Each time I find a new piece of pop culture from the 1980's, I realize how awesome that decade was. Reagan was a stable and just president; he had shortcomings, but his charisma and honest demeanor were miles higher than that of Clinton or Bush. Beautiful material things were blooming, like personal computers, mobile phones, and all kinds of musical utilities. The general attitude was "things are looking up!" Songs were still written and arranged by artists, featured improvisation, and maintained optimistic or interesting attitudes. Rap had just been kicked off, and was still political and hard-driving. Rock hit a great stride with 80's pop; melodies and catchy lines reigned and the attitude was sincerely fun. The band members were actually engaging most of the time, and celebrity was justified with addictive numbers. Jazz fusion and funk reinvented itself; Herbie Hancock achieved popularity. Party was king; Prince and Michael Jackson contributed to the atmosphere and the feeling was good. Prince especially rocked the place; he started out strong and wrapped it up with Batman (1989), leaving the 80's on top. Music videos were just being introduced, and this phase produced some of the best. Music videos still demanded a plot involving the band, a budget, and oftentimes flashy, complex dancing. Movies and TV were unafraid to be genuinely humorous and campy; the A-Team and CHiPs kicked it off. The brat pack was enjoyable throughout; the Breakfast Club was capable of actually inspiring thought (although admittedly things like Porky's and Fast Times didn't live up to that). High school culture in the 80's was legendary, creating its own genre.
A creative stride was also realized with Miami Vice, which penetrated the material glamor of the 80's. Towards the end, Star Trek was revived by its most important television series -- The Next Generation. The bright outlook of that show contributes to the optimistic memory of the 80's. The information age was not yet upon us. Person computers did not suck in users; people still had to look outside for entertainment, friendship, and enjoyment. People were not yet wired. Nowadays, it seems futile for some people to take a vacation; I know someone who goes to a very nice place, but is constantly seen with a laptop in case the company rings. Video games were coming out, and were fun with minimal technology (they required imagination). Nerds were popularized, as was science. Breakdancing and aerobics exploded. Fashion, particularly, grew to a colorful array of bold styles. Cars became more angular, and the ultimate statement was the De Lorean, which beamed with a gray, stainless steel body. It was immortalized in Back to the Future, yet another film franchise with a happy theme. The 80's also saw the full advent of the blockbuster; Indiana Jones and others solidified the idea of a megahit.
In summary,
things were looking up. Pop culture was happy, and minds were on the future as computers were born and the Berlin Wall fell. The American Dream was revived in the glamor and materialism of the decade, and it all happened to a soundtrack of mostly competent musicianship and enjoyable songs. If I had a time machine, I would go to January 1, 1980, and promptly live it up like crazy, partaking in everything the decade had to offer.
I know that some of this comes from looking back and only seeing the good material of the 80's. But when compared to the dropoff that came with the early 90's and the subsequent suck of Clinton, Bush, and some of pop culture that's occurred since, I get nostalgic for a decade I was too young to fully experience. Here's to the 80's. I will own a De Lorean soon. Hail to the enjoyment of life as depicted with the sensible party atmosphere of the 1980s. Rent
Weekend at Bernie's sometime. Really, listen to something like "Electric Chair" from Prince's Batman soundtrack or "Sledgehammer" by P Gabriel.
Anyhow, the real point of this thread:
http://www.kingofbeaver.com/music_videos/
