Leveraging Timeless 80s Nostalgia for Cross-Genre Marketing and Content
The conversation about why Kim Wilde's 'Kids in America' has been covered so many times often circles back to its themes of youthful hope and rebellion, along with its catchy, powerful hook. These elements make the song timeless and versatile across various genres like punk, synth, and pop. This lasting appeal offers a great opportunity for music licensing and brand partnerships. Advertisers or film studios could commission a new cover in a modern genre, like lo-fi or hyperpop, to create a nostalgic connection. This would engage both Gen X, who remember the original, and younger generations who enjoy the retro vibe and universal message.
Origin Reddit Post
r/music
Why so many cover versions of Kim Wilde's Kids in America?
Posted by u/Ackbarfan5556•06/29/2025
Hey, don't know if this is the perfect place to ask questions but it was music related so I thought what the heck. But could someone tell me why there are so many cover versions of Kids in Am
Top Comments
u/gregarioussparrow
I feel the same way about 7 Nation Army. So sick of that song
u/Ackbarfan5556
Yeah, but it felt like so many people were doing it in all a short amount of time. Maybe it's nostalgia for me because I went to see Digimon and Jimmy Neutron in theaters, was seeing Clueless
u/Radio_Ethiopia
it’s a bop 🤷🏻
u/stiggley
Its a great tune that works well even when sang drunkenly on the train after a MagicFM Christmas party.
https://youtu.be/3Ij8BpOa-Pg?si=p3mmPX1KjLue9IrC
u/Fish-Weekly
I actually just heard the original on random shuffle in the car today and for a minute I felt like I was back in the 80s
u/Jirachibi1000
The song just works well in so many genres and interprotations and is a classic. Ive seen pop punk covers, punk covers, synthy covers, piano covers, it just is a song that works in a lot of g
u/TwinkofPeace
It stuuuuck with meeeee
u/jumpinoutofmyflesh
Thumbs up for the Sham 69 post.
u/TwinkofPeace
I came just to bring up Digimon’s
u/ElectricXexyz
Are there? Why? That song blows.
u/PunkCPA
Where the fuck is East California? Did they mean Nevada?
u/Okie999
I mean as simple as the lyrics goes iy can be a hopful soung especially for the youth. I'm getting old but I remember protesting war, hoping that weed become normal, and hoping gay friends an
u/multiplebaskets
A Whiter Shade Of Pale has a lot of covers too, some songs just have a lot of covers because they speak to people?
u/butiknowitsonlylust
Because it’s one of the best new wave songs ever!
u/cheddarpants
It’s just a badass song. Turned out to be pretty damn timeless too.
u/Ok-Metal-4719
It kicks ass and in any genre. And lyrically has a fun message.
u/Silent_R
The Bloodhound Gang also covered it on their first album.
u/Okie999
https://youtu.be/fqOjikq5zbc?si=6IoopGLcCTUPhPlH think about the 60s but it's more than that
u/Ackbarfan5556
My man. XD
u/Ackbarfan5556
I like the song, I'm just curious why there are so many covers of it; like every band that wasn't a huge act needed to do their own take on it. I've listened to a quite a number and thought t
u/m_busuttil
I've never really thought about it but even if you take "East California" to mean "the eastern-most parts of California", "New York to East California" covers, like, *almost* all of America b
u/Learned-Dr-T
It’s near South Detroit, mentioned in “Don’t Stop Believing”
u/Wax_and_Wane
Because it's a great pop song with a hook that can be sung along with by just about anyone without needing a large vocal range.
u/DJDualScreen
Why so many covers of lots of songs? Bill Withers' Lean on Me? CCR's Bad Moon Rising?
People like a song and go "I wanna do my own version!"