That electronic sound

Igor Stravinsky's "Suite from The Firebird" is probably the most sampled piece of classical music in the history of the world.  Don't believe me?  Listen to the first four seconds of the movement Infernal Dance of Kastchei.

'Infernal Dance' ('Firebird') - Stravinsky

Sound familiar?  How about now?

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock

Here's a more popular song from 1983.

Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart

And here's that synthesizer orchestra hit pulled from the song:

Yamaha CS1X Synthesizer Orchestra Hit

This chord became the leitmotif for the 1980's and it all originated with a single moment from a performance first experienced in 1910. 

For an extensive look at this chord and it's relation to all things 80's, check out this mini-documentary from Vox below: