On Record - Vol. 2: 1984

Remember 1984?

The year happily wasn’t like the book of the same name. The introduction of the Macintosh computer took a sledgehammer to it. So did the emergence of Mario Bros. Technology also ushered in compact discs, and cassettes outsold vinyl for the first time. It was the “Year of the Yuppie,” with fashion trending towards shoulder pads and power suits, neon-colored fabrics and parachute pants. The Space Shuttle Discovery launched its maiden voyage, while iconic movies such as Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and Footloose ruled the box office.

And through it all, there was the unforgettable music that defined the moment and became the soundtrack to our lives.

There were indelible albums—Prince’s Purple Rain, Madonna’s Like a Virgin and Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. Van Halen’s “Jump” became one of the most popular summer singles by the biggest band on the planet. The burgeoning influence of MTV forever changed how we saw artists and envisioned their songs, bringing the synth-pop genre and the growing influence of hip-hop culture to a massive audience. Alternative rock and hardcore were on the rise with R.E.M. and Black Flag, respectively.

In On Record “Vol. 2: 1984”—the second title in his award-winning series—acclaimed music journalist G. Brown transports readers back to one of the most vibrant years in music history. Through vivid storytelling and striking imagery, Brown shares his decades of exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and an archive of nearly 15,000 rare editorial photographs. Through his incisive writing and historical perspective, On Record “Vol 2: 1984” captures the energy, innovation and cultural shifts that defined the era.

Explore On Record “Vol. 2: 1984” for a comprehensive record of musical legacies: 

• The emergence of Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper and Paula Abdul as dominant female artists
• Defining records from Huey Lewis & the News, George Michael, Tears for Fears and even “Weird Al” Yankovic
• Strong releases in thrash metal and hard rock from Metallica, Iron Maiden and Twisted Sister
• New wave bands such as Culture Club, Thompson Twins and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, who told the world to “Relax”
• The year’s top releases in R&B, alternative, country and jazz

On Record “Vol. 2: 1984” brims with visual narratives that inspire, educate and entertain, providing an indispensable guide to the extraordinary music of that year.

Meticulously edited and beautifully designed, this oversized edition is printed to the highest standards, making it a stunning gift or centerpiece for your living room, music room, man cave or creative space—wherever the soundtrack to your life plays loudest.