Love this Faith. I think the big change actually came after Live Aid although definitely sparked by Band Aid. I've learned to really love the period you describe and bands like The Style Council, The Kane Gang and of course The Blow Monkeys produced some wonderful records.
I came for the accents and you did not disappoint! 😂 when I moved from Aus to the UK in 2004 I was astounded by the obsession with our soaps. I did not get it 😂
Great article! I just stumbled on your Substack. I’m a Gen Xer who was at university during the period of interest, but in the US, so slightly different cultural references.
It’s funny to see the different takes of the different generations in the comments.
I personally gravitated to the 90’s musical explosion but it all comes down to what was happening in your life at the time.
Thank you so much John, especially for getting through so many UK references! I think there must be something behind what music does to you when young vs old - it’s the only explanation!
At least you're honest!! Thanks for reading Nicholas. I think that music is so much a part of who we are when we're growing up that it's impossible to like anything as much - if at all - after that. But there must be some science behind this. If I find it then I'll share and we can both feel less old a grumpy!
Great times Faith. It’s all very bleurgh now, don’t you think? I must admit to having a fondness for SAW at the time - but then I was a little obsessed with Jason Donovan 🤓
this is the best essay I've read on this platform !!! it should be published in a publication somewhere/you should start a podcast. this must surely have taken a good while to write???
Oh Livvie thank you so much! It took me a good deal of thinking about before writing. And it probably took a day to put together. But I felt so happy to get it down that it was one I really didn’t mind if it got zero likes - which I think is the real key to Substack. It’s made me more confident as a result. Thank you - especially as you seem so young for the references!
You are sooo good !!! I’m guessing you do accents a lot ? My friend does when she’s telling stories 😆 It’s a skill , I’ve tried but failed miserably lol
Wonderful - this has to be experienced with the audio voiceover, it definitely adds to the effect.
I think you've got a book in you for sure - there's so much you have to say, and your theory about the 80s kids gestating in the midst of the sex, drugs and rock n' roll is unique to say the least.
Funnily, you and I are, I believe, the same age. My memories of the 84-89 period are fuzzier and music didn't play as big a role for me until we got to '89. My memories of this period, UK-wise, are more down to TV - Neighbours for sure, but also things that schools competition show where they'd have to climb over obstacles and it ended in the swimming pool. I'm sure you remember what I mean, I just can't remember what it was called. And 'Why Don't You?' seems to be an everlasting memory from morning TV.
A confession: I occasionally listen to not only that appalling atrocious 1989 Band Aid, but the ones that came after it, Band Aid 20 and 30 and whatever else there was. They're so bad they're good, much like some of the soaps you mentioned (for my money, Emmerdale was top of the unintentional comedy scale).
A convincing case for the importance of those 5 years, that's for sure.
Thank you so much Daniel! I agree that my theory is 'unique' thank you for putting it that way! I do feel I have a lot to say about a very narrow area - I'd love to write a book - I may get my memoir chapters back out again and put them on here over Christmas...
I know the TV show you mean! Cheggers Plays Pop?! I loved that, and Why Don't You? It's fascinating that even though you were in and out of the UK you still remember these - I think it's a combination of our impressionable age and lack of other distractions perhaps.
I love your confession - I actually do like the 1989 one in a way because of what it meant to me at the time. But the others I just can't stomach 😅
Yep, that’s it - Cheggers Plays Pop. Not at all a name I would’ve come up with. I can still hear the Why Don’t You? theme song in my head (…”just switch off your television set and go and do something less boring instead?")
Golden Pennies was another one I loved. I still have painful memories of that last episode I ever saw. We were visiting my Granny in Belfast and watched it every morning, and near the end of the series, we had to leave - I think we here heading back to Spain and I was devastated that I couldn’t finish it!
That theme tune yes! Another example of the talent at work on this little kids programmes back then - they put their all into them!
I don't remember Golden Pennies but I do remember my mum saying to me "There's more to life than Grange Hill you know," and I just looked at her as if she was mad.
Really enjoyed this Faith. I grew up in the 80s and 90s and hated all the hair band stuff. Loved the blowback that came with grunge. I think the start of the grunge era was maybe the last spark of actual creativity in pop music.
You captured the essential moment, Faith, when the creativity of the 70s and early 80s drained away to be replaced my the marketing of the late 80s.
As you say, the difference between the photos of Band Aid 84 and Band Aid 89 are astounding. In 84 (and Live Aid in 85), they were superstars who dressed like ordinary people and their names — Queen, George Michael, Sting, Elton John, Spandau Ballet — will be remembered forever.
Who even remembers the names from 89? They are just so much marketing glitz. SAW gave us the end of a generation of musical talent and the world is so much the worse for it.
Exactly Ragged Clown thank you! It was a unique moment in time in that the stars of Band Aid 84 were already big but then got bigger - Band Aid and Live Aid must have solidified all that. It was never going to be the same for 89, but I don't think it could ever be. It's slightly similar to the first Big Brother, where contestants were genuinely reacting to a brand new experience - but once it had been done once, there was an inherent self-consciousness about it afterwards.
I had never made the association before. I had been a music addict since I was six years old (my wife and I just sang the entire Top Twenty from 1977. long story!) and I pretty much gave up on music around 1989. I had not made the association with S.A.W. before. They killed the music.
There was a little bit of a comeback in the 90s in both the UK and the USA (where I lived at the time) but, really, that was the end of music as a cultural phenomenon that had dominated for 30 years.
I totally agree. The 90s were ‘my time’ and although derivative, it felt creative and fresh. Indie music after that became a watered down version (bands with similar names like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs) but I couldn’t tell whether it was just my age, or whether they were genuinely awful. The way people talk about their experiences of seeing bands at Glastonbury like Coldplay and Stereophonics just baffles me but I just can’t honestly tell if it’s me or not!
Great stuff Faith. I'd argue that the creativity of that era came in the guise of marketing and not art. In many ways, it was Live Aid, which followed Band Aid, that killed the 80's, at least for me. I think the era of the mid 60's to the early 80's was the most innovative. That 15 years is so astonishing that it's hard to parse the fact that it was all crammed into such a short space of time.
I still get nightmares when I think of SAW! They were the Giorgio Moroder of the late 80's but with all the amphetamines and sex.
I think you're absolutely right about the late 80's being quite similar to now. The 90's often gets a lot of credit for innovation, but it was only recycling ideas from the 70's and 80's. The 80's was the last truly innovative decade musically, for both good and ill.
Thanks so much Dean - I agree that the marketing started with the cold hard approach to Band Aid, then Live Aid, which was fine as it was for charity, but then I think it got that adopted by everyone who wanted to make money. I wonder what the 40th anniversary of Live will be like...
The 15 years thing really is mad - when you look at the differences between the start of the 80s and the end it's mind blowing.
Love this Faith. I think the big change actually came after Live Aid although definitely sparked by Band Aid. I've learned to really love the period you describe and bands like The Style Council, The Kane Gang and of course The Blow Monkeys produced some wonderful records.
Thanks David. I agree - this is a really special time. Especially if you were lucky enough to live through it!
I was there. 20 in 1985. I know every generation says it but we were spoiled by the creativity, invention and the video age
I truly believe it. Just look at the number of significant moments being celebrated this year, 40 years on. I think next year there'll be even more.
I came for the accents and you did not disappoint! 😂 when I moved from Aus to the UK in 2004 I was astounded by the obsession with our soaps. I did not get it 😂
Ha ha thank you!! How interesting - I thought soaps were huge in Australia? It's true we were all obsessed 😂
Both neighbours and home and away were on during prime time between 6-7pm. I just never realised that Brits has such a strong affinity for them.
Ah yes. The weather, the laid back lifestyle etc I think.
Great article! I just stumbled on your Substack. I’m a Gen Xer who was at university during the period of interest, but in the US, so slightly different cultural references.
It’s funny to see the different takes of the different generations in the comments.
I personally gravitated to the 90’s musical explosion but it all comes down to what was happening in your life at the time.
Thank you so much John, especially for getting through so many UK references! I think there must be something behind what music does to you when young vs old - it’s the only explanation!
I stopped taking any interest in popular music after about ‘84. IMHO most of it is/was rubbish with very few exceptions.
I gave up on music radio about 99, and switched to talk radio.
I grew up with real music in the 60’s and 70’s, with a healthy dose of my parents music of the 30’s and 40’s.
The clothing fashions of the 80’s were awful too.
Miserable 68 year old git here.
At least you're honest!! Thanks for reading Nicholas. I think that music is so much a part of who we are when we're growing up that it's impossible to like anything as much - if at all - after that. But there must be some science behind this. If I find it then I'll share and we can both feel less old a grumpy!
I still have, and listen to, my grandfather’s old records. 78 speed discs.
-Yes I have a record player!
For a prime example of how much cleverer music was in the 30’s have a listen to this:-
duck://player/KudARIFjflE
I couldn’t click through to that link but I’m intrigued!
Try this one https://youtu.be/KudARIFjflE?feature=shared
Great times Faith. It’s all very bleurgh now, don’t you think? I must admit to having a fondness for SAW at the time - but then I was a little obsessed with Jason Donovan 🤓
I agree! And me too - he was the perfect, boy next door crush for our times! Is he why you moved to Australia?! 😂
*husband reading over my shoulder*
No of course not Faith, what do you take me for?! 🙄😄
😂😂😂
Love this one Faith, although you've stoked my long dormant fires of hate for SAW. Oh, and your Bob Geldof is scarily good...!
Ha ha thank you Lewis!! (And sorry!)
This was so good, I loved it! ‘I know Jason Donnovan is technically a separate man’ made me laugh out loud
Ha ha thank you so much Ruby! I'm glad you liked that bit
this is the best essay I've read on this platform !!! it should be published in a publication somewhere/you should start a podcast. this must surely have taken a good while to write???
Oh Livvie thank you so much! It took me a good deal of thinking about before writing. And it probably took a day to put together. But I felt so happy to get it down that it was one I really didn’t mind if it got zero likes - which I think is the real key to Substack. It’s made me more confident as a result. Thank you - especially as you seem so young for the references!
I confess Band Aid 1984 was the reference I was most familiar with. But I think that enhanced the reading experience - educational! 🫡
Great stuff Faith, never thought about this before but you’re right ! I love the accents , you do them soooo well 😁
Thank you so much Francis - and glad you liked the voiceover - I did giggle to myself while doing them!!
You are sooo good !!! I’m guessing you do accents a lot ? My friend does when she’s telling stories 😆 It’s a skill , I’ve tried but failed miserably lol
Ha ha not enough! I'd love to have been an actress. At least I can get it out of my system here 🤪
Wonderful - this has to be experienced with the audio voiceover, it definitely adds to the effect.
I think you've got a book in you for sure - there's so much you have to say, and your theory about the 80s kids gestating in the midst of the sex, drugs and rock n' roll is unique to say the least.
Funnily, you and I are, I believe, the same age. My memories of the 84-89 period are fuzzier and music didn't play as big a role for me until we got to '89. My memories of this period, UK-wise, are more down to TV - Neighbours for sure, but also things that schools competition show where they'd have to climb over obstacles and it ended in the swimming pool. I'm sure you remember what I mean, I just can't remember what it was called. And 'Why Don't You?' seems to be an everlasting memory from morning TV.
A confession: I occasionally listen to not only that appalling atrocious 1989 Band Aid, but the ones that came after it, Band Aid 20 and 30 and whatever else there was. They're so bad they're good, much like some of the soaps you mentioned (for my money, Emmerdale was top of the unintentional comedy scale).
A convincing case for the importance of those 5 years, that's for sure.
Thank you so much Daniel! I agree that my theory is 'unique' thank you for putting it that way! I do feel I have a lot to say about a very narrow area - I'd love to write a book - I may get my memoir chapters back out again and put them on here over Christmas...
I know the TV show you mean! Cheggers Plays Pop?! I loved that, and Why Don't You? It's fascinating that even though you were in and out of the UK you still remember these - I think it's a combination of our impressionable age and lack of other distractions perhaps.
I love your confession - I actually do like the 1989 one in a way because of what it meant to me at the time. But the others I just can't stomach 😅
Yep, that’s it - Cheggers Plays Pop. Not at all a name I would’ve come up with. I can still hear the Why Don’t You? theme song in my head (…”just switch off your television set and go and do something less boring instead?")
Golden Pennies was another one I loved. I still have painful memories of that last episode I ever saw. We were visiting my Granny in Belfast and watched it every morning, and near the end of the series, we had to leave - I think we here heading back to Spain and I was devastated that I couldn’t finish it!
That theme tune yes! Another example of the talent at work on this little kids programmes back then - they put their all into them!
I don't remember Golden Pennies but I do remember my mum saying to me "There's more to life than Grange Hill you know," and I just looked at her as if she was mad.
Update: just went to YouTube to relisten to Band Aid II (sorry) - the very first comment is 'this version is so underrated' 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Really enjoyed this Faith. I grew up in the 80s and 90s and hated all the hair band stuff. Loved the blowback that came with grunge. I think the start of the grunge era was maybe the last spark of actual creativity in pop music.
Thanks so much Henny. I think you may be right. It was surely one of the last times music dictated the culture. Happy memories!
I think I prefer the SAW films than the production team, and I can't stomach gore.
Ha ha thanks Kieron. They’d make a good Halloween costume actually 😂
You captured the essential moment, Faith, when the creativity of the 70s and early 80s drained away to be replaced my the marketing of the late 80s.
As you say, the difference between the photos of Band Aid 84 and Band Aid 89 are astounding. In 84 (and Live Aid in 85), they were superstars who dressed like ordinary people and their names — Queen, George Michael, Sting, Elton John, Spandau Ballet — will be remembered forever.
Who even remembers the names from 89? They are just so much marketing glitz. SAW gave us the end of a generation of musical talent and the world is so much the worse for it.
Exactly Ragged Clown thank you! It was a unique moment in time in that the stars of Band Aid 84 were already big but then got bigger - Band Aid and Live Aid must have solidified all that. It was never going to be the same for 89, but I don't think it could ever be. It's slightly similar to the first Big Brother, where contestants were genuinely reacting to a brand new experience - but once it had been done once, there was an inherent self-consciousness about it afterwards.
I had never made the association before. I had been a music addict since I was six years old (my wife and I just sang the entire Top Twenty from 1977. long story!) and I pretty much gave up on music around 1989. I had not made the association with S.A.W. before. They killed the music.
There was a little bit of a comeback in the 90s in both the UK and the USA (where I lived at the time) but, really, that was the end of music as a cultural phenomenon that had dominated for 30 years.
I totally agree. The 90s were ‘my time’ and although derivative, it felt creative and fresh. Indie music after that became a watered down version (bands with similar names like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs) but I couldn’t tell whether it was just my age, or whether they were genuinely awful. The way people talk about their experiences of seeing bands at Glastonbury like Coldplay and Stereophonics just baffles me but I just can’t honestly tell if it’s me or not!
There was definitely more sheen by the end of the ‘80s, and more gatekeeping of celebrities, too.
Interesting analysis, Faith. It was harder to spot the trends while we were living through it!
Thank you Wendy! Totally, great to have been there though!
Great stuff Faith. I'd argue that the creativity of that era came in the guise of marketing and not art. In many ways, it was Live Aid, which followed Band Aid, that killed the 80's, at least for me. I think the era of the mid 60's to the early 80's was the most innovative. That 15 years is so astonishing that it's hard to parse the fact that it was all crammed into such a short space of time.
I still get nightmares when I think of SAW! They were the Giorgio Moroder of the late 80's but with all the amphetamines and sex.
I think you're absolutely right about the late 80's being quite similar to now. The 90's often gets a lot of credit for innovation, but it was only recycling ideas from the 70's and 80's. The 80's was the last truly innovative decade musically, for both good and ill.
Thanks so much Dean - I agree that the marketing started with the cold hard approach to Band Aid, then Live Aid, which was fine as it was for charity, but then I think it got that adopted by everyone who wanted to make money. I wonder what the 40th anniversary of Live will be like...
The 15 years thing really is mad - when you look at the differences between the start of the 80s and the end it's mind blowing.
I'm so sorry for your SAW nightmares!!