Holdin’ On To 16 As Long As I Can
Writing Prompt: What were your favorite songs when you were 16 years old?
I recently read this great article from a very talented writer and music lover named Ashley, in which she shared 30 of her favorite songs from when she was growing up.
She also prompted readers, writers, and fellow music lovers to answer the question: What songs did you grow up with?
I started to think about my own answer to her question— but my brain then suddenly felt like it was on overload.
Too…many…songs!!!
Too…many…to…process!!!
My “growing up” years as a music lover were from roughly 1975 to 1987, so that covered Yacht Rock, disco, the early days of MTV, hair metal — and a lot, lot more!
I decided to narrow things down significantly by focusing exclusively on the year 1982, which was the year I turned 16 years old.
You might think that would have made this challenge easier for me, but it didn’t. There were a lot of great songs released that year! Between Spotify and Apple Music, I found many great playlists from 1982 which contained hundreds of songs that were released that year.
I could have easily written about my love for dozens of those songs, but I decided to limit myself to 16 of them, since that’s the number of the age I was focusing on.
So, in no particular order of preference, here are 16 of my favorite songs that were released when I was 16 years old:
1. Heart Like A Wheel — The Steve Miller Band
This was the first single from The Steve Miller Band’s album Circle of Love. The song wasn’t a huge hit for the band — although I’ve always thought it should have been. It’s got a fun beat and has great guitar playing in it.
I used to be glued to my TV screen when the above video came on MTV. It’s very dated-looking now, but it’s a fun video. P.S. — I may or may not have had kind of a crush on the blonde in this video back then.
2. Do I Do — Stevie Wonder
I challenge anyone to listen to this song and not feel happy while listening to it. The music is fun-sounding right from the start, even before Stevie starts singing. And once he starts singing…oh, man…he sounds like he’s smiling the entire time!
I love the entire thing, but my favorite part is when Stevie raps the following:
Yes I got some candy kisses for your lips Yes I got some honey suckle chocolate dripping kisses full of love for you Yes I got some candy kisses for your lips Yes I got some honey suckle chocolate dripping kisses full of love for you
3. Heat of the Moment — Asia
The was the first single from Asia’s eponymous debut album — which is one of my favorite albums ever by anyone. If you’ve never heard the album in its entirety, I encourage you to go and listen to it right now. I’m not even joking. Go and listen to it right now. Play it loud and enjoy yourself.
4. The Go-Go’s — Vacation
Since the release of “Vacation” in 1982, I’ve never taken a single vacation without having this song run through my head at least once — and I’m more than happy with that. I’ve always loved the song (and video.)
5. Space Age Song — A Flock of Seagulls
“Space Age Song” was the second single from the band’s eponymous debut album. The first single from it was the band’s biggest hit, “I Ran.” Although that one is fantastic, my favorite from the band has always been “Space Age Love Song.” The music in it is fantastic.
6. Black Coffee in Bed — Squeeze
The above music video got played a lot on MTV when it was released. It’s always been my favorite song by Squeeze. Interesting trivia about it: Even though the video shows members of Squeeze performing the background vocals, they were actually sung by Paul Young and Elvis Costello. Also, the video shows Chris Difford performing the song’s wonderful guitar solo, but it was actually recorded by lead singer/guitarist Glenn Tilbrook.
7. Don’t Talk To Strangers — Rick Springfield
This was the first single from Rick’s fantastic album Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet. It’s an exceptional song from a nearly flawless album. I highly recommend both the song and album to you, if you’re not familiar with them.
8. Who Can It Be Now? — Men at Work
I didn’t know this song until I saw the music video for it on MTV. I still remember seeing it for my first time. It was on a weekday morning, just minutes before I had to leave my home and head to school. When I got there, I met up with a couple of my friends after we got off of our buses. I was excited to tell them about this brand new music video — but they were already talking about it because they had seen it at the same time I did. We all liked the song, but we all loved the video even more— primarily because of the great, entertaining performance in it by lead singer/guitarist Colin Hay.
9. Eye of The Tiger — Survivor
WARNING/SPOILER! — Although I feel a little weird giving a SPOILER WARNING for a movie that is nearly 40 years old, I’m going to do it here anyway: If you’ve never seen Rocky III, and you think you might want to eventually do so, do NOT watch the above music video.
Also, do yourself a favor and GO WATCH THE MOVIE. It’s great. You’ll love it.
The Rocky series is my favorite movie series ever. Even though I’ve heard this song hundreds (if not thousands) of times, I never get tired of hearing it. It always makes me feel good and it always inspires me.
10. Crimson and Clover — Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
When the above music video became popular, it seemed like everyone I knew who watched it, whether they were male or female, or straight or gay, had sort of a crush on Joan Jett — and it wasn’t just because of her great looks. It was mostly because of how incredibly cool and talented Joan was.
And I’m going to stop using the word “was” right now, because Joan is still incredibly beautiful and cool. And she still sounds fantastic.
“Crimson and Clover” was originally recorded by Tommy James and The Shondells. It was a big hit for them. While I like that original version, I’ve always preferred the remake by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Their version ROCKS!
11. Gypsy — Fleetwood Mac
Not only is this one of my favorite songs by Fleetwood Mac, but the music video for it is one of my favorite music videos ever by anyone. It’s beautifully shot and features great performances by all of the members of the band — especially Stevie Nicks.
12. Don’t Change — INXS
Even though they have several songs that I love, “Don’t Change” has always been my favorite by INXS. I also love the above music video. Singer Michael Hutchence, as he always did, gave a great performance in it.
13. She’s Tight — Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is a great (and often underrated, in my opinion) rock and roll band. They sound exceptional on the rocking song “She’s Tight,” which has always been one of my favorite songs by them. It wasn’t a big hit on radio stations, but the music video was incredibly popular on MTV. It’s a fun one!
14. 867–5309/Jenny — Tommy Tutone
I’ve always loved this song and video!
Am I the kind of nerd who would write Jenny’s name and phone number in every single address book that I’ve owned since this song came out? And then also add Jenny into my contacts on my phone?
Why, yes. Yes, I am.
15. Freeze-Frame — The J. Geils Band
“Centerfold” is probably this band’s most popular song, but I’ve always preferred “Freeze-Frame.” It’s got great music and vocals and it always puts me in a happy mood when I hear it.
P.S to those of you who run or cycle: This song is fantastic to run and ride to!
16. Jack & Diane — John Mellencamp (but originally released as John Cougar)
This one will always hold a very special place in my heart. When it first became popular, I’d often hear it on the radio while driving around with my friends Tim and Buddy. We used to spend several hours at a time back then just riding around while listening to music. Those were some of the best times of my life.
We’d have all the windows down on the car and the volume turned up very loud on the stereo. It was a lot of fun!
When “Jack & Diane” would come on the radio, we’d all play air drums and air guitar and sing along with John Cougar. We got especially passionate with our singing during the lyrics about being 16 years old. Since we actually were 16 years old at that time, those lyrics meant a lot to us:
Holding on to sixteen as long as you can Changes come around real soon Make us women and men
Yes, the changes did soon come and it wasn’t long until I stopped being a teenager and became a man.
But there are some things that have never changed — especially my love for music from back then. Even though it’s been many years since I was 16, part of me feels like I’m 16 again whenever I hear those old songs.
They still make me happy — and I know they always will.
How about you? What were your favorite songs when you were 16 years old?
Either tell me in the comments below or use the question as a prompt for your own story. If you’d like to submit your response to the prompt to Plethora of Pop, but you’re not already a writer here, just leave a comment below and I’ll add you as a writer.
In the meantime (and the kinder, not-so-mean times), here are 16 of my favorite writers on Medium who frequently write about their love of music. If you’re not familiar with them, click on their names to be transported to their wonderful words.
Sarah Paris, Bonnie Barton, Paul Combs, Terry Barr, Alex Markham, Billy Hartong, Kevin Alexander, David Acaster, Christine Schoenwald, Amy Von Blickhahn, Alexander Briseño, Mark Holburn, Paul K. Barnes, Steven Hale, Laura Lind, and J.P. Williams.
P.S. to Ashley: Thank you for the inspiration for this article!
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