For an old gen xer (b. 1967) like me, smells like teen spirit doesn't work because it came out after I was basically an adult (1991 - I was 24). Needs to be something Reagan-Era. Don't you forget about me wins hands down, or something from The Cure (many to choose from). I guess we could have an old and young version!
I like your criteria, appreciate your choices, and understand your rationale. I can tell a lot of thought went into this. And it’s hard to argue against Nirvana. I think the struggle for me is what you, yourself, alluded to, and what Scott hits on, above. The term “Gen X” simply covers too much ground. Like Scott, I was as an early GenXer, born in ‘67, influenced more by the first punk movement than the 2nd (grunge). In my mind, the quintessential GenX song/album needs to be earlier than it’s last gasp. Simple Minds takes it for me, although I’ll concede it was an impossible challenge. Well done 🍻
As one who came in at the tail end of this generation, I am team Mix Tape. Definitely no one song to define a generation, but I do love both Nirvana and Simple Minds. Also advocating for The Smith’s and The Cure to be included. This was a fun exploration!
As soon as I read the title, (Don't you) Forget About Me popped into my head. I'm a mid Xer (1973) and grew up on Jon Hughes films. Loved the selection process you employed!
I’m older than you by two years and I’m gonna disagree about the Reagan era thing. I feel like the Reagan years were peak Boomer. I was 26 when Smells Like Teen Spirit came out. I wasn’t a huge Nirvana fan but I feel like this song makes the best Gen X anthem in that it perfectly captures the alienation of Gen X.
Forever Young. Alphaville. that’s us. not aging. not quitting. the song still works 40 years later. even the Gen Z love it. and so many good covers of it by later artists (brandi carlisle)
I love it, Jonathan! You admirably make your case here, and I feel like it's bulletproof enough that only nine million people will vehemently disagree with you. Next up we need: the top Gen X one-hit wonder, the top Gen X movie song... 😂😂
Nailed the bracket and the winner. Fully approve! I remember exactly where I was (fucking off in my teenage bedroom, of course, listening to 89X out of Windsor) knowing my life was changing in the span of 4 mins, 36 secs. Still visceral, still love.
I love “Free to be You and Me”; I smiled as soon as I read that. I’m an early GenXer so lean more toward the 80’s stuff from Duran Duran and the Go Go’s. Maybe something from the B-52’s?
I'm all for the list, the selection process, and the winner. It's a solid process. But one thing I would also say to back up Kurt Cobain and his importance is that everyone our age remembers where they were when they heard he was dead. I walked onto the university campus and saw people sitting in circles, with lit candles, and everyone was crying. It was like our leader had died. The uni cancelled all classes that day. And all the amateur bands there gathered and played covers all day long. It's still one of the most vivid memories I have of my twenties.
Today I heard New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle playing in the store and I found myself singing aloud knowing all the words. That was quintessential 80s. There is simply no good answer to this question and I love it!
I got the Free to Be You and Me reference!
I listened to this record on repeat as a kid.
Me, too! It's alright to cry ;-)
For an old gen xer (b. 1967) like me, smells like teen spirit doesn't work because it came out after I was basically an adult (1991 - I was 24). Needs to be something Reagan-Era. Don't you forget about me wins hands down, or something from The Cure (many to choose from). I guess we could have an old and young version!
For me... 🎵Don't You Forget About Me... attached to the seminal voice of a generation, The Breakfast Club
I like your criteria, appreciate your choices, and understand your rationale. I can tell a lot of thought went into this. And it’s hard to argue against Nirvana. I think the struggle for me is what you, yourself, alluded to, and what Scott hits on, above. The term “Gen X” simply covers too much ground. Like Scott, I was as an early GenXer, born in ‘67, influenced more by the first punk movement than the 2nd (grunge). In my mind, the quintessential GenX song/album needs to be earlier than it’s last gasp. Simple Minds takes it for me, although I’ll concede it was an impossible challenge. Well done 🍻
Just Like Heaven by the Cure feels like a correct answer, too.
Also here for Free to be You and Me!
As one who came in at the tail end of this generation, I am team Mix Tape. Definitely no one song to define a generation, but I do love both Nirvana and Simple Minds. Also advocating for The Smith’s and The Cure to be included. This was a fun exploration!
As soon as I read the title, (Don't you) Forget About Me popped into my head. I'm a mid Xer (1973) and grew up on Jon Hughes films. Loved the selection process you employed!
I’m older than you by two years and I’m gonna disagree about the Reagan era thing. I feel like the Reagan years were peak Boomer. I was 26 when Smells Like Teen Spirit came out. I wasn’t a huge Nirvana fan but I feel like this song makes the best Gen X anthem in that it perfectly captures the alienation of Gen X.
Forever Young. Alphaville. that’s us. not aging. not quitting. the song still works 40 years later. even the Gen Z love it. and so many good covers of it by later artists (brandi carlisle)
Oh that’s a great song. Didn't think about that one. Darn!
I love it, Jonathan! You admirably make your case here, and I feel like it's bulletproof enough that only nine million people will vehemently disagree with you. Next up we need: the top Gen X one-hit wonder, the top Gen X movie song... 😂😂
Thanks, Lawrence. I love all those ideas. Let the haters hate!
The Replacement’s Bastards of Young
I just wrote a comment about the replacements unsatisfied! Iykyk
I cared less about the results than I was entertained by the method. What a journey!
Nailed the bracket and the winner. Fully approve! I remember exactly where I was (fucking off in my teenage bedroom, of course, listening to 89X out of Windsor) knowing my life was changing in the span of 4 mins, 36 secs. Still visceral, still love.
I love “Free to be You and Me”; I smiled as soon as I read that. I’m an early GenXer so lean more toward the 80’s stuff from Duran Duran and the Go Go’s. Maybe something from the B-52’s?
Thanks, Michelle. Rock Lobster or Private Idaho are good picks
Free to be You and Me is an awesome song. The whole record shaped many ideas in my preteen self. “My Dog is a Plummer”?
LOVED this post! I think ‘Free to Be You and Me’ was a great answer, honestly. where would we be without that vinyl in a pink jacket?
Has to be Don’t you forget about me, but born in 1969, Nirvana was later to me!
I'm all for the list, the selection process, and the winner. It's a solid process. But one thing I would also say to back up Kurt Cobain and his importance is that everyone our age remembers where they were when they heard he was dead. I walked onto the university campus and saw people sitting in circles, with lit candles, and everyone was crying. It was like our leader had died. The uni cancelled all classes that day. And all the amateur bands there gathered and played covers all day long. It's still one of the most vivid memories I have of my twenties.
GEN-X UNITE!
Today I heard New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle playing in the store and I found myself singing aloud knowing all the words. That was quintessential 80s. There is simply no good answer to this question and I love it!
Gotta go with Simple Minds. Just my 2 cents.
And yeah, I also got the Free to Be You and Me reference!
This is rad. And it was always going to be Nirvana 😉🤘 My Gen X organized brain loves the brackets too.