BBC’s Mix Tape: The Show That Proves Romance Was Better Before Spotify

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This article first appeared in TopMob magazine.

On a serene Sunday evening, I find myself ensconced within my teenage sanctuary, where a melancholic sweetness lingers. The Top 40 plays, but before Tommy Vance’s voice fills the room, I hasten to press pause, yearning for my personal favorites. I swiftly gather these treasured tunes and carefully assemble them onto a C90 cassette tape. The act of snapping off the plastic tabs brings a sense of permanence and accomplishment. However, upon realizing that I’ve truncated the final tune, I have to painstakingly start the process anew, sealing each segment with a piece of sellotape.

Lastly, carrying it covertly while my pulse quickened, I managed to secretly transfer it – whether into a locker, backpack, or someone’s possession – all in the hope of sharing both my affection and unique preferences with them. My dream is that this act will not only be well-received but also significantly transform my life for the better, forever.

Titled “Mix Tape,” this new BBC love story spans decades as Alison and Daniel rekindle their relationship, three decades after their teenage romance in Sheffield. In the present day, they exchange words across continents using songs from their past. We then travel back to 1989 where they dance, kiss, argue, reconcile, and ultimately drift apart as they navigate their youthful romance.

This new production joins the collection of popular dramas like Normal People and One Day. It’s a contemporary version of “The Way We Were” tailored for Netflix audiences, leaving one pondering how many TV producers are daydreaming over laptops, inspired by old tunes, envisioning projects that let them express their youthful exuberance and innocence.

Mix Tape stands out because it delivers exactly as promised, offering a unique experience with its nostalgic tradition serving as the perfect soundtrack. The selection of songs conveys the intended emotions for these characters who are considered somewhat unconventional. While Black Box’s Ride on Time was the UK’s top-selling single in 1989, it wouldn’t fit the bill for our protagonists.

So, on our playlist, we have The Cure’s angsty love tales, further evidence that every young adult feels like they’re breaking new ground with Psychedelic Furs, and New Order, encapsulating it all in the words of Bizarre Love Triangle: “It’s a conundrum I face/Living a life that I can’t abandon.

Mix tapes were enchanting due to their reliance on human creativity rather than computer algorithms. They offered a unique, custom-made present that revealed insights about the maker, as well as their feelings towards the intended listener. Additionally, they hailed from an epoch characterized by personal endeavor, vulnerability, and exposure.

During the period from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, we found ourselves in a unique era, often referred to as a “pre-social media golden age.” In this time, young people experienced a significant emotional milestone due to having enough liberty and technology. Without smartphones or text messaging, if someone failed to show up at McDonald’s as scheduled, that was essentially the end of the story.

Keep in mind that letters might get lost or even fall into the wrong hands, unexplored paths of destiny left untrodden in reality. Now, modern screenwriters are finding success by navigating this digital realm.

Of course, many of us appreciate the convenience of instant communication through text messages and personalized playlists on our mobile devices. However, is something that demands minimal effort truly worth preserving in the long run?

Currently, John Cusack might regain his former love’s affection through a simple Instagram like. However, he continues to be adored by countless fans for his brave act in the 1989 film, Say Anything, where he stood outside her window, holding a boombox playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” a song that held special meaning for them.

I’m finding myself feeling distinctly older, and that leads me to reminisce about New Order, who pose a question on our behalf: “When I feel like this, I’m at a loss for words/Sometimes I wonder, why can’t we just be as we were yesterdays selves?

Mix Tape begins at 9pm on BBC Two on Tuesday 15th July with episodes available on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-07-08 03:17