Retro Injection x The Rewind Envelope: The Playlist

In 1997, I was a disc jockey at the number-one regional FM radio station. (I was also a professional magician then, and still in high school!) My airtime was from six to midnight on Sundays. This was live radio, complete with cuing CDs, firing up commercials on bulky cartridges, and having until the current song was over to use the bathroom (located about five seconds away). The pressure was always on, because if a mistake was made, thousands of people heard it. The best part about the job was getting to talk to the female listeners who would call throughout the night. That's me below! Somehow, this feels longer ago than the '80s.

I've channelled some long-dormant skills to curate the following playlist. Every song on here is a personal favorite.

This playlist is made in collaboration with The Rewind Envelope, an '80s snail-mail club. The Rewind Envelope arrives monthly stuffed with retro-themed paper goods, including their mixtape playlist that's activated via QR code.

The boombox makes a cameo in my review of the Breakin' movies.

I was given a free membership to The Rewind Envelope, and I look forward to a new '80s treasure trove each month. Getting that matte black envelope in the mail is the highlight of my day; I'm very impressed with the creativity and the quality of the printed items. (I'm trying not to give too much away. I don't want to spoil your surprises!) The digital era has to some extent deadened the joy of anticipation. You'll find yourself looking forward to The Rewind Envelope. I know I do! Their stickers look great on my CRT monitors.

I found my FD Trinitron WEGA by a dumpster. Thanks, someone!

There's no better place to put a "They Live" sticker.

I'm a card-carrying member! I love the video store aesthetic.

This Retro Injection playlist was compiled specifically for The Rewind Envelope's May 2026 mixtape. Check out The Rewind Envelope here.

First up is Newcleus with "Computer Age," from their 1984 debut album, Jam On Revenge. I found this record randomly at a thrift store in 2005, and it was love at first listen. The album version of this song has an opening narration, delivered in a way that reminds me of William Shatner! "Computer Age" is particularly relevant today, as we deal with the rise of AI. (Retro Injection is 100% human content, most of it stemming from my arguably-defective brain!)

Nik Kershaw is next with "Wouldn't It Be Good." The low-budget sci-fi vibe of this video feels to me like a Polonia Brothers movie.

Then comes New Order with "The Perfect Kiss." With a duration of over ten minutes, it rivals the epicness of any Heart song. The synthesized frog chorus is clearly the best part. The video was directed by the late Jonathan Demme, best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs.

Mike and the Mechanics are up with "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)." It's named in part after Silent Running, an unrelated 1972 movie, and features clips from the 1986 film Choke Canyon, known outside of America as On Dangerous Ground. As seen below, I have Choke Canyon on VHS, one of the most fun formats ever. The music video is a legit short film about time travel. The song is a little subversive, and was even banned by the BBC during the Gulf War. Are you bad enough to listen to it?

This cover art is ridiculous.

Fleetwood Mac's "Little Lies" is a song I remember hearing on the radio in the '80s. I was too young to get why anyone would want to be lied to, but now I'm very much open to flattery.

"Do the Donkey Kong" is a novelty song by Buckner and Garcia, from their Pac-Man Fever album. "Do the Donkey Kong" didn't quite hit the U.S. top forty, but I think it's a much better song than the more popular "Pac-Man Fever." (I may be biased, having a Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. in my home arcade.) We played "Do the Donkey Kong" at our wedding!

Simply Red is on deck with "Holding Back the Years." This song helped me get over a bad relationship in 2013.

With its message of determination and optimism, Crowded House's 1986 release "Don't Dream It's Over" is one of the best songs ever. Sixpence None the Richer put out a great cover in 2003, but there's something special about the original.

Roxette follows with "Listen to Your Heart," featuring the immortal vocals of Marie Fredriksson, one of Sweden's greatest talents.

Bobby Brown rounds out our lineup with "On Our Own," from the underrated Ghostbusters II. I have the official soundtrack CD, hanging on the wall over my proton pack. (Doesn't everyone?) Here's our interview with Robin Shelby, who played Slimer in the movie. And heck, here's our interview with Steve Johnson, who created the Slimer character.

My Neo-Geo collection can be viewed here.

Create or appreciate your own memories with these songs. Click the play button below for over fifty minutes of top-notch '80s music. Enjoy this, the first but probably not last, Retro Injection collab with The Rewind Envelope.

#playlist #80smusic #80s #vhs