Epitomes
 

I was assigned a joint project in music class today, in which a friend and I have to pick two popular songs from each of the past five decades ('60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s) that can be said to epitomize the popular music of that decade and explain why. The two songs must be written and recorded by artists from separate continents. We've decided that I'll take the older half ('60s, '70s, and one of the '80s) and she'll take the newer half. I could rattle off the obvious choices (Good Vibrations, All You Need Is Love, etc.), but I thought I'd try to go for slightly less obvious songs and bands. This isn't cheating, by the way, as I'm allowed to interview somebody who grew up in those decades, in case any of you have qualms.

What would some of your picks be?

How popular is "popular"?

If you're ambitious then you should explain why Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" (1980-something) was so popular.
I actually love the song so maybe I can help you with your homework and you, in return, help me sort out my adolescent feelings. I guarantee we can win this.

edit: this analysis needs visuals

Haha, that is literally the exact same song I was going to suggest!

:laughing: Well.. I'm willing to expose my issues. But you seem too well adjusted to have been forever-effected by Tawny Kitaen's gyrations mixed with the cheesiest music ever so I think we'll need your help with this assignment.

early 70s:
ABBA - SOS



It has a little of everything in that song.

In my opinion it's a miniature masterpiece of Prog within the time restraints of a Pop song. I am not saying it is strictly a Prog song, cause there is more than just that there is a lot going on. And if you think otherwise, it's more then Benny and Bjorn trying to emulate Glam Rock. There is a sitar sounding guitar that reminds me of The Stylistics, acoustic guitar and distorted electric guitar reminds me of David Bowie, the blending of two instruments together reminds me of Genesis, the opening reminds me something Andrew Lloyd Weber would do, the Moog run reminds me of Jean Michel Jarre.

You could say that the 70s started with Folk guitar, went to piano (and electric piano as well) then ended up switching to synths. The song opens with piano two of the more well known artist played the instrument: Elton John and Billy Joel. It is a bit of Classical music, in the 70s Classical music found it's way into Soul, Prog and Disco. CSN and America open the decade with Folk, and the song also has the Folk guitar which is layered and gives a sorta 12 quality to it imo. And it also features the Moog which is use more often in Prog which was prevalent the time of this recording. Not quite sure how many Pop songs at the time that featured a Moog synth but Moogs and other synths will be later found in Disco, New Wave, Minimal wave. It is like a puzzle piece that fits well with all the other pieces surrounding it.


early 80s:
Ultravox - Reap The Wild Wind

This song epitomizes Synth pop from Duran Duran to New Order to ABC to Human League to the Fixx. It might not be the first or the most popular of its kind but imo (my judgement might be comprised because I am extremely partial to it) but it is the best example of 80s' music.

Josef K, it had to be a Top 40 hit.

Engine, that video is just…. And help you sort out your adolescent feelings? I think you're a bit mixed up! ;)

Neo, that ABBA song is perfect. Thanks!