Everyone has their favourite musical decade and many people are nostalgic for the 1980s. 80’s greatest hits compilations are very popular and this era supplies many floor fillers. The way that records were promoted changed during this period with the introduction of the MTV channel. Every singer and band was called upon to produce a video for their new release. Looking good became as important as sounding good and the top artists were able to bring a big budget to the videos. The compact disc was also introduced, changing the way we buy records forever.

The decade is also remembered as the one that introduced Hip Hop to the world. Starting as a cult genre in America in the 1970s, many greatest hits of the 80’s were by Hip Hop and Rap artists. This movement was an important influence on pop music in general and on fashion and dance moves.

A lot of artists at this time dispensed with the traditional guitar format and based records on synthesizers, drum machines and other electronic instruments. It was the time of young men and women with big hair and shoulder pads crouched over keyboards! These songs were great to dance to and a stark contrast to the punk music that had gone before. In the UK, the New Romantics were bands with flamboyant outfits and band names.  The Human League, Adam Ant, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Depeche Mode provided some terrific hits for the 80’s.

Careers wax and wane but Michael Jackson was at the height of his stardom when his album, Thriller was released in 1982. It went on to become the biggest selling album in history, producing the hit singles, Billie Jean, Beat It, and The Girl is Mine (a duet with Paul McCartney). Soft Rock too was alive and well, spearheaded by Bon Jovi with their album, Slippery When Wet. This 1986 release was their third studio album and is the band’s most successful. Many greatest hits from the 80’s rundowns include the number one singles, You Give Love a Bad Name and Livin’ on a Prayer.

Another band, destined to conquer the world, made their debut in the 1980s. U2 hailed from Ireland and have enjoyed a long, eventful career. Their first album, Boy, came out in 1980 and more 1980’s greatest hits followed for them with War, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum.

After all the electronic sounds, performed by perfectly groomed artists, the decade ended on quite a different note. The musical genre of Grunge began in the Seattle area and was characterized by loud, aggressive guitar and musicians who liked to dress down. In 1989, Nirvana launched their career with the album, Bleach. The band would dominate rock over the next few years, their iconic singer Kurt Cobain proving to be an accomplished songwriter. 80’s hits are certainly a mixture of styles with something to please everyone.

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