The 80s, myth and reality?

[rogueclimber]

Aside from Don Johnson, I guess, HE was "the man of the hour" for all the teenage boys in the 80s, right?

Is the scene iconic?
Did white rib-undershirts and Zippos boom after the movie started? I wouldn't wonder.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Bee Gees - Bodyguard was really BANNED on MTV in 1989? Too hot??

 

[Turnip]

Too cheesy…

 

[Trenchfriend]

Too cheesy…

The key-R'n'B?

 

[tamoko]

Oi!
I filling it was thri worlds in same time and perhaps most creative time. Jes a lot of mainstream crap but best time of underground and alternative culture. It was time as postwar pures was ower people get money and anything digital was just a toy. Amazing films worldwide.
Jes Punk was already in 70s but became worldwide subculture in 80s, new wave, hard rock, even skating and surfing (not in California only) Hawk, Peralta, Laird Hamilton ...
Music and Film list a huge
David Lynch Dune, Ridley Scott Blade Runner .... and all without computer graphics. Was for sure pretty boring in province but a lot of creativ live in large cities. In 90s started to dead 60 to 70 post war pure time.

 

[Trenchfriend]

But there's another thing, I don't get.
What is the explanation of Madonna's big commercial success in the 80s? I mean, was there anything unique or special on this superficial, cheesy dance pop?? Or could her music videos be an explanation?

She wasn't the only pop musician, so what was the thing on her?
When I look on her first three albums, I only see stuff "from the pop retort".

 

[Zombie_61]

But there's another thing, I don't get.
What is the explanation of Madonna's big commercial success in the 80s? I mean, was there anything unique or special on this superficial, cheesy dance pop?? Or could her music videos be an explanation?

She wasn't the only pop musician, so what was the thing on her?
When I look on her first three albums, I only see stuff "from the pop retort".

Her songs were usually heavy on the "beat box" rhythm machines, so they were easy to dance to. Straight men thought she was attractive in a "sleazy" kind of way, and women seemed to find her "fashionable" enough to want to copy her style. Her songs were/are too "Top 40" for me, produced only to make money and allow her and her dancers to gyrate on stage during live performances. I thought she was one of the better things about that 1990 Dick Tracy movie starring Boring Beatty, but that's not saying much.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I was working in radio when Madonna became popular, and the most simple answer is that her record label marketed the hell out of her. She became unavoidable in the way that few other performers of the time other than perhaps Mr. Jackson ever were.

 

[Monte.C]

But there's another thing, I don't get.
What is the explanation of Madonna's big commercial success in the 80s? I mean, was there anything unique or special on this superficial, cheesy dance pop?? Or could her music videos be an explanation?

She wasn't the only pop musician, so what was the thing on her?
When I look on her first three albums, I only see stuff "from the pop retort".

I'm late on this one but I want to add to it. I was there, so to speak.
The only other kinds of female singers I can remember from the time were those more grown-up singers from the 70s, like Dianna Ross, disco queens, and then in the 80s things swayed so far into the teen market. These singers were like children. Like an artist called Tiffany, and Debbie Gibson. Madonna played to the teen crowd but she had a sort of adult vibe to her, some sort of mysterious sexy vibe when compared to these other girls who smelled like Ivory soap. That's my recollection.

 

[rogueclimber]

The only other kinds of female singers I can remember from the time

Annie Lennox, Terri Nunn, Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, The Go-Gos, Bananarama, The Bangles (Susanna Hoffs), Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt...

So many wonderful female leads of the 80s

 

[Turnip]

Dawn Crosby, Leather Leone, Janet Gardner, Lita Ford, Wendy O Williams, The Great Kat, Skin OBE, Yvonne Ducksworth, Doro Pesch, Sabina Classen…

 

[Monte.C]

Annie Lennox, Terri Nunn, Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, The Go-Gos, Bananarama, The Bangles (Susanna Hoffs), Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt...

So many wonderful female leads of the 80s

Sure Cap'n, I can do the internet too. I did, in fact.
I'm just remembering a moment in time when I was at a particular age, excited about ACDC, Zeppelin, etc. and noticing the popularity of these little girl singers becoming so popular with the girls I was interested in. I was having none of it.

Linda Ronstadt was more like a holdover from the 70s. I can't include her in this picture.
Pat Benatar was very much pursuing the rock end of things, as girls found their place in pop music. Lita Ford went that way too. Of course Joan Jett.
Annie Lennox created her own distinct thing and could never be grouped with a specific teen thing.
Blondie - again from the 70s and she had somewhat of an adult flair. She grew out of the age of disco.
You're right about the Go-Gos and Bananarama. SO pop. Squeaky clean and cloyingly sweet.

I very much remember the strong contrast between the Ivory soap-type pop artists and Madonna, who was close to that, but never quite. It's like... She appealed to the teen girls but made them feel a little bit naughty. Not just "I like lollypops" but more "I'm so excited you want to share my lollypop".

Anyway it's all good. I'm glad it's behind us. But I cringe at what they're offering the kids today. Ouch.

 

[rogueclimber]

I can do the internet too

Just remembering acts I've seen and enjoyed in the 80s, and remain on my playlists today

 

[Turnip]

Same here, as well as:
Sam Brown, Gianna Nannini, Gloria Estefan, Marie Fredricksson, Lee Aaron…and many more on the 80s-playlist in Germany/Europe.