Story Behind The Song

The song began as a result of Barry Russo's love of 80s music and culture. When working on songs for "These Are the Days", Shay Watson recalled a song idea that Joe Simpson once had called "Child of the 80s," where he wanted to do a song about the era with a "laundry list' approach similar to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire." In fact, Simpson already had the chorus pretty much in place. He gave the ok for Russo and Watson to move forward on shaping it, and they also consulted with him and Michael Elsner and the song was born. The idea for the "Brit Pop" style verse vocals originated at the time of recording.

Song Description

Nostalgic flashback to the 80s which incorporates a "laundry list" of names and images from those years. It is performed with a nod to production styles of the era during the verses, leading back to the more pop/rock style of the rest of the CD on the choruses. It also incorporates short musical references to three popular songs from that era, used with permission of course.

Lyrics

CHILD OF THE 80S
(Mike Elsner, Barry Russo, Joe Simpson, Shay Watson)


Let's talk about those Glory Days
Of Hi Tops, Jams, Atari Games
Mohawks, Mullets, Rooster Bangs
When Olivia was physical
Madonna was material
It's all a part of who I am
Pac-Man, Wham, and big hair bands
Fluorescent shirts and black Ray Bans
Flash, Break, Dirty Dancing
A little bit of Stone Romancing

Why don't we all go Back To The Future of our past?

When ET had not phoned home yet
And an actor was the president
When Karate Kid had learned to kick
Those are times I really miss
I'm a CHILD OF THE 80S
A CHILD OF THE 80S

From Benatar to Mike Reno
From Mesh Hair Tyes to bright Flojos
From Rubik's Cube to the Cosby Show
Bandanas, Men At Work, Bananarama, Polo Shirts

I want my MTV the way it used to be

Chorus:repeat

Reality killed the video star
Delorian is my favorite car
Did we ever know who shot JR?
Before they told us "You've Got Mail"
Or tried to say that Bill inhaled
We all chilled with our rat tails

When ET had not phoned home yet
And an actor was the president
When Karate Kid had learned to kick
Those are times I really miss

When Ninja Turtles hit the screen
And we all lived in Stone Washed Jeans
When VCRs were all we had
And Valley Girls were really rad
I'm a CHILD OF THE 80S
A CHILD OF THE 80S

©2005 Riptee Music (BMI)/Elsnervana Music (ASCAP)


(Songwriters on "Jump" segment: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Lee Roth/Publishers: WB Music Corp. OBO Van Halen Music, Chrysalis Standards Inc OBO Diamond Dave Music)

(Songwriters on "Take On Me" segment: Morten Harket, Mags, Pal Waaktaar/Publishers: Sony/ATV Songs LLC OBO Samp-UK LTD)

(Songwriters on "Video Killed The Radio Star" segment: Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, Bruce Wooley/Publishers: Carbert Music, Inc., Universal-Polygram International Pub. Inc.)

ALL SONGS AND SEGMENTS USED WITH PERMISSION