Anonymous
08/27/2025 18:15
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:REM
"It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I feel fine)"
I’m the tail end of the boomers and this popped into my mind as soon as I saw the title of the thread, maybe for those about 10 years younger than me.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 18:14
Subject: Re:Definitive Gen X song?
This is an illegitimate debate since Nirvana was DQ'd.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 18:02
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:"What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes. I like it o.k. even if it's not necessarily my favorite. But, somehow to me, it's the "most 90s" song I can think of. The 90s, in turn, was peak Gen X.
This one is so relevant. Like all the dang time.
I don’t care to engage in an argument about which generation. This and End of the World might as well be the soundtrack of our current lives.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 18:00
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
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.
Argree with all of the above.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:58
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Obviously Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill.
YES!!!!
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:57
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
Good point — the black community will likely have a different answer rooted more in R&B.
One other thing is GenX is also kind of defined by New Wave or “alternative,” which opens the door to another canon — Kate Bush’s Running Up that Hill, Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar” or “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” etc.
But for mass culture, the soundtrack is dominated by rock and roll, not R&B or New Wave or even grunge or metal. So that brings us back to Teen Spirit, Don’t You Forget About Me. The Take on Me by Aha nomination is also valid.
The dumbest thing I’ve ever read. There’s no black / white/ blue/ green community in Gen x.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:55
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
You think that “Candy” by Cameo is in the running to be the definitive song of a generation?
Yes, I do
Even Cameo would disagree with that
My joke went over your head. Yes, I do is a phrase uttered in the song in a very distinctive way. I had a laugh anyhow.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:53
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
Good point — the black community will likely have a different answer rooted more in R&B.
One other thing is GenX is also kind of defined by New Wave or “alternative,” which opens the door to another canon — Kate Bush’s Running Up that Hill, Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar” or “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” etc.
But for mass culture, the soundtrack is dominated by rock and roll, not R&B or New Wave or even grunge or metal. So that brings us back to Teen Spirit, Don’t You Forget About Me. The Take on Me by Aha nomination is also valid.
Aw, you missed The Cure "Just Like Heaven"
Only because it was mentioned earlier. I love that Olivia Rodrigo thrust that in Gen Z’s face last month by appearing on stage with Robert Smith!
[youtube] https://youtu.be/MDTlUtrzeFI?si=N8rNU1p4p4J8CGd2[/youtube]
I love this! Rodrigo is a cool chick. Robert Smith can still sing, but the alcohol (and time) did a number on him.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:17
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Flagpole Sitta
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:14
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
You think that “Candy” by Cameo is in the running to be the definitive song of a generation?
Yes, I do
Then, I will happily add Sugar Walls by Sheena Easton. My mom was so embarrassed because my 7yo brother belted this song out in the car the first time we met her new boyfriend. They did not get married.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:10
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
Love all these songs, but I bet many here don't know them.
I'm a white woman reading this and listening to Raspberry Beret right now. I know most of these, but believe Purple Rain is most iconic on the list, as an anthem. I like Michael Jackson, but I'd say Thriller for him because it was so big. I remember having a party to watch it.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:09
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
You think that “Candy” by Cameo is in the running to be the definitive song of a generation?
Yes, I do
Even Cameo would disagree with that
My favorite is Word up and I’m a 49 year old white woman. Lol
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:06
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
Good point — the black community will likely have a different answer rooted more in R&B.
One other thing is GenX is also kind of defined by New Wave or “alternative,” which opens the door to another canon — Kate Bush’s Running Up that Hill, Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar” or “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” etc.
But for mass culture, the soundtrack is dominated by rock and roll, not R&B or New Wave or even grunge or metal. So that brings us back to Teen Spirit, Don’t You Forget About Me. The Take on Me by Aha nomination is also valid.
Aw, you missed The Cure "Just Like Heaven"
Only because it was mentioned earlier. I love that Olivia Rodrigo thrust that in Gen Z’s face last month by appearing on stage with Robert Smith!
[youtube] https://youtu.be/MDTlUtrzeFI?si=N8rNU1p4p4J8CGd2[/youtube]
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:04
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
You think that “Candy” by Cameo is in the running to be the definitive song of a generation?
Yes, I do
Even Cameo would disagree with that
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:02
Subject: Definitive Gen X song?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know these songs you all are listing.
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” or "Billie Jean"
Prince – “Purple Rain”
Anita Baker – “Sweet Love”
Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”
Sade – “Smooth Operator”
Cameo – “Candy”
New Edition – “If It Isn't Love”
Mary J. Blige – “My Life” / “Real Love”
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me”
TLC – “No Scrubs”
Maxwell – “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”
Ginuwine – “Pony”
D’Angelo – “Lady”
SWV – “Weak”
EU's "Da butt because School Daze was an accurate description of what it was like to go to an HBCU in the '80s and '90s.
You think that “Candy” by Cameo is in the running to be the definitive song of a generation?
Yes, I do