It was a surprise hearing the PiL song “The Order of Death” watching Marty Supreme. The moody pop tune is no stranger to airplay having appeared in many tv shows including Miami Vice, Mr. Robot, Industry and Freaky Tales. Non-ageist thinkers have no problem confirming; an older generations’ previous repertory provides a well of resource material for future generations of artists and filmmakers.
Backwards thinking ideology by retreating to outdated ideas is an awkward work method. It can backfire, landing you in the realm of the living dead. Then again, you might discover a goldmine. But without fail, there will continue to be creative people with burning desires in their hearts. “We always made fun of good old Pop for being too old school, but to be honest, he might be right.”
In retrospect, MTV’s assault on music began when “Video Killed the Radio Star” targeted wayward teenagers’ ears and eyes. Various music formats were used during the 1980s: albums, boomboxes, Walkmans, CDs, cassette players and FM radios. I once lived down the street near Sunset Strips’ cultural hub Tower Records and spent hours in the store up to one a.m., perusing vinyl LP album liner notes which were often better than the records.
I know there’re people who can still appreciate a good Velvet Underground song, so here’s a certified mainstream gold jukebox selection (no Throbbing Gristle this time); poetically culled and linked from current YouTubers. Ignore the irritating ad-nauseum constant reminder found at the top of today’s comment section: “Anyone here still listening in 2026?” as if you didn’t know the year. One recording after another proved, there’s lots of good ones with no shortage of stinkers. In no specific order “Don’t You Forget About Me.”
Back in the 1980s, Big Jim, who lived upstairs, liked to crank out cuts on a full-blown Technics sound system that shook an entire two-story building. Major and minor generational earthquakes were felt worldwide. Aftershocks occurred in Georgia when a band romped around artist Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in 1983 giving life to “Radio Free Europe.”
Kids just wanted to “Kiss” each other when “Lips Like Sugar” tasted sweet. All of us were “Absolute Beginners.” If you weren’t alive during the “Mad World” forget about the afterlife, we’re here already. Songs function as reminder of the journey. You may ask yourself “Why?” Places felt both familiar and unknown. In the midst of colorful chaos “Everything Counts.” Elements of songs reminded us of the greatest day that ever was, before getting gut punched at the same time. “Stop Your Sobbing” now.
If there’s a club if you’d like to go to “How Soon Is Now?” Inside, you may ask yourself “Once in a Lifetime” inner dialogues to determine the course of events that brought you to that place. After being easily seduced with no comfortable place to land “Don’t Tell Me.” At times, despair made oneself incapable of speaking in the present moment. Too naive or possibly on drugs, we needed “Magic.” Once we got silly and went to DC to see “52 Girls.”
Please “Dance with Me.” We made our way to the crowded floor. “Our Lips Are Sealed” as sentiment overwhelmed us. At 17, a born and raised Cali girl shared a mixed-tape rebranding “Our Lips Are Sealed.” That heartthrob of yours was a “Genuis of Love” for sure. You’re getting a countdown because “I Know Something’s Going On.” The hypnotic, synth-pop pulse of “Blue Monday” throbbed. Young men under flashing strobe lights were pretty, when being out took some guts. “Sweet Dreams” of military-grade appearances; spandex and oversized shoulders. “Rockit” just for kicks. “Just Like Honey” spiked hair everywhere, it was pure “Rapture.”
Songs hold special meaning to those who’ve lost loved ones. When someone departs “Just Like Heaven” a little bit of us leaves. “Ashes to Ashes” were thrown into the air and sea. Invisible threads connect the shared parts. “Avalon” rises as planets align.
“The Eighties” were parodied and deconstructed, even while happening. “Fade to Grey” there are places that no longer exist or maybe they still do. Usher in “She’s in Parties.” Even if there’s no particular connection to a location, “Doot Doot” highlighted life’s pace. That left us with a little less of everything, so “You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties.”
Face-to-face interaction was a playground for “Obsession.” Wearing a “Raspberry Beret” you were one in a million. “Beds are Burning” as cataclysmic scenarios are plausible. Questions bog the mind, is that a “Good Thing?” In the midst of everchanging turmoil we “Sail Away.” Living in “Heaven,” music reconnects a sense of authenticity in our minds. Memories are bound to get nostalgic after hearing the music of the ages. Might as well face it you’re “Addicted to Love.” Sounds tempting.