Welcome to our 5th installment of ’80s Music Video Land, a series that explores the look and feel of our favorite videos from The Decade of Decadence. Today’s featured video: “A Forest” by The Cure. There’s something about early Cure videos that takes us to another place. If you haven’t yet checked out selections like “Let’s Go to Bed” and “The Walk,” do yourself a favor and give them a look.
’80s Music Video Land: “Promised You a Miracle” by Simple Minds
Something happened last month–I found the Vevo channel through my Roku. Yes, I’m a little late in the game here, but the thought of being able to watch music videos on demand on my TV has led to many hours of dancing around my living room as a form of exercise and pure recreation. This channel has brought back the magic of watching MTV as a kid–you know, back when they played videos all day. Guess what video popped up during my first viewing binge? Today’s featured piece: “Promised You a Miracle” by Simple Minds. How had I never seen this video before?! Maybe because this 1982 track predated the band’s more commercial hits that emerged mid-decade. The video is filled with amazing style elements. In fact, it could inspire the design of a room.
’80s Music Video Land: “Poison Arrow” by ABC
For our second installment of ’80s Music Video Land, we shine the spotlight on ABC. The band’s music videos beautifully capture an upscale romantic vibe, a world in which characters enjoy the finer things in life while navigating the difficulties of love. Which is exactly what we love about “Poison Arrow,” a track from ABC’s 1982 debut album The Lexicon of Love. From lead singer Martin Fry’s beloved gold lamé suit to the sparkling rhinestones of the leading lady’s necklace (that’s restaurateur and Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump!), the fashion in this video is dramatic. Much like the lyrics of the song. And don’t get us started on the interior design!
’80s Music Video Land: “Radio Silence” by Thomas Dolby
Today we begin a new series on Mirror80! It’s one I’ve been excited about for quite some time now. I’ve made no secret of my love for ’80s music videos, and I’ve spent time discussing why they’re so dreamy. During the Decade of Decadence, the music video was a new outlet for expressing creativity, so artists tried just about anything and everything to make an impact. And some AMAZING visual styles resulted. Which is why today we launch ’80s Music Video Land! A couple times a month, I’ll be featuring a super-stylish 1980s music video, then delving into the visual style headfirst. Fashion, interior design, art–we’ll cover it all!
5 Spooky ’80s Videos with Retro Halloween Style
Happy Halloween week, Everyone! We thought we’d get the ball rolling by sharing some of our favorite spooky ’80s videos of all time! Seriously–these are some of our top video picks, regardless of their dark undertones. Not only do they showcase the best in 1980s style (hair, makeup, fashion and more), they’re just plain fun! And some are simply beautiful. The links that follow will lead you to each music video in its original Mirror80 post. Yes, these videos are so epic, each one was honored with its very own blog post in years past! Enjoy, and we hope your week is off to a festive start…
Why ’80s Music Videos Are So Dreamy…
Music videos from the 1980s sure were all over the place! I was recently watching my old VHS tape of videos I’d recorded as a pre-teen, and it dawned on me that music videos from this time period represented a huge variety of approaches and technological levels. This new medium of entertainment ushered in an exciting era of artistic expression. People were still trying to figure it all out. Some bands simply sang in front of a blank white screen, while others pioneered the latest in special effects. Some rented a smoke machine and hit “record.” Others acted out elaborate stories, treating each piece as a three-minute short film. And that’s why ’80s music videos are so magical…
Hazy ’80s Music Video Stills
Has your Wednesday been a little crazy? I know, me too. Don’t worry–we’ve got the cure. A heavy dose of backlighting will make your problems fade away. At least, that was a common tactic in many a 1980s music video. In fact, it seemed like a divine light was perpetually shining down on many of our musical heroes. Not only did it give them a healthy glow, it added a hazy effect that at times was just what the doctor ordered. Who needs clarity anyway?
