1982 Fun Facts, History and Trivia

Quick Facts from 1982:

• World Changing Event: The Commodore 64 became the first popular ‘home use’ computer in many homes.
• The Top Song was I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
• The Movies to Watch include E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Rocky III, The Toy, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Creepshow and Sophie’s Choice
• The Most Famous Person in America was probably Diana, Princess of Wales
• Notable books include: The Death of Captain Marvel by Jim Starlin and Space by James A. Michener and The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
• Price of a Schwinn bicycle in 1982: $202.00
  Sony Walkman: $129.00
• The Comeback Funny Guys were: Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby
  The Funny Late Night Host: Johnny Carson
  The Funny Later Night Host: David Letterman
• Heard it Before? Michael Jackson took the line “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa” from Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango’s 1972 afro-funk classic Soul Makossa and used for his song Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. Rihanna also used it with Don’t Stop The Music in 2007.

“The Quotes:”
“E.T. phone home”
– E.T. in E.T. The Extra-terrestrial

“They’re Here”
– Heather O’Rourke in Poltergeist

“RAID kills bugs dead”
– RAID

“When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight”
– FedEx

Like – Used as an interjection: “That was, like, the worst thing ever!” or to indicate speech: “And she was like ‘Get out of my way!'”

As if – lit. “yeah, right” or “as if” except it does not use a subject; expresses disbelief.

Bitchin’ –  slang for excellent; first-rate. Though a derivative of “bitch”, bitchin’ is sometimes not considered profane.

Grody – Gross

Whatever! – short for “whatever you say”; sarcastic interjection often emphasizing the final syllable.

Fer shur –  “For sure”, often used in agreement.

Totally -“I agree” or “completely.”

Oh my God (later OMG!) – can be used many ways; expresses shock.

Tre – A synonym for “very” (derived from French “très”)

So… – Very; used frequently and said with strong emphasis.

Seriously – Frequent interjection of approval.

Gnarly – an expression of seriousness. Can be a word for very intense or very pleasing

Are you serious? – expression of surprise.

Anyways… – Substitute for the grammatically correct “Anyway…”

Pop Culture News:
Surround Sound was introduced for home use by Dolby.

1982 – EA (Electronic Arts) was founded.

(Paul) Newman’s Own opened for business, making a profit from year one, and donating all profits to charity.

Lowest PGA score of 63 played by Ray Floyd.

GM introduced the General Motors’ Saturn car company.

1982 was the year Kenneth Cole launched his shoe company.

Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was released on November 30th. Depending on who you talk to, up to 110,000,000 copies were sold. Two of them were mine.

Adobe was founded in California by Chuck Geschke and John Warnock in 1982.

Cost of a Superbowl ad in 1982: $324,000

1982 Billboard Number One Songs:
November 21, 1981 – January 29, 1982:
Physical – Olivia Newton-John

January 30 – February 5:
I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) – Daryl Hall & John Oates

February 6 – March 19:
Centerfold – J. Geils Band

March 20 – May 7:
I Love Rock n’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

May 8 – May 14:
Chariots of Fire theme Vangelis

May 15 – July 2:
Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

July 3 – July 23:
Don’t You Want Me – The Human League

July 24 – September 3:
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

September 4 – September 17:
Abracadabra – The Steve Miller Band

September 18 – October 1:
Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago

October 2 – October 29:
Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp

October 30 – November 5:
Who Can It Be Now? – Men at Work

November 6 – November 26:
Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

November 27 – December 10:
Truly – Lionel Richie

December 11- December 17:
Mickey – Toni Basil

December 18, 1982 – January 14, 1983:
Maneater – Hall & Oates