(Credits: Far Out / Picryl / Bent Rej / Wikimedia)
Oh, the 1980s. With the rise of conservatism, Cold War tensions, oppression and prejudice, and the overwhelming feeling that technology was making the world feel smaller, the ’80s was what a jolt of electricity is to the music industry to a sleeping giant. Between the injustice, the class inequalities, and the broader feeling that something insidious was afoot, the creatives of the world embraced the idea that if trauma fuels art, then game on.
During this time, gender equality across the nation had reached a period of reflection and transformation as second-wave feminism focused on long-ignored issues such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, gender discrimination, and legal protections against domestic violence. There was also a growing need for groups to address and support women of colour, queer women, and working-class women due to the earlier wave’s sole focus on improving the rights of primarily white, middle-class women.
In the early 1980s, female musicians began making significant strides in the mainstream, introducing fresh perspectives and challenging conventional expectations for women in the music industry. They brought forward concepts like creative independence, greater representation, and broader equity. This resurgence saw artists such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Debbie Harry, and Tina Turner become icons of female empowerment, posing a strong challenge to the dominance of male musicians and male-fronted bands in the charts.
In 1981, Kim Wilde also released her self-titled debut album, which reflected the rebellious nature of women entering the industry right down to the cover sleeve. Standing alongside her bandmates, she appeared in complete distinction, her confrontational expression and posture reflecting her broader punk-style ethos. The song that would become her career-defining hit, ‘Kids in America’, epitomised this much-needed sense of defiance during a time when women felt marginalised to the point of restlessness.
Drawing from the disillusion of mainstream society and the hope of fighting the good fight, Wilde painted a picture of early-1980s youth while challenging the long-accepted ways of the world. Far from just a one-hit wonder, Wilde’s cut-throat demeanour and extraordinary talent resulted in her becoming the most successful charting British female artist of the entire decade, scoring several hits across the UK and Europe, with some also achieving widespread popularity in the US.
How many hits did Kim Wilde achieve in the 1980s?
Throughout the 1980s, Kim Wilde symbolised a desire to escape the constraints of small-town life and societal norms. Embracing elements of the traditional and contemporary punk movement, she displayed a rebellious spirit that challenged traditional expectations, especially those imposed by the male gaze on how a woman should look and behave.
As a result, she achieved several charting hits, including ‘Kids in America’, ‘Chequered Love’, ‘Cambodia’, ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’, and ‘You Came’. Her most popular hit, ‘Kids in America’, became an international hit and introduced her to popularity on a global scale, her non-conformist nature resonating with an equally corrupt global landscape.
Between 1981 and 1996, Wilde had 25 songs that charted in the UK. However, beyond her achievements of the decade, her appeal became a boundless entity that placed her at the fore of broader cultural movements, achieving greater open-mindedness during second-wave feminism and encouraging traditional mindsets to open up to the possibility of greater diversity across all industries.
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