POP!
Popping Now: ‘King of Pop’ and artists of the ’80s
He was called the “King of Pop” because he called himself that, similar to the reasons we refer to Elton John as the Rocket Man and Billy Joel as the Piano Man. The wall-to-wall cable-news coverage of Michael Jackson’s death was awful, high on hyperbole and low on substance, just like cable news usually is. But his death marked the passing of an icon, in the tradition of Elvis and Marylin Monroe, and made me think about the ’80s.
Some artists defined ’80s culture, others transcended it. Some did both. Jackon’s Thriller, Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA and, later, U2′s The Joshua Tree were probably the biggest albums of the decade. They were wildly popular and also made a lasting artistic impact.
Paul Simon’s Graceland shouldn’t be overlooked. Nor should Run-D.M.C.’s self-titled debut, the Beastie Boys’ License to Ill and Public Enemy’s string of landmark releases. And N.W.A. led into hip-hop of the ’90s.
Where do Prince, Madonna, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel and the New Wave bands fit in? The Police were still big early in the decade. R.E.M. had endurance. Talking Heads didn’t last but their albums were important.
Here are a few from the ’80s (with one from the turn of the early decade thrown in)… Beat It, Don’t Stop, Billie Jean, I’m on Fire, Dancing in the Dark, Rock Box, Sledgehammer, Like a Virgin, Rio, Graceland, Every Breath You Take.
What do you think were the biggest albums of the ’80s? What about the ’90s and the current decade? E-mail your thoughts and I’ll post them on The Journal.
Popping on the Playlist
I’ve added some Michael Jackson, ’80s-era Springsteen and other stuff. I’ve also added some songs from the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, in honor of their North American tour.
· Listen to The Journal Playlist anytime by clicking here.
World Population
A section of different news from different points of view, in no particular order. Many of these outlets are reputable, some aren’t so reputable. Many are unbiased, some are biased, some are self-censored and some are flatout propaganda.
Popping Now is updated every month or so, or whenever.
Links in other sections of POP! are always available and are gradually expanded.
