
Today’s the day set for bloggers’ theme reveals, so here’s mine.
As you may know, I released my 10th novel late last year. The Summer of Princess Diana is a slightly fictionalized recount of the summer I spent as an au pair in Switzerland in 1981. For much of that summer, music played a major role in my life, and my closest friend the radio station kept me in touch with a lot of the songs that were popular in the US.
When I choose a theme, I try to make sure I can cover all the letters, especially those tricky ones – Q, X, and Z. Although I usually have to get creative (remember last year? X for PawtuXet Village and Z for HaZard Rock?), I was able to find a song for each of our alphabet’s 26. Pretty much.
So, by now you’ve guessed it – for this year, my A to Z theme is 1981 SONGS TO REMEMBER. If you were around then (I was 23!), and even if you weren’t, I think you’ll enjoy listening – and watching! Some of the videos are classic. After all, the video channel MTV launched in 1981, and that began music videos 24 hours a day. In 1981, as you’ll see, some of the videos were artistic, some were cheaply produced, some, especially if the singer is still around (I’m thinking of my “L” day) are just wonderful to see. Certainly in some cases, the videos I watched in consideration of which song to match to which letter were too politically incorrect or downright offensive! Those were different times, for sure. I don’t mean to offend anyone with these posts, so please view with an open mind, or just close your eyes and listen.
The Blogging from A to Z Challenge kicks off on Friday, April 1 (no foolin’) and continues every day in April except Sundays.
Note: This post, and all of the A to Z posts for April, have been written and pre-scheduled as of March 3. I write to escape the harsh realities of everyday life, and these posts have helped me to forget, even for just a short time, the horrors of war, the destruction in Ukraine. I have no idea what the world will look like on April 1 – or even on March 7, four days from today. But life continues and we could all use a distraction. These posts might bring a smile or a fond memory – I hope so. ☮️
OK M……..I’m now ready to go, but I have to tell you, I’m a little nervous; the early 80″s were suffering a little from the late 70’s music hang over!! Bring it on!! Zulu Delta
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Buckle up, ZD! It’s going to be a bumpy ride!
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I am looking forward. 😀 There are always tricky alphabets!
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1981 music should be a fun trip down memory lane.
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Thanks, Anne!
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Wonderful choice, Martha. Really looking forward to your A to Z this year. I was 19 in 1981 and training to be a teacher.
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What a time, Wendy!
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What a fun theme! I can’t wait to listen to your song selections.
Ronel visiting forA-Z Challenge Theme Reveal 2022
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Thank you!
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That’s a really fun theme! I was 10 in 1981. I’ll be looking forward to your posts.
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That’s a lovely theme, Martha. I will enjoy visiting your Hop!
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YAY! I’ll be singing along each day!
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Thanks, Beth 🎶🎶🎶
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excited to relive the music of 1981. Ahh to be 23 again!!
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Right, Jean?!
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Ha ha! I guess I’ll have to bow out of participating in this challenge this year, since I never listened to any 1980s music. (I’ve never been interested in currently popular music, getting absorbed instead by folk music and music of the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s.)
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Sally, this is MY theme! You can participate with any theme, or no theme!
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Aha! I didn’t understand that. Maybe I’ll do something about those old tunes – some of them have most bawdy titles (courtesy of Charles II, who apparently was quite the patron of bawdy bar-room bards).
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I love 80’s music. This is going to be a treat to follow. Thanks Martha!
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Should be fun! 🎶🎶
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Hooray! I’m looking forward to this. I was 7 for most of 1981 and it was when I first really started paying attention to popular music. So I’m sure there will be a lot of nostalgia for me.
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You’ll enjoy these, I’m sure, Liam!
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Not sure if this is on your list, and I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone else, but possibly the weirdest number one song of all time peaked in June 1981.
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Oh, I’m sure I included it – early in the alphabet, right? I don’t care for the song, but felt I had to put it in there….
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I guess I’ll find out!
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I was born in late 1979, but I love Eighties music on account of that being my childhood decade. They don’t make music videos or songs like that anymore.
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They don’t! Back when videos were everything! Thanks, Carrie-Anne.
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Just so you know, it was the combination of finding no books on water that were suitable for young children and your posting the A-Z challenge 6 years ago that got me stated on writing A is for Aquifer. I enjoy your annual exercise and your theme this year makes perfect sense! My friend in Germany is doing a project asking for environmental themed songs to commemorate the 50 years since Silent Spring was published. And last night I heard my favorite spring music— frogs singing. I look forward to April and reading your offerings this year Martha!
Ann
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Thanks, Ann! Your book fits perfectly in the A to Z theme!
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I remember 1981 well!!! The 80’s had some awesome music! Looking forward to reading, watching and listening – with an open mind 😉
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Some gems in this group, Lori!
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I love it. That’s the year I got married. Looking forward to it
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Wow! Child bride, Michelle! 💕
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This sounds great! Always look forward to your April blogs.
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Thanks, Leslie!
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I think your posts will be great. I was 30 in 1981 with a baby and one on the way so I might need reminding what was going on at the time apart from attending to the needs of little ones.
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Thanks, Linda! It was fun to go back in time.
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We are almost in synch, Linda Curry; I was 29, with a one-year-old boy and another born in 1982.
Music was and is a big part of our lives, Martha. This will be a fun A-Z.
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I did have fun researching!
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Looking forward to your posts, Martha!
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Thanks, Terry.
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