Memoirs of an Ordinary Girl: The Middle-ish Ages, the Soundtrack

Memoirs of an Ordinary Girl: The Middle-ish Ages takes place from 1988-1991, and since music is so important to Drew, my protagonist, I’ve pieced together a soundtrack based off mentions in the book, as well as my personal memories of the time period, for better, or sometimes, worse. Seriously, a few of these songs are awful, but they’re true to the time period. I wanted to make a public playlist in iTunes, but apparently that is no longer an option, so you can enjoy my inclusion of videos instead. Now you get a taste of the fashion too. Let’s hope most of it does not cycle back around.

A great big thanks to Youtube, our modern day MTV.

Skid Row’s: Youth Gone Wild

My favorite band around eighth grade. I was in love with Sebastian Bach and jealous of his hair.

My hair now. I swear it’s just a coincidence.

Bon Jovi: Bad Medicine

Speaking of hair, anyone remember when Jon had all that hair?

Marcia Griffiths: Electric Boogie

Flashbacks to gym class and school dances.  Nooo!

Poison: Nothing but a Good Time

The epitome of glam rock.

Milli Vanilli: Blame it on the Rain

Or maybe blame it on the lip synching.

Faith No More: Epic

The fish at the end of the video caused quite an uproar, but we were assured no paraphyletics were harmed in the filming of this video.

Warrant: Heaven

A humorous note here: their semi-coordinated stage outfits remind me a bit of stormtroopers. A sad note: I believe the front-man, Janie Lane, died a few years ago.

Guns N Roses: Welcome to the Jungle

The first time I heard this song one of the skater kids in my class (probably 6th grade?) brought it in and talked the teacher into letting him play it for us. I had no access to music like that back then, but I wanted it!

Bad English: When I See You Smile

This song was out not long before I moved and somehow it became the song my best friend and I used to remember each other (my Bridgette, Drew’s Belle)

New Kids on the Block: Step by Step

What I hated most from pop-culture of this time period was those stupid NKOTB t-shirts with the florescent handprints, and I believe their signatures.  They were everywhere!  I forgot this song existed until a grown man played it recently in my presence.  Weird. And all these years later… I still find it just as cheesy.

Poison: Every Rose has its Thorn

Still a sing-along song for me if it comes on the radio while I’m in the car.

Billy Joel: We Didn’t Start the Fire

I didn’t appreciate this song at the time, but I did like the video (even though I wasn’t supposed to be watching any videos)

M.C. Hammer: U Can’t Touch This

I think these pants are trying to come back in style. Please don’t let it happen.

Vanilla Ice: Ice Ice Baby

Turns out I have the same birthday as Robert Van Winkle, which many young girls were jealous of at the time.  Personally, I was insulted. He moved on to flipping big houses in Florida.  Who knew?

Thanks for going old school with me for a bit.  Share it if you like it.