The 1980s in Denmark are often called the decade of uncertainty. A decade marked by economic crisis and fear of nuclear war. While the politicians introduced the so-called potato cure, which was supposed to curb private consumption and strengthen the country's economy, many families were broken up by divorce.
The new virus HIV spread fear of life-threatening infection and stigmatized homosexuals, especially due to ignorance of how HIV was transmitted.
As a reaction to precisely hopelessness and desperation, the bz and punk movement arose, where young people gathered in strong communities about the occupation of abandoned houses, raw music and anarchic rebellion against the bourgeoisie and authorities.
Citizen Denmark rallied around a series of new entertainment programs on commercial TV channels that followed the break from DR's former monopoly. The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 became the symbol of the end of the Cold War, and a new era and faith in the future saw the light of day.
I was young in the 80s and ... used cobalt blue mascara and eyeliner. Shoulder pads, ribbon salad, permed curls and the sound of George Michael. And for relaxation I saw Ghostbusters.
I didn't jump like the most natural in Levis jeans (which were called cowboy pants), Lacoste T-shirt and Docksides boat shoes. But I bought my clothes second-hand. I made waves in the page hairstyle with way too much mousse or jelly. My task was a fjällräven and not the well-known brands.
I had little money and worked a lot because I did not had the opportunity a student loan with a 20 percent rent. The bank book was over when I got a Dankort, and I still remember where I was when I tried it for the first time. It was HUGE.
I went on the Interrail to Greece with loads of other young people and happily slept in front of the train toilet because there was no room anywhere else.
I thought Grace Jones made the coolest music ever. She had the coolest shoulder pads and even walked with shoulder pads. I thought fresh pasta was new and wildly exotic.
We lived with ONE TV channel. I repeat: ONE TV channel! I was with the rest of Denmark watching Eleva2ren on Friday evening. There wasn't really anything else to see either.
I had a walkman — and the batteries lasted an hour. I made home-mixed cassette tapes (and played them on your yellow SONY walkman. I had Morten Harket (from a-ha) and Carola (from Melodi grandprix) hanging on the wall.
I got drunk on Liebfraumilch or cherry wine and have had a strained relationship with both ever since.
I said sweetshirt because I didn't know the word sweatshirt. Maybe because I loved Eurythmics and I sing along with ”Sweet Dreams”. I had to wear grown carrot pants, and Pisang Ambon. But it was not easy for me and my circle of friends, as it was not of your belief that the more permanent in my hair, the better.
