7 of the best things about the 1980’s

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While other decades have their fair share of awesomeness, there was something about the spirit of the 80’s that can’t quite be explained, but that everyone who lived it knows all about. What was your favorite thing about the 80’s?

Photo credit: Cassette tape image by Shutterstock

7 The style

80s style image by Shutterstock

Jean jackets, poofy hair, headbands, leather, oversized suits (and pant-suits for the ladies), spandex mini-skirts, spandex dresses and leotards, sweatshirts and the almighty “fuck it” nature of the full body track suit dominated this era’s high fashion sensibilities.

Photo credit: 80s style image by Shutterstock

6 The attitude

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No matter whether you were yuppie, prep, jock or punk rocker, there was something special about the attitude of the decade. Except, of course all the Cold War paranoia…nothing glamorous about that.

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5 The music


Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, KISS, U2, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Madonna and so many more artists released seminal albums that took the music industry by storm. Also, MTV launched in 1980 and yes, they actually played music videos.

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4 The video games


Pac-Man, Metroid, Zelda, Mario and other memorable characters brought video games just a bit more into the mainstream and showed the world that they weren’t only played by socially inept hermits who were in dire need of sunlight’s warm caress.

Photo credit: YouTube

3 The toys


Transformers, G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe, Cabbage Patch Kids, Micro Machines, Care Bears and other sweet toys were responsible not only for our entertainment as kids, but also today’s nostalgic retreading with so many movie adaptations and reboots populating modern pop culture.

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2 The sports


The 1980 Winter Olympics wherein the U.S. hockey team defeated the Soviet Reds, Wrestle Mania III, the rise of Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Magic Johnson, Joe Montana and Larry Bird and of course, the Jamaican bobsled team all made this a memorable decade for sports personalities, achievements and rivalries.

Photo credit: YouTube

1 The movies


Indiana Jones, Star Wars V and IV, the Conan movies, Terminator, Aliens, Top Gun, Die Hard, The Breakfast Club, Stand By Me, The Goonies, Willow, Beetlejuice, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Gremlins, Batman, Predator and so many more incredible films made the 80’s one of, if not the finest decade in all of film history. Now, let’s all do a slow motion high five in the air and freeze frame that shit as the credits roll.

Photo credit: YouTube/Paramount Pictures

(Previously published on March 26, 2013.)