You May Need A Drink; Songs Turning 40 In 2023
Last night I was scrolling on Facebook, and one of my best friends posted a montage of songs that will be turning 40 this year. After I watched the three-minute video, I needed a drink! All of these songs came out when we were in middle school, and it doesn’t seem like 40 years!
The year was 1983. I was 13 years old and my obsession with music was just beginning. MTV was massive, and even now, hearing these songs makes me think of the videos. I watched MTV constantly! And although my true obsession became hard rock in towards the end of 1983 and into 1984, all of the songs in this video montage bring back memories.
Culture Club’s ‘Karma Chameleon’ was huge in 1983. And the video was the first time I saw singer Boy George. Like many folks in ’83, I thought he was a woman when I first saw him. His style and makeup was a huge influence on pop culture. Not as much here as in larger cities, but no question Boy George and Madonna influenced fashion that year and throughout the 80’s.
The Police, U2, Huey Lewis & The News, Billy Idol, New Edition and more are all featured in the video. But without question, the band and song that influenced me the most in 1983, is Def Leppard’s ‘Photograph’. And I STILL love that song!
In the summer of 1983, the Def Leppard ‘Pyromania’ album was massive! It was the second cassette I bought with my allowance. The first was Loverboy’s ‘Get Lucky’ cassette. The ‘Pyromania’ album brings back so many memories for me. The summer of 1983 is when I first began to develop my own musical taste. That summer is when I had my first kiss and my first beach trip with my best friend Lisa. That summer, before 8th grade, is when my ‘awkward’ stage was disappearing. I got my braces off, and my confidence grew.
Most of my radio career has been spent in rock radio. I bet I’ve played Def Leppard’s ‘Photograph’ song over 1,000 times. And no matter how many times I’ve played it or heard it, I still love it! That song always makes me smile, and the memories of innocence and tween life come flooding back to me every time I hear it. 1983 was great!
It’s wild watching this video because all of these songs turning 40 impacted my life in some way. These were the songs that were the soundtrack to my middle school years. Nostalgia is a funny thing. I can’t remember what I did last Tuesday, but I can remember lots of the events from 1983, and in the 80’s in general.
If you were around in the early 80’s, you’ll love this video. Maybe not the fact that 1983 was 40 YEARS ago, but the songs will make you smile!
