When new wave music first came onto the scene in 1977, it wasn’t taken seriously as a genre that could breakout and revolutionize pop music.

By 1981, however, everyone was taking new wave seriously.

In a year that defined change, from ushering in a more conservative era  in politics to a Cold War that was dissolving into World War III, the biggest change was in music.  The days of traditional instruments and percussion were fading away and in its place rose a more technology-driven sound that would go on to captivate the charts.

Sure, new wave had already taken over Great Britain, as groups such as Madness, Duran Duran, and The Police were beginning to dominate the charts. But in 1981, new wave mania was starting to cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach the United States, landing hits on the Billboard charts that, just a couple of years earlier, was barely getting radio airplay on American pop radio stations.

That’s why 1981-1984 will be considered the “golden years” for new wave, which will be documented through riveting stories and music videos in part two of our special series "Riding the Wave," which tells the story of new wave music and its tremendous impact on popular music. If you thought part one was a hoot, wait until you read what's in store for part two.

From the rise and behind the scenes chaos of The Police to the music that made Culture Club and the drama that broke them up, the second part of "Riding the Wave" promises to be one that should be up for a Pulitzer Prize (OK, not that, but at least a Webby Award).

The glory years of new wave produced some of the most memorable acts in music, and although we couldn’t get to them all, we feel like the bands that we are going to cover within this chapter has gone on to re-define the pop music landscape.

So make sure that you have that Members Only jacket and colorful hand band on deck, and enjoy this trip back the days of Reagan, big hair, and synths in the newest installment of "Riding the Wave."