This album shows how crazy the 80s were! The style of teased hair, padded shoulder pads, overexposed by neon lights, which dominated an entire generation. These people still can't get over it today :D
Despite the fact that, in my opinion, the 1980s were a time of the most embarrassing and kitschy solutions in art and music, one cannot deny their unique genius, which has survived to this day. Today, I want to show you an album that is a phenomenon of that time and shows something extraordinary: the completely bizarre Ronny's Pop Show. The vinyl album I am showing you is not just a record; it is a fantastic time capsule, a historical document of the funny absurdity of pop culture.
The Album: A "Monster" of a Compilation
Finally, I made a list of songs that are on this double album, and I also added a video from YouTube.
Check out the stylistic diversity – all of this used to be mainstream. Pick up your fav song and vote in comment :)
We have here hair metal – Europe, we have reggae – Bobby McFerrin, we have hip hop – EPMD, Die Ärzte – punk, Blue System – Euro Pop, Sade – Smooth Jazz and others. The 1980s, despite their ridiculousness, were characterised by enormous genre diversity within the mainstream. These were beautiful times before the internet and algorithms.
You could say it was the Spotify playlist of its time. But let's start with what this has to do with the chimpanzee on the cover.
Let me explain: in the 1980s in Germany, there was a satirical music programme hosted by a peculiar selector - Ronny!.
The Show: Presented by a Chimpanzee
And here's the best part: the show's host was a chimpanzee named Ronny. Yes, you read that right. A chimpanzee. I have no idea to what extent Ronny himself chose the songs for his compilations, and to what extent it was the work of the marketing department of German television.
In the days before political correctness became the norm, the programme became a cult part of German pop culture. Ronny the chimpanzee, with his human antics and mischievous smile, became a beloved character. He was the brand, the face and the soul of the programme. Instead of using a photo of a human presenter, the producers cleverly decided to use their most recognisable star: the chimpanzee himself.
The Cover: A Masterpiece of Creative Marketing
Which brings us back to the album cover. At first glance, the image of a vampire chimpanzee holding a glass of wine in front of a castle is so absurd that it is funny. It seems completely random. But when you know the context, the ‘why’ behind it all, everything makes sense. The vampire motif is a direct reference to the title ‘Monster Hits’, and the chimpanzee is the programme's mascot and namesake.
It wasn't just a tacky gimmick for the sake of tackiness; it was a brilliant marketing move. The cover was instantly recognisable and memorable, ensuring that anyone who saw it knew exactly what to expect – a fun, slightly over-the-top collection of hits from the famous Ronny's Pop Show. This is a perfect example of how the 1980s not only embraced kitsch and absurdity, but elevated them to a form of creative expression. It was a time when pop culture was meant to be fun, not always serious.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Record 🎶
So next time you see something similar, you can be sure that there is a deeper meaning behind these oddities. Today, these records and covers are collector's items, pieces of history. They are a testament to the crazy creativity of the 1980s, a time when a television show hosted by a chimpanzee could be a huge commercial success. You don't just have a collection of fantastic hits; you have a historical document of pop culture, a perfect snapshot of an era that wasn't afraid to be bold, a little silly and completely unforgettable.
Let's see which song from this list will get the most votes. Cast your vote in the comments by marking the number from the list! It would be great if you could write why you think it's the best song!
Check this Hits list:
A1 Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up
A2 B.V.S.M.P – Anytime
A3 Sade – Nothing Can Come Between Us
A4 Bobby McFerrin – Don't Worry, Be Happy
A5 Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True
A6 Helen Schneider – Working Girl
A7 Jeremy Days – Are You Inventive
A8 Steve Winwood – Don't You Know What The Night Can Do?
B1 John Farnham – Age Of Reason
B2 Europe – Superstitious
B3 Van Halen – When It's Love
B4 Roachford – Cuddly Toy
B5 Glenn Frey – True Love
B6 Heaven 17 – The Ballad Of Go Go Brown
B7 Eddie Money – Walk On Water
B8 Cheap Trick – The Flame
C1 Bonnie Bianco – When The Price Is Your Love
C2 Blue System – Under My Skin
C3 Jermaine Stewart – Don't Talk Dirty To Me (German Version)
C4 Ofra Haza – Galbi
C5 Die Ärzte – Westerland
C6 Style – It's A Secret
C7 The Sugarcubes – Birthday
C8 Breathe – Hands To Heaven
D1 The Pasadenas – Riding On A Train
D2 Bomb The Bass featuring Lauraine – Don't Make Me Wait
D3 The Funky Worm – Hustle! (To The Music)
D4 Anna Mwale – Touch Sensitive
D5 EPMD – Strictly Business (Radio Mix)
D6 Johnny Kemp – Just Got Paid
D7 Jellybean featuring Richard Darbyshire – Coming Back For More
D8 Pat Benatar – One Love
