# 3 New Wave Songs From 1979 That Helped Invent the 1980s Sound

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/3-new-wave-songs-from-1979-that-helped-invent-the-1980s-sound/
- Published: 2026-10-31T18:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T19:20:00+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/3-new-wave-songs-from-1979-that-helped-invent-the-1980s-sound/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Three 1979 new wave hits anticipated the 1980s sound.
- Gary Numan’s “Cars” reached No. 9 in the US.
- The Buggles’ video later launched MTV’s music broadcasts.

## Summary

Three 1979 new wave songs helped shape the sound and culture of the 1980s, particularly through their use of synthesizers, mechanical rhythms and futuristic themes. The article argues that these tracks anticipated electronic music and the rise of music videos.

Tubeway Army’s “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” reached No. 1 in the UK and came close to the US Hot 100. Gary Numan’s “Cars” topped the UK chart and peaked at No. 9 in the US, while The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star” reached No. 1 in the UK and much of Europe; it became MTV’s first music video in 1981.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.