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What's up with 16 year olds in the 70's?
Posted on 5/31/26 at 12:23 pm
Posted on 5/31/26 at 12:23 pm
Just heard Gene Simmons talk/sing about posting up outside a school to see Christine Sixteen leaving class - that day he knew he had to have her. It got me thinking about the over representation of 16 year olds in 70's music. There is the aforementioned KISS song, Only Sixteen (Dr. Hook), Into the Night (Benny Mardones), You're Sixteen (Ringo). Some of these were remakes of older songs, and you had Sweet Little Sixteen (C. Berry) earlier, but the theme seemed to peak in 70's popular music.
Was this because people got married younger back then? Or did the artists want to appear edgy or dangerous pursuing "forbidden" love? Or was it to appeal to 13-15 y/o boys who were the target audience?
It just seems so pervy by today's standards. When you hear a grown man singing longingly about a sixteen y/o girl you can't help but think "what a loser". Why was so prevalent back then?
Was this because people got married younger back then? Or did the artists want to appear edgy or dangerous pursuing "forbidden" love? Or was it to appeal to 13-15 y/o boys who were the target audience?
It just seems so pervy by today's standards. When you hear a grown man singing longingly about a sixteen y/o girl you can't help but think "what a loser". Why was so prevalent back then?
8
Posted on 5/31/26 at 12:25 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
People weren't prudes back then
Posted on 5/31/26 at 12:26 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
Probably to appeal to the boys who listened to and bought the records.
They are probably channeling their own adolescent days and desires.
Similar to folks like Alice Cooper putting out teenage anthems like “Eighteen” and “Schools Out”.
They are probably channeling their own adolescent days and desires.
Similar to folks like Alice Cooper putting out teenage anthems like “Eighteen” and “Schools Out”.
This post was edited on 5/31/26 at 12:40 pm
Posted on 5/31/26 at 12:34 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
quote:first done by Johnny Burnette in 1960 - Ringo's version was nostalgia
You're Sixteen (Ringo).
Also, "16 Candles" (1958) and Sam Cooke's "She was only 16" (revived by Dr Hook in the '70s)
Rock's original market was teenagers, not 60 yr old men longing for the golden age of hair metal
Posted on 5/31/26 at 1:19 pm to Kafka
Epstein was a music influencer then
Posted on 5/31/26 at 1:21 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
Not specifically 16 years old, but love this one.
Posted on 5/31/26 at 2:53 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
At least Winger had the integrity to wait until "Seventeen."
Posted on 5/31/26 at 4:10 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
I would think that getting laid is a pretty large motivator back when rock stars were young, learning how to play, and writing songs. Back in the day, I don't think that the difference between a 21 year old rocker and a sixteen year old groupie type of chick was a great leap. Today, norms have changed and adolescence has extended into adulthood. I think immaturity stays with kids longer today where '60s, '70s and '80s teenagers were way more mature and independent.
Posted on 5/31/26 at 7:00 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
16 was the age of consent in the UK and most of the US at the time.
Posted on 5/31/26 at 8:28 pm to BabysArmHoldingApple
Stones went a little younger:
I can see that you're 15 years old
No, I don't want your ID
And I can see that you're so far from home
But that's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
I can see that you're 15 years old
No, I don't want your ID
And I can see that you're so far from home
But that's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Posted on 5/31/26 at 8:30 pm to DeltaTigerDelta
And so did Buffett:
15 may get you 20, that's alright
'Cause they'll be rockin' and a-rollin' on a Livingston Saturday night
15 may get you 20, that's alright
'Cause they'll be rockin' and a-rollin' on a Livingston Saturday night
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