As distinctive as the sounds of the 80s were, the fashions and styles were no less memorable. Who can forget the white stripe painted across Adam Ant‘s nose, Michael Jackson‘s ever-present white glove (surgical, to be used in little boy emergencies, no doubt), Madonna‘s, ummm, well, everything (and yes, for those of you in the younger crowd, she has indeed been around that long)? Big hair was everywhere, on the guys as well as the girls… Shoulder pads that would make any linebacker proud… Lots of color and paisley, with a pull towards geometric prints in general.

And of course, when the stars were doing it, so were we. No white stripes painted across my nose, but I can remember at least one or two male friends who wore make-up on a regular basis, and big hair – either in the form of being puffy or spiky – was all the rage. Mullets and mohawks were inexplicably popular (though admittedly, the latter seemed to be a form of personal expression emanating mostly from the school jocks), and I’m guessing that were a poll to be taken today, those of us who grew up in the 80s would probably show the greatest desire in wanting to see our old photos burned.

In my mind, there is one artist from the 80s who perfectly embodies everything flamboyant and outlandish from that era. Boy George turned androgyny into an art form, and I can remember at least one of my friends doing his best to emulate his unique style for a party (I’m sure I’ve got the “blackmail” photos somewhere). Musically brilliant and fabulously eccentric, Boy George’s talents helped to turn the band Culture Club into superstars, producing hit after hit with their outrageous songs and videos, and proving themselves to be no less colorful offstage.

For small-town suburban kids like us, Culture Club was fresh and exciting, both in terms of sound and looks, and I was a big fan. Even today, I still enjoy their music, so much so that I had one of their songs as my ring tone, until NRG heard my phone ring when we were in Amsterdam last Fall and asked that I please change it to pretty much anything else. I complied, and before I remembered to switch it back after our trip, I upgraded my cell phone, losing my old ring tones and downloading new ones.

Today’s 80s Music Video Sunday entry features Culture Club, the artists who, for me, are the epitome of everything 80s. Today’s song is, incidentally, also the one that was on my cell phone…

Karma Chameleon
Culture Club

Desert loving in your eyes all the way
If I listen to your lies would you say
I’m a man without conviction
I’m a man who doesn’t know
How to sell a contradiction
You come and go
You come and go

Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Chameleon
You come and go
You come and go
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dream
Red, gold and green
Red, gold and green

Didn’t hear your wicked words every day
And you used to be so sweet I heard you say
That my love was an addiction
When we cling our love is strong
When you go you’re gone forever
You string along
You string along

Every day is like a survival
You’re my lover not my rival
Every day is like a survival
You’re my lover not my rival

I’m a man without conviction
I’m a man who doesn’t know
How to sell a contradiction
You come and go
You come and go

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