Little Debbie

Little Debbie

Debbie Gibson- 80's Pop Stars Vs Today's Pop Tarts

I grew up in the 80s, which is often seen as a time of very little innovation and lots of conformation as far as popular music goes. The era saw the beginning of the boy band phenomena and big hair metal bands. With the slick PR and stylized music of today’s pop we are also seeing a lot of conformity. Once an artist is seen as hitting it big, there tends to be dozens of more along the same vein popping up within months. This made me wonder how some of the 80s artist and records would stand up in today’s market.

When I was 13 and 14 Debbie Gibson was my idol. I dressed like her, wore my hair like her, bought all her make up and wore her Electric Youth perfume. Basically I wanted to be her.

I look around today and feel bad that young teens really don’t have a lot of role models similar to Debbie. In a sea of Brittany rip-offs its hard to find a clean cut young female singer song writer whose songs aren’t all about sex.

When I listened back to her first album Out of the Blue, I was reminded of Taylor Swift. Both have songs that are bubbly at times, melancholy at others. Songs about first loves, boys and breaking up. Songs that are appropriate for their age.

If Debbie Gibson were to release Out of the Blue today, I still think it would be a hit, just with a younger crowed. Her PR people would probably gear her towards the early ‘tweens. The Hannah Montana crowd. I think her songs would be a bit too innocent and not mature (read: sexed-up) enough for the middle and late teens. And this is more of a reflection on a youth that is growing up too fast and too hard rather than on her music.

About the Author

Cameron Van also writes for RingtonesFactory. Find the latest ringtones now.