I "LIKE YOU" - Music Storytelling

In the current digital age dominated by story DMs and cute emojis (side note - what are your favorite three emojis? Mine are 🪩👀😍), it’s easy to forget a certain subtle art of courtship that was normal in the past. Before our digital age of instant gratification there was a way of telling someone you liked them that was both powerful and sublime. Of course I am referencing the CD Mixtape for your crush. It was a delicate dance of music seduction and subconscious conversation, the first foray intro expressing “I really like you” without uttering a single word. 

The process was intricate and intentional. One would meticulously curate a collection of tracks, carefully selecting each one to craft a narrative that resonated with how you felt. It was an artform in itself, requiring a deep understanding of your crush’s taste, desires, personality and as the famous music mogul Chabuddy G would say…..”Wibe”. The mixtape became a personal soundtrack and a cosmic diary of feelings, hopes, dreams and secrets. 

But there was a fine balance to be struck. The mixtape had to be engaging, but not too forward. It had to convey interest, but not desperation. It was a tightrope act of emotional vulnerability and restraint. Every song held significance, every lyric a coded message. With each track, one took a step closer to revealing their true feelings while maintaining an air of mystery.

Creating a  mixtape was no easy task.It demanded hours of meticulous effort, ensuring that each song conveyed just the right amount of sentiment without revealing too much too soon. The careful selection and precise ordering of tracks showcased not only your musical taste, but also your deep understanding of your crush on a level that perhaps others did not possess. Each track had to seamlessly flow into the next, creating a cohesive and captivating experience. It was a musical journey meant to be listened to by your crush alone, a way for you to speak to them without ever saying a word. 

And let’s not overlook the importance of what you actually wrote on the CD itself. Those words, symbols and sometimes stickers were the first thing your crush would see. Did you opt for simplicity, maybe sketching a few simple words like “Mixtape 4 name”?Or did you maybe put it all on the line and draw some cute hearts? Maybe you got more creative, decorating it with stickers or a special drawing, maybe even an inside joke that only the two of you shared? The words and symbols you wrote with your permanent marker were able to narrate a story just as captivating as the collections of songs on the CD itself. In some cases, they possessed the potential to have an even stronger meaning, becoming a unique example of your connection. 

In this era of instantaneous communications and disposable connections, the lost art of the mixtape deserves a revival. We need to bring back that personal touch, that vulnerability, and that effort required to express our affection. In a world saturated with digital noise and mind-numbing clips, a tangible mixtape serves as a timeless reminder of the power of a special and romantic gesture. 

So let's dust off our old CD players, or even better, embrace vinyl records and cassette tapes, and embark on the journey of crafting a mixtape once again. If this isn’t possible maybe create a spotify playlist where you upload some custom cover art you drew yourself. Let's recreate the magic of those bygone days, when a mixtape was the ultimate declaration of our feelings.

In the words of the late Anthony Bourdain, a man who understood the importance of savoring life's simple pleasures, "Mixtapes were the language of love before love had a language. They were an invitation, an offering, and an expression of vulnerability. Let us bring back this lost art, for in doing so, we not only ignite the spark of romance but also celebrate the beauty of human connection."