The Liner Notes
Issue №14 · July 17, 2026 · from the archive
Special Issue · The School Dance Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Kool & the Gang
rhythm and blues · 1973–1985
Pressing Record for Someone
- The Countdown · Top 10 Slow-Dance Dedications
- Mixtape Map · Inside School Dance
- Needle Drop · “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
- In Memoriam · Freddy Cannon
Issue №14
July 17, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
Lights down, volume soft — this one's a dedication.
Consider this your School Dance field guide — Kool & the Gang up front, a Top 10 you'll argue with, and a tape map to get lost in.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Be kind, please rewind, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: School Dance
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Kool & the Gang
rhythm and blues · 1973–1985
Picture yourself grooving to the infectious beat of "Jungle Boogie" or swaying at a party with "Celebration" blasting in the background—this is the vibrant world of Kool & the Gang. Hailing from the heart of Jersey City, this talented ensemble has been serving up a delectable mix of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and funk since 1964. With a lineup featuring Dennis Thomas, Ronald Bell, George Brown, and the smooth vocals of James "J.T." Taylor, their sound transcends generations. Whether it’s the lively vibes of "Ladies' Night" or the romantic allure of "Joanna," Kool & the Gang’s music invites everyone to dance and sing along. Their legacy is a timeless reminder that good times and great tunes are always just a record spin away.
Artist Spotlight
Kool & the Gang · cont.
“Formed 1964”
The facts
Kool & the Gang in the crate
From the Zine
The Movement of Sound
How school dance music shaped us.
In the echoing halls of middle schools and high schools, a distinct sound emerged that vibrated through gymnasiums across America. This music, a fusion of pop, rock, and dance, became the backdrop for countless firsts—awkward kisses, hesitant hand-holding, and the thrill of being young and alive. Artists like Journey, Cyndi Lauper, and Kenny Loggins provided the soundtrack to our adolescent dreams, pushing against the moody introspection of the preceding decades. This was music that demanded movement, inviting us to shake off our insecurities and hit the dance floor.
Songs like “Celebration” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” were anthems of joy and rebellion, a clarion call for freedom in a world where teen angst often ruled. As we swayed to the beats of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Footloose,” we weren’t just dancing; we were asserting our identities, navigating friendships and crushes in the process. This music mattered because it gave voice to our youthful exuberance, a soundtrack for the rituals of growing up that we would carry with us long after the last song faded.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 5Needle Drop
Mony Mony
Billy Idol · 1981 · Pop
At a roller rink, during the couples skate.
rewinding the tape to catch that one line again.
Hear it now and you're seventeen again, instantly.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
Needle Drop
Mony Mony
Billy Idol · 1981 · Pop
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Slow-Dance Dedications
Grab your corsage and dust off those dancing shoes; we're counting down the anthems that made our school dances legendary. Get ready to relive those cherished moments!
- 1
CelebrationKool & The Gang · 1980
Nothing lifts the spirit like a party anthem that screams joy and togetherness.
- 2
Walking On SunshineKatrina and the Waves · 1985
This song transports you to sun-drenched days filled with carefree laughter and vibrant energy.
- 3Footloose
Kenny Loggins · 1984
A call to dance and break free, igniting a rebellious spirit in every listener.
- 4
Girls Just Want to Have FunCyndi Lauper · 1983
An anthem of freedom, reminding us that life's too short not to enjoy every moment.
- 5
Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham! · 1984
Pure pop perfection that makes you want to jump up and dance like no one's watching.
The Countdown
Top 10 Slow-Dance Dedications · 6–10
- 6
Let's Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams · 1984
Celebrating the underdog, this track makes you cheer for the everyday heroes in life.
- 7
Walking on Broken GlassAnnie Lennox · 1992
This song struts through heartbreak, a dance on shattered dreams and fierce resilience.
- 8
Love ShackThe B-52's · 1989
A neon-lit party where love and laughter collide, echoing the wild nights of youth.
- 9Mony Mony
Billy Idol · 1981
A raucous anthem that pulls you into the chaos of a vibrant, sweaty dance floor.
- 10
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)Dead or Alive · 1984
A whirlwind of desire and energy, spinning you into a dance floor frenzy.
Scene Report
School Dance
The Sound
The air pulsates with infectious beats and synthesizer swells, layered with the unmistakable clang of drum machines. It's a vibrant mix of pop hooks, rock anthems, and soul-infused grooves designed to get hearts racing and feet moving, all delivered through crackling radio waves.
The Look
Brightly colored dresses swirl under the glow of disco lights, while boys sport slicked-back hair and oversized jackets. The gym floor is adorned with streamers, and the punch bowl stands as a beacon for those too shy to hit the dance floor, making the atmosphere both electric and endearingly awkward.
The Artists
Journey · Cyndi Lauper · Bryan Adams · Bon Jovi · Berlin · Paula Abdul
Scene Report
School Dance · The Records
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Slow Jams · Power Ballads
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Wham! vs. Don Henley
| 🔥 Chart Hits | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| 📅 Staying Power | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Wham! takes the round.
Came down to the encore.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance · 📼 1/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Before the Dance
Doors open; nobody wants to be first on the floor.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance · 📼 2/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Dance Floor Fillers
The songs that got everybody moving.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance · 📼 3/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Homecoming Favorites
The songs every DJ seemed to own.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance · 📼 4/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Slow Dance Hall of Fame
The songs that made everyone panic.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance · 📼 5/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Hanging Out By the Punch Bowl
For the people too nervous to dance.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1992…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
End of the Road
Boyz II Men
At the movies
- Aladdin
- A Few Good Men
- Wayne's World
On TV
- The Real World debuts
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Melrose Place
In the headlines
- The first text message is sent
- Barcelona Olympics
- Mall of America opens
From the Zine
Rituals of the Dance Floor
A time capsule of school dance traditions.
You step into the gym, where the basketball hoops are folded up and the air is thick with Aqua Net and anticipation. This is your moment. As you adjust your hair in the bathroom mirror, you can feel the energy pulsing through the walls, the chatter of friends mixing with the thumping bass of the DJ’s setup. You’ve spent weeks planning, and now it’s time to see if you’ve mastered the art of the school dance ritual: the nervous ask, the awkward spin, the thrilling slow dance when the lights dim.
As the DJ spins “Love Shack” or “Bust a Move,” you’re surrounded by laughter and the occasional cringe-worthy dance move. You grab a cup of punch, its sugary sweetness a perfect contrast to the butterflies in your stomach. When the slow songs kick in, you find yourself face-to-face with your crush, hearts racing as you sway together, the world outside the gym fading away. It’s all part of the dance—the glances, the giggles, the last song that feels like the closing credits on a cherished movie. These moments are fleeting but unforgettable, a nostalgic snapshot of youth forever etched in your memory.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 19Chart Flashback
1993 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1993 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston sat at #1, and Whitney Houston racked up 3 charting hits.
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“love this one. Was just enjoying life without responsibilities and riding my bike.”
“First high school girlfriend, my freshman year. She could drive — a couple years older — and Journey's Greatest Hits was always playing in the car.”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“If this came on at a dance in 1990, you grabbed whoever you were brave enough to grab and prayed it was a long song. Cheap cologne, gym decorations, my heart absolutely pounding.”
“almost a month since i buried you mum, i always promised you would go out to this. i hope u boogied ur way back home, where ur 17 and nothing bad has happened yet.”
The Back Page
She Blinded Me with Science
Thomas Dolby · 1982
Ice Ice Baby
Vanilla Ice · 1989
Misheard for 30 Years
“Wrapped up like a douche”
…is actually “Revved up like a deuce” — Manfred Mann — Blinded by the Light.
Classifieds
- FREE: Box of cassette singles. You haul. Bring a Walkman to test.
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
- FOR SALE: 14 Columbia House CDs. Technically still unpaid. Make offer.
Next week: R&B & Soul
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №14
FinSpecial Issue · The School Dance Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Kool & the Gang
rhythm and blues · 1973–1985
Pressing Record for Someone
- The Countdown · Top 10 Slow-Dance Dedications
- Mixtape Map · Inside School Dance
- Needle Drop · “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
- In Memoriam · Freddy Cannon
Issue №14
July 17, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
Lights down, volume soft — this one's a dedication.
Consider this your School Dance field guide — Kool & the Gang up front, a Top 10 you'll argue with, and a tape map to get lost in.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Be kind, please rewind, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: School Dance
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Kool & the Gang
rhythm and blues · 1973–1985
Picture yourself grooving to the infectious beat of "Jungle Boogie" or swaying at a party with "Celebration" blasting in the background—this is the vibrant world of Kool & the Gang. Hailing from the heart of Jersey City, this talented ensemble has been serving up a delectable mix of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and funk since 1964. With a lineup featuring Dennis Thomas, Ronald Bell, George Brown, and the smooth vocals of James "J.T." Taylor, their sound transcends generations. Whether it’s the lively vibes of "Ladies' Night" or the romantic allure of "Joanna," Kool & the Gang’s music invites everyone to dance and sing along. Their legacy is a timeless reminder that good times and great tunes are always just a record spin away.
“Formed 1964”
The facts
Kool & the Gang in the crate
From the Zine
The Movement of Sound
How school dance music shaped us.
In the echoing halls of middle schools and high schools, a distinct sound emerged that vibrated through gymnasiums across America. This music, a fusion of pop, rock, and dance, became the backdrop for countless firsts—awkward kisses, hesitant hand-holding, and the thrill of being young and alive. Artists like Journey, Cyndi Lauper, and Kenny Loggins provided the soundtrack to our adolescent dreams, pushing against the moody introspection of the preceding decades. This was music that demanded movement, inviting us to shake off our insecurities and hit the dance floor.
Songs like “Celebration” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” were anthems of joy and rebellion, a clarion call for freedom in a world where teen angst often ruled. As we swayed to the beats of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Footloose,” we weren’t just dancing; we were asserting our identities, navigating friendships and crushes in the process. This music mattered because it gave voice to our youthful exuberance, a soundtrack for the rituals of growing up that we would carry with us long after the last song faded.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 4Needle Drop
Mony Mony
Billy Idol · 1981 · Pop
At a roller rink, during the couples skate.
rewinding the tape to catch that one line again.
Hear it now and you're seventeen again, instantly.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Slow-Dance Dedications
Grab your corsage and dust off those dancing shoes; we're counting down the anthems that made our school dances legendary. Get ready to relive those cherished moments!
- 1Celebration
Kool & The Gang · 1980
Nothing lifts the spirit like a party anthem that screams joy and togetherness.
- 2Walking On Sunshine
Katrina and the Waves · 1985
This song transports you to sun-drenched days filled with carefree laughter and vibrant energy.
- 3Footloose
Kenny Loggins · 1984
A call to dance and break free, igniting a rebellious spirit in every listener.
- 4Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper · 1983
An anthem of freedom, reminding us that life's too short not to enjoy every moment.
- 5Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Wham! · 1984
Pure pop perfection that makes you want to jump up and dance like no one's watching.
- 6Let's Hear It for the Boy
Deniece Williams · 1984
Celebrating the underdog, this track makes you cheer for the everyday heroes in life.
- 7Walking on Broken Glass
Annie Lennox · 1992
This song struts through heartbreak, a dance on shattered dreams and fierce resilience.
- 8Love Shack
The B-52's · 1989
A neon-lit party where love and laughter collide, echoing the wild nights of youth.
- 9Mony Mony
Billy Idol · 1981
A raucous anthem that pulls you into the chaos of a vibrant, sweaty dance floor.
- 10You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
Dead or Alive · 1984
A whirlwind of desire and energy, spinning you into a dance floor frenzy.
Scene Report
School Dance
The Sound
The air pulsates with infectious beats and synthesizer swells, layered with the unmistakable clang of drum machines. It's a vibrant mix of pop hooks, rock anthems, and soul-infused grooves designed to get hearts racing and feet moving, all delivered through crackling radio waves.
The Look
Brightly colored dresses swirl under the glow of disco lights, while boys sport slicked-back hair and oversized jackets. The gym floor is adorned with streamers, and the punch bowl stands as a beacon for those too shy to hit the dance floor, making the atmosphere both electric and endearingly awkward.
The Artists
Journey · Cyndi Lauper · Bryan Adams · Bon Jovi · Berlin · Paula Abdul
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Slow Jams · Power Ballads
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Wham! vs. Don Henley
| 🔥 Chart Hits | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| 📅 Staying Power | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Wham! takes the round.
Came down to the encore.
The Mixtape Map
Inside School Dance
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Before the Dance
Doors open; nobody wants to be first on the floor.
📼 Dance Floor Fillers
The songs that got everybody moving.
📼 Homecoming Favorites
The songs every DJ seemed to own.
📼 Slow Dance Hall of Fame
The songs that made everyone panic.
📼 Hanging Out By the Punch Bowl
For the people too nervous to dance.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1992…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
End of the Road
Boyz II Men
At the movies
- Aladdin
- A Few Good Men
- Wayne's World
On TV
- The Real World debuts
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Melrose Place
In the headlines
- The first text message is sent
- Barcelona Olympics
- Mall of America opens
From the Zine
Rituals of the Dance Floor
A time capsule of school dance traditions.
You step into the gym, where the basketball hoops are folded up and the air is thick with Aqua Net and anticipation. This is your moment. As you adjust your hair in the bathroom mirror, you can feel the energy pulsing through the walls, the chatter of friends mixing with the thumping bass of the DJ’s setup. You’ve spent weeks planning, and now it’s time to see if you’ve mastered the art of the school dance ritual: the nervous ask, the awkward spin, the thrilling slow dance when the lights dim.
As the DJ spins “Love Shack” or “Bust a Move,” you’re surrounded by laughter and the occasional cringe-worthy dance move. You grab a cup of punch, its sugary sweetness a perfect contrast to the butterflies in your stomach. When the slow songs kick in, you find yourself face-to-face with your crush, hearts racing as you sway together, the world outside the gym fading away. It’s all part of the dance—the glances, the giggles, the last song that feels like the closing credits on a cherished movie. These moments are fleeting but unforgettable, a nostalgic snapshot of youth forever etched in your memory.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 11Chart Flashback
1993 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1993 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston sat at #1, and Whitney Houston racked up 3 charting hits.
The 1993 Top 10
Gone But Not Forgotten
3DO
1993–1996
The $699 future nobody bought.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1993”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“love this one. Was just enjoying life without responsibilities and riding my bike.”
“First high school girlfriend, my freshman year. She could drive — a couple years older — and Journey's Greatest Hits was always playing in the car.”
“If this came on at a dance in 1990, you grabbed whoever you were brave enough to grab and prayed it was a long song. Cheap cologne, gym decorations, my heart absolutely pounding.”
“almost a month since i buried you mum, i always promised you would go out to this. i hope u boogied ur way back home, where ur 17 and nothing bad has happened yet.”
The Back Page
She Blinded Me with Science
Thomas Dolby · 1982
Ice Ice Baby
Vanilla Ice · 1989
Misheard for 30 Years
“Wrapped up like a douche”
…is actually “Revved up like a deuce” — Manfred Mann — Blinded by the Light.
Classifieds
- FREE: Box of cassette singles. You haul. Bring a Walkman to test.
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
- FOR SALE: 14 Columbia House CDs. Technically still unpaid. Make offer.
Next week: R&B & Soul
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №14
Fin