Modern Music Turns Into Golden Oldies

"......Is it my goal, is it your goal....sometimes I'm goody-goody, right now I'm naughty-naughty". ......that was Aaliyah and you're listening to the classics on 98.7 FM. I'm Tonya Jones, everyone's favorite radio personality. Stay tuned as we return with "Doo Wop (That Thing)" for the class of 99' by Lauryn Hill.

Can you imagine turning on the radio 30 years from now and hearing your favorite high school songs?

These once popular songs will be classics. Now I've grasped the fact that soon these carefree, funfilled days of youth will be exchanged for hand worka nd sacrifice.

The only recollection of being a teenager will be portraits, reunions, and aside from my memory, the music of my generation that the "classic" radio stations will play. I understand that I can't stay young forever, but it sure wouldn't be a problem if I could! Apparently, I'm not the only one in my household who longs to hold on to the days of youth.

Whenever an "old" song comes on the radio, such as Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," my parents become ecstatic. Sometimes I roll my eyes and laugh at them, but now I realize that in a few years I'll probably be the same way.

It surely won't be funny when I have kids and they laugh at my favorite songs of the past.

How could anyone criticize Boyz I Men, Maya, Lauryn Hill, Puff Daddy or anyone else?

This just isn't fair! I haven't done anything wrong to deserve I have to understand that maturing is a part of life. I guess my parents actions aren't so silly after all.

For as long as I can remember, my dad has owned a jukebox. I can remember when I was about seven, and every Saturday morning he would get up and listen to it.

As a child, I was never really curious about why my dad had it, but I grew accustomed to having it around. I can still hear the songs of The Temptations, Minnie Riperton, The Delfonics, The Marvelletes and various other groups.

My dad still loves to listen to that jukebox. To be honest, I'm growing to love it as well. I enjoy listening to the music of a time when many artists were not degrading women or cursing up a storm.

I still like my music, of course, but I suppose the music my parents love really isn't that bad. I recently asked my dad why he listens to the jukebox so much.

He told me it was because it reminds him of all the fun he had when he was a teenager. That's so sad! It's almost as if being an adult is the end of your life. It seems as if when you're an adult, all social activities die and the only thing left to do is work. I hope adulthood isn't that rough.

While I have the time, I'll enjoy my final years as a teenager. I'll make memories that will last a lifetime.

I'll truly appreciate my favorite songs and music groups; after all, they won't be popular forever.

When I have kids and they hear my music, maybe they'll actually find something special about it, even though it's not of their time.