Well into September now, typically adjusting to the abrupt change in location, schedule, and possibly job, depending on the year.

1977: The Alan Parsons Project, “I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like You”

Since I was in third grade in this week of 1977 I am pretty sure that, if I heard this song, it was while visiting someone with more modern tastes in music than my parents. Therefore the first time I heard it where it stuck would likely have been in high school when I was listening to a rock station. when listening to this one I feel a faint deja vu for cold weather and apple cider.

1982: Willie Nelson, “Let It Be Me”

I would certainly have heard “Let it Be Me” when was released, given the realities and culture of living in rural Michigan in the early 1980s. I’ve always liked Willie Nelson, and this tune is just beautiful.

1987: Michael Jackson, “Bad”

I remember seeing this video (long version here) on MTV in the public lounge of third-floor Copeland at GVSC. A lot. I also remember several football player types and some of the more redneck-ey students bristling at the idea of Michael Jackson flexing. Like, they felt threatened by MJ being bad. The reaction was amusing back then, and the memory is hilarious now. I really like “Bad” but I have heard the Weird Al Yankovic parody a whole lot more than I have heard the original.

1992: Celine Dion, “If You Asked Me To”

Ah, Celine Dion in the nineties. All over MTV back in the day, so undoubtedly that is where I first heard Dion’s version of “If You Asked Me To.”  I am much more familiar with Patti LaBelle‘s version from 1989, which was on the soundtrack of License to Kill. Of the two, I much prefer LaBelle’s version.

1997: Hanson, “Mmmbop”

Despite its overwhelming popularity at the time, I don’t think I heard it until years later, as during the late nineties I was listening to The Pogues and Tom Waits. Having now heard it, “Mmmbop” is light and fun and kind of forgettable. So maybe I did hear it when it was first released.