Music of the 80's: Iconic

Last night, VH1 aired again the show "The 100 Greatest songs of the 80's". Although it wasn't the first time that I have seen this show, I felt that it was still worth my time. First of all, this is my era. This was the time that I was so much into music and MTV's big time. This was the period that my friends and I knew the lyrics to most songs, and could start saying the title just by listening to the song's first few notes.

I couldn't agree more with the artists who made comments about the singers and the songs who made it to this prestigious list. Actually, to have only 100 songs felt unfair to many of the other equally great songs of that decade. Still, the show was a fitting homage to the kind of sound and influence that the said era has contributed to the world of music.

There are many reasons and faces why the 80's songs have created an immensely strong impact. One, the genius of the solo acts. Michael Jackson. Madonna. Cyndi Lauper. Prince. Rick Springfield. Bruce Springsteen. Debbie Gibson. Toni Basil. Think of the wonderful lyrics and melody of Time after Time. The unforgettable moves of Madonna in Like a Virgin, that was part of the strings of hits she made that led to her incredible fame. Try recalling the raspy voice of Bruce Spingsteen as he moves his shoulders while he plays the guitar. Remember Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark?

After years of singing with his brothers, Michael Jackson was ushered to the scene as a solo artist in the end of the 1970's. But it was in the 80's when he introduced to the world the album Thriller that reaped an unthinkable, massive success. VH1 comments that it you have not heard the songs in this album, or have not seen the Michael Jackson who sang, danced, and lived the kind of performer that he was in this era, you have not seen an iconic pop music figure.

The 80's ushered another wave of the British Invasion. The hugely popular English band Beatles made history in the 60's and 70's. But the new sound of the 80's Brit bands and solo acts was tremendously different. Like an influx of immigrants, they made their presence truly felt. What made them unique was not only the unique sound that they owned, but by the look and attitude they presented. Every teenager wanted to imbibe that back then. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Go West. Spandau Ballet. Tears for Fears. Culture Club. Depeche Mode. China Crisis. Psychedelic Furs. Duran Duran. Eurythmics.The Cure. Great melodies, stylishly new wave, poetic lines. Their timeless.

VH1 reports that this period produced a lot of rock bands, pop groups and other solos that gave the music industry unforgettable great hits. Van Halen. Foreigner. Journey. Styx. Aerosmith. Guns and Roses. REO Speedwagon. Hall & Oates. New Edition. New Kids on the Block. Run DMC. Bobby Brown. Phil Collins. David Bowie. A-ha. U2. Beastie Boys. Motley Crue. Twisted Sister. Kim Carnes. Kenny Loggins. Kenny Rogers. Lionel Richie. Tina Turner.

The coming years would usher in new artists, new songs, new dances, new sounds. But the 80's would stand as one the most unforgettable period that has produced plenty of original, great songs that would always be enjoyed and considered as timeless.