by Marcus Brooks

Created on: July 08, 2007

I never read a book when buying my eighties music. I watched television shows which played the songs I liked. Music and television partnered themselves nicely during that time. The same holds true today. That's why we have MTV or Music Television. I still like eighties music. To refresh my memory, I will watch eighties-themed shows to remember what songs were popular with me. For fans who don't like to read a guide, use this tool. Watch television instead. Use your television to pick your music choices. Here a few shows for you to check out.

Miami Vice: In 1983, Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs began a cultural revolution. Executive producer, Jan Hammer's ingenius created a flashy, sexy and violent portrayals of two Miami, Florida, vice cops. Viewers got to see the dangers of balancing a "regular life" and the attractive and evil world of undercover narcotics. Crockett and Tubbs never wore traditional, cops' uniforms. They donned thousand dollar suits, alligator shoes and drove around in six-figure, luxury cars. Actors, Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas put the "bling" in police drama.
The hit show also produced a hit soundtrack. Miami Vice: The Soundtrack sold over five million albums and cassettes, making it one of Hollywood's most successful, show-themed albums. "The Miami Vice Theme", "Smuggler's Blues", and "Through It All", put Jan Hammer, Glenn Frey and Phil Collins(Genesis)in constant rotation.

Beverly Hills Cop II: In 1985, Eddie Murphy topped off his box-office success of Beverly Hills Cop. The second movie starred European fitness model, Brigitte Nielsen. The six-two, Amazon had played opposite Arnold Schwarznegger in Red Dawn. Ms. Nielsen's killer character and Eddie Murphy's "Axel Foley" created chemistry and excitement on-screen. Beverly Hills Cop II topped $100 million at the box-office! However, the movie soundtrack brought some heat with its music. "Breakdown" re-introduced America to Glenn Frey. Clubgoers got down with the "Neutron Dance" by the Pointer Sisters. The album went double-platinum as people fell in love with a Detroit cop living a California dream.

One more hit movie brought along a pulsating music soundtrack as well. While it contributed on a smaller scale, the music is still popular for baby-boomers today.

Breakin': The Movie

In 1983, mainstream America was introduced to street dancers from New York. The term B-Boy and B-Girl became popular terms. Headspins and backspins made wannabees look, as if, they were suffering seizures. Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You" went #1 and we embraced an rhythm and blues diva serenading our ears. Converse shoes and parachute pants flew off the shelves as we danced and danced.

Forget buying a magazine or shopping on the Internet. To pick up quality eighties music, flick on your cable television and watch and listen. Let your ears decide before you buy.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.