Growing up with a dad whose formative years were soundtracked by the iconic tunes of the 1980s meant my childhood was filled with an eclectic mix of musical legends. From the anthemic rock of Bon Jovi to the smooth sounds of Fleetwood Mac and the raw energy of AC/DC, these artists were the constant companions on car rides and around the house. This early exposure fostered a deep, shared love for music between my father and me, a bond that spans genres and generations. Recently, our musical conversations have taken an exciting turn as he’s expressed interest in exploring contemporary music. While once I could simply update his Spotify playlist during visits home, the distance of 200 miles now requires a more creative approach. My solution? Curated song selections delivered digitally, sparking discussions and bridging the musical gap.
This past week, I decided to introduce him to a thematic collection: current songs that cleverly weave in elements of 80’s classics, either through interpolation or sampling. This approach allows us to connect over both the fresh sounds of today and the nostalgic comfort of the music he grew up with. It’s a musical bridge that strengthens our connection and offers a fascinating exploration of how the sounds of the 80s continue to resonate.
The first track I sent his way was Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze.” My ongoing mission to convert him into a “Swiftie” has been surprisingly successful, and his reaction to this song was a major win. His exact quote? “If it’s wrong to love ‘Lavender Haze’ by Taylor Swift, I don’t wanna be right.” It’s safe to say the song resonated, and I’ve since learned it’s become a staple on his daily commute playlist. While not officially confirmed as a sample or interpolation, the distinctive drum pattern leading into the chorus bears a striking resemblance to the legendary drum solo in Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.” Sharing this observation with my dad only deepened his appreciation for the song. For me, “In The Air Tonight” holds special significance as it was featured in my high school marching band show, making this Taylor Swift connection even more meaningful and a perfect starting point for our 80s-infused musical journey.
Alt text: Taylor Swift’s Lavender Haze album art, evoking a dreamy 80s synth-pop vibe, connecting modern pop with classic 80s love song influences.
Speaking of the iconic “In The Air Tonight,” the next song on my list was Lorde’s “Hard Feelings/Loveless.” The latter half of this track, “Loveless,” also incorporates that unmistakable Phil Collins drum solo. This connection was immediately apparent to my dad. He noted that the first section, “Hard Feelings,” reminded him of “Heart and Soul” by T’Pau and even detected hints of Peter Gabriel’s style. For “Loveless,” he drew comparisons to Kate Bush. While these artists are less familiar to me, understanding his musical touchstones is exactly the point of this exchange, so exploring T’Pau, Peter Gabriel, and Kate Bush is now on my musical to-do list. It’s fascinating to see how these 80s love song vibes are being reinterpreted and appreciated across generations.
Alt text: Lorde performing Hard Feelings/Loveless, capturing the emotional intensity and 80s-inspired synth sound of her music, highlighting the blend of modern and retro love song elements.
To shift the mood slightly, and indulge my own penchant for melancholic music, I introduced him to “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain. His review was concise and insightful: “Ethel Cain – Teen Angst Taylor. Just enough country, but too many issues crammed into one song. I didn’t get an ‘80s vibe until the synth at the end.” Interestingly, he missed the subtle interpolation of the guitar riff from Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” towards the song’s conclusion. Once I pointed it out, he promised a re-listen. His “Teen Angst Taylor” comparison is an interesting perspective, and while I hadn’t explicitly drawn parallels between Ethel Cain and Taylor Swift before, I can see how Taylor might be his current pop music reference point. While I suspected this song might be a bit outside his usual taste, it was worth including to broaden the scope of our musical conversation and explore the darker, more introspective side of 80s-influenced sounds.
Alt text: Ethel Cain in a promotional image for American Teenager, her aesthetic blending Americana with a touch of 80s gothic romance, reflecting the song’s themes and musical style.
The final song in this 80s-themed collection was “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. This track cleverly interpolates the melody from Olivia Newton-John’s iconic hit “Physical.” I debated sending him Dua Lipa’s own “Physical,” which shares the same interpolation, but opted for “Prisoner” thinking it might be a slightly less obvious connection and because he’s more familiar with Miley Cyrus. Initially, his ear caught a resemblance to “Urgent” by Foreigner, but as he listened further, the “Physical” interpolation became clear. Ultimately, he still felt the song’s rock undertones gave it a Foreigner-esque vibe, which is understandable given the song’s energetic and slightly edgy sound. It’s a testament to how 80s melodies can be reimagined and layered with different genres, creating something both familiar and entirely new.
Alt text: Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa performing Prisoner, their rock-infused pop style and stage presence echoing the bold and energetic spirit of 80s music videos and love anthems.
It’s truly fascinating to witness my dad’s interpretations of these contemporary songs and how they trigger memories of the music that defined his youth. It’s a beautiful reminder of how music transcends time, and how the echoes of 80s love songs and anthems continue to inspire and shape the music of today. I’m already curating the next playlist for him, eager to see where our intergenerational musical journey takes us next and what other 80s connections we uncover.
