The More Things Stay the Same

No matter what era you are talking about, stuff goes on that can cause one to say, "These are scary times."

There are scary things going on today; political stuff, crimes against humanity, international unrest. These things are also nothing new, yet there are modern songs that describe the fears of what is going on in the world now. Using music to express concerns in the world we live in is also as old as politics.

The 80s was no different. We were scared of going to war with the Soviet Union and burning to death in a nuclear war. Although, the "enemy" has since shifted to the Middle East, the message of the songs are timeless.

Take "Russians," from Sting, for example. We are of the same race, but when we are taught to fear a group of people, they become inhuman to us and it's difficult to think of them as creatures who love their children the same way we love ours.



People's faith in today's government is very shaky, but people's faith in the government has always been shaky, regardless of the face or the party.



The idea of going to war is scary and war itself usually has little to do with the good of the people, but the profit of the rich politicians. Who gets hurt the worst? Our future generation.



Many people are all for war, but that's usually before they get into the think of it. When they see how bad it really is, it can't be undone. You can't say, "Oopsy!" and make it all better.



Looking at today's politics, tragedies, and hopes, how we feel about the world we live in is no different from 30 years ago. Back then we asked if there was a future. The future is now but the question is still the same.

Catch Me I'm Fireflies

A couple of years ago, my daughter absolutely could not get enough of listening to a song called "Fireflies" by a musical project called "Owl City."

I listened to it with her. It is definitely catchy and I liked it too; however the more I listened to it, the more retro it sounded. I knew that "Fireflies" wasn't a rip-off from an older song, but I recognized the familiar 80s feel.

I wondered aloud if there was a Duran Duran influence? Perhaps INXS or The Pet Shop Boys? My daughter wouldn't hear of it! This was a modern song and she didn't want me ruining it for her with my talk of it not being entirely original. But, to me, the synthesizer and bits of distorted voice sounded so out of place on today's radio. It occurred to me that it had somewhat of the same feel of "Catch Me I'm Falling" from Real Life (from 1983) as if the two songs could have come from the same source.



After finding and listening to "Catch Me," I searched and found the music video for "Fireflies." In the video is an assortment of toys made in the 70s and 80s. This leads me to believe that the 80s feel of the song was deliberate and a likely tribute to the sound of my generation.

My daughter refuses to see a connection. She also says I'm weird for saying "Fireflies" sounds retro. Of course I'm weird but I don't see a connection with that and the retro thing.
Either way, here's Owl City and their very 80s-sounding "Fireflies." Perhaps YOU might see a connection...

80s Music Still Makes Me Smile

Hi. My name is Julie and I'm a Duranie.

The 80s was a fun time for music. Making a hit didn't require knowing how to play an instrument (though it sometimes helped) but there was so much room on the canvas of pop-culture for originality, freshness, and plain weirdness that just somehow worked.

Although I did not closely follow fashion trends, watch every movie, or even talk valley-girl, the 80s molded my very being. My nightly friend was KPLZ 101.5 FM. BOP and Tiger Beat magazines supplied me with wallpaper adorned with sultry eyes that watched me put on neon pink socks and pour peroxide in my hair. My headphones crooned me to sleep at night with Duran Duran, David Bowie, or Billy Idol cranked up all the way.

However, I have since grown up. 101.5 usually plays unfamiliar stuff. John Taylor's bedroom eyes are no longer in my bedroom. I wear boring socks. Peroxide is used for medical purposes only. My ears stay uncovered in case the kids should need me in the night. But I still have my picture disks!

In spite of my removal from childhood, I still like the music. I have all sorts of bits of 80s music trivia memorized. After listening to a few seconds of an 80s song on an "oldies" station I can usually identify the song and artist. My husband seems impressed with my odd storage of information.

This blog is largely about my fascination with the 80s era, how it affected me, and how my ideas and beliefs evolved. Those who find my posts interesting might still own a picture disk or two themselves.