[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.
.
.
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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- Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- Dance music from Western artists that was a hit in the 1970s. World-famous and popular songs.
- [Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (111–120)
First LoveStryper
When it comes to Christian metal bands from the ’80s, it has to be Stryper.
This track showcases Michael Sweet’s powerful high notes ringing out.
With its truly divine melodic lines, it’s a masterpiece that will captivate even those who aren’t metal fans.
[1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80’s Best Hit Songs (121–130)
Live To TellMadonna
It hit No.
1 in the U.
S.
in 1986.
It was the lead single released ahead of the album True Blue.
I actually think this might be the song that became a turning point allowing Madonna to sustain such a long career.
At the time, it wasn’t well received by people who wanted the breezy dance beats typical of Madonna.
Even for ballads, they felt it wasn’t “Madonna-like” unless it was something sweet like Crazy for You.
But this is a masterpiece that deepens the more you listen.
I believe the lyrics are by her and the music by her co-writer, P.
Leonard, and Madonna’s greatness lies in having the breadth to embrace a song like this.
Bitter Is BetterKim Wilde
A song that frequently played on TV in 1982 as a soft drink commercial jingle.
They say the manufacturer was flooded with inquiries asking, “Who is that beauty?” Kim’s sexy vocals—she was even called Madonna’s rival at the time—are striking.
The composition and production were by Masami Tsuchiya of Ippu-Do.
Gimme All Your Lovin’ZZ Top
The American blues-rock band ZZ Top, active since the ’70s, struck gold in the ’80s with their “techno boogie” direction.
This album became a legendary smash hit in the United States, selling 10 million copies.
Today, they’re regarded as a nationally beloved Southern rock band.
Holding Back The YearsSimply Red
It hit No.
1 in the U.
S.
in 1986—this was their breakthrough.
Simply Red kept scoring hits with the soulful vocals of their red-haired frontman, Mick Hucknall.
In Japan, there was quite a buzz around Gota Yashiki joining the band as their drummer around the time of another hit, Stars.
In 1989, they reached No.
1 in the U.
S.
with their cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ If You Don’t Know Me by Now.
Mick is great at soul covers, too.
The up-tempo Money’s Too Tight (to Mention) and The Right Thing are also excellent tracks.
Up Where We BelongJoe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
It was number one in the U.
S.
in 1982.
This classic plays at the end of the film An Officer and a Gentleman, starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
“An Officer and a Gentleman” is the original title; “officer” is used in the sense of a commissioned military officer.
The song was written by Will Jennings and the renowned Jack Nitzsche.
When it comes to duets, you think of Jennifer Warnes, and the legendary Joe Cocker’s voice blends with hers superbly.
Back in BlackAC/DC
It’s the song “Back in Black,” released in 1980 by the legendary rock band AC/DC, whose guitarist’s shorts and high-pitched vocals are trademarks.
The aggressive guitar riff is especially memorable.
It’s also a standard tune musicians jam on.
It’s an irresistible track for the generation of rock-loving moms and dads.