Gosh, it’s funny that with all of the nostalgia going on in my head with Gus graduating and with me thinking back to when I graduated, I found out yesterday that I was tagged by the super-cool Superkimbo over at Follow That Elephant with a nostalgic-like meme. 

But first, let me just say that if you haven’t visited Superkimbo’s blog, you need to check it out.  She’s an American who is living, traveling, and teaching overseas with her husband.  And she has reached her goal of traveling to 30 countries before she turns 30.  Hmph.  I really just want to hate her, but then I wouldn’t be able to live vicariously through her blog.  And to top it all off, she’s really smart and nice, and she’s giving me some much needed advice on traveling to Germany in the fall with GR (yes, I said GR), because she has lived in Munich.  Anyhow, she’s a far better writer than I ever thought about being, so just go visit her, people!

So, the rules for this meme are as follows:

1. Go to http://www.popculturemadness.com/
2. Pick the year you turned 18
3. Get yourself nostalgic over the songs of the year
4. Write something about how the song affected you
5. Pass it on to 5 more friends

And my first thought is, crap.  Do I have 5 friends?  I’ll come back to that one.  But before you read about the songs that I picked, I’ll tell you the same thing that I told Superkimbo.  I’m definitely a superficial, pop music junkie.  I never really delved into the alternative or deep-thinking singers and bands.  And I’m way too ADD to listen to one group for very long before I tire of their music.  So, the songs that I picked are not very profound.  But then again, after looking at the Billboard music list for 1988?  Not many were.  Actually, none.  Except for maybe Monkey by George Micheal.  Okay, I jest, people.

So, that being said, here’s a sampling of songs on the charts that I listened to from way back in 1988 (yes, I am old)…

January 16 - January 22: Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison  
Were there any other words to this song besides “I Got My Mind Set on You?”

January 30 - February 5: Need You Tonight - INXS
Okay, I lied.  This is one band that I followed for a while.  Michael Hutchence was all kinds of hot in a Jim Morrison kind of way, and I loved every song on the Kick album.  My favorite was Never Tear Us Apart.  Need You Tonight was just meh.

July 9 - July 22: The Flame - Cheap Trick
Definitely the Big Hair Ballad of 1988.  I can’t even listen to this song now without getting nauseated. 

July 23 - July 29: Hold On to The Nights - Richard Marx
I know, damn it.  The mullet, the cheesiness.  But y’all?  I was in love with Richard.  I even went to Six Flags to see him in concert in 1988.  And for some strange reason, Sa-sa-samantha Fox was the opening act.  What was up with that?

October 8 - October 14: Love Bites - Def Leppard
This song was a bit too sweet coming from Def Leppard.  And I’m thinking that GR used to own some black and white pants like Joe Elliott’s. 

November 5 - November 11:  Kokomo - The Beach Boys
I can only relate this song to the movie “Cocktail” back when Tom Cruise was the center of my universe.  I am so ashamed.

November 19 - December 2: Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi
How is it possible that JBJ gets hotter every freaking year?  Did anyone catch him on American Idol last week?  I know that Big H and I discussed his finer points.  And there are many, people.

Anyway, that’s just the short list, and I promise not to bore you with more. 

Now, I must tag five others.  Hmm, let me think.  How about Jennifer, Teena, Stacy, Kailani, and Dragonheart.  Well, actually Dragonheart is a cat (yes, a cat), so I’m not quite sure if he’s reached 18 in cat years yet.  Or if he listens to music for that matter.  Probably just the Meow Mix tune.

Happy Friday, y’all!  Oh, and wish me luck on the Race for the Cure tomorrow!