The Timeless Charm of 80s Music

Or Mishal
4 min readJun 18, 2024

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Photo: AI

The transition from the 1970s to the 1980s seemed like a fast, innovative breakthrough. It was vibrant, refreshing, and quite sexy. It presented a fresh wave of creativity that continues to resonate among listeners then and today. It proved that the new sound of rock and blues in the 1970s, straight to gentle electronic pop, is timeless and ageless.

The 1980s were a golden age for music. An eclectic mix of genres defined the decade and laid the foundation for many of today’s musical styles. The pristine innovation and naivety that dominated then left their mark on electronic pop.

The deeper you dive into the vibrant sounds of the era, the more you understand its enduring appeal.

The naivety of electronic pop, characterized by the pioneering use of synthesizers and drum machines, introduced a new soundscape that felt futuristic and exciting. This is a testament to its ability to infuse a fresh, youthful spirit into any listener and a pristine charm that’s hard to shake off.

Credit: Serega Bolonkin

This era was about breaking boundaries. Artists were fearless in experimenting with new sounds and styles, providing an abundance of unforgettable hits that still resonate in the corridors of music history.

The unique combination of electronic beats, anthemic rock, and soulful ballads created a vibrant, energetic, and youthful spirit that remains unmatched. The period’s music videos, fashion, and iconic performances added a visual flair that further cemented its legacy.

Songs like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” remain staples of playlists around the world. It is hard to believe this trend will change in the next twenty years.

To this day, they have not understood what made this music revolutionary despite its simplicity compared to the materials of the last decade, the wave of innovation that flooded the world since the streaming platforms, and the multitude of indie artists trying to create their piece of God.

Photo: G.S.S Studio

To this very day, the music of the prehistoric era of the 80s does not sound dated, remains vibrant, and reminds us of the time when music was an adventure. This is a testament to the creativity of a period that contained true culture seekers.

Most of them enjoyed the joy of creation. They wanted to create real music, one that comes from the heart that can inspire and energize listeners of all ages, and continues to occupy a special place in our hearts to this very day, not only because of its nostalgic value but because of its timeless quality, who promises that he will never get tired of her.

It is not clear what came before what, the egg for the chicken or the chicken for the egg, who was the first pioneer to burst into consciousness with the bouncy music, whether a refreshing and promising male singer, a promising female singer, or a band that managed to capture our hearts with their special sounds.

It doesn’t matter because we will always remember those who left Iron Iron-Sheep properties with hits that will continue to accompany the soundtrack of our lives, like the well-remembered bands of the 80s, such as:

Duran Duran — “Hungry Like the Wolf”

Credit: Duran Duran

Depeche Mode — “Enjoy the Silence”

Credit: Depeche Mode

The Police — “Every Breath You Take”

Credit: The Police

U2 — “With or Without You”

Credit: U2

Bon Jovi — “Livin’ on a Prayer”

Credit: Bon Jovi

Queen — “Another One Bites the Dust”

Credit: Queen Official

INXS — “Need You Tonight”

Credit: INXS

Eurythmics — “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”

Credit: Eurythmics

R.E.M. — “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”

Credit: remhq

Journey — “Don’t Stop Believin’”

Credit: journey

It’s hard to forget the prominent singers of the era who became mega-celebrities and continue to influence as part of the soundtrack of our lives thanks to hits ahead of their time, among others you can find…

Michael Jackson — “Thriller”

Credit: Michael Jackson

Prince — “Purple Rain”

Credit: The Codfather

Bruce Springsteen — “Born in the U.S.A.”

Credit: Bruce Springsteen

George Michael — “Careless Whisper”

Credit: georgemichael

Phil Collins — “In the Air Tonight”

Credit: Phil Collins

Billy Joel — “Uptown Girl”

Credit: Billy Joel

David Bowie — “Let’s Dance”

Credit: Les plus grandes chansons

Elton John — “I’m Still Standing”

Credit: Elton John

Lionel Richie — “Hello”

Credit: lionelrichie

Bryan Adams — “Summer of ‘69”

Credit: Bryan Adams

A multitude of female singers filled the radio stations and television channels with songs in the spirit of the time, but only a few really became superstars. Eternal hits of those female singers continue to play in our minds as an integral part of the sound that continues to influence and entertain us as if we were born into it, one that is defined as the melody of our lives, among others we can find…

Madonna — “Like a Virgin”

Credit: Madonna

Cyndi Lauper — “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”

Credit: Cyndi Lauper

Tina Turner — “What’s Love Got to Do with It”

Credit: Tina Turner

Pat Benatar — “Love Is a Battlefield”

Credit: Benatar Giraldo

Janet Jackson — “Nasty.”

Credit: Janet Jackson

Sade — “Smooth Operator”

Credit: Sade

Debbie Gibson — “Only in My Dreams”

Credit: RHINO

Kim Wilde — “Kids in America”

Credit: TopPop

Stevie Nicks — “Edge of Seventeen”

Credit: Stevie Nicks

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Or Mishal

Or Mishal is a composer, guitarist and is an enthusiastic supporter of young and anonymous musicians worldwide. For more, visit http://ormishal.net