Music news: Disney’s ‘Rivals’ and the sounds of 80s nostalgia
Based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s scandalous book series, ‘Rivals’ has been the talk of the town since the release of the first half of the TV show’s second season.
With the recent announcement that fans will have to wait until November of this year to watch the second installment.
Here are Music News Blitz’s writer Megan Hamilton’s top song picks from the era that are sure to fill the Rivals-shaped hole in your life until then.
Synth-pop tracks
The catchy, electronic sounds of Yazoo have featured in both seasons of the show, and they provided the perfect soundtrack to the huge hair and shoulder pads of Rutshire.
1982’s ‘Upstairs at Eric’s’ is a landmark album that is still relevant today, with huge hits like ‘Don’t Go’ and ‘Only You’.
If it’s good enough for Taggie O’Hara, it’s definitely good enough for your playlist.
80s classics
When I think of the 80s, I can hear two songs: ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ by Depeche Mode, and ‘You Can Call Me Al’ by Paul Simon.
While the decade’s defining hits may be different for everyone, these two certainly capture the vibrant, hedonistic atmosphere of the show and its illicit affairs.
Make like Declan and get these blasting on your stereo.
Rock anthems
ZZ Top, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses… the 1980s were a pure goldmine of rock bands, pumping out classics like ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’ and ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’.
Despite some pushback at the time for its occasionally brazen lyrics, rock remains a cultural icon of the era that couldn’t have been missed from the soundtrack.
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‘Wham!’
Deserving of an entire section of their own, ‘Wham!’ embodies the precursor to the boy band, and it’s no wonder multiple of their songs feature on the show.
The duo came from humble beginnings, not unlike the O’Haras, having formed in Andrew Ridgeley’s living room and going on to release songs that are still played today, including ‘Club Tropicana’ and ‘Wham Rap’.
The latter discusses the unemployment crisis that occurred in the 1980s, providing a stark juxtaposition with the likes of Lord Tony Baddingham or wealthy Tech-wiz Freddie Jones.
Cheesy ballads
Who could forget the perfect mushy slow-dance song that is Chris de Burgh’s ‘The Lady In Red’?
Peaking at number one in the UK charts, the song turned de Burgh into a household name, while dividing the nation into those who hated the song and those who loved it.
Regardless of its Marmite-like reception, the song encapsulates a time of schmaltzy rom-coms, bright colours, and the romanticisation of life, and some might say it’s Rupert and Taggie’s anthem.
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