It was the era of big hair, fluorescent fashion and Walkmans, but the 1980s are also remembered as one of music’s golden ages.
So it’s not surprising that this generation is celebrated on TikTok for their enthusiastic dance moves.
In recent weeks, the hashtag #80sdancechallenge has been used on more than 10,000 videos and has been viewed millions of times.
As part of the viral trend, millennial kids are playing Bronski Beat’s 1984 hit Smalltown Boy and asking their parents to show them how they danced in the ’80s.
Earlier this year, TikTok user Ethan Baylin went viral when he convinced his mother to join the trend.
TikTok user Ethan Baylin posted this video on social media of his mother dancing as she did in the 1980s
Although initially apprehensive, Ethan’s mother – who was dressed in a gray playsuit and white socks – broke out into a joke.
As she got more into the dance, she raised her arms in the air and twirled for the camera.
The video has been viewed more than 7 million times and has been liked by more than 500,000 people.
One fan replied: ‘I love this trend because at first you can kind of tell how old they are, but once they start dancing they look much younger.’
Another said: ‘Ahh, she loves the memories.’
A third said: ‘When I see this trend I think all the parents were dancing exactly the same way.’
Moreover, TikToker Phoebe – who has 670,000 followers on the account she shares with her father Paul – was also quick to jump on the trend.
She captioned her video: ‘Nice to see his moves haven’t changed in 40 years…’
TikToker Phoebe – who has 670,00 followers on the account she shares with her dad Paul (pictured) – was also quick to jump on the trend.
TikToker Meg, from Britain, also jumped on the trend and asked her mother (pictured) to dance as she stood on the threshold of her bedroom
The 20-second video starts with Paul clicking his fingers before becoming more and more invested in the song.
As the viral video, which has racked up more than 236,000 likes, draws to a close, Paul sways back and forth and raises his arms in time with the beat.
Asda’s official TikTok commented: ‘The way he started off shy and then got straight into it.’
Another said: ‘I still have a game!!’
“I dance the same way,” a third wrote. “We all do that from back then!”
TikTok user Alexis (pictured) uploaded a video of her uncle dancing along to Smalltown Boy as part of the trend
TikTok user Gemma uploaded a video to her social media of her parents (photo) dancing as they did in the 1980s
TikTok user Ellie also joined in on the trend, posting a video of her mother dancing to Smalltown Boy
In May, TikTok user Alexis uploaded a video of her uncle dancing along to Smalltown Boy.
After staring into the camera for a few seconds, Alexis’ family member broke into a lively dance, stomping his feet and wiggling his shoulders.
The bearded uncle – who was wearing jeans and a black jacket – ends the video by pacing back and forth and turning his back to the camera.
Alexis captioned the clip: “Tell my uncle to dance like he did in the 80s.”
One fan replied: ‘Always the smile and dancing that takes me back!’ Another said, “Go get it, uncle!”
Meanwhile, TikToker Meg, from Britain, also jumped on the trend and asked her mother to dance while standing on the threshold of her bedroom.
Although unsure at first, the mother – dressed in a white cardigan and striped sweatpants – quickly figured out how to move her arms and began wiggling from side to side before raising her hands.
One fan replied, “I love how she started smiling, like she remembered something from before… like who she was or someone. She is beautiful!’
“80s women were so stylish,” added another.