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1980s in music

This article includes an overview of the famous events and trends in popular music in the 1980s.

The 1980s saw the emergence of electronic dance music and new wave, also known as Modern Rock. As disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years,[1] genres such as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop became more popular. Rock music continued to enjoy a wide audience.[2] Soft rock,[3] glam metal, thrash metal, shred guitar characterized by heavy distortion, pinch harmonics, and whammy bar abuse became very popular.[4] Adult contemporary,[5] quiet storm,[6] and smooth jazz gained popularity. In the late 1980s, glam metal became the largest, most commercially successful brand of music worldwide.[7]


The 1980s are commonly remembered for a great increase in the use of digital recording, associated with the usage of synthesizers, with synth-pop music and other electronic genres featuring non-traditional instruments increasing in popularity. Also during this decade, several major electronic genres were developed, including electro, techno, house, freestyle, and Eurodance, rising in prominence during the 1990s and beyond. Throughout the decade, R&B, hip hop, and urban genres were becoming commonplace, particularly in the inner-city areas of large, metropolitan cities; rap was especially successful in the latter part of the decade,[8] with the advent of the golden age of hip hop. These urban genres—particularly rap and hip hop—would continue their rise in popularity through the 1990s and 2000s.


A 2010 survey conducted by the digital broadcaster Music Choice, which polled over 11,000 European participants, revealed that the 1980s was the most favoured tune decade of the last 40 years.[9]


Popular artists from the 1980s include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Whitney Houston, U2, Bruce Springsteen, George Michael, and the Police.[10]

Michael Jackson is one of the most successful pop music artists in history and has been nicknamed the "King of Pop"

Michael Jackson is one of the most successful pop music artists in history and has been nicknamed the "King of Pop"

Madonna was the best-selling female pop music artist of the decade

Madonna was the best-selling female pop music artist of the decade

Whitney Houston, nicknamed ''The Voice'', is one of the biggest selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide.

Whitney Houston, nicknamed ''The Voice'', is one of the biggest selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide.

Recording artist Prince was one of the most influential musicians of the decade. His 1984 Purple Rain album was certified 13× Platinum by the RIAA.

Recording artist Prince was one of the most influential musicians of the decade. His 1984 Purple Rain album was certified 13× Platinum by the RIAA.

Depeche Mode, 1985

Controversial dance-pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, 1985

Controversial dance-pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, 1985

1970s in music

1990s in music

1960s in music

Rose, Tricia (1994). . Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 978-0-8195-6275-3.

Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America

Hill, Dave (1986). Designer Boys and Material Girls: Manufacturing the 80s Pop Dream. Poole, Eng.: Blandford Press.  0-7137-1857-9

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