Yours Truly, 2095
July 12th, 2006
If I had any balls at all, I’d be a music blogger. But the truth is, I’d only want to write about the bands/music *I* like, which is generally not what the mainstream wants/likes, and I’m not interesting and/or cool enough to write about new stuff, which means that if I were a music writer, absolutely no one would be interested in what I write about except for me and my mother. So I won’t inflict that on anyone except for just, uh, this one time I guess.
I’m stuck in the 1980s. I haven’t moved on. Nothing I listen to was made after 1994, except for The Killers, and the only reason they are *remotely* allowed is because they were heavily influenced by the 1980s and so they *sound* like they were made in the 1980s.
I was born in 1975, which means that during the decade I was most influenced by, I was no more than 14. Which means, ah, I don’t know, it’s just that I can’t help but think maybe I’m a little young for this stuff? I mean, it’s not like I listened to it in college, which is possibly the greatest four years of a person’s life in terms of music discovery, though I got some good stuff then. But it just doesn’t add up. How did we get here? I mean, I should have been listening to Tiffany and Debbie Gibson (and oh, I was. Trust me.) and New Kids on the Block (Dude. Totally saw them in concert with Tiffany. And yes, it was a defining moment, next to the time I *met* them while shopping in New York with my sister while wearing a Pepsi (!!) t-shirt, a poodle perm, giant glasses and a mouth full of braces. Donny tried to give me money – was it because I looked homeless or just needed fashion help? We’ll never know.). But I was also listening to Erasure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode (and almost got ‘DM’ tattooed on my ankle in high school. Gah.), New Order, Peter Murphy, Peter Schilling and ah, just so much more.
And I haven’t moved on! Not even a little! I still listen to the Cocteau Twins and Psychedelic Furs and I have the entire discography of New Order and Depeche Mode on my iPod. I can’t get enough of any of them, and I haven’t gotten sick of them in 15+ years. And then it hit me – it all boils down to the influence of a single album:
ELO’s Time.
Haven’t heard of it? Heard it’s cheesy? Yes! It is! But it’s also electronic and a great concept album. What’s the concept? Some dude dreams he’s traveling through time and misses his girl, ends up dating a robot (an IBM!) and bitches about acid rain. Its, um, narrated by an electronic voice, which is presumably a robot or computer or something.
I know. But it’s great.
I started listening to it when it first came out – I was in kindergarten, and my parents bought it, and even at the age of 5, I would make them play it over and over again on the 8-track until they flat-out refused to hear it even one more time. There was long, miserable time that it was discontinued, but finally, it was re-issued in 2001 with a few b-side bonus tracks that had obviously been written in the concept of the album, yet were mysteriously left off of the original. 25 years is a long time to love something, and its electronic vibe was so…soothing and lovely and perfect, even if it had this weird robot voice telling me what the year 2095 was like (it included time travel, trips to the moon and hover cars, if you’re wondering).
Critics generally hate it, and die-hard ELO fans were pretty horrified**, but it remains my single favorite album of all-time. It reminds me of my mother, who so indulgently let me listen to it over and over again, and of an innocent time. Yet it also set the scene for everything I would listen to later – OMD, Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, New Order, Electronic, Cocteau Twins, The Cure – all of them reminded me in some way of that original album.
And now I guess I’m asking y’all in a way: what’s your favorite album, or what do you listen to, and why? And if you don’t listen to music, why not? Is it time, lack of interest or just…fed up with what’s out there? I don’t expect you all to answer, given that roughly nine of you comment every day out of the alarming number (ALARMING. Seriously, it scares me. I’m flattered, but holy shit, it’s just a question of time before my in-laws find this site, at this rate, which: OMG) of you who visit every day, but if you’ve never spoken up before, try it now. But if you don’t, I won’t be hurt, because frankly, every time there is a call for de-lurkers on another site, I just sit there, panicked, like a bump on a pickle and don’t say a word, even if I’m a regular.
But really, I could obviously use some new music recommendations to get me out of 1981. Consider it a public service.
*ELO, of course. From Time.
**Considering it followed the soundtrack to Xanadu, which was universally panned and disdained beyond all belief at the time, but oh! It was FABULOUS!
Entry Filed under: Nuttin'
33 Comments Add your own
1. lightspeed | July 12th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
OMG! Omgomgomgomg! ELO! Jeff Lynne!! That hair! Xanadu!
Ok, does anyone still listen to Concrete Blonde? Anyone?? Besides me, anyone?
2. jonniker | July 12th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
No Concrete Blonde here, but OH MY GOD:
Xanadu. The greatest movie EVAH! Seriously. It’s a great movie. Was considered an embarrassment for ELO, but it! was! FABULOUS!
The roller skating! The muses! THE EVERYTHING! OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN!
3. lightspeed | July 12th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
ROLLER SKATING! OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN! I think I’m hyperventilating.
When I was 8 yrs old, I wrote a very heartfelt fan letter to Ms. Newton-John. Lo and behold, I got back in the mail an *autographed photo* of the goddess herself. It just proved to me that she knew exactly how special *I* was and that I would no doubt be hearing from her very soon. Um…
Concrete Blonde – Their sound is very dated late 80′s – early 90′s. I know you’ve heard ‘Joey ‘ before. Also sample ‘Everybody Knows’, ‘Mexican Moon’,
The Blue Nile – Another early 90′s band that should have been bigger than it was. Love the live version of ‘The Downtown Lights’.
As for something recent…I don’t even know where to begin, there are so many amazing albums. I’ll wait to see what others suggest.
4. Claire | July 13th, 2006 at 6:23 am
oh, i love The Smiths… i won’t claim that i knew them when they were actually popular, cause i didn’t get past 10yrs old in the 80′s…. but, i really wish i had been around for all that. Oh, Depeche Mode. How can you not love DM?
btw: have been informed that DM is a ‘girl’s band’ by my boyfriend. i have to say it never actually occured to me…
any boys out there like DM? you can be honest, it’s anonamous…
5. E | July 13th, 2006 at 6:30 am
Whelp, you already know most of my favorites! But here’s something. The past month I absolutely CAN’T STOP listening to Johnny Cash. And here’s another thing. I love Pandora and I made a “Johnny Cash” station which means it serves up songs it thinks I would like based on my affinity for the Man in Black. And I do like most of them, including one song in particular – “I’m Little but I’m Loud” by Little Jimmy Dickens. My theme song perhaps?
Anyhoo, I’m stuck on old stuff these days. Just bought a bunch of old Black Flag, the Repo Man soundtrack, etc. But for new new stuff….I confess to loving the Arctic Monkeys because I am a sucker for all things pop and anything that is “stampy”. And it IS pop as far as I’m concerned. Listen to the song “When the Sun Goes Down” – when the guitars and drums kick in after the intro…holy SHIT I love that. Ok, I’m getting too excited just thinking about it! Must…calm…down…for…work…..
e
6. Lawyerish | July 13th, 2006 at 6:43 am
I am tragically un-hip when it comes to music. On my iPod: Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, Britney, CLASSICAL music, and {mmrrph!} Celine Dion. (I almost exclusively listen to music when I’m running, so anything pop-ish and upbeat = good.) For more contemplative times, the soundtracks of Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine and Garden State fill in. I also love olde stuffe like Billy Holiday, especially the scratchy-record sounding stuff where her voice shows the wear and tear of her unfortunate drinking and drug habits. It makes you ache.
Your parents were clearly hipper than mine. We listened to a lot of John Denver, Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow — the former two of which I still absolutely love. Barry? Well, he’s had a few too many facelifts. My dad was into Dan Fogelberg and Jim Croce and their ilk, which is funny because my husband loves them, too. So we’re all musical dorks, is what I’m saying.
7. Kathryn | July 13th, 2006 at 7:12 am
I love Duran Duran. I’ve got The Wedding Album, Decade and Thank You taking up space on my iTunes.
I love Blondie and Abba. There is nothing that DM or Tears for Fears can’t make better.
I love that song 500 Miles by the Proclaimers (1-hit wonder).
I also love Smokey Robinson, The Supremes and a lot of Motown. LOVE Stevie Wonder (only some of his songs, but the ones I love, I LOVE).
The Dixie Chicks put me in a pretty good mood.
Dirty Vegas and The Chemical Brothers are awesome.
I like the soundtrack from March of the Penguins.
8. jonniker | July 13th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Lightspeed: I know CB, but alas, I never got into them, but I will always love “Everybody Knows” because Pump Up the Volume was one of my favorite angsty movies when I was growing up. And well, Leonard Cohen is a genius in general and anyone who covers him is also loveable.
Claire: My old bf in high school/early college LOVED DM quite a bit. And Peter Gabriel, whom I also *adore*.
E: Yes! Yes! Arctic Monkeys! Cash! I like the Man in Black, and I’ve been recommended the AMs, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet, as I am lazy and also: unhip. But I will now! IWILL!
Ish: I love Celine and her chest-thumping ways. I defend her to the death, for reasons I cannot explain – I mean, why does everyone hate Celine? I don’t like her music, but I love her (I know, the opposite), but why – WHY – is she considering having another child *in a few years* with her geriatric husband? Oh, Celine. Why? And I love Barry Manilow and believe me, ELO was the *only* hip thing my parents listen to. There’s a reason I have the entire catalog of Anne Murray memorized and it is my mother.
Kathryn: Duran Duran! YES! And I did love that Proclaimers song. Is there something wrong with me that I never got into ABBA? I have an Erasure cover of theirs, but that’s it.
9. Gypsy | July 13th, 2006 at 7:59 am
I have Sirius radio in my car, and my favorite station is First Wave, where they play all the good stuff like The Cure and Depeche Mode and Morrisey. Love it!
I still listen now to what I listened to in high school and college. The Cure, Depeche Mode, Steve Miller Band, The Eagles, Beastie Boys, ABBA, Blondie, etc. But also Los Lonely Boys and Allison Moorer and Shelby Lynne and Susan Tedeschi. I like a lot of bluesy, southern stuff.
I actually blogged about “the soudtrack of my life” today. Coincidence!
10. Jamie | July 13th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Ohhh, Xanadu. My sister and I were recently lamenting about how much we missed that movie — especially the dance routines we would make up to the soundtrack, using the workout implements from our “Get In Shape Girl” toys.
Of course, we always fought over that damn streamer. The dumbbells just weren’t as fun.
11. jes | July 13th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Ha! The prospect of ME giving someone else a music recommendation is, like, laughable.
I’d even go so far as to say that I don’t listen to music. I just sort of hear it.
12. jonniker | July 13th, 2006 at 8:33 am
Gypsy: Yes! Yes! I see the soundtrack of your life! Bonnie Tyler. FOOTLOOSE.
Jamie: OMG. Get in Shape Girl. The ribbons. OH MY GOD. THE MEMORIES.
Jes: But…really? I’m fascinated by this. How do you – forgive me for being dramatic here – SURVIVE?
13. Claire | July 13th, 2006 at 10:37 am
something else came to mind – an argument that the boy and i have is in reference to Tom Waitts. I KNOW he is hugely popular and people love him. I KNOW he is super-talented and an amazing song writer and all.
I JUST DON’T GET IT.
Tom Waitts – i don’t get it. he is respected all over the place and i cannot listen to him without grinding my teeth.
And Peter Gabriel? love! I’ve seen you mention the Samples a bit here, too, and i have to say i thought they put on a really fun show if even though i didn’t know most of the music when i saw them last summer. i love that in a band.
14. jonniker | July 13th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Claire, here’s something sadder: I can’t name a single Tom Waitts song, and I don’t even know that I’ve heard him. Honestly.
And yes, I adore the Samples. And Pete. Ahhh, Pete. I also have a soft spot for Carbon Leaf, which is one of the few post-1994 bands I love, though I starting loving them way back then. But they have come out with something new since then.
15. Whinger | July 13th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Of course, OF COURSE I just loaded ELO onto my iPod last night.
Now I must go listen to it.
Yay!
16. jonniker | July 13th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Whinge: Which one?
17. shannon | July 13th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
I too, born 1975. However, I have until very recently been stuck in the 90s. So that makes me like everyone else who went to high school in the 90s, except that I no longer die my hair with Manic Panic. I think it’s very unique to be all 80s with your bad self. Stay strong. Embrace it.
I also want to say: your website is pretty.
18. debbie | July 13th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
okay, i love you. heh. i, too, am stuck in the 80s! heh. and anyone who can appreciate “xanadu” (my favorite movie from my childhood!olivia newton-john on roller skates with gene kelly and ELO? what’s not to love??) has to be a genius.
i still love to listen to the smiths, echo and the bunnymen, new order, love and rockets, depeche mode, jesus and mary chain, robyn hitchcock, REM….all the favorites from my high school/college days. i’m getting better about checking out new stuff, but it’s against my nature! have you heard the new yeah yeah yeahs? i like it. i’d recommend it.
19. Jen W. | July 13th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
I’m stuck in the 60′s and 70′s, although I wasn’t born until after that. I’m that huge classic rock fan who can sing along to ANY song on classic rock stations, whether I like them or have their albums or not.
Rolling Stones, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, Tom Petty…the usuals, but then- Styx, Rush, Crosby Stills and Nash, (Neil Diamond), anything basically. I did get into the later 80′s stuff too, like The Cure, Violent Femmes, Tears for Fears…You name it, I can probably sing along to it. Although I’m not sure you want to hear that…Now that I wrote the word “Styx”, I have “domo irigato, Mr. RobRoboto!” stuck in my head. And I KNOW that I know ELO, but I never know song titles or half the time don’t know who’s singing.
20. Whinger | July 13th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Oh it’s a greatest hits, of course. My calling card as a music collector is owning every greatest hits of any artist. Saves time.
21. claire | July 13th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
OH! the Femmes!! I totally forgot about them – LOVE the Violent Femmes.
Also, Faith No More.
Ok, am stopping now…
22. Yez | July 14th, 2006 at 6:02 am
You are blogging too fast for me :-I But then, I’ve been doing a “Groundog Day” since my car died, gracefully, on Monday, so my sense of timing is whacked.
Anyway! Early ’80s: was listening to my ’70s albums :> (I hate Rod Stewart, so that’s half of the ’80s right there) and Joni’s “Wild Things Run Fast” and whatever Bonnie Raitt had out. Mid-’80s: Cyndi Lauper. Late ’80s: Sesame Street! Raffi! Carole King’s “Chicken Soup with Rice”! In other words, Xan came along, so it was her music and my (old) music
23. Yez | July 14th, 2006 at 6:05 am
{{cough}} That would be “Groundhog Day”. Keyboard is boycotting Gs and Hes.
24. Yez | July 14th, 2006 at 6:11 am
And I can’t even recommend stuff, because
“OMD, Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, New Order, Electronic, Cocteau Twins, The Cure”…? Have heard of some of them, but don’t know their actual music, so I don’t know what you like :>
25. E | July 14th, 2006 at 6:17 am
I wish I could explain the magic that is Tom Waits. He is all sorts of awesome. That gravely voice and the way that he tells a story….sigh.
Saw him in Boston a few years back (he NEVER tours so this was a huge deal) and I was blown away. He’s a true performer, and is one of those annoyingly talented people who can play pretty much ANYTHING.
So, um, yeah. Tom Waits.
26. jonniker | July 14th, 2006 at 7:05 am
Shannon: Ooh ooh! Thanks re: the website. And yep, there was a phase in *middle school* when I Manic Panic’d My god. MIDDLE SCHOOL.
Debbie: Thank you! Thank you! Echo and the Bunnymen! I love them! And I’ll have to listen to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But with Rock n’ Romp, don’t you have to be, by nature, a little hipper than me? You are. I know you are.
Jen: Now I’m singing Mr. Roboto. Fabulous.
Whinge: It’s not a bad method to employ.
Claire: Femmes! And why do I know Faith No More? I think I have them somewhere but they had one big hit, yes? I can’t remember what it was.
Yez: I hate Rod Stewart. Hate. But see, you didn’t HAVE to think of things that I would like, just tell me what YOU like! Which you did, in wondrous detail. Thank you.
E: Well, great. Now I feel like I have to run out and try him. Or at least listen to a snippet on iTunes (is he ON iTunes?)
27. jacona | July 17th, 2006 at 8:38 am
I love 80s music too. My favorites were Duran Duran, Depeche Mode and The Cure. If I had to pick one album, it’d be Disintegration – loved it, still love it. i’m not sure about music recs, I love alternative rock – Incubus, Staind, Green Day, Three Doors Down among others.
28. amyjami | July 17th, 2006 at 10:36 am
de-lurking -
i like all kinds of music. pretty much everything, EXCEPT for country. i’d rather claw my own eyeballs from my skull than listen to the twang.
all time favorite? ben folds. plus or minus the 5.
on my list of “must-have albums” – Whatever and Ever, Amen.
2 favorite songs – “everyone” by van morrison and “selfless, cold and composed”.
i simply can’t move beyond mr. folds. imo, he’s a musical genius.
29. amyjami | July 17th, 2006 at 10:38 am
oh, and xanadu? LOVED it. couldn’t get enough of it. thanks for jarring my mind to find that gem of a memory!!
30. Noah | August 24th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Jonniker! I think we should get married. We’d be perfect. even though you’re 13 years older than I am.
But seriously, Xanadu is bar-none my favourite movie. And I just bought Time three days ago and it’s quickly becoming my favourite ELO album.
And also, how do you feel about Chicago? Ever listen to any of their later stuff? : )
31. wobo | August 3rd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
my favourite album is either time by elo or the moon and antartica by modest mouse.
32. Nightengale | August 30th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Also love Time but I was born in ’65. Does anybody know what the girl (or is that Kelly?) is singing in the song Yours Truly 2095???
33. free walmart gift card | March 22nd, 2011 at 10:38 am
Thanks SO much for the details you’ve been very helpful. Yvette
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