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] Masterpieces and hit songs by legendary Western rock bands (121–130)
Karma ChameleonCulture Club
This is a signature song by the British new wave band Culture Club led by Boy George.
It was included on the 1983 album Colour by Numbers and released as a single.
In Japan, Boy George’s visual style and the fact that he is gay, combined with the lyric “Karma, karma, karma, karma,” have together made the song completely associated with okama (a camp/effeminate gay stereotype).
Dark EntriesBauhaus
Bauhaus, a rock band from Northampton, England.
They were active mainly in the 1980s and gained popularity in Japan as well, even performing concerts there as a post-punk band.
Amid the 1980s—a decade when various instruments and genres dominated the charts and many classic songs were released—they stood out with a simple band setup and thrived on the strength of their live performances.
In conclusion
Looking over these classic songs from the 1980s like this, you probably found quite a few tracks that leave a different impression from the common image many people have of “flashy and glamorous” ’80s music.
Of course, the decade is also known for producing many sparkling, dynamic mega-hits—that’s quintessentially ’80s, too.
If you set aside preconceptions and dig deeper, you’re sure to have a great time!