Oh, how I miss the 1980s. There were so many good things happening then like Halley’s Comet, Gremlins, and Sit ‘n Spin.

Sit ‘n Spin . . . the training toy on how to handle the spins as an adult!

The 1980s were also a time of great cultural awareness. We cared about things like hating Russians (I’m talking to you mini-series Amerika!), acid rain, and of course starving children in Africa. We cared about them SO much that in 1985 we even made a hit song about helping them called “We are the World” that featured EVERYONE.

I remember going to my friend Nicki’s house back in first grade because she had CABLE and we would watch this video over and over on MTV. We used to kiss the tv screen when Bruce Springsteen appeared. And today when I watch it, snark aside, I am truly moved. It is a great song with so many superstars in once place at the same time–it’s kind of like watching a Presidential funeral on tv, which I also happen to enjoy. You’ve got Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, the frigging POINTER SISTERS! Everyone was there!

Now, flash forward to the 1990s which desperately wanted to be the 1980s, at least in terms of socially aware songs. 1991 came along and brought with it the first Gulf War. Support for Operation Desert Storm was certainly more widespread than it is for the war today. And Peter Cetera, Linda Thompson, and David Foster were all, why should 1985 be the year of the last great anthem with top recording stars? So they wrote the song “Voices That Care.” They even made a special documentary on the song hosted by James Wood that I TOTALLY remembered watching in sixth grade.

Now, over twenty years later, I appreciate the effort of “Voices that Care” but I have to say it is no “We are the World.” Whereas the latter featured Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Billy Joel, “Voices” had Cindy Crawford, Will Smith, and Daisy from Dukes of Hazard. A very pretty cast, for sure, but not as rocking ‘n’ rolling.

But whatever, I don’t want to sway your choice. I’ll let you decide on what is your fave. I care about your voice.