I turned 15 in the summer of 1980. You know that age – puberty kicked in a couple years before, high school had begun, clothing all of a sudden seemed important, and music became more than just occasional background noise.
That is also the age when lifelong musical tastes are formed. According to research conducted by The New York Times, citing an experiment using Spotify, lifelong musical tastes for men form during ages 13-16. For women, it’s a bit earlier from about 11-14. So yeah, by 15 I was solid on my love affair with ‘80s music.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love ‘70s music. Especially late ‘70s music when disco was in full swing and the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, KC & the Sunshine Band, Village People, Sylvester, and Barry White had emerged as trailblazers and superstars of the genre. To this day mirror balls entice me to don bellbottoms and platform shoes, then go twirl around the dance floor.
But baby, it’s all about the ‘80s. The ‘80s catered to all of my individualistic, artistic and sensationalistic sensibilities. The bright colors, the geometric designs, the savoir faire, and the let-me-express-myself sense of life…I was all about it. ‘80s music took all of that, every single aspect, and set it to notes, lyrics, melodies, rhythms and beats. There is no other decade like it for music, and there never will be.
It is telling that nearly 30 years after that decade ended, the music lives on. You have radio stations dedicated to the era. You have current artists aping the sound, particularly the synthesizers. You have young adults who weren’t even thoughts in their parents’ minds discovering the greatness of the ‘80s discography. And, perhaps most importantly, you have those that lived it still genuinely reveling in its sonic brilliance. This isn’t a guilty pleasure nostalgia trip. This is a signpost of their lives that still remains important.
It is certainly a signpost of mine. As I was preparing to write this blog post, I decided to offer a list of my most important ‘80s artists. I’m talking about artists (bands and solo singers) that emerged in the Me Decade and launched their careers with or without the assistance of the groundbreaking MTV. You know, back during the time when it actually played music videos.
So without further hesitation, and in no particular order, here’s my dozen ‘80s musical mainstays:
Duran Duran – The British poster boys of the New Romantic movement crafted full-package synth-pop. Along with the soaring vocals, indelible melodies and catchy choruses came a stylish, camera-ready fashion sense. Favorite album: 1982’s masterpiece Rio.
SOS Band – Atlanta’s synth-soul ensemble emerged fully formed in 1980 with the crossover hit, “Take Your Time (Do It Right).” I have been a disciple ever since, even through the band’s rocky early ‘90s releases. Their Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis-produced period still slays me. Favorite album: 1986’s gorgeous Sands of Time.
Culture Club – Boy George can sing the phone book and give it so much personality. Talk about individualism, here was a London band fronted by a drag queen mixing reggae, R&B, rock and disco into its smooth new wave pop. Favorite album: 1983’s not-a-dud-in-the-bunch Colour by Numbers.
Change – Italy and America met halfway during the club-ready run of this studio-polished post-disco group with a slate of revolving singers and a super delicious sound that swept you away. It never fails, if I play a Change CD in the car I’m dancing as I drive. Favorite album: 1980’s amazing debut The Glow of Love.
Tears for Fears – Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith offered dramatic, sometimes cerebral, and utterly sweeping British pop. Their sound was full-bodied and stunningly produced. I can’t relive the ‘80s without Tears for Fears in the picture. Favorite album: 1985’s fabulously undeniable Songs From the Big Chair.
Eurythmics – The beguiling Annie Lennox and the enigmatic Dave Stewart began in The Tourists before morphing into Eurythmics and making stateside history with “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Annie was all drama and mystery while Dave was stoic passion. Love them! Favorite album: 1983’s arresting stunner Touch.
ABC – Martin Fry and his interchanging cast of band mates took disco, soul and British pop to the theater. Yet the theatricality of ABC was more in its sound than its look, even though the suave Fry rocked satin suits. Songs were mini movies capped by Fry’s robust vocals. Favorite album: 1982’s masterful The Lexicon of Love.
Kylie Minogue – I will admit that Aussie Kylie’s 1988 debut didn’t wow me back then, even though now I consider it a frolicking beginning to an auspicious career. But by the early ‘90s I was sold on her coquettish, drama-infused, fantasy land brand of British dance music. She gets better with age. Favorite album: 2010’s billowing, beautiful Aphrodite.
A-ha – Oh how I love my A-ha! Yes, yes, everybody knows the huge ‘80s hit “Take on Me,” but A-ha made and continues to make so much more. Norway’s trio creates wall-of-sound pop framed by soaring vocals and dashes of dramatic artiness. I still cherish this band. Favorite album: 2000’s hypnotic opus Minor Earth Major Sky.
Depeche Mode – Depeche Mode today is a whole lot different from Depeche Mode in 1981. Back then they were bouncy and catchy with a youthful penchant for grand messages. But the magic remains for the British band that created a legacy of beautifully dark synthesized pop-rock. Favorite album: The landmark perfection of 1990’s Violator.
Pet Shop Boys – London’s Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe will probably never surpass the success of the insanely creative and radio hooky “West End Girls” from 1986. But that’s fine, because their brand of smart, engulfing dance-pop music aged like fine wine. Favorite album: 1993’s deeply resonant Very.
Luther Vandross – Ah, the exquisite Luther. While he is sadly no longer with us, his silky amalgamation of R&B, pop, disco and ‘60s adult contemporary lives and breathes. Few males vocalists, any genre, can match his effortless pipes. The man could sing anything. He was that good. Favorite album: 1981’s star-making solo debut Never Too Much.
And there you have it, my ‘80s dirty dozen. They shaped my musical tastes, honed my musical experience, and gave me unending pleasure. These artists don’t merely take me to another time and place, they frame my creative aesthetic. I am a product of ‘80s music, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Mario's Musings 