MUSC 1800: Popular Music

Dr. Matthew C. Saunders

Lakeland Community College

C-1078

1980s Historical Context• Economy

• Politics

• Foreign affairs

Important Trends in 1980s Popular Music

• Continued Corporate Consolidation

• MTV and music videos

• Non-rock styles

• Second British Invasion

• Censorship

Important Trends in 1980s 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

1980s Technology• Portable music

players

• Digital Recording

• Synthesizers

Samples of 1980s Mainstream 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

Michael Jackson and Thriller

• Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

• Thriller, 1982

– Producer Quincy Jones

• Style combines rock, funk, dance styles

– “Billie Jean,” 1982

How to Be an 80s “Superstar”• Prince

– “When Doves Cry,” 1984

• Madonna

– “Material Girl,” 1985