3 Bands From the Second British Invasion That Dominated the 80s

The first British invasion was so good we Americans just couldn’t go without a second one. So, when the late ’70s and early ’80s hit, bands from the UK flocked to the US like moths to a flame. And well, ’80s culture is deeply indebted to them, as if it wasn’t for them the ’80s wouldn’t have been the ’80s.

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Thanks to the success of the first British invasion, the ability of British bands to leap across the pond was as seamless as could be. Matter of fact, it seemed America was yearning for another musical conquering as the ’70s had been dominated by American rock ‘n’ roll. The British took the ’80s by force and offered Generation X some of the best pop music of all time. That being so, here are three of the best bands from the 2nd British Invasion.

Duran Duran

If you grew up in the ’80s, Duran Duran most likely played at every party you attended. They were the premier ’80s boy band and made some of the most memorable songs of the decade. Some of their hit songs include “Hungry Like The Wolf” and “Come Undone.” In essence, Duran Duran was one of the main cultural influences of the 1980s.

How they go to be such an impactful force is thanks to their two No. 1 singles, a No. 1 album, and the theme song for the 1985 James Bond film, A View to a Kill. Needless to say, Duran Duran was a direct product of their atmosphere, or was it the other way around? Whose to say, but regardless, they are a complete embodiment of the decade of decadence.

The Police

Much like Duran Duran, if you were an ’80s child, you likely heard Sting and The Police around every corner. Hailing from London, The Police offered the ’80s with the sleek seductiveness it is partially known for. This musical vibe is thanks to their iconic hits “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Message in a Bottle.”

During their heyday, The Police scored six Top 10 Hits, one No.1 hit, and six Grammys. Additionally, their combination of reggae and punk music is unprecedented to this day and is what made them far more than just another boy band from the UK.

Generation X

If you were to try and persuade someone of Generation X’s talent, you would just have to say one name—Billy Idol. As the frontman of Generation X, the band and Idol swept the states with their hard-nosed ’80s punk attitude. Matter of fact, one could argue that they were the very band that made punk music an ’80s staple. No matter what you believe about that last statement, Billy Idol and Generation X were some of the greatest performers of the ’80s.

Even in 2024, “Dancing With Myself” and “Kiss Me Deadly” are still played widely throughout the world. Despite never winning any notable awards or scoring a No. 1 hit, the band is still considered a cultural force of the ’80s and one of the main contributors to the greater punk rock scene.

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