The SFB

Random musings from a Gen X life lived on the edge… of nothing except Lake Erie. 70s and 80s pop culture and music.

1980s

  • Holiday by Madonna is THE perfect song…

    when your playlist needs a cleansing from holiday music. Madonna and Holiday So, I’m kinda tired of Christmas music.  I usually love it but something in my brain chemistry is different this year and apart from a few favorites I’ve mostly avoided it. So instead of actual holiday music I thought I’d talk about a… Read more

  • Message of Love by The Pretenders

    From my Valentines Day themed YouTube THE perfect song series. Chrissy Hyde is such a badass! Back with the second love themed song for this month. I low-key hate Valentine’s Day but I love this perfect song about love.  The Pretenders Message of Love was released forty five years ago this month.  I was in… Read more

  • BILLY IDOL

    Eyes Without a Face is THE perfect song. HTF did he not get more fan votes for the Rock Hall?????? I’d been thinking about including Billy Idol here for a while, and his nomination for inclusion in the RnR HoF, long overdue IMO, spurred me on to talk about this perfect song- Eyes Without a… Read more

  • PERFECT SONGS FROM THE SPRING OF 1986 ON THE SHORES OF SENECA LAKE

    How was 1986 forty years ago? This is the first in a series of essays about THE perfect songs from that long ago spring. Blackwell Hall on the Circle of William Smith College. Some fun was had here! I Can’t Wait by Nu Shooz is THE perfect song. That distinctive bass and hand clap is… Read more

  • To All the Boys Part 3

    1986 and ’87, Geneva, New York. Ready for the spring formal for one of the fraternities, maybe Phi Sig, at Hobart College. In my thrifted dress, haha, and my grandma’s jewelry. And a really interesting shade of blonde hair. But my tan was looking good! Ha ha! Lol! I thought I could do this in… Read more

  • Late August musings

    Back to school, 1980 style. Exactly forty five years ago, September 1980, I began my freshman year  of high school. Ninth grade. I was fourteen years old and generally a sassy pain in the ass. At least I was to the extremely patient and generous adults in my life.  Thank God they were able to… Read more

  • THE SFB on Tour: King Cool Himself, Donnie Iris!

    Donnie Iris and The Cruisers February 22, 2025 Robins Theater Warren, Ohio There’s just something about seeing a show in a smaller venue.  I’ve seen my share of arena concerts; Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Fleetwood Mac, The Police, The Moody Blues.  Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall.  Saw a seriously spiritual… Read more

  • 1980 and the Teenage Soundtrack of a New Decade

    And where have 44 years gone? I wrote about the greatness of music from 1978, so time to discuss the tunes that ushered in the ‘80s. A new decade and new beginnings for me as I finished middle school and entered high school. What an awkward time in a person’s  life- thirteen and fourteen years… Read more