THE 1980sTHE 1980s

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, MTV, AND THE POPULAR MTV, AND THE POPULAR

MAINSTREAMMAINSTREAM

The 1980s and the Music The 1980s and the Music BusinessBusiness

1979 saw an 11 percent drop in annual sales 1979 saw an 11 percent drop in annual sales nationwide.nationwide.

Profits from the sale of recorded music hit rock Profits from the sale of recorded music hit rock bottom in 1982 ($4.6 billion), down half a billion bottom in 1982 ($4.6 billion), down half a billion from the peak year of 1978 ($5.1 billion).from the peak year of 1978 ($5.1 billion).

Record companies relied on a small number of Record companies relied on a small number of multiplatinum artists to create profits in the multiplatinum artists to create profits in the 1980s.1980s.

The recovery of the recording industry was due to The recovery of the recording industry was due to the success of a few recordings by superstar the success of a few recordings by superstar musicians such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, musicians such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Phil Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and Janet Jackson.Collins, and Janet Jackson.

The Crash of the Early The Crash of the Early 1980s1980s

Onset of a national recessionOnset of a national recession Competition from new forms of Competition from new forms of

entertainmententertainment The decline of discoThe decline of disco Illegal copying (“pirating”) of Illegal copying (“pirating”) of

commercial recordings by consumers commercial recordings by consumers with cassette tape deckswith cassette tape decks

In 1984, sales of prerecorded cassettes In 1984, sales of prerecorded cassettes surpassed those of vinyl discs.surpassed those of vinyl discs.

New Technologies of the New Technologies of the 1980s1980s

Digital sound recording and five-inch Digital sound recording and five-inch compact discs (CDs) compact discs (CDs) – The first CDs went on sale in 1983, and CD The first CDs went on sale in 1983, and CD

sales surpassed those of vinyl discs by 1988.sales surpassed those of vinyl discs by 1988. New devices for producing and New devices for producing and

manipulating soundmanipulating sound– Drum machinesDrum machines– SequencersSequencers– SamplersSamplers– MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

Digital Technology and Digital Technology and Popular MusicPopular Music

During the 1980s, new technology During the 1980s, new technology became central to the production, became central to the production, promotion, and consumption of popular promotion, and consumption of popular music.music.

Analog recordingAnalog recording– Digital recordingDigital recording– Digital-to-analog converter (DAC)Digital-to-analog converter (DAC)– Synthesizers—devices that enable musicians Synthesizers—devices that enable musicians

to create or “synthesize” musical soundsto create or “synthesize” musical sounds

Kenny Rogers (b. 1938)Kenny Rogers (b. 1938)

Born in TexasBorn in Texas Veteran of folk pop groups such as the Veteran of folk pop groups such as the

New Christy Minstrels and the First EditionNew Christy Minstrels and the First Edition Star of made-for-TV movies such as Star of made-for-TV movies such as The The

Gambler Gambler and and Coward of the CountyCoward of the County Winner of the Country Music Association’s Winner of the Country Music Association’s

award for Male Vocalist of the Year (1979)award for Male Vocalist of the Year (1979) From 1977 to 1984, he sold an estimated From 1977 to 1984, he sold an estimated

$250 million worth of records, including a $250 million worth of records, including a total of six gold and twelve platinum total of six gold and twelve platinum albums.albums.

““Lady” (1980),Lady” (1980), Performed by Kenny Rogers Performed by Kenny Rogers

Appeared on Appeared on Kenny Rogers’s Greatest HitsKenny Rogers’s Greatest Hits The tenth bestselling single of the entire The tenth bestselling single of the entire

decadedecade– The bestselling country album of the 1980sThe bestselling country album of the 1980s

One of very few singles during the decade to One of very few singles during the decade to appear on all of the major appear on all of the major BillboardBillboard charts charts

Written and produced by Lionel RichieWritten and produced by Lionel Richie– African American singer and songwriterAfrican American singer and songwriter– Superstar of the 1980sSuperstar of the 1980s– Former member of the R&B vocal group the Former member of the R&B vocal group the

CommodoresCommodores

Listening: “Lady” Listening: “Lady” Sentimental song that has much in common Sentimental song that has much in common

with popular songs of the nineteenth with popular songs of the nineteenth centurycentury– Verse-chorus structure Verse-chorus structure – Uses the image of a knight in shining armor to Uses the image of a knight in shining armor to

profess the singer’s deep and undying loveprofess the singer’s deep and undying love The production of the song is simple, The production of the song is simple,

foregrounding Rogers’s sincere delivery of foregrounding Rogers’s sincere delivery of the lyrics.the lyrics.

The texture of the musical accompaniment The texture of the musical accompaniment is delicate.is delicate.

As the chorus arrives, the whole rhythm As the chorus arrives, the whole rhythm section joins in, supporting the emotional section joins in, supporting the emotional climax of the song.climax of the song.

““Sweet Dreams (Are Made of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”This)”

Written and performed by Written and performed by Eurythmics (1983) Eurythmics (1983)

Eurythmics consisted of a core of Eurythmics consisted of a core of only two musiciansonly two musicians

– Singer Annie Lennox (b. 1954 in Singer Annie Lennox (b. 1954 in Scotland)Scotland)

– Keyboardist and technical whiz Dave Keyboardist and technical whiz Dave Stewart (b. 1952 in England)Stewart (b. 1952 in England)

““Sweet Dreams (Are Made of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”This)”

Its popularity in the United States Its popularity in the United States was boosted by a music video was boosted by a music video shown on MTV shown on MTV

Commercial new wave music of the Commercial new wave music of the early 1980searly 1980s

– An outgrowth of the 1970s new An outgrowth of the 1970s new wave/punk scene promoted by major wave/punk scene promoted by major record labelsrecord labels

““Synth-pop”Synth-pop”

Listening: “Sweet Dreams (Are Listening: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”Made of This)”

Built around a hypnotic digital loop, a Built around a hypnotic digital loop, a repeated pattern established abruptly at repeated pattern established abruptly at the beginning of the recordthe beginning of the record

Annie Lennox’s singing Annie Lennox’s singing – R&B- and soul-influenced melismatic style R&B- and soul-influenced melismatic style – Flat, deadpan tone on the verses Flat, deadpan tone on the verses

The verses consist of two four-line blocks The verses consist of two four-line blocks of text, sung by Lennox in overdubbed of text, sung by Lennox in overdubbed harmonies. harmonies.

The singer seems to be expressing an The singer seems to be expressing an unsettling combination of cynicism, unsettling combination of cynicism, sensuality, and hope for the future.sensuality, and hope for the future.

““What’s Love Got to Do with What’s Love Got to Do with It”It”

Performed by Tina Turner; written by Terry Performed by Tina Turner; written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (1984)Britten and Graham Lyle (1984)

Tina Turner (b. Annie Mae Bullock, 1939, in Tina Turner (b. Annie Mae Bullock, 1939, in Tennessee) Tennessee)

– Made her recording debut in 1960 as a member of the Made her recording debut in 1960 as a member of the Ike and Tina Turner RevueIke and Tina Turner Revue

Eventually left her husband in 1976 to start her Eventually left her husband in 1976 to start her own careerown career

In 1983, she was offered a contract by Capitol In 1983, she was offered a contract by Capitol Records.Records.

– Her first album with Capitol was Her first album with Capitol was Private DancerPrivate Dancer (1984). (1984). Reached Number Three on the album chartsReached Number Three on the album charts Stayed in the Top 40 for seventy-one weeksStayed in the Top 40 for seventy-one weeks Spawned five hit singlesSpawned five hit singles Eventually sold over eleven million copiesEventually sold over eleven million copies

““What’s Love Got to Do with What’s Love Got to Do with It” It”

Crossover hit (Number One pop and Crossover hit (Number One pop and Number Two R&B in 1984) Number Two R&B in 1984)

Stayed on the charts for twenty-Stayed on the charts for twenty-eight weekseight weeks

Earned Grammy awards in 1984 for Earned Grammy awards in 1984 for Best Female Pop Vocalist, Song of Best Female Pop Vocalist, Song of the Year, and Record of the Yearthe Year, and Record of the Year

Listening Analysis: “What’s Listening Analysis: “What’s Love Got to Do with It” Love Got to Do with It”

The lyrics set up an ambivalent The lyrics set up an ambivalent relationship between sexual attraction relationship between sexual attraction and cynicism about romantic love.and cynicism about romantic love.

Fairly constant tempoFairly constant tempo Instrumental arrangement Instrumental arrangement

– Rich, continuous texture, dominated by flute- Rich, continuous texture, dominated by flute- and string-like synthesizer sounds in the and string-like synthesizer sounds in the versesverses

– Bouncy, reggae-like groove established by Bouncy, reggae-like groove established by the electric bass and guitars on the chorusthe electric bass and guitars on the chorus

““Jump”Jump”

Performed by Van Halen, written by Eddie Performed by Van Halen, written by Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and David Lee Roth (1984)Anthony, and David Lee Roth (1984)

Heavy metalHeavy metal– Pioneered in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Pioneered in the late 1960s and early 1970s by

bands such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purplebands such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple– Went into a period of relative decline during Went into a period of relative decline during

the late 1970sthe late 1970s– Came back with a vengeance during the 1980sCame back with a vengeance during the 1980s

““Jump”Jump”

““Jump” was, in some ways, a Jump” was, in some ways, a remarkable departure from remarkable departure from standard heavy metal practice.standard heavy metal practice.

Its main instrumental melody was Its main instrumental melody was played on a synthesizer rather than played on a synthesizer rather than an electric guitar—an important an electric guitar—an important symbolic and aesthetic issue for symbolic and aesthetic issue for hardcore metal fans.hardcore metal fans.

““Jump”Jump”

The success of the single was The success of the single was boosted by its corresponding music boosted by its corresponding music videovideo

– Shot in home-movie styleShot in home-movie style– Featured the athletic prowess and Featured the athletic prowess and

oddball sense of humor of David Lee oddball sense of humor of David Lee Roth—at that time Van Halen’s lead Roth—at that time Van Halen’s lead singersinger

Listening: “Jump” Listening: “Jump” The text is a casual come-on to a girl from a guy The text is a casual come-on to a girl from a guy

leaning against a jukebox.leaning against a jukebox. ““Jump” opens with a synthesized power chord.Jump” opens with a synthesized power chord. Thick textures and a strong pulse played on Thick textures and a strong pulse played on

keyboards, bass, and drums propel us through keyboards, bass, and drums propel us through the first two verses of the song.the first two verses of the song.

The guitar solo is followed by a longer synthesizer The guitar solo is followed by a longer synthesizer solo, which develops an elaborate melodic solo, which develops an elaborate melodic improvisation that closely parallels the style of improvisation that closely parallels the style of Van Halen’s guitar playing.Van Halen’s guitar playing.

Eddie Van Halen is widely recognized as a Eddie Van Halen is widely recognized as a primary innovator in electric guitar performance.primary innovator in electric guitar performance.

“ “Sledgehammer” Sledgehammer”

Written and performed by Peter Written and performed by Peter Gabriel (1986)Gabriel (1986)

Peter Gabriel (b. 1950 in England) Peter Gabriel (b. 1950 in England) – Achieved celebrity as a member of the Achieved celebrity as a member of the

art rock group Genesisart rock group Genesis– After leaving Genesis in 1976, Gabriel After leaving Genesis in 1976, Gabriel

released four solo albums, all of them released four solo albums, all of them titled titled Peter GabrielPeter Gabriel..

““Sledgehammer”Sledgehammer”

Features a horn section led by the trumpet Features a horn section led by the trumpet player Wayne Jackson, who had played on player Wayne Jackson, who had played on many of the biggest soul music hits of the many of the biggest soul music hits of the 1960s 1960s

The lyrics are packed with double-entendre The lyrics are packed with double-entendre references to sledgehammers, big dippers, references to sledgehammers, big dippers, steam trains, the female “fruitcake” and steam trains, the female “fruitcake” and the male “honeybee”; they are G-rated the male “honeybee”; they are G-rated variants of the sexual metaphors that have variants of the sexual metaphors that have long been a part of the blues tradition.long been a part of the blues tradition.

Listening: “Sledgehammer”Listening: “Sledgehammer” Constructed with twelve-bar and eight-bar Constructed with twelve-bar and eight-bar

sectionssections Opens with a digital keyboard sample of a Opens with a digital keyboard sample of a

Japanese flute called the shakuhachiJapanese flute called the shakuhachi The funk-influenced groove is introduced by the The funk-influenced groove is introduced by the

horn section, backed by synthesizers.horn section, backed by synthesizers. After eight bars, the horns drop out and the After eight bars, the horns drop out and the

rhythm takes four measures to establish the rhythm takes four measures to establish the groove.groove.

Following the introduction, Peter Gabriel sings Following the introduction, Peter Gabriel sings two verses (beginning with the lines two verses (beginning with the lines You could You could have a steam trainhave a steam train and and You could have a big You could have a big dipperdipper), each of which is twelve bars in length. ), each of which is twelve bars in length.

Listening: “Sledgehammer”Listening: “Sledgehammer” Gabriel evokes the blues form but does not Gabriel evokes the blues form but does not

strictly observe the a-a-b lyric form of the strictly observe the a-a-b lyric form of the classic blues. classic blues.

He does not use traditional blues harmonies: He does not use traditional blues harmonies: – Stays on the tonic chord for a full eight measuresStays on the tonic chord for a full eight measures– Moves to a related chord (the relative minor) for Moves to a related chord (the relative minor) for

two barstwo bars– Returns to the tonic for the last two barsReturns to the tonic for the last two bars

After two twelve-bar verses, there is an After two twelve-bar verses, there is an eight-bar chorus (eight-bar chorus (I want to be your I want to be your sledgehammersledgehammer).).

““Sledgehammer”Sledgehammer”

The success of the song was due in The success of the song was due in large part to the ambitious and large part to the ambitious and highly creative music video and its highly creative music video and its heavy rotation on MTV.heavy rotation on MTV.