I Remember…1986

Author: Leigh Ann P.

1986 was a very special year, and not simply because it was when this blogger celebrated her 5^th year of being alive (the most noteworthy occasion of an otherwise fabulous year for yours truly, of course).  A wonderful class of 1986 Penn graduates emerged from Commencement as Penn Alumni, and this weekend they will celebrate their 25^th reunion during Alumni Weekend May 13-16 with nearly 600 in attendance.

I considered doing a reflection of world events in 1986 for this post, but who really wants to read about Chernobyl or the Challenger?  Not you, and certainly not me.  Let’s talk about pop culture!

When the Class of 1986 graduated, the box office rankings looked like this.  I am tickled that Steve Guttenberg makes multiple appearances on this list, but the fact that any Police Academy film ever outranked Pretty in Pink is just criminal.

1. Short Circuit
2. Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling
3. Fire with Fire
4. Blue City
5. The Money Pit
6. Dangerously Close
7. Legend
8. Wise Guys
9. Critters
10. Gung Ho
11. Police Academy 3: Back in Training
12. Pretty in Pink

Now, if there’s anything I love more than the early ‘90s pop musical oeuvre, it’s the mid-‘80s.  Dare say you, what could possibly be more audibly enjoyable than Color Me Badd?  I know.  I know.  I give you: Whitney Houston times two with a splash of “Walk Like an Egyptian.”  Let’s take a look back at the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 1986!

1. “That’s What Friends Are For”…..Dionne & Friends

2. “Walk Like An Egyptian”…..Bangles

3. “On My Own”…..Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald

4. “The Way It Is”…..Bruce Hornsby & The Range

5. “You Give Love A Bad Name”…..Bon Jovi

6. “Greatest Love Of All”…..Whitney Houston

7. “There’ll Be Sad Songs”…..Billy Ocean

8. “How Will I Know”…..Whitney Houston

9. “Kyrie”…..Mr. Mister

10. “Kiss”…..Prince & The Revolution

And lastly, who was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986?  Hellooooo, Mark Harmon!!!

Congratulations to the Class of 1986 and to all of the Penn alumni celebrating their reunions this weekend!