Put the Needle on the Record: The 1980s at 45 Revolutions Per Minute

by Matthew Chojnacki, Jake Shears (Foreword), Nick Rhodes (Afterword)

In the 1980s, music defined the moment: Video Killed The Radio Star ushered in MTV, Dont You (Forget About Me) ruled The Breakfast Club, and I Still Havent Found What Im Looking For became the anthem of a generation. The 1980s were also the most visually provocative era of the last millennium. Every new vinyl single hit the stands wrapped in eye-catching sleeves that reflected the latest trends. Put The Needle On The Record is pop culture historian Matthew Chojnackis definitive guide to 7- and 12-inch vinyl single artwork from the 80s. He presents and compares more than 250 vinyl single covers representing nearly every prominent musician of the decade. Read the previously untold stories behind the most iconic images from the designers and visual talent behind Madonna, Prince, Pink Floyd, Queen, Adam Ant, Iron Maiden, The Clash, Pet Shop Boys, Van Halen, and more. Coupled with exclusive commentary from more than 100 of the 80s biggest musicians, including Annie Lennox, Duran Duran, Run-DMC, Devo, The B-52s, Erasure, The Human League, Scorpions, The Knack, and Yoko Ono, this is an authoritative journey back to the songs and images that continue to influence our culture.

Genres: Music

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2011

Reviews

[RebL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is far less about the music on the 45, and much more about the sleeve design, which is perfectly OK with me. Each two-page spread features two visually similar designs and some discussion. Not every record featured gets discussed, though, which is the only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars. A perfect book for 80s kids and design nerds alike. Would also make a good Spotify playlist.

UPDATE: Apparently I read this book in 2012 and had completely forgotten, but I just found a review I wrote in my old LJ which reads, "THIS is your 80s music nostalgia book right here. A catalog of picture sleeve art from 45s? Yes, please! And an afterword by Nick Rhodes? Yes, please!" So I guess I enjoyed it then, too.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a child of the 1980’s. My late teens and early 20’s encompassed that decade, and what I remember of it was a lot of fun. There’s a lot of it I don’t always remember that I am also told was a lot of fun. More than anything, though, what I loved about the decade was the music. It was such a part of my growing-up years that for a while I wanted to have a career in the music industry. I bought record albums (remember those?) almost as soon as they came out and listened to an alternative station on Long Island rather than the top-40 that was coming out of New York City. I could rattle off the concerts I went to as a teen, often riding the train into the City with my friends and not coming home until the sun was coming up.

When I first heard about the book Put the Needle on the Record: The 1980s at 45 Revolutions Per Minute, I was intrigued, to say the least. I’ve said for a long time that the development of the CD (and now digital music) in a way ended the art of the album cover. Just check out the 12×12-inch cover of The Rolling Stones’ Tattoo You or Asia’s debut album and it’s something impressive that we don’t see as much of anymore. What I didn’t realize, since I usually just bought albums, was that there was art going on with regard to the sleeves the 45rmp singles were sold in. This book captures that art.

To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...

[Angela(Angie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool format--I like that he has 2 albums side by side and compares both the music and cover art.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever arrangement of record sleeves, a bit irregular in collecting the lord behind them. On a pure design level it is 5 stars.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

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