I wanted to create a special gift for your 45th birthday. Of course we both love music, and the hits from 2015, like “Can’t Feel My Face,” by The Weeknd, “Bad Blood,” from Taylor Swift, “Uptown Funk,” with Bruno Mars, “Honey, I’m Good,” by Andy Grammer, “Uma Thurman,” from Fall Out Boy, “Want to Want Me,” by Jason Derulo and so many other pop hits that year were the soundtrack to our courtship. I was really into “Talking Body” by Tove Lo and it always makes me think of our connection. I remember texting you songs while we were dating, and thinking you were my “Cheerleader” (came out in 2014 but a series of remixes were popular through 2015). Another song I always associate with our early dates on the California coast is The Neighbourhood’s sensual “Sweater Weather.” Remember that night when I got a parking ticket while we were in Playa Provisions?
Since recorded singles on vinyl are called “45s,” and us late ’70s babies still remember records, I thought a great gift would be a framed collection of hits from the year. Problem is, not many artists released vinyl in 2015!
So I took the idea back to the drawing board and considered love songs in general and hits from your birth year.
I researched local record stores and went down to the Village and spent 90 minutes sifting through the singles bins at Spin Records. I also ordered several singles from 1977 on Amazon.
Running short on time and still waiting for some of the mail, I headed over to Best Frame Shops to figure out how to best display your new collection. One of the installers had some experience with records and suggested pulling each of the 45s halfway out of the sleeve for display and framing them with a custom mat. They liked the concept and final design enough to add it to the store website.
The music in our hearts, our heads, and our memories continues to add a rich dimension of sound to our relationship. Now a part of that is made tangible in our home: Stacie’s 45s.
Since we don’t have a record player, and since these singles are behind glass, I put together a YouTube playlist: