Definitive Gen X song?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No Madonna?!

I said Holiday. That was the first Madonna song I ever heard (I was in high school) and I was completely transported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was absolutely I want your sex by George Michael. Spurred so much discussion about what was appropriate on the radio and spurred discussions on safe sex - definitive issue for Gen X.

I think you must be older GenX. This came out when I was in HS and was just confusing to me. And I love GM.

DP. I'm an older GenX and this is not at all the song I would pick. Maybe "Freedom" - love that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's 100% "Don't You Forget About Me" and here's why:

Very few Gen Xers, aged 45-60, are turning the station or skipping that song when it comes on. It's just a perfectly constructed pop song that invites a deluge of memories to the average Gen Xer. While most Gen Xers in that same 45-60 age range will turn the station or skip "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

"Smells Like Teen Spirit's" alleged popularity is totally overblown thanks to MTV and the death of Cobain.

Yes. Time stops when I hear that song! Also, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I’m not gonna dispute people because I think there are many answers to this question, but it does kind of irk me that some of the songs people picked are songs by boomer bands. Simple Minds, R.E.M., all boomers. Totally agree that they shaped part of our childhood, but I also think you have to give credit for actual Gen X making music.

Dave Grohl is late 50s but still a bona fide Gen Xer. Same with White Stripes.

Just had to point that out. I think pop culture got really exciting for me when it was actually my generation putting out stuff.

This is completely silly. The point is, what was the most definitive song you remember as a GenX-er coming of age - not what were the ages of the musicians.

[Anonymous]

Obviously it’s this one

[Anonymous]

Pearl Jam's "Even Flow," and Beck's "Loser“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently Starship’s We Built This City just got recognized as the worst song ever made so that should get an honorable mention. I mean who doesn’t have memories attached to that song.

It’s a case study in the decline of culture and civilization. Those people went from White Rabbit to We Built This City. There is no more heinous artistic decline in history, it’s one for the books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's 100% "Don't You Forget About Me" and here's why:

Very few Gen Xers, aged 45-60, are turning the station or skipping that song when it comes on. It's just a perfectly constructed pop song that invites a deluge of memories to the average Gen Xer. While most Gen Xers in that same 45-60 age range will turn the station or skip "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

"Smells Like Teen Spirit's" alleged popularity is totally overblown thanks to MTV and the death of Cobain.

Yes. Time stops when I hear that song! Also, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World".

+1. “Definitive” does not mean best. There are many better songs, and lots of the songs people have posited here are superior. For example, I personally think “Kids in America” beats “Don’t You Forget About Me” with a stick, as a song. No matter. Don’t You Forget About Me is iconic in ways that other songs aren’t, in part due to the movie, but in part because of the way it captured a moment in time. Same for Smells Like Teen Spirit. Grunge is meh; I would take Guns N Roses over Nirvana any day. But again: no matter. Smells Like Teen Spirit is iconic in a way that even a lot of better songs weren’t. (Don’t get me started on those Pacific Northwest Soundgarden people lol).

[Anonymous]

Ok. Don't you forget about me for the preppies and posers. Smells like teen spirit for the cool kids. You're welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obviously it’s this one

+100

[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. Why is nirvana excluded?

[Anonymous]

As an old GenX I was in to the punk and hardcore music. Looking back it was such a hardline break with the boomers. Play Minor Threat and the boomers ran out of the room.

We flew under the radar of the boomers.

[Anonymous]

Livin on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
We're not going to take it - Twisted Sister
Enter Sandman - Metallica

[Anonymous]

Jenny’s Song 🎵 🎶….

867-5309

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No Madonna?!

I said Holiday. That was the first Madonna song I ever heard (I was in high school) and I was completely transported.

Yup me too.

I remember after hearing that song, being surprised when I found out that Madonna was White.

Seems so crazy now!!