The Resurgence of 1980s and 1990s Music in Modern Media
The late 20th century was filled with many famous trends that persist into our world today, such as the 90s blowout hairstyle, low-rise pants, and colorful makeup. But while these trends may rise and fall in popularity, one aspect of this era that will never be forgotten is the music. So many of the songs that are “oldies but goodies” are able to instantly transport us back in time and make us feel as if we are living in the generation of our parents. Now, these songs are making a comeback by being featured in many well-known shows and movies that are highly associated with current pop culture.
The timeless voices of the 80s and 90s have contributed greatly to the music industry, as they have paved the way for other artists to freely create their own music. Numerous biographical films, or biopics, have been created to exhibit an influential artist’s life and their journey to success. On June 24, 2022, the film “Elvis” directed by Baz Luhrmann, was released in theaters. Actor Austin Butler, who played the role of Elvis, was featured heavily in the news after his performance, as he went through a long process to prepare himself for the role. His impersonation of Elvis was well received by audiences, who said his performance was spot on. This film brought light to Elvis’s work with a modern spin: For example, the popular love song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is sung by Kacey Musgraves in the movie. The romantic melody was also covered by Kina Grannis in the 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians” during a wedding scene. Even outside of movie romances,the song is a common occurrence in many weddings and proposals.
The next song is sure to bring energy to any dance floor, and it can be heard during the third season of the Netflix show “The Umbrella Academy.” Fans would say that one of the best scenes from that season was the dance-off in the first episode. The scene started off serious and tense, looking as if the characters were about to break into a fight, until the song track started playing. It featured the classic 1984 song “Footloose,” sung by Kenny Loggins. With its upbeat rhythm and fun lyrics, the song allowed for a comical choreography that left fans amused.
This last song made a huge comeback in the Billboard Chart 100, where it peaked at third place on July 30, 2022. It also climbed to the top of Apple Music charts in the U.S., and it placed in the top 10 in 34 countries. Thanks to the immensely popular show “Stranger Things,” the song ‘Running up the Hill’, has been added to several playlists of young fans. Although the song was released back in 1985, it was able to earn $2.3 million after being featured in the show. Singer Kate Bush commented on the song’s meaning, saying, “I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised!” She is grateful for those who have supported her song and is truly proud of how it has been brought back to life.
Modern music and media wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for the high quality and nostalgia-filled songs of the 80s and 90s. These examples show us how through music, we are able to bring communities together and express ourselves. Music has a way to put our words into rhymes, creating a language that can be spoken in the past and present.
