Why Pop Culture is Obsessed With the 1980s
Decade nostalgia is essentially comfort food to nurse existential crises. And right now, it’s the '80s that are the latest fad for pop culture with movies and TV to music and fashion all sharing its vibe.
Even our latest generation of millennials are more than happy to embrace the 1980s and 1990s. Just take a look at TikTok videos, and you'll find all kinds of dances and acts from the best 80s movies, dedicated to arguably the coolest decade.
This brings us to our next question: Why are we still obsessed with the 1980s despite being in the 2020s?
The '80s Are Back, Baby!
Considering the short attention span of pop culture, we can safely say that the obsession with the '80s has been around forever now. This is certainly surprising since the decade was once branded as tacky and an overly loud era that was synonymous with aerobics videos, hippie culture, shoulder pads, and John Hughes movies.
Your favorite binge-watches on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime too, are dominated by TV shows and films that have the distinct cultural flavor of the 80s. You‘ll find shows drawing inspiration on the period’s broader cultural context, such as the widespread panic in people because of the rise in child abduction cases, and stories set in imaginary towns complemented by faintly sinister background music and shimmery sets.
Case in point: Stranger Things and the 1017 rendition of IT.
There is also entertainment where the reference to the 1980s isn’t as direct – instead, they merely invoke its spirit. This is predominant in the sci-fi genre, something we saw in the San Junipero episode of Black Mirror. With its neon-themed nightclub and typical '80s fashion, the audience got to experience themes of simulated reality throughout the episode.
The '80s Influence on Modern Music
It's not like the music industry is any less affected by this phenomenon.
While several singers are currently channeling the hippie vibe, nobody aces it like Bruno Mars. In addition to his cool dressing and funky music video sets, his music also proudly showcases his 80s inspiration.
Just hear 24K Magic, for instance — you'll instantly recognize the Prince and the Dazz Band hybrid sound — provided you're aware of the kind of music they create and perform.
Ain’t No Fashion Like the 1980s
We don’t really need to point out how distinguishable the '80s are, especially where fashion is concerned. Everything was just a little… louder.
Typically, the decade was the perfect fashion show or themed party material, but it’s quickly becoming a part of everyday fashion right now. Perms are fully back in fashion with an increasing number of beautiful ladies opting for big curls, big bangs, and big feathers. Even lacey or frilly shirts and ripped knees have returned full force – be it for men or women.
While today’s generation might link spandex to Kim Kardashian West or Jennifer Lopez, lycra was actually an '80’s discovery. Similar to 40 years ago, everyone is wearing spandex today!
High waisted jeans are another swap (which we're all thankful for!). Instagram influencers are more than happy to take pretty pictures modeling their high waisted jeans with boots and big sunglasses. And of course, let’s not forget neon colors and the classic mullet hairstyle.
It’s easy to see why the 1980s are so inescapable even after all this time.
The Stamp of Old On Everything New
Looking at the current trends, we can see how everything old is new, and everything new has that stamp of old. This puts us right on board the nostalgia brigade, which has also created a phenomenon.
The primary reason behind this is the relevance of the most prolific contributors to the culture of the 1980-1989 decade. Stephen Spielberg is the primary example here. Possibly one of the best filmmakers in the action and sci-fi genres, who created significant milestones in the form of Indiana Jones, The Goonies, and E.T, Spielberg is still around for the reimagining 2020, the 80s style.
Plus, the majority of what we see on our screens and hear through our earbuds stems from inspiration.
You consume the work of creators who are in their 30s to the early 50s and are most likely to have an affinity for this time period. In fact, not only the showrunners and creators, even the audience has their own personal history merged with the 80s nostalgia.
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