The Liner Notes
Issue №17 · August 7, 2026 · from the archive
Special Issue · The Summer of '89 Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Bobby Brown
contemporary R&B · 1988–1994
The Endless-Summer Survival Guide
- The Countdown · Top 10 Backyard Pool-Party Anthems
- Mixtape Map · Inside Summer of '89
- Needle Drop · “Cherish” by Madonna
- In Memoriam · Greg Kihn
Issue №17
August 7, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue smells like sunscreen, chlorine, and a snack-bar hot dog.
This week we're parked in Summer of '89 — and Bobby Brown is on the cover, exactly where they belong.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
See you on the flip side, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Summer of '89
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Bobby Brown
contemporary R&B · 1988–1994
Bobby Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer known for his dynamic contributions to contemporary R&B and new jack swing, often alongside producer Teddy Riley. He first made waves as a member of New Edition, lending his voice to hits like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now" before venturing out on his own. His solo career brought us memorable tracks including "My Prerogative," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Every Little Step," showcasing his ability to blend rhythm and blues with hip-hop and dance-pop influences. With songs like "Humpin' Around" and "Roni," Brown carved out a distinct sound that still echoes in the genre today.
Artist Spotlight
Bobby Brown · cont.
“United States”
The facts
Bobby Brown in the crate
From the Zine
The Soundtrack of Rebellion
A new wave of voices emerged.
In the summer of '89, music was a canvas splattered with vibrant colors, a glorious rebellion against the stale sounds of the past. Bands like the B-52's and Fine Young Cannibals burst forth with infectious energy, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. The era was a melting pot of genres, where pop, rock, and R&B collided in a dazzling display of creativity, giving rise to anthems that still echo in our memories today.
This movement mattered deeply to kids navigating the tumult of adolescence. It was about more than just catchy hooks; it was a lifeline, a way to express the complexities of growing up in a rapidly changing world. Songs like “My Prerogative” and “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” offered anthems of self-empowerment, while others like “Cherish” and “Toy Soldiers” tapped into the bittersweet realities of love and loss. In this summer, music wasn’t merely background noise—it was a powerful catalyst for change, a voice for a generation eager to carve out its identity.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 5Needle Drop
Cherish
Madonna · 1989 · Pop
Through a wall, from your older sibling's room.
waiting on a call on the kitchen phone, cord stretched to the hallway.
You can't hear it without remembering exactly where you were.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
Needle Drop
Cherish
Madonna · 1989 · Pop
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Backyard Pool-Party Anthems
Get ready to crank up the nostalgia! Here’s our countdown of the top tracks that defined the summer of '89, each one a perfect soundtrack to those sun-soaked days.
- 1
Love ShackThe B-52's · 1989
A neon-lit party where love and laughter collide, echoing the wild nights of youth.
- 2
She Drives Me CrazyFine Young Cannibals · 1989
With that funky beat, I’m instantly transported to neon-lit dance floors and wild nights.
- 3
Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)Soul II Soul · 1989
Every listen pulls me back to carefree summer days and the joy of pure connection.
- 4
My PrerogativeBobby Brown · 1989
This anthem of self-empowerment still echoes in my mind, defying the naysayers.
- 5
Right Here WaitingRichard Marx · 1989
A bittersweet reminder of long-distance love, made for late-night heart-to-heart talks.
The Countdown
Top 10 Backyard Pool-Party Anthems · 6–10
- 6
Free Fallin'Tom Petty · 1989
Cruising through endless skies, savoring freedom with every carefree heartbeat.
- 7Like a Prayer
Madonna · 1989
A spiritual awakening, where soaring vocals lift you beyond the ordinary into the divine.
- 8Cherish
Madonna · 1989
Every note of this song transports me to sun-soaked summer days, lost in youthful dreams.
- 9
- 10Express Yourself
Madonna · 1989
This vibrant call to individuality always inspires me to unleash my true self.
Scene Report
Summer of '89
The Sound
A vibrant mix of synths, catchy hooks, and funky grooves filled the airwaves, blending pop, rock, and R&B. The radio hummed with infectious energy, where each track was a call to dance and celebrate the joy of summer.
The Look
Neon swimsuits and oversized sunglasses ruled the scene, with cassette tapes poking out of beach bags and Walkmans perched on sun-kissed shoulders. Rollerblades and surfboards were the accessories of choice, as laughter and splashes created a kaleidoscope of summer fun.
The Artists
The B-52's · Fine Young Cannibals · Bobby Brown · Soul II Soul · Madonna
Scene Report
Summer of '89 · The Records
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Pool Days · Fourth of July Cookout · Summer Camp
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Don Henley vs. Prince
| 🔥 Chart Hits | ▶ | |
| 📈 Highest Peak | ▶ | |
| 📅 Staying Power | ▶ | |
| 💿 Catalog Depth | ▶ | |
| 👑 #1 Singles | ▶ |
Final Verdict
Prince takes the round.
Both legends. Only one trophy.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Summer of '89 · 📼 1/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Endless Summer
The songs that wouldn't quit.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Summer of '89 · 📼 2/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Pool Party '89
Chlorine and boomboxes.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Summer of '89 · 📼 3/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 The Last Summer Free
Before everything changed.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1989…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Look Away
Chicago
At the movies
- Batman
- Dead Poets Society
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
On TV
- Seinfeld pilot
- The Simpsons series premiere
- Saved by the Bell
In the headlines
- The Berlin Wall falls
- Game Boy launches
- World Wide Web proposed by Tim Berners-Lee
From the Zine
Rituals of the Summer Scene
Embrace the moments that defined us.
Picture it: you step outside into the golden sun, a Walkman clipped to your belt, ready to embrace the world. The air is thick with anticipation, a soundtrack of “Love Shack” and “Free Fallin’” guiding your every move. You and your friends head to the local mall, where the latest hits are blasted from every storefront, and the music serves as the backdrop for life’s most cherished moments—first crushes, late-night drives, and laughter-filled hangouts.
As the sun sets, you gather with pals, sharing secrets and dreams, the glow of a portable speaker heralding the night. You dance to “Batdance” and “Express Yourself,” feeling invincible as you lose yourself in the rhythm. These little ceremonies—the mixtapes exchanged, the late-night radio shows, the impromptu dance-offs—shaped your youth, creating bonds that felt unbreakable. In the summer of '89, every beat, every lyric, became a part of your story, a perfect season that still lingers in the heart.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 17Chart Flashback
1989 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1989 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Look Away” by Chicago sat at #1, and Bobby Brown racked up 5 charting hits.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Six Flags AstroWorld
1968–2005
Houston summers on the Texas Cyclone.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Six Flags AstroWorld · cont.
Read the full piece →p. 21“Opened · 1968”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Every school dance ended with something like this. Slow-dancing at arm's length in a sweaty gym, both of you pretending you knew what you were doing. Terrifying and perfect.”
“Power ballad, last dance, the lights down low in the gym. At the time I was certain slow dances were the highest-stakes event in human history. Maybe they were.”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
“This is one of the best Genesis Songs believe it or not!”
The Back Page
Sex and Candy
Marcy Playground · 1997
The End of the Innocence
Don Henley · 1989
Misheard for 30 Years
“I want to rock and roll all night and part of every day”
…is actually “...and party every day” — KISS — Rock and Roll All Nite.
Classifieds
- LOST: One JNCO jean leg, approximately the size of a garbage bag.
- FOR SALE: 14 Columbia House CDs. Technically still unpaid. Make offer.
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
Next week: Left of the Dial
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 №17
FinSpecial Issue · The Summer of '89 Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Bobby Brown
contemporary R&B · 1988–1994
The Endless-Summer Survival Guide
- The Countdown · Top 10 Backyard Pool-Party Anthems
- Mixtape Map · Inside Summer of '89
- Needle Drop · “Cherish” by Madonna
- In Memoriam · Greg Kihn
Issue №17
August 7, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue smells like sunscreen, chlorine, and a snack-bar hot dog.
This week we're parked in Summer of '89 — and Bobby Brown is on the cover, exactly where they belong.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
See you on the flip side, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Summer of '89
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Bobby Brown
contemporary R&B · 1988–1994
Bobby Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer known for his dynamic contributions to contemporary R&B and new jack swing, often alongside producer Teddy Riley. He first made waves as a member of New Edition, lending his voice to hits like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now" before venturing out on his own. His solo career brought us memorable tracks including "My Prerogative," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Every Little Step," showcasing his ability to blend rhythm and blues with hip-hop and dance-pop influences. With songs like "Humpin' Around" and "Roni," Brown carved out a distinct sound that still echoes in the genre today.
“United States”
The facts
Bobby Brown in the crate
From the Zine
The Soundtrack of Rebellion
A new wave of voices emerged.
In the summer of '89, music was a canvas splattered with vibrant colors, a glorious rebellion against the stale sounds of the past. Bands like the B-52's and Fine Young Cannibals burst forth with infectious energy, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. The era was a melting pot of genres, where pop, rock, and R&B collided in a dazzling display of creativity, giving rise to anthems that still echo in our memories today.
This movement mattered deeply to kids navigating the tumult of adolescence. It was about more than just catchy hooks; it was a lifeline, a way to express the complexities of growing up in a rapidly changing world. Songs like “My Prerogative” and “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” offered anthems of self-empowerment, while others like “Cherish” and “Toy Soldiers” tapped into the bittersweet realities of love and loss. In this summer, music wasn’t merely background noise—it was a powerful catalyst for change, a voice for a generation eager to carve out its identity.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 4Needle Drop
Cherish
Madonna · 1989 · Pop
Through a wall, from your older sibling's room.
waiting on a call on the kitchen phone, cord stretched to the hallway.
You can't hear it without remembering exactly where you were.
▸ 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 Backyard Pool-Party Anthems
Get ready to crank up the nostalgia! Here’s our countdown of the top tracks that defined the summer of '89, each one a perfect soundtrack to those sun-soaked days.
- 1Love Shack
The B-52's · 1989
A neon-lit party where love and laughter collide, echoing the wild nights of youth.
- 2She Drives Me Crazy
Fine Young Cannibals · 1989
With that funky beat, I’m instantly transported to neon-lit dance floors and wild nights.
- 3Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)
Soul II Soul · 1989
Every listen pulls me back to carefree summer days and the joy of pure connection.
- 4My Prerogative
Bobby Brown · 1989
This anthem of self-empowerment still echoes in my mind, defying the naysayers.
- 5Right Here Waiting
Richard Marx · 1989
A bittersweet reminder of long-distance love, made for late-night heart-to-heart talks.
- 6Free Fallin'
Tom Petty · 1989
Cruising through endless skies, savoring freedom with every carefree heartbeat.
- 7Like a Prayer
Madonna · 1989
A spiritual awakening, where soaring vocals lift you beyond the ordinary into the divine.
- 8Cherish
Madonna · 1989
Every note of this song transports me to sun-soaked summer days, lost in youthful dreams.
- 9
- 10Express Yourself
Madonna · 1989
This vibrant call to individuality always inspires me to unleash my true self.
Scene Report
Summer of '89
The Sound
A vibrant mix of synths, catchy hooks, and funky grooves filled the airwaves, blending pop, rock, and R&B. The radio hummed with infectious energy, where each track was a call to dance and celebrate the joy of summer.
The Look
Neon swimsuits and oversized sunglasses ruled the scene, with cassette tapes poking out of beach bags and Walkmans perched on sun-kissed shoulders. Rollerblades and surfboards were the accessories of choice, as laughter and splashes created a kaleidoscope of summer fun.
The Artists
The B-52's · Fine Young Cannibals · Bobby Brown · Soul II Soul · Madonna
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Pool Days · Fourth of July Cookout · Summer Camp
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Don Henley vs. Prince
| 🔥 Chart Hits | ▶ | |
| 📈 Highest Peak | ▶ | |
| 📅 Staying Power | ▶ | |
| 💿 Catalog Depth | ▶ | |
| 👑 #1 Singles | ▶ |
Final Verdict
Prince takes the round.
Both legends. Only one trophy.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Summer of '89
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Endless Summer
The songs that wouldn't quit.
📼 Pool Party '89
Chlorine and boomboxes.
📼 The Last Summer Free
Before everything changed.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1989…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Look Away
Chicago
At the movies
- Batman
- Dead Poets Society
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
On TV
- Seinfeld pilot
- The Simpsons series premiere
- Saved by the Bell
In the headlines
- The Berlin Wall falls
- Game Boy launches
- World Wide Web proposed by Tim Berners-Lee
From the Zine
Rituals of the Summer Scene
Embrace the moments that defined us.
Picture it: you step outside into the golden sun, a Walkman clipped to your belt, ready to embrace the world. The air is thick with anticipation, a soundtrack of “Love Shack” and “Free Fallin’” guiding your every move. You and your friends head to the local mall, where the latest hits are blasted from every storefront, and the music serves as the backdrop for life’s most cherished moments—first crushes, late-night drives, and laughter-filled hangouts.
As the sun sets, you gather with pals, sharing secrets and dreams, the glow of a portable speaker heralding the night. You dance to “Batdance” and “Express Yourself,” feeling invincible as you lose yourself in the rhythm. These little ceremonies—the mixtapes exchanged, the late-night radio shows, the impromptu dance-offs—shaped your youth, creating bonds that felt unbreakable. In the summer of '89, every beat, every lyric, became a part of your story, a perfect season that still lingers in the heart.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 11Chart Flashback
1989 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1989 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Look Away” by Chicago sat at #1, and Bobby Brown racked up 5 charting hits.
The 1989 Top 10
Gone But Not Forgotten
Six Flags AstroWorld
1968–2005
Houston summers on the Texas Cyclone.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1968”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Every school dance ended with something like this. Slow-dancing at arm's length in a sweaty gym, both of you pretending you knew what you were doing. Terrifying and perfect.”
“Power ballad, last dance, the lights down low in the gym. At the time I was certain slow dances were the highest-stakes event in human history. Maybe they were.”
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
“This is one of the best Genesis Songs believe it or not!”
The Back Page
Sex and Candy
Marcy Playground · 1997
The End of the Innocence
Don Henley · 1989
Misheard for 30 Years
“I want to rock and roll all night and part of every day”
…is actually “...and party every day” — KISS — Rock and Roll All Nite.
Classifieds
- LOST: One JNCO jean leg, approximately the size of a garbage bag.
- FOR SALE: 14 Columbia House CDs. Technically still unpaid. Make offer.
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
Next week: Left of the Dial
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 №17
Fin