I was a teenager in the 1980s, so I believe that I can say with some certainty that the 1980s was the best decade for pop culture.
Brave claim, I know, and some of you might argue with me there – after all, it had a lot of competition from the 1960s, 70s and 90s – so let me lay out my argument. (I should be honest and say you’ll likely never change my mind anyway: don’t we all think our teenage years were the best?!)
The 1980s truly was an amazing decade for technology, fashion, music, film, toys and more. And here’s why…
The Tech
There were huge tech leaps in the 1980s – personal computers, mobile phones and the internet all became commonplace in the Eighties.
I remember my very first computer – a ZX Spectrum. God, I loved that computer.
And how fantastic that I could input pages and pages of code from the Sinclair computer magazine and have my very own Space Invaders game!
(OK, so I confess I probably remember that bit with rose-tinted glasses. In reality, I suspect it was a pretty frustrating and lengthy exercise – though I still maintain that it was cool in the end!)
For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, yes, we really did manually type in code to our ZX Spectrum back then. Pages and pages of it. Often with mistakes.
The Music
We had Duran Duran, Wham, Eurythmics, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, A-Ha, Guns N Roses, among a host of other fabulous bands and singers. In my opinion (and ok, I’m biased) 80s music just can’t be beat.
And oh, the excitement of taping the top 40 from the radio every Sunday night! Not knowing where your favourite song sat on the charts, trying desperately to capture the beginning of the next song while avoiding the DJ's voice… You had to be a dab hand with the record, play and pause buttons.
Plus, we had the birth of MTV in the States and the increasing popularity of the music video revolution in the UK. What a fab time to be a teenager!
The Films
The 1980s was also a golden time for movies, with franchises like Star Wars and Back to the Future hitting big. Plus Dirty Dancing, When Harry Met Sally, E.T., The Terminator, The Lost Boys, Aliens, Blade Runner, Raging Bull… the eighties brought us some classics.
Friday or Saturday evenings at the local video rental store became a family staple, the anticipation part of the joy. The 80s was a decade when you still had to wait for things.
If I regret one thing that my children will never experience, it’s the anticipation of a weekly film night or waiting a whole week for the next instalment of your favourite TV show instead of binge-watching it in a day. If I tell them that, of course, they’ll just laugh at me.
The Fashion
Oh, Eighties fashion! We may giggle at it now but the neon, the shoulder pads, the brightly coloured leg warmers, the hours spent trying to dress and look like Madonna… it was the essence of the 1980s.
Yes, it’s fair to say that the 1980s had a huge impact on culture. Its influence is still seen in music, fashion, and entertainment today. From nostalgic toys to groundbreaking tech, the 1980s remain a cherished era for many, including me.
So, let’s delve a little further into some of the Very Best Things about the 1980s…
1. The Rise of the Music Video Revolution
A step beyond taping the Top 40 from the radio…
We may not have received MTV in the UK until 1987 (with limited reach on our fledgling satellite system) but the UK still took the music video revolution to heart with shows like The Chart Show, The Tube, The Roxy and more on terrestrial TV.
Suddenly artists weren't just voices on the radio; they were vibrant characters in elaborate, story-driven music videos. It turned music into a visual feast.
Iconic Music Videos of the 80s
Imagine watching Michael Jackson’s Thriller for the very first time in 1983 – not so much a music video as a mini-movie. It remains one of the most influential and iconic music videos of all time.
Madonna's Like a Virgin bold video made her a pop icon and sparked discussions about music videos and sex that still reverberate today.
Duran Duran's Girls on Film helped to showcase the band's new wave style, and set the MTV look, focusing on high production and a cinematic feel.
2. The 1980s Fashion Craze
One thing that you can say about fashion in the 1980s… it certainly wasn’t shy!
Big shoulder pads, neon colours, bright legwarmers and leotards inspired by the Jane Fonda fitness craze… oh, how we loved them.
You didn’t do the eighties right unless you wore…
Shoulder pads for power dressing. A key way for any woman to show they were professional and meant business. Standing out in a world dominated by men.
Neon colours to capture the decade’s enthusiasm and energy.
Leg warmers to reflect the growing fitness and aerobics craze – even if you weren’t into fitness yourself.
Denim… double denim wasn’t a crime in the 1980s! In fact, it was encouraged. I remember proudly wearing my denim shirt with my acid-washed jeans – how cool was I? Mind, I also wore a plastic mac and matching jelly shoes, so you know… fashion is subjective.
The 80s fashion aesthetic keeps coming back, so it must have something going for it…
3. The Emergence of Blockbuster Movies
The 1980s saw the rise of the blockbuster movies – building on the success of Jaws, released in 1977 and commonly considered the first blockbuster film of its kind.
Us Eighties kids got to experience Hollywood big-budget movies and franchises for the first time like E.T., the Extra Terrestrial, and Back to the Future.
I was 11 when E.T. was released and watching it in the cinema was sheer film magic. I remember being in awe, laughing and crying a lot - all while my little brother somehow fell asleep in his seat as soon as he’d finished his popcorn. And that’s when seats were cramped and uncomfortable!
Iconic Films and Franchises
The 1980s brought us unforgettable movies that still excite us today.
"Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980 was a game-changer. It grew the sci-fi universe and made "Star Wars" a global hit.
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" in 1981 introduced Indiana Jones to the world. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, it started a legendary franchise. This film has thrilled fans for years.
Other classics include "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) and "Back to the Future" (1985). "The Breakfast Club" (1985) also left a lasting impact. These movies shaped pop culture in the 1980s.
These movies and franchises not only wowed audiences back then but still influence us today. The 1980s were truly a golden age for blockbuster films.
4. The Video Game Explosion
The 1980s contributed massive strides to video game culture too.
I confess I wasn’t a gamer but you couldn’t ignore the decade of rapid growth and new ideas.
Consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) were introduced, bringing us classics like "Pac-Man," "Donkey Kong," and "Super Mario Bros."
I worked as a Saturday girl in Woolworths and the record counter was almost as busy with computer games as it was with music.
This era changed how we enjoy entertainment. Arcades and living rooms became the heart of gaming. The rise of 1980s video games transformed gaming and culture, setting the stage for the industry's future.
Today retro games are more popular than ever. Even I am partial to a little Pac-Man and Tetris now and again.
5. The Nostalgic Toys and Fads
If you were a child of the Eighties, you probably had some great toys. Or completely pointless ones, take your pick.
It was a decade filled with iconic toys and fads, such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Rubik’s Cubes, Care Bears, Etch-a-Sketch, My Little Pony and more. If you still have these vintage toys, they could be worth money today!
Cabbage Patch Kids: The Craze That Captivated a Generation
The Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were a hit in the 1980s. These dolls were unique, with their own names and quirks. Kids and collectors loved them, leading to long waits to buy them. Every kid under 7 just had to have one.
Rubik's Cube: The Puzzle That Puzzled the World
The Rubik's Cube was another big hit. It was a colourful puzzle that tested your brain. Solving it was hard, but it kept people coming back for more. More years later than I want to count, and I still can’t do the bl**** thing!
Writing about the 1980s contribution to popular culture, of course, wouldn’t be complete without a special mention of the technological advancements of the Eighties.
The 1980s saw the start of the digital age. Personal computers like the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh changed how we use technology, though I’ll always have a soft spot for my little ZX Spectrum.
Mobile phones also made a big impact. The Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, launched in 1983, was the first to show us how phones could be more than just phones. They could be devices for talking and even sending messages.
The Internet grew fast, starting with the World Wide Web in 1989. It connected people all over the world.
We may since have left much, if not all, of the technology of the 1980s behind, but it’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of anyone lucky enough to be one of the first to use it. x
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