Defining a decade with a song: 1980s

[Jeff Wilder]

The problem with this is that the 80s were positively bisected by two dominant musical styles: glam rock (Twisted Sister, Ratt, Winger, Poison, and on and on) and bubble-gum pop (A-ha, Animotion, Human League, and on and on). (Me, I was into classic rock back then.) I'm just not sure it's possible to pick one song to represent the decade. It could be that's never possible, but I think it's even harder for the 80s than it is for the 60s, 70s, or 90s.

Edit:

The problem is that the early 80's "Bubblegum pop" was a bit different from the late 80's "hair band" rock

I should really learn to read the whole thread before responding. What Henry said, obviously.

 

[Torm]

The problem with this is that the 80s were positively bisected by two dominant musical styles: glam rock (Twisted Sister, Ratt, Winger, Poison, and on and on) and bubble-gum pop (A-ha, Animotion, Human League, and on and on). (Me, I was into classic rock back then.) I'm just not sure it's possible to pick one song to represent the decade.

That's why, ultimately, I say I go with "1985" by Bowling For Soup - it had elements of both types of music, and mentions Whitesnake, Van Halen, and Motley Crue, and also mentions Madonna, U2, and Duran Duran. Sums the whole thing up nicely.

 

[Thotas]

Ranger REG -- okay, if you say so. The degree of dislike I had for what was popular in the 80s turned me away from the big names; most of the musicians who are all over the media are people who I couldn't name one song from, and when I can, I don't know what it sounds like. Bet I'm not missing a thing.

 

[Ranger REG]

Ranger REG -- okay, if you say so. The degree of dislike I had for what was popular in the 80s turned me away from the big names; most of the musicians who are all over the media are people who I couldn't name one song from, and when I can, I don't know what it sounds like. Bet I'm not missing a thing.

That's okay. My hat of grunge has no limit.

 

[megamania]

grumble grumple....MJ's Thriller or Madonna's Where's the party


Poison wins my vote but they don't reflect the music industry that well for the 80's.

 

[diaglo]

Thriller - Michael Jackson

 

[MonsterMash]

Sign o' the times by Prince (or the artist formely know as that short bloke from Minneapolis)

Madonna's Material Girl is a good choice as the 80's were very much about materialism (after the early years at least)

I cannot really get it down to one song though, especially as that was my teens and college years.

 

[Psionicist]

Tough one. Hmm.. How about?

Laura Branigan - Self Control

 

[Knightfall]

Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi

Don't You (Forget About Me) -- Simple Minds

I vote for this one too. Excellent choice, Eric.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Although I can't stand the singer...

"Material Girl" by Madonna

Showcases the materialistic mindset of the decade.