MovieChat Forums > Singles (1992) Discussion > You had to be there

You had to be there

posted 12 years ago by sambuca62
16 replies | jump to latest

I don't think this was a great movie, but you had to be there. Not in Seattle, but at the right age listening to this music in a city in the USA. For me, I was a young post-college guy living in a small apartment building in a major U.S. city. I didn't date anyone in my building, but I had friends in the building. We lived close to other friends and dated people we met in the neighborhood. We struggled in our careers and our relationships trying to figure out what we really wanted from life. At the same time, we went out and listened to live music at clubs in the city. The relationships rang true if not written perfectly. The humor might have been lacking. A few short years later, people would insist the TV show "Friends" was like their little clique. "Friends" was very funny, but did it really ring true to anyone's life. This movie was very real to me.

[–] Martinipink 12 years ago

My life sure wasn't like Friends. I love this movie...one of my top 10, even though it isn't a GREAT movie. Like you said, for people who were young during that time it's a nice little time capsule. Life right before cell phones and the internet took over our lives. And the music is the BEST!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

[–] retromom72 11 years ago

I was just shy of my 21st birthday when Singles came out and I totally related to it. Not only was it the music I was into but Janet resonated w/ me. Hopeless romantic always chasing after the guy, trying to change for him. Luckily we both wished up!

[–] retromom72 11 years ago

^^wised up^^

[–] HarveyManfredSinJohn 10 years ago

Does anyone know anyone whose life resembled the people in "Friends"? It was like a privileged fantasy for middle-class white people who could some how afford rent for these massive New York apartments despite mostly being in minimum-wage or insecure jobs.

[–] Limeginger 9 years ago

Not to defend Friends, but everyone but Ross had roommates, NYC wasn't that expensive then, Chandler worked in a corporation, Ross was a professor, Monica was a chef, Rachel was a trust fund case, Phoebe was a massage therapist, and Joey was really the only one who was poor--and he sponged off everyone. Not that unrealistic. What was unrealistic to me was how seldom they went out at night. You live in NY and never go out? But generally, it wasn't that far from some people's realities, at all. Friends was set at a different time and place than Singles.

[–] TeenGangDeb 8 years ago

NYC wasn't that expensive then

LOL what.

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Love means never having to say you're ugly. - The Abominable Dr. Phibes

[–] diongill-160-829211 10 years ago

I concur.

[–] johnston.scot 10 years ago

So: you had to be a single person in your twenties at a time when people listened to music?

I'm pretty sure that's nearly everyone, except those who haven't got there yet.

[–] Lady_Elaine_Fairchild 10 years ago

Yea many cities (that had college/university) had thriving music scenes back then. Indie, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toronto, Athens, the Bay Area. Seattle's just exploded on a national level.
I agree that this is like a time capsule of that era. And it was a great time. We saw live music (not some DJ spinning music) every night of the week. Music has changed so much-I feel bad for the youth today they don't get to enjoy artists that like plat their own instruments and write lyrics.
We called our apt complex Melrose Place (around 93-94ish)because of all the drama. We were all mostly students working crap jobs till graduation when we could get real jobs and be able to contribute in a kind way.
I still have Doc Martins and flowered sundresses put away for my daughter.

[–] DracTarashV 10 years ago

I can't relate to the characters and grunge hasn't really been my thing since... well, it's been a while. Also, I just wasn't there.

That being said, I thought this was a very satisfying movie.

Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!

[–] lisanovel 10 years ago

I agree. I so miss that time in the '90s. It was such an awesome time to be in college (or post-college).

In my opinion, music has never been as good since. The grunge sound just took over, everyone wore flannels and Doc Martens and wanted to move to Seattle.

It was just fun. So much fun. I miss it tremendously.

The ratio of people to cake is too big.

[–] cmtmj2006 10 years ago

Totally agree. Those were great days. When Alice in Chains Rooster played over the radio I cranked it up. I still have my flannels from that time. Would you believe they were made in the U.S. Got them from LL Bean and they cost me $23. My wife looked totally hot and cute in her baby doll dresses and white canvas Keds. Life was so simple back them. No cell phones. If you wanted to get together you made and kept plains. No bull crap texting. I will listen to grunge into my 90s if I live that long. I wonder if there is a Lalapooluza in heaven?

[–] TeenGangDeb 8 years ago

Totally agree. Those were great days. When Alice in Chains Rooster played over the radio I cranked it up. I still have my flannels from that time. Would you believe they were made in the U.S. Got them from LL Bean and they cost me $23. My wife looked totally hot and cute in her baby doll dresses and white canvas Keds. Life was so simple back them. No cell phones. If you wanted to get together you made and kept plains. No bull crap texting. I will listen to grunge into my 90s if I live that long. I wonder if there is a Lalapooluza in heaven?

None of this is true.

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Love means never having to say you're ugly. - The Abominable Dr. Phibes

[–] RickVee 10 years ago

This movie was right in my wheelhouse. I was 24 and in grad school when Singles was released. I was, and forever remain, a huge fan of early 90's grunge/alternative music - Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jane's Addiction, Paul Westerberg, Smashing Pumpkins Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, The Pixies etc. And not surprisingly I really ate this movie up. Loved it. I definitely related to the characters. If you were anywhere from 20-27 years old the characters in this movie were people you sorta knew. So glad this movie got made b/c it serves as a bit of a time capsule for that era. And this was when I seriously crushed on Bridget Fonda. She's wonderful as Janet. And, of course, the greatest soundtrack e.v.e.r.

[–] JackMillion 9 years ago

I think it's a great movie! It's one of my favorites from the decade. I was most definitely the target audience when this was released, and it really spoke to me at the time. It's a special movie to me. I still quote "Have fun. Stay Single." to anyone who will listen.

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[–] 8 years ago

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