An 80's Soundtrack by way of 2018

The 80’s was a time period in which, surprise surprise, I was not actually alive for. However, I don’t know why, but I have personally been in an “80’s phase” for at least since the beginning of the summer.

There has been a wave of nostalgia in entertainment, with IT and Stranger Things, both of which I enjoyed immensely, along with a resurgence of nostalgia-tinged remakes such as the new Halloween movie. But beyond that, I have personally been trying to watch any classic 80’s movie possible, from Pretty in Pink to Spaceballs to Raiders of the Lost Ark. That’s not including movies like Dazed and Confused — which takes place in the ’76 but was made in the 90’s so it feels like an honorary 80’s movie — that just make me nostalgic for a time when you could just…drive around and not come back until sunrise.

So, I decided to make this playlist a little snapshot of an 80’s movie soundtrack, if it was made in 2018. It has a little bit of actual 80’s music (Temptation and Elegia by New Order), some songs inspired by the 80’s, whether that was lyrically (1985 by Bowling for Soup) or stylistically (Rose-Colored Boy by Paramore). There are even songs that reference the 80’s in their titles (A Little Less Sixteen Candles… by Fall Out Boy) or were in movies taking place/inspired by the 80’s (Drive it Like you Stole it from Sing Street).

When putting the songs in order, I wanted to evoke the plot of an 80’s teen movie:

1. A classic 80’s tune lets the audience get a feel for the era and plot.

2. The inciting incident really kicks off the emotional turmoil.

3.-5. Usually, the conflict leads to teenage rebellion in the first act.

6.-7. The relationship finally comes together, bringing hope and uplifted feelings.

8. Before the finale, there’s always one last something that makes the heroine doubt her actions.

9. Lastly, the Big Kiss finally happens despite whatever remaining issues there might be.

10. The credits will roll while a synth-filled tune plays.