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’ Masterpieces and Hit Songs (’81–’90)
DebaserPixies
Pixies is an American rock band formed in 1986.
With vocals that shout over a thunderous rock sound, their music reaches peak intensity—they are a band that epitomizes the alternative rock movement of the ’80s.
Popular in Japan and around the world, they are also known for having a profound influence on the rock scene that followed.
Love ShackThe B-52’s
Introducing a signature track by The B-52’s, a band that epitomized the New Wave scene of the 1980s.
Formed in Athens, Georgia, their music is characterized by a distinctive style influenced by 1950s rock and roll and surf music.
Released in June 1989, this song appears on the album Cosmic Thing.
Its lyrics, which portray a journey to a place called the “Love Shack” as a symbol of love and joy following loss and renewal, are particularly striking.
It became the band’s biggest hit, reaching No.
3 on the U.
S.
Billboard Hot 100 and No.
2 in the U.
K.
The music video won the “Best Group Video” award at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
It’s a perfect track for parties and fun get-togethers.
Do You Believe In LoveHuey Lewis & The News
Huey Lewis & The News were characterized by a bright, quintessentially American band sound.
Built on simple, hard-hitting rock, their frontman Huey’s rugged, husky vocals and the smooth, pleasing harmonies feel quintessentially ’80s.
“Do You Believe in Love” is a track released in 1982.
Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The News
Huey Lewis and the News is a popular American rock band.
Their song “The Power of Love,” released in 1985, is well-known for being the theme song of the film Back to the Future.
In Japan, it became familiar to many because it was used in a Honda Integra commercial featuring Michael J.
Fox.
La BambaLos Lobos
Los Lobos is a rock band composed entirely of Mexican-American members.
Their strongest appeal is, above all, their musicality.
By infusing Mexican music into rock, they crafted a unique sound that earned them high acclaim throughout the Latin world.
Their hit song La Bamba, released in 1987, was nominated for the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
Play the gameQueen
This is a track from Queen’s 1980 album “The Game.” The music video is a must-see and ranks among the most entertaining of Queen’s videos.
From the intro through the middle, it features Freddie Mercury’s vocals over a mid-tempo groove, but the energy ramps up sharply halfway through.
It’s an upbeat, high-energy song, perfect for parties.
[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Masterpieces and Hit Songs (91–100)
Break outSwing Out Sister
Swing Out Sister is a British male-female duo known in Japan for hit songs such as “Breakout.” The track is included on their 1986 album ‘It’s Better to Travel.
’ It is one of Swing Out Sister’s early hits and a famous song that has been used in numerous Japanese commercials and TV programs.