Chapter 32: "I Want My MTV" Popular Music in the 1980s
Chapter 32 explores how cable television, digital technology, and MTV transformed the music industry during the 1980s by making visual presentation as important as recorded sound. Artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Tina Turner, Paul Simon, and Duran Duran used music videos to expand their audiences, redefine celebrity, and establish new standards for performance, storytelling, and popular culture.
Important Terms
Music Video – A short film that combines music with visual imagery to promote a song or provide a visual interpretation of its lyrics or themes.
MTV (Music Television) – Cable television network launched in 1981 that broadcast music videos and transformed music marketing.
Video Jockey (VJ) – A television host who introduces music videos and provides commentary between broadcasts.
Mixtape – A homemade cassette containing songs selected and arranged by the creator.
Cassette Tape – A portable magnetic tape format that became the dominant music medium during the early 1980s.
Sony Walkman – Portable cassette player that allowed people to listen to music privately with headphones.
Boom Box – A portable stereo system with built-in speakers used for playing cassettes and radio broadcasts.
Compact Disc (CD) – A digital optical disc that stores audio using laser technology.
Digital Audio – Sound stored as numerical data rather than analog waveforms.
Dynamic Range – The difference between the quietest and loudest sounds that an audio system can reproduce.
Sampling Rate – The number of times per second an analog sound is converted into digital information.
Drum Machine – An electronic instrument that creates programmed drum rhythms.
Sequencer – A device or software program that records and organizes musical events for playback.
Sampler – An electronic instrument that records and replays existing sounds.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) – A communication standard that allows electronic musical instruments and computers to exchange performance data.
Home Studio – A personal recording setup using affordable digital recording technology.
Cable Television – Television service delivered through cable rather than broadcast signals.
Second British Invasion – The wave of British artists who achieved American success during the early 1980s through MTV.
Synth-Pop – A pop style emphasizing synthesizers and electronic production.
New Romantic Movement – A British movement combining synthesizer-based pop with elaborate fashion and theatrical presentation.
Moonwalk – A dance move that creates the illusion of gliding backward while appearing to walk forward.
Chorus Effect – An audio effect that combines delayed copies of a signal to create a fuller, shimmering sound.
Delay Effect – An audio effect that repeats a sound after a short interval, producing an echo.
World Music – A marketing term for popular music incorporating traditions from cultures around the world.
Artists Discussed
Michael Jackson – Singer whose videos transformed MTV and popular music.
Madonna – Singer whose music videos redefined celebrity and visual performance.
Prince – Musician whose videos expanded MTV's acceptance of Black artists.
Bruce Springsteen – Rock musician identified as one of the decade's superstar artists.
Whitney Houston – Pop and R&B singer identified as one of the decade's superstar artists.
Phil Collins – Singer who recorded "You Can't Hurry Love."
Janet Jackson – Singer whose music videos became central to MTV during the late 1980s.
Nina Blackwood – Original MTV VJ.
Mark Goodman – Original MTV VJ.
J.J. Jackson – Original MTV VJ.
Alan Hunter – Original MTV VJ.
Martha Quinn – Original MTV VJ.
BET (Black Entertainment Television) – Network promoting African American artists.
The Nashville Network (TNN) – Television network devoted to country music.
VH1 – Music television channel launched by MTV.
The Buggles – Band that recorded "Video Killed the Radio Star."
Hans Zimmer – Keyboardist appearing in the "Video Killed the Radio Star" video before becoming a film composer.
The Human League – British synth-pop band.
Billy Idol – British rock singer associated with the Second British Invasion.
A Flock of Seagulls – British synth-pop band.
New Order – British synth-pop and post-punk band.
Eurythmics – British synth-pop duo.
Boy George – Lead singer of Culture Club.
Culture Club – British pop band.
Duran Duran – British New Romantic band that became one of MTV's defining acts.
Michael Jackson – Singer, songwriter, dancer, and MTV superstar.
The Jackson 5 – Family group that launched Michael Jackson's career.
Quincy Jones – Producer of Off the Wall and Thriller.
Paul McCartney – Singer who collaborated with Michael Jackson.
Eddie Van Halen – Guitarist featured on "Beat It."
John Landis – Director of the "Thriller" video.
Vincent Price – Actor who performed the spoken narration in "Thriller."
Donna Summer – Disco singer whose videos received limited MTV airplay.
Herbie Hancock – Jazz and funk musician later added to MTV rotation.
Lionel Richie – Pop and R&B singer later added to MTV rotation.
Tina Turner – Singer whose solo career flourished during the MTV era.
Madonna (Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone) – Pop singer whose videos helped define MTV.
The J. Geils Band – Rock band known for "Centerfold."
Robert Palmer – Singer known for "Addicted to Love."
Peter Gabriel – Musician whose "Sledgehammer" video became a landmark of MTV.
Genesis – Progressive rock band formerly fronted by Peter Gabriel.
Aerosmith – Rock band that adapted successfully to MTV.
Def Leppard – Rock band that adapted successfully to MTV.
Van Halen – Rock band that adapted successfully to MTV.
The Rolling Stones – Rock band that embraced music videos.
Billy Squier – Rock musician whose "Rock Me Tonite" video became a cautionary example.
Scorpions – German rock band.
Ike Turner – Musician and leader of the Kings of Rhythm.
The Ikettes – Backing vocalists and dancers for the Ike and Tina Turner Revue.
Paul Simon – Singer-songwriter who recorded Graceland.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – South African vocal group featured on Graceland.
Ray Phiri – South African guitarist.
Bakithi Kumalo – South African bassist.
Linda Ronstadt – Singer featured on Graceland.
Rockin' Dopsie and the Twisters – Zydeco group featured on Graceland.
Los Lobos – American rock band featured on Graceland.
Songs Referenced
"Because the Night" – Patti Smith
"We Are Through Being Cool" – Devo
"She Works Hard for the Money" – Donna Summer
"You Can't Hurry Love" – Phil Collins (cover of the Supremes)
"Video Killed the Radio Star" – The Buggles
"Don't You Want Me" – The Human League
"Love Is a Stranger" – Eurythmics
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" – Eurythmics
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" – Culture Club
"Karma Chameleon" – Culture Club
"Girls on Film" – Duran Duran
"Hungry Like the Wolf" – Duran Duran
"Rio" – Duran Duran
"The Girl Is Mine" – Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
"Beat It" – Michael Jackson
"Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson
"Thriller" – Michael Jackson
"Bad" – Michael Jackson
"Smooth Criminal" – Michael Jackson
"Black or White" – Michael Jackson
"Little Red Corvette" – Prince
"1999" – Prince
"When Doves Cry" – Prince
"Lucky Star" – Madonna
"Borderline" – Madonna
"Like a Virgin" – Madonna
"Material Girl" – Madonna
"Express Yourself" – Madonna
"Like a Prayer" – Madonna
"Papa Don't Preach" – Madonna
"Open Your Heart" – Madonna
"Love in an Elevator" – Aerosmith
"Bringing on the Heartache" – Def Leppard
"Jump" – Van Halen
"Undercover of the Night" – The Rolling Stones
"Dancing in the Street" – David Bowie and Mick Jagger
"Let's Dance" – David Bowie
"Modern Love" – David Bowie
"Say Say Say" – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
"Sledgehammer" – Peter Gabriel
"Proud Mary" – Ike and Tina Turner (originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival)
"Rocket 88" – Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats
"A Fool in Love" – Ike and Tina Turner
"It's Gonna Work Out Fine" – Ike and Tina Turner
"Let's Stay Together" – Tina Turner (cover of Al Green)
"What's Love Got to Do with It" – Tina Turner
"You Can Call Me Al" – Paul Simon
"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" – Paul Simon
"I Know What I Know" – Paul Simon
"Rock Me Tonite" – Billy Squier
"The Stroke" – Billy Squier
"Lonely Is the Night" – Billy Squier