A Teen Told Me: “I Wish I’d Lived in the 80s. Everyone Seemed So Much Happier Then.”

What is so appealing about life forty years ago?

Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD
4 min readAug 9, 2024

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Photo courtesy of author

Sometimes, a TV show can stay with you, prompting discussion with family and friends days after it aired.

This was a common occurrence in the eighties. TV shows often made a lasting impression and sparked discussion long after they aired.

Even now, more than forty years later, I can still remember watching the two-part sci-fi miniseries V, as well as episodes of MacGyver, Dallas, Lou Grant, and Cheers.

My friends and I eagerly anticipated the premiere of music videos on MTV, particularly iconic ones like Thriller, Take on Me, and Legs, which felt like short movies. These videos sparked endless conversations. We also made sure to mark the release dates of our favorite bands’ records on our calendars.

I was reminded of this era again last week.

I watched a documentary about “The Best of Lionel Richie.” The documentary showcased Lionel Richie’s career, starting with his time as a musician and singer with The Commodores before going solo in 1982. It featured his successful 80s hits such as “All Night Long,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and his collaboration with Michael…

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