3 Bands That Pioneered New Wave in the 1970s and 1980s

Throughout the 1970s, rock bands either sought a heavily polished sound or a raw and punk route. For the first wave of punk, bands such as Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, and The Clash pushed music in a different direction. An offshoot of that punk movement was new wave, blending many genres into one. Bands with punk elements, but a more polished and radio-friendly sound. New wave was the bridge between punk of the late 1970s and synth pop that would dominate the 1980s. Here are 3 pioneering bands of the new wave movement of the 1980s.

The Cars

With the release of their self-titled debut album in 1978, The Cars blended keyboard pop with flashy guitar. This provided a blueprint for bands with punk sensibilities to obtain radio airplay. They were raw, but polished all at once. The album generated three hit singles, “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and “Good Times Roll.” Along with these hit singles, “Bye Bye Love” and “Moving In Stereo” received significant radio airplay. Their debut peaked at No. 18, while their follow-up Candy-O reached No. 3 on the chart. Two more hit singles helped solidify the band’s place, as the 1980s were right around the corner. Songs like “Let’s Go” and “It’s All I Can Do” helped define new wave and pioneered the genre for the 1980s. The band continued their success and became new wave icons.

Blondie

Blondie is a group that was part of the CBGB’s punk scene in New York in the 1970s, but didn’t entirely have a punk sound. More of a punk approach. What’s interesting about the group is that they brought an alternative flair to disco, pop, and power pop. With this, they became pioneers of new wave. Fronted by Debbie Harry, the group saw massive success with their third album, Parallel Lines. The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200, with “Heart Of Glass” hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100. In 1980, Blondie earned a second No. 1 hit with “Call Me.” The track was foundational for the up-and-coming new wave genre, and the band saw further success in the early 1980s.

Talking Heads

Another group that emerged from the CBGB’s punk scene was Talking Heads. Formed in 1975, Talking Heads moved to New York City. With the release of their debut album, Talking Heads: 77, the band blended elements of funk, art rock, and punk. With these styles blended, Talking Heads became pioneers of new wave. Their second single, “Psycho Killer,” became an underground hit, though it didn’t chart well. In time, it’s become a cult classic and one of their signature songs. Their second album, More Songs About Buildings And Food, reached No. 29 on the Billboard 200. Their cover of Al Green’s “Take Me To The River” earned the band their first top-30 single, peaking at No. 26. The band’s success continued as they innovated and expanded their own sound. They had massive hits in the 1980s, including “Once In A Lifetime” and “Burning Down The House.” Talking Heads are one of the most influential groups of the 1980s, inspiring artists for decades.