In a new generation of pushing music boundaries, we sometimes feel centuries removed from 70’s rock or 80’s pop. Disco? Jazz? Punk rock died a long time ago, even if some of us hate to admit it. We’ve transitioned into a completely new age of music, or so we thought. When we compare past decades to now, music may not be as different as it seems. Here are 12 oldies songs and their millennial equivalents.
1. 8675309/Jenny – Tommy Tutone (1981) = I Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd (2015)
You can’t remember how you learned them, but you know all the words to both these bangers.
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983) = What Do You Mean – Justin Bieber (2015)
Admit it, when you’re home alone you would sing either of these hits into your hairbrush.
3. Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp (1982) = Closer – The Chainsmokers (2016)
Imagine if John Mellencamp played a show at UMaine before he blew up in the music industry?
4. Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley (1987) = Treasure – Bruno Mars (2014)
Try to sing either of these songs to your significant other without laughing. It’s impossible. Cheesy… but talk about a catchy tune.
5. It’s Tricky – Run DMC (1987)= Anaconda – Nicki Minaj (2014)
This seems like a weird match up at first. Think about it.
6. Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey (1996) = One Last Time – Ariana Grande (2014)
This isn’t the first time Ariana has been compared to a young Mariah. Sweet and sexy at the same time, somehow.
7. You Shook Me All Night Long – ACDC (1980)= The Anthem – Good Charlotte (2003)
Good Charlotte may have peaked in 2003 but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they rocked just as hard as ACDC. Punk rock is not dead!!
8. September – Earth Wind and Fire (1978) = Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars (2014)
Bruno Mars is king of throwing out hits that take you back a few decades. That’s the main reason why he’s the only new age artist to make this list twice.
9. Wannabe – Spice Girls (1996) = Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld (2015)
GIRL POWER!
10. F*ck the Police – NWA (1988)= I Don’t F*ck With You – Big Sean (2014)
Both sung with an appropriate amount of aggression.
11. I’ve Had the Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (1987) = Hello – Adele (2015)
The classic slow song at graduation might’ve changed for generations to come.
12. Electric Slide – Marcia Griffiths (1976) = Juju On That Beat – Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall (2016)
This is just a given. Must know dance at parties 1970s to present.
New or old- we love all these songs just the same. HCXO