I spent a summer out in Denver
I was just 13, she was 12
She wrote me a letter on loose-leaf paper
Written on blue lines just for me

We wrote through September
And in December, she sent me a photograph and a tape
With songs from the Beatles and from the Eagles
She said 'Desperado' reminded her of me

1985 was the year

She went to dances and had romances
Dressed in the finest silk that I had ever seen
While I just stayed at home in my K-Mart jeans
Last to be chosen for junior varsity

1986 was the year (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Then in December, another letter
Her dad had just lost his job on the board
Her family were moving up, up to Michigan
And I could finally get to see the girl that I adored

1987 was the year (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

So I asked her to the dance and she said yes
She wore the finest dress that I had ever seen
And when it was over and I moved closer
She asked, is there anything? And I just said 'nothing'

1988 was the year (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Now we're both older, the world seems colder
We send out photographs for everyone to like
But I liked us better in Argyle sweaters
Setting out upon our rocky mountain hike

1985 was the year (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)