[Updated on April 17, 2009] The Preppy Handbook was edited by Lisa Birnbach and written by Carol McD. Wallace. It was first published in 1980 by Workman Publishing. The Preppy Playlist edited by me and compiled by me. It was first published in 2009 by the fine folks at FIQL. Just like all great movements in American history (the Disco movement, the Hippie movement, the Women's movement), the Preppy movement had a peak, a... [+]

[Updated on April 17, 2009] The Preppy Handbook was edited by Lisa Birnbach and written by Carol McD. Wallace. It was first published in 1980 by Workman Publishing. The Preppy Playlist edited by me and compiled by me. It was first published in 2009 by the fine folks at FIQL. Just like all great movements in American history (the Disco movement, the Hippie movement, the Women's movement), the Preppy movement had a peak, an apex, a crescendo? I am pegging 1983 as that moment in time. The Preppy movement was building up to 1983, and after that, ever other dipsh*t with a pair of deck shoes and an argyle sweater was all of a sudden a preppy. And with that, the Preppy movement was in decline and was destined to eventually go the way of Studio 54...

These songs provided the soundtrack to parties at prestigious New England universities during the height of the preppy movement. New Wave was beginning to become mainstream (thanks to the afore mention dipsh*ts), and the artists represented on this playlist were cranking out tunes that the 18-24 crowd was devouring like perfectly prepared crab cakes. Whether you were a true preppy in the '83 Yale senior class, an aspiring preppy in the '83 Central High senior class, or (like me) a future preppy listening to these songs on the radio in the family station wagon, there should be at least a few familiar melodies in this list. [-]