8 Things Only People Who Grew Up in the 80s Will Understand
Dive into a time when mixtapes were the ultimate love letters, big hair ruled the school, and VHS tapes were the golden tickets to cinematic adventures. This is your passport back to the 1980s, unlocking memories that only those who lived it will truly understand.
Sony Walkmans
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Before the digital age took over, the Sony Walkman was the epitome of portable music. This groundbreaking device allowed us to take our favorite tunes anywhere, transforming mixtapes into personal playlists. Albums had their charm, but crafting a mixtape was an art form, a tangible precursor to today’s digital playlists.
Big Hair Everywhere
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The 1980s mantra for hair was “go big or go home.” From towering perms to bold mohawks, hairstyles weren’t just fashion statements—they were declarations of individuality. Today, we might try these with a wink or for a throwback photo, but back then, it was all about rocking that look confidently.
The Age of VHS
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Before streaming and DVDs, movie time meant a trip to the video store for a VHS or Betamax tape. This analog adventure required physically picking out tapes and rewinding them after watching. Exhausting? Perhaps, but it was our portal to cinematic joy, a cherished ritual far from today’s instant gratification.
MTV Reigned Supreme
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During the 1980s, MTV was the heartbeat of music culture, genuinely representing the “M” for music. It was the golden era when music videos were king, making icons out of Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Bon Jovi. Long before YouTube, MTV was where music lived, breathed, and transformed artists into legends.
Neon Clothing
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Neon clothing was the 1980s fashion statement that said, “Look at me!” Bright, bold, and practically impossible to ignore, it turned every outfit into a statement piece. Sparked by the fitness craze, everyone embraced it, from kids to preteens. In a decade dedicated to being noticed, neon was the king.
Blowing into Cartridges
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When a game glitched or wouldn’t start, 1980s kids would pull it out, give it a good blow, and hope for the best. Turns out, it wasn’t the blowing that helped, but the act of reinsertion. Yet, like the five-second rule, we all believed in the magic of our breath.
Epic Toy Commercials
Credit: rediscoverthe80s
The 1980s toy commercials were an art form, transforming Saturday mornings into a vibrant showcase of must-have playthings. The commercials painted every toy as the ultimate possession, blending seamlessly with the day’s entertainment. It was the golden era of toy advertising, making every kid dream of their next playtime adventure.
The Challenger Disaster
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The Challenger disaster is etched in our collective memory, a moment when time stood still. For the 1980s kids, recalling where we were when the tragedy unfolded is a shared, somber bond. It marked a pause in our youthful innocence, a stark reminder that reaching for the stars had risks.