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Zoe Lim

The Best 80’s Inspired Modern Pop Songs


A picture of Miley Cyrus’ midnight sky song

It is no secret that artists and musicians of today are starting to release 80’s inspired music. On the radio, we are constantly blasted with electronic, synth-pop drums and beats. However, this throwback to decades before is an exciting and thrilling one! Let’s check out some of the best songs influenced by the disco and nightclub era!

  1. Ariana Grande - No Tears Left to Cry



No tears left to cry by Ariana Grande started off as a 80s-inspired pop ballad which quickly transformed into an upbeat rhythm, perfect for a dancing and clubbing environment. The 80s was all about disco, dancing and being creative with fashion and art. Ariana Grande perfectly captured this with her powerhouse vocals and slick production. The song is especially a nod to the Madonna era, which included gospel sounds and influences as well.

2. The Weeknd - Blinding Lights



Most people would reckon that the Weeknd’s Blinding Lights sounds the closest to a typical 80’s song. The song starts off with a synth-wave riff, something you would hear during the disco and electronica era - which defined the decade’s sound. The synth-pop keyboard is the song’s main element for catchiness and grooviness, you can’t help but dance to it! The R&B artist described his new era of music as “a brain-melting psychotic chapter” on Twitter, which is in fact drastically different from his moody mixtape days. 3. Doja Cat - Say So



Doja Cat, crowned as the Tiktok Queen had her song “Say So” blow up recently, with many people showing off their dance moves to the grooviness of the song. Many have likened the song towards Japanese City Pop which emerged in the 80s. In the music video, the artist rocked a variety of sparkly and retro mini-dresses while hitting a disco nightclub. Influences can be heard from Mariya Teakeuchi’s Plastic Love, the face of the vaporwave and Japanese city Pop era. 4. Dua Lipa - Don’t Start Now

The song featured in Dua Lipa’s disco record “Future Nostalgia”. “Don’t Start Now” became the artist’s highest charting song in the U.S , and has continue to invite listeners to hit the nightclub and dance away. Influences can be heard from Donna Summer, Madonna and Janet Jackson’s work with its Low-end bass lines and glossy synths.

5. Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Miley Cyrus’ Midnight Sky is probably the most impressive 80’s inspired song in this list. The Wrecking Ball singer even took it to the next level by dressing up in glittery pink & blue eyeshadow with a mullet - a very common fashion during the 80s. She channeled Blonde, Joan Jet & Stevie Nicks with this track as she belts along to catchy beats and rhythms.


 

Zoe is an avid fan of all kinds of music. Her primary instrument is the guitar but she is always passionately learning how to play other instruments such as the drums and keyboard. She is currently playing the bass guitar in a band and has been routinely involved in music since she was a child.


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