'80s Become the New Oldies

Time sure does fly by fast. While I am more than aware that we are in the early stages of the 21st century, it was recently pointed out to me that music from the 1980s now fall into the oldies genre. Oldies!? How could the music from my youth possibly receive the same label as songs produced during the swing era, the British invasion, and the short-lived debacle known as disco? Upon further retrospection, I realize that anytime I hear a new wave classic or a hair-band ditty I get a sense of nostalgia, which is a tell-tale sign that a song is an oldie (but goodie).

Much of the music from the Reagan era has been dismissed as trite fluff, but I have a hard time subscribing to this notion. Sure, the substance and integrity of the songs pale in comparison to the brilliant storytelling presented by some of today