Why is it that I increasingly find myself drawn to 80s music? Every time I hear one of these big 80s tracks by some British one-hit wonder, the decade rises higher and higher in my esteem.
Honestly, if I were putting together a list of the best 50 songs in the world, I’m pretty sure something like A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me’ would show up pretty high.
Perhaps it’s just nostalgia for my formative decade. That’s probably the simplest explanation. These songs are no longer just songs but little time machines that bring me back to a time in my life that is now bathed in warm memories.
But I don’t want to totally discount the musical reasons. Perhaps after a couple of decades of grunge, hip-hop, techno and all the rest, the bright pop melodies of these songs feel fresh again.
A lot of new bands seem to be reaching back to the sounds of the 80s. Phoenix is a recent example of a group that’s been widely praised by critics for producing an album that could have come out in 1985.
On New Year’s Eve, Carson Daly introduced a live performance by some new band (I wish I could remember the name) and said “This is what the future of music sounds like.” When they launched into their song, my wife turned to me and said “Apparently the future of music sounds like the 1980s.”
Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Making love to you was never second best
I saw the world thrashing all around your face
Never really knowing it was always mesh and lace
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(You should know better?)
Dream of better lives the kind which never hate
(You should see why)
dropped in the state of imaginary grace
(You should know better?)
I made a pilgrimage to save this humans race
(You should see why)
What I’m comprehending a race that long gone bye
(I’ll stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(I’ll stop the world)
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
(Let’s stop the world)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
The future’s open wide
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ve seen some changes but it’s getting better all the time
(Let’s stop the world)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
Meet Me In Montauk 
It is axiomatic that all things old become new again. Being just a bit older than you, I keenly remember when the disco revolution of the 70’s went from all the rage to the scourge of the earth–culminating in the “Disco Sucks” revolution. This disdain for 70’s Disco occurred, of course, in the supposedly more enlightened era of the 80’s. Then, of course, 80’s music became the object of ridicule by the 90’s. And by the turn of the century, the 70’s sound was undergoing its renaissance with disco beats and choruses finding their way into rap songs through sampling. So now it’s the 80’s turn for redemption, which is coming right on schedule 30 years later.
Now I admit that I am no longer keeping up with which decades are in or out of fashion, but I don’t believe the 90’s received a backlash in the 00’s and it will be interesting to see if the 00’s get slapped in this decade.
Anyway, the truth is that, in every decade, there is really good and really bad music. I do think, though, that nostalgia plays a huge role in looking back at some arguably weaker or more schmaltzy stuff through rose colored glasses. This song may well be an example of that. However, it’s hard for me to say, since I am wearing those same rose colored glasses that you are. So bring on the A-ha!
Simply put, the music of the 80s is just the best! No need to analyze, just accept it as a universally accepted truth and enjoy what you hear. The greatest thing that happened when we got our new car was that it came with a trial of XM radio, which we’re keeping largely because of the 80s channel. 🙂
I agree with Dana’s analysis. It’s true in most art forms, no?
As I’m playing the song, Daniel, who has no connection whatsoever with the 80’s, as a 2000 born baby!, said, “Ah, this played during the sweetest moment in Sky High.” Maybe that’s the glue that puts it all together? Those of us who were formed by music of a particular decade become professional adults in our various careers – advertising, journalism, film making, teaching, take your pick – a few decades later, and, of course, weave our love of that music that formed us into our respective lives.
When our professions enable us to reach a wide audience – through a commercial on tv, a movie like Sky High, a tv series like Glee, then suddenly our desire to feature a song like “I Melt with You” or an entire episode devoted to Madonna gives us power to influence a whole new generation of music listeners.
Just a thought, but I kind of like it.. Yesterday, Dana was citing Grease as an example of music that was produced in the 70’s that celebrated the 50’s. I’d be willing to bet that the creative forces behind the creation of that musical went to high school in the 50’s. Don’t you think?
Anyway, I love this song, and I love much of what came out in the 80’s, but I also hated some songs then (Hey Micky remains one of the most inane songs I’ve ever had the displeasure to hear), so I have to ultimately believe that there are pockets of music in every decade we will love and pockets we will not.