# What was your first record (or cassette, or CD...)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952 "2025-02-06T14:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/42 "2025-02-06T16:42:47Z")
The 45 of Labelle, “Lady Marmalade” was the first I bought for myself. I had records my whole life. I remember listening to some when I was 2 1/2. I certainly had this one: [![](https://i.discogs.com/zsmfP9IRcT-yzBnXf5J7C4UWjirMG0zMAxjs8KzsVH4/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:597/w:593/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTU0NDY5/OTAtMTM5MzU5MTY5/My01MDU0LmpwZWc.jpeg) ](https://i.discogs.com/zsmfP9IRcT-yzBnXf5J7C4UWjirMG0zMAxjs8KzsVH4/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:597/w:593/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTU0NDY5/OTAtMTM5MzU5MTY5/My01MDU0LmpwZWc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/43 "2025-02-06T16:43:21Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > My first cassette was _The Cars: Heartbeat City._ I didn’t buy it, though, I shoplifted it. Still, it was my first, so I’ma say it counts. > > I don’t have a first CD, because I bought a large stack of them all at once a couple of days after my cassette cases were stolen out of my car. Karma in action! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/44 "2025-02-06T16:45:59Z")
Carma. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/45 "2025-02-06T16:53:31Z")
I had totally forgotten about 45s. My first record ever that I bought with my hard-earned wages was Don McLean’s **American Pie**. And it was a treat because my crappy radio tape recording was the radio edit, missing the unknown-to-me fifth verse (“…Jack be nimble, Jack be quick…”). I remember playing my precious 45 for the first time on my brother’s record player and hearing a new verse and being super excited. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/46 "2025-02-06T16:59:01Z")
I can not say for sure, but I think: First Tape: All For Love (Adams, Sting, Stewart) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ofA3URC1wyk/maxresdefault.jpg "Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Sting - All For Love (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofA3URC1wyk) First CD: Petrafied - The Best of Petra [![](https://i.discogs.com/jcy2Ne2QItKpw37GuKSK0L5cSjqHSs2fCYMaZybL-v4/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTQyOTcw/OTItMTU2NDMxMjQy/Ny0zNjIwLmpwZWc.jpeg) ](https://i.discogs.com/jcy2Ne2QItKpw37GuKSK0L5cSjqHSs2fCYMaZybL-v4/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTQyOTcw/OTItMTU2NDMxMjQy/Ny0zNjIwLmpwZWc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/47 "2025-02-06T17:08:43Z")
Oh, I could probably list first CD as well: Frank, by Squeeze. First 8-track: Rush, Permanent Waves. Oh, the satisfying ker-chunk of the 8-track! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/48 "2025-02-06T17:13:48Z")
I probably didn’t buy, but the first records I remember playing were _Meet the Beatles_ and _Snoopy vs. the Red Baron_ (1966) by the Royal Guardsmen. The first record I remember buying (at a 7-Elevin) was a live Beach Boys album. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/49 "2025-02-06T17:15:10Z")
My first stereo was an 8-track with AM/FM I got for Christmas. Book-shelf speakers. I think my first purchase was a CCR tape? I also bought Janis Joplins Hits around the same time. I quickly got ripped off. I found some greatest hits tapes at Walmart. Great selection of songs! They were on sale! I blew my entire allowance on three 8-tracks. I got home and discovered they were covers by fake bands. What a early life lesson for a 12 year-old. I didn’t have a nice cassette player until the 1980’s. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/50 "2025-02-06T17:16:24Z")
Oh, great thread. I can easily remember buying my first cassette tape: **Biz Markie - The Biz Never Sleeps** with his hit _Just a Friend_. I got it just in time to take on our 8th grade trip to a Cubs game. I could still recite large sections of even some of the less popular songs and Friend bangs today as well as 35 years ago. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9aofoBrFNdg/maxresdefault.jpg "Biz Markie - Just A Friend (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aofoBrFNdg) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/51 "2025-02-06T17:19:32Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The first record I remember buying (at a 7-Elevin) was a live Beach Boys album. Was it the one with “Monster Mash” and “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow”? That was one of my very first albums, received as gift, I think. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/52 "2025-02-06T17:20:32Z")
First record of any kind: _The Sesame Street Book and Record_, which I got for Christmas at age 5, in 1970. [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EUCMa-+EL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EUCMa-+EL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg) First 45 that I bought myself: “Convoy,” by C.W. McCall, which I bought in 1975. First album that I bought myself: the soundtrack to _Star Wars_, in 1977. First pre-recorded cassette that I bought: _90125_, by Yes, in 1983. First CD that I bought: _Brothers in Arms_, by Dire Straits, in 1989. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/53 "2025-02-06T17:20:35Z")
I bought my own turntable in 1979 and bought two albums that day: - **Get the Knack** , The Knack - **The Kids are Alright** , The Who ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/54 "2025-02-06T17:20:42Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Was it the one with “Monster Mash” and “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow”? I don’t think so. The quality sucked (too much audience noise). Bootleg maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/55 "2025-02-06T17:21:46Z")
LP: probably Meco’s _Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk_ from a huge flea market held inside the University of New Orleans. Cassette: Billy Joel’s _Greatest Hits Volumes I & II_. CD: likely Billy Joel again. I had a pretty large album collection when I was a kid but those were likely all handed down from my older siblings. I know this was in there. > **[The flying mouse](https://childrensvinyl.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/the-flying-mouse/)** > > Walt Disney’s The Flying Mouse Narrated by: Don Wilson A small mouse saves a butterfly from a spider’s web. The butterfly turns out to be a fairy who gives the mouse one wish : to be ab… ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/56 "2025-02-06T17:26:54Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > My first 8 track was the Cars first album, the Cars. That was my first vinyl LP, given to me as a gift before I had a turntable to play it on. My first CD was U2’s Rattle and Hum, also given to me as a gift before I owned a CD player. ---
**Author:** ![thefranchiseking](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thefranchiseking/32/18474_2.png) [@thefranchiseking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thefranchiseking)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/57 "2025-02-06T17:27:18Z")
Funny, as I was just listening to you via YouTube (remastered). Chicago Transit Authority. Unreal album! ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/58 "2025-02-06T17:27:28Z")
> [@veryfrank](#): > > Got a CD player in the summer of 1988. Went to one of the used music stores in town and picked up R.E.M.‘s _Document_ to break it in. A month later I’d added Wire’s _The Ideal Copy_ and The Pogues’ _Rum, Sodomy and the Lash_ to the collection. 3 excellent choices I have to say! My first cassette (I think) was Echo & the Bunnymen’s _Songs to Learn and Sing_ Not entirely certain of first CD, but it may have been The Connells _Fun and Games_ ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/59 "2025-02-06T17:31:27Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Ah, you youngsters! 😉 My first album, on any medium, was Pearl Jam’s _Vitalogy_. It probably would have been 1995, and I would have been either a freshman or sophomore in high school. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/60 "2025-02-06T17:34:41Z")
1st 45: I Want To Hold Your Hand b/w I Saw Her Standing There. However my first LP purchase was The Dave Clark Five Return. In the Beatles vs. Dave Clark Five showdown I was clearly in the camp of the latter. Probably because they had a saxophone. First CD was Ben Webster meets Gerry Mulligan. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-first-record-or-cassette-or-cd/1013952/61 "2025-02-06T17:35:08Z")
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