Electronic Dance Music: The 80s Songs You Need to Know

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Discover the Electronic Dance Music: The 80s Songs You Need to Know. This blog includes a playlist of the top 80s songs as well as descriptions of each song.

Introduction

For many, the 1980s were a decade defined by Electronic Dance Music. This was the era when songs like “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan and “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson topped the charts and helped to shape the sound of popular music for years to come.

However, EDM was not limited to just pop music. In fact, some of the best-known EDM songs of all time were released in the 1980s. These include classics like “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa and “Nu Groove” by 808 State.

If you’re looking to get familiar with EDM or simply want to take a trip down memory lane, here are ten essential 80s EDM songs that you need to know.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a genre of music that is made using electronic equipment. This equipment includes turntables, synthesizers, drum machines, and computer software. The genre started to become popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when the first electronic dance music festivals began to be held. Today, electronic dance music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

There are many different subgenres of electronic dance music. Some of these subgenres include house, trance, techno, hardstyle, and drum and bass. House music is a subgenre that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a four-on-the-floor beat and sometimes includes piano or horn samples. Trance is another subgenre of electronic dance music that started in the 1990s. It is characterized by abuildup-and-releaseformat and often includes breakdowns. Techno is a subgenre that started in Detroit in the 1980s. It is characterized by its use of machines for percussion and often has a futuristic sound. Hardstyle is a subgenre that originated in Europe in the early 2000s and is characterized by heavy bass kicks and fast tempos. Drum and bass is a subgenre that originated in England in the early 1990s and is characterized by its use of breakbeats andbasslines.

The Birth of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music (EDM) is a genre of music that originated in the early 1980s. It is characterized by a fast tempo, often with synthesizers and drum machines. EDM is often used in clubs and concerts.

The first electronic dance music was created by Japanese composer Isao Tomita in the early 1970s. Tomita’s album, “The Electric Samurai: Switched on Rock,” was released in 1974 and featured electronic renditions of popular songs such as “Satisfaction” and “All Along the Watchtower.”

In the 1980s, EDM began to gain popularity in the United States and Europe. One of the most popular EDM songs from this era is “Ship of Dreams” by British group Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk’s song was released in 1981 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1982.

Other popular EDM songs from the 1980s include “I Wanna Be Sedated” by New Order, “Blue Monday” by Orgy, and “Boys Don’t Cry” by The Cure.

The Evolution of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, has been around for decades. It first gained popularity in the 1980s with the advent of electronic music equipment and synthesizers. This type of music has since evolved and now includes a wide range of genres and subgenres, each with its own unique sound and style.

While EDM is often associated with nightclubs and dancing, it has also become increasingly popular as a background soundtrack for activities such as working out, studying, or even driving. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or you’re looking to discover new music, there’s an EDM song out there for everyone.

The 80s Songs You Need to Know

The 80s were a golden era for Electronic Dance Music. Here are some of the most iconic and influential songs from that decade that you need to know!

– “Belfast” by An Eltro: This song is a classic example of early Electronic Dance Music. It features a simple, catchy melody and infectious rhythms that will get your feet moving!

– “Into the Groove” by Madonna: This song is one of the most popular dance songs of all time. It helped to make Madonna an international superstar and cement her place as the Queen of Pop.

– “Pump up the Volume” by MARRS: This song was a huge hit in the clubs and became an anthem for the rave scene. It features a distorted sample of a radio broadcast which adds to its unique sound.

– “Blue Monday” by New Order: This song is considered to be one of the most influential dance tracks of all time. It helped to define the sound of 80s electronic music and is still popular today.

– “One More Time” by Daft Punk: This song became an instant classic when it was released in 2001. It features a catchy hook and irresistible dance beats that are sure to get you moving.

Conclusion

Even if you weren’t born in the 80s, you can still appreciate the great songs that came out of that decade. Electronic dance music has come a long way since the 80s, but there’s something special about those early tracks. They set the stage for everything that came after, and they continue to inspire DJs and producers today.

If you want to get into EDM, or if you just want to expand your musical horizons, these are the 80s songs you need to know.

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