What's the defining song of your youth?

[Appalonia]

I was watching TOTP 1995 tonight and Pulp singing Common People was on. It took me back to a very particular time in the nineties and got me thinking about songs that encapsulate a time in your life.

For me it's Ghost Town by The Specials when I was a teenager. Summed up a v bleak time, mass unemployment, race riots, a sense of decline and hopelessness in the early 80s. Also, coming from that part of the UK, it had a particular resonance for me. Obviously there were lots of upbeat songs around at that time too, that I still love, but feels like this song was so much of that time ( tho ironically still feels relevant today...!)

What song do you feel defines your youth?

West end girls - PSBs, reminds me of my first boyfriend, mid 80’s.. young love and Twi light teaser lip stick …

As a Scottish person, Dignity by Deacon Blue. I think it is compulsory for someone Scottish my age to know all the lyrics.

More generally
Early teens, Stone Roses, Fools Good
Later teens, Highwr than the Sun, Primal Scream
As a student red 2 (Of 3) Dave Clarke

Soul II Soul
Back to Life. Loved it, and it just reminds me of being sweaty from dancing all night. It was a great time.

Nightswimming is a beautiful song.

Haven't listened to it for years as it makes me cry for some reason

Yes!
I am attempting to get my DD into Placebo at the moment

I would also say Live Forever Oasis.

@50yearsfreedom

Another vote for Come into the Garden, Maud

Epic

There’s quite a few - some quite random, but they transport me right back to very specific times in my youth🤩

Basement Jaxx - You used to be my Romeo
Eiffel 65 - Blue
Sneaker Pimps - Six underground
Len - Steal my sunshine
Five - When the lights go out
Ja Rule - Livin’ it up
Eminem - The Real Slim Shady

Mr Brightside reminds me of uni, pretty much anything by indie bands does, they were at their best back then & every dive bar we went to played them, see also any 00s r&b songs! Peak time for music if you ask me.

Don't you want me by The Human League takes me back to my second year at technical college,when I was 18. It was number 1 in the charts leading up to Christmas that year and seemed to be playing everywhere I went. Going back a bit before that,Peaches by The Stranglers transports me back to the long,hot, heatwave summer of 1976,when I was nearly 13. I can remember thinking what a fantastic record it was and it started my life-long love of The Stranglers.

Nik Kershaw I won't let the sun go down on me.
Thriller.
Two tribes Frankie goes to Hollywood

Wham club tropicana