It’s common knowledge that the music of the Eighties was groundbreaking and timeless. What else can you expect from such a glorious decade? Which country produced the most music in the 80s?
We saw bands and singers worldwide making it big, but one has to appreciate the effort from the UK and US music industries. The two countries delivered the best artists and bands that significantly impacted what we danced and rocked to back in the day.
And don’t forget Europe, especially Germany. It is safe to say that the UK delivered slightly more talent than the rest of the world from 1980 to 1990. Let’s break it down.
United Kingdom
Let’s be honest. Some of the greatest bands and vocalists from the Eighties came from the UK. A Kaleidoscope of Heavy metal, rock, and synth-pop. This includes those from Ireland. Freddie Mercury would become the UK’s biggest music export of the Eighties.
Queen
The band, established in the 1970s, rose to global prominence at the start of the decade, largely due to the unparalleled vocal prowess of Freddie Mercury. The Queen lead singer is considered by many to be one of the most iconic and adored vocalists in the annals of music.
Depeche Mode
Lead singer Dave Gahan led the synth-pop band to fame with his recognizable velvety voice, backed by a band that knew their way around the electronic keyboard. Truly one of the greatest bands of the era.
U2
Frontman Bono and U2 dished up a unique brand of pop-rock tracks with an undertone of political struggle.
Kate Bush
Kate Bush deserves a special mention for her 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill” which soared to the UK number-one spot 37 years after a revival brought on by the popular show Stranger Things.
Other Great Bands And Singers
- Phil Collins
- Duran Duran
- David Bowie
- Roxy Music
- Adam And The Ants
- Judas Priest
- Frankie Goes To Hollywood
- The Cure
- The Smiths
- Tears For Fears
- A Flock Of Seagulls
- Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark
- Paul McCartney
- The Police
- Erasure
- Eurythmics
- The Human League
- Wham
- George Michael
- Pet Shop Boys
- The Clash
- Culture Club
- New Order
- Dire Straits
- Def Leopard
- Iron Maiden
- Spandau Ballet
- Genesis
- Bananarama
United States
The United States has witnessed the emergence of numerous solo artists who have gained immense popularity. Michael Jackson stands out as one of the most renowned among them.
Guns N’ Roses
They are among the most popular rock bands ever, consistently delivering hit after hit.
Michael Jackson
With his stage performances and dancing talent, Michael Jackson was crowned the “King of Pop” for obvious reasons.
Madonna
Dubbed the “Queen of Pop,” Madonna truly stood out. She challenged societal norms and never let anyone deter her. Producing some of the finest songs of the 80s, she was unquestionably the era’s preeminent female vocalist.
Other Great Bands And Singers
- Cyndi Lauper
- Billy Joel
- Bon Jovi
- Belinda Carlisle
- Janet Jackson
- Whitney Houston
- Metallica
- Van Halen
- Aerosmith
- Journey
- Motley Crue
- Bruce Springsteen
- Laura Brannigan
- Prince
- Blondie
- Talking Heads
- Kiss
- Black Sabbath
- Fleetwood Mac
- The Cars
- ZZ Top
- Poison
- Heart
- The Beastie Boys
- Foreigner
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Germany
German artists covered a variety of genres but saw a new wave and synth-pop renaisance—some of them far before the times.
Alphaville
Alphaville is arguably one of the best musical exports from 1980s Germany. They created numerous hits, and their electronic music has endured over time.
Modern Talking
The duo stormed onto the scene with their hit “You’re my heart, you’re my soul”. They spent the next couple of years producing various hits.
Sandra
The beautiful Sandra Cretu with her distinctive voice enjoyed worldwide success. She produced countless singles that dotted the charts from the late eighties well into the nineties.
Other Great Bands And Singers
- Rammstein
- Scorpions
- Nena
- Kraftwerk
- Helloween
- Tangerine Dream
- Milli Vanilli
Rest of Europe
Norway
- A-Ha!
Sweden
Abba
Abba is by far the most successful music group from Sweden.
- Roxette
- Europe
Rest Of the World
Australia
- Midnight Oil
- Divinyls
- Kylie Minogue
- AC/DC
Conclusion
When we analyze the music scene of the 1980s, it becomes evident that the United Kingdom played a significant role in producing a plethora of bands and singers during that era. While the list of artists and bands provided is just a small sample, it’s important to acknowledge that countless others contributed to the vibrant music landscape of the 80s. Additionally, we can’t overlook the impact of one-hit wonders. While some may argue that American musicians produced a generation of superstars, it’s undeniable that both the UK and the US were at the forefront of the 80s music phenomenon, albeit with the UK taking a slight lead.