20 Songs, Class of 1986 (from what I had in my iPod and in no particular order)

"Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" by The Police: While this re-mix issued that year is not as good, I think, as the original from 19??, I love the reference to "that book by Nabokov." Of course, I didn't know who he was until a woman in Berkeley mentioned LOLITA. Humbert Humbert is such a compelling character.

"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel: Major confession, I obsessed over this cassette. I'd listen to it while I worked out at home. Doing sit ups and push ups. Not sure why I was so aware of my physique at that time, but I imagine it had to do with Ana Garza, who I imagined singing this song to over and over again. Song is haunting and longing and beautiful.

"Dreams" by Van Halen: Off "5150," first record without David Lee Roth. While I had gotten over the shock of Eddie playing keyboards on "1984," I feared this record would be part of the synthesizer-happy era (i.e., not rockin' enough). I am surprised that listening to it now it grabs you by the throat, nice bass and drumbeats by the ever-steady Michael Anthony and Alex.

"Dear God" by XTC: One of those quirky bands that discovered me in Berkeley (1987-1988). My roommate Joe (really José ) from So. Cal. was a music fiend who had countless records in pristine condition and a few cassettes. My own tape collection grew so much that year since I spent any extra change at Rasputin's on Telegraph. Every time I re-discover this song, I find its tone both praising and irreverent.

"Secret Separation" by the Fixx: Another song, like "In Your Eyes," that I learned the lyrics for and imagined a female audience for them. Its predictable electronic beat plays behind a British vocalist. While there were so many of these imported New Wave bands around, I always go back to this song off their Greatest Hits.

"Missionary Man" by Eurythmics: Opening track of off "Revenge." While their band name is still one of the coolest ones ever, most think of Annie Lennox as the band (Dave Stewart, of course, did his own thing too). Love Lennox's voice, style, attitude--a David-Bowie androgyny that confuses/attracts. She is one of the performers that I regret never seeing live (also Gabriel, Cobain) and still hope to one day.

"If You Leave" by OMD: Ok, I dare you to name one person reared in the `80s who didn't/doesn't welcome hearing this song. I just learned that OMD wrote and recorded it like in 1 week for use in "Pretty in Pink." Like the movie, the hit song holds up as a touchstone of pop hits. And, it's easy to dance to, right?

"Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads: I love these guys. And that they were art students before coming together seems appropriate. Their music always catches my ear. David Byrne's voice is odd and melodic while the arrangement seems more about experimentation than being a dance single. Dare I say that there music is timeless?

"Pretty in Pink" by Psychedelic Furs: True story, I met these guys at a Tower Records in Berkeley. Ditched classes to line up for autographs. Somewhere there is a cassette with all their signatures. I wasn't that much of a fan as much as curious about meeting one. I do like the singer's aching tone, and of courses, images from the movie always play along with the song. We recently bought the movie and found that it still plays well, like the song.

"In Between Days" by The Cure: While not my favorite song by them (maybe "The Caterpillar" or "Close to Me"), I do love their songs from this period. It's catchy in its breathy rhythm and yes synthesized beat. Robert Smith is one of those kooky icons from this decade, wild clothes, wilder hair, and make-up. His appearance, like Lennox or Boy George, dares you to stereotype him. Which leads you to admire a song titled "Boys Don't Cry."

"Don't Get Me Wrong" by The Pretenders: Even before I saw them open for U2 in Oakland in 1987, I'd seen their videos on MTV. I wouldn't be able to name any other members of the band except Chrissie Hynde. Like Joan Jett and maybe Courtney Love (before flipping out), Hynde rocked it out with the best of them in a testosterone world. There's something straight forward about this song, like an Elvis Costello tune.

"Blood & Roses" by the Smithereens: (You'll like this song if you don't know it.) I was surprised to see that this was from `86. My old friend Danny Casillas turned me on to this band in late eighties. Seeing them live at the Mesa Inn, an intimate room in a cheesy motel on Mesa Street, is still one of the best visceral moment of music for me. They played their hearts out (a la Cheap Trick) back in the day. I loved that the lead singer jumped into the crowd and was able to frolic there for a song or two. He grazed me when he fought his way back. Good time.

"What You Need?" by INXS: Before the surviving members went Reality TV, there was a soft place in my heart for this band. Albums like "Shabooh Shoobah," "Listen Like Thieves," and "Kick," in particular, have more than one cut that just all out jams. You can raise the volume and drive for miles to this music. Don't know much about Australia, but thank goodness for this import. (I won't even comment on this incarnation...but would Led Zeppelin ever have a show to replace John Bonham, Queen..., Nirvana...?)

"R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60's Rock)" by John (not Cougar) Mellencamp: Off of "Scarecrow," released in `85, which has bigger hits than this one. I chose this song because it's fun and makes key references to his musical predecessors (including El Paso-born Bobby "I Fought the Law" Fuller). Having recently listened to the whole album, I think it holds up very well. Both politically-aware and musically sound.

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears for Fears: Released in `85, another English band (UK New Wave indeed) that I still enjoy listening to. While the song probably gets overplayed, I'm moved by its pace and composition. And the title seems prophetic and aware, unlike some of today's pop music. Not to say the eighties stuff was profound, but Tears for Fears (another great name, and it rhymes), all of its two members, seemed to care about more than just their funky hair.

"Graceland" by Paul Simon: From the very first CD I owned (and still have) along with Billy Joel's "Greatest Hits." Mom bought me a Sony CD player for my 19th birthday for about $200. That damn thing broke down so much that I got tired of taking it in for repairs. Replaced it with a Pioneer 6-cd changer soon after. "Graceland" is still one of my favorite narrative songs. The journey--internal and external--fit Simon's voice, and to hear Willie Nelson sing it, I think that the song is everyone's. Where's my Graceland? "Will we all be received in Aztlá n?"

"Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order: While I never really loved NO like some other people, I cannot deny having danced to this song more once (especially at Club 101 here in EP). What frustrates me about this song and others is that there are so so many re-mixes that ran forever. How was I to know when the song ended? Right now, as this version (clocking in at 6:42) plays, I am already sweating and feeling a bit bored by the programmed backbeat that seems to be playing on a loop (like some hip hop). I was intrigued that the group was formed from Joy Division, whose singer hung himself. Bands outliving themselves (former selves) seems mythological somehow. (How many of the bands on this list actually stayed together from day 1?)

"Something So Strong" by Crowded House: I really liked this first album by the New Zealand band (made from members of Split Enz). More than one hit on this record that I need to get on CD. I was sad to hear that their drummer hung himself last year. I guess if the music stops, then the other voices in our heads are heard. Not what I intended to write for an uplifting song, but it does remind me that musicians die, just like writers, while our work makes it way to mindless lists.

"Kiss" by Prince: My favorite reference for Prince is that I went to an Iron Maiden concert at EP's Coliseum instead of seeing Prince in Las Cruces. I find it apropos that I chose metal over purple. I wrote a review of IM concert for school paper and my off-on-off girlfriend reviewed Prince's show. I now respect Prince's music, and his sense of himself as an artist, much more than I did then. This song, I re-learned, is from a movie. Funky at its best.

"Fall on Me" by R.E.M: From "Life's Rich Pageant," which Joe played in our CAL dorm room along with the band's early albums. Probably the first time I heard the term 'College Rock'. I didn't really like their music until I purchased "Document" at Rasputin's. Saw them live in Austin and Las Cruces. I like to think of them as a band from the past although I respect Stipe's commitment to the worlds outside of music. I also liked "Superman" from this LP. Favorite R.E.M album? Probably "Document" although I haven't heard "Out of Time" in a while.