1983 in British Music

The Story of 1983

The golden age of pop video and the continued British invasion. Duran Duran were the biggest band in the world – 'Hungry Like the Wolf', 'Rio' and 'Is There Something I Should Know?' made them MTV royalty, their glamorous videos setting the template for the MTV era. Culture Club's 'Karma Chameleon' was the year's biggest seller, Boy George's androgynous star power making him the most recognisable face in pop. The Police released 'Synchronicity' with 'Every Breath You Take', a stalker anthem misunderstood as a love song. Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams' was still riding high. The Smiths released their self-titled debut album, Johnny Marr's jangly guitars and Morrissey's witty miserablism creating indie's template. New Order's 'Blue Monday' was released – the biggest-selling 12-inch single ever, a seven-minute dance epic that still sounds futuristic. Frankie Goes to Hollywood signed to ZTT and recorded 'Relax'. The British independent scene was thriving – Rough Trade, Factory and Mute were essential labels. The charts were a battle between polished pop and the emergent independent spirit. 1983 was British pop at its most confident, colourful and commercially dominant.