Definitive Gen X song?

[Anonymous]

For me it's a tie between Mr. Jones by Counting Crows and Losing My Religion by REM.

You, fellow Gen X-ers? Anything Nirvana is excluded from this list!

Consult that one piece of grunge attire you're holding onto if necessary.

[Anonymous]

REM

"It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I feel fine)"

[Anonymous]

I'm older gen x, and my definitive songs are 80s songs, not 90s and grunge.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

The white stripes and Jack White seems like they are up there in terms of ultimate Gen Xers. Meg turned 50 last year and Jack turned 50 this summer. Oof.

So for me, Seven Nation Army would have to at least be on this list.

[Anonymous]

Definitely not Counting Crows!

There are many, many options here. I feel like Prince's 1999 is a top contender, both for popularity that crosses many demographic groups plus older/younger Gen X, plus the lyrics/theming of song.

Other options:
Smells Like Teen Spirit (not sure why you DQed Nirvana)
Blister in the Sun
Billie Jean
Don't You Forget About Me (Breakfast Club!)
Just Like Heaven
Safety Dance
Vogue or maybe Material Girl
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I wouldn't pick End of the World as We Know It, but I recognize that as a very valid viewpoint.

[Anonymous]

Obviously Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm older gen x, and my definitive songs are 80s songs, not 90s and grunge.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This seems a bit late for Gen X definite song. In 1995, Gen Xers were between 15 and 30. I think we are looking for something that would have had more popularity when Gen Xers were teens or in college -- the 1980s songs for most of us, and those were still popular even when the younger Gen Xers were teens.

I am squarely in the middle of what is considered Gen X and I liked Smashing Pumpkins but there were not defining for me in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not Counting Crows!

There are many, many options here. I feel like Prince's 1999 is a top contender, both for popularity that crosses many demographic groups plus older/younger Gen X, plus the lyrics/theming of song.

Other options:
Smells Like Teen Spirit (not sure why you DQed Nirvana)
Blister in the Sun
Billie Jean
Don't You Forget About Me (Breakfast Club!)
Just Like Heaven
Safety Dance
Vogue or maybe Material Girl
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I wouldn't pick End of the World as We Know It, but I recognize that as a very valid viewpoint.

This is the correct answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The white stripes and Jack White seems like they are up there in terms of ultimate Gen Xers. Meg turned 50 last year and Jack turned 50 this summer. Oof.

So for me, Seven Nation Army would have to at least be on this list.

No, they’re not in the canon. Fine song and good artist but they’re not iconic the way some of the others in this thread.

Excluding “Smells Like Teen Spirit” seems like a weird contortion that essentially concedes it is the definitive GenX anthem.

[Anonymous]

This might be our theme song, Don't You Forget About Me (Breakfast Club!), not not the definitive song.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not Counting Crows!

There are many, many options here. I feel like Prince's 1999 is a top contender, both for popularity that crosses many demographic groups plus older/younger Gen X, plus the lyrics/theming of song.

Other options:
Smells Like Teen Spirit (not sure why you DQed Nirvana)
Blister in the Sun
Billie Jean
Don't You Forget About Me (Breakfast Club!)
Just Like Heaven
Safety Dance
Vogue or maybe Material Girl
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I wouldn't pick End of the World as We Know It, but I recognize that as a very valid viewpoint.

This is the correct answer.

I am inclined to agree. On so many levels, including title alone

[Anonymous]

Smells like Teen Spirit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This might be our theme song, Don't You Forget About Me (Breakfast Club!), not not the definitive song.

+1 love that song, and it's apropos.