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Europe's Stars of 80s Dance Pop: A Journey Through Time and Sound

Shaun Nelson

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Published in Europe S Stars Of 80s Dance Pop: 32 International Music Legends Discuss Their Careers

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Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop: 32 International Music Legends Discuss Their Careers

by James Arena

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	241 pages

The 1980s was a decade of excess and innovation, and the music scene was no exception. Dance pop emerged as a dominant force, with artists from all over the world embracing the genre's infectious rhythms and catchy melodies. Europe was at the forefront of this movement, with a number of stars emerging from the continent to dominate the global charts.

In this article, we'll take a journey through the European dance pop scene of the 1980s, exploring the iconic artists and songs that defined the decade. We'll also provide a brief history of the genre and discuss its impact on the music industry.

A Brief History of Dance Pop

Dance pop is a genre of popular music that emerged in the early 1980s. It is characterized by its fast tempo, catchy melodies, and dance-oriented rhythms. Dance pop songs are often written in a simple, repetitive style, with lyrics that focus on themes of love, relationships, and partying.

The roots of dance pop can be traced back to the disco era of the 1970s. Disco music was characterized by its four-on-the-floor beat, repetitive basslines, and soaring strings. However, by the early 1980s, disco had begun to lose its popularity, and a new generation of artists began to emerge with a more modern sound.

These artists, who included the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince, blended elements of disco with other genres such as pop, rock, and funk. The result was a new, more accessible sound that appealed to a wider audience. Dance pop quickly became the dominant force in the music industry, and it has remained popular ever since.

The European Dance Pop Scene

Europe played a major role in the development of dance pop in the 1980s. A number of European artists, such as ABBA, Modern Talking, and Alphaville, achieved global success with their dance pop songs.

The European dance pop scene was particularly strong in countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Italy. These countries had a long tradition of producing pop music, and they were quick to embrace the new dance pop sound.

European dance pop artists often had a more sophisticated sound than their American counterparts. They were more likely to experiment with different genres and to incorporate elements of classical music and world music into their songs.

Iconic Artists and Songs

There were a number of iconic artists who emerged from the European dance pop scene in the 1980s. These artists included:

ABBA
Modern Talking
Alphaville
Pet Shop Boys
New Order
Eurythmics
Culture Club
a-ha
Roxette

These artists released a number of hit songs that became synonymous with the dance pop era. Some of these songs include:

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
"You're My Heart, You're My Soul" by Modern Talking
"Forever Young" by Alphaville
"West End Girls" by Pet Shop Boys
"Blue Monday" by New Order
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics
"Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club
"Take On Me" by a-ha
"The Look" by Roxette

Impact on the Music Industry

The European dance pop scene of the 1980s had a major impact on the music industry. It helped to popularize the genre and to make it more acceptable to a wider audience.

Dance pop also helped to break down barriers between different musical styles. It showed that it was possible to combine elements of different genres to create a new and exciting sound.

The legacy of European dance pop can still be heard in today's music. Many of the artists who emerged from the era continue to record and perform, and their songs are still played on radio stations around the world.

The European dance pop scene of the 1980s was a vibrant and exciting time. It produced a number of iconic artists and songs that defined the decade. The genre also had a major impact on the music industry, helping to popularize dance pop and to make it more acceptable to a wider audience.

Today, the legacy of European dance pop can still be heard in today's music. Many of the artists who emerged from the era continue to record and perform, and their songs are still played on radio stations around the world.

Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop: 32 International Music Legends Discuss Their Careers

by James Arena

4.8 out of 5