The song 1985 is about a middle-aged woman who dislikes modern pop culture, believing that the mid 1980s pop culture was better. Referenced as “Debbie”, she does through a sort of mid-life crisis where her life thus far has been incredibly boring compared to the life she could have led. Because her teenage years took place during the 1980’s, she thinks fondly of them and believes them to be superior to her later years.

The chorus of the song is backed up by very upbeat guitar. Each line of lyrics being introduced by two strums of guitar gives it a sort of back and forth interaction between singer and music. Though I didn’t live during the 1980’s, the music does have a sort of “1980s” feel to it because of the pop-rock genre it embodies. A very interesting part of the song is when the lyrics sing about Debbie hating time and wishing it could stop, and then the music completely stops and is replaced by a ticking clock sound.

“1985” was actually originally written and recorded by the band SR-71 but gained widespread popularity after Bowling for Soup performed it in 2004. This song doesn’t have particular meaning for me, but it does remind me of my middle school days because that is when I first came across it. The song has the underlying message that you never know what you miss unless you take chances, as exampled by the fictional Debbie in which she leads an unfulfilled life rather than doing what she actually wanted to do.

I recommend this song to anyone who is remotely into rock. It’s a very upbeat, fun song to listen to and sing along with, and for anyone who actually lived during the 1980s, it can possibly serve as memorabilia. Overall, 1985 is a great song to add to your playlist for jamming to during a car ride, for workouts, or just general enjoyment.

Work Cited: Bowling for Soup. 1985. Butch Walker, 2004. CD.

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bowlingforsoup/1985.html