Tuesday 4 June 2013

Nineteen

 
 
"19" is a song by British musician Paul Hardcastle released in 1985.
 
I was very young when this song came out so I didn't really get the meaning or understand what it was about at the time. The title "19" comes from a Vietnam War documentary's claim that the average age of an American combat soldier in the war was 19, as compared to World War II's 26.
 
"19" topped the pop charts in the UK for five weeks, and reached the top twenty in the US, where it also topped the dance chart. You can listen to it here.
 
Hardcastle talks to the Guardian here about what inspired him to make the song.
  
His manager at the time was the one and only Simon Fuller who went on to manager the Spice Girls and launched American Idol!
 
Can you remember what you were doing when you were 19?

11 comments:

  1. Hi there
    I have nominated you for a Liebster blogging award, there is more info on my post today. Hope you are well. :)
    Rachel x

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    1. Thanks Rachel! That's very sweet of you. I can't find your blog though, it shows as private? X

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    2. Sorry about that Rowena. I will check that out. My blog is www.tryingforsighs.com :)

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  2. I was 19 the other day- three years ago to be exact. 19 reminds me of a post I did after I learned one of the Boston Bombers was 19.

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    1. Oh to be 19 again.....no worries, mortgage etc that would be nice.

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  3. Yes. I started dating my high school boyfriend's older brother. Tramp.

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    1. Ha ha, was his name Tramp or are you referring to yourself? X

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  4. I have never heard the song before this, thanks! At 19, I was getting into trouble and lots of it. There were also some questionable fashion choices being made.

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    1. I think I was gettin into lots of trouble too, best way to be! X

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  5. I was working in the financial district in San Fransisco and having the time of my life. - I never heard the song either - In 1985 when it came out I had just had my 3rd baby and I probably was busy changing diapers and didn't hear it.

    I don't know how I feel about the song. I know too many Vietnam vets who are still trapped in that war. I lost a friend in 1967. He was 20.

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    1. I remember it being on the radio lots but maybe that was just in the UK. It's a strange song really. I'm sorry about your friend x

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