The year 1981 was a significant year in pop culture, marked by the emergence of new trends & technologies, and the continued influence of existing ones.   

Music:

• MTV Launched: Perhaps the most impactful event in music was the launch of MTV (Music Television) on August 1st.

  • MTV revolutionized the music industry, giving artists a visual platform and significantly impacting how music was consumed.

  • The first music video to air was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.

• Diverse Genres: 1981 saw a diverse range of popular music genres, with the continued presence of New Wave, the decline of Disco, and the rise of artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna.

• Top Songs:

  • "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles chart.

  • Other popular songs included "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, "Lady" by Kenny Rogers, and "(Just Like) Starting Over" by John Lennon.

Movies:

• Blockbusters: 1981 saw the release of several iconic and commercially successful films, including:

  • "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
  • "On Golden Pond"
  • "Chariots of Fire" 

Television:

• Popular Shows: Several iconic TV shows debuted or continued to thrive in 1981, including:

  • "Hill Street Blues"
  • "Dynasty"
  • "The Smurfs"
  • "Gimme a Break!"
  • "The Fall Guy" 

Technology:

• Personal Computer Revolution: The introduction of the IBM PC marked the beginning of the personal computer era.

• Video Games: Arcade games like Donkey Kong gained immense popularity.

• Home Entertainment: VCRs became increasingly popular, allowing people to record TV shows and watch movies at home. 

Fashion:

• Power Dressing: Bold, structured silhouettes and assertive styles became popular, reflecting women's increasing presence in the workplace.

• Punk and New Wave: These styles continued to influence fashion, incorporating rebellious and avant-garde elements.

• Preppy Fashion: In contrast to edgier trends, preppy fashion also gained popularity. 

Social Change:

• Early AIDS Epidemic: The first recognized cases of AIDS were reported.

• Women's Rights Movement: The movement continued to gain momentum. 

1985 was a year of significant events, including the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the debut of popular movies like "Back to the Future". The Live Aid concerts raised millions for famine relief in Africa, while the world also witnessed the debut of the legendary comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes". 

Entertainment & Pop Culture:

• "Back to the Future": The iconic movie, "Back to the Future," premiered, captivating audiences with its time-traveling adventures. 
• "The Breakfast Club": This classic coming-of-age film, directed by John Hughes, was released and became a staple of 1980s cinema. 

   
• "Live Aid": A massive concert held in London and Philadelphia, featuring numerous top musicians, raised money for famine relief in Ethiopia. 

   
• "Calvin and Hobbes": The beloved comic strip, known for its philosophical musings and imaginative adventures, debuted in newspapers. 
• "The Goonies": about a group of kids searching for pirate treasure, became a cult classic. 
• Madonna's Virgin Tour: first major concert tour, solidifying her status as a global superstar. 

  "M.A.S.K.":The animated series featuring transforming vehicles and masked heroes premiered, becoming a popular cartoon of the era. 

1    "Careless Whisper" - Wham! featuring George Michael
2    "Like a Virgin" - Madonna
3    "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - Wham!
4    "I Want to Know What Love Is" - Foreigner
5    "I Feel for You" - Chaka Khan
6    "Out of Touch" - Hall & Oates
7    "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" - Tears for Fears
8    "Money for Nothing" - Dire Straits
9    "Crazy for You" - Madonna
10    "Take on Me" - a-ha

Other Notable Events:

• New Coke:

  Coca-Cola introduced a new formula for its flagship beverage, which was met with widespread criticism and led to the return of the original formula. 

   
• Farm Aid:

  Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert to support struggling American farmers. 

   
• Desktop Publishing Revolution:

  The availability of affordable laser printers and computers made desktop publishing more accessible, transforming how information was created and distributed. 

   
• Rock Hudson's AIDS Diagnosis:

  The actor's public revelation that he had AIDS brought the disease to the forefront of public awareness, as he was the first major celebrity to publicly acknowledge having the illness. 

   
• The MOVE Bombing:

  A tragic incident in Philadelphia where the city bombed a residential building occupied by the activist group MOVE, resulting in multiple deaths and the destruction of homes. 

   
• US-Soviet Summit:

  A meeting between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva, marking a step towards improved relations between the two superpowers. 

In 1990, pop culture was heavily influenced by the music scene, particularly the rise of grunge rock and hip-hop. Popular music also included artists like Nirvana, Spice Girls, and Selena. Other significant trends included the popularity of boy bands, video games like Super Mario World, and collectibles like Beanie Babies. Additionally, movies like Beauty and the Beast and Home Alone were hits. 

Key aspects of 1990 pop culture:

• Music:

• Movies:

  "Beauty and the Beast," "Home Alone," and "Now and Then" were among the most successful films of the year. 

   
• Television:

  "The Simpsons," "Friends," and "Boy Meets World" were popular television shows. 

   
• Fashion:

  Trends included "The Rachel" haircut, frosted tips, spiked hair, rollerblades, and fanny packs. 

   
• Toys/Games:

  Tamagotchi, Tickle Me Elmo, and Super Mario World were popular. 

   
• Other Trends:

  Beanie Babies, rollerblades, and fanny packs were also popular items. 

   
• Global Events:

  Important world events included the reunification of Germany and the start of the Persian Gulf War. 

   
• Technological Advancements:

  The Human Genome Project began, NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope, and the internet started to gain popularity. 

Signs of the Year 1994

1994 was a significant year in pop culture, marked by the release of iconic movies like Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, and The Shawshank Redemption, as well as the debut of the hit sitcom Friends. Musically, it was a diverse year, marked by the rise of grunge, the emergence of new hip-hop artists, and the reunion of The Eagles. The death of Kurt Cobain also cast a shadow over the year, while Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis gained prominence.