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.
- Legendary Western rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 80s
- Top Western Music Artists of the 1980s: Ranking [2025]
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
- [Grabs Your Heart] A Compilation of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2025]
- Hidden gems of Western music. Lesser-known songs.
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- [Western Music] Cool Three-Piece Bands: Recommended Trios Roundup [2025]
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs (71–80)
Raining BloodSLAYER
Among the Big Four of thrash metal, Slayer stands out for having the most evil and ferocious sound.
Featured on their legendary 1986 masterpiece “Reign in Blood,” this track is one of the band’s signature numbers.
From the ominous opening of rain and thunder to the blisteringly fast riffs that assault every listener, it’s relentless.
Yet it’s not merely fast for its own sake—you can sense the sophisticated musicianship, making it one of the finest songs in metal history.
It has also influenced pop culture, appearing in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and the TV show South Park.
Highly recommended for those drawn to intense sounds and dark atmospheres.
Shout To The TopThe Style Council
This is a single released from the Style Council’s third album, Our Favourite Shop, which came out in 1986.
The band is led by Paul Weller, formerly of The Jam.
You’ve probably heard it, as it was used for the opening of the morning variety show Sukkiri.
TrueSpandau Ballet
A signature song of Spandau Ballet, still celebrated today as a defining track of the 1980s New Romantic scene.
Written by Gary Kemp at home, the piece is both an homage to Marvin Gaye and an expression of feelings for someone with whom he shared a platonic relationship.
Its silky saxophone tone and Tony Hadley’s soulful vocals leave a strong impression, and when it was released as a single in April 1983, it became a major hit on both the UK and US charts.
The lyrics, which portray the complexity and fragility of love, still resonate today.
It’s a song I’d recommend to anyone struggling with love or wishing to convey their feelings to someone special.
[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Masterpieces and Hit Songs (’81–’90)
CenterfoldThe J. Geils Band
It’s a song released in 1981 by the American band The J.
Geils Band, and it was their biggest hit.
Known for its memorable intro, the song is titled “Ochita Tenshi” (“Fallen Angel”) in Japanese, and it was widely used in Japan in commercials, including ones featuring Ichiro and for beer.
If you watched TV at the time, you’ve probably heard it at least once.
Rock Of AgesDef Leppard
Def Leppard is a British hard rock band.
“Rock of Ages” was included on the album “Pyromania,” released in 1982.
It’s a track known for its heavy sound, with drum beats that thump and resonate powerfully.
Wake Up DeadMegadeth
In February 2023, Megadeth—one of the Big Four of thrash metal and one of the most important bands in the history of heavy metal—played their first show at the Nippon Budokan, a performance that also made headlines for featuring former member Marty Friedman.
Their relationship with Metallica is so famous it’s practically a part of metal history itself, and when discussing the metal and rock scenes of the 1980s, their songs are absolutely indispensable.
Wake Up Dead is a classic that opens their breakthrough second album, Peace Sells.
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but Who’s Buying?.
Its intricate and complex structure sets it apart from more straight-ahead thrash, perfectly embodying what central figure Dave Mustaine himself calls “intellectual thrash metal.”
DriveThe Cars
The Cars are a rock band from the United States.
The frontman, Ric Ocasek, has a uniquely captivating voice.
“Drive” is an emotional ballad included on their 1984 album Heartbeat City.