About The Song
Ah, the 1980s. A decade of big hair, neon lights, and the infectious melodies of synthpop. If you cast your mind back to those days, you might remember a catchy tune with a synth line that burrowed its way into your head. That, my friends, was Pretty Young Girl by Bad Boys Blue.
Released in 1985, Pretty Young Girl was a single from Bad Boys Blue’s debut album, Hot Girls, Bad Boys. The German eurodance group, formed by Trevor Taylor, John McInerney, and Steve Antony, quickly rose to fame with this song, becoming one of the defining acts of the synthpop era.
Pretty Young Girl wasn’t just another dance track. It captured a specific feeling – that youthful yearning for a special someone. The lyrics, though simple, painted a picture of a young man smitten by a girl he can’t quite reach. Lines like “Pretty young girl of my mind, How I wish you to be mine” resonated with a generation experiencing their first flushes of love.
But Pretty Young Girl wasn’t all sweetness and light. There was a touch of melancholy in the melody, a hint of the bittersweet nature of young love. The song’s catchy synth hook, a staple of the genre, provided the perfect counterpoint to the emotional lyrics. It was a song you could dance to, but it also made you think.
The impact of Pretty Young Girl went beyond the charts. The music video, featuring the band members in their signature 80s attire (think leather jackets and tight jeans), became a staple on MTV. The song transcended borders, becoming a hit across Europe and even finding success in the United States a year later.
Pretty Young Girl may not be considered high art by today’s standards, but it holds a special place in the hearts of those who came of age in the 80s. It’s a reminder of a simpler time, a time when catchy melodies and heartfelt emotions ruled the airwaves. So, the next time you hear that unmistakable synth line, take a moment to remember Pretty Young Girl and the era it defined.