[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs
The 1980s brought changes to music history and had a huge influence on later musicians.
Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire.
.
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Even those who didn’t live through the era can sink into a sense of nostalgia that feels familiar somehow.
Compared to modern songs, the classics of the ’80s often boast purer song quality and stronger musical structure—or, seen another way, the larger market meant bigger budgets, letting you enjoy luxuriously produced sounds.
Find a favorite track and really dive into it!
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[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (111–120)
Rush HourJane Wiedlin
Jane, who played rhythm guitar for the Go-Go’s—the first all-female rock band to reach No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts—didn’t achieve the same solo breakout as Belinda Carlisle after the band split, but she did reach No.
9 on the Billboard Hot 100 with this song.
It showcases a fresh, wholesome style of girl-pop that’s distinct from Belinda’s.
Darlin’ IVanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams, a former Miss America who continues to thrive as a model, actress, and singer.
This is a classic on par with her huge ’80s hit “Save The Best For Last.” An R&B ballad with an air of mature allure, included on the album “The Right Stuff.”
Uptown GirlBilly Joel
This song features a lively melody strongly influenced by 1960s doo-wop.
Billy Joel skillfully portrays a universal love story in which a working-class young man falls in love with a woman from high society.
Set to a bright, cheerful tune, the piece depicts a romance that transcends social class and was released as a single from the album An Innocent Man in September 1983.
It reached No.
1 in the UK and became a major hit, selling approximately 975,000 copies.
In 1984, it was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award and received high praise as a sophisticated pop tune.
Its upbeat rhythm and hopeful message encourage a positive outlook on love.
It’s Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel
A singer-songwriter, vocalist, pianist, and composer—he wears many hats and is undoubtedly one of the defining artists of the 1970s and 1980s.
Following his 1970s signature song “Piano Man,” this rock ’n’ roll track became a massive hit in the ’80s as well.
His music is loved across generations and has been covered by many artists, making him one of the greats who have influenced the history of music.
Upside DownDiana Ross
Diana Ross is a superstar who kept producing hits from her time with The Supremes in the 1960s.
She went solo in the ’70s and became widely known as a diva.
This song was such a massive hit that it can be considered one of her signature tracks.
Its crisp, stylish, and tasteful sound was played constantly in clubs—and in Japan at the time, there wasn’t a day it didn’t spin at the disco.
As a dance number, it had a tremendous impact on music history.
Don’t Fight ItKenny Loggins ft. Steve Perry
If you listen to it when you’re feeling down, it’ll definitely fill your whole body with power! A classic duet by Kenny Loggins and Journey’s Steve Perry.
Their soaring vocals and the guitar intro are quintessential, straight-ahead rock.
The Japanese title is “Sunrise Party.”
Don’t Answer MeThe Alan Parsons Project
In the 1980s, the heyday of MTV, this music video was especially impactful.
It’s a ballad by The Alan Parsons Project, known for their hit “Eye in the Sky.” The comic book–style visuals pair perfectly with the nostalgic melody—a classic that epitomizes a bright, optimistic era.