Once I Pressed Play, the Tape Wouldn’t Stop

A story about a Sony Walkman and a fateful life decision

Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash

I placed the foam-protected headphones over my ears.

I nestled into my pillow.

Got the covers just right.

And pressed the play button.

I was 13 years old.

U2’s “Rattle and Hum” excited my mind and then lulled me to sleep.

Hawkmoon 269 was a favorite.

My Sony Walkman had a “continuous play” feature.

In the 1980s, this was amazing.

Now, instead of having to flip the tape over when Side A was finished (the 9th song — In the Name of Love), the tape would just magically “flip” and I’d hear Angel of Harlem.

I could also choose to repeat this process infinitely. I usually didn’t, as I didn’t want to run down the batteries.

But, it was possible to run the tape over and over and over again.

I feel like I’d normally fall asleep by the end of “Love Rescue Me.”

The music was a welcome respite from the chaos at home.

My bedroom was next to the one shared by my parents. If the Walkman wasn’t playing and I was awake, I heard everything.