3 Classic Country Songs That Remind 80s Teens of Being Young
The article looks back at three country hits that may evoke teenage years for listeners who grew up in the 1980s. It links the songs to young love, the upbeat atmosphere around college football and small-town life.
The Judds’ “Young Love (Strong Love)”, written by Paul Kennerley and Kent Robbins, topped country charts in the US and Canada. Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight” reached No. 1 on both countries’ country charts in 1983 and was popular among college students, while Steve Wariner’s “Small Town Girl” topped US and Canadian country charts in 1986.
In short
- Three country hits recall teenage life in the 1980s.
- The Judds, Alabama and Steve Wariner feature.
- All three songs topped US and Canadian country charts.
Explained simply
Country music is a broad popular style with roots in the southern United States, often telling stories about love, family and everyday life. In the 1980s, country songs were played on radio and at local events, and some became familiar to listeners across North America.
The Judds were a mother-and-daughter country duo, Alabama was a country band whose music found an audience among college football fans, and Steve Wariner was a country singer and guitarist. Their songs touch on young romance, college life and small-town settings, themes that can help explain why listeners who were teenagers in that decade may associate them with growing up.