Pop Culture during the 80s (Part 2)

Note: picture taken from http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~pmarin/80s.html



Queue A-Ha's 'Take On Me'.......

Music is the soundtrack of life. And it was no different during the 80s. Planet 80s was dominated by several one-name singers and one giant superstar who recently was in and out of court.

Yes, you had your Madonna, Prince and Sting; but you also had the thrilling Michael Jackson, who moonwalked his way into music lovers' hearts when he performed 'Billie Jean' at the Motown anniversary concert in '83 ( I think it was 83 lah, maybe it was earlier). Then came the mega-selling Thriller album, sold-out concerts, amazing music videos and of course, Bubbles the chimp. But seriously that guy could sing, dance and write songs. As hit producer David Foster once said, 'the guy is so young yet sooo talented.' His late 70s 'Off the Wall' record was sublime R&B, but listen to hook-laden 'thriller' for classic Michael. With hits such as 'Beat It', 'Say, say, say' and 'Thriller', he redefined pop itself.
Michael's 1988 album 'Bad' was until 15 years ago, the second biggest selling album of all time, after 'Thriller'. It contained hits like the title track, 'Man in the Mirror' and 'The Way You Make Me Feel' which personally is one of the more infectious tunes by the gloved-one.

Believe me, I didn't expect to write a lot about Wacko-Jacko, but if you really look back, and forget about the allegations and court cases, he had such a solid body of work. So there it is; Ramblinging, officially, though briefly, solutes you Mr Jackson.

Now that we are out of Neverland, let's get on to the real world in 1980s music. Madonna, another personal favourite went from techno, to big-band pop, to controversial pop to even gospel-ish pop throughout the 80s. Aiyo the woman changed so much that it was hard to even define her music, let alone define her ever-shocking personality. But really lah, after making love to the stage floor at MTV Video Music Awards, her fame shot all the way to the moon. Later nobody really cared about the music. People just wanted to SEE her, you know. In music videos, in concerts, on magazine covers. Essential 80s Madonna songs:

Lucky Star (I sang this in Karaoke once, it's good to get you in the naughty and cheeky mood)
Like A Virgin (Check out the Blonde Ambition Tour version, available on 'Truth or Dare')
Like A Prayer (pop+gospel+blasphemous wearing of the crucifix)
Open Your Heart (Like it coz the video also nice)
Papa Don't Preach (the issue of abortion)
La Isla Bonita (check out the Drowned World Tour version- with acoustic guitars!)

As for Prince, honey Purple Rain was huge during the time. When Doves Cry? Classic pop song baby. And the guy writes good stuff. But I also liked his Batman soundtrack stuff: Partyman and that duet with Sheena Easton.

Sting pulak...Every Breath You Take was classic classic classic. Even if you watch the video today, it still looks stylish and up-to-date.

*****************************


But really, focus on the music. Screw the focus on the celebrity of singers. Just dig the songs, man! There were so many good songs. Can't remember everything:

I Love Rock n Roll - Joan Jett and the Black Hearts
The Tide is High - Blondie
Uptown Girl - Billie Joel
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Karma Cameleon - Culture Club
Down Under - Men At Work
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Foot loose - Kenny Loggins
Anything by Lionel Richie (All night long, all night long, all night....)
Take On Me- A-Ha
Anything by THE BANGLES ( walk like an egyptian...ch ch ch chucka..)
Anything by TEARS FOR FEARS (Shout, shout, let it all out...)
With or Without You - U2
Jack and Dianne/ Hurts So Good - John Cougar Mellancamp
Dancing in the Dark - The Boss (Bruce Springsteen)
What's Love Got to Do With It - Tina Turner
Heaven/ Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
Forever Young - Rod Stewart
Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
Jump - Pointer Sisters
Take My Breath Away.......do do do do...... - Berlin
Anything by the late Robert Palmer
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Sweet Child'O Mine - Guns n Roses
Mad About You - Belinda Carlisle
Anything by Duran Duran (....and I AM hungry like a wolf....)


Too many songs for one decade-lah! Basically all the singers who sang We Are the World! hehe..

On the MALAYSIAN front, the best songs came from people like Francisca Peters, Alleycats, Sudirman, Ella and my favourite rock-kapak band, Gersang.

Songs I remember most while listening to Radio Malaysia Johor Bahru (RMJB) were tracks by Freedom and Fran. Also Sheila Majid and Raja Emma.


**********************************************