Introduction

I have always been fascinated with the music that was popular during the period from 1980 to 1982. This era is often referred to as the dark ages for Top 40 radio, a time after the fall of Disco and just before the rise of the MTV generation. Although this may seem like a bleak description, I view this period as a special formative time for me, filled with unique and intriguing sounds.

The Concept of the Dark Ages

Even though this era is sometimes described as a dark age for radio music, it represents a transitional period that bridges the 1970s and the 1980s. This music began to move away from the disco era, which had dominated the charts from the mid-1970s until around 1979. However, the influence of disco could still be felt, and the rise of MTV and other music television channels was still several years away.

Early 1980s Music

To better understand the music of this period, it's helpful to include some of the tunes from 1979, as many of these songs became popular in 1980. That year, I purchased a K-tel album called "Wings of Sound," which featured hits from 1979, such as:

Driver#39;s Seat – Sniff n the Tears Dreaming – Blondie This Is It – Kenny Loggins Cruel to be Kind – Nick Lowe Rock with You and Don#39;t Stop Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson No Time to Lose – The Tarney/Spencer Band

Additionally, there were popular music albums from the early 1980s, such as:

Foreigner - 4 Journey - Escape The Police - Paradise Theatre REO Speedwagon - Hi-Infidelity The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta Queen - The Game Rush - Moving Pictures Asia - Asia

Personal Musical Memories

My personal journey with these songs began around 1979 when I was 12 years old. By this age, I began paying attention to song titles and group names, not just content, as I enjoyed listening to the radio. I would pick up Top 40 WLS sheets from Laury’s Records in Deerfield to keep tabs on what was popular. Songs that stood out to me during this era include:

Loved by You – The Kind Chicago Band Sweetheart – Franke and the Knockouts I Love You – Climax Blues Band Nicole – Point Blank He Can’t Love You – Michael Stanley Band Games People Play (b/w The Ace of Swords) – Alan Parsons Project Life of Illusion – Joe Walsh Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Hot Chocolate (a popular single at the time)

Broader Musical Landscape

There were also other periods and genres that influenced the music of 1980-1982. The rise of soft rock albums by Air Supply, such as "Lost in Love," brought a romantic and ballad-driven sound to the scene. Songs like "Burnin’ for You" and "Burnin’ for You" were staples on the radio, and they even had their own 45s.

Additionally, rock songs from bands like Ozzy Osbourne with "Crazy Train" and Bob Seger with his popular tracks, became part of the fabric of the music I heard regularly. The albums I listened to at the time, some of which I still hold dear, reflect the diverse and evolving nature of the 1980 music scene.

Conclusion

Though this period is often described as a time of transition, it was also a formative period for many and represents a unique blend of musical styles. While the music of early 1980s may not have been as commercially dominant as in subsequent years, it paved the way for the changes that would come with the arrival of MTV and the rise of new musical styles in the coming years. Despite being labeled as the "Dark Ages," this period in music remains a fascinating and enriching part of the 1980s.