Are you one of the many people who seem to still be stuck on the 80’s? Ok, so it was something like “a big deal”, but do you ever wonder what it is exactly that makes the 80’s so darn special? It seems like the 80’s has even made a killer impression on the kids of this generation. For instance, think of some of the things that only kids who grew up in that era know about. Do you notice how some things seem to be magically reappearing again? That is good, no, it’s great! But the guest appreances of these certain items don’t exactly have the same spirit or “feel” to it. Who cares, as long as the memory stays alive, the 80’s will never die, right?
Are you ready to get that overwhelmingly giddy feeling inside that only comes along when talking about some of the things that made the 80’s what is was? Remember the exact day you got the Original Nintendo Entertainment System? It either came with Super Mario Bros., Duckhunt or both. Do you remember staying up night after night, determined to “beat the game”. To the side of you was probably a soggy bowl of Nintendo cereal that didn’t even like but you just wanted it because it was “NINTENDO” cereal. What about the unforgettable Contra game that everyone to this day still knows the code that would get you unlimited lives? UP UP, DOWN DOWN, LEFT RIGHT, LEFT RIGHT, B, A, SELECT, START. You cant forget about the universal way to get your game to work, by blowing into the cartridge.
Enough talk about the video games, do you remember listening to songs like “Walk Like an Egyptian”, Thriller, and all the rest of Michael Jackon’s songs? Every kid had a Michael Glove as a part of their daily wardrobe and frustrated themselves to know end trying to perfect the “moon walk”. I know all of you Ladies remember your Jem Doll that had the earing that lit up, and Punky Brewster was the coolest chick alive. Guys, I know you had your He-man action figures and probably those cheap plastic He-man character sneakers to go with them. Barbie dolls had such big hair that every little girl would spend hours playing with. What about all the accessories that went along with her, like the Dream house and convertible; you can’t forget barbie’s boyfriend Ken.
Remember Blue eye liner, just on the bottom lid? Crispy critters cereal, Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, Kids Incorporated, and the Micky Mouse Club were some of the minor things, but tapping into the wardrobe, faded beached denim was in. Remember people use to wear leggins under denim shorts just like Janet Jackson? Remenber loading up your bangs with hairspray so they would do that poufy curve thing-a-ma-jig? Mc Donalds was something to get excited about and MTV and Nickelodeon was the best television station in the world. Remember when the Goonies came out? What kid in their right mind did not want to be Goonie.
Big buttons were cool; the ones that would have either funny sayings or pictures of your favorite celebrity. Run DMC, LL Cool J and all the best rappers were keeping everybody bopping their heads; especiall the song “Rappers Delight”. There are so many things to mention; windbreaker jackets, Popples, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Bright, Transformers, Ninja Turtles, Reebok Pumps, L.A. Gears with the lights on the bottom of the sneakers, Slap bracelets, watches on every part of your body including your hair, Layered slouched socks, High top fades, addidas shell toe sneakers, Teddy Ruxpin, ok, it’s time to take a breath.
Almost every 80’s kid owned a cabbage patch kid which they still have to this day who resembles either one of three people; themselves, their mother/father, or current spouse. We even had the best modes of transportation…big wheels, pogo sticks, pogo balls, scooters, power wheels, four wheel skates which were probably used almost every Saturday at the roller rink; those big wide skateboards with all the sandpaper that cut up your knees when you ran over broken up concrete. Man, those were the days.
Remember getting ready for the first day of school and being excited about using your brand new Trapper Keeper? Saturday mornings meant watching cartoons while eating our favorite box of cereal. Cartoons came on EVERY channel until School House Rock came on. “I know you are but what am I?” was the phrase that irritated friends and drove parents crazy. We were super smart because of programs like Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Romper Room, 3-2-1 Contact and we understood that “knowing was half the battle”. We all dreamed of going on a “physical challenge” while watching Double Dare and our drawing skills are on point because of Win, Lose or Draw. Television shows actually instilled morals and parent’s didn’t have to worry about controlled viewing. We watched 21 jump street, Small Wonder, Mr. Belvedere, Facts of Life, Kids Incorporated, Different Strokes, Webster, Silver Spoons, Alf, Family Ties, Fraggel Rock…and others(feel free to add to the list if more come to mind).
As far as cartoons were concerned, Thunder. Thunder…Thundercats Ruled! Everyone knew the theme song to that and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. Flintstone Kids, G.I. Joe, Muppet Babies, A pup name Scoobie Doo, Heathcliff, Denise the Menace, Care Bears, Denver the last Dinosaur, Voltron, She-ra, Duck Tales, Super Mario Bros, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Get along Gang, the Jetsons, Ritchie Rich, The Snorks, The Smurfs, Jem, Gummie Bears, The popples, Rainbow Bright, and Rescue Rangers were a lot of favorites.
The Bottom line is the 80’s was what you call Fun! We snacked on Big Stuff Oreos, Bonkers, Nerds, even had crystal clear Pepsi. Summertime in the city was made for chasing Mister Softee down with our dollars waving in the air. What could these kids today possibly know about fun?
Word count: 993