The Best of 1980 Pop Music
Contents
Check out our blog for a comprehensive list of the best pop songs from 1980!
Introduction
The 1980s saw the rise of many new pop stars, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Whitney Houston. This was also the decade that saw the birth of MTV, which had a huge impact on the way that music was consumed. Pop music in the 1980s was often more synthesizer-based than it had been in previous decades, and there was a strong influence from British pop bands such as Duran Duran and The Police. Here are some of the best pop songs from 1980:
The birth of new wave
In the late 1970s, a new generation of British and American musicians inspired by punk rock and disco began experimenting with synthesizers, drum machines, and new technology to create a new sound that would come to be known as new wave. This new sound would dominate the pop charts in 1980, with artists like Blondie, Talking Heads, The Police, and Duran Duran achieving massive success. New wave would go on to influence generations of pop musicians and remain one of the most popular genres of music.
The British Invasion
In the 1960s, British rock bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became hugely popular in the United States. This “British Invasion” continued into the 1970s with groups like Led Zeppelin, Queen, and David Bowie. But by the 1980s, many of these classic rock bands were starting to disband or fade in popularity. So what was left of the British Invasion in 1980?
One group that was still going strong was Duran Duran. They released their third album, “Rio,” in May of 1982 and it quickly climbed to the top of the charts. The album featured the hit singles “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio.” Another band that had a big year in 1980 was Depeche Mode. They released their debut album, “Speak & Spell,” in October of 1981. The album featured the singles “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “Joy Division.”
So while the British Invasion of the 1960s and 1970s may have been over by 1980, there were still some great British bands making great music. If you’re a fan of classic rock or pop music, be sure to check out Duran Duran and Depeche Mode.
American pop music
In the early 1980s, dance music and disco continued to be popular genres. Hip hop also emerged during this time and became a dominant force in popular music. American pop singer Michael Jackson’s album Thriller (1982) became the best-selling album of all time. Jackson also helped popularize the concept of MTV and the music video with his 1984 hit single “Billie Jean”. Pop music in the United Kingdom also continued to develop in the early 1980s. British acts such as Wham!, Duran Duran, and Culture Club were popular around the world.
The best of 1980 pop music
The 1980s was a great decade for pop music. There were so many great artists and bands that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best pop music of the 1980s.
Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone (/tʃɪˈkoʊni/; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Referred to as the “Queen of Pop” since the 1980s, Madonna is known for pushing the boundaries of songwriting in mainstream popular music, as well as imagery in music videos and on stage. She has frequently reinvented both her music and image while maintaining autonomy within the recording industry. Although having sparked controversy, her works have been praised by music critics. Madonna is often cited as an influence by other artists.
Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in the rock band Breakfast Club, she signed with Sire Records in 1982 and released her eponymous debut album the next year. She followed it with a series of successful albums, including global bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986), as well as Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Many of her songs have reached the top of record charts worldwide. With estimated sales of more than 335 million records worldwide,[2][3] Madonna is one of the world’s best-selling music artists of all time. She has also received numerous awards like Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, Billboard magazine ranked Madonna at number two on its list of “The 100 Greatest Women In Music” in 2009;[6] VH1 included her among that year’s 100 Greatest Women In Music;[7] while Time listed her among both their 100 Most Important People In The World in 2013,[8] and their 100 Most Influential People In The World between 2014–2017 inclusive.[9][10][11][12] Billboards Icons issue featured Madonna on their cover from 2013.[13][14]
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” was the best pop album of 1980. It was followed closely by John Lennon’s “Double Fantasy” and Madonna’s self-titled debut album. These three albums defined pop music in the 1980s and are still considered some of the best pop albums ever made.
Prince
In 1980, Prince released his self-titled second album, which included the hits “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” The album peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Duran Duran
Led by charismatic frontman Simon Le Bon, Duran Duran were one of the 1980s’ most popular bands. With hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio,” the group helped define the decade’s pop sound. Though they went through some lineup changes over the years, Duran Duran’s original members reunited in 2003 and continue to tour and release new music.
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. She achieved success in the 1980s with the release of her debut album She’s So Unusual and became the first female solo artist to have four top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, “Time After Time”, “She Bop”, and “All Through the Night” from that album.
Conclusion
After reviewing the past year in music, we have come to the conclusion that 1980 was a truly great year for pop music. Fromsoft rock ballads to innovative new wave hits, there was something for everyone on the radio in 1980. In fact, it was probably one of the most eclectic years in pop music history.
Some of our favorite 1980 pop songs include “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes, “Call Me” by Blondie, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police, “Nine to Five” by Dolly Parton, and “Whip It” by Devo. These are just a few of the many great songs that were released in 1980.
If you’re a fan of 1980s pop music, then we hope you enjoyed our list. If we missed any of your favorite songs, be sure to let us know in the comments section below.
