'80s Music -- An Introduction

Posted on Sep 30th 2009 4:35PM by Ashley Iasimone
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'80s music introduced new wave, glam metal, teen pop and the widespread use of synthesizers and keyboards to popular music. Major developments in the way in which music was consumed in the '80s included the advent of MTV and the compact disc. The '80s brought the release of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' which is the best-selling album of all time.

Some best-selling albums of '80s music included AC/DC's 'Back in Black,' Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.,' Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction,' Whitney Houston's 'Whitney Houston' and Prince's 'Purple Rain.' Various other popular artists of the 1980s included Madonna, Duran Duran and the Police. '80s music also featured the onset of teen pop hitmakers like Tiffany and New Kids on the Block and hip hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash and Run DMC.

Popular Styles in '80s Music

New wave
Synthpop
Hair metal
Hard rock
Glam metal
Arena rock
Alternative rock
Urban pop
Teen pop
Hip hop

Top Albums in '80s Music

Michael Jackson, 'Thriller' (1982)
AC/DC, 'Back in Black' (1980)
Bruce Springsteen, 'Born in the U.S.A.' (1984)
Guns N' Roses, 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987)
Whitney Houston, 'Whitney Houston' (1985)
Phil Collins, 'No Jacket Required' (1985)
Prince, 'Purple Rain' (1984)
Dire Straits, 'Brothers in Arms' (1985)
Bon Jovi, 'Slippery When Wet' (1986)
Def Leppard, 'Hysteria' (1987)

Top Artists in '80s Music

Michael Jackson
Madonna
Guns N' Roses
Prince
Duran Duran
The Police
Whitney Houston
Van Halen
U2
The Pet Shop Boys

Online Radio Stations for '80s Music

Awesome '80s Radio
'80s Alternative Radio
'80s Hip Hop Radio
'80s Dance Radio
'80s Country Radio

Top Music Videos of the '80s

Michael Jackson, 'Thriller'

The Buggles, 'Video Killed the Radio Star'