What's with the 'Eighties' everywhere in SL?

I had thought the quote "90% of everything is crap" was attributed to Mel Brooks which would have had a certain poetic irony; alas it is "Sturgeon's Law".

There was a lot of crap music written in the 1600s and 1700s, the stuff that is still played has lasted because it is good. Similarly, there was a ton of music made in the 1960-1990 period, most of it was crap, that which is still played is some of the better stuff. Even the inimitable "Sgt. Pepper's" has "Within You Without You" on it for reasons probably only attributable to shrooms. I've not included beyond 1990 because it takes a while to figure out what is crap and what isn't. I played a sorta mostly 80's show last night and called Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" the quintessential 80's pop song; it might be.

Finally there is what I call the "hymnal" pop music which lasts because it lasts and almost everyone shares that common experience. Does anyone really need to hear "Freebird" or "No Woman, No Cry" again? Probably not, but they are still played and loved. Even "The Dark Side of the Moon" spent almost 15 years on the Billboard charts, a good album to be sure, but a far better "hymn".

Music tastes and age correlate quite well. Folks tend to like music that was popular in their high school years and five or so years after that. It's only statistically true, of course.

There were a lot of great artists in the 80's, but by and large it was a snooze decade for popular music, IMHO. Lots of cheezy synthesizer-driven crap (and I speak as a synthesizer player). But like Ann implies, even the crap was, well, fun!

What I liked about 90's music is that my son and I could enjoy the same radio station when I took him to school. Hmm, and 2000's music seems a lot like 90's music. Which was a lot like 70's music. So, at least 80's music was a little bit different.

In any case, it's a lot easier for folks like me to put up with 80's music than it was for my parents' generation to put up with the ubiquitous rock and rock-influenced music of the last 50 years!

But would someone PLEASE put on some jazz?

Hmm, first album? Ah yes. The Beatles' "white album", which had come out not long before. Gave it to my older sister for her 13th bday.

I couldn't say which was the first I bought for myself. But I do remember my sister giving me "Dark Side of the Moon" when it was still hot from the presses; I think that was my 15th.

I think time kinda marches on through four stages.


#1 - YOUR music. Your awakening, puberty, finding of self, building of precious foundational memories. Themes for your generation.

#2 - The NEXT stuff. The stuff you don't quite get. You're not old enough to start saying "kids these days!" but you're not listening to the latest hits anymore because YOUR stuff has given way to the NEXT stuff. Thank goodness YOUR stuff isn't "oldies" yet ... 'cause those people are codgers!

#3 - YOUR music starts getting played on the "Oldies" channel. I think that's where you are now, Susie. It is kinda hard to accept. Y'know what's an even heavier head trip? ....

#4 - when the Oldies channel starts playing the NEXT stuff, from #2 above. EEEEsch!



That's where I am, there in stage #4.



Maybe there's a stage 5 ... yuk.

...

The radio in my house doesn't leave the 80's station!!

/me loves the 80's

Graduated in 88 so it's always gonna hold a special place in my heart, hopefully just stage 3 of the earlier post. Definately loved the metal bands of the era and hated the "posers" with a passion also the wierdos, however, have grown a fondness for them all more as the years go by. Keep the 80's rockin, it may not have had the social impact of the 60's but it was equally important for the progression of popular music today.