We Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight

In the Excellent 80's... ok, one of the most recognizable and most played songs ever... Kool and the Gang help you get your celebratory groove on as we approach a new year... "Celebration"...




Celebration Lyrics

"Celebration"

Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Celebrate!
Released 1980
Format 7" Vinyl Single
Genre Funk
Length 5:00
Label Mercury Records
Writer Robert Bell
Kool & the Gang

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

This is a classic, and don't abandon me because it was released in 1979. I just want to know one thing - can you dig it!?
Warriors... come out to plaaaay...


The trailer...



Come out to plaaaay...



And finally, one of the classic fight scenes...



The Warriors
(OK, so it was released in 1979. I say close enough!)

Directed by Walter Hill
Produced by Lawrence Gordon
Written by Sol Yurick (novel)
David Shaber
Walter Hill (screenplay)
Starring Michael Beck
James Remar
Dorsey Wright
Deborah Van Valkenburgh
David Patrick Kelly
Edward Sewer
Music by Barry De Vorzon
Joe Walsh
Cinematography Andrew Laszlo
Editing by David Holden
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) February 9, 1979
Running time 93 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $22,490,039

BONUS VIDEO...

What better song and video to go along with this post than Mrs. John McEnroe, Patty Smyth, and Scandal from 1984 with "The Warrior"

Bang! Bang! I am the warrior... nice outfits...

Scandal-The Warrior
Uploaded by adiis

The Warrior Lyrics

Released: 1984
from the album: "The Warrior"
US Peak: #7

I Took a Big Chance at the High School Dance

Rock and rap fused together in one of the biggest hits of the 80's that shot Run-DMC to mainstream superstardom and re-introduced Aerosmith to thousands of new fans...

Aerosmith & Run DMC - Walk this Way
Uploaded by krematoria

Walk This Way Lyrics

"Walk This Way"

Single by Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith
from the album Raising Hell
Released 1986
Genre Hard Rock
Rapcore
Length 5:11
Label Arista Records
Writer Steven Tyler, Joe Perry
Producer Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons

The first rap song to hit the Top 5 in The Billboard Hot 100.
This version of "Walk This Way" charted higher on the Hot 100 than the original version. It was also one of the first big rap singles in the UK, reaching a peak of #8 there.

Just Feed The World Already

Who can forget about this collaberation known as Band Aid... Boy George, Phil Collins, George Michael, Sting, Simon Le Bon, and the mega mullet sported by Bono as the group sings one of the sappiest Christmas songs of all-time... "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Merry Christmas everyone!




Do They Know It's Christmas Lyrics

"Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Single by Band Aid
Released November 29, 1984
Writer Bob Geldof (lyrics) and Midge Ure (music & lyrics)
Producer Midge Ure
UK Peak: #1 (never made #1 in the U.S.)

I Saw You Standin' There

Knockin' the ladies dead back in the 80's and still doing it today... the sweet, distinctive, seductive sound of Keith Sweat right here performing live at The Apollo with "I Want Her." Check out the keyboardist as he grooves along...




I Want Her Lyrics

"I Want Her"

Single by Keith Sweat
from the album Make It Last Forever
Released 1987
Format 12" single
Genre R&B
Length 5:59
Label Elektra
Writer Keith Sweat
Teddy Riley
Producer Keith Sweat
Teddy Riley

Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #5
Hot R&B / Hip Hop Singles Peak: #1
It also became the #1 single of 1988 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart.

Jingle Bell Time is a Swell Time

It's not Hall and Oates, but instead it is Oates and Hall this time as John Oates takes the lead in this gayest of gay Christmas videos... "Jingle Bell Rock"




Jingle Bell Rock Lyrics

Can You Hear Them?

One of the fabulous girl groups from the early 80's, here's The Go Go's with "Our Lips Are Sealed"...

The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed
Uploaded by trashfan

Our Lips Are Sealed Lyrics

"Our Lips Are Sealed"

Single by Go-Go's
from the album Beauty and the Beat
Released 1982
Genre New Wave, punk-pop
Length 2:44
Label IRS
Writer Jane Wiedlin, Terry Hall
Go-Go's singles chronology

Chart (1982) Peak position
UK Singles Chart 47
U.S. Billboard Club Play Singles 10
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock 15
U.S. Billboard Pop Singles 20

In the Name of Love

See. Look. I'm already adding more U2 on here.
No one had an 80's mullet like Bono. Here's the first video I remember seeing that got me acquainted with this little Irish band called U2...

U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Uploaded by huntylch

Pride (in The Name Of Love) Lyrics

from the album The Unforgettable Fire
Released September 1984
Genre Rock
Length 4:40
Label Island
Producer(s) Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois
Peak chart positions
#3 (UK Singles Chart)
#33 (US Billboard Hot 100)
#2 (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)

A U2 Christmas Dedication For You

All these posts and this is my first U2 video? I'm embarrassed and ashamed. My apologies to Bono and the crew and I will make a point to do better in 2008. Anyway, one of my favorite Christmas versions of this song. It is U2 and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"...

U2 (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home
Uploaded by Celtiemama

Christmas (baby, Please Come Home) Lyrics

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Recently named as inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I had to go with a double header today - Madonna and John Mellancamp here on the Excellent 80's...

Love the lion, hate the dude wearing the lion mask - kind of creepy... "Like A Virgin"...

Madonna - Like A Virgin (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Like A Virgin, Madonna (entertainer)

Like A Virgin Lyrics

Here's her MTV performance that had everyone talking back in the day... i had forgotten all about the big cake...


Madonna - Like A Virgin Live From The Mtv Video Mu… - MyVideo

"Like a Virgin"

from the album Like a Virgin
B-side "Stay"
Released November 6, 1984
Format 12" single
CD single
Genre Pop
Length 3:38 (Album Version)
3:11 (Edit Version) From "The Immaculate Collection"
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly
Producer Nile Rodgers
Certification Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales: #1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary: #29
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #9
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play: #1


I'm digging the chaps in this video, Johnny... that and the chicks in leather and chains... "Hurts So Good"...




Hurts So Good Lyrics

"Hurts So Good"

Single by John Cougar
from the album American Fool
B-side Close Enough
Released 1982
Format 45 record
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 3:37
Label Riva Records
Writer John Cougar, George M. Green
Producer John Cougar, Don Gehman

US Hot 100 Peak: #2

Have A Funky Funky Christmas

You just thought I was through torturing you with New Kids on the Blocks songs didn't you? Well, I found this little gem from the Arsenio Hall Show where four of the Kids break it down for all the 10 year olds in the audience. This is the first time I think I ever saw Danny (the rat-tailed one) do any solo of anykind. And, even Arsenio joins in at the end of this classic...




Funky, Funky, Xmas Lyrics

Merry, Merry Christmas

Studio album by New Kids on the Block
Released September 19, 1989 (U.S.)
Recorded 1989
Genre Pop/Holiday
Length 42:17
Label Columbia
Producer Maurice Starr

80's Movie Weekend - Trading Places

Eddie Murphy in one of his great 80's movies and Dan Ackroyd as the best drunk Santa ever! It's Trading Places...

Beat the sh** out of 10 cops!



One dollar...



The Dukes go down!



Trading Places

Directed by John Landis
Produced by George Folsey Jr.
Aaron Russo
Irwin Russo
Sam Williams
Written by Timothy Harris
Herschel Weingrod
Starring Dan Aykroyd
Eddie Murphy
Jamie Lee Curtis
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography Robert Paynter
Editing by Malcolm Campbell
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) June 8, 1983
Running time 118 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $28,000,000 (estimate)

Lock the Cashbox and Stop the Catbox

OK, here is a song you have to admit that you need the words to (unless you are a huge Clash fan). One of the finest and most overplayed songs by The Clash. Love the oil rig background and Joe Strummer's haircut... Everybody, Lock the Cashbox!... Rock the Casbah!

The Clash - Rocking the Casbah
Uploaded by PigLips

Rock The Casbah Lyrics

"Rock the Casbah"

Single by The Clash
from the album Combat Rock
B-side "Long Time Jerk"
Released June 11, 1982 (1982-06-11) (U.K.)
Format 7" & 12" vinyl, CD
Recorded 1982
Genre Punk funk
Length 3:43
Label CBS
Writer Topper Headon is said to have written the main piano riff, but he as well as the rest of the band are credited

You Might Think

Oh, to be a fly with a human head... one of the ugliest lead singers of the 80's...
don't try and tell me I'm wrong... you're shaking your head in agreement right now. Nonetheless, one of the Cars best - "You Might Think"




You Might Think Lyrics

"You Might Think" won the first MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year, the only VMA garnered by The Cars

"You Might Think"

Single by The Cars
from the album Heartbeat City
B-side "Heartbeat City" (U.S.)

Released March, 1984 (US)
November, 1984 (UK)

Format 7", 12", CD
Genre New Wave
Length 3:04
Label Elektra
Writer Ric Ocasek
Producer Mutt Lange, The Cars

US Peak: #7
Canada Peak: #8
UK Peak: #88

When the Bullet Hits the Bone

Sometimes we all feel like we are stepping into the Twilight Zone. Here is Golden Earring from 1982 - a video that was on MTV every 15 minutes from what I remember anyway...




Twilight Zone Lyrics

Twilight Zone (When The Bullet Hits The Bone)"

Single by Golden Earring
Released 1982
Format 45 RPM
Genre Hard rock
Length 7:48
Writer George Kooymans

You Gotta Fight!

For your right... to party! 1987 hit us with a little group that's still going strong today - The Beastie Boys. Here they are, whip cream pie fight and all, with their first big hit...

Beastie boys - You Gotta Fight For Your Right
Uploaded by krematoria

You Gotta Fight Lyrics

Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Licensed to Ill
Released 1987
Recorded Spring 1986
Genre Punk rock, Rapcore
Length 3:29
Label Def Jam/Columbia
Producer(s) Rick Rubin
Peak chart positions
#7 (US Billboard Hot 100)
#11 (UK Singles Chart)

80's Television

No sign of the Hof being drunk and laying on the floor in either of these intros to his hit TV show, Knight Rider, which I understand is being made into a full length movie...


The intro from season one...



The intro from season two...




Knight Rider

Format Action/Drama
Created by Glen A. Larson
Starring David Hasselhoff
voice of KITT: William Daniels (uncredited)
Edward Mulhare
Patricia McPherson
(Season 1, 3-4)
Rebecca Holden
(Season 2 only)
Peter Parros
(Season 4 only)
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 90
Production
Running time 48 minutes per episode
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Original run September 26, 1982 – August 8, 1986
External links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary
Knight Rider was a popular American television series that ran between September 26, 1982, and August 8, 1986.

The series was broadcast on NBC and starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a kind of modern-day "knight" who drove an advanced smart car with artificial intelligence. Conceived and produced by Glen A. Larson, the show was an instant hit and inspired a sub-genre of high-tech crimefighter series. "I wanted to do The Lone Ranger with a car", Larson said in The Last Great Ride. "Kind of a sci-fi thing, with the soul of a western."

I'm Coolin' and Chillin' Just Like a Snowman

My all-time favorite Christmas rap... Run DMC and Jam Master Jay with "Christmas in Hollis..."

Run-D.M.C. - New Music - More Music Videos

Christmas In Hollis Lyrics

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out! - 80's Movie Weekend

No one ever gets to see this movie around Christmas, so here is the original trailer and one of the clips from the movie so that you can get your Ralphie fill this Christmas season...

The original trailer...



I like Santa. I like the Wizard of Oz. I like the Tin Man...




A Christmas Story

Directed by Bob Clark
Produced by Bob Clark
René Dupont
Gary Goch
Written by Jean Shepherd
Leigh Brown
Bob Clark
Narrated by Jean Shepherd
Starring Peter Billingsley
Melinda Dillon
Darren McGavin
Ian Petrella
Zack Ward
Tedde Moore
Music by Paul Zaza
Carl Zittrer
Cinematography Reginald H. Morris
Editing by Stan Cole
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (theatrical)
Warner Bros./Turner Entertainment
Release date(s) November 18, 1983
Running time 94 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget USD $4,000,000 (estimated)
Followed by My Summer Story

Under the Milky Way Tonight

Don't know a lot of their music, but this one is a personal favorite indeed. It's the Austrailian band, The Church with "Under the Milky Way"




Under The Milky Way Lyrics

The song spent several weeks in the US Top 40 beginning in May of 1988

Jam On It

Remember Newcleus? Me neither. Well, very vaguely. But, I do remember this song. So clear some space on your living room floor and loosen up with "Jam On It"...



You can go here for the lyrics if you want them.

Some Wham For Christmas

It's holiday season, and what's Christmas without the soulful stylings of George & Andrew? Here is the duo known as Wham! with "Last Christmas"

Wham - Last Christmas
Uploaded by hushhush112

Last Christmas Lyrics

1984 (UK) December "Last Christmas"
UK Peak: #2

Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! - 80's Movie Weekend

Their time has come... Anthony Edwards, John Goodman, Timothy Busfield, Ted McGinley, and Booger! Revenge of the Nerds...



You gotta love Poindexter on the electic violin...



Revenge of the Nerds

Directed by Jeff Kanew
Produced by Ted Field
Peter Samuelson
Written by Jeff Buhai
Tim Metcalfe
Starring Robert Carradine
Anthony Edwards
Timothy Busfield
Curtis Armstrong
Ted McGinley
Bernie Casey
John Goodman
Music by Thomas Newman
Cinematography King Baggot
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) July 20, 1984
Running time 90 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $8,000,000 (estimated)
Gross revenue $40,900,000 (USA) (sub-total)
Followed by Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise