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
- Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- 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
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
- [Captivating] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026]
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Masterpieces and Hit Songs (’81–’90)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is This LoveWhitesnake
A song by Whitesnake, the legendary rock band led by David Coverdale, famed as the vocalist of Deep Purple.
It’s included on their seventh album—released as “Serpens Albus” (The Badge of the White Snake) in Japan, “Whitesnake” in the United States, and “1987” in Europe.
The intro is especially memorable, where a spacious string sound intertwines with a wistful guitar tone.
Even if you don’t understand English, the ensemble underpinning the emotional vocals resonates deeply.
A timeless rock ballad that evokes its era without ever fading.
[1980s] Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Masterpieces and Hit Songs (91–100)
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.