Head to Head: 1980s Nostalgia
"Don't Stop Believin'" in the 80s or tell them to "Beat It."
October 28, 2022
Pop Culture loves to dote on the 1980s. From the movies, to the music, to the fashion and even to the politics, most people know everything about the period. Some styles have managed to find their way into our modern society and people reminisce on what once was.
However, the question arises as society nostalgically looks back on this period: was it as good as it is believed to be? Should we even bring it back?
Does “Another One Bites the Dust” or do we tell the 80s we’re “Never Gonna Give You Up”?
Staff Writers Grace Shafer and Sabrina Perez debate embracing or letting go of the 1980s era.
Let’s Keep the ’80s
I get that the ’80s definitely had some negative things about it. including shoulder pads. However, the ’80s have brought back some amazing clothing trends and music.
The ’80s were more of a package deal with their leg warmers and big feathered hair. ‘80s clothing trends included big pointy shoulder pads, bright neon power suites and how could you ever forget the amount of leg warmers and spandex that were used!
However, people seem to think that the ’80s are “rustic” and “outdated” but the reality is that the fashion industry benefited from the bright colors of the ’80s. The ’80s was such a huge stepping stone for clothing. If the bright colors of the ’80s didn’t happen, we would be stuck with dull colors and boring patterns.
When it came to makeup, extremely bright colors were used for eye shadow, such as light blue and bright pink. They would even go the extra mile to paint their nails for a more elegant look. The intense colors of the ’80s were a big change from the mostly monotone browns and darker-colored clothing of the ’70s.
The ’80s was a staple decade for music as well. In fact, it was when the rock band Queen started gaining popularity. Luckily ’80s music has started to make a comeback in current media. A great example of this is Kate Bush’s song “Running Up That Hill” which recently became popular again in the summer of 2022 with the drop of Netflix’s hit show “Stranger Things” season four.
Luckily representation doesn’t end with music. TV shows have also helped, especially shows like “Stranger Things.” The thing that stands out in this show is how well it’s been representing the ’80s. The show has taken time to make sure every detail is accurate to the ’80s. The hair and makeup team for this show really cares about the fans and makes sure to take the right precautions for “Stranger Things.” For example, the show makes sure to bring back the mullets and perms of the ’80s.
The ’80s have had some of the best representations of music and fashion out of all decades. Even if the ’80s are viewed as a negative I’m glad it’s resurfacing again. We definitely should keep the culture and colors of the ’80s alive.
Retro Needs to Go
Photo Courtesy of Buffy Vassey
A younger Buffy Vassey poses next to eighth grade best friend in a polaroid taken in the late 80’s.
Walking down the hallways, I notice two hairstyles in particular. One, the back hair boldly falling down the neck with the front stiffer and muted— the mullet. Second, the hair winds itself into a million little curls crowding the head—the perm. Any mullet or perm you see today is very different from the ones of the past, but its influence comes from one particular era—the 1980s.
Eccentric hairstyles aren’t the only thing being brought back into fruition: style and music have begun to overcrowd the current media. Unless you’ve skipped the internet in general, I’m sure you’ve heard of the TV show “Stranger Things.” It centers around a group of young teenagers in the ’80s, navigating innocence and terrifying supernatural events. I knew it was one of the biggest shows ever, but to see it constantly in social media, day-to-day conversations, I really saw the vast impact it has had.
People hated the hairstyles in season 4, but now, many people have imitated those exact styles. Personally, I think there is a certain way to perfect these looks, but when you bring in more people, expand the audience, it’s less fashionable.
Being just completely surrounded by the ’80s builds this romanticism and misconception of that certain preserved image. That’s what I don’t like—how much it changes and how that change is usually for the worse.
And now, I turn to music, possibly the worst part of the trend. The Stranger Things soundtrack alone has brought so many names back to the surface. Some as big as Metallica and Madonna, but also some of the formally more obscure (at least her style of music) like Kate Bush. According to CBS News, her daily streams increased by 8000% after the release of the fourth season that frequently uses the opening track of “Hounds of Love” and “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).”
Now, if you were to come up to me and say, “You know, I kind of like that “Running Up that Hill” song”, I think I would scream because these are the same people that would take a song from an artist like Kate Bush and make it a beat drop. If these people were to listen to her album “The Dreaming”, they would probably call her a freak.
I understand this is all very hypocritical considering I am part of the younger generation, but it’s because I listen to similar music and have a genuine love for that style of music. You don’t have to know every song of hers, just don’t go recycling and diluting it into this weird aestheticized mush.
I know this is extremely negative, but that doesn’t mean I won’t watch and re-watch all four seasons of Stranger Things. I enjoy watching these “retro” current movies as much as the next person, but I’m still going to complain about it, naturally. I think history is extremely important and remembering these decades. I just don’t think it needs to be discussed and remolded as much as it is.