Recite lyrics, dude*
NS November 14th, 2008
Why is it that the most vivid memories often come to me when I’m washing the dishes?
Just now while I was cleaning up after dinner and listening to my iPod on shuffle, “Don’t Cry” by Guns N’ Roses came on. I rarely put my iPod on shuffle and hadn’t even realised that this song was on there. Man, did it bring back memories. And not just a vague memory of the year it came out or of listening to it in my bedroom, but of how I felt and who I knew and what was going on in my life at that time. “Don’t Cry” to me means Jimmy Goodlett, black rock concert t-shirts, heart tattoos inked onto ankles, the smell of Obsession cologne, bad poetry and stolen kisses. Standing there at the sink, I could see his face clearly, hear the strains of Slash’s moaning guitar and feel my adolescent heart beating wildly in my chest.
I remember pondering the fantastically poignant lyrics when he dumped me and dedicated that song to me on the radio, and I remember thinking that it was really sensitive of him to do that. I thought that these kinds of songs were written for me and my friends, for what we were going through. They spoke directly to us with tales of heartache, drama, loss and love. I sincerely believe that 80s and early 90s rock ballads helped to shape my tortured youth. I mean, c’mon. How could this not be made for lovelorn teenagers?
P.S. — Nice Daisy Dukes, Axl
The other thing this song made me think of is how I used to make mixed cassette tapes with sad songs on them. I was a master at it, actually. There were called, oh-so-originally, the ‘Depression’ series. There were parts I, II, III, IV and V, I believe. They became so popular with my friends and then my classmates that I started making copies and selling them to people who’d just been dumped for five bucks each. Even through the pain, I found a way to capitalize on teenage heartbreak with my mad mix tape skills.
If that isn’t the American dream, I don’t know what is.
*Bonus points to anyone who can name what movie this is from
- Life's Lyrics , Miscellaneous Missives
- Comments(5)
I believe I still have a couple of those tapes around the house somewhere. I will sell them back to you- 3 for $10. Ha!
Um, I just sat there and listened to the entire song. And I have no idea what Axl was thinking. Just…. no. No. Do you think he ever looks back and wonders what the hell he was thinking?
I think it’s Bill and Ted, no?
I dedicate Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” to a girl that broke up with me on the radio when I was 19.
And mix tapes, god I miss mix tapes…
Lyn — Oh my word, the Depression tapes still exist?! You’ve got to mail those babies to me, please.
Andrea — Dear god, I hope so.
A Free Man — Ding ding ding! You are most excellent in your answer, dude.
I will send at least one tape over with Andrea. You should both get a good laugh. Do you still have a way to play a cassette? If not, I may be able to record it to CD.