Don’t hit record, you’ll erase the tape!

– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young –

Wanna feel old? Just listen to a radio DJ talk about how much certain cassette tapes are worth now, because they’re “vintage.” Ouch.

It doesn’t seem so long ago, that cassette tapes were the thing. I mean, records are so out, man! I can still picture the tapes coming in that plastic protector thingy. Remember that? The four sides of the tape were enclosed in the hard plastic case, leaving the front and back open, so you could see the cover and read the list of songs on the back.

I never could figure this out, but for some reason, the plastic then continued on past two of the sides, extending about 6 inches and turning to meet, so it made a square-type hanger. Except, it didn’t hang anywhere! The tapes were jammed in alphabetical slots in the electronics section in stores, that you had to sort through to find what you wanted.

I’d now like to take this time to chastise those people – and you know who you are – who didn’t put Cher back in the C’s and instead, placed it in the W’s. How do you sleep at night? You disgust me.

Anyway, in addition to the hard plastic hanger/ protector/waster of space, once you got that open...and that took an act of Congress...you still had to get into the cellophane wrap around the cassette case. A letter opener worked the best for that, but no matter what you used, you usually ended up scratching the case.

When you’d just paid $6.99 out of your hardearned Christmas and birthday money, it sucked. Of course, there were times you’d find brand new, unopened tapes at a garage sale or thrift shop, for only 50 cents to $3.

For any younger readers, trust me, this is all true, not making this up!

I actually still have two such cassettes I found in the random bargain corner at a thrift shop – Wilson Phillips’ debut album and Michael Bolton’s Time, Love & Tenderness. Although I’ve long since acquired the CDs for both of them, not to mention they’re available on streaming platforms (YouTube, Spotify, etc.), I haven’t been able to part with those cassettes.

However, not everyone has the same compunctions. In listening to that same radio show, I discovered that a few select unopened cassette tapes can go for thousands of dollars, if you’re in the market and have the cash to pay for them.

Well, that’s nice and all, but I can’t part with my two tapes; they represent a piece of my childhood and teens, and have some good memories attached.

It’s terribly convenient to be able to Google your favorite song and listen to it on demand, but it’s a lot more fun to have the sensation of holding a scuffed, scratched, chipped old piece of plastic in your hands and open the cover to read the lyrics. It always brings a smile to my face, remembering when things were simpler. You just can’t put a price tag on that.

Also, Wilson Phillips and Michael Bolton are worth less than $10 each on eBay.