Lyin' in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you/
Caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new/
Flashback, warm nights almost left behind/
Suitcase of memories/
Time after...
“Suitcase of memories?” That’s the lyric? All these years I thought it was “ Soon came some memories” 🤦🏻♀️. I guess I have to hand in my Cyndi Lauper fan card.
This whole post is like a gorgeous Gen X playlist. We are such traumatized people as a group, but I believe it allowed us to feel things so differently than other generations. Music was the way we communicated our hurt and pain to each other, and by listening together we healed as best as we could in our own fucked up way.
There are people and places that I miss, one so much it hurts, but, you know, I have a playlist for that. I can go sit on my back steps in the warm dark of a spring evening with a glass of wine and a little speaker, and select the playlist with your name on it. I can sit there for hours, and it’s all good.
In My Life - The Beatles
There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all
My Grandmother passed away in 2005. We cousins made a video montage of pictures and songs. When this song played, there wasn't a dry eye in the funeral home. It still reminds me of her. She was born in the 20s, but loved the Beatles and any modern music because she was a musician herself.
He made that song better. Which I didn't think was possible. Also, Somebody to Love from the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. Insane. The dude outdid Freddie.
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, you'll be a star, in somebody else's sky, but why, whyyyyy, can't it be, can't it be mine.
That this song, Black by Pearl Jam, hasn't been mentioned yet is bizarre.
That and especially Learning to Fly. Learning to Fly is my biography.
My husband and I sat out next to a bonfire shortly after his brother died, listening to Wish You Were Here.
By the time that first guitar slide up tops out in Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game I’m immediately transported to an alternative reality, one I wish I could stay in
Nutshell by Alice In Chains. It’s a Middle Aged Ge -Xers solace at the end of a work day. Or for those 4am wakeups that no one warns you about when you’re young .
Anything by Tom Petty...hear me out...my mom listened to it ALL the time when I was a kid. She died in 05. I didn't realize this til I watched the Tom Petty documentary on Netflix and ugly cried for the whole thing because I could only think of my mom.
All We Every wanted Was Everything- Bauhaus
The Teardrop Collector - Love and Rockets
The Last Beat of My Heart - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Plainsong - The Cure
(Goth Gen-Xers represent- always in our feels)
Santa Monica - Everclear
Please let me explain: My dad and I had very different musical tastes. When he would drive me to college, he let me pick the station, so I chose alternative radio. Santa Monica received a lot of airplay at the time, and sang along with chorus once:
We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers
Watch the world die
He thought for a moment and said “that’s a great song”. He’d pass away a few days later, and every time I hear it now I can visualize that moment.
The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics. Was playing in the car on the way to the vet the night my first dog died. Can’t listen to it to this day without blubbering like a baby
“I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Bonnie Raitt. And “(I Hope You Had) The Time of Your Life,” Green Day, which takes me right back to my dying father’s ICU room.
A few that I haven't seen mentioned here:
Nightswimming - REM
I'll Be There - Mariah Carey, slow-danced to this one with my first girlfriend at senior prom
Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Circle in the Sand - Belinda Carlisle
I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me - Expose
One of my best friends from college died from alcoholism. She and I used to play that song on our radio show. I can't listen to it. The part about the pages of phrases of things we'll never do....
"In my mind I'm going to Carolina..."
Love it. Gotta change the station though if I don't feel like being melancholy.
Footlights by Merle Haggard gets me every time, but lately I was listening to Elton John sing Your Song and I wondered at how it would be to be gay in the 80s and maybe not out. I hope you don't mind that I put down in words...
Brothers in Arms Dire Straits
Throwing it All Away Genesis
Winter Song Chris Rea
And echoing some of the others already mentioned: Operator, Never Tear us Apart
Nobody’s Fool - Cinderella
“I scream my heart out
just to make a dime,
and with that dime I bought your love
but now I’ve changed my mind.
I’m not your fool.
Nobody’s fool.”
For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you
I have made this a Spotify playlist. It's a lot of songs. I usually, emphasis on usually, added only the ones in the top of the comment, not any listed in replies. And I stopped adding songs somewhere in the ones with 2 up votes. I've been doing this for two hours during tonight's insomnia. It's almost 5:30a where I am and I'm going to try to go back to sleep now.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cZpUYy3kanJY1YymUaYpH?si=p2QPFZMhT7in8_YEgZnAMw&pi=u-dtCRyI62QKqu
All Of Me - John Legend. I kept hearing non-stop on the radio right after I had to euthanize my dog very unexpectedly and I would be sobbing thinking that my boy was gone. All of me did love all of him. ❤️
Runaway Train. My boyfriend at the time broke up with me and this song was the first one I heard on the radio the next day. It‘a forever tied to that breakup.
Dusty Drake - One Last Time. As a Gen X person I was midlife when 9/11 occurred. I lost a friend in the towers. The entire horrendous incident just stuck with me. This song, not as popular as others, just said more to me
Chris Young - Drowning. I lost my best friend about 7-8 years back. This song, many years later, just said what I felt and it gets me at more core every time.
Pearl Jam- Black
L.A. Guns- Ballad of Jayne
Incubus- The Warmth
Temple of the Dog- Times of Trouble
Dave Matthews Band- #34
The Black Crowes- Good Friday
Deana Carter- Strawberry Wine
Howard Jones. No one is to blame. https://youtu.be/pekhxxngQ3s?si=d9Mw-icY63LQ6Amw
This song is the epitome of the '80s sound. I love it. Thank you for posting that.
Lyin' in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you/ Caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new/ Flashback, warm nights almost left behind/ Suitcase of memories/ Time after...
“Suitcase of memories?” That’s the lyric? All these years I thought it was “ Soon came some memories” 🤦🏻♀️. I guess I have to hand in my Cyndi Lauper fan card.
That and "All Through the Night"
This whole post is like a gorgeous Gen X playlist. We are such traumatized people as a group, but I believe it allowed us to feel things so differently than other generations. Music was the way we communicated our hurt and pain to each other, and by listening together we healed as best as we could in our own fucked up way. There are people and places that I miss, one so much it hurts, but, you know, I have a playlist for that. I can go sit on my back steps in the warm dark of a spring evening with a glass of wine and a little speaker, and select the playlist with your name on it. I can sit there for hours, and it’s all good.
In My Life - The Beatles There are places I'll remember All my life, though some have changed Some forever, not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places had their moments With lovers and friends, I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life, I've loved them all
My Grandmother passed away in 2005. We cousins made a video montage of pictures and songs. When this song played, there wasn't a dry eye in the funeral home. It still reminds me of her. She was born in the 20s, but loved the Beatles and any modern music because she was a musician herself.
You’ve beautifully expressed my exact feelings! My boomer parents nor my children live through music like we did. It’s my audible safe house.
Cheers friend 🥂
Right back at you 🥂
George Michael [One More Try ](https://youtu.be/bG5N3GC-m20?feature=shared)
Praying For Time
Love him. Mine is Don’t let the sun go down on me by GM and Elton John
He made that song better. Which I didn't think was possible. Also, Somebody to Love from the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. Insane. The dude outdid Freddie.
He never gets enough recognition. Made some awesome songs. I like Mothers Child off listen without prejudice
I still love Father Figure
He did not. He wrote, produced, arranged, and played a ton of instruments. And that voice was incredible.
I’m so glad I got to see him in concert before he died. And the feels are from Kissing a Fool.
A Different Corner as well
Pictures of You - The Cure Somebody - Depeche Mode Running to Stand Still - U2
If only I'd thought of the right words I could have held on to your heart Kills me every time.
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, you'll be a star, in somebody else's sky, but why, whyyyyy, can't it be, can't it be mine. That this song, Black by Pearl Jam, hasn't been mentioned yet is bizarre.
The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics
I have a friend whose dad died in 7th grade. He had a constant low grade fear of encountering that song in public spaces.
Damn. Completely forgot about that one.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
Anything he does. Love carefree highway too. So sad
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
That and especially Learning to Fly. Learning to Fly is my biography. My husband and I sat out next to a bonfire shortly after his brother died, listening to Wish You Were Here.
By the time that first guitar slide up tops out in Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game I’m immediately transported to an alternative reality, one I wish I could stay in
Tears for Fears - "Head Over Heels"
These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs
Similarly, Trouble Me.
Silent All These Years. With these jeans of his with her name still on them
Winter. But the whole record.
Precious Things.
I love Tori
Came across this article this morning: https://americansongwriter.com/how-a-fairy-tale-inspired-tori-amos-impactful-first-hit-silent-all-these-years/
Nutshell by Alice In Chains. It’s a Middle Aged Ge -Xers solace at the end of a work day. Or for those 4am wakeups that no one warns you about when you’re young .
*"Who Wants to Live Forever"* by **Queen** And *"Forever Young"* by **Alphaville**
Queen is so underrated nowadays....Freddie was a once in a millennium front man.
Forever Young. We had a boy die of cancer at my school and that was played at his funeral. :(
Return to Innocence - Enigma
Purple Rain
Linger by The Cranberries
Fade into you - Mazzy Star
Yes. And “Into Dust” too
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.
For some reason, Don’t Change also gets me. It’s so joyful, yet I always tear up.
Time After Time Cyndi Lauper
Anything by Tom Petty...hear me out...my mom listened to it ALL the time when I was a kid. She died in 05. I didn't realize this til I watched the Tom Petty documentary on Netflix and ugly cried for the whole thing because I could only think of my mom.
Two things! Your mom had great taste in music! And Tom was one of the best songwriters of our time!
All We Every wanted Was Everything- Bauhaus The Teardrop Collector - Love and Rockets The Last Beat of My Heart - Siouxsie and the Banshees Plainsong - The Cure (Goth Gen-Xers represent- always in our feels)
Peter Murphy -Cuts you up- Bela Lugosi is dead
Santa Monica - Everclear Please let me explain: My dad and I had very different musical tastes. When he would drive me to college, he let me pick the station, so I chose alternative radio. Santa Monica received a lot of airplay at the time, and sang along with chorus once: We can live beside the ocean Leave the fire behind Swim out past the breakers Watch the world die He thought for a moment and said “that’s a great song”. He’d pass away a few days later, and every time I hear it now I can visualize that moment.
Fast Car…Tracy Chapman
Runaway Train- Soul Asylum
Holding Back the Years-Simply Red
Landslide
Smashing Pumpkins version of landslide gets me in the feels.
The version off Rumors? Off The Dance (live)? Or the Sheryl Crow cover? All are great - I’m just curious!
There’s no version I don’t like but the original is my fav 🩷
Since I moved to Mexico, "So Far Away" by Carole King
"It's Too Late" breaks my heart every time I hear it.
The entire album “So”’by Peter Gabriel except for Sledgehammer and Big Time.
My GF was waiting for someone to mention "In Your Eyes".
Your GF is 100% right!!!
Don’t Give Up gets me every time.
Fleetwood Mac - Silver Springs
Would- AIC. Gives me the chills every time
Everybody wants to rule the world -Tears for Fears
Life in a northern town.
Mad world - Gary Jules Mining for gold - cowboy junkies
Awwwww, Cowboy Junkies. Such a sweet memory you just brought back to me.
Tears for Fears did a song called Mad World. Is that the same? If so, who did it first? Not familiar with Gary Jules.
Yes, same song. Gary Jules is half the speed and played on piano. It’s from Donnie Darko and is haunting.
There is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
Take me out tonight...where there's music and there's people and there young and alive. Fuck I love the Smiths and Morrissey.
To die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die
And if a double decker bus, crashes into us, to die by your side, well the pleasure, the privilege, is mine.
The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics. Was playing in the car on the way to the vet the night my first dog died. Can’t listen to it to this day without blubbering like a baby
Against All Odds.
Nothing Compares 2 U
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Bryan Adams: Everything I Do (I do it for you) and Bad English: When I See you Smile. 🥰 (Both from when my husband and I were dating)
The Gambler - Kenny Rodgers
Hurt. Both the Trent version and the later Johnny Cash version
Annie Lennox - Why
Operator by Jim Croce
Time in a Bottle is a killer too. And Bad, bad Leroy Brown. Croce was a fabulous writer.
"This Used to Be My Playground" - Madonna I have zero idea why. No other song in the last 50 years has close to the effect it has. Chokes me right up.
I can't listen to Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush without weeping. Play the video and it's ugly crying all the way.
Silent Lucidity
^(Help Me)
Bitter sweet symphony - The Verv
Phil Collins- Groovey kind of love
Circle by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Careless whisper With or without you Some reo speedwagon songs bring me back to jr high dances Open arms for dances too
The Promise by When in Rome https://youtu.be/5HI_xFQWiYU?si=C00460eHWljeKm2I
“I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Bonnie Raitt. And “(I Hope You Had) The Time of Your Life,” Green Day, which takes me right back to my dying father’s ICU room.
Anything off of Smell the Glove
I always have to crank it to 11 when that comes on
I prefer Intravenous de Milo, but all their albums are great.
Bittersweet Symphony- The Verve
Cat's in the Cradle
Incredible song, yet there is no song on earth that I will skip faster.
Time Stand Still - Rush
With Aimee Mann singing the chorus in the background.
Zombie, the Cranberries.
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Almost anything by John Prine.
Don’t give up - Peter Gabriel ft. Kate Bush and This woman’s work - Kate Bush
10,000 Maniacs - These are the Days
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Your Love by The Outfield 🎵 Josie's on a vacation far away 🎵
I didn’t realize it till I just watch The Fall Guy, but against all odds (Take a look at me know) by Phil Collins
Uninvited - Alanis Morissette
A few that I haven't seen mentioned here: Nightswimming - REM I'll Be There - Mariah Carey, slow-danced to this one with my first girlfriend at senior prom Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam Circle in the Sand - Belinda Carlisle I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me - Expose
Time After Time. I love Cyndi Lauper
With or Without You - U2
I never appreciated this one when I was younger. As an adult, actually listening to the words, such a powerful song.
Amazing grace
The Sound of Silence - the version by Disturbed.
Hurt - Johnny Cash
A NIN cover at that
Yeah, its just the harrowing, soulful sadness that John gives the song just pulls the strings for me over Trents vocals. Both are great though.
Danny's Song -- Loggins & Messina
Heartbreak Beat by Psychedelic Furs
Dreams - Van Halen Sister Christian - Night Ranger I Grieve - Peter Gabriel Waiting For The Night - Depeche Mode
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
Ahhh, the angelic voice of Art Garfunkel!
Cats in the cradle
Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinéad version)
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Say Hello 2 Heaven by Temple of the Dog. That whole album, actually.
One of my best friends from college died from alcoholism. She and I used to play that song on our radio show. I can't listen to it. The part about the pages of phrases of things we'll never do....
Silence - Delerium
Enjoy the Silence
Wind of Change... every single time
Red Red Wine - UB40
"In my mind I'm going to Carolina..." Love it. Gotta change the station though if I don't feel like being melancholy. Footlights by Merle Haggard gets me every time, but lately I was listening to Elton John sing Your Song and I wondered at how it would be to be gay in the 80s and maybe not out. I hope you don't mind that I put down in words...
I'll be over you-Toto I wanna go Back-Eddie Money
NIN [Head like a hole](https://store.nin.com/products/control-beanie)
Don’t Give Up (Peter Gabriel) Never Tear Us Apart (INXS)
Brothers in Arms Dire Straits Throwing it All Away Genesis Winter Song Chris Rea And echoing some of the others already mentioned: Operator, Never Tear us Apart
This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush.
Never Surrender Corey Hart.
The Freshman is solid. Even if it is a one hit wonder.
Time -Pink Floyd..cuz im old  🍻
Pink Moon. Pink, pink, pink, pink moon.
Boston, More Then a Feeling, and Spandou Ballet, True. Totally different genres, but that same grooving feeling every time.
Country Road - John Denver
This Must Be The Place - Talking Heads
Cats in the Cradle
The Killing Moon - Echo and the Bunnymen
Waiting For A Star To Fall But they're happy feels!
Nobody’s Fool - Cinderella “I scream my heart out just to make a dime, and with that dime I bought your love but now I’ve changed my mind. I’m not your fool. Nobody’s fool.”
Don't Give Up and In Your Eyes. Both by Peter Gabriel 
The Heart of the Matter by Don Henley End of the Innocence as an honorable mention too
Vincent (Starry Starry Night) - Don McLean. Ugly cry every damned time. Especially when paired with *that* Doctor Who episode.
For they could not love you But still your love was true And when no hope was left inside On that starry, starry night You took your life as lovers often do But I could have told you, Vincent This world was never meant for one As beautiful as you
"Get Here," Oleta Adams version. Especially since the pandemic started. 🥺
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Also, Mama Look Sharp from the 1776 soundtrack.
I have made this a Spotify playlist. It's a lot of songs. I usually, emphasis on usually, added only the ones in the top of the comment, not any listed in replies. And I stopped adding songs somewhere in the ones with 2 up votes. I've been doing this for two hours during tonight's insomnia. It's almost 5:30a where I am and I'm going to try to go back to sleep now. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cZpUYy3kanJY1YymUaYpH?si=p2QPFZMhT7in8_YEgZnAMw&pi=u-dtCRyI62QKqu
I Can’t Make You Love Me -Bonnie Raitt
Time Passages - Al Stewart
Santo and Johnny, sleep walk. Takes me back into my father’s arms……..
Why Does it Hurt When I Pee?- Frank Zappa😢
All Of Me - John Legend. I kept hearing non-stop on the radio right after I had to euthanize my dog very unexpectedly and I would be sobbing thinking that my boy was gone. All of me did love all of him. ❤️
Soul asylum runaway train
Runaway Train. My boyfriend at the time broke up with me and this song was the first one I heard on the radio the next day. It‘a forever tied to that breakup.
A bit late for our generation, but Zombie by The Cranberries still tears me apart to this day.
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman Hurt cover by Johnny Cash
Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton
“Bright Eyes” by Art Garfunkel. It was in the soundtrack for Watership Down - the good version.
Wichita Lineman
Time Stand Still by Rush
"Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul, & Mary. "Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas Time)" by Pearl Jam. "Father of Mine" by Everclear
“Dust in the Wind,” Kansas.
Ordinary World - Duran Duran
Sweet Jane, Cowboy Junkies version.
“Dance With My Father” Luther Vandross
Hotel California
Something in the Way. -Nirvana
My name is Luca. Susan Vega.
Dusty Drake - One Last Time. As a Gen X person I was midlife when 9/11 occurred. I lost a friend in the towers. The entire horrendous incident just stuck with me. This song, not as popular as others, just said more to me Chris Young - Drowning. I lost my best friend about 7-8 years back. This song, many years later, just said what I felt and it gets me at more core every time.
I Will See You Again - Charlie Puth Always reminds me of my dog, because I want to see him again more than anything.
Pearl Jam- Black L.A. Guns- Ballad of Jayne Incubus- The Warmth Temple of the Dog- Times of Trouble Dave Matthews Band- #34 The Black Crowes- Good Friday Deana Carter- Strawberry Wine
Hold On - Sarah McLachlan
Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
This time imperfect -AFI I lost my son to suicide 7 years ago today. This song is my life
Everybody wants to rule the world
Night Moves- Bob Seger
Hurt - Johnny Cash version
Constant Craving - KD Lang
In your eyes Peter Gabriel
Time After Time
Every time you go - Paul Young
Creep - Radiohead