The 80's: When M-TV Actually Still Had Music Videos

Nice Make-up and Hair, MadonnaM-TV was the only thing that remotely added value to the life of a teen-ager in the 1980’s. Everything else and I hope you will pardon my French, sucked ass. The make-up was more creative than flattering. (If you don’t believe me- just ask Madonna.) The hair was frightening and resembled something that you would see at a dog grooming show. Trust me, the majority of the  hairstyles did not belong on a human’s head. If you have a tough time remembering the clothes in the 80’s, I have two words for you and two words only: Helicopter Pants.

But M-TV was new and at that time, you could actually watch music videos on it, which might be tough for some of you young munchkins to believe. Here are some of my personal faves from the 80’s.

Twisted Sister-We’re Not Going to Take It  The Dad in this video is almost an exact duplicate of the principal from the Breakfast Club, and the absolute best part is when he flies out the fricking window.  Because of that,  Twisted Sister rocks. Well, that and the hair.

Twisted Sister

Beastie Boys-Fight For the Right to Party
This is truly an inspirational video for too many reasons to mention, most notably their use of the phrase “porno mag” which was absolutely scintillating to me as a younger lass.

Beastie Boys
Men Without Hats- The Safety Dance
This hot little song/dance number came out in 1982 and later became a rallying cry for the break-dancers to stop break-dancing during my Jr. High dances. With a few modifications, this song works great on a Road Trip after a few too many runs to the border and is definitely a crowd-pleaser at a Gen-X-er wedding reception.The video is also a must-see with its Hobbit-like dances, but again, I don't recommend Safety-Dancing alone. It's just not safe.

Men Without Hats

Duran Duran -The Reflex

My entire Jr. High, with the possible exception of the few stoners we had and maybe the entire Gen-X population, absolutely lived for the Duran Duran world premiers, which were advertised for weeks before they ever aired. There wasn't much to do in the 80's.

Duran Duran

ZZ Top-She’s Got Legs
OK, I’ll admit it. I like this video for one reason and one reason only. I have never, ever in the history of music videos ever witnessed men this sexy with this long of beards in my entire life. ZZ Top kicks ass.

ZZ Top

Dire Straits-Money For Nothing

This video was like an advertisement for M-TV. Opening line of the song? I Want My M-TV,  which means it was played 24-7 on M-TV. Thank you very little Dire Straits for including that line in your song and keeping that little ditty in my head as an ear-worm 24 years later. Dire Straits