8 Things That Made the 80s the Greatest Decade (2024)

FAQs

What makes the 80s the best decade? ›

The 1980s were a time of great pop culture including some of the best movies, music, TV shows, and toys of all time. It is the decade most often associated with nostalgia and the style, and memories of the decade, continue to live on.

The 1980s, often remembered for its materialism and consumerism, also saw the rise of the "yuppie," an explosion of blockbuster movies and the emergence of cable networks like CNN and MTV, which introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists.

There was better music, more original video games, more exciting movies, more amazing computer software and hardware breakthroughs, cooler looking sports cars, etc.

From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifts off in 1981; US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ease tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is considered to be one of the most momentous events of the 1980s; ...

On top of nostalgia, the '80s' popularity also stems from its aesthetics. The '80s have a specific aesthetic that almost anyone can recognize immediately. When the '80s rolled in, the world was still reeling from the '70s.

During the 1980s, conservative politics and Reaganomics held sway as the Berlin Wall crumbled, new computer technologies emerged, AIDS ravaged the United States, especially the gay male community, and blockbuster movies and MTV reshaped pop culture.

The 1980s was a decade fraught by unimaginable threat scenarios involving nuclear wars and nuclear energy, and it was a decade that celebrated many a revolution small and large, a legacy that still lives on today.

80s fashion included high-waisted trousers, printed blouses, bright head and wrist sweatbands, ankle boots, Members Only jackets, and polka dotted dresses. Women then preferred bold oversized clothing and paired outfits with big hoops, fanny packs, bandanas, chunky jewelry, and socks.

What happened in 1980 Major News Stories include John Lennon shot and killed in New York, Post-It Notes go on sale, Liberty City, Miami Rioting, MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas Destroyed with Fire, Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act passed.

The 1980s saw the emergence of electronic dance music and new wave, also known as Modern Rock. As disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years, genres such as post-disco, Italo disco, Euro disco, and dance-pop became more popular. Rock music continued to enjoy a wide audience.

What do people miss about the 80s? ›

The Fashion

The '80s were a decade of wild dance-inspired clothing and hair trends. Fanny packs, velour, patches, scrunchies, shoulder pads, spandex, and many more awesome trends had their peak moments.

Cool Ranch Doritos, Planters Cheese Balls, Hot Pockets, Tofino's Pizza Rolls, Bagel Bites, Hostess Pudding Pies, Pepperidge Farm Star Wars Cookies, and Peanut Butter Boppers were all popular in the 80s. Not to mention Dairy Queen Blizzards and TCBY frozen yogurt.

Apple Computer® launches its Macintosh computer in 1984. The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 74 seconds after liftoff on January 28, 1986. Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express wins the 1986 Caldecott Award. The stock market loses 22.6 percent of its value on "Black Monday," October 19, 1987.

The '80s were an exhilarating time for music, fashion, and culture. Young people were moving to big cities in droves and embodying the catchphrase "dress for success." By day, many people were driven, successful, and put-together. By night, girls just wanted to have fun.

Many disco-influenced songs were hugely popular and MTV brought all the latest songs to the living room. Pop culture icons and fashion subculture with their base on music had a great influence on the clothing of this period.

Click through to see 10 of the most popular hairstyles of the 1980s! No matter your style, volume was in. The 1980s saw the onset of huge, voluminous locks on men and women, often in the form of long, curly hair. Inspired by heavy metal and appropriately-named "Hair Bands," huge hair was everywhere.

Teased hair and bright costumes. Glam metal and disco. Memphis style and colourful neon. We associate the '80s nostalgia with phenomena that are, if not outright kitsch, at least bordering on kitsch.

What was cool inventions in the 1980s? ›

The Golden Age is so called because it was a time in which many movie stars were at their peak and when many classic films were released. Many critics cite Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, as one of the best movies ever made, and also one of the pinnacles of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

This decade (group of ten years) is sometimes called the "Greed decade" in English speaking countries.

The 1980s had indisputably gotten a reputation as the “Decade of Greed.” For Lagerfeld, the theme of the 1990s—just halfway over at that time—was clear. It was the “Edgy Decade.” From novels to music, critics considered “edgy” to be a word of praise.

Whilst we often associate the 1980s with bold, bright colours, it was also a time for more subdued tones, as well as plaid and chequered patterns. Whether the country casual look of Princess Diana or the cool counterculture style of grunge musicians such as Nirvana, plaids and chequers were everywhere.

Permed Hair

Permed hair was arguably the most iconic hairstyle of the '80s.

In the 1980s, both in the cities and in rural and suburban areas, local govern- ments strove to deal with crises in health, education, and safety. Americans directed their attention to issues such as AIDS, drug abuse, abortion, and education.

What came out in 1980? ›

Music in the 1980s reflected the beginning of a period with great income disparity, and a focus on affluence was shown in the music. There were also many new genres that popped up including: hip hop, new wave and hair metal, all of which have influenced music today.

The music industry was rescued from its economic crisis by the development in the 1980s of a new technology, digital recording. Vinyl records were replaced by the compact disc (CD), a technological revolution that immediately had a conservative effect.

Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms. Supermodel and bodybuilding became a sensation, along with leg warmers and big hair.

Older kid often watched after their younger siblings. Parents didn't think twice about whether we would be bored. They didn't feel compelled to organize us play-dates. Even if your mom was a stay-at-home-mom, you would spend days happily playing at home.

1980s: Diet Food, breakfast on the go, and more bacon

Welcome to the average American breakfast table. In the '80s, novelty cereals, frozen breakfasts, and diet/lite/lo-cal everything became the sustenance of choice for a shoulder-padded army of Jane Fonda-worshipping working gals (and guys, probably).

Was the 80s the golden age? ›

Today, some see the 1980s as a Golden Age, a “Morning in America” when President Ronald Reagan, American conservatives, and baby boomer entrepreneurs revived America's economy, reoriented American politics, reformed American society, and restored Americans' faith in their country and in themselves.

The wealthier population mixed with increases in music technology meant that was much more easily accessible. People were listening to all kinds of music: Latin, Afro-pop, reggae, etc. This differentiation of music started to blend together in 80's music.

80s fashion included high-waisted trousers, printed blouses, bright head and wrist sweatbands, ankle boots, Members Only jackets, and polka dotted dresses. Women then preferred bold oversized clothing and paired outfits with big hoops, fanny packs, bandanas, chunky jewelry, and socks.

Looking first at self-reports of ongoing stress, we found that people experience a sharp increase in stress levels in their late twenties and early thirties. Stress levels increase more moderately during the thirties and forties, remain steady for about 20 years, and then drop sharply as retirement comes around.

The 1990s: The Deadliest Decade journeys back in time to recount 90s murder investigations through the cozy lens of nostalgia. We get a quick snapshot of the national mood, the major new stories of the time, and the pop culture trends.

There was more style and the clothing was more distinct. The main reason the eighties were more colorful was the attitude people had then. People were highly motivated to be the best at what they did.

'1980s pop hits could have positive nostalgia attached to them for many people, and their upbeat, party-like sounds can induce the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, both increasing feelings of happiness and calm.

"'80s means trouble. Code broken." Later, as Joel, Tess and Ellie make their way through the crumbling outskirts of Boston, we see a shot of their empty apartment as the radio plays Depeche Mode's 1987 song "Never Let Me Down Again". Trouble, it would appear, is afoot.

What is the 80s era called? ›

This decade (group of ten years) is sometimes called the "Greed decade" in English speaking countries.