Pop Music of the 80s
Contents
A look at the most popular pop songs of the 1980s, including hits by Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and more.
Introduction
The 1980s saw the advent of synthesized music and pop music became increasingly dominated by genres such as new wave, synth-pop, and electronica. This article will take a look at some of the most popular pop songs of the 80s.
One of the most iconic pop songs of the 80s is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. The song was released in 1984 and spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s success helped to make Madonna one of the most famous pop stars in the world.
Another hugely successful pop song from the 80s is Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. The song was released in 1982 and spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Billie Jean” was one of the first pop songs to use synthesizers extensively and its success helped to make Jackson one of the most popular musicians in the world.
Other popular pop songs from the 80s include “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, and “We Are The World” by USA for Africa.
The Birth of MTV
In 1981, MTV (Music Television) began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For the first time, music videos were being played on a regular basis on television. This was a game changer for the music industry, and 80s pop music benefited immensely from the exposure. Suddenly, artists and bands had a new way to promote their music, and record labels began producing more music videos to take advantage of the new channel.
MTV had a profound effect on pop music in the 80s. Not only did it help promote existing artists and bands, but it also helped to create new stars. Many of the biggest pop stars of the 80s got their start thanks to MTV, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Duran Duran. The channel also had a major impact on fashion and style in the 80s; thanks to MTV, ” casual ” became ” cool ” and everyone wanted to look like their favorite music video stars.
The birth of MTV was one of the most important events in the history of pop music, and it had a huge impact on the sound and style of 80s pop music.
The New Wave Movement
The new wave movement in pop music of the late 1970s and early 1980s was crystallized in the United Kingdom with the rise of punk rock, and subsequently had an enormous impact on the development of pop music in other countries. In Britain, the principle architects of new wave were a handful of relatively young and largely unknown bands who came to prominence in 1976–1977 with a string of highly charged singles and a defiantly DIY approach to making records and touring. Although they shared a general disdain for the bloated rock star excesses that characterized much of mainstream 70s rock music, they otherwise represented a very diverse range of musical styles, including power pop, punk-influenced pop rock, art rock, reggae-influenced pop, and electronic dance music.
The British Invasion
The British Invasion was a cultural phenomenon of the mid-1960s when rock and pop music acts from the United Kingdom and other aspects of British culture bowling center treviso achieved widespread popularity in the United States, starting with the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hits “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles and “She Loves You” by The Beatles.
Other notable events during this period include the Monterey Pop Festival and the rise of iconic artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel.
The Solo Superstars
In the early 80s, the pop music scene was ruled by solo superstars. Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper were some of the most popular acts of the decade. These artists achieved massive success with their catchy hooks and unforgettable melodies. They also ushered in a new era of music videos, which became an important part of pop culture.
The 80s was also a decade that saw the rise of alternative music. Groups like R.E.M., The Smiths and The Cure gained popularity with their unique sounds and interesting lyrics. This type of music was a refreshing change from the often-saccharine pop that dominated the airwaves.
Whether you prefer the solo superstars or the alternative bands, there’s no denying that the 80s was a great decade for pop music.
The Sound of the 80s
If there was one decade that could be considered the Golden Age of Pop, it would probably be the 1980s. This was a time when massive superstars ruled the charts and everyone wanted to dress and dance like their idols. The 80s were also a time of huge technological advances in music production, which led to some innovative and unique sounds.
The pop music of the 80s is often remembered for its catchy hooks and upbeat attitudes. However, there was also a lot of great music that explored more serious topics. These songs often dealt with social issues or personal relationships. Whatever the subject matter, the best pop songs of the 80s are still remembered and loved today.
Conclusion
The pop music of the 80s was a decade of great change and diversity. The early part of the decade saw the rise of disco and new wave, while the middle and late 80s saw the rise of hip hop and alternative rock. Despite these different genres, the pop music of the 80s was united by a common thread of catchy hooks and infectious melodies. From Madonna to Michael Jackson, Prince to Whitney Houston, the pop music of the 80s remains some of the most iconic and influential music of all time.
