Second British Invasion
The Second British Invasion consisted of acts that came mainly out of the synthpop and New Romantic genres. These acts received exposure in the United States on the cable music channel MTV which launched in 1981. British artists, unlike many of their American counterparts, had learned how to use the music video early on. Several British acts signed to independent labels were able to outmarket and outsell American artists that were signed with major labels.
With considerable boost from MTV airplay during July 1982 The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" had a three week reign on top of the Billboard 100 chart, described by the Village Voice as the moment the Second British Invasion kicked off, they were followed by bands like Duran Duran whose glossy video's would come to symbolise the power of MTV. In 1983 30% of the record sales were from British acts. 18 of the top 40 and 6 of the top 10 singles on 18 July were by British artists. Overall record sales rose by 10% from 1982. Newsweek magazine featured Annie Lennox and Boy George on the cover of one of its issues while Rolling Stone Magazine would release an England Swings issue. In April 1984 40 of the top 100 singles were from British acts while 8 of the top 10 singles in a May 1985 survey were of British origin. In 1984 a majority of acts that signed to independent labels such as The Smiths were mining various rock influences becoming an alternative to the Second Invasion. MTV continued its heavy rotation of videos by Second Invasion acts until 1987.
Read more about this topic: Music Of The United Kingdom (1980s)
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