In the late eighties, an oldies radio station was born in Denver Colorado called KOOL 105. They played all kinds of great music from the 50s and 60s, and it was a favorite radio station of my old mans. While I was on the road the other day, I happened to tune into KOOL 105 and was shocked at what I heard. They were playing a Prince song from the 80s! Really? 1980s songs are now considered to be oldies?!? Wow.. I'm getting old.I guess there are 30 years separating the decade of the 80s from today, so maybe young people do consider music from bands like Fleetwood Mac and Hall and Oates to be oldies. In the 1980s, the music of the 50s that my parents grew up on, was considered goofy oldies music by a lot of kids. I guess I was pretty naive to think that the music I grew up on, would never be referred to as oldies at some point.
I now have a great affinity towards my parents music that is now referred to as "Golden Oldies". Just look at the titles of the following catchy classics that will forever be burned into my brain. Notice how a couple of these titles have become phrases and sayings that many still use to this day..
See ya later Alligator - Bill Haley and the Comets
Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys
Purple People Eater - Sheb WooleyYakety Yak - by the CoastersTutti Fruitti - Little Richard
All Shook up - Elvis Presley
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Poison Ivy - The Coasters
Splish Splash - Bobby Darin
Alley Oop - Hollywood Argyles
Johnny be good - Chuck Berry
Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
You talk too much - Joe Jones
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
Rock around the Clock - Bill Haley and the Comets
Charlie Brown - by the Coasters
The playing of these songs would instantly put my old man in a great mood, and I've got to say that they do the trick for me as well. The songs of the 50s and 60s were so much more simpler, upbeat, and innocent. The music was made to get you moving and feeling good. It makes me laugh to think that my grandparents thought of this music to be rebellious noise. I guess some things will never change. Folks will always reminisce about the music from their youth, and some will scoff or detest new music that just doesn't suit their taste.
So how about you? Are there oldies that your parents or grandparents loved, that you find yourself humming or singing from time to time?