Sunday, June 28, 2009

EFY Themes and 80s Pop Songs

Every year throughout the summer the LDS church organizes weeklong conferences for kids between the ages of 14 and 18. These conferences are called "Especially for Youth" (or "EFY" for short) and are held on college campuses throughout the country, including BYU.

The organizers of EFY choose a new theme each year that the activities and speakers will focus on. These themes range from the profound ("Treasure the Truth") to the downright strange ("Lovin' Life"). I've noticed that many of the themes sound strangely similar to popular songs from the 1980s.

Below is a partial list of EFY themes including the year they were used and an 80s song that I think is interchangeable with that particular theme. The links go to youtube videos in case you are unfamiliar with the songs.

1982 The Time Has Come = "The Final Countdown" by Europe
1983 Ascending Together = "Up Where We Belong"by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker
1987 Sailin' Home = "Sailing" by Christopher Cross
1989 Forever, My Friend = "Together Forever" by Rick Astley
1991 Walk With Me =
"Walk Like an Egyptian" by the Bangles
1992 Of One Heart =
"Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette
2001 Remember the Promise = "The Promise" by When In Rome
2002 We Believe = "We Belong" by Pat Benetar
2003 Look and Live = "The Look of Love" by ABC
2004 Stand in the Light = "Stand" by R.E.M.
2005 A More Excellent Way = "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith f. Run DMC
2006 The Greatest Gift = "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston
2007 Power in Purity = "Like a Virgin" by Madonna
2008 Steady and Sure = "Like a Rock" by Bob Seger
2009 Be Thou and Example = "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell

--Matt Stringham