The Hits: Sweet dreams
- the rise of synth-pop • The Eurythmics
• Part of the 2nd British invasion
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983)
• Child of new wave…synth-pop
• Global corporate consolidation splintered the
marketplace
• Why we care:
• Variety of tech features
• Music mirrors spirit of text
• Production embodies do-it-yourself of new wave/punk
• Points to experimentalism
The Hits: Jump
- heavy metal in the mainstream • Late 1970s - Heavy metal declines
• Audience an “embarrassment”
• Jump (1984)
• Van Halen
• Synthesizers create crossover appeal
• Why we care:
• Van Halen = virtuoso
• Pull-offs; tapping
• Synthesizer replaces lead guitar (mostly)
• Dialogue between tradition and the future
Thriller
- Bridging the culture gap • Fragmenting pop music fragmented audiences
• Thriller (1982)
• Unprecedented, boundary-crossing album
• Synthesis of music across numerous genres
• The Girl Is Mine
• Collaboration w/ Paul McCartney
• Adult contemporary/soft rock
• Beat It
• Collaboration w/ Van Halen
• Metal with synth-pop vibes (drum machine)
• Thriller
• All the things:
• Heavy metal, new wave, synth-pop, funk, rock, rap