The Alexander City Outlook

For most of my life, I claimed to detest ‘80s music.

I’d roll my eyes when my parents put in the “Greatest Hits of the ‘80s” CD on long trips and gripe the entire time about how terrible music was from that decade.

“But you were born in the 1980s,” my parents said. “You should love your own decade!”

I always argued that just because I was born in that decade didn’t make the music of the time any better – which I still believe, by the way.

I still don’t like most of the “hair” bands like Van Halen or Poison, and I don’t understand the appeal of some of the ‘80s British invasion music. And don’t even get me started on the terrible hairstyles and fashions.

But with the help of a program I have on my computer called Spotify, I’ve surprised myself at how much I actually enjoy some ‘80s music.

Spotify allows users to (legally) listen for free to practically any song by paying royalties to the record companies and artists. It comes with the occasional ad in between songs, but it allows you to create playlists of songs you might love but wouldn’t necessarily pay for using a service like iTunes.

It’s hard to catch me at work when I don’t have Spotify playing some of Virginia’s “greatest hits.”

The No. 1 song I listen to while I’m at work? “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News, a 1985 single made popular thanks to iconic 1980s film Back to the Future.

Other songs that have topped my Spotify charts include “Where Is My Mind?” by the Pixies, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police, “Kiss” by Prince, “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats and the famous Breakfast Club theme “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds.

I did a little research and, much to my surprise, realized that many of my favorite movies also were made during the 1980s – Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Full Metal Jacket, several of the Indiana Jones movies, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Shining, Scarface, Raising Arizona, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, When Harry Met Sally, Caddyshack, The Princess Bride and Arthur, to name a few.

So I am issuing a public retraction (mostly to my parents) for ever saying I don’t like anything that came out of the 1980s.

That decade produced some great music and great films. I can only hope the decade we’re living in now can be viewed the same way in 25-30 years – a few silly fashions, songs and movies, but with the bulk of them standing the test of time to take their place in pop culture.

I leave you with a bit of wisdom from another iconic ‘80s film’s lead character, Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Spears is managing editor for The Outlook.