I graduated from high school in 1980- the same year that Rupert Holmes released his recording of “Him”. I think think it must have been at college or perhaps it was at an institute dance when a live band played that Rupert Holmes song. Many of us listened intently wondering how they would incorporate the lyrics “Over by the window is a pack of cigarettes” and laughed when they sang “a pack of Wrigley’s gum”
I thought it an odd song to play as the theme implies that his wife is having an affair, but I still liked the song. Many times we listen without understanding the meaning but may find it has a great rhythm or melody or what have you. The ‘80’s seemed to spin out a wide variety of popular music that continues to be played at Chruch dances.
I remember when Jenna was born, I was feeling out a baby book and one of the questions was what are some of the popular songs the year you are born. I didn’t have a clue. I asked the boys and they gave me titles such as Survivor’s: “Eye of the Tiger” or some hit from Journey.
“No, these songs are older than you. Those were the songs played when I went to college” but that’s all they knew – songs of the 80’s.
Though Jenna and her brothers are technically all of the same generations, there are 15 plus years between her and them. And, as she likes to remind us, she was born in a different century.
Last month we took her to her first dance. The ad was featured as a “Mormon Prom”. It was in Eugene, which I thought was a long way to go. We spent hours looking for a dress before settling on one that fit her personality but didn’t look like your typical prom dress. But it was a church dance with a strict dress code – or so I thought. Turns out Eugene is a lot more lax than Salt Lake. A LOT more.
We went to Roseburg to pick up Manuel and took the two of them to Eugene. Roland and I had a dinner date while the two of them stayed at the church eating food and making comments about what others were wearing and if they thought it looked appropriate for church or not.
We finished our dinner before the dance had ended and chose to wait in the foyer and do some crossword puzzles while we waited. I could hear some songs from the ‘80’s and smiled knowing that Jenna was listening to the same tunes that I had listened to in College and her brothers had listened to just before and after she was born. She will sing along with Journey, Cyndi Lauper and Cultural Club. I am so impressed!
1980’s produced some fun music. I’m so happy to hear that it hasn’t retired.
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