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I totally disagree... 1983 had the best pop music, I was 12 in 1984.  Maybe I was just a pop music over achiever.

http://images.salon.com/comics/boll/2007/06/14/boll/story.gif

I totally disagree... 1983 had the best pop music, I was 12 in 1984.  Maybe I was just a pop music over achiever.



I was 12 in 1994. Music was pretty good that year, but I would've much preferred 1984 over 1994 anyday!  ;D

I was 12 in 1990-1991.  I liked some of the music that year, but for the most part, give me 1980-1981 anyday lol

I was 12 in 1990-1991.  I liked some of the music that year, but for the most part, give me 1980-1981 anyday lol


I hear ya!  ;D

I was 12 back in 1984.  All I can remember is Cindy Lauper's video "She Bop".  Best time would have been 1986.

Cute article, lol. You know what, though? That makes perfect sense all things considered.

Taking into account everything I was personally into in 1993/'94, it fits me probably better than any other time does - both for what was current and from some years before. I stuck with the '80s music I already liked and continued getting into it deeper (i.e. from the radio and VH1, or stuff I heard from other people). As far as new music, I liked the more AC and pop-styled songs. I pretty much enjoyed a little of everything for TV shows. It was about half and half for movies, although I also slightly favored the '80s stuff from guys like John Candy and Bill Murray.

The key thing to remember as far as personal memories go, is that I tend to associate things with when I first got into it. Like if I discovered a 1985 movie or song in 1993, it's almost like it "came out" then to me, in an indirect way.

P.S. When people say "back in my time" in reference to pop culture or the defining moments of their generally young life, it's such a huge span. They could be talking about when they were 5 or when they were 30! But I think 12 is pretty central. It's at the very end of childhood with proto-teenage elements (i.e. more "adult" thinking and interests, like being into girls/guys), so it's got both elements. The high school years don't have that, they're much more adult-centered in the grand scheme of things.

I was 12 in '81 and like '80-'87 pop culture the best.

Well i was 12 in 2002. And that year isn't really remembered for good pop culture.  ::)

I was 12 in 1988, so it was good.

I supposed 1988 was ok.

Darn, I was 12 in 1990. I wished I had been a teenager in the 80's .  :\'(

Lots of 1988'ers in of late! I'm one too.

1988 was good, but I'd take 86 more readily. I agree with the whole 12 yr old thing though. That's the age when toys get given away and you pay attention to what's in the charts and what movies you wanna go see.

Not really... (It was in the mid 1990's)

   Around twelve..?  Exactly twelve..?  Was 13/14 in '83.  Sounds good...

   In those years, and at that age, pop culture wasn't pop culture, it was just life.  Drank deep of it.  Rolled around in it...

   NOW it's pop culture...

You guys can look at it two ways, but I think it's actuallyrelevant if you think of what you were into when you were 12, regardless of when it was actually from.

In 1994 I wasn't only paying attention to things from 1994. For instance, whenever my parents would rent videos from one of the local video stores and I went to pick something out, I usually was the most interested in '80s comedies - even the rarer ones at that time were still kinda popular and not out of print or hard to find. And like I said, I stuck with the '80s music that I had already liked and got into more of it.

Basically 1979+ (especially starting c. 1984) is like my "home time" for pop culture. By today's standards, it stops around 1998, so back then it included both new and old, lol.

I was 12 in 1999 lol, I think 1999 was actually quite good pop culturally but 97 and 98 were better.

I was 12 in 1999 lol, I think 1999 was actually quite good pop culturally but 97 and 98 were better.



Yeah, I was 12 in 1999 too. I used to think that the pop culture of that year sucked, but looking back on it, it's a heck of alot better than current pop culture ;D

A month before my 12th birthday, a outdoor concert billed as 3 days of peace and music took place, and having an older sister I was already aware of pop groups and various songs. These days, in a way, I prefer music from that era. By the way, the outdoor concert was Woodstock.

Yeah, I was 12 in 1999 too. I used to think that the pop culture of that year sucked, but looking back on it, it's a heck of alot better than current pop culture ;D


Yeah, even though 1999 was extremely juvenile and silly, as a big picture it still somehow felt more "adult" and "mature" than current pop culture does. Sure, you had Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 (who were actually okay - their songs were catchy even if silly) but there were also more classic songs like "All Star" and "Smooth". And movies like The Matrix.

Yeah, even though 1999 was extremely juvenile and silly, as a big picture it still somehow felt more "adult" and "mature" than current pop culture does. Sure, you had Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 (who were actually okay - their songs were catchy even if silly) but there were also more classic songs like "All Star" and "Smooth". And movies like The Matrix.


And Genie In The Bottle, No Scrubs, not to mention Californication being a big part of 99. It was not a bad year.

i born in 77...so i have 12 in 1989... an think 1989 is the best year  of mi life to me... im still big fan of Debbie Gibson, NKOTB, Paula Abdul, Technotronic,Guns n Roses, etc... so i agree...

Well...I was 12 in 1984...and yeah, I did like the music from that year...But I prefered the music from 1983 more...and even more than that, I LOVED the music from late 1976 to 1982 the absolute BEST...I guess its all about the music for me. Music began to change a LOT in around 1984 to 1985, and while I didnt MIND the change, it wasnt as good as the earlier stuff. Yes, there had been other changes in music (like from disco to new wave), but being a kid they still sounded the same style to me. I guess it was like a natural progression...But by 1985 that 'natural progression' seemed to be broken, and no longer could I link most of the good music with that of the past.


So...I dont really think its about your age or the dates...Its about when you became aware of a certain aspect of pop culture...and I became very aware of pop culture in music and TV and fiolms from a very young age.






AN

I was 12 in 1989!!!!  I went to my first concert that year to see The Boys, Guy, MC Hammer, Kool Moe Dee, Three Times Dope, and Heavy D and The Boyz!!!!  The year of the NEW JACK SWING!!!!!   No wonder why I liked The Boys, Guy, Salt n Pepa,  Bobby Brown, MC Lyte, MC Hammer, L'Trimm, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, NWA, Eazy E, Kid and Play and them a lot!!!!   No wonder why I like music from the mid to late 80s a lot!!! I was 9 in 1986, and even though I was watching cartoons and playing with toys, I payed a whole lot of attention in the pop culture, especially in the music and movie department.  My father didn't have cable until late 1987, so when I was 10, that's when I started watching music videos.  I watched music videos before 1987, only when they showed it on regular TV which was limited, but when my father had cable in 1987, that was it for me!!!! :D  The first two music video channels I watched were VH1 and BET. I believe that when you  hit your preteens (9-12 years old)  that's when you really really REALLY get drenched in pop culture ( music, music videos, movies, fashion).  For me personally, it was music, music videos, movies, and fashion.  I'm speaking of experience.  I was 11 when I had my first cassette called "The Message From The Boys", you know, "Dial My Heart".  I watched a WHOOOOOLE lot of videos from BET when I was 11, and that's the reason why I liked music from 1986-1989 a lot.  When I first heard Guy, I thought it was The Gap Band, and I was 11 when they first came out.  I think it depends on the individual. Some people were 10 when pop culture hit them hard.  Some people were 11 when pop culture hit them hard.  Some people were 12.  I had a pair of biker shorts when I was 11. I had an Adidas sweatsuit when I was 11.  I had an African medallion when I was 11.  I tried to pierced my ears to make a second hole so I could wear two pairs of earrings like Salt n Pepa when I was 11.  My sister took me to the clinic to get my second hole pierced.  I remember when I tried to style my hair like Salt n Pepa when I was 11.  My hair was too long to do it, so I remember taking some bobby pins and pinned my hair in the back, and brushed my hair to the left, and curled the left.  The girl in my school almost beat me up because she thought I was trying to look like her, and I wasn't.  Plus, I hit puberty at 11/12. I went through the whole Rhythm Nation phase when I was 12, so for me, 1986-1995  was the best time for me when it comes to music, music videos, movies, and fashion.

when i was 12, it was the summer of love!!  "1967"  here are the top 40 songs from that year!  . To Sir With Love, Lulu
2. Happy Together, The Turtles
3. Windy, Association
4. Ode To Billie Joe, Bobby Gentry
5. I'm A Believer, The Monkees
6. Light My Fire, The Doors
7. Somethin' Stupid, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
8. The Letter, Box Tops
9. Groovin', Young Rascals
10. Kind Of A Drag, Buckinghams
11. Little Bit O' Soul, Music Explosion
12. I Think We're Alone Now, Tommy James and The Shondells
13. Respect, Aretha Franklin
14. I Was Made To Love Her, Stevie Wonder
15. Come Back When You Grow Up, Bobby Vee and The Strangers
16. Sweet Soul Music, Arthur Conley
17. Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli
18. Never My Love, Association
19. Soul Man, Sam and Dave
20. Expressway To Your Heart, Soul Survivors
21. Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, Jay and The Techniques
22. Come On Down To My Boat, Every Mothers' Son
23. Incense And Peppermints, Strawberry Alarm Clock
24. Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones
25. It Must Be Him, Vicki Carr
27. For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield
28. Gimme Little Sign, Brenton Wood
28. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone, Supremes
29. The Happening, Supremes
30. All You Need Is Love, Beatles
31. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again), Engelbert Humperdinck
32. Your Precious Love, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
33. Somebody To Love, Jefferson Airplane
34. Get On Up, Esquires
35. Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
36. Jimmy Mack, Martha and The Vandella
37. I Got Rhythm, Happenings
38. A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Procol Harum
39. Don't You Care, Buckinghams
40. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, Casinos   

when i was 12, it was the summer of love!!  "1967"  here are the top 40 songs from that year!  . To Sir With Love, Lulu
2. Happy Together, The Turtles
3. Windy, Association
4. Ode To Billie Joe, Bobby Gentry
5. I'm A Believer, The Monkees
6. Light My Fire, The Doors
7. Somethin' Stupid, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
8. The Letter, Box Tops
9. Groovin', Young Rascals
10. Kind Of A Drag, Buckinghams
11. Little Bit O' Soul, Music Explosion
12. I Think We're Alone Now, Tommy James and The Shondells
13. Respect, Aretha Franklin
14. I Was Made To Love Her, Stevie Wonder
15. Come Back When You Grow Up, Bobby Vee and The Strangers
16. Sweet Soul Music, Arthur Conley
17. Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli
18. Never My Love, Association
19. Soul Man, Sam and Dave
20. Expressway To Your Heart, Soul Survivors
21. Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, Jay and The Techniques
22. Come On Down To My Boat, Every Mothers' Son
23. Incense And Peppermints, Strawberry Alarm Clock
24. Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones
25. It Must Be Him, Vicki Carr
27. For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield
28. Gimme Little Sign, Brenton Wood
28. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone, Supremes
29. The Happening, Supremes
30. All You Need Is Love, Beatles
31. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again), Engelbert Humperdinck
32. Your Precious Love, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
33. Somebody To Love, Jefferson Airplane
34. Get On Up, Esquires
35. Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
36. Jimmy Mack, Martha and The Vandella
37. I Got Rhythm, Happenings
38. A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Procol Harum
39. Don't You Care, Buckinghams
40. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, Casinos   


WOW!!!  That was a huge collection.

when i was 12, it was the summer of love!!  "1967"  here are the top 40 songs from that year!  . To Sir With Love, Lulu
2. Happy Together, The Turtles
3. Windy, Association
4. Ode To Billie Joe, Bobby Gentry
5. I'm A Believer, The Monkees
6. Light My Fire, The Doors
7. Somethin' Stupid, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
8. The Letter, Box Tops
9. Groovin', Young Rascals
10. Kind Of A Drag, Buckinghams
11. Little Bit O' Soul, Music Explosion
12. I Think We're Alone Now, Tommy James and The Shondells
13. Respect, Aretha Franklin
14. I Was Made To Love Her, Stevie Wonder
15. Come Back When You Grow Up, Bobby Vee and The Strangers
16. Sweet Soul Music, Arthur Conley
17. Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli
18. Never My Love, Association
19. Soul Man, Sam and Dave
20. Expressway To Your Heart, Soul Survivors
21. Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, Jay and The Techniques
22. Come On Down To My Boat, Every Mothers' Son
23. Incense And Peppermints, Strawberry Alarm Clock
24. Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones
25. It Must Be Him, Vicki Carr
27. For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield
28. Gimme Little Sign, Brenton Wood
28. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone, Supremes
29. The Happening, Supremes
30. All You Need Is Love, Beatles
31. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again), Engelbert Humperdinck
32. Your Precious Love, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
33. Somebody To Love, Jefferson Airplane
34. Get On Up, Esquires
35. Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
36. Jimmy Mack, Martha and The Vandella
37. I Got Rhythm, Happenings
38. A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Procol Harum
39. Don't You Care, Buckinghams
40. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, Casinos   
Great to see Lulu on top!

hmmmm, i'd say more when you're 9.

I think the best time for pop culture was when you were in your tweens (9-12).  According to my internet research and my experience, it's the truth.

^ I agree. I was 9 in 1991 and 12 in 1994. And those were some of the best times of my life. I had great school memories, watched great movies, hung out with my friends, and the pop culture was very interesting at the time.

I think the best time for pop culture was when you were in your tweens (9-12).  According to my internet research and my experience, it's the truth.

I think that's very true. Not just for me, but for lots of people. Probably because it's some of the first stuff that really sticks with you. Another contributing reason could be because pop culture has been very video game dominated since the early 1980s, which is something alot of kids like (although teens and adults do too).

I was in that age range from late 1990 into 1994, and that sounds perfect. That was my VH1 and Super Nintendo days! ;)

Nicole, the Salt n Pepa hairstyle. Well let's see I tried to copy their style from 88-89. Long on one side short on the other. I was not familiar with weaves so I decided to cut mine. it came out horrible and then I had to wind up cutting the other side too.

I was 12 in 1982.  I think Duran Duran was the in group.

I'm a babe i was'n't even born in the eighties :O !! I was twelve in 2003... Not really a good year for music now was it :-D!

I'm a babe i was'n't even born in the eighties :O !! I was twelve in 2003... Not really a good year for music now was it :-D!


So why bother posting that?

I'm a babe i was'n't even born in the eighties :O !! I was twelve in 2003... Not really a good year for music now was it :-D!



2003 not really. about the same as now.

http://images.salon.com/comics/boll/2007/06/14/boll/story.gif

I totally disagree... 1983 had the best pop music, I was 12 in 1984.  Maybe I was just a pop music over achiever.



I also was 12 in 1984... and I agree that 1983 was the best year for pop music.