House Music From the 80s: The Best of the Genre
Contents
What makes a great house track? We take a look at the history of the genre and some of the defining tracks of the 80s.
Introduction
House music from the 80s was characterized by a strong 4/4 beat, synthesizer melodies, and often samples from other songs. The genre developed in Chicago, but quickly spread to other cities with club scenes like New York, Detroit, and London. House music was popular with both black and white audiences and became a mainstream phenomenon in the late 80s. Some of the biggest hits of the genre include “Pump Up the Volume” by MARRS, ” move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson, and “Jack Your Body” by Steve Silk Hurley.
What is House Music?
House music is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a danceable, open-minded ethos. House music first originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. The genre was developed by DJs who were influenced by disco, electronic, soul, and funk music. House music quickly gained popularity in clubs and dance venues around the world.
The History of House Music
The origins of house music can be traced back to the early 1980s in Chicago. House music was created by DJs who were playing disco records in clubs. They began to experiment with different ways of mixing the records and adding their own personal touches to the music. This resulted in a new style of music that was more stripped down and minimalistic than disco. House music became popular in the clubs of Chicago and soon spread to other cities in the United States. By the mid-1980s, house music had become a global phenomenon, with clubbers in Europe and Japan dancing to its infectious beats.
Despite its popularity, house music was largely ignored by the mainstream media. This changed in 1988 whendetail
The Birth of House Music
In the early 1980s, a new style of dance music was born in the clubs of Chicago. This new sound became known as house music. House music was created by DJs who were looking for a new sound that would appeal to the dancers in their clubs. These DJs began to experiment with different sounds and rhythms, and they soon created a unique sound that was perfect for dancing.
House music quickly became popular in the clubs of Chicago, and it soon spread to other cities in the United States. By the late 1980s, house music had become one of the most popular genres of dance music in the world.
The Chicago House Scene
Chicago house is a style of house music originating from Chicago, Illinois in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques geared towards African American clientele. As the style spread to nightclubs and radio stations that cater to Caucasian audiences, it became known as “house music.” By the late 1980s, Chicago house was strongly influenced by acid house and later on developed into a more subgenre called deep house. Pioneer DJ/producer Frankie Knuckles is credited with helping bring house music to mainstream attention with his work at the Chicago club The Warehouse which he opened in 1977.
The Best House Music of the 80s
House music originated in the early 1980s in Chicago. The first house tracks were created by DJs who were mixing different songs together. These tracks were then played at nightclubs and parties. House music quickly gained popularity and spread to other parts of the world.
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles was one of the first house music DJs and producers, helping to shape the sound of the genre in the 1980s. He was a resident DJ at Chicago’s famous Warehouse nightclub, where he played lengthy sets that often went on for hours. Knuckles went on to produce a number of influential tracks, many of which are still revered by house music fans today. Some of his most well-known songs include “Your Love,” “Baby Wants to Ride,” and “Tears.”
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is one of the most influential figures in house music. His 1986 track “Move Your Body” is often cited as the first true house music record, and his work with group Frankie Knuckles helped to define the genre throughout the 80s. If you’re looking for some of the best house music from the decade, look no further than Marshall Jefferson’s catalog.
Mr. Fingers
Mr. Fingers is the stage name used by house music pioneer Larry Heard. His style was a very early form of deep house music, and his 1986 track “Can You Feel It” is often credited with being the first deep house track. Mr. Fingers’ tracks often feature complex arrangements of synthesizers, multiple drum tracks, and female vocal samples.
The Legacy of House Music
House music is a genre that emerged in the late 80s and early 90s. It is a genre that is a fusion of disco, electronic, and pop music. House music is known for its use of repetition and rhythmic patterns. The genre became popular in nightclubs and has since spread to other genres like pop and EDM.
The Influence of House Music
From its beginnings in the underground clubs of Chicago, house music has gone on to influence virtually every other genre of electronic dance music. House music is characterized by a steady, 4/4 pulse (beat), a deep bassline, and layered synthesizer sounds. It often incorporates samples of disco or funk songs, as well as vocals. House tracks are usually between 118 and 122 beats per minute (bpm).
In the 1980s, house music was created by DJs who were influenced by the disco sound but wanted to create something that was more than just background music for dancing. They stripped away the vocals and extended the disco tracks so that they could play them for longer periods of time. These DJs would also add their own percussion and synthesizer sounds to create a new, unique sound. House music quickly caught on with clubgoers in Chicago, and soon it spread to other cities in the US and Europe.
Today, house music is still going strong and continues to influence other genres of dance music. If you enjoy clubbing or dancing, chances are you’ve been influenced by house music in some way!
The Impact of House Music
While House music is often thought of as a 1980s phenomenon, its origins date back to the 1970s, when club DJs in Chicago began experimenting with new ways to extend the dancefloor experience. These DJs, including Frankie Knuckles and Chip E., blended elements of Disco, Soul and Funk with Chicago’s own brand of Jazz to create a new sound that soon caught on with clubgoers. The popularity of House music exploded in the 1980s, as DJs and producers began to experiment with different subgenres, like Acid House and Deep House. By the end of the decade, House music had become a global phenomenon, spawning many chart-topping hits and influencing mainstream pop music.
In the 1990s, House music experienced a backlash from some quarters, as the commercialization of the genre led to accusations of “selling out.” However, House music continued to evolve and grow in popularity throughout the decade, with new subgenres like Progressive House and Tech House emerging. Today, House music is more popular than ever, with DJs and producers constantly pushing the boundaries of the genre and taking it in new directions.
