what else was on the radio? do we really wanna know? 80s-90s pop trends
TRANSCRIPT
What Else Was On The Radio?
Do we really wanna know?80s-90s Pop Trends
Influences
• This lecture focuses on the “boy band” & “girl group” trends of the 80s & 90s
• These groups were directly influenced by 60s & 70s groups like The Jackson 5 & The Supremes; who were in turn influenced by Doo-Wop & Gospel groups from the 40s/50s
• Songs were often love songs, songs of heartbreak/ache, & party or empowerment songs
Attributes
• In most cases, members of these groups do not play instruments (unlike The Jackson 5, for example)
• In most cases, members have extensive vocal & dance training
• They are viewed as being trendy & fashionable over being original & talented
• They are not only popular in the U.S.– Menudo w/Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico)
New Edition
Candy GirlNew Edition
• Formed 1978 in Boston, MA• Helped establish the New Jack Swing genre• After their breakup, members went on to find greater success:
– Bell Biv DeVoe– Bobby Brown– Johnny Gill
• Their most successful lineup included:– Ricky Bell– Michael Bivens– Ronnie DeVoe– Bobby Brown– Ralph Tresvant
Candy Girlcontinued
• Released 1983 on Streetwise Records – Candy Girl (album)
• Managed by Maurice Starr• 1980s boy bands (and girl groups) began adding
elements of rap/hip-hop into their sounds• The group was specifically put together with
members that sounded similar enough to the Jackson 5
• Video
New Kids On The Block
Please Don’t Go GirlNew Kids On The Block
• Formed 1984 in Boston, MA by Maurice Starr (New Edition)• We see definite “characters” developing due to
marketing/media hype• They went on to become one of the highest selling boy groups
in history• Members include(d):
– Donnie Wahlberg (The bad boy)– Danny Wood (The Quiet One)– Jordan Knight (The Cute One)– Jonathan Knight (The Shy One)– Joey McIntyre (The baby)– Mark Wahlberg – left before big break (Marky Mark)
Please Don’t Go Girlcontinued
• Released 1988 on Columbia Records – Hangin’ Tough (album)
• Written & produced by Maurice Starr• This pop ballad features Jonathan & Joey’s high
falsetto vocals (very Michael Jackson, no?)• This was their first hit, off of their 2nd album
(#10 on Billboard Chart)• Video Cheese
Boyz II Men
MotownphillyBoyz II Men
• Originally formed 1985 as Unique Attraction• They utilize a familiar format (2 tenors, 1 baritone,
& a bass singer – very Doo-Wop)• All members met in choir at a music school• They broke a record for longest stay at #1 on the
Billboard Hot 100 (held for 20+ yrs by Elvis Presley)• Part of the New Jack Swing movement started by
New Edition, built on by Bell Biv DeVoe (who managed Boyz II Men…)
Motownphillycontinued
• Released 1991 on Motown Records – Cooleyhighharmony (album)
• Michael Bivens (Bell Biv DeVoe) raps on this song
• The lyrics include a “shout out” to BBD & ABC (Another Bad Creation)
• Here’s the video• Here’s another!
Backstreet Boys
Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)Backstreet Boys
• Formed 1993 in Orlando, Florida & managed by Lou Pearlman
• The band nearly signed to Mercury Records, but John Mellencamp threatened to leave the label if “they got in the boy band business.”
• Members include:– A.J. McLean– Howie Dorough– Nick Carter– Kevin Richardson– Brian Littrell
Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)continued
• Recorded 1996 on Jive Records – Backstreet Boys (album)
• The song was recorded several times to have certain “popular” members sing the verses
• The song became a hit despite not having a strong MTV presence
• The band continues to record/tour into the present, & has teamed up with NKOTB to form NKOTBSB
• Video
N’ Sync
Bye Bye Bye‘N Sync
• Formed 1995 in Orlando, Florida by manager Lou Pearlman• Timberlake & Chasez had been cast members on the
Mickey Mouse Club• The group went on “hiatus” in 2002 & hasn’t recorded new
music since• Members include:
– Lance Bass– JC Chasez– Joey Fatone– Chris Kirkpatrick– Justin Timberlake
Bye Bye Byecontinued
• Released 2000 on Jive Records – No Strings Attached (album)
• The band had recently separated from their manager (Pearlman) & their record label (RCA)
• The song/album garnered many awards, reached #1 on the US Top 40, and #17 in Rolling Stones “Most Annoying Songs”
• Video
Wilson Phillips
Hold OnWilson Phillips
• Formed in 1989 in LA, CA • Their debut album & single knocked Madonna
from the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100• Members include:– Chynna Phillips (daughter of Michelle Phillips (The
Mamas & The Papas))– Carnie & Wendy Wilson (daughters of Brian
Wilson (The Beach Boys))
Hold Oncontinued
• Released 1990 on SBK Records – Wilson Phillips (album)
• Written by Chynna Phillips, Glen Ballard, & Carnie Wilson
• Carnie went on to become a successful tv host• Chynna has a successful career as a singer/actor• Wendy has concentrated on her music career with
occasional forays into television work• Video
TLC
Ain’t 2 Proud 2 BegTLC
• Formed 1989 in Atlanta, GA• They have worked with producers/managers
such as Jermaine Dupri, Anthony “L.A.” Reid, “Pebbles” Reid, & “Babyface” Edmonds
• Members include(d):– Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas– Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins– Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (d. 2002)
Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Begcontinued
• Released 1992 on LaFace Records – Oooooooooh…On the TLC Tip (album)
• The band asserted their strong, independent female personalities & often advocated for sex education (that’s not bubble gum…) & AIDS awareness
• The song was their first big break in the U.S., cracking the top 40
• Video
En Vogue
Free Your MindEn Vogue
• Formed 1989 in Oakland, CA• One of the most successful female groups in
history, 18th most successful group of the 90s• The idea behind their formation was to create
a group that had the power-house vocals of 50s/60s girl groups while being “sexy” & “strong females”
• I think they succeeded…
Free Your Mindcontinued
• Released 1992 on East West Records – Funky Divas (album)
• The lyrics speak to freeing one’s self of prejudice (& use a guitar-heavy rock sound)
• The song paraphrases George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic
• Nominated for 2 Grammys & numerous MTV awards• Video• Also, this…(from the intro to the video)
Spice Girls
WannabeSpice Girls
• British group formed 1994 in London• One of the most profitable merchandising machines
ever• The most successful British band since the Beatles• Members include:
– Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice)– Mel B (Scary Spice)– Emma Bunton (Baby Spice)– Mel C (Sporty Spice)– Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice)
Wannabecontinued
• Released 1996 on Virgin Records – Spice (album)
• The lyrics reflect female-empowerment, the value of friendship over sex
• Generally well-received critically, it won several awards, including “Worst Single 1997”
• Video
Destiny’s Child
Bills Bills BillsDestiny’s Child
• Formed in 1990 in Houston, TX as “Girl’s Tyme”• The group was managed by Mathew Knowles & styled by Tina
Knowles (wonder if there was any favoritism…?)• The group disbanded in 2006• All members have had continued success• Members included:
– Beyonce Knowles (with Justin Timberlake!!)– Kelly Rowland– Michelle Williams– LaTavia Roberson– LeToya Luckett– Farrah Franklin
Bills Bills Billscontinued
• Released 1999 on Columbia Records – The Writing’s on the Wall (album)
• The song has been interpreted as “anti-male” & as female-empowering
• Listen to the lyrics & decide for yourself• This was DC’s breakout hit (& the last album to
feature LeToya Luckett• Video