bruce potterThe Mixed Tape
December 21st 2008 05:36
As I was sifting through one particular box, I was swept back to the late eighties, by a small time capsule in the shape of a mixed tape.
Wow a mixed tape, full of so much emotion. Unlike nowadays when with a couple of clicks on your computer and hey presto you have a CD compilation of all your favourite songs. The mixed tape was a well thought out labour of love, most people in their late 20s to late 30s understand.
There was the mixed tape that you put together for yourself with all your favourite songs, which sometimes entailed you listening to the radio all day with the play, record and pause buttons all pressed down. When you hear your favourite song come on the radio, you run to your stereo and take the tape off pause. How heartbreaking it was when the tape ends, and you are only halfway through the song and you need to quickly turn the tape over, or worse find another tape, by which time the song is nearly finished.
Mixed tapes were also something you gave or received from friends or lovers, full of ‘meaningful songs’. I found one from an early boyfriend with the songs “Gold” and “True” by Spandau Ballet. As well as “You spin me round”. That particular guy got a mixed tape from me with “I just died in your arms tonight,” by the cutting crew, “Electric Blue” by Icehouse, and Madonnas “Crazy for You”.
Another boyfriend I had lived in a different town from me. His mixed tape had “I miss you” by Klymaxx (?).
When I broke up with said boyfriends, my mixed tapes included songs such as “Love Bites” from Def Leppard.
Wow so much emotion stored in one little piece of plastic. Were you a giver or receiver of a mixed tape? What was on them and is there a story behind them.
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It was always nice when somebody makes you a mixed tape with meaningful songs, the 80s were full of great songs.
Amy
My husband still has a few mixed tapes. I agree they are useful for the car. Our car doesn't have a CD player either.