rock music.
From the perspective of rock bands, it was a time when many veteran groups—still active today—made their debuts, and countless worldwide hits that went down in history were born.
This time, we’re spotlighting hit songs and classics by Western rock bands from that very 1980s!
Alongside energetic, quintessentially ’80s rock numbers and stadium-ready ballads, we’ve assembled a varied lineup that also reflects the era’s birth of the so-called New Wave—unbound by traditional rock—and the alternative rock that would lead into the 1990s.
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[1980s] Masterpieces and Hit Songs by Legendary Western Rock Bands (61–70)
Last ChristmasWham!
Last Christmas by Wham! was a massive hit in the 1980s.
Since it’s a song used by many media outlets in Japan, I’m sure many of you are familiar with it.
Even in the 2020s, isn’t this the song that comes to mind when you think of Christmas? With Wham’s sweet vocals and beautiful sound, it’s a pop number that also achieved huge commercial success.
To Hell With The DevilStryper
Stryper, the American band known for their striking yellow-and-black visuals.
This song, which embodies their beliefs, carries a powerful message of rejecting every temptation and staying on the right path.
Beyond the lyrical world, the dramatic progression woven by Michael Sweet’s soaring high-tone vocals and the heavy guitar sound is equally captivating.
It’s the title track from the classic album To Hell with the Devil, released in October 1986, and the album achieved the landmark of becoming the first Christian metal record to be certified Platinum in January 1988.
When you want to accomplish something or fire yourself up, listening to it might give you great courage.
Cherry PieWarrant
A signature song from Warrant, a band that epitomized the American glam metal scene.
Vocalist Jani Lane reportedly wrote it in just 15 minutes at the request of the record label president.
It’s the title track of the album Cherry Pie.
The lyrics, which compare a loved one to a sweet and irresistible pie, are straightforward and passionate.
This track blends an uplifting, catchy guitar riff with an irresistibly singable pop chorus, letting you fully savor the glitzy world of LA metal.
Released in September 1990 as the lead single from the album of the same name, it became a major hit, reaching No.
10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Give it a spin when you want to crank up the mood—perfect for drives and parties!
Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne
A masterpiece among masterpieces by the band led by Ozzy Osbourne after he left Black Sabbath—the eponymous group bearing his own name.
Above all, the legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads delivers phenomenal playing, and you can feel the spirit that thrilled guitar kids of the time even through the footage.
Manic MondayThe Bangles
A signature song by The Bangles, the great band born out of Los Angeles.
Written by Prince under the pseudonym “Christopher,” the track became a worldwide hit upon its 1986 release.
Its lyrics, which capture a woman’s feelings on a Monday morning as she heads to work, resonated with many people, and together with its catchy melody it became one of the defining classics of the ’80s.
It reached No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in many countries, including the UK and Germany.
This song brought The Bangles a new base of female fans and marked a turning point in their career.
Depicting the everyday lives of working people, it continues to be loved by many to this day.
RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood
Introducing the debut single by Frankie Goes to Hollywood as a provocative anthem emblematic of the 1980s New Wave scene.
With lyrics laden with sexual innuendo and a distinctive sound, it sparked widespread controversy, and its popularity soared after the BBC banned it from broadcast in January 1984.
The track became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Through sexual metaphors, the song explores the balance between tension and release and underscores the importance of pursuing life’s goals.
Created in collaboration with producer Trevor Horn, it resonated deeply against the backdrop of peak AIDS-era anxieties, drawing attention as a song with a powerful, timely message.
Ghost TownCheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American band formed in the 1970s.
Although they’re often associated with a lively, bouncy image, in the 1980s they also performed more mature ballads like this one.
It’s included on their 1988 album “Cheap Trick.”