Why 1980s Singers Often Had Similar Voices

In the late 1980s, it was not uncommon to hear that 80s singers had similar voices. This was not a coincidence, but rather a result of several interlocking factors that shaped the music industry of the time.

Production Techniques

The 1980s were a golden age for recording technology, with advancements in digital synthesizers, drum machines, and the use of effects like reverb and chorus. Producers often employed these tools to craft a polished sound that emphasized specific vocal qualities. This led to a more uniform vocal style across many artists, making them stylistically more similar to one another.

Vocal Training and Style

Many singers from the 1980s underwent comparable vocal training and adopted similar techniques, such as breath control and vibrato. Influential vocalists like Whitney Houston and Prince set the bar high, and emerging artists often strove to emulate these styles, contributing to a standardized sound in popular music.

Genre Blending

The 1980s saw the rise of genre-blending, with pop, rock, new wave, and RB influencing each other. This cross-pollination of musical styles led to a common vocal approach that appealed to a broad audience. As singers adapted to these popular trends, they often began to sound more alike.

Market Pressure

Record labels were often in the business of replicating successful artists. They sought to promote singers who fit a particular mold, further homogenizing the sound of popular music. This homogenization was a result of market forces, where there was a desire to sell to the masses and create a recognizable, consistent brand.

Fashion and Image

In the 1980s, the visual aspect of music was just as important as the sound. Music videos became a major medium, and artists often emulated each other not just musically but in terms of style and presentation. This reinforced the similarities in their voices and overall images, contributing to a uniform aesthetic in pop music.

Overall, the combination of technological advancements, vocal training, genre influences, market dynamics, and visual presentation all contributed to the similar vocal qualities of many 1980s artists. In fact, the same phenomenon can be observed in contemporary pop music, where the use of auto-tune and following current trends can lead to a homogeneous sound across a variety of artists.

For example, a new Miley Cyrus song may sound so similar to music from the 1980s because of the current trend towards producing music that adheres to the standards set by popular artists. It's not a matter of artists consciously trying to sound like each other; it's more a result of the same creative and commercial factors that shaped the music landscape of the past.