As often as we try to avoid being anything like our parents, we can't help but agree that they're the biggest influence on our lives. We have a tendency of adapting their tendencies and quickly make habits identical to theirs. Sometimes we forget that at one point they were also teenagers (crazy to think they haven't always been in their forties or fifties) just like us. And just like us, they had social lives and interests similar to ours. Interests like music. Music is a major part of many people's lives; most of us listen to it at some point almost every single day. Although the music we listen to is drastically different than what our parents listened to, I encourage us all to take a break from the Kanye and Justin Bieber and take a few minutes to appreciate some of the music that our parents listened to when they were our age.
1. Jack & Diane- John Mellencamp (1982)
Set in a small town, Jack & Diane is the epitome of a teenage love song and doesn't fall short when it teaches us that, although high school is fun, those years will soon be behind us and yes, indeed, life goes on.
2. I Won't Back Down- Tom Petty (1989)
This song is pretty easy to interpret, especially with how repetitive and catchy it is. Don't back down, don't give up. Two claps for Tom Petty, keeping it short, sweet, and to the point.
3. Sweet Home Alabama- Lynrd Skynryd (1974)
Almost all of us know this song, but not all of us know that this song is actually about the Civil Rights Movement. So as we sing (or scream) along, know that you're really getting a free history lesson.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen (1975)
Honestly, I have no idea what this song is telling us, but I do know that it still deserves to be loved and appreciated for how catchy it is.
5. Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns N' Roses (1987)
I genuinely think that you can interpret this song to be about whoever you want it to be. We all have someone who's face takes us to that special place, right?
6. Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen (1984)
This song most defiantly speaks for itself. Our buddy Bruce is proud to be born in the USA, but also understands the struggles that people face. So he decided to bless us all with this song.
7. Dream On- Aerosmith (1973)
Steven Tyler is telling us to not live in the past. But to live in the present and dream on towards the future.
8. Small Town- John Mellencamp (1985)
This might be my favorite song from the 80's. If you're from a town anything like Crawfordsville, Indiana, surely you can relate to this as much I do. This song teaches us to never forget where we come from.
9. Carry On Wayward Son- Kansas (1976)
Perseverance at it's finest.
10. Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Leppard (1987)
This is really just the ultimate sing along song. Weather it be playing in the car, or at a school dance, you can't help but scream the lyrics as loud as you can (usually with a friend pretending to actually pour sugar on you).
