The other day, the 1982 song ‘Jack and Diane’ came on the radio. The song is what could be referred to as an ‘80’s classic by John Mellancamp (since I actually lived through and remember the ‘80’s I still call him John Cougar Mellancamp). While the song has never been a favorite of mine, the catchy beat and longevity of it used to prompt me to sing along. More out of obligation than anything. If you grew up in the ‘80’s, there are certain anthem like songs that you are required to sing along to. Not that I paid much attention to what I was singing, it was just something I did. That is, until I read Mindy Kaling’s book “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” (2012). Now, instead of singing along, I listen to it and climb up on some intellectual high ground and tsk-tsk my way through it.

If you are unfamiliar with Kaling’s complaint against the song let me bring you into the know. “The chorus of ‘Jack and Diane’ is: ‘Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.’ Are you kidding me? The thrill of living was high school? Come on, Mr. Cougar Mellencamp. Get a life.” Her point is, high school should not be the high point in anyone’s life. If someone is allowed to have a life span stretching past the teenage years, that small 3-4 year window should not be the peak.

It makes sense and I agree. That is why whenever the song comes on I can’t sing along with it anymore. All I can think is, ‘poor Jack and Diane and their miserable existence to live with the notion that high school was the best it was ever going to get for them.’

As someone that has 30+ years distance from high school I can say, I’m so glad that wasn’t the highlight of my life. Each new year, even if it can’t be each new day, should bring some sort of thrill, right?

Having confessed all this, I am hoping I am not forced to turn in my ‘80’s membership card. So I can’t sing along to one of the ‘80 anthems, that doesn’t mean I still can’t be part of the club.

Please don’t kick me out of the club.