What Else Was On The Radio?

Do we really wanna know?80s-90s Pop Trends

Influences

• This lecture focuses on the “boy band” & “girl group” trends of the 80s & 90s

• These groups were directly influenced by 60s & 70s groups like The Jackson 5 & The Supremes; who were in turn influenced by Doo-Wop & Gospel groups from the 40s/50s

• Songs were often love songs, songs of heartbreak/ache, & party or empowerment songs

Attributes

• In most cases, members of these groups do not play instruments (unlike The Jackson 5, for example)

• In most cases, members have extensive vocal & dance training

• They are viewed as being trendy & fashionable over being original & talented

• They are not only popular in the U.S.– Menudo w/Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico)

New Edition

Candy GirlNew Edition

• Formed 1978 in Boston, MA• Helped establish the New Jack Swing genre• After their breakup, members went on to find greater success:

– Bell Biv DeVoe– Bobby Brown– Johnny Gill

• Their most successful lineup included:– Ricky Bell– Michael Bivens– Ronnie DeVoe– Bobby Brown– Ralph Tresvant

Candy Girlcontinued

• Released 1983 on Streetwise Records – Candy Girl (album)

• Managed by Maurice Starr• 1980s boy bands (and girl groups) began adding

elements of rap/hip-hop into their sounds• The group was specifically put together with

members that sounded similar enough to the Jackson 5

• Video

New Kids On The Block

Please Don’t Go GirlNew Kids On The Block

• Formed 1984 in Boston, MA by Maurice Starr (New Edition)• We see definite “characters” developing due to

marketing/media hype• They went on to become one of the highest selling boy groups

in history• Members include(d):

– Donnie Wahlberg (The bad boy)– Danny Wood (The Quiet One)– Jordan Knight (The Cute One)– Jonathan Knight (The Shy One)– Joey McIntyre (The baby)– Mark Wahlberg – left before big break (Marky Mark)

Please Don’t Go Girlcontinued

• Released 1988 on Columbia Records – Hangin’ Tough (album)

• Written & produced by Maurice Starr• This pop ballad features Jonathan & Joey’s high

falsetto vocals (very Michael Jackson, no?)• This was their first hit, off of their 2nd album

(#10 on Billboard Chart)• Video Cheese

Boyz II Men

MotownphillyBoyz II Men

• Originally formed 1985 as Unique Attraction• They utilize a familiar format (2 tenors, 1 baritone,

& a bass singer – very Doo-Wop)• All members met in choir at a music school• They broke a record for longest stay at #1 on the

Billboard Hot 100 (held for 20+ yrs by Elvis Presley)• Part of the New Jack Swing movement started by

New Edition, built on by Bell Biv DeVoe (who managed Boyz II Men…)

Motownphillycontinued

• Released 1991 on Motown Records – Cooleyhighharmony (album)

• Michael Bivens (Bell Biv DeVoe) raps on this song

• The lyrics include a “shout out” to BBD & ABC (Another Bad Creation)

• Here’s the video• Here’s another!

Backstreet Boys

Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)Backstreet Boys

• Formed 1993 in Orlando, Florida & managed by Lou Pearlman

• The band nearly signed to Mercury Records, but John Mellencamp threatened to leave the label if “they got in the boy band business.”

• Members include:– A.J. McLean– Howie Dorough– Nick Carter– Kevin Richardson– Brian Littrell

Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)continued

• Recorded 1996 on Jive Records – Backstreet Boys (album)

• The song was recorded several times to have certain “popular” members sing the verses

• The song became a hit despite not having a strong MTV presence

• The band continues to record/tour into the present, & has teamed up with NKOTB to form NKOTBSB

• Video

N’ Sync

Bye Bye Bye‘N Sync

• Formed 1995 in Orlando, Florida by manager Lou Pearlman• Timberlake & Chasez had been cast members on the

Mickey Mouse Club• The group went on “hiatus” in 2002 & hasn’t recorded new

music since• Members include:

– Lance Bass– JC Chasez– Joey Fatone– Chris Kirkpatrick– Justin Timberlake

Bye Bye Byecontinued

• Released 2000 on Jive Records – No Strings Attached (album)

• The band had recently separated from their manager (Pearlman) & their record label (RCA)

• The song/album garnered many awards, reached #1 on the US Top 40, and #17 in Rolling Stones “Most Annoying Songs”

• Video

Wilson Phillips

Hold OnWilson Phillips

• Formed in 1989 in LA, CA • Their debut album & single knocked Madonna

from the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100• Members include:– Chynna Phillips (daughter of Michelle Phillips (The

Mamas & The Papas))– Carnie & Wendy Wilson (daughters of Brian

Wilson (The Beach Boys))

Hold Oncontinued

• Released 1990 on SBK Records – Wilson Phillips (album)

• Written by Chynna Phillips, Glen Ballard, & Carnie Wilson

• Carnie went on to become a successful tv host• Chynna has a successful career as a singer/actor• Wendy has concentrated on her music career with

occasional forays into television work• Video

TLC

Ain’t 2 Proud 2 BegTLC

• Formed 1989 in Atlanta, GA• They have worked with producers/managers

such as Jermaine Dupri, Anthony “L.A.” Reid, “Pebbles” Reid, & “Babyface” Edmonds

• Members include(d):– Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas– Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins– Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (d. 2002)

Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Begcontinued

• Released 1992 on LaFace Records – Oooooooooh…On the TLC Tip (album)

• The band asserted their strong, independent female personalities & often advocated for sex education (that’s not bubble gum…) & AIDS awareness

• The song was their first big break in the U.S., cracking the top 40

• Video

En Vogue

Free Your MindEn Vogue

• Formed 1989 in Oakland, CA• One of the most successful female groups in

history, 18th most successful group of the 90s• The idea behind their formation was to create

a group that had the power-house vocals of 50s/60s girl groups while being “sexy” & “strong females”

• I think they succeeded…

Free Your Mindcontinued

• Released 1992 on East West Records – Funky Divas (album)

• The lyrics speak to freeing one’s self of prejudice (& use a guitar-heavy rock sound)

• The song paraphrases George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic

• Nominated for 2 Grammys & numerous MTV awards• Video• Also, this…(from the intro to the video)

Spice Girls

WannabeSpice Girls

• British group formed 1994 in London• One of the most profitable merchandising machines

ever• The most successful British band since the Beatles• Members include:

– Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice)– Mel B (Scary Spice)– Emma Bunton (Baby Spice)– Mel C (Sporty Spice)– Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice)

Wannabecontinued

• Released 1996 on Virgin Records – Spice (album)

• The lyrics reflect female-empowerment, the value of friendship over sex

• Generally well-received critically, it won several awards, including “Worst Single 1997”

• Video

Destiny’s Child

Bills Bills BillsDestiny’s Child

• Formed in 1990 in Houston, TX as “Girl’s Tyme”• The group was managed by Mathew Knowles & styled by Tina

Knowles (wonder if there was any favoritism…?)• The group disbanded in 2006• All members have had continued success• Members included:

– Beyonce Knowles (with Justin Timberlake!!)– Kelly Rowland– Michelle Williams– LaTavia Roberson– LeToya Luckett– Farrah Franklin

Bills Bills Billscontinued

• Released 1999 on Columbia Records – The Writing’s on the Wall (album)

• The song has been interpreted as “anti-male” & as female-empowering

• Listen to the lyrics & decide for yourself• This was DC’s breakout hit (& the last album to

feature LeToya Luckett• Video