We were having an interesting discussion at work this morning, and so I thought I'd continue it here. What was your first record (or tape or CD or 8-track)?
Alright. I was 5 and got my first record player. It was a tough choice between Madonna's Like A Virgin Album and Michael Jackson's Thriller. I opted for Madonna (good choice given the long term investment and longevity of her career). And also purchased with the $3.99 left - Salt-n-Pepa's Push It. I didn't know the name of the song (I laugh about this now)- so I had to sing it to the cash register lady at Record Town in the mall.
I got two at once - they were Michael Jackson's Thriller and Nena's 99 Luftballoons. Turns out they both became huge favorites of mine - but Nena was definitely more the indicator of how my musical tastes would turn out... Though that said, I've had Britney Spear's masterpiece Blackout and Madonna's Hard Candy battling it out with the Bellmer Dolls and Gogol Bordello albums for the last few months so maybe I'm still sitting on the pop music vs underground fence even to this day.
Ok so my OFFICIAL first record was Spandau Ballet's The Parade. But the one I listened to over and over was Michael Jackson's Thriller which was bought shortly after. Below is my playlist of other songs from various tapes that I bought during that time period (give or take 3 years).
First album I ever got (as a gift) was the J. Geils Band's FREEZE FRAME. I vastly preferred the title track or even "Flamethrower" to the smash hit single "Centerfold," but whatever.
First album bought on my own steam I believe was Duran Duran's SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER. This was much more formative, and was an early influence on my weirder tastes.
First compact disc I ever bought was FLOODLAND, by the Sisters of Mercy, which I still adore unreservedly today.
The first album I actually owned was the Care Bears birthday album. It was about this little boy who thinks everyone has forgotten his birthday. The Care Bears come to cheer him up and it turns out his parent's planned a surprise party instead or something like that. I would be embarrassed about admitting this, but I loved it! I know that album is sitting in my parents attic somewhere and I might just dig it out. Care Bear Stare!
The first cassette I remember owning was some ventriloquist act that was on the radio in upstate New York that my Grandparents gave me. I don't remember what they were called, so maybe that doesn't count. The first 2 CDs I owned (I got them both at the same time) were Boyz II Men, the 'II' album, and Simpsons Sing The Blues. Rest assured my tastes have varied greatly since then.
ok now i feel old because john_the_harrison said CD as his first "record". but i guess not that old because my records were cassettes and not 45s. LOL.
and biaozeebub - NKOTB rocks! they were definitely my favorite out of all of my tapes and cds.
When I was 4 and my sister was 10, we both started music lessons (me=violin, sis=flute). In an effort to get my sister to practice more, my parents bribed her with the promise of one 45 single for every month that she practiced every day. I was all "um, hello, I want in on this sweet deal", and my parents were like "geeze, why did we have two children, but ok". So, two months later, I had "Oh, Sherrie" by Steve Perry and "Mr. Roboto" by Styxx. My sister still didn't practice, and played the 'you love her more' card. The gravy train ended. I am un-bitter.
The first cassette single I purchased for myself was "pump up the jam" by technotronic. The flip side was "this beat is technotronic". I wore. it. out.
