When it comes to the 1980s, popular music had entered a thrilling new era. Following the punk, glam, and classic rock genres that took precedent in the decade before, the '80s introduced several new subgenres, such as new-wave, post-punk, and hair metal. This exciting musical evolution took place alongside the introduction of a concept that would forever change the music industry: MTV.
Over the '80s, legendary artists began to emerge, and these artists put just as much thought into their lyrics and sound as they did with their music videos, which would be played on televisions all over the world.
Looking back on this decade, whether you were fortunate enough to live through it or not, comes with a great sense of nostalgia and admiration. Everything was colorful, the music is unforgettable, and certain images, artists, and songs instantly come to our minds when we think of the '80s.
Ultimate 1980s tracks that should be part of everyone's playlist
"Shake the Disease" - Depeche Mode
Throughout the '80s, Depeche Mode had countless hits, establishing for themselves an alternative, sensual, and mysterious artistry. With songs like "Enjoy the Silence," "Personal Jesus," and "Just Can't Get Enough," the band became one of the most popular groups to emerge in the new wave genre, and is considered one of the most renowned bands of the '80s.
Released as a single in 1985, "Shake the Disease" is known for its distinct, hypnotic vocals and darkly anthemic composition. The single topped charts across the globe, and its coinciding music video was broadcasted internationally following its initial release.
"Girls On Film" - Duran Duran
Decades after Beatlemania took over the world, the '80s found England granting us a new band to obsess over -- and their name was Duran Duran. Not long after the release of their 1981 self-titled debut album, the band began to experience worldwide success. With inaugural hits like "Planet Earth" and "Girls On Film," the band began their rise toward superstardom.
A highly sexual single, the original music video for "Girls On Film" was too erotic for MTV standards -- and the video that you see here is the heavily edited "daytime" version of the video. The band's knack for bold risk-taking, as well as their insane musical talent (as seen by the song's bass riff courtesy of John Taylor), defined them as one of pop music's greatest acts.
"Dress You Up" - Madonna
The title "Queen of Pop" is not bestowed upon Madonna lightly. When the "Material Girl" first arrived on the music scene, popular music would never be the same. She was known for her incredibly iconic hit songs as well as her controversy, exuding high levels of sexuality both through her music and in her onstage performances. Yet, for the rest of the decade, everyone wanted to be Madonna.
"Dress You Up" is featured on Madonna's definitive 1984 album Like A Virgin. One of the greatest albums of the decade -- and perhaps one of the greatest pop albums of all time -- Like A Virgin firmly established Madonna's forever status as a pop icon. "Dress You Up," through its melodic, catchy beat and lyrics decorated with sexual innuendo, now remains one of Madonna's best singles.
"She Bop" - Cyndi Lauper
Similar to Madonna's "Dress You Up," Cyndi Lauper's hit song "She Bop" earned a place on the Parents Music Resource Center's (PMRC) infamous "Filthy Fifteen" list due to its strong sexual subject matter. Featured on her critically acclaimed debut album, She's So Unusual, "She Bop" is written about female masturbation and caused significant controversy upon release.
However, despite the outrage it may have caused, "She Bop" became a chart-topping single whose music video was even nominated for "Best Female Video" at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards. Through its cheeky lyrics and addictive dance-pop musicality, "She Bop" now holds a legacy as one of the most controversial yet charmingly catchy '80s hits.
"Eyes Without A Face" - Billy Idol
Featured on his legendary 1984 album Rebel Yell, punk icon Billy Idol adopted a softer tone with the album single "Eyes Without A Face." Despite pulling its title from a 1960s horror film of the same name, "Eyes Without A Face" is a romantic and angelic number, with Idol utilizing grotesque themes of the film to lament his feelings about watching his home city of New York fall apart around him.
While Idol became widely known for energetic rock hits like "Dancing With Myself" and "White Wedding Pt. 1," "Eyes Without A Face" -- through its haunting vocals and complex composition -- established Idol as a diverse artist, and one of the most iconic of the decade.
"Photograph" - Def Leppard
In the decade when arena rock and glam metal reigned above all, Def Leppard became known as one of the most widely popular groups of the '80s. Through albums like High 'n' Dry (1981), Pyromania (1983), and Hysteria (1987), the band released hit song after hit song, becoming one of the most successful rock groups in history.
"Photograph" was released as the lead single off Def Leppard's third album, Pyromania. Bringing together a high-energy musicality with soaring, anthemic vocals, "Photograph" has been considered by many as one of the greatest rock songs ever written. Both romantic and slightly ominous in its message, "Photograph" is not just a good rock song; it's a staple when it comes to '80s hits.
"I Love Rock 'N' Roll" - Joan Jett
While some might not know that "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" was originally a single written by Arrows in 1975, Joan Jett truly made the song her own when she covered it for her 1981 album of the same name. After watching Arrows perform the song on TV, Jett fell in love with the song and incorporated it into her live set for years before actually releasing it.
Jett's rendition of "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is one of the greatest rock anthems in the genre's history, combining witty lyrics with a simple yet hard-hitting guitar riff that's been burned into the minds of music lovers everywhere. Upon release, the track -- as well as the critically successful album it appeared on -- cemented Jett as a rebellious rock icon.
"China Girl" - David Bowie
While David Bowie became widely successful in the 1970s through his ever-changing artistic visions (and their coinciding onstage personas), it wasn't until the early '80s that Bowie finally faced worldwide commercial success. With the release of his 1983 album Let's Dance, Bowie found greater fame than ever before, and the album still holds its place as Bowie's highest-selling record of all time.
Featuring several iconic singles, like its title track or "Modern Love," Let's Dance also included the widely popular hit single "China Girl." Although it was actually written with Bowie's longtime friend and collaborator Iggy Pop, who initially featured "China Girl" on his debut solo album The Idiot (1977), Bowie truly made "China Girl" into something new with his more pop-focused take.
Bowie's music video for the single was quite controversial at the time, as it incorporated stereotypes of Asian women to speak out against racism. The music video was eventually banned in Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries upon release. Despite the single's controversial nature, it is now regarded as an essential '80s pop hit and one of Bowie's best highlights from his discography.