The 80s: The Best Decade Ever?

Yossra Saad

Ah, the 80s—a time of unforgettable fashion, iconic music, and what many would argue was the best era to be a teen. We caught up with three amazing teachers, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Pena, and Mr. Johnson, who all shared why the 1980s were the absolute best. Spoiler alert: from the neon leg warmers to the live rock bands, it sounds like a blast from the past that most of us would love to experience!
While today’s teens spend hours on social media, Mrs. Long was out exploring cities, roller skating, and attending legendary New York clubs like Studio 54.
“I had a lot of freedom compared to my friends back home,” Mrs. Long recalls.
She was busy with outdoor activities like rock climbing and visiting major concerts, blissfully unaware of the decade’s political turmoil.
For Mrs. Pena, school was a constant celebration.
“I loved school! We had all-night rock-a-thons, movie nights, and the best dances ever,” Mrs. Pena exclaimed.
Every weekend was a dance party, and with her DJ husband, she was always the life of the party, kicking off the dancing and pulling everyone onto the dance floor. It wasn’t just about studying; it was about the vibe and connection with friends that made it so memorable.
Mr. Johnson admits he wasn’t the biggest fan of academics, but he was all in for the social aspect.
“I took my fun very seriously,” he laughed.
Whether it was playing guitar in garage bands or heading down to Hollywood to catch local acts, he lived for the music scene. The fact that he was the vice president of his senior class and a yearbook photographer didn’t hurt either—it was all about balancing a love of social life with a little school spirit.
When it comes to fashion, the 80s were anything but subtle.
“Fashion in the 80s was terrible,” Mrs. Long jokes.
But even as she laughs at the big hair and shoulder pads, there’s a certain fondness in her voice. She reminisces about the flashy, over-the-top looks, noting her practical love for leg warmers in chilly weather.
Mrs. Pena, on the other hand, was fully committed to the big hair trend.
“We used a lot of hairspray—a lot,” she said, laughing. The style was all about bold makeup, bright clothes, and coordinated outfits from head to toe.
“It wasn’t all neon like in the movies,” she clarifies, but there were leggings, fingerless gloves, and endless matching accessories. It was a time when you dressed to impress, whether for a night out or a casual weekend dance.
Mr. Johnson describes the era as “bold.” Guys aimed for long, feathered hair inspired by rock legends like Eddie Van Halen, while girls rocked colorful jewelry, leather jackets, and boots.
“It seemed everything was bigger and brighter,” he noted, capturing the essence of the decade in a nutshell.
No discussion of the 80s would be complete without diving into the music. Mrs. Long had a diverse taste, enjoying reggae, R&B, and jazz. Her favorite 80s bands included Talking Heads and Brian Eno. For her, the era wasn’t just about pop hits; it was a melting pot of different genres, and she loved it all.
Mrs. Pena’s playlist, however, was a trip through time.
“I love old-school 80s music,” she said enthusiastically, listing icons like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Salt-N-Pepa. From rock legends like Guns N’ Roses to pop classics, her love for the music of the era was clear.
“I LOVED THE 80s; I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME!” she exclaimed, a sentiment shared by many.
For Mr. Johnson, the 80s offered an eclectic mix.
“People always think their generation has the best music, but the 80s was pretty great,” he said. He enjoyed everything from New Wave to Punk, Metal Rock, and even Country. He fondly recalls attending live shows of iconic bands like The Ramones, GoGo’s, and LA Guns. He even had the chance to witness a young Slash, who would go on to become a rock legend with Guns N’ Roses.
So, why do these three believe the 80s were the best era? It’s the combination of freedom, unforgettable fashion, and incredible music. It was a time when you could head to a dance party one night, rock out at a live concert the next, and still manage to have a great time roller skating or exploring the outdoors.