Why We Shouldn’t Forget the Wonderful Youthful Memories of Mix Tapes & Vinyls

Taking a trip down memory lane

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Who remembers shopping for a new single or album or making a mix tape?

If you’re like me, you probably remember the excitement of making your very first mix tape. Back then, mix tapes were used to show your taste in music. You’d handpick each track, carefully recording them off the radio, and spend hours writing the inlay card neatly with the best handwriting, personalizing it with doodles.

In the pre-streaming era, making a mix tape was the ultimate way to show your friends how cool you were.

Receiving a mix tape was like getting a handwritten letter — it was something truly personal. I’m not afraid to admit I actually miss them, along with handwritten letters.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can remember making mix tapes for myself and my friends when I was younger.

It was always fun to compile what songs to put onto the tapes, the precise order of the tracks, and create the perfect balance of musical influences. Normally this would go from Duran Duran, The Cure to Nik Kershaw. I would often gift mix tapes to potential crushes, hoping that they would see how similar our tastes in music were, secretly hoping they would…