When we think of the 1980s, we picture off-the-shoulder sweatshirts, neon tights and ponytails sprouting out the sides of girls’ heads, neatly held together with scrunchies. Attractive? Not so much. Not to mention the rather annoying electronic-enhanced music blaring from the radio of a red Cadillac El Dorado driving down the street.       

Or what about those ridiculous television shows like “Baywatch” or “Roseanne”? The only good thing that came out of the 1980s were “Full House” and “Saved By the Bell,” which we both admit to still watching.

We did not realize how much everyone loved the 1980s until we got to SMU. Whenever there is anything themed, the theme is always the 80s. It is understandable that upperclassmen appreciate the decade as much as they do because they are the products of the late 80s. In fact, one of us is an 80s child.

Flash forward to the 1990s and what does one get? Well, the other Sam first and foremost, but that’s neither here nor there. We think that the 90s are the best and here is why:
The music is ten thousand percent better than that of the previous decade. This wonderful chunk of 10 years was when we first met America’s sweetheart, Britney Spears, and her many hits like “Hit Me Baby (One More Time).” That song was the talk of the lunchroom. It was so catchy! Plus, who didn’t think it was awesome to dance and sing in the gymnasium while the guy she liked watched from the bleachers?

Or take ‘N SYNC, arguably the most popular boy band ever. New Kids on the Block has nothing on them. Their sultry eyes as they sang to you through the TV and their sexy dance moves made you want to scream. “Bye Bye Bye” was, and still is for some, the anthem for every angst-ridden preteen girl who just ended her “relationship” with her middle school crush.

And what about the Backstreet Boys? Anyone who has stepped foot in a middle school dance from 1993 until now has heard their heartfelt puppy love songs.

The new millennium has tried to reproduce the boy band, but with no success.

We can’t overlook the amazing Disney productions that came out of the ‘90s, “Aladdin” and the “Lion King.” Can anyone say, “Best Disney movies ever?” The soundtracks to those two movies weren’t the only things that were “da bomb,” but the romances that they developed were truly adorable.

We cannot forget that the best television shows came out in the ‘90s. “The Real World” began gracing our airwaves (as it still does) and “Dawson’s Creek” showed us that guys and girls could be BFFs. But the two most important ‘90s shows have to be “Friends” and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” Both of these are iconic examples of excellent television.

Remember when MASH notes were popular, NanoPets were a must and themed lunchboxes lined every kid’s locker?  We do. What about beanie babies? We have entire storage bins filled to the brim with those animal beanbags.

Instead of today’s “your momma” jokes, sayings like, “Talk to the hand ‘cause the ears ain’t listening” and, “If you like it so much why don’t you marry it” were the funniest comebacks. Intimidating stuff, we know.

The memories just keep coming back don’t they? Ah, those were the good ole days.
So be gone with parachute pants and “Miami Vice.” Long live the ‘90s!
 

Samantha Cangelosi is a sophomore journalism major and Samantha Verrill is a junior journalism major. They can be reached for comment at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.