FMP Research Presentation Handout

FMP RESEARCH PRESENTATION HANDOUT
What music was most popular in the 1980s?

Chloe Lee
80’s was one of the most influential decades for music and has helped to caved the path of
music we know now a days As the 80’s went on new developments in technology took music
to a whole new level. There were 4 main hit genres of music in the 80’s
- General pop, New romantics, SKA, 80’s rock but there were some other popular
music like disco, hip hop
General pop
Pictures: Cher, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears and David Bowie
- Tears for Fears a pop band with a hit of rock in some of their songs is a band which
originally formed in bath in 1981. The soon hit international chart success.
New romantics
Pictures: Duran Duran, culture club, Adam and the Ants and Ultravox
- The New Romantics scene created a whole different view on British pop music, from
ex-punks to experimental electro-pop exhibiting their eccentric fashion and wearing
copious amount of makeup that became the style of that music genre. It created a
sense of fun and escapism withing 80s music.
SKA
Pictures: Fun Boy Three, Madness, The Specials
- SKA music is a mix of reggae and political punk with some wave of contemporary
music.
- SKA music actually originated in 1950’s but in its third way in the early 1980’s we saw
a different take on the music from artist like Fun Boy Three, Madness, The Specials
- Madness a SKA band had quite a following and was very popular in the UK but did
not make many headlines in the states till 1982/1983 until the releases of MTV
brought their music videos over there and it became more popular.
- There are not many SKA bands and by the time most 80’s SKA bands had reached
their peak and were hitting top charts the bands started falling apart from
disagreements. But their music was still popular to listen to, but they fell from charts.
80’s rock
• Pictures: AC/DC, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, and Pet Shop Boys
- AC/DC and Queen had hit songs in the charts which are commonly known today like
AC/DC song Highway to Hell or Queens song Don’t Stop Me Now.
MTV
- MTV made its big debuted in 1981 which changed the perspective on music in
the 80s as technology developed so did music videos. This had a huge influence
throughout the 80s.
- MTVs original concept was to play music videos for twenty-four hours a day every
day, the experimental concept led to a whole new breed of pop star. Including
‘The Buggles who were the first band to have their music video played on MTV.
- MTV helped British music go international soon after the releases of MTV British
artists were hitting the charts in Europe and America. Like SKA band Madness and
many other bands
80’s hits
Some top 10 songs include music from Michael Jackson, queen and Cyndi Lauper
- Hit songs throughout the 80s included Physical (Olivia Newton-John) in 1981 who
also played sandy in Grease.
- Eye of the Tiger (Survivor) in 1982
- Livin’ On a Prayer (Bon Jovi) 1987
- Fast Car (Tracy Chapman) in 1988
- Love Shack (The B-52s) in 1989
The influence music had on the 80’s
Not only did development of technology influence music but many other aspects like other
genres of music or meaning behind the music.
Bon Jovi his music was a cross between pop and metal rock creating pop metal. Journey was
another popular band in the 1980s after they released their song don’t stop believing in
1981.
Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel left the band in 1975 but continued on with a very
successful solo career with the song ‘Solsbury Hill’ his solo career continued to have a
influence in the 80’s with him being a singer, songwriter, activist and record producer.
Pet shop boys was a hit 80’s rock band, but before they formed the lead vocalist Neil
Tennant edited smash hits magazine which was known as the music magazine throughout
the 80s.
UB40 – was a British reggae pop band in which formed in Birmingham actually had quite a
meaning behind their bands name the band’s name represented the name of the form you
sign when you needed the doll as UB40 breaks down to the unemployment bill and the 40
stood for the money in which you used to get given to live on
The Walkman which became a hit in the 80s as it gave people a chance to listen to music
while walking to work just like we do now but over time technology has continued to adapt.
How could this research help in the rehearsal room
Alice plays the radio, and it has 80s music playing in each scene it would be helpful to know
what music was popular throughout the 80’s including what songs were frequently in the
top ten songs or artists which were popular.
This research could help when we are looking at costumes for the 80s scene as music artist
had a heavy influence on style through the 80’s.
MTV being released and the creation of music videos as directors found themselves a
platform by directing the music videos as they would make theatrical statements. Use of
those theatrical statements as well as the use of music videos to add an element to our
piece.

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What music was most popular in the 1980s?

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