Brian T on 11/10/2007 at 11:40

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So I was just picking out a random CD to listen to last night and I put on Queen Live At Wembley 1986. Initial thoughts were like "Oh yeah I remember this, cool" It wasn't until maybe the second song that it struck me. This was recorded 21 years ago Huh? I remember watching this on TV at the time. I remember videotaping it. That was 21 years ago. WTF?

I remember in the 1980s that the 1960s seemed like a totally different era to me. Even in 1986 looking back to early 1970s music and shows like Deep Purple and Monty Python made me think , whoa this stuff is old! (but good) So the 1960s just seemed totally, er, far out man. Mop top popsters, James Bond, a decade where guys actually wore hats.:wot:

So I've reached the point where the '00s are to the 1980s what the 1980s were to the 1960s, if you get my meaning. So for anyone who wasn't around in the 1980s, do the 1980s seem like some far off era where people acted weirdly? :weird: Is there a big gap in culture since the 1980s? Am I just getting old? :cheeky:

Rogue Keeper on 11/10/2007 at 12:29

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I think 80s were very distinct from other decades around. The fashion, music, films, utilitary design to lesser extent, you can't confuse it with other decade. It wasn't a big revival era. Perhaps late 90s (although significantly distinct as well) showed more 60s nostalgia than the 80s did. The 00s are big revival era, because we have kind of post-millenial desilusion and uncertain, challenging future ahead. We are past the fin de siécle and we are kind of "tired" by all that post-modernity. So we are looking back to 80s with nostalgia. Hopefully next decade will be more culturally inventive - hopefully it won't be just 90s revival.

Rogue Keeper on 11/10/2007 at 12:39

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I like synthpop, but I can't stand the hair styling.

http://static.flickr.com/29/51454745_ae60e50a41.jpg

Vivian on 11/10/2007 at 13:30

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It was arguably the last decade in which any real cultural innovation took place.

fett on 11/10/2007 at 14:03

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I was around in the 80's and I feel the same way Brian T. I watch old Motley Crue or Durran Durran videos and think, "How the hell did any of THAT happen?"

The thing that stands out so much to me in comparison with the following two decades is that (as Vivian said) there was so much innovation. You never knew what you were going to see on TV, hear on the radio, or find people wearing - yeah, most of it was far out, maybe even kitschy as we look back, but it was unabashedly different from anything that had come before. Examples:

Michael Jackson's wardrobe (specifically the zippered jackets and parachute pants)

The New York Dolls (or rather the 'look' and sound of bands that they influenced)

'Hollywood' politicians

The Rubik Cube/handheld puzzle fad

Alf (seen a prime-time comedy led by a hand puppet lately?)

Breakdancing/Run D.M.C./Beastie Boys/hip-hop FINALLY going mainstream

Saturday morning cartoon rituals (ScoobyDoo, Justice League, Smurfs, Speed Racer, etc.)

The Advent of weekday afternoon cartoons (Phoenix Force, Spiderman, FF4, etc.)

Judy Blume (consistently controversial children's author)

Earrings on guys (IF IT'S IN THE RIGHT EAR HE MUST BE GAY!!)

Sexy female pop stars (the 80's gave us Madonna, Oliva Newton John, Pat Benetar as opposed to the 70's plethora of Karen Carpenters and Anne Murrays)

Thrash and Speed Metal (remember the first time you saw Metallica and were like, "TOO FUCKIN RIGHT! AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!")


Most of it was shite in retrospect, but it was certainly entertaining and different. I can't remember being shocked, intrigued, or curious about anything in pop culture since Nirvana in 91.