Back to the Beat: Top 13 Unbelievable Fun Facts About 80s Music You Need to Know!

1. Purple Reign Supreme

In what might be the most stylish purple reign to ever take the world by storm, Prince and the Revolution showed us that they don't just make it rain, they make it thunder and lightning - in the vibrant shade of violet, of course: Their 1984 soundtrack album "Purple Rain" is one of the best-selling albums of all time with 25 million copies sold, featuring chart-topping hits, multiple Grammy wins, and prestigious inclusions in the Grammy Hall of Fame as well as the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Olivia's "Physical" Phenomenon

In a decade where neon leg warmers were a fashion statement and hair had its own ozone layer, one song dared to confess its desire to get "Physical": Olivia Newton-John's steamy jam spent a record-breaking 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1981 and early 1982, not only making it the longest-running chart-topper of the 1980s, but also securing the top position on Billboard's Greatest of All Time Songs of the '80s chart. Despite this feat, it still hasn't been crowned the number one song of the entire decade.
Source => billboard.com

Did you know Freddie Mercury himself designed Queen's logo with a mix of zodiac signs and royal elements? Discover the fascinating story behind the iconic "Queen crest"!

=> Fun Facts about Queen-The-Band

3. Arcade-Inspired "Pac-Man Fever"

Ready, set, chomp! The 1980s were a time when video games could infiltrate your eardrums and make you groove, just like Ms. Pac-Man shimmying through that maze: In 1982, Buckner & Garcia released their tantalizing album "Pac-Man Fever" which featured hits inspired by iconic arcade games. This musical concoction landed a top 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by both the RIAA and for its single, racking up over 1.5 million records sold. Not a bad score for some coin-operated beats!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Pat Benatar's MTV Firsts

Long before becoming 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' royalty, Pat Benatar was dishing out sass and breaking glass ceilings just by running: You Better Run, that is! The first female and American rock artist to grace MTV's airwaves, she truly rocked the boat with her 1980 rendition of Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati's 1966 original, by flipping the gender script and solidifying her place in 80s music legend.
Source => crfashionbook.com

5. Duran Duran's Sci-Fi Origins

In a cinema far, far away, the villainous Dr. Durand-Durand escaped from his campy sci-fi flick "Barbarella" and took refuge in an unsuspecting Birmingham nightclub, where he inspired a group of wild-haired young musicians: Duran Duran got their name from the nightclub Barbarella's, where they played early gigs. The band further paid homage to the movie by collaborating with director Russell Mulcahy on their music videos and even had Milo O'Shea reprise his role as the dreaded doctor in their concept concert video Arena.
Source => duranduran.com

6. Synthesized Sound Explosion

"As Delorean as it gets, the 80s music scene launched everyone into a synth-laden, synthesized future faster than Marty McFly hitting 88 miles per hour: The decade revolutionized music with iconic electronic instruments like the Oberheim DX/DMX drum machine, Roland D-50 synthesizer, PPG Wave 2.2/2.3 synthesizers, New England Digital Synclavier, Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer, Ensoniq Mirage, Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, Fairlight CMI, E-mu Systems Emulator, and Linn Electronics LM-1 drum computer, defining the sounds of new wave, hip-hop, and pop that still echoes today."
Source => musicradar.com

7. The CD's Shiny Debut

Ah, the '80s: a time when hairstyles were big, leggings were neon, and CDs were just learning to walk! As Babe Philips and Sony Sinatra sang a sweet, cooperative duet, the Compact Disc made its grand debut: Born in the bustling year of 1982, CDs didn't really spread their shiny wings until 1983 when over 400,000 CD players were sold in the following two years. This technological harmony between Philips and Sony made way for the CD to wow the at-home music market and become the versatile darling of DJs and audio engineers alike! So as you put on your sweatbands and leg warmers, remember to give a little nod to the CD, baby!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. MTV's New Wave Craze

Before there was "Netflix and chill," it was "MTV and mullets": Back in the early 1980s, the network pushed new wave acts to the forefront, reaching a commercial peak wrought with major artists and one-hit wonders alike. Declining mid-decade thanks to the upswing of new romantic, new pop, and new music genres; nevertheless, the thirst for new wave has managed to rehydrate through nostalgia, seeing several resurgences since the 1990s with new-wave-influenced artists keeping the grooves alive.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Bowie & Queen's Pressure Cooker

Picture David Bowie and Queen preparing to "pressure cook" the ultimate 80s musical casserole, using their vociferous voices as the main ingredient: Under Pressure was miraculously concocted in 1981 at Mountain Studios, Switzerland, after a casual chat and impromptu jam session transformed into an unforgettable collaboration—complete with improvised vocal booth shenanigans and an epic battle of creative wills.
Source => faroutmagazine.co.uk

10. Star-Studded "We Are The World" Fundraiser

When the '80s stars aligned and said "We Are the (fundraising) Champions!": "We Are the World" was a charity single that raised over $63 million for African famine relief, featuring a star-studded lineup including Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and Tina Turner, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Michael Jackson's Mega "Thriller"

When the King of Pop moonwalked into our hearts, he'd also unleashed a "Thriller" of a record-breaker: Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album sold over 100 million copies, boasts 13 number one singles, earned him eight Grammys in one year, and ultimately led to two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Source => journal-news.com

12. The Billion-View Success of "Take On Me"

In a twist of sketchy reality that would make even Picasso do a double-take, A-ha's "Take On Me" has illustrated the sweet sound of success on YouTube: Their iconic music video, blending live action with pencil-sketch animation, has amassed over 1 billion views and is just one of two 1980s songs to achieve this impressive feat, earning six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards and a nomination at the 13th American Music Awards in 1986. No wonder it inspired Pitbull and Christina Aguilera's 2013 hit "Feel This Moment," ensuring that A-ha's catchy tune and animated antics will continue to pencil in a special place in our hearts and playlists.
Source => variety.com

13. Michael's Moonwalking Masterpiece

When Michael Jackson told TV producers to beat it, he made the world lose their collective minds – one moonwalk at a time: Despite facing major resistance from the Motown 25 showrunners, the King of Pop performed "Billie Jean" on the TV special, winning over 35% of all American television owners who tuned in and sending gossip lines into a thriller frenzy.
Source => smoothradio.com