Similar to the thread about 2009 in the 2000's forum. In many ways 1989 was when the early 90's culture began. You had songs like "Pump Up the Jam" which was the first of the hip-house style which became popular in the early 90's. it could be considered the "Sexyback" of that time. Also many TV shows premiered like the Simpsons, Baywatch, Family Matters, Seinfeld, and Arsenio Hall.

Similar to the thread about 2009 in the 2000's forum. In many ways 1989 was when the early 90's culture began. You had songs like "Pump Up the Jam" which was the first of the hip-house style which became popular in the early 90's. it could be considered the "Sexyback" of that time. Also many TV shows premiered like the Simpsons, Baywatch, Family Matters, Seinfeld, and Arsenio Hall.


It was the last year of good music and television.

It is. Fashion and music was still very 80s in 89.

Absolutely an 80s year. The Berlin Wall came down, paving the way for the 90s, the end of the Cold War and a new outlook. But definitely the end of the 80s rather than beginning of 90s.

Absolutely an 80s year. The Berlin Wall came down, paving the way for the 90s, the end of the Cold War and a new outlook. But definitely the end of the 80s rather than beginning of 90s.


So the 90s began right on time in 1990 ?

I mean lost of things that started in 1989 would become more well known in the 90s such as the Simpsons, Full House was on TV, the Gameboy came out, Berlin Wall falls and the end of the Cold War.

I wasn't around during that time but 1989 was totally '80s. You can't say the same about 1999 and 2009. You can say the same for 2019 though, totally '10s just like 1989 was totally '80s respectively.

The real question is was 1990 really a 90s year?

Is the glass half full or half empty? :D

1989 is the most 90s year of the 80s that’s for sure, Full House, The Simpsons, New Jack Swing, Gameboy, George W. H. Bush, Saved by the Bell.

It is. Fashion and music was still very 80s in 89.


I’ve seen some videos of teenagers in 1989, they dressed like Bart Simpson

1989 is the most 90s year of the 80s that’s for sure, Full House, The Simpsons, New Jack Swing, Gameboy, George W. H. Bush, Saved by the Bell.

Those are all '80s shows...

I’ve seen some videos of teenagers in 1989, they dressed like Bart Simpson

The Simpsons became an iconic part of culture.

The Simpsons became an iconic part of culture.


Bartmania is so early 90s especially in skater culture.

Watching old videos from teenagers in the early 90s everybody seemed to dress as either like the kids on full house or saved by the bell.

Bartmania is so early 90s especially in skater culture.

Watching old videos from teenagers in the early 90s everybody seemed to dress as either like the kids on full house or saved by the bell.

And started talking like them too.

And started talking like them too.


Saved by the bell was really hyped and beloved during that time too. The Neon early 90s were in full swing by 1989

Saved by the bell was really hyped and beloved during that time too. The Neon early 90s were in full swing by 1989


Funny you're thinking of the early 90s as  "neon" while I think of the as "earthy". I think of them as the end of all things frivolous and 80s, including pastel 80s colors (though "neon" isn't quite the same, it's still "colorful"). In day to day life I don't recall a lot of neon looking people in the early 90s. This may have been a TV thing trying to create a "look". I remember some demonstrations protesting the first Gulf War in 1991 that I was at and there was nobody neon there. And it was very clear the 80s were over and people had to get down to some serious thinking again.

Funny you're thinking of the early 90s as  "neon" while I think of the as "earthy". I think of them as the end of all things frivolous and 80s, including pastel 80s colors (though "neon" isn't quite the same, it's still "colorful"). In day to day life I don't recall a lot of neon looking people in the early 90s. This may have been a TV thing trying to create a "look". I remember some demonstrations protesting the first Gulf War in 1991 that I was at and there was nobody neon there. And it was very clear the 80s were over and people had to get down to some serious thinking again.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 1990 was still neon. 1991 was earthy.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 1990 was still neon. 1991 was earthy.


I started to feel the earthy dissipation of the 80s in 1990, but there could have been some overlap. It was in full swing by 1991.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 1990 was still neon. 1991 was earthy.


From my memory is a kindergartener at the time 1990 and 1991 looked like a continuation of late '80s.

I had that classic high top fade and all those funky, squiggly patterns on my clothes, I have pics of my teachers with the big, poodle '80s hair. ;D

I saw slight '80s influences all the way into 1995-ish, toned down curly, frizzy hair and new jack swing beats(This is how we do it was one of the big hits in 1995). But then I remember a show on VH1 called the big '80s where the decade already seemed very dated, especially compared to grunge, gangsta rap, and techno.

Funny you're thinking of the early 90s as  "neon" while I think of the as "earthy". I think of them as the end of all things frivolous and 80s, including pastel 80s colors (though "neon" isn't quite the same, it's still "colorful"). In day to day life I don't recall a lot of neon looking people in the early 90s. This may have been a TV thing trying to create a "look". I remember some demonstrations protesting the first Gulf War in 1991 that I was at and there was nobody neon there. And it was very clear the 80s were over and people had to get down to some serious thinking again.


Not so much neon but the color scheme used in shows like saved by the bell and the Simpsons, I associate that earthy toned down grunge color with the early-mid 90s as-well.

Like the colors used on Fresh Prince of Bell Air.

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Also on saved by the bell intro bkL9eJWQH3Q

I noticed this especially with 90s cartoons in that era like Rocko modern life
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1989 was certainly "past peak" in terms of 80s-ness, but most of the stereotypes associated with the decade were still alive and well, even early decade trends like New Wave (The Cure's "Love Song" and Tears For Fears "Sowing The Seeds of Love" were two of the biggest hits that year), as well as the Atari 2600 in updated form still was being produced thanks to Nintendo reviving the gaming industry for those who wanted the "classics", Game Boy and the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive were seen as novelties and not exactly trends. While you guys mentioned Full House, keep in mind it started in 1987, and many people consider Three's Company which ran a decade earlier before Full House (started in 1977) a '70s show even though the majority of its run was in the 1980s.

Joanie Greggins' Morning Stretch is another classic '80s staple, being perhaps the most popular fitness/aerobics program, and of course that was a huge trend throughout the decade. Last night while hunting some VHS tapes, I discovered a couple episodes that were produced circa 1983 based on the songs/styles featured (a lot of striped fashion and post-disco funky music), and then uncovered some episodes produced in 1989 that aired in early 1990, and that featured neon pink/green workout gear set to a more synthy soundtrack that's just as stereotypically "80s" as those from the earlier part of the decade.

Almost nobody outside of a few young clubgoers in Washington State and Oregon knew who this Kurt Cobain guy was. In fact, a lot of songs that were mild hits earlier in the decade like "Send Me An Angel" and "When I'm With You" were even bigger hits in 1989, giving the '80s a nice, proper send-off that lingered well into 1990 before the earthiness took over by the end of 1991.

Sure, there were those hints of a forthcoming decade taking place in '89, but it was only in its Beta stages.

1989 was certainly "past peak" in terms of 80s-ness, but most of the stereotypes associated with the decade were still alive and well, even early decade trends like New Wave (The Cure's "Love Song" and Tears For Fears "Sowing The Seeds of Love" were two of the biggest hits that year), as well as the Atari 2600 in updated form still was being produced thanks to Nintendo reviving the gaming industry for those who wanted the "classics", Game Boy and the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive were seen as novelties and not exactly trends. While you guys mentioned Full House, keep in mind it started in 1987, and many people consider Three's Company which ran a decade earlier before Full House (started in 1977) a '70s show even though the majority of its run was in the 1980s.

Joanie Greggins' Morning Stretch is another classic '80s staple, being perhaps the most popular fitness/aerobics program, and of course that was a huge trend throughout the decade. Last night while hunting some VHS tapes, I discovered a couple episodes that were produced circa 1983 based on the songs/styles featured (a lot of striped fashion and post-disco funky music), and then uncovered some episodes produced in 1989 that aired in early 1990, and that featured neon pink/green workout gear set to a more synthy soundtrack that's just as stereotypically "80s" as those from the earlier part of the decade.

Almost nobody outside of a few young clubgoers in Washington State and Oregon knew who this Kurt Cobain guy was. In fact, a lot of songs that were mild hits earlier in the decade like "Send Me An Angel" and "When I'm With You" were even bigger hits in 1989, giving the '80s a nice, proper send-off that lingered well into 1990 before the earthiness took over by the end of 1991.

Sure, there were those hints of a forthcoming decade taking place in '89, but it was only in its Beta stages.


Good assessment.

1989 is the most 90s year of the 80s that’s for sure, Full House, The Simpsons, New Jack Swing, Gameboy, George W. H. Bush, Saved by the Bell.


Full House actually premiered in 1987. Another show that premiered that year that's labeled a "90's show" is Married With Children. I think it's because it became more popular when it followed The Simpsons on Sunday nights. I didn't know about that show until then.

Yes, 1989 was still very 80s. I remember that year women still had the big puffy hair and mullet type hairstyles. Music still sounded 80s but fashion had changed a little...it was still 80s but it wasn't like fashion was in 1986 or 87.

I still have the blouse I wore to my cousin's birthday party in 1989! It's so small now and it looks dated. I can not part with it lol.

Those are all '80s shows...

Saved by the bell ran from 1989 to 1993, 1994 if you include the spinoffs with the original cast

its an iconic early 90s show

Saved by the bell ran from 1989 to 1993, 1994 if you include the spinoffs with the original cast

its an iconic early 90s show

I agree, Saved By The Bell was indeed a 90's show.

The real question is was 1990 really a 90s year?

Is the glass half full or half empty? :D


I will keep arguing that 1990 is really part of the 80s but that is for when I have more time.

I will keep arguing that 1990 is really part of the 80s but that is for when I have more time.


I remember when I first joined this forum there were plenty of discussions about 1989 being a part of the 90's but at the same time 1990 was still a part of the 80's. I also remember discussions about 1990 being a "watered down version of 1989". 1991 was considered the shift to 90's culture, especially with grunge.

I remember when I first joined this forum there were plenty of discussions about 1989 being a part of the 90's but at the same time 1990 was still a part of the 80's. I also remember discussions about 1990 being a "watered down version of 1989". 1991 was considered the shift to 90's culture, especially with grunge.


1989 and 1990 are two of the best examples I can think of years that are almost like twins, both years have so much in common they are almost inseperable.
Does 1989 herald a prelude to the 90s? Or is 1990 an extension of the 80s? Definitely a big grey area and a bit of both.

Music trends were virtually identical both years. The heyday of NKOTB, the De La Soul style hip-hop that heralds a move to the 90s and away from 80s electro and Roland 808 hip hop, the arrival of early New Jack Swing, Vanilla Ice type hip-hop, techno/house and Eurodance really going big (Ride on Time, Pump Up The Jam, The Power etc) but less of the high energy Italo Disco, The Cure's Disintegration album and DM's Violator and the singles from both albums that were in the charts 1989 and 1990 both highly influential.

The 16-bit computing years (Commodore Amiga, Atari ST) took off in 1989 and I remember getting the Amiga 500 Batman Pack at Xmas, these years also the height of Turtlemania and the vast majority of movies from 1990 feel very 80s. Pretty Woman, Days of Thunder and Home Alone (which when you think about it had a lot of production similarities with Uncle Buck, a 1989 movie) as well as sequels to hugely popular hits of the 80s (Back to the Future Part III, Gremlins 2, Rocky V, Die Hard 2, Another 48 Hrs.....).

1991 does not have as much in common with 1990, but that year still feels 80s to me up to the summer. I firmly mark Summer 1991 as the end of the 80s not just because I moved schools and everything felt different but personal memories aside come the Autumn is where a lot of drastic new looks take shape. New sounds from Michael Jackson, Prince and U2 and appropriately on 3rd October 1991 Top of the Pops (the quintessential music charts show in the UK) leaves BBC Television Centre after nearly 28 years for a new set at Elstree Studios with a complete new look makeover that feels like a totally different show from only the previous month (you really have to see it to see what I am talking about) and this is when the far more 90s trend of the Sonic vs Mario Sega vs Nintendo rivalry reached its zenith.

1989 and 1990 are two of the best examples I can think of years that are almost like twins, both years have so much in common they are almost inseperable.
Does 1989 herald a prelude to the 90s? Or is 1990 an extension of the 80s? Definitely a big grey area and a bit of both.

Music trends were virtually identical both years. The heyday of NKOTB, the De La Soul style hip-hop that heralds a move to the 90s and away from 80s electro and Roland 808 hip hop, the arrival of early New Jack Swing, Vanilla Ice type hip-hop, techno/house and Eurodance really going big (Ride on Time, Pump Up The Jam, The Power etc) but less of the high energy Italo Disco, The Cure's Disintegration album and DM's Violator and the singles from both albums that were in the charts 1989 and 1990 both highly influential.

The 16-bit computing years (Commodore Amiga, Atari ST) took off in 1989 and I remember getting the Amiga 500 Batman Pack at Xmas, these years also the height of Turtlemania and the vast majority of movies from 1990 feel very 80s. Pretty Woman, Days of Thunder and Home Alone (which when you think about it had a lot of production similarities with Uncle Buck, a 1989 movie) as well as sequels to hugely popular hits of the 80s (Back to the Future Part III, Gremlins 2, Rocky V, Die Hard 2, Another 48 Hrs.....).

1991 does not have as much in common with 1990, but that year still feels 80s to me up to the summer. I firmly mark Summer 1991 as the end of the 80s not just because I moved schools and everything felt different but personal memories aside come the Autumn is where a lot of drastic new looks take shape. New sounds from Michael Jackson, Prince and U2 and appropriately on 3rd October 1991 Top of the Pops (the quintessential music charts show in the UK) leaves BBC Television Centre after nearly 28 years for a new set at Elstree Studios with a complete new look makeover that feels like a totally different show from only the previous month (you really have to see it to see what I am talking about) and this is when the far more 90s trend of the Sonic vs Mario Sega vs Nintendo rivalry reached its zenith.


Not to sound decadological but I noticed that the turn of each decade/first and last years has the same effect, like 1999 and 2000, and also 2009 and 2010. Of course 2019 and 2020 was an exception since the pandemic happened. Many have twinned 2004 and 2005 but I disagree with that.

Anyhow, with 1989 and 1990 the music styles are very similar as you mentioned. "Pump Up the Jam" is the defining song of the cusp between the two years. Not even sure if it's considered a 1989 or 1990 song. In addition the Cure, also B-52's and Tears For Fears released some hits in fall of '89, and Depeche Mode Violator was a classic album. Also in 1990 I remember the rapper Candyman, who was associated with Tone Loc. Also songs like "Cherry Pie" and "Thunderstruck" were 1990 songs that had the last of the 80's hard rock sounds.

With movies, one summer 1990 movie in particular to mention is Dick Tracy, which had similar aesthetics to Tim Burton's Batman in '89. I also remember the TMNT movie in spring of 1990, the height of turtlemania. There was also the Simpsonmania at the time with all the t-shirts, during the first season of the still running series. Macaulay Culkin is of course the main connection between Home Alone and Uncle Buck. With gaming another mention is the Nintendo Gameboy, released in 1989 and continued in popularity through 1990. The best known games for that were Tetris and Super Mario Land.

Grunge is the main separator between 1991 and 1990, but you did still have similar music in other genres, particularly the UK/Euro based dance house like Black Box, C+C Music Factory, KLF, CeCe Peniston, Crystal Waters, etc. I remember this being the "new sound for the 90's". Also pop groups like Color Me Badd and Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch would have fit well with Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, NKOTB, Milli Vanilli, etc. (now I consider guilty pleasure music). Surprisingly 90210 premiered in 1990 (I always thought it was 1991), which was an iconic 90's show.

Anyhow, with 1989 and 1990 the music styles are very similar as you mentioned. "Pump Up the Jam" is the defining song of the cusp between the two years. Not even sure if it's considered a 1989 or 1990 song.


September 1989 it reached no.2 in the UK charts whilst Ride on Time was at no.1

1989 was the 80's by far.  Still the same neon colors, music was evolving but still had that signature 80's vibe.  Beetlejuice!!  And of course Guns n Roses had their debut.  Madonna's album Like a Prayer was a VERY 90's sounding album. So I would say it's more 90's than 80's. 

September 1989 it reached no.2 in the UK charts whilst Ride on Time was at no.1


It was later in the US, like December 1989 or January 1990. I don't remember Ride on Time but I do remember Get Up (Before the Night is Over) being popular later on.


1989 was the 80's by far.  Still the same neon colors, music was evolving but still had that signature 80's vibe.  Beetlejuice!!  And of course Guns n Roses had their debut.  Madonna's album Like a Prayer was a VERY 90's sounding album. So I would say it's more 90's than 80's. 


Actually Beetlejuice was 1988. GNR's debut (Appetite For Destruction) was actually 1987. They remained popular through the spring of '89 however. I remember hearing "Paradise City" a lot around that time. Also "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith. I'd say 1988 was the peak of glam metal, especially with Poison.

It was later in the US, like December 1989 or January 1990. I don't remember Ride on Time but I do remember Get Up (Before the Night is Over) being popular later on.

Actually Beetlejuice was 1988. GNR's debut (Appetite For Destruction) was actually 1987. They remained popular through the spring of '89 however. I remember hearing "Paradise City" a lot around that time. Also "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith. I'd say 1988 was the peak of glam metal, especially with Poison.


I beg to differ.  I distinctly remember seeing Beetlguise in 1999.  Also GNR came out in 199.

I beg to differ.  I distinctly remember seeing Beetlguise in 1999.  Also GNR came out in 199.


Here are the sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetlejuice

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appetite_for_Destruction

Here are the sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetlejuice

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appetite_for_Destruction


Well, I don't really rely on wikipedia as a factual source.  Many people can update and change "facts" to whatever they want.  So, for the truth, I rely on memory.

Well, I don't really rely on wikipedia as a factual source.  Many people can update and change "facts" to whatever they want.  So, for the truth, I rely on memory.


Well you may remember seeing the movie or listening to album for the first time that year, but it doesn't change the fact of when they were actually released. I'm not just going off of Wikipedia either. I remember when the movie Beetlejuice first came out and what grade I was in at the time (3rd) in the spring of 1988.

I don't know. I wasn't conscious enough during this year.