# You can only listen to music from a single year. Which year do pick? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 6, 2011, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243 "2011-12-06T07:51:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/41 "2011-12-07T00:52:45Z")
I’d pick 1973. First because my beloved Alice Cooper debuted my two favorite albums of theirs, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love. Second because it was also Aerosmith’s and Lynard Skynard’s first albums. Third, for these: The Eagles – Desperado Steve Miller Band – The Joker REO – Ridin’ the Storm Out Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon The Rolling Stones – Goat’s Head Soup Last, there was also plenty of other stuff from folks I enjoy, like Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Fleetwood Mac, Atlantic Rhythm Section, Chicago, Queen, Rod Stewart and Creedence Clearwater Revival, just to name a few. Send me back please. Just let me be about nineteen, instead of five. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/42 "2011-12-07T01:01:40Z")
I should’ve picked the last option, as I really don’t care about music that much. But I chose 1983, because that was my early teenage years and has the strongest musical memories for me. When I go to YouTube for nostalgic music, it tends to often be around the early 80s. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/43 "2011-12-07T02:08:21Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Whatever it is, I’m stuck in the 90s. Do you and **Duke** want to come over and listen to “records” with me? I’ll cook. You guys bring the Dr Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/44 "2011-12-07T02:16:04Z")
Where’s the love for 1973-1977? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/45 "2011-12-07T03:06:55Z")
Well I’ll justify 1983: _War_ -------------------------------------- U2 _Murmur_ ---------------------------------- R.E.M. _Let’s Dance_ ----------------------------- David Bowie _Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)_---- Eurythmics _Synchronicity_--------------------------- The Police _Pancho & Lefty_------------------------- Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson _Porcupine_ ------------------------------- Echo & The Bunnymen _Speaking in Tongues_ ------------------ Talking Heads _Quick Step and Side Kick/Side Kicks_– Thompson Twins _True_ --------------------------------------- Spandau Ballet _Listen_ ------------------------------------- A Flock of Seagulls _She’s So Unusual_ ---------------------- Cyndi Lauper _The Hurting_ ----------------------------- Tears For Fears \*Eliminator \* ------------------------------- ZZ Top _Punch the Clock_ ------------------------ Elvis Costello and the Attractions _The High Road_ -------------------------- Roxy Music _The Crossing_ --------------------------- Big Country _Infidels_ ----------------------------------- Bob Dylan _Madonna_ -------------------------------- Madonna _Colour by Numbers_ -------------------- Culture Club _Metal Circus_ ----------------------------- Hüsker Dü _Whammy!_ -------------------------------- The B-52s _Hootenanny_ ---------------------------- The Replacements _Madness_ -------------------------------- Madness _Violent Femmes_ ------------------------- Violent Femmes _Reach the Beach_ ----------------------- The Fixx \*Confrontation \*-------------------------- Bob Marley & The Wailers \*Rant N’ Rave with the Stray Cats \*------ The Stray Cats _State of Confusion_ ---------------------- The Kinks _Soul Mining_ ------------------------------- The The _Under a Blood Red Sky_ ----------------- U2 _Rebel Yell_ -------------------------------- Billy Idol _Hand of Kindness_ ---------------------- Richard Thompson _Labour of Love_ ----------------------------- UB40 _Little Robbers_------------------------------- The Motels _Swordfishtrombones_ ---------------------- Tom Waits _An Innocent Man_ --------------------------- Billy Joel _Uh-Huh_ -------------------------------------- John Cougar Mellencamp \*Touch \* --------------------------------------- Eurythmics _What Makes a Man Start Fires?_ ------- Minutemen \*Mama Africa \*----------------------------- Peter Tosh Compilations: _Snap!_--------------------------------------- The Jam _Japanese Whispers_ -------------------- The Cure _Who’s Greatest Hits_ ------------------- The Who [Plus many other fine albums](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_in_music#Albums_released). Yeah, if I just get one year, I could be quite happy with that one. ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/46 "2011-12-07T04:32:35Z")
I chose 1969, because that year Fairport Convention released “What We Did On Our Holidays” recorded in 1968), “Unhalfbricking,” and “Liege and Lief.” Those albums changed my listening habits ever afterwards. Other great albums from that year were “Abbey Road,” Led Zeppelin,“Led Zeppelin 2,” “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” “Crosby, Still and Nash,” “Tommy,” and “Volunteers.” ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/47 "2011-12-07T04:36:26Z")
The Art of Fugue. Solomon. Music for Royal Fireworks. The correct answer is [1749](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1749_in_music). If it ain’t Baroque, don’t fix it. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![rikc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c57346/32.png) [@rikc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rikc)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/48 "2011-12-07T08:45:15Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I can’t believe I forgot His ‘n’ Hers. > > Now that I think about it, I’m torn between 1994 and 1997. > > 1997: > > Radiohead - OK Computer > Pulp - This is Hardcore > Blur - Blur > Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West > Portishead - Portishead > Bjork - Homogenic > Depeche Mode - Ultra > Elliott Smith - Either/Or > Nick Cave - The Boatman’s Call > The Prodigy - Fat of the Land > Deftones - Around the Fur > Travis - Good Feeling > Whatever it is, I’m stuck in the 90s. This is a really excellent choice. Either this or 96 (or 94, I don’t know!!) would probably end up getting my other vote, if I had two. ---
**Author:** ![Postariti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/49 "2011-12-07T11:04:52Z")
Next year. I want new music, I’m pretty obsessive about that. My second choice would be this year - a lot of bands I like released albums: Duran Duran Kate Bush Peter Murphy Active Child Florence + the Machine VNV Nation Mesh (if remix albums count) ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/50 "2011-12-07T12:40:58Z")
It would have to be some year in the 90’s but I really can’t choose. Radiohead, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, etc. But there’s something I love released pretty much every year/decade. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/51 "2011-12-07T16:31:02Z")
Tough call, but I think I’ve got to say '65. _Bringing it All Back Home_, _Highway 61 Revisited_, the first two Byrds albums, _Rubber Soul_, the early Stones … it was a very good year. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/52 "2011-12-07T18:35:19Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I voted 1984, but actually, I think I’ll go with '85 (then '84, then '79, then '66, then '87). '85 has some of my favorite albums: > > Husker Du - New Day Rising & Flip Your Wig > The Replacements - Tim > Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Fegmania! & Gotta Let This Hen Out! For those two alone I voted for 1984. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/53 "2011-12-07T22:41:05Z")
Do you think it was an accident that Lucas chose 1962 for **American Graffiti**? It was the year the music was everything. The Twist by Chubby Checker, Soldier Boy by the Shirelles, The Locomotion by Little Eva, Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (the good one) by Neil Sedaka, Sheila by Tommy Roe, The Wanderer by Dion, Palisades Park by Freddie (Boom Boom) Cannon, Mash Potato Time by Dee Dee Sharp and on and on. But it wasn’t just rock 'n roll. It had new standards by the likes of Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Emilo Pericolli. Even jazz with the likes of Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and Ace Cannon made the charts in pop. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/54 "2011-12-07T22:57:02Z")
Jethro Tull came out with TWO full length albums in my birth year (1972): “Thick as a Brick” and “Living in the Past” (which is a DOUBLE ALBUM). So that may have factored into my choice somewhat… ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/55 "2011-12-07T23:01:55Z")
Just out of curiousity, did **anyone** pick a year after they turned 20? Just curious, it would be interesting to compare the year you chose with your age at the time. I picked the year I was 18 and graduated from high school. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/56 "2011-12-07T23:04:15Z")
My taste in music pretty much calcified between 17-21 or so. My knowledge of music after that is very spotty and lacking. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/57 "2011-12-07T23:14:37Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > For those two alone I voted for 1984. Sadly, like me, you voted for the wrong year - my list is '85. I made a mistake in my vote. So, it looks like 2 of those votes for '84 can count for '85. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/58 "2011-12-07T23:37:25Z")
I chose - on a wild hair - 1974. There have been some decent arguments that might steer me toward others, but I’d probably still stay in the 70’s. So … why not, I’ll stick with 1974 just to round out the decade. I was 9 in 1974. I think I’d just graduated from Jackson 5 to KISS at that point. These would be the albums in heavy rotation for me: Energized - Foghat KISS - KISS Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal - Lou Reed Twin Peaks - Mountain What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits - The Doobie Brothers Pretzel Logic - Steely Dan Get Your Wings - Aerosmith Queen II - Queen Apostrophe - Frank Zappa The Hoople - Mott the Hoople Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower Shinin’ On - Grand Funk Railroad Second Helping - Lynyrd Skynyrd Diamond Dogs - David Bowie Secret Treaties - Blue Oyster Cult Son of Dracula - Harry Nilsson Too Much Too Soon - New York Dolls Bad Company - Bad Company Caribou - Elton John 461 Ocean Boulevard - Eric Clapton So Far - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends … Ladies and Gentlemen - Emerson, Lake and Palmer Feats Don’t Fail Me Now - Little Feat Greatest Hits - Alice Cooper Not Fragile - Bachman-Turner Overdrive Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5 Nightmares and Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle - The J. Geils Band Crime of the Century - Supertramp Late for the Sky - Jackson Browne Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley - Robert Palmer Walls and Bridges - John Lennon Streetlife Serenade - Billy Joel Odds & Sods - The Who War Child - Jethro Tull It’s Only Rock and Roll - The Rolling Stones Hotter Than Hell - KISS Sheer Heart Attack - Queen Goodnight Vienna - Ringo Starr The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - Genesis All the Girls in the World Beware! - Grand Funk Railroad ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/59 "2011-12-08T04:37:59Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Just out of curiousity, did **anyone** pick a year after they turned 20? Just curious, it would be interesting to compare the year you chose with your age at the time. I picked the year I was 18 and graduated from high school. Well I picked 1971 even though I wasn’t born until 1975. About half the albums I mentioned I hadn’t even heard of when I was 20. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243/60 "2011-12-08T04:50:16Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Just out of curiousity, did **anyone** pick a year after they turned 20? Just curious, it would be interesting to compare the year you chose with your age at the time. I picked the year I was 18 and graduated from high school. I picked a year when I was 4 (1979). I didn’t get into music of that year until my mid-20s. I don’t think I knew who Wire or Gang of Four were (one of the big reasons for me to pick that year) until I was about 25. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-only-listen-to-music-from-a-single-year-which-year-do-pick/605243.md?page=4)