80s Trends- New Romantic

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 13 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #294 in Music, #9,203 overall

New Romantic Music Video Showcase

"New Romantic" was a term given to a music and fashion revolution that began in the early Eighties. New Romantics often dressed in exaggerated counter-sexual or androgynous clothing and wore cosmetics in the New Wave extension of (or reply to) punk fashion. Frilly "fop" shirts of the English Romantic period, or extreme versions of upscale, tailored fashion and grooming were often seen, along with liberal usage of eye-liner and fancy hair.

David Bowie was an obvious influence on the movement. His 1980 single "Fashion" was influenced by and was simultaneously considered to be something of an anthem for the New Romantics, as were offerings from Brian Eno and Roxy Music.

Although New Romantic never gained the popularity in the US that it enjoyed in the UK and Europe, many famous Eighties bands got their start in the movement, including Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, and Tears for Fears.

Space Age Love Song, Flock of Seagulls 

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Planet Earth, by Duran Duran 

The fashion sported by the band members in this video is classic New Romantic.
By 1983, as they gained popularity in the US, Duran Duran ditched the New romantic look in favor of a more toned down "New Wave" version.

duran duran - planet earth

▀▄ ► Recorded Red Bus Studios, London December 1980, writer Duran Duran & producer Colin Thurston "Planet Earth" is the debut single by the pop/rock band Duran Duran, released on 2 February 1981. The song later appeared on the band's eponymous debut album Duran Duran, released in June, 1981. The music video for the song was directed by future film director Russell Mulcahy, who would go on to direct a dozen more for the group. Fairly primitive by the band's later standards, the video features the band (dressed in frilly, floppy New Romantic fashions) playing the song on a white stage tricked out with special effects to look like a platform made of ice or crystal. Interspersed with the performance are shots of the band members alongside the four elements. The video focused closely on the band's faces. The instrumental middle section features friends of the band from the Rum Runner nightclub dancing in their outlandish outfits. At the end of the video, singer Simon Le Bon leaps from the stage, caught in a freeze frame shot above an apparently bottomless abyss. ____________ "Planet Earth" begins with a slow synthesised sweep backed with electronic rhythm, but the real rhythm section of throbbing bass and crisp drums soon kick in. Muted guitar carries the up-and-down melodic hook of the song as the singer joins in. The song was the first to explicitly acknowledge the fledgling New Romantic fashion movement, with the line "Like some New Romantic looking for the TV sound".

Runtime: 3:45
1160458 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Change- Tears for Fears 

Early Tears for Fears was classified as New Romantic, although they too were toned down for Mtv.

TEAR FOR FEAR

TEAR FOR FEAR

Runtime: 3:44
3076 views
1 Comments:

powered by YouTube

"Vienna", by Ultravox 

Although the look isn't obvious throughout this video, it is a hit from the period which I felt should be included.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Too Shy, by Kajagoogoo 

One of the biggest New romantic hits to make it to the top in both the UK and US, and truly an 80s classic.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Did You Like the Look? 

If you were around and "of a certain age" in the Eighties, did you like the New Romantic look and sound?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Gold, by Spandau Ballet 

Long flowing coat-tails, silk and velvet...this was a version of New Romantic that sat well with the ladies!

Spandau Ballet - Gold

Spandau Ballet - Gold

Runtime: 3:50
63575 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

West End Girls 

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Souvenir, by OMD 

OMD, officially Orchestral Manuevers in the Dark, was another hit group from the early 80s UK music scene. Their live performances had a more New Romantic look than their videos released for tv.

OMD Souvenir

OMD Souvenir

Runtime: 3:20
2591 views
0 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Time (Clock of the Heart), by Culture Club 

Another band who got their start in this era/trend and went on to super-stardom.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Other Great 80s Pages 

Find Out More 

Links to websites with more details on the "new romantic" movement.
List of New Romantic Artists
An A-Z catalog of bands classified as "new romantic"
80s Music Genres:New Romantics
New Romantics ,Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet
New Romantic - New Wave - Alternative/Punk - Music - www.real.com

80s Fan Feedback 

ashroc wrote...

i loved the 80's, excellent music, expressive fashion and that big hair!

ReplyPosted February 13, 2009

vharodark wrote...

I love 80!
Music... and 1880 best songs:

www.uruguay80s.com.uy

ReplyPosted December 13, 2008

rms wrote...

welcome to the 80s new wave alternative music group!

ReplyPosted December 07, 2008

funcoolcollectibles wrote...

Another great 80's music lens! Excellent! 5 stars!

ReplyPosted November 12, 2008

glowchick wrote...

Love your lens and the music, I will always be a fan of Tears for Fears LOL

ReplyPosted November 09, 2008

CrypticFragments wrote...

in reply to dc64 thanks for the comments dc64 and jeffgee , I just joined blip.fm to broadcast my own 80s station!

ReplyPosted October 26, 2008

jeffgee wrote...

Love your lens! I love the eighties music and videos as well. i've bookmarked your page.

ReplyPosted October 26, 2008

dc64 wrote...

I love new wave, especially Duran Duran, Tears For Fears, and Depeche Mode...I could go on and on. Have you noticed a slight trend towards that type of music coming out? Listen to some of Metro Station!

ReplyPosted October 26, 2008

lou16 wrote...

I love the 80s, I was the biggest Spandau fan and my best friend was a huge Duranie......you can imagine our debates!

ReplyPosted October 21, 2008

totalhealth wrote...

i was born in early 80's but I just started to appreciate it because one of my friends is really fond of it.

ReplyPosted October 20, 2008

Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...

Yes, the 80s were mine, too. Great lens!

ReplyPosted October 19, 2008

JustBon-Crochet-Designs wrote...

Great stuff! Love this music. Lensrolled to my Spandau Ballet Video Showcase and Eurythmics Video Showcase.

ReplyPosted October 19, 2008

 
1 of 2 pages

by GypsyGirl68

GypsyGirl is a lover of mystery and intrigue, travel, history, nature and animals. She is a self-employed creative soul who happens to love the Eighti... (more)
Create a Lens!