That was the absolute worst year of my life: amazing then that it would produce IMO so many great songs.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvdr2fcSSuccxbBMAUQNFhAuo3CKZlIYI (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvdr2fcSSuccxbBMAUQNFhAuo3CKZlIYI)
I spent Christmas of '82 and New Year's of '83 in jail for jumping bond on a drunk driving charge.
I went to NY, came back to Michigan in a blizzard- homeless. I knew the cops had a warrent out on me- so I walked into the jailhouse and turned myself in. Hey- 3 squares and a bed!
1983 did have excellent music, you're right. I think though it also gave the world this tune, which reigned as worst country song on the planet til Achy Breaky Heart toppled it in the '90s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvGaSu1XoF0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvGaSu1XoF0)
1983 began with me in San Diego, CA, training to become a naval radioman. I finished my training in May, got to go home for three week's leave, and then shipped out to Yokosuka, Japan. I reported for duty aboard the USS Lockwood, and that fall we took part in Exercise Kangaroo-83, a war games simulation with the Australian Navy - and we got to make port calls in Sydney, Port Hedland, and the Philippines on that cruise!