The '80s were a very British decade. Especially in terms of music.  Synth pop is after all the British incarnation of the New Wave movement. Britain in general seemed to be a powerful cultural force during the 1980s, whereas the 1990s and 2000s, and the 1970s are more American. The 1960s were quite British too.

The '80s were a very British decade. Especially in terms of music.  Synth pop is after all the British incarnation of the New Wave movement. Britain in general seemed to be a powerful cultural force during the 1980s, whereas the 1990s and 2000s, and the 1970s are more American. The 1960s were quite British too.

The '80s were a very British decade. Especially in terms of music.  Synth pop is after all the British incarnation of the New Wave movement. Britain in general seemed to be a powerful cultural force during the 1980s, whereas the 1990s and 2000s, and the 1970s are more American. The 1960s were quite British too.


Not sure Donnie, I would say that the 1990's was when Britain was more influential, 'Britpop' being a good example.

The second British Invasion was like 1982-1985, with all of those English bands coming in and taking over American music. Also, Def Leppard can be given credit for starting hair metal. Another '60s-'80s ditto thing, the "British Invasion" of the '80s. I think it died with the hip-hop/dance-pop/grunge era coming in, which never caught on in Britain. I've often heard it peaked in 1985. New wave is almost entirely British in origin, with the exception of the CBGB stuff.

Oh yes, this totally reminds me of when I sent an email to my long-deceased 2nd grade teacher asking her about a math worksheet she assigned me in 2000. It was right about the time I started college that I wrote her the message.

True, but what's your point?

You do know that Donnie Darko is no longer active....right? ???

You do know that Donnie Darko is no longer active....right? ???


Eh, you never know. 2006 ain't that long ago.

Eh, you never know. 2006 ain't that long ago.


It's possible that he could be lurking the forums as a "guest" rather than a member of the website.

Eh, you never know. 2006 ain't that long ago.

He literally can't comeback.

He literally can't comeback.



Why not? ???

Why not? ???

Something is up with his account....you can't even click on it.

Something is up with his account....you can't even click on it.


He was banned for decadeology.

You also had the Stock-Aiken-Waterman sound later in the decade, and Doctor Who seemed to become more popular thanks to PBS exposure and fan conventions, along with the short-lived Sterling car, along with the interest in Charles & Di, from the wedding, tabloids, and tours. That said, there was still plenty of homegrown talent outside of Britain (even in the even more "British" 1960s), but remember, that was before Japan became a major cultural influence like it really had become by the '80s. Of course, you had a lot of British franchises that began in the sixties that were still active/popular in the eighties (solo Beatles, Rolling Stones, James Bond, etc.)

He was banned for decadeology.

Yeah, that's what I meant to say. Thanks :).

He was banned for decadeology.


Actually, he invented it. I helped him get the ball rolling, though. It's not something I'm proud of. :-\\

Actually, he invented it. I helped him get the ball rolling, though. It's not something I'm proud of. :-\\

We all do things that we're not proud of.

Actually, he invented it. I helped him get the ball rolling, though. It's not something I'm proud of. :-\\


Although I was on the other side of all that, I also did a lot of things back then I'm not proud of either.  :(

But you know what? You've been pretty magnanimous about all this.  :)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/cb/80/da/cb80da0d1614476182abc5dc2e2c10ae.jpg

Although I was on the other side of all that, I also did a lot of things back then I'm not proud of either.  :(

But you know what? You've been pretty magnanimous about all this.  :)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/cb/80/da/cb80da0d1614476182abc5dc2e2c10ae.jpg


I came to terms with my role in the whole "Decadeology" debacle years ago. I'm not proud of it, but at the same time I've accepted it, and even come to laugh at it now looking back. At any rate, my part in the drama was relatively minor compared to others. I didn't spam the board with topics, I just replied to the spam topics started by everybody else. ;D

Besides, I was an 18-year-old kid back then with way too much free time on my hands and a deep obsession with pop culture, so I figure I can cut myself some slack. If you show me somebody that didn't do some stupid things when they were 18, I'll show you somebody that ain't lived. ;D

I came to terms with my role in the whole "Decadeology" debacle years ago. I'm not proud of it, but at the same time I've accepted it, and even come to laugh at it now looking back. At any rate, my part in the drama was relatively minor compared to others. I didn't spam the board with topics, I just replied to the spam topics started by everybody else. ;D

Besides, I was an 18-year-old kid back then with way too much free time on my hands and a deep obsession with pop culture, so I figure I can cut myself some slack. If you show me somebody that didn't do some stupid things when they were 18, I'll show you somebody that ain't lived. ;D


To be honest, I was a huge dick a lot of the time back then and I wish I wouldn't have been.

I'm still kind of a dick at times, but I've toned it down quite a bit.  :D

Damn!!! These threads are getting intense!  :o  :o  :o

Damn!!! These threads are getting intense!  :o  :o  :o


It's all good man.  ;)

Since we're confessing our sins, I stole two grapes from Super Saver once! There.

http://mybestfriendtherhino.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2010-10-20-thesimpsons_neeson.jpg

It's all good man.  ;)


How British was 1984??  :o

How British was 1984??  :o


Slightly more British than 1985, but not nearly as British as 1988.

The only superlatively British years in recent history are 1964 (Beatlemania and the British Invasion), 1995 (peak of Britpop), and 1996 (Oasismania). Otherwise, it's pretty much all relative. 2016 was a much more British year in Britain than it was in the United States.

How British was 1984??  :o


Very. George Orwell wrote it.

Something is up with his account....you can't even click on it.


I think I remember, he was banned.

How British was 1984??  :o


You had Duran Duran.

Very. George Orwell wrote it.


I guess that makes 1989 the least British 80s year, since Taylor Swift was its author.

I guess that makes 1989 the least British 80s year, since Taylor Swift was its author.

Question: "Is that bad?"

Answer: "Not good"

;)

I guess that makes 1989 the least British 80s year, since Taylor Swift was its author.


Of course, Van Halen had an album called 1984 as well.

Now I'm torn.  :o

You had Duran Duran.
... and Queen.

How British was 1984??  :o
In February 1984, Queen released their eleventh studio album, The Works, which included the successful singles "Radio Ga Ga", "Hammer to Fall" and "I Want to Break Free".

You had Duran Duran.


Damn!!

In February 1984, Queen released their eleventh studio album, The Works, which included the successful singles "Radio Ga Ga", "Hammer to Fall" and "I Want to Break Free".


The early to mid-80's was pretty British.

You had Duran Duran.
Spandau Ballet too!

... and Queen.


and Madness.

and Madness.
Culture Club and Wham!

You also had the Stock-Aiken-Waterman sound later in the decade,
BTW, it's as if they were popular in the rest of the world, and there was only some mild spillover towards America.

Of course, Van Halen had an album called 1984 as well.

Now I'm torn.  :o



Van Halen wasn't British.

Culture Club and Wham!


Would this also include African American R&B artists from The U.K. too? ???

Would this also include African American R&B artists from The U.K. too? ???


If they were from the UK they can't be African-American can they?

If they were from the UK they can't be African-American can they?


Perhaps Philip Eno can clear this up for us.

Perhaps Philip Eno can clear this up for us.
Perhaps Howard means black British musicians, like Billy Ocean, Errol Brown, Sinitta, etc?

Add Depeche Mode and Simple Minds to the list!

Perhaps Howard means black British musicians, like Billy Ocean, Errol Brown, Sinitta, etc?


Yes I meant that, just didn't word it right.

Yes I meant that, just didn't word it right.
O0

Also add Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and The Human League.

O0

Also add Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and The Human League.


Soul II Soul

Adam and the Ants were an English new wave band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group, which lasted from 1977 to 1982, existed in two incarnations, both fronted by Adam Ant.

Soul II Soul
Add The Cure and A Flock If Seagulls to the list.

Add The Cure and A Flock If Seagulls to the list.


You can also add the British soul group Real Thing and Beggar and Co.

You can also add the British soul group Real Thing and Beggar and Co.
+ Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

+ Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark


They were British?  ???

They were British?  ???
Yes, from the Wirral, Merseyside, which is near Liverpool.

Add the Eurythmics too!

Yes, from the Wirral, Merseyside, which is near Liverpool.

Add the Eurythmics too!


Isn't Annie Lennox Scottish? ???

Isn't Annie Lennox Scottish? ???
Yes, but still British!

Yes, but still British!


How about Kate Bush? ???

How about Kate Bush? ???
Oh yes!

Have we mentioned the Style Council yet?

Oh yes!

Have we mentioned the Style Council yet?


Who are they?  ???

Who are they?  ???


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/The_Style_Council.jpg
Mick Talbot and Paul Weller, 1988

How about Kate Bush? ???
Add Kim Wilde and Hazel O'Connor

Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, Five Star, Phil Collins, Bananarama, Def Leppard, Malcolm McLaren, Iron Maiden, The Police / Sting, Billy Idol, Billy Ocean, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Sheena Easton, Elton John.

I bet there's a UK forum with an "American-ness of the 80s" thread though lol.

I just realized most of the 80's music videos I grew up on were British-made by Tom Petty, Queen, Mel & Kim, ELO. Madness' Our House music video is 100% British what with the British houses. Same for I Want To Break Free by Queen.

Speaking of which, the alarm clock/lamp thing in the start of the video is a British-made Goblin teasmade:
https://live.staticflickr.com/4/5810887_9dea76733e_z.jpg

It's actually an alarm clock, night lamp, and a tea kettle at the same time. ;) Some later ones had a radio even! Couldn't get more British than that

And the interior in the video is based on a typical British terraced house, the way it would have looked in 50s to the early 80s - floral wallpaper, a teasmade and a flying bird on the wall:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/14/5d/01/145d01ac4fc67be2fe23c97de0879621.jpg
You can also see British terraced houses in the intro. Actually the video was a parody of British soap opera "Coronation Street", which is still on the air! :) The guys are dressed as different characters from the soap opera and us non-Britsh didn't get the joke lol. Modern houses interiors however are too minimalist and not British at all, could be any place anywhere but that's a drawback of globalization. ;D

I think there was some sort of 50s/60s/early 70s revival in the 80s in the UK as Tracey Ullman also looked like it in the They Don't Know music video. Mary Wilson also looked 60s with her beehive.

Don't You Want Me Baby by the Human league had one very British car in it, Sterling's predecessor: https://cdn.custojusto.pt/api/v1/adimgs/images/1105231648-rover-2600-s.jpg

Speaking of which, the alarm clock/lamp thing in the start of the video is a British-made Goblin teasmade:
https://live.staticflickr.com/4/5810887_9dea76733e_z.jpg

It's actually an alarm clock, night lamp, and a tea kettle at the same time. ;) Some later ones had a radio even! Couldn't get more British than that
We were given a teasmade as a wedding present, and we found out when we use it, the boiling of kettle caused the device to shake and the noise of it would wake us up before the alarm would go. We never used it again.

In fact, we were given two teasmades as wedding presents.

Honestly I want one (grew up on mostly 80s music videos in the 90s).

We were given a teasmade as a wedding present, and we found out when we use it, the boiling of kettle caused the device to shake and the noise of it would wake us up before the alarm would go. We never used it again.

In fact, we were given two teasmades as wedding presents.

Honestly I want one (grew up on mostly 80s music videos in the 90s).
Ours have been long gone now.

Not sure Donnie, I would say that the 1990's was when Britain was more influential, 'Britpop' being a good example.


Would not agree, just because of a media hyped music scene with "Brit" in its name clearly coined by some smart-ass trying to lump any bland indie guitar music into a group to give it an identity that does nto mean British music was internationally influential. Most of the Britpop music, or Sh*tpop as I prefer to call it, had limited to little international exposure. Contrast to the 80s stuff which was massive all over the world and you'll still hear today.

There was British Funk/Disco during the 1980's.

Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, Five Star, Phil Collins, Bananarama, Def Leppard, Malcolm McLaren, Iron Maiden, The Police / Sting, Billy Idol, Billy Ocean, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Sheena Easton, Elton John.

I bet there's a UK forum with an "American-ness of the 80s" thread though lol.


Wow, some of them I didn't know were British, like Rick Astley and Def Lepperd. I would also like to add Kajagoogoo, OMD, New Order, and Erasure.