Roller skate song sensations

The venue was the old Skate Odyssey in North Tampa. Parents dropped off their 12-13 year-olds and hoped for the best.


We're talking 1989-90. We're talking I.O.U. shirts with the puffy paint, Skidz and Guess stone-washed jeans.


We're talking Wade kissed his girlfriend Harah. Harah told her gal pal Laura. Laura told Wade's buddy Pete that Wade was "straight" because he failed to French kiss Harah (I only pecked her). At my sixth grade, being "straight" meant you were a prude/loser/geek/didn't-know-how-to-make out-with-a-girl.



Actually, I was just scared that I wouldn't French kiss the right way. It's not like you can go take lessons or get a tutor. Well, not when you are 12 years old.


Anyhow, here are the songs I recall playing while I made a fool of myself at the roller skating rink back in the day. I've also included my friend Meghan's awesome list below.


Top Ten Skate Songs


10. "Funky Cold Medina," Tone Loc


9. "Vogue," Madonna


8. "Unbelievable," EMF


7. "Blaze of Glory," Bon Jovi


(A manly couples skate song.)


6. "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You," Milli Vanilli


(Whatever. Whoever sang that song had a great voice.)


5. "My Prerogative," Bobby Brown


4. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," Poison


3. "Bust a Move," Young MC


2. "U Can't Touch This," MC Hammer


1. "Ice Ice Baby," Vanilla ice


(I still know all the words, and so do you.)


An e-mail from Meghan:


"This is a couples skate; all others please exit the floor."


I was one of those kids who hit puberty in the middle of a Friday night in the late 1980s, My first crush wore white jeans, had a rat tail, carried a comb in his back pocket, and knew the DJ.


Most "Rad" Skate Songs of the Late 1980s


10. "Poison," Bell Biv Devoe


9. "Dr. Feelgood," Motley Crue


8. "Personal Jesus," Depeche Mode


(Yes, I did the arm movements ... You did, too.)


7. "Wild Thing," Tone Loc


6. "Shake Me," Cinderella


5. "Pour Some Sugar on Me," Def Leopard


4. "Unskinny Bop," Poison


3. "Nothing But a Good Thing," Poison


2. "I Hate Myself for Loving You," Joan Jett & the Blackhearts


1. "Girls, Girls, Girls," Motley Crue.


Best Couple Skate Song: "When I See You Smile," Bad English


Best Speed Skate: "Welcome to the Jungle," Guns N' Roses


Best Reverse Skate: "18 and Life," Skid Row

As a newspaper writer, every now and then, you become friends, real friends with readers. I spent about four years at the Bradenton Herald. I lived downtown. In a small town. And could always be found at the same bar, on pretty much a nightly basis. The bar was called The Old Main Pub. Kellie, Meghan and Dave were my close pals — and most dedicated readers. So, when Meghan sent me this request today, even though it was a busy, bitch of a day, I had to come through.

Meghan:

Remember back in the day when you wrote a piece on skate songs of the 90's? Do you still have that? I'm DJ'ing somewhere the day after Thanksgiving and I am the "special guest" doing a 'speed skate power hour' set. It's a bar that has a special of $25 all you can drink from 9am-5pm on Black Friday. For the hour I am DJ'ing, there are dollar shots, and $2 car bombs. Hence, the Power Hour...

I remember that article [blog post for Bradenton Herald circa 2006] and wouldn't mind taking a looky again...

Me:

Who loves you? It took me 40 min. (aka a Willie Nelson CD and 2.75 glasses of wine) to track this down. I expect a shout-out during your set. Yeah, I know, nobody will know who the hell I am but I want it anyway. Miss you, too. Holla if ya ever make it to Tampa.

http://blogs.bradenton.com/in_tune/2005/12/top_ten_skate_s.html

Top 10 Skate Rink Songs (circa early '90s)

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