Preoccupied...

I heard a song on the radio this morning called 1985 by the crappy band Bowling for Soup. I don't particularly like the song, I just thought the message was really interesting.

Debbie just hit the wall
She never had it all
One Prozac a day
Husband's a CPA
Her dreams went out the door
Once she turned 24
Only been with one man
What happened to her plans
She was gonna be an actress
She was gonna be a star
She was gonna shake that ass
On the hood of White Snake's car
Now her SUV has become the enemy
Looks at her average life
Nothing has been alright...since

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana there was U2
And Blondie and music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she's uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 1985

I suppose we are all a bit nostalgic about our past. We like to get together with friends and relive "the good ole days." We share stories with new friends about what and who we were when. I do it, you do it, we all do it.....just like screaming for ice cream.

The theme of this song, however, is that this womans' life seems sad and futile because she's middle-aged (heavens no!!), married with children (Kids?!!!! Ugh!), drives an SUV (Oh, for crying out loud!!) and didn't fulfill the dreams she had in 1985 (which is the real tragedy.) Granted, shakin' your thang in a music video may not, to some, be considered a true dream....but hey, they make their point with the verbal illustration.

As I listened to the song I kept thinking...I know people like this. Stuck and preoccupied. To those I say...forget Bowling for Soup. (What a stupid name for a band anyway...geez) Preoccupation can be a good thing if it's moving you forward.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh the good 'ol days: acid wash denim, neon everything, multiple bandanas tied on the leg, plastice bracelets, break dancing, Atari 2600, Garbage Pail Kid cards.... Kyle.
1:12 PM
ROBBIE THE ROBOT said…
Kyle...
I still do all of those things you just mentioned. So I guess I am still in my glory days.
6:16 PM
Wis said…
The video for this song is funny. You should youtube it. (You can mute it since the whiny voice singing gets a little old and you get the idea anyway.)
And there's french roll, big hair, hammer and stirrup pants, cut up shirts, mid-drifts even on dudes, Thriller, blue and pink eyeshadow...
7:34 PM
Anonymous said…
"Glory days, yeah they pass you by. Glory days, in the wink of a young girls eye. Glory days..."
Bruce Springsteen, I do believe. Happens to every generation. "Nothing new under the sun." Bell bottoms, burning bras, halter tops, platform shoes, leisure suits, Sun In, blue, green and purple eye shadow and mascara. Golden Earring, Ziggy, Elton John, Moody Blues and Three Dog Night. Everyone always look back because it is easier than looking forward to the unknown. Love, Mom
9:30 AM
catie said…
Wow Mom....that was eerily deep.

Melissa...YouTube scares me.

Kyle...when we finally make it to LA, Robbie will have to be sure to bring his Garbage Pail Kid card collection to show you...no, I am not kidding.
9:38 AM
Anonymous said…
How could I forget mini skirts! And riding to the skating rink in the old hearse with my friends! And listening to 45's with my best friend Peggy. Mom
11:12 AM
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