After this Gary Numan post, a random Twitter exchange this morning led me down Ye Olde Memory Hole, where I was reminded of this: Chu Bops.

If you were a kid in the '80s, the name may ring a nostalgic bell: 3"x3" toy album covers, featuring chart-toppers of the day, with a bubblegum "vinyl record" inside and lyrics to the album's best-selling single on the back cover.

Nine series were produced from 1980 to 1983. I remember owning (and chewing) the Blondie and Pat Benatar ones, and coveting others — including one for a Gary Numan record. The gum tasted awful.

A few links: chu-bops.com, earcandymag.com, a post on retroist, and some Chu Bop auctions on eBay.

Any Boing Boing readers have Chu Bops tucked away in the attic? Share your pics (or your memories) in the comments!