Those of us Gen X folks who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s truly lived through the best eras for music. While we were young, we cut our teeth on music from the 1960s and early 1970s. . I vividly remember listenting to The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd among others. Throughout the 1970s, excluding disco, some amazing artists stepped forward: Rush, Kiss, Peter Frampton, Elton John, Billy Joel, on and on. Through the 1980s we enjoyed the rise of MTV, hair bands, rap, the King of Pop, etc. The 1990s, which I consider the golden years for Gen X, gave us The Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden, NIN, etc. Let’s not forget Nu-Metal rode in on the coattails of alternative and gave us juggernauts like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of music throughout that era, but it’s indicative of the music that captured my attention during this span. However, I left out a movement that hits a sweet spot for me. It’s the post-punk, new wave movement that started in Manchester England in the mid to late 1970s. The greatest influence of the genre was Joy Division. While only releasing two albums due to the death of frontman Ian Curtis, they influenced many bands, and continued making music as the remaining members formed New Order and never looked back. So many notable bands sprang from the movement: The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs, and Bauhaus among many.
I was in middle school and high school when this musical movement broke out in the states. At the same time, John Hughes and a few other movie makers were creating movies that featured teens and dealt with the difficulties of relationships in high school. They were essentially romantic comedies with young actors. Each movie featured wonderful soundtracks with a variety of music, including some post-punk, new wave selections. The movies I’m referring to are Valley Girl, 16 Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and the Chocolate War. While not Oscar movies, they will always have a special place in my heart due to the relatable stories and amazing music. Anytime I listen to music of this era, I can’t help but think of these movies with fondness.
With that in mind, I have created a playlist featuring some amazing music from that unforgettable era. There is a lot of music from that era that could easily go on this playlist. I wanted to make one with songs that I truly love and that I could listen to in one sitting. 23 songs is more than enough for a single playlist. Hope you enjoy and find something you haven’t heard.
Bring on the Dancing Horses- Echo and the Bunnymen
If You Leave- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Bizarre Love Triangle- New Order
Only for You- The Essence
Whisper to a Scream- The Icicle Works
Under the Milky Way- The Church
Love My Way- The Psychedelic Furs
I Melt with you- Modern English
Time and Space- Flesh for Lulu
Pictures of You- The Cure
The Killing Moon- Echo and the Bunnymen
New Dawn Fades- Joy Division
Whirlpool Heart- The Wild Swans
Don’t You (Forget About Me)- Simple Minds
Love Like Blood- Killing Joke
Ceremony – New Order
The Cat- The Essence
Falling and Laughing- Orange Juice
Blue Monday- New Order
Boys Don’t Cry- The Cure
She’s in Parties- Bauhaus
How Soon is Now?- The Smiths
Yaz- Only You
Love Will Tear us Apart- Joy Division
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