My very first love was music.
Before there was Shaun Cassidy, before John Schneider, before Ralph Macchio.
I have opined more than once about my love of Steely Dan, and really, if you think about it, my first love was Rikki (don’t lose that number.)
I will assume you haven’t been around forever, and didn’t read the very first Mixtape created here. It was there that I professed my true lost calling: “Soundtrack Maker” or “Music Director” or “Person who knows exactly what music goes with what scene, *if my life were a movie, and this were a scene.” Oh, and also, my “relationship” with John Cusack.
Since Alexa keeps telling me that I am asking for an 80s Playlist, I have been making a mix tape in my head. It has been trying to escape, but it didn’t have an outlet.
Yes, yes, there was always the “Mix Tape,” but my mind has been otherwise occupied with web building.
Yet I couldn’t….let….it….go.
I went to Jr High in the 80s for Pete’s sake!!!! THE EIGHTIES!!!!!! I want to play every song I ever listened to with my angsty broken breaking falling in love arguing with my friends heart!
And so, I bring you:
Twisted Mix Tape – Jr High in the 80s Edition!
I was in Jr High from 1982-1984, there was some serious stuff happening in music then. John Cougar Mellencamp was writing some classics, Toto was making a comeback, those songs we really associate with the 80s were just starting to happen and some bands, like Chicago, were growing as far from their roots as possible. *she shakes her head sadly*
Since its been so long since the good old days…. I’m going to break the rules. 8 songs, YES 8! It’s my party, and I can’t do just 5.
MTV launched the year before I started Jr High, but that didn’t matter, we had already been watching Friday Night Videos forever. And this one, well….what can I say, The Taylor Brothers and Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes, I think I was in love with them all. That is probably why all I have to hear is the first few notes of this song, and I am INSTANTLY transported to Jr High, like no other song I know….
Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf
In Jr High, I definitely wanted to have someone spinning round and round over me……
Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band
In the early 80s John Cougar (Mellancamp) was ON FIRE. Really. American Fool was an amazing album, and he just kept pumping out the gold.
But this song, this song will forever make my heart hurt a little for how tied it is in to my past, my growing up, my who I am….
John Cougar Mellencamp – Jack & Diane
This song is on my top 20 favorite songs of all time. Since the first day I heard this song I recognized it’s excellence. And really??!! Will anyone ever really know if this is about Rosanna Arquette??
Rosanna – Toto
And this song….wow, how many times did I sit in my room and listen to this?
Every Breath You Take – The Police
And then there is the “80s music.” You know what I mean…. while Rosanna, Jack & Diane and Abracadabra were timeless. You know from the minute these songs start, what decade they were from.
I Ran – Flock of Seagulls
Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
And already the New Wave me that I would become was latching on to the music that was a little different.
Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
Let’s Dance – David Bowie
This was the hardest mix tape I have ever had to end, and I didn’t even get to Prince!!!!…..so here are some honorable mentions:
She Works Hard for The Money – Donna Summer
Church of the Poison Mind – Culture Club
Ok, this is ridiculous….look I found these searches 1982, 1983, 1984, if you are as entranced as I am….I think I know what Pandora station I’ll be playing this week!
So, These are the rules.Create a mix, not a “hey look at all the cool songs I know” we’re not snobs, if you were our best bud and you were gonna make us a tape, what would it be?
Eight songs (do your best to stick to it, I really do listen to every mix and I don’t want you to wait). Stick to the theme and try to check out the person before you, and the person after you(everyone wants to share their tunes with you).
Now get un-stumped, if you were. And join in the fun! We’re all friends here. Or we better be. I showed you mine…
It’s a link-up, go ahead and grab the code if you like, and stick it in your post too!
http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=256911
Jen Kehl 
I was in elementary school for most of the 80’s, and some of these, I had no idea what they were called or who sang them, but I totes recognize the music. Now I feel like I just walked into a Molly Ringwald film. It actually makes me want to wear pink lipstick.
Michelle, do you remember L’Oreal Sea Lily? Did we have this conversation? I loved that lipstick!
This made my entire Monday! I loved this walk, moon-walk and dance , white man’s overbite- walk down memory lane.
Have a wonderful time at Blog U and thank you for writing this and helping me to smile this rainy Monday morning.
“MY first love was music” You had me at the line because…YES!
xo
Aw Kir! I have missed these so much and wonder sometimes if I can’t just MAKE myself keep it up! I’m glad to spread some sunshine!
Ok so I love all of these (remember how Abracadabra went from ear to ear in headphones? megacool) EXCEPT Toto. I always hated them. Love you though!