Modern English and Stranger Things
Today I thought we could go back in time, relive some of the glorious 80s and get some old school music back on the map. And to start off, I thought it would be cool to take a look at different artists across various genres in the 80s. Think of it like a series dedicated to the age when big hair, punk rock, disco, and new wave all had a spot in the spotlight.
The 80s were a time where bands were starting to embrace instruments like synthesizers and keyboards, where rock music was starting to evolve and change to include these “unconventional” instruments. New wave band, Modern English, was no exception.
It’s interesting to note that Modern English is actually an English band – as were many popular bands during the 80s. I think a little background might add some context on why that is a cool tidbit. Let’s start with the genre – new wave. This is a genre which encompasses some pop music styles and punk rock to create a deliciously catchy dossier of sound. New wave was a shift away from the traditional rock n roll and classic rock sound that we had from the late 40s and through the 70s. But the strength and power of the music were still rooted in this counterculture, which spread across the US and the UK.
New wave brought the popularity of disco and electronic music to the rock world, creating a new and vivacious sound which was still rooted in punk and counterculture ethos. While the genre itself was created in the 70s, it wasn’t until the 80s that it became popular enough to have the genre lines blur. We saw a general relaxation in what was defined as “rock” music. It was no longer limited to electric guitars, drums, and bass guitars. Influences from all over the world made their way into this new wave movement, from African rhythms to French disco and funk. And I can’t forget to mention the “Second” British Invasion, which introduced some of the most beloved bands to the international arena. In fact, many of the bands leading the charge in the new wave movement were British bands. They brought a different kind of underground sound, one that swept across the airwaves with a wonderful ferocity. And even the subject matter of new wave songs was a powerful force. Faced with an economic downturn, fears of war, and an increased desire to explore sexuality and societal norms, the 80s were filled with tracks exploring that which was previously thought to be taboo. New wave decided to take these topics and run like hell with them, with artists creating some of the most classic and beloved songs of a generation. And while the 80s claimed many great bands, this was also a time for an incredible number of one-hit wonders. Today, I am going to be discussing one such track.
This song by Modern English is considered the band’s sole hit single – the one song that put their name on the map. Despite the band’s disappearance from the spotlight, this particular track is one of the top 500 songs ever played on US radio. It’s ranked #39 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s, and in 2017, the band received a lifetime achievement award for 3 million plays of the song. Some have called this track one of the most enduring tracks of the 80s and has been covered by many different artists over the years. This is a classic new wave song, one which creates a rock-edged dreamy atmosphere. It’s a song that perfectly captures the 80s – ethereal guitar riffs, edgier lyrics, and a nice dusting of some synth-pop, all firmly grounded in a rock foundation.
Now there are many out there who will agree, this is a good song, but not the best song out there from the 80s. And in all honesty, I would agree. But I specifically wanted to talk about this song because of how it has endured and survived and thrived as a popular listen. Because after all, this song became popular enough to fall into the category of being a “pop” song. And even though many people from the UK didn’t find this track to be a favourite, it became essential to the 80s in America. This song is like an anthem to what we consider the “stereotypical” 80s. It is a wonderful piece of culture because this song sounds and feels like the 80s. It evokes images of record stores, punk rockers dressed in leather jackets and accompanied by big hair. It evokes memories for some and wistful dreams of a different time for others. So I thought it would be such a great way to say “Welcome to the 80s Series!”
And of course, since we are talking about the 80s, I thought it would be interesting to find some 80s instrumental themes to tag along with the song of the day. And to start us off, I wanted to have a track which was based in the 80s but evolved to have some modern moments. Music from the show Stranger Things seemed like the perfect choice, the perfect sound to fit that modern, yet classic sound. I hope you enjoy eth music and please feel free to comment!
The 80s were a time where bands were starting to embrace instruments like synthesizers and keyboards, where rock music was starting to evolve and change to include these “unconventional” instruments. New wave band, Modern English, was no exception.
It’s interesting to note that Modern English is actually an English band – as were many popular bands during the 80s. I think a little background might add some context on why that is a cool tidbit. Let’s start with the genre – new wave. This is a genre which encompasses some pop music styles and punk rock to create a deliciously catchy dossier of sound. New wave was a shift away from the traditional rock n roll and classic rock sound that we had from the late 40s and through the 70s. But the strength and power of the music were still rooted in this counterculture, which spread across the US and the UK.
New wave brought the popularity of disco and electronic music to the rock world, creating a new and vivacious sound which was still rooted in punk and counterculture ethos. While the genre itself was created in the 70s, it wasn’t until the 80s that it became popular enough to have the genre lines blur. We saw a general relaxation in what was defined as “rock” music. It was no longer limited to electric guitars, drums, and bass guitars. Influences from all over the world made their way into this new wave movement, from African rhythms to French disco and funk. And I can’t forget to mention the “Second” British Invasion, which introduced some of the most beloved bands to the international arena. In fact, many of the bands leading the charge in the new wave movement were British bands. They brought a different kind of underground sound, one that swept across the airwaves with a wonderful ferocity. And even the subject matter of new wave songs was a powerful force. Faced with an economic downturn, fears of war, and an increased desire to explore sexuality and societal norms, the 80s were filled with tracks exploring that which was previously thought to be taboo. New wave decided to take these topics and run like hell with them, with artists creating some of the most classic and beloved songs of a generation. And while the 80s claimed many great bands, this was also a time for an incredible number of one-hit wonders. Today, I am going to be discussing one such track.
This song by Modern English is considered the band’s sole hit single – the one song that put their name on the map. Despite the band’s disappearance from the spotlight, this particular track is one of the top 500 songs ever played on US radio. It’s ranked #39 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s, and in 2017, the band received a lifetime achievement award for 3 million plays of the song. Some have called this track one of the most enduring tracks of the 80s and has been covered by many different artists over the years. This is a classic new wave song, one which creates a rock-edged dreamy atmosphere. It’s a song that perfectly captures the 80s – ethereal guitar riffs, edgier lyrics, and a nice dusting of some synth-pop, all firmly grounded in a rock foundation.
Now there are many out there who will agree, this is a good song, but not the best song out there from the 80s. And in all honesty, I would agree. But I specifically wanted to talk about this song because of how it has endured and survived and thrived as a popular listen. Because after all, this song became popular enough to fall into the category of being a “pop” song. And even though many people from the UK didn’t find this track to be a favourite, it became essential to the 80s in America. This song is like an anthem to what we consider the “stereotypical” 80s. It is a wonderful piece of culture because this song sounds and feels like the 80s. It evokes images of record stores, punk rockers dressed in leather jackets and accompanied by big hair. It evokes memories for some and wistful dreams of a different time for others. So I thought it would be such a great way to say “Welcome to the 80s Series!”
And of course, since we are talking about the 80s, I thought it would be interesting to find some 80s instrumental themes to tag along with the song of the day. And to start us off, I wanted to have a track which was based in the 80s but evolved to have some modern moments. Music from the show Stranger Things seemed like the perfect choice, the perfect sound to fit that modern, yet classic sound. I hope you enjoy eth music and please feel free to comment!
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