Why Music on the 80s Miami Vice Was So Cool

The Michael Mann ‘Miami Vice’ television show in the mid-80s was more than an entertaining hour of TV it reflected a happy 80s ‘self-absorbed’ movement the kids were feeling. Two worlds collided in the early 80s – MTV made music hip again with video, and drug use was an at an all-time high, particularly cocaine. Putting the day’s pop songs in a cops and robbers show was brilliant (with the exception of the failed Cop Rock series in 1990). The clothes are worn by the actors, the colors used on sets, and the weaving of contemporary music stars and 80s music, made the show ‘must watch’ during its brief run.

The list of music notables appearing or having their tunes heard during the run of the show was amazing. KISS’ Gene Simmons, Phil Collins, the Godfather of Soul James Brown, Ted Nugent, Frank Zappa, Little Richard, and the Eagles Glenn Frey all played characters on the show.

The top five songs used in the series (in our opinion) are “In The Air Tonight” from Phil Collins, The Theme song from Jan Hammer, “All Night Long” from Lionel Richie, Glenn Frey’s “Smugglers Blues,” and “Naughty Naughty” from John Parr.

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