In addition to my PhD studies here at PSU, I also work at the LGBT Center part time. There I do various things, including (for a while) delivering and re-doing transgender training programs (they have hired someone to do that job who isn't me. Apparently I'm not a 'good ambassador.) In any case, PSU celebrates Pride Month in April, as no one is here in June (comparatively.) Of the three signature events of the month, one is the "Prom you didn't have" where students can be themselves.
This year, the theme was "Decades of Decadence", and we had displays about LGBT history pre-1920, 1920, and each decade until now. I was assigned 1920s, 30s, and 40s, where I drew a lot of what was happening from Weimar Germany (which I wrote about HERE) and Pansy Parties of the 20s and 30s. The music for this prom would be drawn from decades between 1920-current. I was asked to find music from my time periods. What?? The Queen of 80s music doesn't get to select 80s music! A woman who LIVED the 80s is denied?
I got over it.
Fortunately, I know enough about 20s-40s music to be dangerous, and I sent selections for each decade. But I wondered... what 80s music would the person selecting the 80s music choose? What music would someone born decades after the Decade of Greed and MTV select as the most appropriate dance-ish music of the decade?
So I made my list. As I didn't attend the event (that would've been creepy and thrown off the 'vibe'), I asked the Gen Z student (GZ) for their list so I could compare. I told them about my little thought exercise. They sent me the following (to which I've added links.)
"80s-
- “Take on Me” a-ha (upbeat dance)
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears (upbeat dance)
- “Come on Eileen” Dexys Midnight Runners (upbeat dance)
- “Careless Whisper” George Michael (cooldown)
- “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper (slow dance)
- “The Way You Make Me Feel” Michael Jackson (upbeat dance)
- “Never Tear us Apart” INXS (cooldown)"
I then sent her my list, with comments. I added links.
"Interesting (And great choices!) I went for all upbeat. And didn't look at yours, as that's the point of this exercise.
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson (over Beat It as it's just iconic. That bass line! Michael is one of 4 "must have" mainstream artists)
Vogue - Madonna (Madonna is a must have, and this one set off a craze.)
Tainted Love - Soft Cell (yes, a cover, but iconic.)
1999 - Prince (This barely beats out Let's Go Crazy or Kiss. Prince is another "must have")
Girls Just Want To Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper (Just pure joy from one of the most original mainstream 80s artists)
The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats (Oh come on- this is just fun! Bouncy silly fun song about nuclear annihilation)
Pump Up the Volume - M/A/R/R/S (That groove!) (The video isn't official, but it's fun)
Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (Gay icons break through with an infectious hook. I prefer Two Tribes, but this one is the better known)
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! (Another "must")
Nasty - Janet Jackson (Attitude, beat... yes!)
(Obviously, I had to leave a lot out. But these are what I remember as being inescapably huge songs in the clubs of the time)"
***********************************************************
In a second email, I sent this:
"My thoughts on your selections (like you care) 😉 :
- “Take on Me” a-ha (upbeat dance) This was the last one I cut. It was between this and "Pump Up the Volume." This one is iconic.
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Tears for Fears (upbeat dance) Gen X theme song. I didn't include it as it just isn't as danceable.
- “Come on Eileen” Dexys Midnight Runners (upbeat dance) Huh. I wasn't aware that y'all knew this Celtic mess of a song. One of my personal faves, an the dirtiest mainstream #1 hit of the 80s
- “Careless Whisper” George Michael (cooldown) Iconic. Perfect choice for cooldown. If I'd included slower numbers, this would be there.
- “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper (slow dance) Co-written by Rob Hyman of the Hooters (who sings backup), this was my first girlfriend and my "song." Again, iconic and would've been included over True Colors.
- “The Way You Make Me Feel” Michael Jackson (upbeat dance) My personal MJ fave, but I'll stick to Billie Jean. Still... this groove... (loses points for the stalky creepy video)
- “Never Tear us Apart” INXS (cooldown) Is this their best slow song? Easily. Moody, smoky, heartbreaking. Again, if I'd included slow jams, this would be there. Don't Change is still my fave INXS song, which was simply amazing live.
A couple of slow jams I'd consider as well:
Keep on Loving You- REO Speedwagon (8th grade dance heaven)
You're the Inspiration- Chicago. (Barely over Hard to Say I'm Sorry)
True- Spandau Ballet. So smooth. Senior year dance vibes.
I'm that type of guy- LL Cool J. Smooth hip grinder.
Purple Rain- Prince. Duh."
They never responded to the emails, so I never knew what they thought of my selections or comments (they mentioned they were surprised that they were aware of Come On Eileen, as it's very well known to Gen Z.)
I asked AI to generate a list of 80s greatest dance party hits. It returned:
Break my Stride- Matthew Wilder
Don't Stop Believin'- Journey
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics
Girls Just Want to Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper
Every Breath You Take - the Police
So obviously our robot overlords don't know squat about 80s dances.
So, what do I think of their list, and how it compares to my crusty old self's list?
As I wrote GZ, their list was interesting. Obviously it would be very hard to screw this list up, but it could be done. I'd say their choices are 'safe' and kinda what I'd expect from someone who is passingly (is that a word?) familiar with the decade's music. Then again, my selections were 'safe' as well, spanning several genres but avoiding others that might be less... identifiable, like Electronica (Kraftwerk), Avant Garde (Grace Jones comes to mind), a deeper dive into various hip hop genres (Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Sugerhill Gang), or more New Wave/New Romantics, like Adam Ant and Elvis Costello (Goody Two Shoes and Pump It Up almost made my list.)
In many ways, the music of the 1980s (my high school and college years) is timeless. It brings back memories of times good and bad, and especially of the days when the music MATTERED. Music was my escape from my life at the time and meant everything to me. In many ways it still does despite my hearing loss making listening more difficult. It reminds me of a time when I was young, and the possibilities were endless if I could just escape my small town.
I stopped being "current" with music around the end of Grunge, and really don't like much of the current stuff I hear. Not to sound like my parents, but it all sounds the same to me. I acknowledge the talent/genius of Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, but I don't listen to their music. It isn't MY music. It isn't aimed at me. So now I remain stuck in my little music cocoon of genres pre- 1994. I listen to big band, Sinatra, Doo-wop, "classic rock", and my precious 80s music. (I'm the Queen of 80s Trivia, btw.)
In the end, my final evaluation and comparison is this: who am I to judge who like what? Of course a Gen Z person would make safer choices than someone my age- they don't know the possibilities- the breadth and majesty of 80s music. It would be like me making a list of 1960s music and comparing it to a hippie's. Yes, I know a LOT about the era, but I didn't live it, and I don't know the nitty-gritty of the scenes. What would I make for an 80s party for people my age? I already did that: 4 CDs worth. :)
Oh, in case you're interested, this is the list I sent in for 20s-40s. I don't know if/what was played.
1920s
Eddie Cantor: Makin' Whoopee (mid tempo)
Sweet Georgia Brown (quick)
Sophie Tucker (fast) / Bessie Smith (slow): I Ain't Got Nobody
Jelly Roll Morton: Black Bottom Stomp (fast-ish)
Cole Porter (Ella Fitzgerald) : Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)
Irving Berlin: "Puttin' On the Ritz"
1930s
Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (mid tempo)
Bennie Goodman: Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) (fast- best known song of the big band era)
Air Mail Special (fast)
Cole Porter:
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Night and Day
Anything Goes
Andrews Sisters: "Nice Work If You Can Get It"
Glen Miller: "Moonlight Serenade" (slow, but guaranteed you know it)
Pennsylvania 6-5000
Cab Calloway: Minnie the Moocher (mid tempo)
Count Basie: One O’Clock Jump (fast)
Louis Armstrong: Stardust
Just a Gigolo (slow)
Lil’ Armstrong: Lindy Hop (fast- spawned a dance craze)
1940s
Duke Ellington: Take the A Train (mid-fast)
I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (slow- get the Ella Fitzgerald (best) or Nina Simone (if you want a more modern interpretation)
Glenn Miller: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (fast)
Andrews Sisters: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (all A.S. songs are fast)
"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree"
“Rhumboogie”
Artie Shaw: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
Be well.
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