An upbeat and energetic genre, 80s dance music combined rhythm and global culture into one dynamic soundscape. Utilizing synthesized melodies and drum machines extensively, this period gave birth to classic dance anthems that still resonate today.
Prince was known to mix genres into his music. This track from him blends elements of rock and funk together into an infectious musical cocktail with its pounding bass, soulful vocals, and lively lyrics that would get any dance floor moving.
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music popular during the 1970s. Generally characterized by fast tempos, four-on-the-floor beats, bass lines, synthesizers, horns and strings; lyrics may be lighthearted or romantic and often express feelings of celebration and happiness. Although disco was only ever around briefly in terms of popularity, its influence can still be heard today in contemporary dance music.
Disco is associated with many artists and musicians, including Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, the Pointer Sisters and Earth, Wind & Fire. Disco’s popularity reached its height during the mid- to late 1970s but was not loved by everyone; rockers (primarily straight males ) did not embrace it.
Music genre was an unprecedented opportunity for minorities like black Americans and Hispanics who previously faced limited chances to make it big in music industry. Through music they could express themselves freely while becoming star acts.
Disco is one of the pioneering styles of electronic dance music. Characterized by fast beats and heavy synthesizers, disco also incorporates complex rhythms as well as styles from funk, pop, and R&B music into its style – remaining popular today among music enthusiasts worldwide.
Diana Ross released one of the most beloved disco songs ever in 1980 – I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross – which features an upbeat track with an optimistic message about coming out and celebrating your sexuality. Since its release, many artists have covered I’m Coming Out while its catchy tune has inspired young people to embrace and be proud of their sexuality.
Get Down on It by Kool and the Gang is another widely beloved disco tune, beloved for its memorable chorus and melody. Originally released as a top three UK chart hit at its time and still beloved today, Get Down on It was even included in the National Recording Registry by Library of Congress as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Additionally, Get Down on It serves as an effective dance song that can get the blood pumping for any workout session – the genre itself remains relevant today in house and pop production alike! Unlike other flash-in-pan trends like hip hop, disco has endured, its influence still felt today in genres such as house and pop production alike.
Synth
In the 1980s, synth pop music emerged, marked by its use of electronic instruments and vocal production. Combining disco with pop and elements from rock and progressive rock genres created an intoxicating brew that was both familiar and futuristic at once.
As synthesizer technology became more accessible and affordable for smaller bands in the early ’80s, synthesizer technology proliferated, leading to the emergence of bands such as Depeche Mode and Gary Numan/Tubeway Army that used only synthesizers on their recordings. At around this same time, MIDI technology emerged, making playing and recording with synthesizers even simpler than ever before.
At this point, “synthwave” began emerging as a term to describe a newly emerging style of synth-based music known as synthwave. At first, this genre shared many traits with synth pop music born out of new wave revolution, but later these musical genres started diverging both stylistically and performance-wise.
Artists and bands that focused exclusively on synth pop typically produced short, upbeat tracks with catchy melodies and lyrics, while bands which combined synthesizers with traditional rock instruments often wrote longer and slower tracks to showcase their musical talent. Both genres had distinct styles but also shared many commonalities between them.
Synthpop stands as one of the cornerstones of contemporary musical culture, featuring mechanical rhythms, machine-like effects and melodies, and dispassionate vocal deliveries that is distinctive among other styles.
Even while their musical influences come primarily from ’80s music culture, acts such as The Midnight and FM-84 are creating their own distinct and exciting style of synth-based music that deserves its own discussion and name. Based on the genre map above, it is clear how their connections to traditional synth pop styles is decreasing.
Pop
Dance pop is an uptempo genre of music combining disco, synth-pop, and new wave with commercially viable song structures and lyrics for mainstream hit radio. Its upbeat dance tempos lend it nightclub appeal while catchy melodies, often accompanied by lively instrumentals, set it apart from other forms of dance music styles.
The 1980s marked the peak of pop dance music. Madonna dominated charts with hits like Like A Virgin and Material Girl; Kylie Minogue, ABBA, and the Bangles all released iconic dance hits during this timeframe such as Walk Like an Egyptian by Kylie Minogue featuring its memorable guitar riff and handclap beat; its unique instrumentation included guitars, synthesizers, and electronic drums – an indisputable success that continues today.
Dance-pop songs feature a pulsing dance-club beat, catchy melodies, and vocals that convey excitement or romance. As opposed to pure dance music which often contains unfinished musical ideas or random vocal patterns, dance-pop features more fully formed melodies and lyrics; many artists have achieved worldwide fame through this genre but ultimately its success lies with producers; they write tracks themselves then find vocalists to sing them.
Many dance-pop hits of the 1980s have become iconic in pop culture. Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun remains popular today due to its catchy chorus, catchy beat and infectious dance moves; becoming one of the best-known songs ever.
Conga by Miami Sound Machine was released in 1985 and features an upbeat Latin-influenced tune guaranteed to get you dancing and grooving. Featuring catchy horn riffs and danceable rhythms that complement Gloria Estefan’s energetic vocals and driving bass line, Conga will have you moving and grooving all night long!
Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) remains an iconic dance track from the 80s, being known for its catchy synthesizer riff and alluring melody as well as androgynous lyrics that made the track an instant classic. Its uplifting tone and high vocals made this hit song an irreplaceable staple at dance parties and wedding receptions alike while symbolizing carefree spirit of that time period.
Rock
The 1980s witnessed the dawn of rock dance music. Influenced by disco, funk, and soul that had previously dominated R&B music during its most prolific decade (the 70s), rock artists experimented with beat-driven dance melodies in response to them; creating hybrid styles. Major pop and rock acts such as Duran Duran explored dance music during this era such as Janet Jackson with fiery anthems; Run-DMC with their signature beats; INXS with sinewy sax rock; George Michael with his positive soul music, Prince with hyperactive funk music and Cyndi Lauper with retro-nouveau pop.
Many rock dance songs had a distinctive sound, often using synthesizers and drum machines or vocal effects such as vocoders or auto-tune. Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” epitomised this genre with its pulsing beats and synth riffs; its provocative lyrics and glorifification of excess were emblematic of popular culture during this era and played an instrumental role in launching MTV music channel in America.
Other classics by DeBarge included the catchy, upbeat funk-dance hit “Rhythm of the Night”, which features funky instrumentation and catchy melody. Its message of letting loose and dancing the night away has made it an ever-lasting party anthem that still gets people moving today.
Rock dance music encompassed various subgenres, including hard rock and glam metal. The latter style had a heavy metal sound with frequent guitar solos. Bands like Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi embraced this style to produce rock ballads with danceable rhythms and powerful choruses.
Music of this era has left an indelible mark on modern pop and rock music, from dance-inspired beats and basslines, evident in contemporary artists like Madonna, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber, to spin-off genres like House and Trance music.
The 1980s also witnessed an array of pioneering electronic dance music producers, such as Mantronix and Arthur Russell. While Mantronix produced bizarre yet experimental mixes that appealed to dancers with its simple beats and deep bass tones, Arthur Russell had more melodic compositions featuring female vocals accompanied by synthesizer harmonies for dancefloor audiences.