No Stage Lights 105 - Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's 1983 & 1996
- Author
- Jonelle and Terry Carter
- Published
- Thu 23 Feb 2023
- Episode Link
- None
Battle of the Billboard Hits: 1983 vs. 1996 – Whose Year Ruled the Radio?
In Episode 105 of No Stage Lights, hosts Jonelle Marie Carter and Terry Carter go head-to-head in a musical memory lane showdown, comparing their high school graduation years—1983 and 1996—using the Billboard Top 100 charts. From slow dances and cassette decks to Mariah Carey high notes and foggy memories of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, they dig into how music shaped their youth. It’s a playful, nostalgic episode filled with laughter, stories, and a little friendly competition.
Episode Set List
- Which year had the better slow dance songs? (Hint: One of them involves Celine Dion)
- The Monte Carlo stereo upgrade inspired by Every Breath You Take
- Jonelle’s lifelong love for John Fogerty and fear of “Maneater”
- Randy Jackson confusion, plus a surprising journey through 80s fashion
- The emotional power of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”
Real Talk. Real Life. No Stage Required.
If you’ve ever had a song transport you straight back to your high school years, you’re in good company. In this episode, Jonelle and Terry pull up the Billboard Hot 100 charts from their graduation years—1983 and 1996—and take turns guessing songs and sharing what they meant to them. From school dances to first cars, fog machines to heartbreak, the conversation flows like a mixtape of memories. It’s a hilarious generational clash—with lots of love and a few questionable dance moves.
“I feel like maybe I was still listening to Credence… and like Merle and Willie. I was kind of not cool.” - Episode 105 of No Stage Lights
As musicians themselves, both hosts reflect on how their upbringing in musical households shaped their tastes. Whether it was battling parental pressure to “play the country” or learning the guitar riff to an Eurythmics song, these stories reveal how music became more than just background noise—it became identity. And yes, they do debate whether 1983’s chart was, in fact, cooler than 1996’s. (Spoiler alert: Terry thinks the win is obvious.)
💬 Join the Encore!
We want to know—what song defined your high school years? DM us on Instagram with your throwback anthem or drop it in the comments!
Visit our website for backstage access and upcoming episodes: nostagelights.com
🖤 Support the Show
Love No Stage Lights? Help us keep the lights on!
🎧 Backstage Access
