The Old MTV Is Back (Music Videos All Day!)

If you were 18 in 1981, the year MTV went on the air, you turn 50 this year.

Back then, MTV actually played music. You may have to explain this to your grandchildren - to them, MTV may just be shows like "16 and Pregnant" - but back in 1981, MTV meant, literally, music television, playing videos all day. (Here's video of the very first day.)

Today, MTV is back. The channel that once introduced a generation to The Who is again all music, all day, just today. Starting at 6 a.m. this morning until 6 p.m. this evening, MTV, CMT, and VH1 will be playing music videos from unsigned artists, with a little chart-topping pop music thrown in for good measure.

It'll be a "block party," MTV says. Sounds good, but here are a few of our suggestions to round out the party:



It doesn't matter what age you are; you know what it's like to not care for any casanova thing.



The  No. 1 song on the charts when MTV was launched, and was nearly named "Gary's Girl" until Rick Springfield thought better of it. "All you can ask is that a song has legs," Springfield said. "It has an appeal that keeps coming back." Indeed it does.



You can't do better than Neil Diamond on Independence Day.

Happy July Fourth, everyone.

Feature photo credit: Christian Lang Flickr photostream

Also of Interest

• The Day Sinatra Reimagined His Life
• Bob Thompson: He Made Music to Sip Martinis By
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