80s music post 1

          The major difference between 80s and 70s music came from the development of technology. This technology led to the development of a new genre: hip-hop. Hip-hop spread rapidly with groups such as Run-DMC and began to represent different social groups and different regions. Hip-hop developed through the ability to scratch records and to rhyme verses. In the 80s the music industry transitioned from cassette to CD, illustrating another use of increased technology. I somewhat enjoyed this new hip-hop genre as it is different than the hip-hop/rap of today that I don't really like.
          As in the 70s, the rock genre continued to split in the 80s. Metallica morphed heavy metal into thrash metal such as in the song "Hit The Lights". I like a lot of Metallica stuff except for when they get too heavy. Mainstream rock also continued with Van Halen and Aerosmith, two very successful and very talented bands. Of the 80s rock, Guns 'n Roses has to be one of my favorites. Of course their songs "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Sweet Child 'o Mine" are unbelievable and became very popular in the late 80s. Their guitar riffs and unique vocals make them very popular. Another change to the rock genre from the 70s came from Pat Benatar songs such as "Love is a Battlefield" as women emerge on the rock scene for the first time. Alternative rock, one of my favorite genres, with songs such as "Jane Says" and artists such as REM, also developed in the 80s.
The best development of the 80s was the "death" of country music, one of my least favorite genres. Listening to Alabama's "Mountain Music" and "Love in the First Degree", however, aren't as terrible as modern country. Maybe because the lyrics are more about appreciating nature and life instead of the country songs that focus on gaining pity for their sad lives. The country music in this decade also somewhat combined with pop to diverge away from the more twangy outlaw country music.
Pop and R&B also continued to expand in this decade. Madonna, MJ, and Prince rocked the pop scene expanding their popularity by becoming accessible to MTV and producing my personal favorite, Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach". New Kids on the Block started the American boy band image focusing less on instruments and more on lyrics and pretty faces. Of course my (and my parents') favorite of this genre and time period are U2 and Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen. These pop/rock groups focused on guitar and classic rock and roll. The lyrics and guitar riffs of U2 and Springsteen are enough for me to never get sick of listening to their music.
As technology improved and equipment such as synthesizers became less expensive, electronic music gained a larger following. Songs such as "Mr. Roboto" seem to completely disregard instruments and meaningful lyrics and instead focus on synthetically manufacturing music. Despite the arguable illegitimacy of this type of music, I actually thoroughly enjoy electronica music because of the upbeat and fast-paced beats.