| Abstract | This thesis explores the relationship between the synthesizer and what I call “showiness” in 1970s and 1980s new wave and synth pop music. I first define what showiness is in music. Then, I analyze the music of new wave band Blondie and synth pop band Duran Duran to find the correlation between the synth and showiness. Furthermore, I explore extramusical elements of showiness in both bands, including sexuality, fashion, stage performances, and music videos. I supplement my own observations with those of journalists and fans through archival research, focusing on the opinions of 1970s and 1980s critics and consumers. I relate elements of these bands’ showiness to the culture of 1980s America, which I argue is a showy decade in fashion, entertainment, and music. This thesis opens the discussion of showiness in all forms of popular music by defining the concept and exploring it in depth within two musical styles. |
