So I'm working on a play where the main character is making up a mix tape of songs from the late 80s and early 90s in order to detail a tempestuous relationship with his girlfriend. First meeting through bliss through love through trouble through breakup into reconciliation. You know, the standard pathway of all fictional relationships.

I'd like the music during the play to reflect something a little different then the obvious. (No overdone top 40, please.) Figured there was a fairly eclectic group here that might have some suggestions.

So, anyone have any ideas? I'd prefer the songs not be totally obscure -- after all, you want people to at least recognize them a little.

Thanks in advance.

It's hard to name no overdone top 40, but a few of these weren't overplayed to bad:
Into The Night - Benny Mardones
More Than Words Can Say - Alias
Honestly - Stryper
When I'm With You - Sheriff
You're All I Need - Motley Crue
All I Want Is Everything - Def Leppard
Lay Your Body Down - Poison
were all favorites of mine

Alternative Rock:

She Devines Water- Camper Van Beethoven
Under the Milky Way- The Church
Pictures of You- The Cure
Ted, Just Admit It- Jane's Addiction
Debaser- Pixies
There She Goes- The La's
Here's Where the Story Ends- The Sundays
Good Morning Captain- Slint

Don't Cry - Guns N' Roses
November Rain - Guns N' Roses
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N' Roses

Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

I'm Your Man - Leonard Cohen
Ain't No Cure For Love - Leonard Cohen
Ain't No Cure For Love - Jennifer Warnes


The first four might not be "lesser-known", but I don't think any of these are Top 40.

Love of a lifetime - Firehouse
When i look into your eyes - Firehouse
I live my life for you - Firehouse
Angel - Aerosmith
Reason to live - Kiss
I didn't want to need you - Heart
All i wanna do is make love to you - Heart
Don't know what you got (till it's gone) - Cinderella
Living in sin - Bon Jovi
I've got a lot to learn about love - The Storm

These are all well known bands, but i tried to list some of there smaller hits.

Love Song - Tesla

These are kinda borderline, I guess:

No More "I Love Yous" - Annie Lennox
Missing - Everything But the Girl

got the perfect tune:

I'll Be There - Escape Club

Always - Erasure
Everything Changes - Kathy Trocolli
I Miss You - Aaron Hall
I'll Be Loving You -Collage
I'll Do 4 U - Father MC
Nothing Is Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros
With You - Tony Terry

Thanks, guys. Hiro11's list was closest to what I had in mind. (Plus, I *hate* Aerosmith and that damn Stryper song was my prom song, I can never sit through that again.)

Holsapple-Stamey "I Want To Break Your Heart" is fantastic (break as in break the code) '91
Matthew Sweet "I've Been Waiting" '91
The Lucy Show "Part Of Me Now" '86
Innocence Mission "Happy, The End" '95
Teenage Fanclub "What You Do To Me" '91

A few of these made it on a CD when I first started dating my (now) wife.