Flashback Friday: “Flood” by They Might Be Giants


Last week, Rosie and I roadtripped down to California. As is a necessity with any long car ride, you have to have a great roadtrip playlist. Since I updated my iPhone to iOS7, the shuffle function is wonky when I connect it to my car’s stereo system. Songs were playing by artist in clusters, and […]

Flashback Friday: “Right Here, Right Now” by Jesus Jones


Earlier this month, my daughter and I were talking about historical events I clearly remember from my childhood. We talked about the Challenger disaster, the student massacre in Tiananmen Square, Magic Johnson and the publicization of HIV and AIDS, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Because my brother’s family lives in Germany, we talked […]

Flashback Friday: “Unbelievable” by EMF


There are some songs that come onto the radio and I can’t help but groove in my seat (or do a little dance if I’m driving) and sing along. From the first “Ohhhhh!” and rhythmic cowbell thunking, I know it’s time to groove. One of the biggest hits of 1990/1991, and still gets me pumped […]

Flashback Friday: “Jump” by Kris Kross


The Mac Daddy and the Daddy Mac. Chris Kelly and Chris Smith were the ultimate trendsetters for the tween crowd in the early 90’s. Discovered in an Atlanta mall in 1990, the signed a recording deal with Ruffhouse Records and released their album “Totally Krossed Out” in 1992. “Jump” was their first, and biggest, hit […]

Flashback Friday: “Black” by Pearl Jam


In 1991, the realities of being an emotional adolescent were on the upswing. It was the beginning of the grunge era, and my musical tastes switched from New Kids on the Block and poppy Top 40 hits…to songs with deeper meaning, more angst, and lyrics that spoke to my soul. One of the albums that […]

Flashback Friday: “One” by U2


As with last week’s Flashback Friday selection “Enjoy the Silence,” the song “One” by U2 also defined my early adolescence. The first U2 song I remember listening to was “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (while actually knowing it was U2). I was having my 10th birthday party slumber party, and we had […]

Flashback Friday: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen


It’s always intrigued me how songs from the past can blaze forth into popularity again. One of the biggest comeback songs that I can remember in my youth was Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Originally written by Freddie Mercury in 1975 for the album “A Night at the Opera,” this 5 minute and 55 second elaborate piece […]

Flashback Friday: “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton


In my opinion, Eric Clapton is one of the top five greatest guitarists in Rock ‘n Roll history. He’s been rocking since before I was born, but my first real exposure to his music was an acoustic ballad released in 1992 – “Tears in Heaven.” “Tears in Heaven” was written about the pain and loss […]

Flashback Friday: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana


In the early 1990’s, alternative music was just that – alternative. When the 4-chord riffs of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” hit the airwaves in 1992, it was a turning point in alternative music – alternative was now mainstream. Kurt Cobain led the 3-man band Nirvana. In the late 80’s, they developed a style for their songs […]

Flashback Friday – “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors


There are few pop guitar riffs from the early 1990’s that are more recognizable than “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors.With a rhythmic drum beat, groovin’ guitars and lots of “Yeahhhhhhs” in the song, how could you not sing and dance along? I remember the first time I heard the song on Z100 in 1992, and […]