nostalgia for a time that never was

April 27, 2013 11:01 PM

I'm looking for songs that inspire nostalgia, however, I have specific requirements...

for example... IGY by Donald Fagan, hey nineteen by Steely Dan and Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty inspire this feeling of an unfulfilled ambition. I really enjoy the feeling that they create. Its kind of uptempo, but if you really listen to the lyrics its sort of depressing. The most recent band that I've discovered is The Wombats with both 1996 and Jump Into the Fog. Do you have any other recommendations in this vein? I appreciate your input.

posted by kookywon to Media & Arts (23 answers total)

I should say that doobie brothers what a fool believes also scratches this particular itch.
posted by kookywon at 11:06 PM on April 27, 2013

Five for Fighting - 100 Years.

Also, a ton of the Kenny Loggins catalog (Danny's Song, Whenever I Call You Friend, This is It, etc.,)
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 11:12 PM on April 27, 2013

American Pie
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:10 AM on April 28, 2013

Blazecock Pileon as much as I am honored that you would respond to one of my posts... I should say that I HATE that sappy ass song. I do respect the work you do around here and I owe you a whiskey and ginger.
posted by kookywon at 12:40 AM on April 28, 2013

Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Ana Ng - They Might Be Giants
(Don't Go Back To) Rockville - REM
Seventeen Forever - Metro Station
Missed Opportunity - Daryl Hall & John Oates
posted by SisterHavana at 12:52 AM on April 28, 2013

Lots of Guster songs have that sort of theme.
posted by professor plum with a rope at 1:03 AM on April 28, 2013

I submit Ted Leo - Biomusicology
posted by cairdeas at 3:03 AM on April 28, 2013

I'd say a lot of Bob Seger's music treads into this category, especially Night Moves.

And, while I'm on an Americana kick, I'd suggest John Mellencamp's Pink Houses and Jack and Diane.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:48 AM on April 28, 2013

Glory Days. Bruce Springsteen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:44 AM on April 28, 2013

Not clear exactly what you're looking for when you use the word "nostalgia" - so I may be way off in terms of era/musicality. But if the specific description of what you want is kind of uptempo, but if you really listen to the lyrics its sort of depressing, then The Housemartins did this pretty well. Start with Happy Hour or Sheep.
posted by Mchelly at 8:14 AM on April 28, 2013

Panama City Beach by Dan Sartain
Nostalgia for an Age Yet to Come by the Buzzcocks
Vahevela by Loggins & Messina
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:16 AM on April 28, 2013

Those were the days, my friend.
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
posted by kimberussell at 8:43 AM on April 28, 2013

/weep!
posted by kimberussell at 8:43 AM on April 28, 2013

Small Town Saturday Night?
posted by Erasmouse at 9:08 AM on April 28, 2013

"Come Dancing", by the Kinks
posted by Svejk at 9:21 AM on April 28, 2013

You might find inspiration in these previouslies: Looking for music tinged with nostalgia and sad longing and that high school feeling.

And yes, absolutely Bob Seger's "Night Moves."
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:47 AM on April 28, 2013

'My Hometown' by Bruce Springsteen?
posted by hydra77 at 10:30 AM on April 28, 2013

These are the days of our lives, by Queen. The video, the last Freddie recorded, is heartbreaking.

(It was shot in black and white because Freddie looked too sick in color.)
posted by Cygnet at 11:00 AM on April 28, 2013

Actually, another song from the end of Freddie's life, Mother Love, is possibly even more nostalgic. He died before recording the last verse, which was sung by Brian May.
posted by Cygnet at 11:05 AM on April 28, 2013

Holding Back the Years by Simply Red.
posted by Kloryne at 11:14 AM on April 28, 2013

Mchelly, that's a good point and I should make it clear what I am looking for. IGY (a song written in 1982) is a song written from the perspective of 1957 about a bright new future ("by '76 we'll be a-ok") that never really happened and wasn't really possible at all. A starry eyed optimism. Baker street's line about the guy who's going to give up the booze and the one night stands, but can't because he's a rolling stone. 1996 strikes me to be about longing for high schools open future and optimism, but it wasn't really that great of a time either (war in bosnia for example). The songs are either about characters who are full of hope, but haven't realized that they're living in a fantasy (what a fool believes) or have just 'crashed' and realized that everything that they were leading themselves to believe is false.
posted by kookywon at 11:37 AM on April 28, 2013

Possibly Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"
Also from Billy Joel, "Allentown"
"My Little Town," Simon and Garfunkel
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 11:34 AM on April 29, 2013

Just found this song from beck
posted by kookywon at 9:18 AM on May 8, 2013