Do They Know It's Christmas?

Since I know it is already Christmas Eve in many places around the world, I thought "Do They Know It's Christmas" would be the perfect song for today.  Yes, it is Christmas time -- very magical, very happy, and I think the mere thought of the holiday brings a bright smile to the faces of so many of us as we think about gathering with our families and celebrating.  It definitely brings a smile to mine!

So, "Do They Know It's Christmas" was essentially a mega-hit in 1984.  As I listened to it a few times this evening in HD on YouTube, I realized that I never had the chorus correct in my mind!  I always thought they said, "We know....whoah oh oh...Let them know it's Christmas time."  But, in actuality, it;s "Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time," or as it sounds to me when they sing the chorus, "Feed the wooooo---oooor---orld, let-them-know-it's-Christ-mas-time..."  I can't believe I had those lyrics wrong in my mind since 1984!  Wow.  The other amazing part with the HD version is that I could actually hear the bass line (on bass guitar).  This could be because of the HD, or because I am so much older know then when I was a 9-year-old beginning clarinetist (and by no means would have understood a bass line).  It could be both my age and the HD now, but I tell you, that is a one nice bass line.  And Phil Collins is really tearing it up on the drums! He must have had so much fun.

I think the best part of the song, for me at least, is the unique sound of each singer's voice.  They are each so distinctive and have such character.  As they sing in succession and then harmonize together, it's literally like a box of chocolates or a beautiful collage.  Each voice is a unique gem.  Paul Young, Boy George, George Michael, Sting, Simon Le Bon, Bono...and then some.  It's amazing.  As you watch the video, you can see instrumentalists from the various bands playing guitar and percussion together.  Gotta love that one member from Culture Club playing maracas at the end.  It's also nice to see everyone gathering with their kids, spouses, and significant others as the video progresses.  When the video first came out, I thought it was so cool when they showed the singers getting out of their cars all "dressed down and incognito" to go to the recording studio.  Now, I think the best part of the video is the music, so thank goodness for maturity!  Hope you enjoy this, and Merry Christmas!

(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection

So, I was looking on YouTube for some good acoustic versions of songs from the 80s when I stumbled upon the classic hit "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" by Nelson.  I'm technically cheating again since it was released in 1990, but that's okay.  You can tell by the clothing styles in the video that the 1990s had arrived -- but with just a hint of '80s flare.  I think the first year of a new decade is kind of like a crux or a pivot.  So, you'll see lots of long, awesome rock star hair, tight jeans, leather, boots, and all that good stuff from the 80s, but with different colors and less teasing in the coiffures (more 90s).  I am still completely ga-ga over these guys' hairdos.  Their hair is amazing.  Hard to get past that, but...  

The song is really awesome.  Love that acoustic guitar, and the lyrics are really well-composed.  It's kind of like a nice narrative of this guy who is feeling ignored by a girl.  He's fallen for her, and she doesn't even know he exists.  But, he can't live without her love and affection.  He can't spend another night on his own.  How many times do we hear this in a song?  Well, probably quite a bit, and mostly in metaphors.  But, this is straight and to the point.  I am sure that when this song came out (and I was in high school), there were tons of girls screaming for Nelson's love and affection.  Anyway, this is just a nice tune that can make you smile -- especially if you think back to when it came on the radio.  Were you in high school?  Middle school?  Perhaps grown and married?  Whatever the case, it was "back in the day," and it is always nice to reminisce over a good tune with acoustic guitar and happy lyrics about love...and affection.

Jon Bon Jovi - Dead or Alive?

So, yesterday, a story broke out all over the web about Jon Bon Jovi's death.  Low and behold, it was a hoax.  Whew.  That is good news, but that was certainly not funny!  Can you imagine?  For all the die-hard Bon Jovi fans out there, well, this hoax was blasphemous.  I am so glad he is alive and well - and looking quite good, too.  He was not "shot through the heart."  Nope, he is at home in New Jersey getting ready for Christmas.  Meanwhile, "You Give Love a Bad Name" would be a good song for this event, but my favorite Bon Jovi song is "Livin' On A Prayer."  The story of Tommy and Gina is one that is so romantic, and all the women out there who were in love with Bon Jovi fell even more deeply in love after hearing this song.  The story of these two kids surviving tough times together on love and not money is just really sweet.

The video is pretty cool, too.  All those members of Bon Jovi flying around in harnesses -- wow!  I wish I could have seen them live back in the '80s.  Their hair was amazing, and those outfits were the pinnacle of rock and roll glamour.  They were one truly rockin' "hair band."  They were not all just good looks, though.  Jon's vocals were powerful, and the guitar and drums were pure '80s magic.  My absolute favorite part of the song is the awesome modulation at 3:52.  "We've gotta hold on...ready or not.  You live for the fight when it's all that you've got." KEY CHANGE!  "Whoah...we're halfway there... WHOA OH...livin' on a prayer..."  Totally awesome!  Hope you enjoy this tune.  Praise to Bon Jovi!

Heat of the Moment

This is definitely one of my favorite songs from the 80s.  For the longest time, I only paid attention to the chorus and assumed it was about a guy cheating on his girlfriend -- and perhaps asking for forgiveness.  I admit that I didn't really listen to the rest of the lyrics or even hear them (other than the line "and now you find yourself in '82").  I thought that line about "'82" was pretty cool since the song was released then, and it sounded so "futuristic."  Now it seems like ancient history...  Nevertheless, I read the lyrics to the song and some commentary, and now I realize that it is about a teenaged couple.  They must have had a very intense relationship, or at least as intense as teenaged relationship can be.  Anyway, the lead singer is sort of reminiscing about their younger days, and now they find themselves in '82 as adults.  He mentions some of her hopes and dreams from the past - "What were the things you wanted for yourself?  Teenage ambition you remember well..."  So, I think it conveys a message of encouragement for the woman to not grow old and loose sight of what was important to her.

Superfreak

Sorry I have been away for so long.  I was in Chicago all of last week for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  Yes, I realize I am a band geek.  Anyway, I came back this afternoon to find a reminder on Facebook about a "Rick James Behind the Music" episode airing tonight on VH-1.  Thought it would be the perfect opportunity to look at "Supefreak."

I imagine everyone in the world has heard this song - or at least the bassline.  MC Hammer sampled it in his hit "You Can't Touch This," so I am sure there are 80s and 90s kids who have heard this song in one way, shape or form.  Always amazes me when you hear sampling or a "remake" and the younger generation does not recognize the 80s tune within.  Anyway, "Superfreak" is kind of silly and giggly to those of us who grew up in the 80s.  We all know it is about an "adventurous" girl, but mostly, this song just has a very cool bassline.  It also has a pretty decent saxophone solo, which in the video clip I've included from "Solid Gold" is played mysteriously by someone not moving any fingers but rather his hips.  Hmmm.....   I think I have two favorite parts of this song: (1) the opening two lines, and (2) the "she's alright" operatic break.  I think I actually stopped listening carefully to the lyrics after the first to lines, because the word "mother" just resonated in Rick's delivery.  "She's a very kinky girl, the kind you don't take home to mothaaaaahhhh."  Yup, that is what I hear.  I then read a bit about the song, and Rick James described the "she's alright" part as "operatic." and I suppose it is.  I always thought of it more as "gospel" style.  "She's alright, she's alright, that girl's alright with me yeah."  Definitely a cool part.  Makes me wonder what the rest of the song would be like in that style, or maybe how his voice would have sounded on some gospel songs.  Well, I do hope you enjoy this song.  There is an official video, but I thought the "Solid Gold" one was pretty fun.

Anyway You Want It - Revisited

I wrote about the Journey song "Anyway You Want It" very early on when I first started this blog, because I absolutely love Journey - and this is my favorite of their songs. They have so many good tunes, most with more complex instrumentals and heavier (or more narrative) lyrics. But, alas, this is my favorite. It just has such kick with the tempo, the awesome guitar solo, the blend of the vocals from the band on the chorus, and of course, Steve Perry's lead vocals. Oh - I forgot about the cowbell. "More cowbell!" The cowbell is pretty cool. Definitely a must in 80s songs.

Of course, everyone knows what this song is about, which I really don't think is a big deal. I think the lyrics are perfect, and when you look at them, there are only two verses. The rest is all chorus. Kind of makes it like a chant or an anthem. The verses are also catchy, clear, and certainly easier to remember. I love when they sing "about the lovin' things." The "lovin' things" is just so awesome. Simple, cool, perfect - and still creative. Yeah! What a great expression. Steve Perry's voice is so powerful, and he has such a distinctive tone quality/color. I think the best vocalists really are those who have a unique sound. His is amazing. No matter what he sings, you know it's Steve Perry. And, even if he is singing an extended line of "ohhhh ohhhhh oh oh-oh oh-ohhhh" it really kicks. It would be my dream to see him perform live one day. Wow. The video for this song is very simple as well. Gotta love the jukebox and vinyl in the beginning. I had this album on vinyl! The rest of the video is simply Journey in the studio kickin' up some amps with this little tune. The band looks great, too. Steve Perry's hair is as almost as amazing as his voice. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this song and video. I could listen to it a million times. Never gets old. Enjoy!

9 to 5

Ahh...finally the work week has come to an end, and it is time to relax. I can't think of a better song to celebrate the week's end than Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," which was released in 1980. This song has always been one of my favorites because it has the best lyrics of any tune I've heard pertaining to working for the man. The movie is also hysterical, and it is at the top of my list of favorite movies as well. If you have not seen this movie, you should! Go rent it or watch it on your computer - it is one of the best comedies in the history of comedic films.

Lovin' Every Minute of It

I had completely forgotten about this song by Loverboy, and now all I can do is giggle. I seem to remember the chorus but hadn't paid much attention to the lyrics, which is often the case when I think about songs from the 80s. Often times, the chorus is so catchy - and it's all you remember. That's okay with this song, because the chorus really says it all. I took a look at the lyrics, and there are a couple of references to motors starting and rockets launching, so you get the picture. All in all, it's a fun song. Definitely kicks into overdrive and gets you going.

The video is most certainly a snapshot of the 80s in all its glory. Can you believe there is a telephone ringing in this video? A corded telephone, nonetheless. Wow. It seems like a million years ago that we were talking on telephones with cords - and even a real bell inside the phone. Anyone notice that the buttons actually made different pitches when you pushed them? I think that was the ultimate "cool" factor for those phones in the eyes of band geeks such as myself.

So, "Lovin' Every Minute of It" is really a fun tune that you can crank up when you are feeling like having a good laugh or just feeling kind of silly - or raunchy. Obviously, the lyrics have some funny metaphors, but there is no deep or hidden meaning. They were just lovin' every minute of writing this. I enjoy Loverboy's music, and this tune was a pleasant surprise from the time capsule. I have to say that "Working for the Weekend" is not only my favorite Loverboy song, but one of my favorite songs in general. I'm throwing the video into this post as well because I can't resist. "You want a piece of my heart? You better start from the start? You wanna be in the show? Come on baby, let's go!!!!"

Family Man

It's a quiet evening again in Becky's World. I wasn't sure what type of 80s song would be good for the night, but I wanted to find something different. There are so many choices between rock, pop, rap, R&B, dance - and the list goes on. Alas, I thought it would be interesting to look at something kind of quirky, so I was listening to "Family Man" by Hall and Oates. I always loved this song - probably because it had such a unique sound and was catchy in sort of a mysterious way. The song was released in 1983 and paints a picture of an encounter between a married man and a prostitute - hence the chorus. "He said 'leave me alone, I'm a family man, and my bark is much worse than my bite'..." When you read the lyrics alone, it's kind of funny. I suppose the phrase "leave me alone" could be delivered in many scenarios. I think about kids who are throwing a tantrum, or perhaps someone who is upset and stewing in self-pity. In this case, "leave me alone" is a cry of defense, which I think is sort of comical. After the story is basically done, and the prostitute walks away, the chorus says "then he screamed 'leave me alone, I'm a family man'..." So, I'm just picturing this stonewall married guy standing his ground and screaming to the prostitute. Leave me alone!!!! Hmm...

From a musical perspective, there are some excellent guitar lines in this song. In the video, you'll see (and hear) lead guitarist G.E. Smith, who later led the Saturday Night Live Band. I think my favorite element of the song is this sort of mysterious reverb/echo on the vocals. We hear this in Daryl Hall's lead vocals and also in parts of the chorus toward the end: "leave me alone.... ah ahah..." Catchy, strange, and cool all at the same time. The video is also pretty interesting - close up shots of Hall conveying the intrigue as he sings, lots of dancing by the family, and two video game-type characters (man and woman) to link the story. I still really enjoy this tune and the video. It's a unique sound and a very interesting story to portray in an 80s song. With all our political scandals today, it's funny to look back at this song and think about the screaming family man. Just kidding. Enjoy!

Kiss - Forever

Well, I have to say that I was curious to hear more Kiss songs after watching the clip of "I Was Made for Loving You" from the Kiss Symphony. I saw a clip of the song "Forever" from the Kiss Symphony performance, and I thought it was a beautiful song. For a song with such tenderness in the melody and lyrics, it was perfect to see the reduced orchestra for this one. The strings add so much in this setting - from the momentum in their swiftly pronounced steady quarter notes to the beauty of their sustained legato lines (especially the short counter melody and gorgeous harmonies).

After watching the performance with the Melbourne Symphony, I found the original video for the song, which I read was recorded in 1989 and released in 1990.  Doesn't really matter since Kiss is pretty much timeless with their body of musical works. The video really surprised me. It was so simple and so very touching. It was perfect. I really enjoyed seeing the group without make-up, playing together in a rather subdued setting. Looked like a group of friends really enjoying making music together. You'll catch Gene Simmons smiling several times, and it seems like such a warm smile. Of course, these are all my interpretations, but the music is great. The guitar solo is truly gorgeous, and the vocals are, well, simply perfect. One thing that really stood out to me was the drum playing. Wow. That was definitely some virtuoso drumming. I read that the drummer, Eric Carr, passed away at a very young age, which is truly sad. But, his legacy continues. He really rocked that set of Ludwigs - which also made me smile since I used to work for the company that owns Ludwig :) Their drums are terrific.

I Was Made for Loving You

Those crazy boxed Halloween costumes...

Okay - I have to admit that I was always a bit afraid of Kiss. When they were really at a highpoint in the music world, I was in kindergarten. I remember that year, and I was only 5. All of the boys in my kindergarten class dressed up as Kiss for Halloween, and it honestly scared the daylights of out me. Back in 1980, we had these horrible Halloween costume "sets." It was basically a plastic mask held on by a thin elastic strap stapled to each side and then a big, smelly, plastic/rubber smock as the costume. Ugh, they were awful, and the smock/dress costume thing always ripped. But, we had to have them!

That being said, I think it's alright to put "I Was Made for Loving You" into this blog, even though the song was released just a year earlier (1979). As I mentioned, I was always afraid of the band, so I didn't listen to much of their music even as an adult. Old habits die hard. Anyway, I was looking around the internet and discovered that Kiss performed in Australia in 2003 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The performance was recorded, and a live album was released titled Kiss Symphony: Alive IV. Low and behold, I saw some videos from the show, and I was blown away by the performance of "I Was Made for Loving You." I read that the conductor of the Melbourne Symphony arranged the orchestral parts, which I am sure was no small task. The orchestra sounds AMAZING in this performance - powerhouse brass section, awesome strings playing swiftly together with perfect intonation. If was incredible. The orchestra really seemed to amp up the performance to a level that you wouldn't normally expect from a classical instrumental ensemble. Even better, the orchestra members were all wearing Kiss makeup! Even the wind players. It is so amazing. Wish I had that gig! There are just so many layers and tonal colors that orchestras have in and of themselves. When you add that to a rock band live on stage, well, the results are unbelievable.

Meanwhile, the song itself needs no interpretation. Lyrics are to the point and very clear, although it is kind of neat to think about two people being made for each other. We hear that as a cliché expression: "Oh, those two were made for each other." Kind of sounds syrupy-sweet and kind of cutesy. But, when Paul Stanley is up there with Kiss singing "I was made for loving you baby, you were made for loving me...I can't get enough of you baby, can you get enough of me..." it really packs a punch!!! Yeah! The performance is truly amazing in the video - orchestra, guitar solo, drums, vocals. It's insane. I especially love the punctuation of the lyrics with pyrotechnics toward the end..."I was made" BOOM, "You were made" BOOM, "Can't get enough" BOOM, "No I can't get enough" BOOM! Hope you enjoy this incredible performance!

867-5309

I heard this song twice today within one hour, so I thought it was definitely the perfect song of the day.  It's pretty straightforward.  There is a girl - this poor, poor girl named Jenny - and well, she is unfortunate enough to have her phone number on the wall in a men's bathroom.  How it got there, well, I suppose that can be debated.  Traditionally, if a girl's phone number is on the bathroom wall, well, she is (uh, shall we say) less than reputable.  However, I suspect that it only takes one unhappy camper to put a girl's name on the wall.  In fact, maybe a jealous girl snuck in to the bathroom and put Jenny's name there...

link to the 867-5309 video

Regardless of the case, we can follow the story through the video.  The video is really quite funny.  We see the band playing, which back in 1982 seemed just fine for a video.  They look like they are having fun, and I have to admit that it's been a while since I saw someone wear a bandana as a scarf.  That was definitely something stylish in the 80s.  We also see Jenny right in the beginning of the video.  She is beautiful for sure - looks like a real life Barbie with her long blond hair and pretty face.  The lyrics tell us that the lead singer could not muster up the courage to call Jenny because he was just too nervous.  Later in the video, we see him on the couch at his psychiatrist's office (played by his band mater).  He's talking about Jenny of course and recounts going to her house to peek into her window.  She's getting ready for bed - brushing that long, luxurious blond hair with a silver brush.  I've always wondered if anyone really did that.  I think it was just a staple for 80s movies and videos.  Anyway, he goes back to Jenny's house to peek in the window again, and he sees her kissing someone.  Low and behold, it's the psychiatrist.  The lead singer is carried off by the police and arrested for his peeping tom activity.

The video is on YouTube without sound, so I didn't paste it here.  But, you can see it on a different site.  If you'd like to watch it, here is the link to the 867-5309 video.  Enjoy!

To Be With You

I'm cheating a bit here since this song was written in 1991, but the band Mr. Big was formed in 1988, so I think it's okay :) "To Be with You" is one of my all time favorite songs of any decade.  It's definitely a tune that you can enjoy, and it won't have any intense or weird effects on you - no heart palpitations or feelings of anxiousness, no sadness, no sense of urgency to get up and run around or dance like a maniac.  Nope, it's just a nice little song with beautiful vocals, acoustic guitars, and a touch of bass drum (not a concert bass for fellow band geeks, but rather a drum set bass).  This song is really touching in its simplicity, and it is a perfect package of melody and harmony.  The guitar lines are played with such beauty and sensitivity - especially in the big guitar solo.  It's so crisp and clear, too.  The lead vocals are perfect.  The sound quality of the lead singer's voice is just perfect - mellow, strong, and delivered with sincerity.  Also, this song has one of the most awesome modulations ever (at 2:26 in the video).  For non-music geeks, that's a fancy term for "key change."

The video is simple as well, and it is completely fitting for the song.  When you hear the song on the radio, you can almost picture a band just sitting down to sing a nice, mellow tune about love.  The video captures that picture perfectly.  The guys in the band are really handsome as well, and their hair is amazing.  That's probably neither here nor there as far as the music is concerned, but it does show that they have a sense of uniqueness in their style.  I think they helped us transition smoothly from the 80s to the 90s with their look.  It's always a bit weird in the first year of a new decade.  Older styles seem to carry over a bit as new ones develop, but I really feel that the look and sound of this group is timeless. 

So, you've probably figured out the basic story line from the lyrics, which are delivered beautifully through the lead vocals.  A young woman is broken-hearted, and the guy is giving her reassurance that everything will be okay.  Not only that, but he is telling her to essentially keep her chin up, and.... drum roll please... he is the one who wants to be with her!  Yes!  Well, I hope she feels it, too.  It's not everyday that Prince Charming comes along and rescues you from heartbreak--extending his hand and carrying you off into the sunset.  So, go for it!  Hold on little girl, this guy is the one who wants to be with you.  So let him be the one to show you... You can make his life worthwhile...he can make you start to smile.  Sounds good to me! :)

What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Tonight felt like a great night for something different as far as a tune of the day.  I looked through a couple of things on YouTube, and there were endless possibilities.  So much repertoire from the 80s and so many genres.  I thought about someone whose name "ain't baby - it's Janet...Ms. Jackson if you're nasty..."  Of course, I am referring to the one and only Ms. Janet Jackson.  I was so completely crazed by her music back in the 80s.  I think we all were to some degree.  We watched her musical style develop throughout the decade and well into the 90s - and then into the 21st century.  Long before her musical career, she played Penny on "Good Times" and Charlene on "Different Strokes."  I loved watching those shows.  Penny was so cute, and I think every teenaged girl wanted to be as pretty and sophisticated as Charlene.  Ms, Jackson is a legend indeed.  I could probably pick a good dozen of her songs, because they are all terrific.  Thought I would take a look at "What Have You Done for Me Lately" just for fun.

This song is still as fresh and vibrant as it was in 1986.  The beat is crisp and really contagious.  It's hard to listen to this song and not want to pop out of the chair and break it down.  I had forgotten about the video and how it is basically a "dance off" between Janet and the "deadbeat boyfriend" - although who can be a deadbeat if they dance that well?  Perhaps Ms. Jackson wrote the lyrics with great accuracy and attention to the attributes (or lack thereof) of the deadbeat dude.  When it came time to plan the video, maybe she wanted to just have some fun.  It's a really interesting juxtaposition of fun, upbeat dancing and lyrics about some guy who you'd just want to kick to the curb.  I also did not realize that Paula Abdul was in this video.  I knew she was in the "Nasty" video, playing the role of Janet's best bud.  Once again, Ms. Abdul appears in this video as Janet's friend, conversing with her in the beginning and asking, "what has he done for you lately..."  Paula Abdul worked with Janet for several years as her choreographer, so it was pretty cool to see her in the video as one of the "characters."  We all know that she went on to release some of her own recordings, but that will be a topic for another day.

I hope you enjoy this video.  It is truly a classic with the fashions and dancing.  I am still amazed at that crazy shoulder move.  In fact, I am in awe.  My shoulders would not move like that even if I asked them politely.  The outfits are pretty funny, too - especially the "big shirts."  Anyone remember "big shirts?"  I absolutely had to have them when I was in middle school.  We looked high and low for them, and when I found them at the local department store, I grabbed two (one pink with blue geometric shapes, and one blue with pink geometric shapes).  Pretty awesome!  Today they seem a bit odd, and I hope they don't come back in style, but if they did, well...yeah, I'd be the first in line.  No shoulder pads, please.  Those can stay in the time capsule of fashion.

And We Danced

As I was looking at the video for "Your Love" on YouTube, I noticed "And We Danced" on the side column of the page (related videos).  I had forgotten all about this song by The Hooters.  Yup, terrible band name but terrific song.  I was just reading some background information on the group, and it said that the name came from the band's own terminology for what they called this strange wind synthesizer that is featured in the beginning of the tune.  Honestly, I always thought the song began with harmonica and mandolin, although it is actually this "melodica" instrument and mandolin.  The melodica is a tiny keyboard synthesizer that is also a wind instrument.  Hmm...kind of weird and interesting at the same time.  I suppose it's like those Akai electronic wind instruments.  Anyway, it sure had me fooled when I heard the song on the radio.  It sounds exactly like a harmonica.  So, all those years I was fooled.  I thought it was so awesome to have harmonica and mandolin in a pop song.  Nevertheless, it's still cool and genuinely a unique sound.  Anytime a mandolin is thrown into the mix, well, it promises to be a very cool sound.  Plus, wind instruments of any size, shape, and form are fine by me!

So, I hadn't seen the video until tonight.  Once again, I had only heard the song back in the day.  The video is very cute.  I like the whole concept - drive-ins, dance hall, etc.  It is a testament to good fun from days gone by.  It almost reminds me of when I was in the 8th grade and went to football games on Friday nights with my best friend - just because I wanted to see the marching band.  So, in this video, we get the picture of folks having a great time dancing and dancing.  Even the band dances throughout the video.  Each band member has a certain groove going on.  It's awesome.  I also really like their hair.  Back in the 80s, guys had some terrific hairstyles.

I never really knew all the lyrics until tonight, either.  Thank goodness for the speed of computers!  I can't imagine how I would find lyrics 30 years ago.  I thought I heard, "we were liars in love..." but I wasn't sure if it was "liars" or "lyres."  I vote for "lyres" :) But, alas, it's liars.  I'm not sure what that means, but it just sounds like young kids in love, having fun, dancing, celebrating.  No heartbreak or angst.  Just be-bop babies on a hard-day's night or at the union hall.  Not sure what is going on with all the popcorn dropping before the motorcycle clan pulls up in the video, but that's alright.  I also noticed the "Exton" sign in the beginning.  I thought, "Exton?  Exton, PA?"  Yup, it is Exton, PA.  The group is from Philadelphia, so it makes perfect sense.  Yea!  Shout out to Exton.  Always good to give towns some limelight in videos.  On that note, I think we can all take pride in our hometowns after watching this video and listening to the song.  It's uplifting and fun -- can't ask for much more on a hard day's night!

Your Love

"Josie's on a vacation far away...doot-de-do and talk it over..."  Uh--those can't be the real lyrics!  Indeed, they are not, but that is what I always heard in my mind when I listened to The Outfield's "Your Love."  Hands down, this is a terrific song and dates back just past the middle of the decade to 1986.  I really do enjoy this song, and I think I pretty much understood the meaning of the lyrics based on the chorus.  The funny thing is, I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics back in the day because I was so mesmerized by the lead singer's voice.  I am still amazed today at how the lead singer's vocals carry above everything and seem to "call out" to the listener. 

Josie and the Pussycats

Okay, so the beginning of the song is actually, "Josie's on a vacation far away, come around and talk it over..."  and so the lyrical story begins.  I can't think of a cooler name than Josie (so perfectly 80s!).  We hear vocals and guitar in the beginning of the tune - clear, simple, and truly harmonious as the band joins in at the end of the first verse with "I don't wanna lose your love to-ni-iiight."  There's something special about that first verse - we listen attentively, anxiously, and after the first chorus, the band leads us in to the rest of the story as drums join the mix to add a steady pulse.  Guitars and vocals take us through this pleasingly quaint little tune about a guy who is obviously a bit infatuated with the girl but not really up for commitment.  My favorite line from the song is "as you're leaving please would you close the door...and don't forget what I told you..."  Yeah, just keep it under wraps.  No big deal.  He just wants to use her love but not lose her love...to-niii---iiight. 

The song is kind of silly, kind of cool, kind of comical.  The video really surprised me, because I don't think I saw it back in the 80s.  I had an image of the lead singer in my mind just based on his voice.  I'm not sure exactly what I expected him to look like, but I was a bit surprised at how small and kind of "dorky" he seemed.  No problem there.  Nerds and dorks were kind of cool back in the 80s, or at least accepted as a type of group.  I think that is the group I fell into, but I am proud.  Nothing wrong with being a dork.  I admit that and still enjoy this song.  Hope you will as well!

Second Chance

It's a nice quiet evening in Becky's World, so I thought "Second Chance" by 38 Special would be the perfect song for today.  It's another song that I heard on the radio during my recent trip home.  I've only heard this song a handful of times, mostly in the past few years on 80s internet radio.  I had absolutely no idea that this was a 38 Special tune.  It is so different from "Caught Up in You," which is my favorite from the group.  But, alas, "Second Chance" is a truly beautiful song.  It probably could be considered a ballad, although it is so sweet and delicate instrumentally.  When I think of ballads, I think of 80s "rock ballads," which usually have some really intense guitar lines and even more intensity in the vocals.  "Second Chance," however, is simply a musical gem.  I can't get over how controlled the vocals are, and the instrumentals blend and support the vocal line so beautifully.  We do hear a strong guitar line throughout the song, but it is strong in a subtle, controlled, focused way that makes me think about the classical music world.  A huge "bravo" to 38 Special on their performance of this song and their beautiful lyrics as well.  Essentially, if you listen to the lyrics, it is a tender request for a second chance - as we hear so clearly in the chorus.  It's funny - I never really paid much attention to the full lyrics until this very moment.  The lyrics tell the story of a man who, well, made a mistake.  He cheated on his beloved, and now he is asking for forgiveness and a chance to start over.  I think that makes perfect sense.  If there comes a time when he sings about a third or fourth chance, well, uh, I think that would be excessive.  But, this song is so tender and loving-- I do hope the singer was pardoned and granted his second chance.  He'll probably never falter again - because then he would have to write an even more beautiful song, and I'm not sure that would be possible...

Words

Once again, I am a bit behind with posts after being away for the holiday weekend.  I was driving back from my week at home this afternoon when the song "Words" by Missing Persons came on the radio.  I have to say that I absolutely loved this group in the 80s, and my favorite song of theirs was "Destination Unknown."  If it is unknown to you, check it out!  I thought the lead singer of Missing Persons (Dale Bozzio) was just so cool - her hair, her makeup, her unique outfits.  I think I heard an interview or perhaps read one back in the 80s where she mentioned that she made her original outfits out of everyday items like newspapers, saran wrap, and plastic because she did not have the finances for anything more extravagant.  Well, whatever the case, the outfits were cool.  I noticed that someone on YouTube compared her with Lady Gaga, and I would agree that there is definitely a similarity.  I think Dale didn't really try as hard as Lady Gaga to be different - it just seemed to be the way back in 1981.  I also really like that the other band members are wearing makeup.  Remember those days?  When guys would wear eyeliner?  I certainly do.  When I was in high school, and The Cure was all the rage, it seemed perfectly normal.

Anyway, I think this song is fairly self-explanatory, although I do think it is pretty crafty as well.  "What are words for - when no when listens anymore?"  Yeah, I can relate to that sentiment.  I guess if no one listens, we must choose our words carefully and spend our time perfecting our hair and crazy outfits.  Just kidding.  That is actually what my perfect world would be like - few words and lots of envelop-pushing looks.  Meanwhile, I used to really like Dale's voice when I was younger, but as I was driving this afternoon, I wondered what this song would sound like with Debbie Harry on lead vocals.  I think that would be spectacular.  Ms. Harry - if you are out there, give it some thought.

The video for this tune is very, very basic and truly characteristic of the day.  It has that kind of simplistic, futuristic, space-age vibe.  The synthesizer adds a very interesting "other wordly" timbre throughout, and the guitar and drums are pretty straightforward.  Guitar has some nice lines in the tune that match well with the full "soundscape" of the song.  Nice, unique sound that seems fresh and vibrant even 30 years later (well, at least in my opinion).  Hope you agree and enjoy this 80s treasure!

Bust A Move

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope everyone had a great holiday.  With all the indulgence in food, I was thinking about Young MC's "Bust A Move."  Once again, this is an excellent song from the very last year of the decade.  I have been on a roll unearthing favorites from my middle school days, and this was one from my last year in middle school.  Perfect song for school dances at the time.  I have a feeling that many people of all ages enjoyed bustin' moves to this piece as well.  I learned the complete lyrics to this one and can still recite them verbatim.  It is a tale "for all the fellas" about a guy who doesn't have too much luck with the ladies, but the master rapper Young MC encourages him throughout the song to get out there and go for it.  Do not lose faith - take a chance and bust a move!

There are many elements of this song that truly make it stand out as one of the best of its time - at least in my opinion.  The lyrics are amazing  - very clever and well-written.  I also love the chorus to the song: "If you want it, you got it.  If you want it, baby you got it."  I can hear the singer's voice as I type - a beautiful, light, alluring voice that sort of draws you in.   Perhaps it is the muse that entices the man to bust a move.  In the video, the chorus is sung by a sort-of Marilyn Monroe-esque woman with dark hair.  Pretty cool!  I also really like the instrumentals in this song, particularly the percussion featured after Young MC says, "break it down."  Very nice guitar in the beginning as well.  As we watch the story unfold, we are treated to some terrific dancing by a host of interesting and engaging characters.  All in all, this is a terrific song that is upbeat, fun, and layered with well-orchestrated musical elements.  Last time I saw Young MC was on VH-1's "Celebrity Fit Club."  Wonder what he is up to these days.  Hope he is out there breaking it down and move bustin' somewhere...

Holiday

I don't think any 80s music blog would be complete without Madonna.  In fact, we could probably find entire blogs dedicated to her work.  As an artist, she certainly helped define the music of the decade and sold over 300 million records.  Amazing.  I couldn't begin to name all of her Top 40 hits. but her debut album was definitely my favorite.  She came on the scene as basically an unknown singer/dancer and developed into a legend.  I remember seeing her on the MTV Video Music Awards after her first album had been out for a while.  She basically shocked the world with her performance of "Like a Virgin" for it's concept, lyrics, and performance.  She continued to push the envelope and make people just a little bit too uncomfortable throughout her career, especially due to her use of religious symbols.  We anxiously awaited her Pepsi commercial and the new song to be released simultaneously ("Like a Prayer").  Much to our dismay, there was a huge controversy, and the commercial was pulled from the air.  Oh well.  Madonna persevered and had an illustrious career.  She kept things new and fresh, constantly changing her image.  Pretty crafty, I must say.  Some people think she was a marketing pro in that respect, but I do believe she was innovative, creative, bold, and truly an artist.  I ran out and bought every new album - from the blue vinyl "True Blue" to the incense-scented "Immaculate Collection."

I believe "Holiday" was the first song released from her self-titled debut album in the United States.  I didn't realize there was a video at all, and this one is certainly barebones.  However, it does give us a perfect image of Madonna as a brand new artist on the musical landscape in 1983.  She had a very unique look - kind of a contemporary, fashionable dancer.  There was no one else like her, and her style made people take notice.  Her simple colors (lots of black in the beginning), pairings of skirts and leggings, cut-off shirts, and massive amounts of bracelets helped create a very unique image.  Didn't take long for her to make an impression on the masses.  I remember begging for those black rubber bracelets.  Had to have them--tons of them!  I wanted some fingerless gloves, too, and managed to find a hankerchief to tie around my hair as a headband.  All the girls in my 5th grade class simply loved this song.  I remember dancing and dancing to the 45 RPM until it was completely destroyed from "skips" that were made from the needle jumping as we did.  Thank goodness for digital technology today!

So, "Holiday" is a simple song that you can still enjoy without the video for sure.  Basically, the concept is taking some time for a holiday, a celebration.  The beat is catchy and obviously "danceable."  I remember the synthesized keyboards but had forgotten about the excellent cowbell part until now.  Madonna's voice was also strong, clear, and melodic.  I think it has changed and developed immensely over the years, but I prefer her early recordings like this one.  Something very refreshing about her early songs - fun, simple, and upbeat.  Hope you enjoy "Holiday."

Vacation

Bubble gum anyone?  Since I am vacation, the song "Vacation" by the Go-Gos came to mind.  A favorite of mine when I was younger, I was shocked to find out that this song dates back to 1982.  Wow.  I was very, very young.  In fact, I hadn't even started playing clarinet yet!  I was still in the single digits and picked up the clarinet about 2 years later (in the last of my single digit years).  That being said, I am surprised about 2 things: (1) the sophistication of the video for the time, and (2) the fact that I was listening to pop music at that age.  I suppose it's not too surprising.  My earliest memories are from around age 4, when I was dancing and singing disco tunes by Donna Summer.  It's true.

Hmm....

When I hear "Vacation" now, I just think about bubble gum for some reason.  "Bubble gum pop" was a term associated with the music of teen stars, who in the 80s would have been Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, etc.  In modern times, the bubble gum crown was held by Brittany Spears (before marriages, children, shaved head, unflattering scandalous photos, and so forth).  So, back to the song.  It has a very upbeat keyboard line, quick tempo, and steady drum beat.  The ladies in the band are busy singing and playing their instruments, and the video gives us a nice image of the group's camaraderie and sense of collective fun.  They are sitting around (one pops a bubble), and I think they decided to break out in song since "back here at home there's nothing to do."  I'm not sure about the popcorn, but the yo-yo was definitely something fun from back in the 80s.  I remember kids going nuts with all kinds of complicated yo-yo tricks.  Ah, the things that kept us entertained...  I remember quite distinctly in this video that the drummer was counting out loud (or at least mouthing numbers), and I thought that was extremely cool. Made me want to be a musician, and I think it influenced my friends as well.  Funny thing is, it looks like she is counting to 5.  Hmm... No matter how many times I see this video, I can't quite distinguish the numbers, but I don't think there should be a five in there...  It's okay.  When I watched this video as a young girl, I really enjoyed the ballerina outfits the most.  Tutus and tiaras, pink leotards and long white gloves... seemed to be a dream back then.  It was obvious, though (even to me as a child) that the water skiing was very fake.  Excellent work by the true water-skiing ladies, and brava to the Go-Gos for inspiring many young girls to become musicians (or ballerinas, or waterskiiers, or...)

Take Me Home Tonight

On my drive home the other day, I heard Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise."  I considered writing about that song today, because it certainly is rocking and makes me smile every time I hear it.  What could be better than two tickets to paradise?  I'm not exactly sure, but I can say that Eddie's "Take Me Home Tonight" is my all-time favorite of his songs.  As a song, without the video, it is a champion - a die-hard, rock classic.  The song opens with a steady drumbeat sounding very much (in my opinion) like a heartbeat.  We also hear a sort of mysterious, enticing synthesizer line, which is then joined by guitar.  Eddie's deep and subdued vocals build in intensity as he approaches the chorus - which basically explodes with power guitar chords of the most solid chord progression in Western music.  Take a look at the lyrics, too.  I could only really understand the word "hunger" in the first verse for the longest time.  I think I could hear something about "it isn't safe to walk the city streets alone," but I always wondered what he said right before the chorus.  Alas, I discovered it is "let's find the key and turn this engine on."  EXCELLENT!  That is pretty awesome, I must say.

The video is what I remember the most about this song.  When it came out, it was so cool and intriguing with the whole black and white thing going on.  Eddie's wearing shades, singing a dark stadium.  We see a woman in the shadows - kind of petite with long hair, dancing mysteriously.  She even smokes a cigarette and puts it out in the carpet with her foot.  Why?  Because she can.  She is quiet yet powerful.  We want to see the mystery woman revealed.  Low and behold, it is Ronnie Spector.  We hear "just like Ronnie sang" answered by Ms. Spector with "be my little baby."  What an excellent sonic juxtaposition.  It's kind of a fusion of time periods and musical styles.  Her voice is amazing and really ads a spark to the song. 

I can't help but laugh a bit about the saxophone, though.  It seems to be suspended somehow on the ladder in the beginning of the video.  Eddie picks it up and does some "sax syncing" (kind of like lip syncing) when the sax solo comes in.  Not exactly convincing, but hey - it's a big sax solo!  He takes that saxophone, "plays" it, lets it suspend on the neck strap as he sings, and then triumphantly raises it high above his head like a rock trophy.  Now that is "totally awesome."  Rock on, Mr. Money!!!!   Cheesy or not, whenever a wind instrument gets the limelight in a rock video, I couldn't be happier.  I also enjoy the percussion in this piece.  Listen carefully and you will hear tambourine and I think maybe some castinets (can't quite tell) around 2:23.  All in all, this is a terrific song and a truly well-conceptualized video.  Enjoy!

Don't You Want Me?

Wow - kind of forward there, eh?  Well, I was listening to the radio while I was driving over the river and through the mountains to get home for Thanksgiving.  It was a long drive, and I happened to tune into a station that plays classic "American Top 40" shows from the 80s with Casey Kasem.  I remember when those shows were live!  Pretty strange since when I started the drive, I heard a current AT40 Countdown - I think Rick Dees hosts it now.  So, halfway through my drive, I was transported back in time to 1987.  Yes indeed - that was a great year.  I was in middle school, and my mittle sister was born.  It was the height of my attention to the pop world in all its 80s splendor.  The music certainly had changed from the early 80s.  We began to hear many more synthesizer-driven dance tunes, and videos had really evolved into mini epic productions that were often very sophisticated from a cinematic standpoint.

So, I was driving along, and Jody Watley's "Don't You Want Me" came on the countdown.  I used to absolutely love, love, love her music - but really her fashion sense for the most part.  I remembered how she had these huge crinoline skirts that would flow as she danced in her first hit video, "Looking for a new Love."  I really wanted one of those skirts.  There was no way that a 7th grader would be able to integrate that into her daily wardrobe, but hey, when it was time to dance around the bedroom singing into a twirling baton, I wanted to be properly attired.  Ms. Watley just seemed so cool and the epitome of current fashion.  She was a trendsetter, too, with everything pretty much over-the-top -- huge hoop earrings, long hair down to the waist, those huge puffy crinoline skirts, and of course, bustiers and other undergarments as tops.  The video is really well-directed, and it certainly adds a sophistication to the song that I didn't capture as I listened to the radio.  Goes to show how important videos were to the success of songs back in this time period.  They could really make or break the tune and certainly boost the wow factor of something seemingly "okay."

The song alone (without video) made me smile as I drove.  The song is about a woman and a man, and a potential romance.  Seems as if the man is giving the woman mixed signals, and she is saying, "Hey, uh, what's the deal here?  Yes or no?"  I guess it's kind of fun to build intrigue.  We saw that with sitcoms back in the day.  So, in the first verse she talks about him smiling "as though to say 'oh yeah'."  That made me smile, actually.  Wouldn't it be interesting if we all simply communicated by expression?  Maybe that would make the whole man/woman thing better.  Just kidding.  It actually made me think about middle school again, which I guess is why this song appealed to me at the time.  I'm kind of smirking now and thinking, "hmmm...." but it is all in good fun once again.  If you watch the video, you'll see that in the end she gets the guy, and everyone lives happily ever after :)

Send Me an Angel........

I put those extra ellipses in the title because everytime I think about this song, I can hear the extension of the word "angel" in the first verse of the chorus.  "Send me an an-gellll........ Send me an aaaaaan - gelllllll....right now.  Right now......"  Kind of mystic and ethereal.  And catchy.  I had this song in my head this morning, and thought I might pick it as the song of the day.  Can't seem to shake that synthesizer line playing over and over -- and over.  Once again, we have a nice ostinato.  This song by Real Life is probably a "one hit wonder."  Lots of interesting elements as far as the layers of synthesized keyboard and "echo" effects.  Towards the last quarter of the song, we hear a very clear and not-too-overly-done guitar solo that is solid and melodic.  Throughout the song, we also hear a woman's angelic voice in the chorus - not singing words, but rather an enchanting series of "oh oh oh ohhhhhhh."  Listen to the orchestral suite The Planets by Gustav Holst, and you will hear a women's chorus doing the same thing in the last movement, "Neptune: The Mystic." 

Anyway, the video for "Send Me An Angel" is also quite interesting.  Taking place in a church, I still find a bit of creepiness to the whole thing, but it certainly is engaging in a strange and creepy sense.  It definitely has many elements of beauty, and I think the ghost-like image of the woman certainly captures that.  Meanwhile, the band members have an intensity and fine collection of various hairstyles that give the group a very unique look that is as multi-layered as the sounds in the song.  Be careful, though.  If you listen to this song early enough in the day, it will probably haunt you and run through your head for at least another 24 hours.....

Goodbye to You

Happy weekend everyone!  Sorry I have been gone a bit.  Had a big Thanksgiving luncheon at work, and I was busy cooking yesterday.  Kind of strange, I know.  Anyway, I did hear from a good friend of mine yesterday who mentioned the song "Goodbye to You."  He thought it would be a good one for "becky's world," which was a huge coincidence since I was thinking about "The Warrior" right before I received his e-mail.  Anyway, I haven't heard "Goodbye to You" since it was exploited as the song for some commercial - something for Swiffer I believe.  Can't exactly remember, but I think it's always a shame when a great 80s song is exploited for commercials.  The result is usually that our once-loved songs are placed in a rather cheesy light.  Burger King seems to be a pro at this.  Poor 80s songs...we know you deserve better.

So, I checked out the "Goodbye to You" video this morning and was immediately transformed back in time to what I seem to remember was middle school.  I checked the date for the song's release, and it was 1982, which meant I was only in the 3rd grade I believe.  Hmm...I guess I was ahead of my time :) Or, perhaps I just carried the 1982 fashions through my middle school years.  Patty Smyth's hairdo and colored tights were something I seem to remember emulating.  It's refreshing to see cute, teased, shorter 'dos with bangs.  The colors of makeup were also pretty unique then.  Okay, so back to the song.  It's very straightforward.  If we take the concept behind it and fast-forward to the 21st century, it would be a "kicking to the curb" anthem.  Yup.  Goodbye, good riddance Mr. Man Friend.  The nice thing about this song is that it is upbeat and peppy, so no hard feelings.  No turmoil -- just nice bubbly synthesizer, guitar, and drums.  Ms. Smyth does a classic hop-like, side-to-side swaying dance thing throughout the video.  The guys in her band are quite handsome with their perfect coifs, and everyone is having a good time.  Patty is pretty coy and shows a bit of leg to her bandmate, but it's all in good fun.  I think my favorite part of the song is the bridge:

'Cause baby it's over now
No need to talk about it
It's not the same
My love for you's just not the same
And my heart, and my heart
And my heart can't stand the strain
And my love, and my love
And my love won't stand the pain
And my heart, and my heart
And my heart can't stand the strain
And my love, and my love
And my lo-o-o-ove.....

When she starts "and my heart, and my heart, and my heart can't stand the strain," it's actually what we in the classical world would call a sequence.  Awesome!  It's also kind of funny how as the sequence builds, it is followed by a huge keyboard solo that is kind of an 80s take on a Bach toccatta.  Pretty snazzy!  This is such a fun song.  I hope you enjoy it!

Jack and Diane

"Little ditty, 'bout Jack and Diane---two American kids growin' up in the heartland."  These words were running through my mind this evening as I thought about John Cougar Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane."  It is such a refreshing song -- just some excellent vocals, lyrics, and guitar (electric and acoustic).  Okay, I know there are drums in there, too.  In fact, I can hear exactly where they are featured.  It's just about the middle of the song where the big drum solo breaks out and Mellencamp is backed by a few additional vocalists: "So let it rock.  Let it ro-oll.  Let the Bible Belt come and save my sooooo -o--oul!  Hold on to 16 as long as you can - changes come around real soon make us women and men."  Everytime I hear the part about the Bible Belt saving my soul, I automatically throw my hands up into the air.  Hadn't realized that was part of the video until just s few moments ago.  The harmonies in that line probably could save my soul.  I had also forgotten about the awesome handclaps in the song, which probably inspired me to become a musician now that I think of it.  Yup, those hand claps were so cool, and the squares in the video were also pretty amazing at the time.  In all honesty, the video is nicely done, and we get a visual idea of the story--although I think Mellencamp's lyrics are very clear and quite poetic.  Paints a picture of life in the heartland with all its simple pleasures.  I would have to agree that we should hold on to our youth as long as we can.  Life does go on long after the thrill of living is gone, but let's try to keep the flame alive by enjoying some well-crafted tunes like this one.  Well done, Mr. Mellencamp--hat's off to you!

Photograph

Def Leppard's "Photograph" is a classic 80s rock tune that is cranking in full force right from the get go.  I can hear the explosive guitar intro as I type -- kind of a signal announcing the arrival of a super rock anthem.  When I hear this song in the car, it is difficult not to accelerate into the nether regions of the speedometer.  I honestly never knew the full lyrics of this song until recently (once again), but that is quite alright.  Honestly, I was much more impressed by the extensive guitar solo, which basically functions with equal weight to any of the lead vocals.  Something about the quality of Joe Elliott's voice also seems to compliment and equal the power of the guitar throughout this song.  That being said, I believe his extensive "ahhhhhh ahhhhhh ahhhh ahh ah ah ah oh photographhhhhh........" at 3:32 is probably the best vocal line ever in the history of 80s music.  Mr. Elliott brings it home!  If I heard that live, I would most definitely pass out.

The video is a classic as well.  Joe's very cool UK flag shirt and leather pants costumed him perfectly as a rockin' British superstar.  Too bad we don't see more leather pants---I wonder what ever happened to them.  They sure look cool, even today.  The hairstyles, long and free, were also pretty typical and the sign of a rocker.  No shame back in the day for men to have lots of free flowing, beautiful hair.   As for the women in the cages, well, that was pretty common for 80s videos.  I think we've seen that a number of times - even on this blog.  No harm, though, really.  The women might be caged, but they are singing with vigor.  I think they are supposed to represent some kind of element of the underworld or an alternative rock universe.  As for the images of Marilyn Monroe, well, that didn't really creep me out as a child, but the killer sure is ghastly.  Good thing she can laugh about it in the end and shove the photo down the drain grid with her shoe.  Enjoy this classic tune - I hope it keeps you rockin'.

Rio

For some reason, I have had the words "cherry ice cream smile" stuck in my head all day yesterday.  Why is that?  Well, I believe Duran Duran's "Rio" is the cause.  "Cherry ice cream smile, I suppose it's very nice..."  I have no idea what they meant by that particular lyric, but I am guessing that Rio is some sort of temptress with a cherry ice cream smile.  I have heard that the song is about the Rio Grande, but I highly doubt it.  No, I think it is about a woman.  Rio, perhaps, is the fictitious name for whomever stole the heart of the Simon Le Bon.

Meanwhile, Duran Duran was one of my all time favorite 80s groups when I was younger.  They still make me blush a bit because, well, they were some handsome guys back in the day -- with their awesome, flowing hair and cool suits.  Very much the trendsetters.  The video is also very fun with all of the bright colors (including those crazy pink and blue phones) and Rio's "chameleon" type body paint.  Lots of ice cream hues, water splashing, and a huge saxophone solo.  Oh yeah!  It might sound a bit cheesy today, but at least a woodwind instrument was in the limelight on this tune.  In fact, you'll notice some "air saxophone" by two of the band members toward the end of the video.  Now if only clarinets could be so cool...  Anyway, happy Tuesday -- enjoy Rio, and I dare you to resist the temptation to play some air saxophone...

Heartbeat

It's pretty late once again - but not too late for an excellent 80s song to wish everyone well for the night.  I was looking through a few tunes on the web and came across one that I had completely forgotten about.  I was finishing middle school and just starting my freshman year of high school the year this song came out.  "Heartbeat" by Seduction was released in 1989, so it just makes it in the decade as an official 80s song.  Obviously, there were many styles and genres within the 80s category.  This particular group is categorized as "dance," "pop," "freestyle," and probably some other terms.  I think it is really a crossover genre between dance, pop, and R&B.  Nevertheless, this particular "Heartbeat" song is a great representation of a trend we saw in the late 80s - dance music with a synthesized drum beat and usually a trio of female voices.  Yes, this is long before Destiny's Child, and we see the legacy carried through today.  In fact, we can see this type of vocal ensemble long before the 80s if you think about the Supremes.  Anyway, the 80s dance version of the female trio has a pretty simple recipe - three ladies (one of whom has an extraordinarily powerful, soulful voice), synthesizer, and drum machine.  Doesn't really matter what the lyrics are.  All you need are a couple of oohs and ahhs, and of course, "baaaaaa-beeeee."  Sometimes, we hear, "oooh boy," and so forth.  Perfect for the middle school crowd, but still fun after all these years.  For all the clubbers who enjoyed these tunes, it really doesn't matter what the lyrics are as long as the beat is happening.  I can't believe that after all these years, I really didn't know what the lyrics were.  For my fellow 80s fans who were dancing along to this tune, the chorus is "heartbeat, you make me feel so weak."  Listen carefully, and you will hear an additional line, "my heart beats for the one I love."  It's kind of an ostinato.  Also, make sure to watch this video all the way through.  I hope you enjoy the awesome bass feature at 4:30.

Rock You Like a Hurricane

This is a classic 80s rock song that certainly can sweep you away like a storm with its amazing guitar lines, thunderous drums placed perfectly against the lyric line, and powerhouse vocals.  I absolutely love the instrumentals on this tune, and I have to say that I could understand the lyrics for the chorus pretty clearly.  "Here I am---rock you like a hurricane."  Simple enough I'd say.  It's, once again, about love and someone who is there and ready to rock this girl's world.  Yup.  Plain and straightforward in meaning.  We know that the term "rock" has been used many times as a metaphor for, well, romantic concepts.  Anyway, I had no idea what the rest of the lyrics were until recently, and they are kind of intense.  Lots of animal references, and that's alright.  I kind of like living in the dark on this one, so I will go back to hearing them in my mind kind of jumbled.

One thing that I thought was AMAZING was the collaboration of the Scorpions and the Berlin Philharmonic.  Now, that is my cup of tea.  The brass intro in that version followed by the strings cranking along with 16th notes really gives it drive and momentum.  Excellent!  It's definitely time for more of these rock/orchestral pairings, although I do think we've seen this evolution with "unplugged" versions and many other performances with an extended instrumental ensemble.  I am all for this trend.  Bravo to the Scorpions and the Berlin Phil for their amazing performance.  I've included the original video along with the Berlin Phil video for you to enjoy!  Rock on!

She's a Beauty

Okay--I have to admit that this video used to scare the daylights out of me when I was little.  Something about the motorized wheelchair buzzing around as the chariot for a dominatrix-type lady really frightened me. To this day, I still find it a bit creepy, but let's face it, this song is awesome.  In the intro, we hear a crisp synthesized line followed by guitar in full force.  Drums come in to add to the layers, and the lyrics of the first verse begin -- "Step right up, and don't be shy -- because you will not believe your eyes..."  There is something very intriguing about the lead singer's vocal quality.  The lyrics are clear and very clever, and the delivery is almost tongue-in-cheek so to say.  I guess you can say the song is about a woman in a peep show or something, but really, I think it's just kind of a general sentiment about the cost of falling in love.  For some reason, I think the carnival setting is perfect for this topic.  The mermaid in the video always used to intrigue me when I was little, and now that I revisit the video, it creeps me out as opposed to the woman in the chair.  As you can see, there are many humorous and semi-creepy elements.  To this day, I cannot believe that some of the images (especially the drums), made it past the censors in the 1980s.  But, in retrospect, it reminds us to not to things so seriously.  It's a fun song, and the video is very clever.  I hope you will enjoy--should be a great tune to kick off the weekend!

Faithfully

So, once again I am long overdue for a post and way behind on things.  As mentioned earlier, I was out on the road for a week.  Long time to be gone from my computer!  As I was driving through the beautiful countryside going from gig to gig, I heard Journey's "Faithfully" on the radio.  I thought, "This is the perfect song for the road."  I listened to it again this morning and feel that it is probably one of the most perfect songs ever.  Listening to the beginning, I am blown away by how perfectly Steve Perry's beautiful voice is complimented by the piano line.  It is a perfectly matched ensemble of voice and piano - a perfect balance of melody and harmony.  I have heard so many performances of instrumentalists accompanied by piano, and none are a perfect as this opening.  The song progresses along with bits of added color by the guitar.  Drums come in with a few punctuations followed by a steady yet oh-so-subtle high hat to keep the rhythm in the third verse.  As I listen to the song again and again, I discover so many remarkable elements.  There are some really amazing solo guitar lines in this song, excellent balance and development of the vocal/instrumental combinations, and genuine, heart-felt lyrics.  It's not often that we hear "love affair" in rock lyrics, but Journey delivers that so beautifully.  "Being apart ain't easy on this love affair..."  Indeed.  Wow--I love this song.

The video is also pretty amazing.  Great glimpse once again into the styles of the decade.  If you watch it a couple of times, you'll notice all kinds of subtleties, including different seasons while they are on the road.  Nice to see a corded telephone gain, too.  I'm not quite sure I understand the mustache thing - but Steve Perry looks and sounds amazing with or without it.  Bravo, Mr. Perry!

Interlude

Hello blog world!  It has been an extremely long time since my last post.  I had intended to post each day with a new song.  Alas, I was out on the road for a week touring (not performing, though).  I heard many, many great 80s songs on the radio and intend to get right back to posting later today.  I am thinking of one particular Journey song that seemed to match my travels quite well...  More to come later today!

Hot Blooded

Hello fellow bloggers!  Sorry I have been a bit MIA this week.  It has been a bit crazy, and I have been away from my computer for much too long.  That being said, I wanted to make sure to pick an absolute winner for today's 80s song of the day.  One of my very favorite bands from the 80s is Foreigner, and I guess I am cheating once again since they started back in '76 and released "Hot Blooded" in '78.  Nevertheless, they had a huge string of hits throughout the 80s, including Urgent, Juke Box Hero, Feels Like the First Time...and the list goes on and on.  Some of their greatest hits can be found on this page of their website: http://www.foreigneronline.com/music.html?dd_id=22.

So, back to the song.  Kind of hard to misinterpret the meaning of this one. Yup, it is pretty straightforward.  No confusion, no debate of the plot or intention of the lyrics.  "Come on baby, do you do more than dance?"  Uh, well, that line may seem a bit sleazy if you heard it in casual conversation, but I don't think anyone other than an awesomely rockin' group like Foreigner could pull it off with such pizazz.  I have to say, it's also not everyday that you hear the word "rendezvous" in a rock song, so kudos to Foreigner for throwing that into the mix with suave style and panache.  I hope you will enjoy this song as much as I do.  Crank up the volume and enjoy those power chords!  This song is number 59 on the MP3 Player on the right.  If you ever wondered how this tune would sound "unplugged," well I found a version of that, too!  Enjoy!

Heartbreaker

One of my absolute favorite songs of all time is "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar.  I wanted to say it was my all-time favorite 80s song, but I did a bit of research this evening and found out that it was released in October of 1979.  So, it technically just squeezed itself in before the new decade.  Pat was always a visionary in my opinion, so I think it is fitting!  What can I say about this song?  It truly rocks.  It is the epitome of rock.  With high energy drums and guitar breaking way for Pat's extraordinary voice, the song takes off from the beginning and just keeps cranking and rocking all the way through.  It's sort of a "super power" rock song, and the lyrics are incredible as well.  Take a listen, and you can hear them clearly as Pat delivers them with a punch.  She sings about a man who sounds like a rock version of Cassanova or Don Giovanni.  I absolutely LOVE the chorus: "You're a heartbreaker, dream maker, love taker don't you mess around with me...you're a heartbreaker, dream maker, love taker don't you mess around--no, no, no!"  Guitars fuel the force, and the song itself is a virtual rock tidal wave.  As I was thinking about the song, I realized that the chorus is very clever and creative.  I wondered what it would be like to switch around parts of the words, since some were essentially "created" with word combinations..."heartbreaker, dream maker, love taker..."  If we sing "heart breaker, dream taker, love maker" it would get the same message across.  It would be awesome to hear Pat sing that variation, all the while pointing at you with super rock intensity.  Ms. Benatar...we concede to your greatness!!!!!!  So glad that you chose rock over opera, even though you have the powerhouse voice for both.  

Hope you enjoy Heartbreaker.  It is number 24 on the Amazon MP3 Player to the right.  Just for fun, I've also included two video versions of the song (one retro and one more recent --both are terrific!).