I love to talk to people and get to know them better.
Of course, I much prefer visiting with people in real life. There’s nothing better than sitting next to each other, face-to-face and having a conversation.
But, with busy schedules and friends and family spread out all over the world, those real life conversations can’t always happen.
Sure, there’s social media – and that can be a fun way to stay in touch with people you don’t see on a regular basis. But not everyone is into social media.
So….
I’ve started this new weekly series here called “Something to Chat About“.
A place where I’ll ask a question and hopefully you’ll post your answer as a comment below.
Don’t be shy!
It’s just me.
And, well, anyone else who decides to read and follow my blog.
Seriously. Let’s give this a go and have a conversation among friends, family, and acquaintances. Hopefully we’ll meet some new friends along the way.
The question this week is…
*What are some of your favorite songs from your childhood or teen years?
Oh. My. Gosh.
I think I have WAY too many favorite songs from my childhood and teen years!
Music meant a lot to me (it still does), and I listened to my records over and over and over and over again.
As a pre-teen, I especially loved listening to my 45s on my portable record player. I could play those records in my bedroom with my girlfriends, in our family room with all our neighborhood friends, and even outside on the driveway while we roller skated to the music.
As a teen, I continued to listen to my 45s and started collecting albums – all of which I still have.
In time, my portable record player got upgraded to a better stereo component that stayed in my room.
Then came the cassette tapes that I could listen to in my Pontiac Firebird. I literally have hundreds and hundreds of these tapes – and yes, I still have them, too.
My music tastes have always varied quite a bit, but always pop or rock-and-roll. I am NOT a country music fan, and rap is just not my thing.
Favorite Bands
As a pre-teen – I was really into music by The Partridge Family, Donny Osmond, The Carpenters, The Monkey’s, and any rock-and-roll 45s I got to choose from my Grandma’s Jukebox at her tavern.
As a young teen, I loved Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Beach Boys.
I progressed to Queen, Prince, Aerosmith, AC/DC, the Eagles, ZZ Top, Rush, Styx, Journey, Van Halen, Foreigner, and Steve Miller Band.
Favorite Songs
While it’s really hard for me to pinpoint a “favorite” song from my childhood or teen years, the songs that stand out the most to me are “Go Away Little Girl” (Donny Osmond), “Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted” (The Partridge Family), “Johnny Angel” (The Carpenters), “Daydream Believer” (The Monkeys), “Electric Funeral” (Black Sabbath), “In a Gadda Da Vida” (Iron Butterfly), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen), and “Little Red Corvette” (Prince).
There are SO many songs from my childhood that I still listen to and enjoy, and so many other songs from the 1980s that I love. Music from the 1990s to present just isn’t the same – I think the 1980s was the last era of “real” talent and awesome music.
I change the Today’s Listen here on my blog on a daily basis. Tune in each day to discover great songs from the 1980s and earlier. You can also click on Music That I Enjoy for a playlist of some of my most favorite songs. This list is updated daily, as well.
So… tell me about you. Post your answer as a comment below and let’s chat!
JayDee, I think we must be of the same generation as I remember all those songs!
The song that first came to mind for a favorite from childhood is Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”. I only heard it on the radio, but I absolutely loved it (and still do). My older sister was really into Elton John so “Rocket Man”, “Bennie and the Jets”, and “Honky Cat” were also favorites.
The first record albums I ever bought were ELO’s “Out of the Blue” and Supertramp’s “Breakfast in America”. I think I must have been about 10 years old. I still enjoy both. In my teen years I was really into The Jam and The Clash, as well as British ska bands like The Specials and The Selector. I also liked Adam and the Ants, Squeeze, Elvis Costello, and lots more I can’t think of because I’m getting old 😁
Once I was in college (and since) I was not so good at keeping up with new music. I do remember my junior year, 1988, was the year of Cowboy Junkies “The Trinity Session” album. That one got played a lot!
In the 1990s and early 2000s the new music I heard was mostly by local musicians and by small touring bands. Lots of good music and good musicians, and I’m glad I bought a few of the CDs by bands that are no more.
Now I occasionally listen to BBC 6 radio when I’m working and have heard some new songs I really like – so don’t give up on new music. My faves from last summer were “It Might Get Dark” by White Denim and “Like Sugar” by Chaka Khan. When I heard “It Might Get Dark” my first reaction was “why haven’t I heard this T Rex song before?”
Sorry to be so long-winded – it’s a fun question!
Your song choices are ones I really like, too! Superstition, Rocket Man, Bennie and the Jets…. I’ll be singing these songs in my head all week. 🙂
I’ve never heard of BBC 6 radio, and am now anxious to check it out – thank you!
Love your eclectic taste in music – that makes it more fun. Thank you for sharing!