We all know and love the musical artists today such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and the Arctic Monkeys who have such a deep impact on our lives. Their rhythmical tunes bring such a joyous aspect to our everyday lives, but what is quite unknown is that these artists would not be on the pedestal they are today without the teachings and influences from the 80s.

The 80s was such a thriving era that had one of the greatest, if not the greatest, impact on the music industry. During this era, there were countless genres which included electronic dance music, different variations of rock, and pop. The music scene shaped what we listen to today by developing new senses of style and genres throughout music. It was the emergence of the very known upbeat and catchy tunes we hear today.

“A lot of songs now will sample from the 80s, like with the melody, and it brings a feeling of nostalgia from people of that generation, and it also gives people of this new generation a new look and vibe, so people from every generation can appreciate that original song,” said science teacher Ms. Neda Kuso.

For example, Taylor Swift’s album 1989 was heavily influenced by the stylistic choices made in the 80s that just surrounded that catchy nature. One of the most iconic individuals who made pop music what it is today is Madonna. She was a breakthrough in music where she had sort of a “I don’t care’ mindset and went against societal expectations. Some of her most popular songs such as “Material Girl” and “Into the Groove” are seen as very influential pieces of music that have recent artists today trying to recreate the same feeling they give off.

Along with the heavy influence of the pop era, the 80s also introduced the rise of rock and heavy metal. Some of the most legendary bands like Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses still have such a heavy impact on both the older generation who have also passed down their likings to the newer generations. The latest bands of today like Greta Van Fleet channel the drama from the 80s into their songs that still make a great influence on society today. With the expansion of technology, artists like these were able to include new sounds that made their songs unique and have a new look in the music industry. 

“I would say because of the rise of technology and globalization, it made music easier to listen to no matter where you are, and that also led to the inspiration for upcoming musical artists understanding the same sound which has inspired people to create music that’s the same everywhere that everyone can listen to,” said Senior Patrick Andrianopoulos. 

Like most genres, Rock and Heavy Metal have their specific niches like Glam Metal. Heavy metal was one of the most iconic genres of the 80s, where not only did artists branch out from societal expectations of music, they also had their own unique style whether it was their hair, outfits, or a publicity stunt they performed to gain an attraction.

Not only did the 80s have an impact on music directly, it also had a great impact on the platforms music was displayed on. For example, in 1981, MTV was created as a source and platform for music to have a more visual appeal to the public. This source created a way for artists to actually make music videos for their pieces as a way to display an even broader creative side using visual effects and fashion that represents them. Artists like David Bowie and Michael Jackson, who are actually known as the most iconic artists of the 80s decade, who turned their musical pieces into music videos that demonstrated the story behind their songs.

“I remember being excited to see music videos from bands I liked, only to be saddened by the fact many of the videos were from ‘top 40’ bands, not groups I liked, but when I finally saw ‘Once in a Lifetime’ by the Talking Heads, I was ecstatic!” said English teacher Mr. Matthew Woodin. 

The ineffable and unforgettable mark left on the musical industry from the 80s is undeniably one of the most influential things to happen to pop culture as a whole. The shaping of different styles, sounds, and people as a whole is what is responsible for defining what modern tunes are like today. The timeless elements from the development of pop music to how musical artists today gained their attraction from the impact of the 80s is what brings the 80s and its influence to essentially set the stage for our musical icons today, inspiring future generations fundamentally creates the long lasting power and effect it not only had back then but also on today.