House Music in the 80s: The Best of the Decade

A look at some of the best house music tracks of the 1980s.

Introduction

For many people, the 1980s were the best decade for music. This was the decade when electronic dance music really began to take off, with genres like house, techno, and acid house becoming hugely popular in Europe and the US. The sound of the 1980s was typified by strong drum beats, synthesizers, and banks of huge speakers, and it is still hugely popular today.

If you’re a fan of house music from the 1980s, then this guide is for you. We’ll be taking a look at some of the best tracks from the era, as well as some of the key artists who helped to shape the sound of this decade. So whether you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane or discover some new tunes, read on for our guide to the best house music of the 1980s.

The Birth of House Music

In the early 1980s, a new form of electronic dance music began to emerge in the clubs of Chicago. This music, which would come to be known as house, was a blend of disco, soul, and electronic music. House quickly became popular in the clubs of Chicago, and soon it began to spread to other cities in the United States and Europe. By the end of the decade, house was one of the most popular genres of dance music in the world.

The First House Music Tracks

The first house music tracks were produced in the early 1980s. These tracks were characterized by a four-on-the-floor beat, simple melodies, and drum machine-generated rhythms. House music quickly became popular in clubs and on radio stations in Europe and the United States. The first house music tracks were produced by artists such as Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, and Mister Mixx.

The Golden Age of House Music

The 1980s was the golden age of house music. House music exploded onto the scene in Chicago and quickly spread to other major cities in the US and Europe. The sound of house music was defined by its use of synthesizers, drum machines and samplers, giving it a very distinctive sound. The first house tracks were often based on existing disco tracks, but as the genre developed, new sounds and styles emerged. House music quickly became hugely popular, with legendary clubs such as the Warehouse in Chicago and the Paradise Garage in New York becoming hotspots for people to hear the latest tracks.

The Legacy of House Music

The legacy of house music is one that is rich and varied, with the genre taking influence from a wide range of sources. The sound of house music in the 80s was defined by a number of factors, including the rise of new technology, the popularity of disco and funk, and the influence of Chicago and Detroit. These elements came together to create a sound that was both uniquely American and hugely popular around the world.

House music in the 80s was defined by a number of key tracks, including “Acid Tracks” by Phuture, “Pump Up the Volume” by MARRS, and “Can You Feel It” by Mr. Fingers. These tracks were influential in shaping the sound of house music, and they continue to be popular today. In addition to these tracks, a number of other factors contributed to the development of house music in the 80s. These include:

-The rise of club culture: Club culture played a major role in the development of house music in the 80s. Clubs provided a space for people to come together and experience new music, and they played a key role in disseminating new sounds.

-The popularity of disco and funk: Disco and funk were both hugely popular in the 70s, and they continued to be influential in the 80s. House music drew heavily from both genres, incorporating their rhythms and melodies into its own sound.

-The influence of Chicago: Chicago was home to many of the early pioneers of house music, including DJ Frankie Knuckles and producer Marshall Jefferson. The city’s unique sound shaped the development of house music throughout the decade.

-The influence of Detroit: Detroit was another key city in the development of house music. The city’s unique style – often referred to as “Detroit techno” – had a significant impact on early house tracks, particularly those produced by artists like Derrick May and Juan Atkins.