The 1980s. What is the sound of the ’80s? Michael Jackson, ThrillerMichael Jackson, Thriller Prince, When Doves Cry Prince, When Doves Cry Listen for:Listen.

The 1980sThe 1980s

What is the sound of the ’80s?What is the sound of the ’80s?

• Michael Jackson, ThrillerMichael Jackson, Thriller• Prince, When Doves CryPrince, When Doves Cry• Listen for:Listen for:

– TextureTexture– InstrumentationInstrumentation– Accent on backbeat?Accent on backbeat?– Riffs?Riffs?– Stylistic influences?Stylistic influences?– Other?Other?

Michael Jackson – ThrillerMichael Jackson – Thriller

• Style beat – 8 beat, occasionally opening to Style beat – 8 beat, occasionally opening to 1616

• Instrumentation – drum machine, horns, Instrumentation – drum machine, horns, guitar, synthesizer, bass (synth)guitar, synthesizer, bass (synth)

• Texture - Often thin; thickens through verse Texture - Often thin; thickens through verse to climax at chorusto climax at chorus

• Accent on backbeatAccent on backbeat• Riffs in bass, keyboard, horns (chorus)Riffs in bass, keyboard, horns (chorus)

Michael Jackson - ThrillerMichael Jackson - Thriller

• Stylistic influences?Stylistic influences?– Funk – (esp. Funkadelic) Funk – (esp. Funkadelic) – DiscoDisco– GospelGospel– 70s soul – particularly Philadelphia70s soul – particularly Philadelphia

• OtherOther– Doubling (via overdubs) on hook, significant linesDoubling (via overdubs) on hook, significant lines– Polyrhythmic – layered rhythmic ostinatiPolyrhythmic – layered rhythmic ostinati– Melody driven, dramatic vocal styleMelody driven, dramatic vocal style– ReverbReverb

Prince – When Doves CryPrince – When Doves Cry

• Style beat - 8 beatStyle beat - 8 beat

• Instrumentation – guitar, drum machine, Instrumentation – guitar, drum machine, synthesizer, drumssynthesizer, drums

• Texture – thinTexture – thin

• Accent on backbeat, Rebound backbeat on Accent on backbeat, Rebound backbeat on 22

• Riff in keyboard, but not riff-drivenRiff in keyboard, but not riff-driven

When Doves CryWhen Doves Cry• Stylistic influences?Stylistic influences?

– SoulSoul– Hard rockHard rock– FunkFunk– DiscoDisco

• OtherOther– Doubling (via overdubs) on hook, significant linesDoubling (via overdubs) on hook, significant lines– Polyrhythmic – layered rhythmic ostinati (repeating Polyrhythmic – layered rhythmic ostinati (repeating

patterns)patterns)– No bassNo bass– Melody driven, dramatic vocal styleMelody driven, dramatic vocal style– ReverbReverb

Ingredients of the “mainstream” Ingredients of the “mainstream” 80s sound80s sound

• ““Musical melting pot”Musical melting pot”

– All rock styles used as inspirationAll rock styles used as inspiration

• 70s styles: punk, funk, new wave (still in progress), 70s styles: punk, funk, new wave (still in progress), reggae, black Romantic musicreggae, black Romantic music

• Retro styles: rockabilly, surf music, black rock and Retro styles: rockabilly, surf music, black rock and roll,Motown, blues, R&Broll,Motown, blues, R&B

• World musicWorld music

– Heard in new and unusual combinationsHeard in new and unusual combinations

• Synthesizers become standard component of rock Synthesizers become standard component of rock ensembleensemble

SynthesizersSynthesizers• Produce artificially generated sound through Produce artificially generated sound through

manipulation of electrical currentsmanipulation of electrical currents– Create entirely new soundsCreate entirely new sounds

– Or replicate sound of any instrumentOr replicate sound of any instrument

• Oscillator creates sound wave Oscillator creates sound wave • Filters modify tone color by subtle alterations to Filters modify tone color by subtle alterations to

wave formwave form• Other oscillators or generators manipulate vibrato, Other oscillators or generators manipulate vibrato,

attack, sustain, and decayattack, sustain, and decay

SynthesizersSynthesizers

• Invented in 50s, but expensiveInvented in 50s, but expensive– Could only create/play one sound at a timeCould only create/play one sound at a time

• Four and eight voice polyphonic synthesizers Four and eight voice polyphonic synthesizers introduced in early 1980sintroduced in early 1980s

• MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) invented 1983invented 1983– Makes synthesizers easy for novice to useMakes synthesizers easy for novice to use– Quickly become pop rock standardQuickly become pop rock standard

• Drum machinesDrum machines• Fill in for strings, hornsFill in for strings, horns• Creation of new, electronic soundsCreation of new, electronic sounds

MTVMTV

• Music televisionMusic television

• Premiered 1981Premiered 1981– Popularizes the music videoPopularizes the music video– Becomes common forum for pop rock audienceBecomes common forum for pop rock audience

• Shortly becomes means of launching new Shortly becomes means of launching new artists, songsartists, songs

MTV/Pop rockMTV/Pop rock

• Video stars of the early ’80sVideo stars of the early ’80s– Michael JacksonMichael Jackson– MadonnaMadonna– PrincePrince– Duran DuranDuran Duran– Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Michael Jackson (1958- )Michael Jackson (1958- )

• Jackson Five formed in late 1960s with brothers Jackson Five formed in late 1960s with brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and MarlonJackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon– Michael records a few solo records as wellMichael records a few solo records as well

• 1976 Jackson Five leave Motown for Epic – 1976 Jackson Five leave Motown for Epic – become The Jacksonsbecome The Jacksons

• 1978 Meets Quincy Jones while making The Wiz1978 Meets Quincy Jones while making The Wiz– Produces next several albumsProduces next several albums

• 1979 Off the Wall1979 Off the Wall– Multi-platinumMulti-platinum– Fusion of rock, soul, and funk groovesFusion of rock, soul, and funk grooves

Thriller (1983)Thriller (1983)

• More than 50 million copies sold to dateMore than 50 million copies sold to date• Six top ten hits, seven of the nine tracks chartSix top ten hits, seven of the nine tracks chart• Unprecedented fusion of stylesUnprecedented fusion of styles

– Tracks on albumTracks on album– Influences combined on each trackInfluences combined on each track

• Ex. Beat ItEx. Beat It– Punk-influenced beatPunk-influenced beat– Funk influences evidentFunk influences evident– Some input from early hip-hop Some input from early hip-hop – Combined with hard rock and heavy metalCombined with hard rock and heavy metal

Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) (1958-)Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) (1958-)

• First album 1979First album 1979• Plays all instruments on and produces first five Plays all instruments on and produces first five

albumsalbums• Reaches mega-stardom with Reaches mega-stardom with 19991999 (1982) (1982)• Elements of styleElements of style

– Mixes disparate stylistic influencesMixes disparate stylistic influences– Certain eroticismCertain eroticism– Strong hooksStrong hooks– Melody with wide range over polyrhythmic foundationMelody with wide range over polyrhythmic foundation

• Ex. Little Red CorvetteEx. Little Red Corvette

The Go-GosThe Go-Gos

• One of first all-female bandsOne of first all-female bands• prototype of mainstream ‘80s pop –”synth-heavy and ruthlessly prototype of mainstream ‘80s pop –”synth-heavy and ruthlessly

stylish new romantic movement”stylish new romantic movement”• Formula Formula

– Riff less important than groove - rhythmic feeling created by sum of all Riff less important than groove - rhythmic feeling created by sum of all layerslayers

– Bright, dance-friendly temposBright, dance-friendly tempos– ““Slice of life” lyricsSlice of life” lyrics– Flat four/sixteen beat style beat OR saturated eight beatFlat four/sixteen beat style beat OR saturated eight beat– Accented backbeat, favoring rebound backbeatAccented backbeat, favoring rebound backbeat– Catchy melody with memorable hooksCatchy melody with memorable hooks– Lots of repetitionLots of repetition

• Ex. We Got the BeatEx. We Got the Beat

Rock with a MessageRock with a Message

• Minority of groups, artistsMinority of groups, artists– Many indie or niche groups, but also pop rock, Many indie or niche groups, but also pop rock,

mainstream actsmainstream acts

• Music serves as platform for messageMusic serves as platform for message

Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen

• First albums in mid 1970s - several hitsFirst albums in mid 1970s - several hits– Hungry HeartHungry Heart– Born to RunBorn to Run

• Also sold number of songs to other artistsAlso sold number of songs to other artists• Springsteen songs you didn’t know you knew…Springsteen songs you didn’t know you knew…

– Fire – The Pointer SistersFire – The Pointer Sisters– Pink Cadillac – Aretha FranklinPink Cadillac – Aretha Franklin– Blinded By the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth BandBlinded By the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band– Because the Night – Patti Smith GroupBecause the Night – Patti Smith Group

• 1984 Born in the USA launches Springsteen into 1984 Born in the USA launches Springsteen into mainstreammainstream

Born in the USABorn in the USA• Tale of Vietnam vet after returning homeTale of Vietnam vet after returning home• Opens with synthesizer riff = melodyOpens with synthesizer riff = melody• Verse and refrain formVerse and refrain form• Simple bassline, drums accent backbeatSimple bassline, drums accent backbeat• Thin texture Thin texture

– thicker in 2thicker in 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd verse verse– returns to opening texture for bleak final versereturns to opening texture for bleak final verse

• Eight beat style beat Eight beat style beat • Highly repetitiveHighly repetitive• Influences: singers-songwriters of 70s, folk music, blues, Influences: singers-songwriters of 70s, folk music, blues,

hard rock, rockabilly and early rockhard rock, rockabilly and early rock

U2- Pride (In the Name of Love)U2- Pride (In the Name of Love)

• 16 beat style beat16 beat style beat• Choked guitar Choked guitar

– Less a riff than an ostinato - two interlocking patternsLess a riff than an ostinato - two interlocking patterns– Contrast to 8 beat style beat in active bass lineContrast to 8 beat style beat in active bass line

• Every instrument, part in own registerEvery instrument, part in own register• Accented backbeatAccented backbeat• Instrumental accompaniment for high-pitched vocals – Instrumental accompaniment for high-pitched vocals –

melodic focusmelodic focus• Moderate texture, but thins under most significant versesModerate texture, but thins under most significant verses• Influences 70s soul, gospel, Celtic music, as well as singer-Influences 70s soul, gospel, Celtic music, as well as singer-

songwriterssongwriters

Band-AidBand-Aid

• Benefit recording by British pop and rock stars Benefit recording by British pop and rock stars • Organized by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) in Organized by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) in

response to BBC documentary on famine in response to BBC documentary on famine in EthiopiaEthiopia

• Do They Know It’s Christmas b/w Feed the World Do They Know It’s Christmas b/w Feed the World written by Geldof, Midge Ure (Ultravox)written by Geldof, Midge Ure (Ultravox)

• Raises Raises £8 million for charity£8 million for charity• US response: USA for Africa, “We Are the US response: USA for Africa, “We Are the

World”World”

Live AidLive Aid

• Bi-continental concert held 13 July 1985Bi-continental concert held 13 July 1985• 68 bands playing in UK (Wembley 68 bands playing in UK (Wembley

Stadium) and US (Philadelphia)Stadium) and US (Philadelphia)• Raised over $100 millionRaised over $100 million• Farm AidFarm Aid

– Founded by John Cougar Mellencamp and Founded by John Cougar Mellencamp and Willie NelsonWillie Nelson

– To raise awareness about plight of family farmsTo raise awareness about plight of family farms

Heavy Metal in the 1980sHeavy Metal in the 1980s

• Metal reinvents itself in 1980sMetal reinvents itself in 1980s• Common characteristicsCommon characteristics

– LOUDLOUD– Distortion still importantDistortion still important– Riff-drivenRiff-driven– Instrumental virtuosity becoming more importantInstrumental virtuosity becoming more important

• Influence of Eddie Van HalenInfluence of Eddie Van Halen• Fast, brilliant style based on rapid arpeggiation (borrowed Fast, brilliant style based on rapid arpeggiation (borrowed

from classical music), extremes of range and register, from classical music), extremes of range and register, wide palate of tone colorswide palate of tone colors

– Lyrics deal with sex, occult, power, rage, frustrationLyrics deal with sex, occult, power, rage, frustration

Various grades of metal “purity” Various grades of metal “purity”

• ““Pure” Heavy Metal – Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pure” Heavy Metal – Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DCAC/DC

• ““Pop” Metal (aka Light Alloy) – Van Halen, Def Pop” Metal (aka Light Alloy) – Van Halen, Def Leppard, Quiet RiotLeppard, Quiet Riot

• ““Hair” Metal – Poison, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Hair” Metal – Poison, Mötley Crüe, Twisted SisterSister– Fusion of heavy metal and glam rockFusion of heavy metal and glam rock

– Makeup, big hair, costumes combined with aggressive Makeup, big hair, costumes combined with aggressive hard rockhard rock

Differences in Metal Styles Differences in Metal Styles

• Metallica – OneMetallica – One

• Def Leppard – PhotographDef Leppard – Photograph

• Guns and Roses – Welcome to the JungleGuns and Roses – Welcome to the Jungle

Differences in Metal Styles Differences in Metal Styles

• Metallica – OneMetallica – One– Complex formComplex form– Aggressive timekeepingAggressive timekeeping– Extended solos and virtuosic playingExtended solos and virtuosic playing– Harmonic and rhythmic complexitiesHarmonic and rhythmic complexities– Music with a messageMusic with a message

• Def Leppard - PhotographDef Leppard - Photograph– Verse (ABC)/refrain formVerse (ABC)/refrain form– Short guitar soloShort guitar solo– Riff-drivenRiff-driven– Melody more importantMelody more important– Simple harmoniesSimple harmonies– Catchy hookCatchy hook– More subdued timekeeping, though accented backbeatMore subdued timekeeping, though accented backbeat