The Liner Notes
Issue №26 · October 9, 2026 · from the archive
Special Issue · The Saturday Night Skate Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Culture Club
pop music · 1983–1984
All-Ages Matinee
- The Countdown · Top 10 Grip-Tape Matinee Rippers
- Mixtape Map · Inside Saturday Night Skate
- Needle Drop · “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil
- In Memoriam · D'Angelo
Issue №26
October 9, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is grip tape, a skinned knee, and a demo tape dubbed too many times.
This week we're parked in Saturday Night Skate — and Culture Club 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.
Keep it rewound, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Saturday Night Skate
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Culture Club
pop music · 1983–1984
Culture Club is a UK pop music band featuring Boy George, Mikey Craig, and Roy Hay. They emerged from London's New Romantic scene and quickly became known for their catchy melodies and distinctive sound. With hits like “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” and “Time (Clock of the Heart),” they blended pop with a flair for colorful fashion and androgyny that set them apart. Their music often explored themes of love and identity, encapsulated in tracks like “Miss Me Blind” and “Church of the Poison Mind.” For anyone who experienced the 80s, their tunes are a delightful reminder of a time when pop was both playful and poignant.
Artist Spotlight
Culture Club · cont.
“Formed 1981”
The facts
Culture Club in the crate
From the Zine
Groove Against the Grain
The music that defined a generation’s escape.
In the vibrant whirl of roller rinks, a new sound emerged, pushing against the grain of rock’s dominance. Funk, disco, and R&B took center stage, inviting kids to let loose under flashing lights and neon carpet. Songs like “Get Down Tonight” and “We Are Family” became the lifeblood of these gatherings, creating an irresistible urge to move. The music wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a declaration of freedom, a joyous rebellion against the mundane.
As parents tuned into classic rock and folk, we found solace in the electrifying beats of artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Chic. This was our soundtrack, a blend of rhythm and melody that urged us to skate faster and dance harder. The roller rink became a sanctuary where we could escape the pressures of school and family, forging connections under the disco ball. These anthems mattered because they anchored our youth, capturing the spirit of a generation that thrived on joy, community, and the pure thrill of movement.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 5Needle Drop
Hey Mickey
Toni Basil · 1983 · Pop
On the radio, the DJ talking right over the intro.
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
Hey Mickey
Toni Basil · 1983 · Pop
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Grip-Tape Matinee Rippers
Buckle up for a nostalgia trip through the roller rink's greatest hits! These tracks will take you back to those Saturday nights, where every spin and glide was set to the perfect anthem.
- 1
CelebrationKool & The Gang · 1980
Nothing lifts the spirit like a party anthem that screams joy and togetherness.
- 2
Let's GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire · 1981
A timeless anthem that turns any gathering into a celebration of life and love.
- 3Boogie Oogie Oogie
A Taste of Honey · 1978
The dance floor ignites, and suddenly, all your worries fade away to pure joy.
- 4
FunkytownLipps, Inc. · 1979
A funky odyssey that transports you straight to disco lights and carefree nights.
- 5
Get Down TonightKC and the Sunshine Band · 1975
The moment that bassline drops, it’s impossible not to lose yourself in the rhythm.
The Countdown
Top 10 Grip-Tape Matinee Rippers · 6–10
- 6
SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire · 1978
Every note captures a golden memory, a celebration of love that lingers in the air.
- 7
Boogie ShoesKC & The Sunshine Band · 1978
Slip on those dancing shoes and let the groove take you on a euphoric ride.
- 8
We Are FamilySister Sledge · 1979
An anthem of unity, wrapping around you like a warm embrace at every gathering.
- 9
Shake Your Groove ThingPeaches & Herb · 1979
With every beat, the dance floor becomes a canvas for pure, unadulterated fun.
- 10
Rock With YouMichael Jackson · 1980
A smooth, sultry vibe that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud of bliss.
Scene Report
Saturday Night Skate
The Sound
The air vibrated with funky basslines, shimmering synthesizers, and infectious disco beats. It was an era where brass and strings danced together, creating a euphoric atmosphere that beckoned everyone to skate and groove.
The Look
Brightly colored leg warmers, shimmering disco balls, and the unmistakable sight of skaters gliding across a glossy floor. The rink was alive with sequins, attitude, and the flashing lights of arcade games, a visual feast that captured the vibrant spirit of the time.
The Artists
Earth, Wind & Fire · Michael Jackson · Chic · Prince · Cyndi Lauper · New Order
Scene Report
Saturday Night Skate · The Records
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Skate Park · Punk '77 · Basement Show
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Phil Collins vs. Duran Duran
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| 💿 Catalog Depth | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Phil Collins takes the round.
Both legends. Only one trophy.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate · 📼 1/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Doors Open / All Skate
The songs that got everyone on the floor.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate · 📼 2/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Peak Rink Energy
For trying to skate backward without falling.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate · 📼 3/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Roller Disco Gold
The tracks that defined the rink.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate · 📼 4/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Couples Skate
Lights dimmed, everybody got nervous.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate · 📼 5/5
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 The Skate Race / Fast Skate
The DJ's “let's see what you've got!”
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1979…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
My Sharona
The Knack
At the movies
- Alien
- Apocalypse Now
- Rocky II
On TV
- The Dukes of Hazzard
- Knots Landing
- ESPN launches
In the headlines
- Sony Walkman debuts
- Atari and the arcade boom
- First mobile-phone network (Japan)
From the Zine
Your Saturday Night Ritual
A step back into your favorite skate night.
You lace up your rental skates, the smell of well-worn leather mixing with the scent of pizza wafting from the snack bar. The neon lights pulse to the beat of “Funkytown,” and you feel the rush of excitement as the DJ calls for couples skate. Heart racing, you grab a friend’s hand, gliding across the smooth surface, laughter mingling with the music. This is your ritual, a sacred tradition that marks the weekend's arrival.
Every week, you arrive with a pocketful of arcade tokens, ready to challenge your friends to a game of pinball or air hockey before the real fun begins. You sip on that sweet orange drink, the paper cup crinkling in your hand as the familiar notes of “Rock With You” fill the air. The rink transforms into a dance floor, and you find yourself lost in the rhythm, feeling alive amidst the joyful chaos. This was more than a pastime; it was a tapestry of shared moments, a celebration of youth that still lingers in your heart.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 19Chart 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
Woolworth's
1879–1997
The five-and-dime with the lunch counter.
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Oh the good ole days before all the controversy. At least Michael is making a comeback!”
“love this one. Was just enjoying life without responsibilities and riding my bike.”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“If you went to Ohio State in my era you know exactly what a night at Mustard's sounded like. This one cleared anybody off the floor who wasn't there to dance.”
“I only made it through freshman year at Ohio State, but I never stopped showing up at Mean Mr. Mustard's. Stayed till last call for stuff exactly like this. Best worst decisions of my life.”
The Back Page
Stumblin' In
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman · 1979
The Lady in Red
Chris de Burgh · 1984
Misheard for 30 Years
“Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you”
…is actually “...a piece of me with you” — Paul Young — Every Time You Go Away.
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: Summer Camp
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 №26
FinSpecial Issue · The Saturday Night Skate Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Culture Club
pop music · 1983–1984
All-Ages Matinee
- The Countdown · Top 10 Grip-Tape Matinee Rippers
- Mixtape Map · Inside Saturday Night Skate
- Needle Drop · “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil
- In Memoriam · D'Angelo
Issue №26
October 9, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is grip tape, a skinned knee, and a demo tape dubbed too many times.
This week we're parked in Saturday Night Skate — and Culture Club 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.
Keep it rewound, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Saturday Night Skate
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Culture Club
pop music · 1983–1984
Culture Club is a UK pop music band featuring Boy George, Mikey Craig, and Roy Hay. They emerged from London's New Romantic scene and quickly became known for their catchy melodies and distinctive sound. With hits like “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” and “Time (Clock of the Heart),” they blended pop with a flair for colorful fashion and androgyny that set them apart. Their music often explored themes of love and identity, encapsulated in tracks like “Miss Me Blind” and “Church of the Poison Mind.” For anyone who experienced the 80s, their tunes are a delightful reminder of a time when pop was both playful and poignant.
“Formed 1981”
The facts
Culture Club in the crate
From the Zine
Groove Against the Grain
The music that defined a generation’s escape.
In the vibrant whirl of roller rinks, a new sound emerged, pushing against the grain of rock’s dominance. Funk, disco, and R&B took center stage, inviting kids to let loose under flashing lights and neon carpet. Songs like “Get Down Tonight” and “We Are Family” became the lifeblood of these gatherings, creating an irresistible urge to move. The music wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a declaration of freedom, a joyous rebellion against the mundane.
As parents tuned into classic rock and folk, we found solace in the electrifying beats of artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Chic. This was our soundtrack, a blend of rhythm and melody that urged us to skate faster and dance harder. The roller rink became a sanctuary where we could escape the pressures of school and family, forging connections under the disco ball. These anthems mattered because they anchored our youth, capturing the spirit of a generation that thrived on joy, community, and the pure thrill of movement.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 4Needle Drop
Hey Mickey
Toni Basil · 1983 · Pop
On the radio, the DJ talking right over the intro.
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 Grip-Tape Matinee Rippers
Buckle up for a nostalgia trip through the roller rink's greatest hits! These tracks will take you back to those Saturday nights, where every spin and glide was set to the perfect anthem.
- 1Celebration
Kool & The Gang · 1980
Nothing lifts the spirit like a party anthem that screams joy and togetherness.
- 2Let's Groove
Earth, Wind & Fire · 1981
A timeless anthem that turns any gathering into a celebration of life and love.
- 3Boogie Oogie Oogie
A Taste of Honey · 1978
The dance floor ignites, and suddenly, all your worries fade away to pure joy.
- 4Funkytown
Lipps, Inc. · 1979
A funky odyssey that transports you straight to disco lights and carefree nights.
- 5Get Down Tonight
KC and the Sunshine Band · 1975
The moment that bassline drops, it’s impossible not to lose yourself in the rhythm.
- 6September
Earth, Wind & Fire · 1978
Every note captures a golden memory, a celebration of love that lingers in the air.
- 7Boogie Shoes
KC & The Sunshine Band · 1978
Slip on those dancing shoes and let the groove take you on a euphoric ride.
- 8We Are Family
Sister Sledge · 1979
An anthem of unity, wrapping around you like a warm embrace at every gathering.
- 9Shake Your Groove Thing
Peaches & Herb · 1979
With every beat, the dance floor becomes a canvas for pure, unadulterated fun.
- 10Rock With You
Michael Jackson · 1980
A smooth, sultry vibe that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud of bliss.
Scene Report
Saturday Night Skate
The Sound
The air vibrated with funky basslines, shimmering synthesizers, and infectious disco beats. It was an era where brass and strings danced together, creating a euphoric atmosphere that beckoned everyone to skate and groove.
The Look
Brightly colored leg warmers, shimmering disco balls, and the unmistakable sight of skaters gliding across a glossy floor. The rink was alive with sequins, attitude, and the flashing lights of arcade games, a visual feast that captured the vibrant spirit of the time.
The Artists
Earth, Wind & Fire · Michael Jackson · Chic · Prince · Cyndi Lauper · New Order
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Skate Park · Punk '77 · Basement Show
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Phil Collins vs. Duran Duran
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| 💿 Catalog Depth | ▶ | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Phil Collins takes the round.
Both legends. Only one trophy.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Saturday Night Skate
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Doors Open / All Skate
The songs that got everyone on the floor.
📼 Peak Rink Energy
For trying to skate backward without falling.
📼 Roller Disco Gold
The tracks that defined the rink.
📼 Couples Skate
Lights dimmed, everybody got nervous.
📼 The Skate Race / Fast Skate
The DJ's “let's see what you've got!”
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1979…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
My Sharona
The Knack
At the movies
- Alien
- Apocalypse Now
- Rocky II
On TV
- The Dukes of Hazzard
- Knots Landing
- ESPN launches
In the headlines
- Sony Walkman debuts
- Atari and the arcade boom
- First mobile-phone network (Japan)
From the Zine
Your Saturday Night Ritual
A step back into your favorite skate night.
You lace up your rental skates, the smell of well-worn leather mixing with the scent of pizza wafting from the snack bar. The neon lights pulse to the beat of “Funkytown,” and you feel the rush of excitement as the DJ calls for couples skate. Heart racing, you grab a friend’s hand, gliding across the smooth surface, laughter mingling with the music. This is your ritual, a sacred tradition that marks the weekend's arrival.
Every week, you arrive with a pocketful of arcade tokens, ready to challenge your friends to a game of pinball or air hockey before the real fun begins. You sip on that sweet orange drink, the paper cup crinkling in your hand as the familiar notes of “Rock With You” fill the air. The rink transforms into a dance floor, and you find yourself lost in the rhythm, feeling alive amidst the joyful chaos. This was more than a pastime; it was a tapestry of shared moments, a celebration of youth that still lingers in your 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
Woolworth's
1879–1997
The five-and-dime with the lunch counter.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1879”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Oh the good ole days before all the controversy. At least Michael is making a comeback!”
“love this one. Was just enjoying life without responsibilities and riding my bike.”
“If you went to Ohio State in my era you know exactly what a night at Mustard's sounded like. This one cleared anybody off the floor who wasn't there to dance.”
“I only made it through freshman year at Ohio State, but I never stopped showing up at Mean Mr. Mustard's. Stayed till last call for stuff exactly like this. Best worst decisions of my life.”
The Back Page
Stumblin' In
Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman · 1979
The Lady in Red
Chris de Burgh · 1984
Misheard for 30 Years
“Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you”
…is actually “...a piece of me with you” — Paul Young — Every Time You Go Away.
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: Summer Camp
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 №26
Fin