I would say they began when MTV launched in August 1981 and ended when Nirvana's Nevermind was released in September 1991.

I would say they began when MTV launched in August 1981 and ended when Nirvana's Nevermind was released in September 1991.


The 80s definitely started before 1980, there's no doubt about that... ;)

In a developmental way, late 1979-mid 1981 were partially '80s. The '80s are mid 1981 to mid 1991, but the "pure '80s" period was early 1983 to early 1988. The whole range is 1979-1991.

In a developmental way, late 1979-mid 1981 were partially '80s. The '80s are mid 1981 to mid 1991, but the "pure '80s" period was early 1983 to early 1988. The whole range is 1979-1991.


Yeah, 1979-1991 or 1992 is about right.

I would say 1990 is more '80s than 1980.

As I've said many times before, the 80s are the longest decade from 1950 onwards.

I would say 1990 is more '80s than 1980.


1992 and late 1991 were definitely NOT '80s, though.

1992 and late 1991 were definitely NOT '80s, though.


I think September 1991 is the beginning of the '90s. 1992 and late 1991 were very '90s pop culturally, but I still think they were in the same world as the '80s.

I think September 1991 is the beginning of the '90s. 1992 and late 1991 were very '90s pop culturally, but I still think they were in the same world as the '80s.


Sort of. I mean, the Cold War was very firmly over. Geopolitically, it was the '90s, but in terms of general lifestyle, it was more an updated and more "enlightened" late '80s.

Sort of. I mean, the Cold War was very firmly over. Geopolitically, it was the '90s, but in terms of general lifestyle, it was more an updated and more "enlightened" late '80s.


The Cold War was still fresh on people's minds, though, and the tech boom hadn't really taken off yet.  Also Clinton wasn't in office yet.

The 80s as we know it, New Year's Day 1980.

I would say they began when MTV launched in August 1981 and ended when Nirvana's Nevermind was released in September 1991.



In literal sense of course 1980-1989, but in the extended sense I'd say about Late 1981-Early 1992.

Started - 01/01/80

Ended - 01/01/90

Started - 01/01/80

Ended - 01/01/90


not 31/12/89?  Are you sure??  :)

not 31/12/89?  Are you sure??  :)


  Umm, now that you mention it... :P

Started: January 1st, 1980 at exactly 12:00:00a.m.
Ended: December 31st, 1989 at exactly 11:59:59p.m.

Started: January 1st, 1980 at exactly 12:00:00a.m.
Ended: December 31st, 1989 at exactly 11:59:59p.m.


Now is it really 12:00:: a.m.?  or should you say 12:00:00 midnight?  I've never worked that out.

Now is it really 12:00:: a.m.?  or should you say 12:00:00 midnight?  I've never worked that out.
I've always done it as a.m. (or just am) "Midnight" is too many letters to type.  :P

Truly started, just about fully: 1983, truly ended, just about fully: 1994

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I have always prefered Midnight, it says the arguement of am, etc...


'Midnight' and 'Noon'

Officially, 'Midnight' is 12am, and 'Noon' is 12pm

I would say they began when MTV launched in August 1981 and ended when Nirvana's Nevermind was released in September 1991.


I think the '70s, 80s and '90s all have very similar patterns (Fall of the "1" year to Fall of the following decade's "1" year). But, one thing that always interested me with each decade transforming into the next one, is there's a clear difference between the start, the overtake, and the absolute end of the previous decade.

I'd say the first start of what would become the '80s was around the Summer of '79 (many songs, like "My Sharona", "Pop Musik" "Cruel to Be Kind" and anything from The Cars had an early version of what would form '80s music), the overtake was around the Fall, especially with MTV, and the absolute end of the '70s was around when Thriller came out, or maybe even a little later, like towards the end of '83. Then, it was pure '80s, IMO.

Conversely, the first signs of the '90s started in about 1988 (and the first signs of that could be traced as far back as the second half of 1986), with the socio-political/more "serious" movies, such as Do The Right Thing, the rise of College rock/what would become grunge; the overtake was around Fall 1991, and the absolute end of the '80s was late 92/early '93 or so.

^ Although I now think it was "very vaguely 80s" up through 1994. Not in terms of it being cool, at all, but in that it hadn't completely disappeared (like I've mentioned, songs like "The Sign" are good examples).

'Midnight' and 'Noon'

Officially, 'Midnight' is 12am, and 'Noon' is 12pm
That is it!