Betster has challenged us in a self-embarrassment contest. She wants us all to list 10 songs we LOVED in high school that we now realize are complete crap. I can take this challenge, because I liked LOTS of crappy music when I was a kid. Heck, I still probably like a lot of crap.


1. Strip - Adam Ant Back in the day, I was an ENORMOUS Antfan. I loved this man. Pledged him my virginity and my undying love. Yeah, well look at where he is now. So Strip. He wore nothing but little jogging shorts under a jump suit, which he tore off during the video and at the concert. The lyrics were classic crap: "We're just following ancient history, if I strip for you, will you strip for me?" I own the 45 and the LP.

2. I can't Wait - Nu Shooz This song came out in the spring semester of my senior year in HS. My friend Therese would pick me up in her car, we'd roll the windows down and blast this song all the way to school. The whole mile.

3. Why Can't I Be You? - The Smiths I liked this song because it was boppy. I hate it now, because it is boppy Smiths. They are at their best just before the wrist cutting open ceremony.

4. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran. I suspect I liked this song because everyone else did, because I can't remember anything good about it. In fact, the only Duran Duran song I ever really liked for sure was Girls on Film.

5. Brother Louie - Modern Talking Boy this German duo are tacky! I remember the lyrics as clear as day, "only love takes a heart, oh she's only looking through me". Eurotrash. I was a sucker for it even then.

6. The Kid's American - Matthew Wilder This is another song I can't figure out. I have it on a mix tape that says "Awesome tunes '86", and it is in my handwriting, so I must have, at one time, thought it was awesome, right? I wish I could blame this on drugs, I really do.

7. Chain Reaction - Diana Ross I used to think this song was SO dramatic and wonderful.. I saw her perform it on some TV special, and thought it was such a wonderful production. Guess I was wrong.

8. Never Say Goodbye - Bon Jovi This was our class song. It was sad, it was sappy, but you know what? I went to a school of over 4000 students and I graduated in 1987. We said goodbye a long time ago.

9. Come on Feel the Noise - Quiet Riot Certainly there were others who thought this was a good song? It is good for getting out teenage agression, and fun to thrash to in the car. I think we all loved it, because it said "wild, wild wild" in it. And wasn't this the video where the parent came into the kids room, and asked him what he wanted to do with his life, and the kid responds, "I wanna ROCK!"

10. Freedom - Wham This was before I developed a crush on George Michael - remember, I was going to end up with Adam Ant. I think I just liked the melody a whole lot. I have the 45 of Bad Boys, and I still think that is a fun song. But Freedom does not rock, it sucks.

So there's my list. I hope you enjoy the laugh at my expense.