THE NOSTALGIC INFLUENCE OF

80’S MUSIC OVER GEN-Z Lucy Hall

The majority of teenagers’ tastes in music are dependent on media trends. However, amidst modern media’s ever-changing phenomenon, certain music does not seem to fall out of style. Commonly re-surfacing in the top charts, 80s music has a particular way of lingering in popularity. From Micheal Jackson to Kate Bush and The Smiths, the world of 80s music continues to remain prominent in the mainstream today.

It is well known that TV shows and social media greatly influence how teenagers are introduced to 80s songs. Stranger Things, for example, re-introduced 80s music and aesthetics into the conversation for Gen-Zers. But beyond all of this, the question must be asked; why are teenagers nowadays drawn to music that is generationally irrelevant to them? The motives behind attraction to these styles go beyond the trend.

Nostalgia acts as an anchor for the static nature of 80s music’s relevance. Although teenagers now were not born into that generation, an affinity for the time is still predominant in their lives. Whilst this nostalgia partially originates in individuals, much of it stems from their parents. While many may not realize it, a parent’s upbringing and personal music preferences can affect their children’s tastes and what they’re drawn to. A study published by NPR and written by Nancy Shute writes, “research has found that the music heard in late adolescence and early adulthood has the most impact and staying power through a person’s life.” exact lyrics of songs heard at an early age may not stick, simply hearing the sound creates an association and can later evolve into a source of nostalgia for the listener...Nostalgia plays an enormous role in everyone’s life, but is unique in the way it grants space for people of all ages to reminisce or simply reimagine. Music from the 80s, specifically, can act as an outlet for teenagers to romanticize a life that could have been. This nostalgia acts as a form of escapism for teenagers to explore a life they didn’t get to have. vulnerability encapsulated within their songs is evident and poignant. Whereas the song “Chicago” by Micheal Jackson has made a reappearance in trends due to the iconic nature of its singer and the feel of the song. Another example is the song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, a song popularized by the sensational Netflix show Stranger Things. This song is a perfect example of the romanticized life of teenagers who didn’t get to experience life in the 80s. The association with this song, of course lies, with the show Stranger Things. Like the show, which has played a pivotal role in n re-introducing the nostalgia felt with 80s culture, the song gives teenagers room to live as their own 80s character. The iconic and heartfelt nature of all of these examples is what steadies their relevance in teenagers’ music tastes today.

The relevance of old music is stoked by the feelings it evokes that modern music does not. Many songs simply encapsulate carefree fun, but others express vulnerability in ways that modern songs and artists cannot express with the same volume due to the normalized culture of expressing sentimental issues in modern music. However, the vulnerability in music now does not have the same effect. A primary goal of modern music is to have high relatability, so a common theme in music is to write about things that the listener can relate to. However, when so commonly focused on, the theme loses its significance due to the repetitive sentiment. Rather than focusing on presenting a true and vulnerable story for the pure purpose of success, older music was original in sharing authentic situations that listeners could relate to due to the veracity and authenticity.

A large part of this article has been the repeated theme of nostalgia. “The term ‘nostalgia’ is derived from the Greek words nostos (return) and algos (pain). The literal meaning of nostalgia, then, is the suffering evoked by the desire to return to one’s place of origin.” The “pain” element of origin may come as a surprise, but romanticizing past generations acts as a major source of escapism for teenagers today. This could be escapism from pain or a desire to return to a seemingly more fun area of time.

A myriad of musical nostalgia stems from memories 80s-born adults have including their childhoods and associations with specific songs. Though the

For example, many Smiths songs such as, “There is a Light that Never Goes Out,” “This Charming Man,” and short sections of a few others have been extremely popular on social media platforms, predominantly TikTok. The Smiths have an authenticity that not many artists now possess. Their music is not just about heartbreak, but about depression and realness. The

The culture in which many teenagers’ parents grew up still in some way feels like home to kids today. Although everyone romanticizes past generations, the 80s seem to have a lasting impact on this generation. The pain and pure fun depicted in the songs speak volumes to audiences today because of their authenticity.