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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.

Playlist

1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1Sweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ RosesA classic song by Guns N' Roses
2Every Breath You TakeThe PoliceLegendary for rock that blends police and reggae
3Back in BlackAC/DCThe appeal of AC/DC’s classic song “Back in Black”
4BatteryMetallicaMetallica’s signature song “Battery” is hugely popular.
5Livin’ On A PrayerBon JoviIntroduce Bon Jovi’s hit songs
6Open armsJourneyJourney, a rock band that peaked in the 1980s
7With or Without YouU2U2’s signature song “With or Without You”
8Just Can’t Get EnoughDepeche ModeLegendary band Depeche Mode
9Friday I’m In LoveThe CureA bright, sunlit pop tune
10Girls, Girls, GirlsMötley CrüeMötley Crüe, the emblem of ’80s metal
11Radio Ga GaQueenA classic by the legendary rock band, Queen
12RosannaTOTOHit songs by TOTO, a legendary band from the ’80s
13Run To The HillsIron MaidenIron Maiden: A world-famous hard rock band
14You Might ThinkThe CarsAward-winning 'You Might Think' making waves on MTV
15Breaking The LawJudas PriestJudas Priest’s classic song “Breaking the Law”
16You Spin Me RoundDead Or AliveThe classic song by Dead or Alive
17StandR.E.M.1980s music by the indie band R.E.M.
18Don’t Stop Me NowQueenQueen, an indomitable masterpiece, loved around the world
19In My DreamsDokkenFeelings for a lover I can meet only in my dreams
20Senses Working OvertimeXTCXTC is a British band known for its distinctive musical style.
21Burning Down the HouseTalking HeadsExplaining a classic song by Talking Heads
22I Love Rock ‘n’ RollJoan Jett & The BlackheartsUnconditional love for rock and roll
23Goo Goo MuckThe CrampsNetflix drama “Wednesday” directed by Tim Burton
24Dr. FeelgoodMötley CrüeAn emblematic song of L.A. metal, a tale of addiction and pleasure
25Genius of LoveTom Tom ClubA funky classic, famous for its sampling.
26Let’s DanceDavid BowieThe musicality and depth of spirit of David Bowie
27Rock MeGreat WhiteA signature song of LA metal, Passionate Rock
28Pour Some Sugar On MeDef LeppardA sensual and captivating rock ballad
29The ReflexDuran DuranDuran Duran’s hit song “The Reflex”
30Cum On Feel The NoizeQuiet RiotA wildly popular anthem of 80s LA metal!
31Nothin’ But A Good TimePoisonAn iconic song that lifts your mood with party rock
32Somebody Save MeCinderellaA fiery rock sound that escapes the everyday and seeks freedom
33I Wanna Be SomebodyW.A.S.P.Wasp’s signature song, expressing dreams and ambition
34Never EnoughL.A. GunsThe Captivating Musical World of L.A. Guns
35Take on mea-haThe 80s classic song “Take On Me”
36Where the Streets Have No NameU2U2’s classic, an emotional rock number
37To Hell With The DevilStryperResist temptation and walk the right path.
38RaptureBlondieA masterpiece that brought innovation to 80s music
39Who Can It Be Now?Men At WorkA rock band from Australia becomes a big hit.
40Start Me UpThe Rolling StonesA legendary rock band that has been active for over half a century
41Every Rose Has Its ThornPoisonPoison’s classic song “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” depicting heartbreak
42AloneHeartA classic by Heart, an emotional female rock ballad
43Still Loving YouScorpionsThe Scorpions’ moving song about love divided
44Cherry PieWarrantA glam metal classic with passionate lyrics
45Don’t Stop BelievinJourneySteve Perry and Journey's classic song
46AfricaTOTOA classic album featuring TOTO’s signature songs
47AmandaBostonAn inspiring love ballad from the ’80s
48Gentlemen Take PolaroidsJapanThe beautiful five-piece band from the UK, Japan
49That’s AllGenesisPhil Collins's Genesis, a big hit
50The Final CountdownEuropeA masterpiece whose signature song became a worldwide hit
51Calling On YouStryperSignature songs of Christian metal bands, resonating with the heart
52LovesongThe CureThe appeal of The Cure, led by Robert Smith
53Talking in Your SleepThe RomanticsA classic pop-rock hit from the '80s, a love story
54AngelAerosmithAerosmith goes mainstream
55Manic MondayThe BanglesThe band’s signature song “Monday” became a hit.
56Crazy TrainOzzy OsbourneOzzy Osbourne's classic song, with captivating guitar
5799 LuftballonsNenaA German-language song from 1983 became a worldwide hit.
58Down UnderMen At Work1980s hit songs from Australia
59Private EyesDaryl Hall & John OatesAn urban, AOR-flavored smash hit
60Last ChristmasWham!A classic Christmas song: Wham’s masterpiece “Last Christmas”
61Pride In the Name of LoveU2U2 is a globally famous, timeless rock band.
62You Give Love A Bad NameBon JoviBon Jovi is a popular hard rock band.
63Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ RosesGuns N’ Roses’ smash hit
64Owner Of A Lonely HeartYESYes's smash hit showcases a new musical direction
65I Want to Know What Love IsForeignerA classic that sings about the essence of love, a worldwide smash hit
66Mr. RobotoStyxThe classic song by the progressive rock band Styx
67Call MeBlondieBlondie’s signature song “Call Me” became a massive hit.
68ViennaUltravoxA Fleeting Romance in Cold War Vienna
69Ghost TownCheap TrickA 70s rock band, adult ballads
70ABRACADABRASteve Miller BandA long-established rock band, famous for being inducted into the Hall of Fame
71Lay It DownRattRatt, a representative band of LA metal, reunites
72JumpVan HalenVan Halen’s signature song “Jump”
73The Perfect KissNew OrderNew Order, pioneers of electronic music
74RioDuran DuranDuran Duran’s new wave music
75RelaxFrankie Goes To HollywoodA smash hit from the ’80s known for its sexually suggestive lyrics
76ForeverKISSKISS conquers the world with their unique music
77Blue MondayNew OrderNew Order born from post-punk
78Raining BloodSLAYERThe supreme masterpiece of thrash metal, evil music
79Shout To The TopThe Style CouncilPaul Weller's classic song on a morning show
80TrueSpandau BalletSpandau Ballet’s classic, a love song
81CenterfoldThe J. Geils BandA smash hit song with striking “fringe”
82Rock Of AgesDef LeppardThe heavy rock of Def Leppard’s famous song
83Wake Up DeadMegadethMegadeth, a history-making thrash metal band
84DriveThe CarsThe Cars’ classic song “Drive” and its unique charm
85DebaserPixiesPixies is an innovative rock band from the 1980s.
86Love ShackThe B-52’sThe B-52’s’ classic song “Love Shack”
87Do You Believe In LoveHuey Lewis & The NewsAn iconic presence of 1980s rock bands
88Power of LoveHuey Lewis & The NewsThe famous song from Back to the Future
89La BambaLos LobosInnovative music created by a Mexican band
90Play the gameQueenAn iconic Queen classic, perfect for parties
91Break outSwing Out SisterA classic by Swing Out Sister
92In Between DaysThe CureThe Cure, the legendary British rock band
93Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded HouseAn iconic 80s MTV track, a timeless anthem of hope and solidarity
94Rock the CasbahThe ClashA punk song that challenges the king who bans music
95Armageddon ItDef LeppardDef Leppard’s famous “Pour Some Sugar”
96West End GirlsPet Shop BoysA British pop duo releases a classic song
97InnuendoQueenThe Appeal of Queen’s Final Album, Innuendo
98I Wanna Be AdoredThe Stone RosesA classic song by the band The Stone Roses
99Come on eileenDexys Midnight RunnersA pleasant song with a Celtic-style melody
100Is This LoveWhitesnakeAn inspiring rock ballad by Whitesnake
101Primitive PaintersFeltThe appeal of Felt, a leading band of neo-acoustic (neo-aco).
102The Killing MoonEcho & the BunnymenA neo-psychedelic masterpiece, a poem of melancholy and illusion
103Love Will Tear Us ApartJoy DivisionAn iconic song that symbolizes the punk era, tragic.
104Don’t You (Forget About Me)Simple MindsAn iconic song from the ’80s that portrays relationships and youth
105My Ever Changing MoodsThe Style CouncilPaul Weller’s band, The Style Council
106Born in the U.S.ABruce SpringsteenThe anguish and hope of Vietnam War veterans
107Walk Of LifeDire StraitsDire Straits’ classic songs and distinctive musical style
108Teen Age RiotSonic youthSonic Youth, influential on ’90s rock
109Once In A LifetimeTalking HeadsTalking Heads’ signature song of the new wave genre
110Sowing the Seeds of LoveTears for FearsA psychedelic pop classic band track from the ’80s
111Should I Stay Or Should I GoThe ClashThe classic song by the punk band, The Clash
112Hand In GloveThe SmithsMorrissey’s post-punk band
113This Charming ManThe SmithsThe Smiths: Major musical influence in a short time
114Sunday Bloody Sunday-HQU2U2 sings about the Bloody Sunday incident.
115Just Like HoneyThe Jesus and Mary ChainA landmark of noise pop, the beauty and anguish of love
116EpicFaith No MoreFaith No More of funk metal
117Our Lips Are SealedFun Boy ThreeTerry Hall’s band: short-lived but with great songs
118HallelujahHappy MondaysThe psychedelic rock band, Happyman’s Dead
119About A GirlNirvanaNirvana’s classic song “About a Girl”
120Let’s Go CrazyPrince & The RevolutionPrince’s classic song “Let’s Go Crazy”
121Rock This TownStray catsA song that revived neo-rockabilly
122The Queen Is DeadThe SmithsSignature songs of The Smiths, impact on society
123KokomoThe Beach BoysThe Beach Boys: a band of diverse music and remarkable longevity
124Digging Your SceneThe Blow MonkeysThe Blow Monkeys’ signature songs and blue-eyed soul
125Freak SceneDinosaur Jr.A grunge band active in the late '80s
126You Made Me RealiseMy Bloody ValentineThe allure of shoegaze: a fusion of roaring noise and silence
127Karma ChameleonCulture ClubSignature hit songs of Culture Club
128Dark EntriesBauhausThe Bauhaus, a legendary post-punk band