The Lost Art of the Mixtape: How We Curated Love in the 80s

The 90-Minute Love Letter

If you grew up in the 80s, you know what I’m talking about. The TDK C-90 cassette. The Bic pen on the table, ready to carefully wind the tape. The sound of the "Record" and "Play" buttons clicking down at the same time.

Today, making a playlist is as simple as a few clicks. It's instant. But in the 80s, making a mixtape for someone... that was a labor of love. It was an art form. As a musician from that era, I was on both sides of that tape—as a fan meticulously crafting them, and as an artist hoping my song would be included on one.

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1. The Craft: It Was a Puzzle

Making a mixtape wasn't easy. You had 45 minutes per side, and you had to make every second count.

It was a puzzle of timing and patience. You'd sit by your record player, waiting to drop the needle at the exact right moment. Or you'd sit by the radio, finger hovering over the "Pause" button, trying to record a song without catching the DJ's voice at the beginning or end. You had to plan the ebb and flow, making sure the transition between songs felt right. It took hours. It was a craft.

2. The Message: It Was a Story

A mixtape was never just a random collection of songs. It was a message. It was a 90-minute love letter, a soundtrack for a road trip, or the perfect "party starter" tape. The order of the songs told a story.

As a songwriter, I had a deep respect for this. The first track was the hook. The last track on Side A was the cliffhanger. And somewhere in the middle, you had the emotional centerpiece—the song that said what you were trying to say. I always hoped one of my own ballads, like “Hold Me Thru Tomorrow,” would be that perfect, heartfelt song on someone’s tape.

The Spirit Lives On

The technology is gone (and my fingers are grateful I no longer have to wind tapes with a pen). But the spirit of the mixtape—that desire to meticulously curate a collection of songs to create a specific feeling—is stronger than ever.

That love for crafting a musical journey is exactly why I put so much care into the Playlists page on my site.

My "Love Songs" playlist is the 2025 version of that classic romantic mixtape. My "Aloha Sunset Tracks" playlist is the tape I would have made for a long summer drive down the coast. They're the same art form, just with a new set of tools.

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A Mixtape Postscript: For the Curious

1. What was the point of a mixtape? A mixtape was the ultimate personal statement. It was a way to share your favorite music, but also to craft a specific mood or send a message to someone—often a romantic one. It was a 90-minute love letter, a soundtrack for a specific feeling.

2. How many songs were on a typical 80s mixtape? The most common cassette tape was a "C-90," which held 90 minutes of music (45 minutes per side). This usually meant you could fit about 10-12 songs per side, depending on their length. The challenge and art of it was making it all fit perfectly.

3. What is the difference between a mixtape and a playlist? A playlist is infinite and instant. A mixtape was finite and took work. You had to record each song in real-time, and you only had 45 minutes a side. That limitation is what made it a true craft. It forced you to make tough choices, and the person who received it knew the time and effort you had put into it.

4. Are cassette tapes coming back? Yes, just like vinyl, cassettes are making a big comeback, especially with younger audiences. As noted by publications like Rolling Stone, people appreciate the warm, slightly imperfect sound (the "analog" feel) and the physical, tangible experience of holding the music in their hands.

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The cassette may be a relic, but the beautiful act of sharing music with someone you care about is timeless.

What's one song that was on your perfect mixtape? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.