I'll say Bubs tagged me because I'm always bothering him with my own memes. Okay, Bubs, take a chill pill, I'll do it, I'll do it.
Using the songs listed by Pop Culture Madness during the year of my 18th birthday (1989), I haveta pick out five and get all misty about them.
I'm limiting myself to the songs listed on the website for 1989. One or two is no problem, but picking five may end up causing me some permanent glandular damage.
1) She Drives Me Crazy - The Fine Young Cannibals
I looove this song. Rolands Gift's voice is sooo high. The drums on this are so trebly and tinny. The song seems so simple, yet it's just damned wonderful. I liked the video a lot, too, for what it's worth. I just searched for the director, whose name is apparently "Philippe de Coufle". I remember a New Order video he did ("True Faith") fondly, as well. From the site I found, it indicates he only did these two.
2) My Prerogative - Bobby Brown
Hell, I like this song, too. I love the cheesy synth horns. I love the refrain, "Everybody's talking all this stuff about me, why don't they just let me live." I know he's seen as kind of a running joke to many, but every time he's reported as being in trouble, in my mind I hear this song. I love the snotty way he says, "I can do what I wanna do." I love that he's using the word "prerogative" in a dance song. I am downloading this now, goddammit.
3) Baby Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli
I don't unequivocally like this song, but I find it hard resisting singing along with the lines "I have been looking high, I have been looking low." I also like it when the "Bah-bah-bah-bah-baby's" are being thrown down.
Okay, I'm starting to panic now. I barely got out the Milli Vanilli, and I HAVE TWO MORE LEFT TO GO.
4) If You Don't Know Me By Now - Simply Red
I didn't really know this song too well when it came out, but I did like that "Holding Back The Years" song. I really enjoyed singing it in my own uniquely bad soulful manner. But, I have really enjoyed this "If You Don't Know Me" song in another context.
5) Jesus, what, I haveta do a freaking Roxette song? Or a Paula Abdul song? Or Michael Damian with that "Rock On" song? Richard Marx? Mike and the Mechanics? How about I pick the Billy Joel song, "We Didn't Start The Fire"? I think the song is about how #1 hits have always been terrible, and it didn't just start in 1989. Thanks, Mr. Joel!
UPDATE: For the record, I thought I was limited to only Billboard #1 Hits. There apparently is another "Most Requested Hits" page at Pop Culture Madness which contained lots of songs I love -- "Bust A Move" by Young MC, for example.
