Music of the ’80s and ’90s We’re Too Young To Understand
Music has the ability to take you back in time. We remember how our parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents loved it back then. As kids, we didn’t easily understand the profound meaning of those songs, but we liked them because of how they sounded. As we grow up, we find ourselves saying, ‘We were too young to understand these songs before‘.
It’s Nostalgia Time: Music of the ’80s and ’90s We Were Too Young To Understand
Nowadays, many of us love the music of the ’80s and ’90s for the nostalgia they bring. They often make us feel at home, reminding us of how life used to look, feel, and sound. However, we have also realized that many of the songs we loved before have a much deeper message.
I bet you remember when our parents used to blast their favorite radio station or cassette tape. It reminds us so much of those Sunday mornings, right? This is why I’m writing this article to take you down memory lane as we explore the messages in those songs.
Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA (1981)
From the melody alone, it’s evident that this song is quite emotional. It portrays a mother expressing regret for not spending enough time with her daughter. She realizes how quickly her baby has grown, feeling as though the moments are ‘slipping through her fingers‘.
Parenthood, especially motherhood is tough—you’re expected to manage chores, care for your kids, and financially contribute to the household. I’m not yet a mother, but I’ve seen ones who paved the way for their family, and I can tell it’s quite tiring but fulfilling. And if you relate to this song, know you’re doing great. There’s always time to catch up with your children, even if it’s for a brief moment.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983)
We once danced to this piece because of its upbeat rhythm. However, this one may be best enjoyed away from children. In an interview, the singer Cyndi Lauper explained how she reimagined Robert Hazard‘s song. It originally portrays men’s desire for intimate experiences, but Lauper transformed it into a female perspective that is more innocent and genuine.
“So I began to cut this out, cut that out, this needs a melody here, make this change, bring this together. Say, ‘Oh mama dear, we’re not the fortunate ones/ ‘Cause girls want to have fun’ — and we can’t. All of a sudden, it had this new life.”
Cyndi Lauper during the PBS Series, FINDING YOUR ROOTS
This particular song depicts a woman experimenting with the world, encountering attempts by men to restrict her self-exploration. Indeed, at some point in our lives, we all need to explore the world and discover our own paths to fun and empowerment.
How Can I Tell Her About – Lobo (1990)
This song sounds mellow and relaxing. However, its lyrics reveal a theme of infidelity. A man tells the story from his perspective as he addresses his second woman, pondering how to tell his main woman the happiness she brings him.
The message of this song is saddening, as it portrays a situation where despite the original woman being there for him during both good and bad times, the man still seeks happiness elsewhere. Furthermore, such situations resonate in real life regardless of gender which makes us realize that we’re too young to understand this concept.
In My Defense – Freddie Mercury (1992)
This is one of the most emotional songs I’ve encountered, especially poignant since it was released after the death of Queen‘s front man, Freddie Mercury, in 1991. The lyrics humbly reflect on past regrets, making the song deeply touching.
Despite Mercury‘s immense global fame, hearing him describe himself simply as ‘just a singer with a song‘ is particularly heart-wrenching.
Smooth Operator – Sade (1984)
Smooth jazz was a genre many of our parents enjoyed back in the day. It perfectly encapsulated by Sade‘s song ‘Smooth Operator‘!
However, upon having a deeper look into the lyrics, it reveals an interesting meaning. Furthermore, the song depicts a stylish con man who is popular among women and is also notorious for breaking hearts.
Music has always been integral to humans. Without it, life would likely be dull—imagine a world without melodies. Moreover, nearly every song harbors its own story and deeper meaning, which some of us have yet to discover. Even today, there are songs with upbeat or mellow rhythms that convey meanings opposite to their sound. Who knows, future generations might also find this relatable, telling themselves that they were too young before to understand the music of the 2010s and 2020s.
