One could argue that a person’s musical taste develops over the course of three acts: junior high, high school and college. I started sixth grade in 1982 and graduated from high school in 1989. A lot happened in there with music and pop culture, but the biggest influence on all of us Gen Xers can be wrapped up in three letters: MTV.
What we listened to, what we wore (or wanted to wear), how we danced… so much of it came from the music videos on MTV, which was so much fun back then. It was brand new, and such a blast watching artists figure out this new music video thing.
Anyway, this week’s playlist is a tiny sampling of music that takes me right back to those days. And when I say tiny, I mean tiny. This is defininely a “Vol. 1” of many more to come.
Have a great week, do good work and please get vaccinated.
This week’s playlist…
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1 Comment
Morning Mr. Hahn,
This comment turned out a little longer than anticipated. Take a little stroll down memory lane with me if you like 🙂
First. I love Space Age Love Song (FOS) so much and seeing it on your ‘So 80s’ list brought a smile.
Secondly, I also feel the power of MTV is difficult to communicate not just because of its new vibe but because of the culture and context within which it was generated. The media landscape could be considered almost barren as compared to today. While my dad (as you may recall) had a LOVE of the ill-fated BetaMax, we did not have cable, and alas no MTV.
When I was in probably second or third grade, I left the house 10 or 15 minutes early ostensible so I could walk to the bus stop with my friend Adriana, but in truth, it was mostly because they had cable. Adriana (‘Age’) would still be getting ready and I, with the boldness of a kid who had spent enough time at a friend’s house to feel a certain privilege level, would turn on their TV so I could watch MTV for 10 minutes before we left.
The video that always seemed to be on during that 10 minute window was ‘You Got Lucky’ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was shot like the band was in an old western saloon. I sat in front of their TV, way too close of course, and was mesmerized.
Enjoy the day!
J