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1980s Mainstream
This document provides an overview of important trends in popular music during the 1980s. It discusses the rise of MTV and music videos, the commercialization of genres like hip hop and country music, and the second British invasion led by new wave and punk bands. It also highlights some of the most popular mainstream pop songs and artists of the decade, including Michael Jackson's groundbreaking album Thriller and songs by Prince and Madonna that helped define the 1980s sound.
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1980s Mainstream
- 1. MUSC 1800: PopularMusic Dr. Matthew C. Saunders Lakeland Community College C-1078
- 2. 1980s Historical Context •Economy • Politics • Foreign affairs
- 3. Important Trends in1980s Popular Music • Continued Corporate Consolidation • MTV and music videos • Non-rock styles • Second British Invasion • Censorship
- 4. Important Trends in1980s Popular Music • MTV and music videos – oriented toward rock and white audiences – Later, Michael Jackson and hip-hop artists • Rise of non-rock styles – Country music the bestselling style in America – Commercialization of hip-hop – General fragmentation • Second British Invasion – New Wave and Punk movements – New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) • Iron Maiden: “Sanctuary,” 1983
- 5. 1980s Technology • Portablemusic players • Digital Recording • Synthesizers
- 6. Samples of 1980sMainstream Pop • Cyndi Lauper – “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” 1983 • The Police – “Every Breath You Take,” 1983 • Van Halen – “Hot for Teacher,” 1984 • The Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian,” 1986 • Paula Abdul – “Opposites Attract,” 1988
- 7. Michael Jackson andThriller • Michael Jackson (1958-2009) • Thriller, 1982 – Producer Quincy Jones • Style combines rock, funk, dance styles – “Billie Jean,” 1982
- 8. How to Bean 80s “Superstar” • Prince – “When Doves Cry,” 1984 • Madonna – “Material Girl,” 1985
Editor's Notes
- #3 Economy: continuation of 1970s economic downturn followed by relative boom after 1983 By 1984, inflation and unemployment under control Deregulation of many industries during the Reagan administration Beginning of the wide income gap between rich and poor Politics: Ronald Reagan elected president, 1980 Relative balance between liberal and conservative factions Social conservatism on the rise Foreign affairs Final phase of the Cold War Fall of Communism, beginning in 1989
- #4 MTV and music videos oriented toward rock and white audiences Later, Michael Jackson and hip-hop artists Rise of non-rock styles Country music the bestselling style in America Commercialization of hip-hop General fragmentation Second British Invasion New Wave and Punk movements New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) Iron Maiden: “Sanctuary,” 1983 New Technology MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Portable, personal music devices Digital Recording and Compact Discs CDs marketed in 1983 CDs outselling vinyl discs by 1988 Continued Corporate Consolidation Two-thirds of the market controlled by six corporations by 1990 Major labels 1988–1999 (Big Six) Warner Music Group EMI Sony (known as CBS Records until January 1991 then known as Sony Music thereafter) BMG Universal Music Group PolyGram Buyout of American labels by foreign companies
- #6 Digital Recording Music information stored as binary numbers representing 44,100 volume measurements (“samples”) per second More “lifelike” sound that doesn’t degrade as easily Synthesizers 1970s saw analog synthesizers in rock music Digital synthesizers and MIDI Samplers Sequencers Drum machines
- #7 Max Headroom, ca. 1987
- #8 Michael Jackson (1958-2009) Began as a member of the Jackson 5, recording for Motown First solo albums in the 1970s Off the Wall, 1979—Peaked at No. 3 on US pop charts Thriller, 1982 Over 29 million copies sold in the US Subsequent albums all No. 1 and multiplatinum Producer Quincy Jones Style combines rock, funk, dance styles “Beat It,” 1982
- #9 Record Contract Music that appeals widely Cross racial boundaries freely Popular video Iconic image Must appear young! Court controversy Film (not TV!) One name helps Prince, ca. 1984 Madonna, ca. 1989