Defining a decade with a song: 1980s

reveal · May 13, 2005

"Like a Virgin" by Madonna. She was at the top for almost the entire decade.

Mr. Kaze · May 13, 2005

Having not really been around much for the first half of the decade, I'd probably choose something like New Order's "Temptation" or "Bizarre Love Triangle" or possibly U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".

But I think it's difficult-to-futile to compare the music from the cold war culture of 1981 to the music that was coming out as the cold war started closing out in 1989.

With regards to "Safety Dance": Men Without Hats actually had a much better song -- "Walk on Water" -- that says a lot more about the 80's -- and also the recent rash of pop-tarts -- than "Safety Dance".

"They said we could walk on water
They said we should knock on wood
We did none of these things and they said we could sing
So we sang about falling in love..."

nakia · May 13, 2005

Henry said:
I'd say something from Michael Jackson for the 1980's, because until the late 80's, he and Madonna DOMINATED the pop culture scene of that period.

Henry's probably right here. How can you not pick something from the best selling album of all time? (or did Garth Brooks or The Eagle's Greatest Hits pass it?)

Nakia -- who really needs a four or five song loop.

Kanegrundar · May 13, 2005

nakia said:
Henry's probably right here. How can you not pick something from the best selling album of all time? (or did Garth Brooks or The Eagle's Greatest Hits pass it?)

Nakia -- who really needs a four or five song loop.

I think Garth surpassed MJ. Not sure about the Eagles though.

kane

Dingleberry · May 13, 2005

"Take On Me" by a-ha.

Torm · May 13, 2005

Those comparisions are never fair - you really should adjust for the total music-buying population of the period. In which case, over the course of time, it is probably either something by Elvis or The Beatles.

Torm · May 13, 2005

nakia said:
If the museum is not in the US, I'll choose The Police.

Actually, that wouldn't be a bad choice IN the US - "Every Breath You Take" was the number one song as far as duration at #1 on the US charts until "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men knocked it out of that position.

The Shaman · May 13, 2005

nakia said:
Nakia -- who really needs a four or five song loop.

Too easy!

Here we have 'timeless' choices like "Workin' for the Weekend" by Loverboy, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2, ""Lucky Star" by Madonna, "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)" by REM, "99 Luftballoons" by Nena, and "Girls, Girls, Girls" by Motley Crue.

While Michael Jackson is perhaps the biggest artist of the decade, "Billy Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller" don't jump out at me and scream 1980s - it's polished pop, safe for all time zones, not edgy enough to capture the period, IMHO.

I'm strongly tempted to pick "White Lines" by Grandmaster Flash - rap's first huge crossover hit, embodying many of the larger themes of the 1980s - I think I have to put on my red shoes and dance the blues:

"Let's Dance," David Bowie

nakia · May 13, 2005

Kanegrundar said:
I think Garth surpassed MJ. Not sure about the Eagles though.

kane

Looks like it's the Eagles, followed by Michael Jackson, the Pink Floyd.

http://askmen.com/toys/top_10_60/67b_top_10_list.html

or

www.riaa.com

nakia · May 13, 2005

Torm said:
Those comparisions are never fair - you really should adjust for the total music-buying population of the period. In which case, over the course of time, it is probably either something by Elvis or The Beatles.

The Beatles are the best selling artists of all time,followed by Elvis, according to the RIAA.

http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topartists.asp