The Golden Era of Synths in 80s and 90s Music

The synthesizer played a central role in the production and sound of many classic 80s and 90s pop, rock, and alternative songs. Synth intros, in particular, have left indelible impressions on audiences with their instantly recognizable melodies and unique sounds. In this article, we explore some famous synth introductions from the 80s and 90s, drawing attention to the craftsmanship behind these iconic sounds.

A-Ha: Let's not forget the iconic synth intro of "Take On Me," which opens with a haunting and memorable melody that has become a staple in pop music history. The song's powerful synth lead wiped out the Moroder-era tentacles and brought a new level of sophistication to the synthwave genre.

Classic 80s and 90s Tracks with Synth Intros

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born in the USA: The opening of "Born in the USA" with a unique synth intro that sets the tone for the song, providing a haunting contrast to the powerful lyrics. Similarly, "Dancing in the Dark" features a memorable intro with melodic synths. Stevie Nicks and Prince - Stand Back: This duet opens with a mesmerizing synth lead, setting up the chemistry between Nicks and Prince. The sound of the synthesizer perfectly complements the vocals, creating a memorable intro that stands out. Taylor Dane - Tell It to My Heart: Taylor Dane's track "Tell It to My Heart" features a stunning synthesizer introduction, which is both powerful and emotive, capturing the attention of listeners from the very beginning. Depeche Mode - Strangelove / The Policy of Truth: Depeche Mode's "Strangelove" and "The Policy of Truth" are both known for their iconic synth intros, with the former opening with a slow, atmospheric progression and the latter featuring a memorable piano intro leading into the synth. Depeche Mode - Everything: Almost every song by Depeche Mode features a famous synth intro, showcasing the extensive use of synthesizers in their music. "It's No Good" is a prime example of this, opening with a somber synth melody that immediately grabs the listener's attention. Steve Winwood - The Finer Things: Steve Winwood's track "The Finer Things" opens with a soulful synth intro, setting a warm and melodic tone for the song. New Order - Shell Shock: New Order's "Shell Shock" features a driving synth intro that is both aggressive and catchy. The Stabilizers - If I Found Rome: An obscure but highly deserving track, "If I Found Rome" by The Stabilizers opens with a unique synth intro that is both intriguing and catchy. Unfortunately, the band was local to Eerie, PA, making them a bit harder to discover. Bon Jovi - Runaway: Bon Jovi's "Runaway" opens with a powerful synth intro that immediately establishes the song's electronic nature.

Additional Notable Synth Intros From the 80s

Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F: Released in 1984, "Axel F" opens with a distinctly recognizable synth riff that has become iconic. It serves as the theme for the film Back to the Future, staying highly relevant even in modern times. Ministry - Revenge: Another 1984 release, "Revenge" features a dark and heavy synth intro, characteristic of the Ministry's industrial gothic sound. Real Life - Send Me an Angel: Released in 1983, "Send Me an Angel" begins with a memorable synth lead that adds to the song's ethereal quality. Yaz - Don't Go: Bringing us back to 1982, "Don't Go" opens with a familiar synth melody, setting the emotional tone for the song. Newcleus - Jam On It: This 1984 track features a classic synth intro that is both fun and catchy, setting the stage for the bass-heavy grooves that follow. Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough: From 1981, "Just Can't Get Enough" opens with a memorable synth riff that is both captivating and catchy.

Additional Noteworthy Tracks

To round out the list, we have a few more synth-laden songs from the era:

A Little Respect - Erasure: Erasure's "A Little Respect" features a memorable synth intro that knots its way into the song's emotional core. Situation - Yaz: Check out "Situation," another scene-stealer among synths, opening with a haunting synth melody that establishes the emotional tone from the start. You Dropped a Bomb on Me - GAP Band: An intense and memorable opening with a powerful synth melody that's hard to forget. Africa - Toto: Africa is a classic with a catchy synth intro, which is a perfect example of the genre's charm. Holiday - Madonna: Opening with a classic synth intro, "Holiday" sets the stage for Madonna's disco-pop sound in the 90s.

Eat your heart out, PDP-11! - New Order

These illustrious synth intros from the 80s and 90s speak to the era's distinct sound and the skill of the musicians who created them. Whether it's Axel F from Back to the Future, the ethereal vocals of Harold Faltermeyer, or the haunting melodies of A-ha, these iconic synth intros have left an indelible mark on music history.

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