If there is one era that fascinates my creative mind and remains a mystery, it is the 80s, the 9th decade of the 20th century. Because most of my generation was born during this period, there is not much to recall about what it was truly like living and growing up in such a free, ever growing time.
Every way of life seemed so creative, with the freedom of expression embraced and the simplicity of enjoying life, without restraints, flourishing. Whether it was the way individuals dressed or partied, all you every really hear were that the 80s was such a fun time to live. Of course, the same can be said of every decade, but yet this era seems to have made a real impact.
With the population growth booming, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and birth of music videos on MTV, the 80s zeitgeist of being free was definitely felt by all. Expressing one's self was almost limitless. This was a colorful time with icons like Madonna, Boy George, Cindy Lauper, David Bowie, and Blondie's Deborah Harry coming out of this era and influencing a style so unique and different to society. It was not about being tailored and proper, it was about being you, in every sense of the word.
To pay a bit of a tribute to this amazing era, I came across this video for Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. single "Somebody to Love Me," which inspired me to write this piece. Enjoy this glimpse of Boy George and his Culture Club friends from the 80s, that celebrates his heydey. It is a little scratchy, but of course they did not have digi cams back in that day, and even this captured the essence of the time.
Mark Ronson ft. Boy George 'Somebody To Love Me' - Director: Saam Farahmand from Tom Lindsay on Vimeo.
(Video: Courtesy of Vimeo)
