Monthly Archives: February 2026

Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986)

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Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 14, 2026)

Belinda Carlisle
Source: Big Issue

I can thank the Stranger Things effect and my niece Ellie Mae’s love of Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) for rediscovering this gem.  The day after watching the controversial ending to Stranger Things as a family out in my dad’s man cave on New Year’s Eve, I let Ellie give me a manicure using her new gel nail set.  As she did my nails, I had her tell me about the 80s/Stranger Things-inspired songs she liked.  Tiffany’s versions of I Think We’re Alone Now (1987) and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) topped her list.  I couldn’t help but see so much of myself in her at that age that I made a list of similar 80s songs for her to check out if she’d like.  She’d discovered the girly pop music I’d grown up with:  Madonna, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdoul, Janet Jackson, the Bangles, Wilson Phillips, and of course, the GoGos and Belinda Carlisle. All topped the charts and made up a huge part of the soundtrack of my childhood.  Embarrassingly, I can probably still remember every word to Paula Abdoul’s Coldhearted Snake (1988) and Janet Jackson’s Escapade (1989) over 35 years later if asked.

The fun part is that I have a sneaking suspicion that Ellie loves music just as much as I do.  A few years ago now, her mom caught the cutest video clip of Ellie cleaning her room singing her heart out to Katy Perry’s Roar (2013).  It could have been me at age 8 or 9.  The realization that kids today have all music at their finger tips is both terrifying and incredible for someone who grew up transitioning from records, tapes, CDs, MP3s, and finally, streaming services.

If it hadn’t been for that discussion of Belinda Carlisle with my niece, who knows when I would have rediscovered Mad About You (1986), along with the video.  In fact, there are a few things I need to mention about the video.  First, I do not remember it at all.  Yet, it has quickly become one of my favorites from the 80s.  It is right up there with Material Girl (1984) – Madonna.  Mad About You (1986) has the same 80s does 50s Hollywood glamor vibe, but, if I am honest, there is just something I love about that video.  I can see why it became a hit, and I am left wondering just how much coverage it had on MTV.  I do hope that younger generations discover and appreciate the iconic music videos of the 80s-00s.  I do hope that they live on.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ghost – The Future is a Foreign Land (2024)

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Ghost – The Future is a Foreign Land (2024) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 10, 2026)

One of the absolute highlights of the chaos that was 2025 happened to be seeing Ghost in Grand Rapids in July.  The only live performance I’ve ever seen that even came close to Tobias Forge and company was Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band.  I left Van Andel Arena in absolute awe.  I would gladly go see Ghost again.

The funny thing is that when John and I bought tickets early in 2025, I really only knew their song Little Miss Sunshine.  I wanted to check out something new.  By the time John and I drove all over northern Michigan on our way to the concert (another story altogether), I’d become a full-fledged fan and knew half of their setlist.  Even that didn’t prepare me for what I was about to experience.  Tobias Forge’s stage presence is on an entirely different level.

Somewhere along the line, I couldn’t get the Ghost song The Future is a Foreign Land out of my head.  I blame my love of storytelling.  Add in a solid literary reference (Orwell’s 1984) mixed with historical references (brownshirts, Kennedys, etc.), how could I resist?  Then there is the video.  In my opinion, the animation is perfect.  The 60s/70s eve of destruction vibe works well.  Their animated videos tend to be among my favorites.  The Future is a Foreign Land, however, almost manages to romanticize the end of it all, and asks us all to become better people for it.

After the concert, I asked myself why The Future is a Foreign Land looms so large in my imagination.  Then I thought about what it means Gen X, or in my case, Xennial.  In the world we were born into, it has always been one minute to midnight.  The threat of nuclear war is a constant that’s never going away.  As a generation, we seem to have a fatalist streak, and it is no coincidence that my peers’ children grew up on series like The Hunger Games and Divergent.  In fact, The Future is a Foreign Land can be added to a dystopian playlist, which could include:

Eve of Destruction – Barry McQuire (1965)

99 Luftballons – Nena (1983) (I prefer the German language version)

It Is the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) – R.E.M (1987)

We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel (1989)

Zombie – The Cranberries (1994) (or Rock Orchestra)

If you grew up on 80s rock and/or metal, you need to check out Ghost if you haven’t already.  Definite 80s vibes in the best possible way.

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

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No introduction needed.

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 9, 2026)

February 9th, 1964, 62 years ago today, the Beatles first appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” kicking off what later became known as the British invasion.  Over the years, I’ve heard so many musicians state that their dream of becoming a rock star began that cold February night.  Ozzy stands out.  I believe it, too.  I’ve heard it described as everything going from black and white to technicolor.  So I thought today would be it.  Today I’ll discuss my favorite Beatles song of all time.

For decades, I could not tell you which Beatles song was my favorite.  There are several Beatles songs that remind me of my childhood and my mom.  All of The Beatles (better known as The White Album) reminds me of my semester bumming around Spain.  Then there were the Anthologies during my high school years with new music!  Real Love and Free as a Bird definitely fit in the ‘90s with the likes of Oasis and Blur.  In fact, I once read a comment that stated Oasis’s entire career could be summed up by Revolver.  Adoring Oasis before the egos took over, I can’t unsee that comment or disagree with it.  Let’s face it:  Most of the music I adore would simply not exist without the Beatles’ example.  This is especially true of 90’s alternative, although 90’s artists seemed to take themselves just a bit too seriously.  Regardless, the Beatles will always remain a revelation and inspiration.

So why A Day in the Life?  Well, first, it is the final track on my favorite Beatles album:  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.  I consider it my favorite Beatles album for one reason and one reason only:  Every time I listen to it, I have to listen to every. single. track.  No skipping.  I know of no other album, Beatles or otherwise, that is that good beginning to end.  Of course, it is considered the first concept album, too.

Also, A Day in the Life is a perfect example of why I love the Beatles music so much.  First, it tells a story.  One can get lost in the lyrics and the story.  Second, it is pure Lennon/McCartney magic.  Not too hard, not too sweet – just right! It is really two songs in one with a memorable bridge in between.  There are plenty of examples of Beatles songs structured like this, but it is the Wings songs that come to mind.  Some of my favorites, Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, just to name a few.  What’s not to love?  So, let’s take a minute today to appreciate all the amazing music we’ve enjoyed over the last several decades.

Ladies and gentleman, quite possibly the best Beatles quote by a Beatle.

Happy Birthday, John!

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August 2023 – Blue October and Goo Goo Dolls concert!  One of my favorite memories.
Fall 2022 – Hanging out on State’s gorgeous campus.

June 2024 – Erica and Fred’s wedding @ Crystal Creek!

Happy birthday!  I am so grateful for all of the memories we’ve made over the last 5 years together and for all that is yet to come.

I love you.  It is quite simple:  you make me a better person!

Love,

Lindsey