Directed by Dennis Hopper Produced by Robert H. Solo Paul Lewis Written by Richard Di Lello Michael Schiffer Starring Sean Penn Robert Duvall Maria Conchita Alonso Grand L. Bush Music by Herbie Hancock Cinematography Haskell Wexler Distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation Release date(s) April 15, 1988 Running time 120 min. Country United States Language English/Spanish
What the hell? Yes, you too can be asking yourself this very important question after today's featured video. It's a little known band called Zot with a little known song called "Uranium." I don't remember this band. I don't remember this video or this song. It has to be one of the most unintentional funny videos I have watched in a while though. Needless to say this was the first time I ever watched this video, and will probably be the last. But hey, my apologies if you are a Zot fan. If you choose to watch it over and over again, then more power to you...
song and video released: 1985 (sorry, no cool scrolling lyrics for you this time)
and here's the hilarious MTV interview of Zot by VJ Mark Goodman...
Song by John Fogerty Album Centerfield Released January 15, 1985 Recorded 1984 Genre Rock Length 3:34 Label Warner Bros. Writer John Fogerty Producer John Fogerty
Single by Cyndi Lauper from the album She's So Unusual Released 1984 Format Vinyl (12") Vinyl (7") 3" CD Recorded 1983 Genre Pop Length 3:38 Label Epic Records Writer Cyndi Lauper, Stephen Broughton Lunt, Gary Corbett, Rick Chertoff Producer Rick Chertoff Certification Gold (US)
Chart (1984) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 3 U.S. Hot Dance/Club Play 10 UK Singles Chart 46
That's right! It's finally their turn to rock the mic... don't tell me that you weren't down with J.J. Fad in 1988! I won't believe you! Well, maybe I will... here they are for their 15 minutes of fame... make that 3 1/2 minutes of fame with "Supersonic"...
Studio album by J. J. Fad Released 1988 Recorded 1986 – 1988 Genre Hip-hop Pop-rap Electro Length 32:34 Label Ruthless Records Producer Dr. Dre DJ Yella Eazy-E
Not so much on the movie highlights, but one of the most underrated bands, I think anyway, here is .38 Special with the title track to the 80's movie "Teachers" with "Teacher, Teacher"
Directed by Arthur Hiller Produced by Aaron Russo Written by W.R. McKinney Starring Nick Nolte JoBeth Williams Ralph Macchio Judd Hirsch Richard Mulligan Morgan Freeman Laura Dern Crispin Glover Music by Bryan Adams Ian Hunter Freddie Mercury Bob Seger The Motels .38 Special Cinematography David M. Walsh Editing by Don Zimmerman Distributed by United Artists Release date(s) October 5, 1984 (USA) Running time 106 min. Country United States Language English
Arguably the greatest sitcom of all time... Where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came...
Here's Woody playing his awesome, awesome song... I couldn't find the lyrics anywhere though...
Rapping Sam Malone...
Norm!
Cliffy on "Jeopardy!"...
Cheers
Format Sitcom Created by James Burrows Glen Charles Les Charles Starring Ted Danson Shelley Long Kirstie Alley Nicholas Colasanto Rhea Perlman John Ratzenberger Woody Harrelson Kelsey Grammer Bebe Neuwirth George Wendt Opening theme "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy Country of origin United States No. of seasons 11 No. of episodes 269 (+2 specials) (List of episodes) Production Running time 24 minutes Broadcast Original channel NBC Original run September 30, 1982 – May 20, 1993
Remember the awkward interview with Mark Goodman on MTV. One of the weirdest bands of the 80's and their only true memorable hit, but what a hit it was... occasionally I like to walk around with a flashlight on my shoulder... here is Frankie Goes To Hollywood with "Relax"...
Single by Frankie Goes to Hollywood from the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome B-side "One September Monday", "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" Released October 24, 1983 (1983-10-24)
Format 7", 12", MC Recorded 1983 Genre Dance Label ZTT Writer(s) Gill, Johnson, Nash, O'Toole Producer Trevor Horn
Single by Genesis from the album Invisible Touch Released October 1986 (1986-10) November 1986 (1986-11) Format US: 7", UK: 7", 12" Recorded The Farm, Surrey; 1985 – 1986 Genre Rock Length 4:45 Label Atlantic Virgin - GENS 3 Writer(s) Music: Genesis Lyrics: Mike Rutherford Producer Genesis Hugh Padgham
Chart (1986/87) Peak position U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #11 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #4 UK Singles Chart #14
The Boss making his debut in The Excellent 80's blog... just remember that you can't start a fire without a spark... this gun's for hire... it's "Dancing In the Dark" featuring a young Courtney Cox... here's BRUUUUUUCCCCEEE!
Single by Bruce Springsteen from the album Born in the U.S.A. B-side "Pink Cadillac" Released May 4, 1984 Format 7" single, 12" single Recorded March 1984 Genre Rock Length 3:59 Label Columbia Records Writer Bruce Springsteen Producer Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Bruce Springsteen
Everyone's favorite adventurous kids including young Sean Astin and a young Corey Feldman... from the summer of 1985... Steven Speilberg's "The Goonies"...
Chunk confesses...
The Goonies
Directed by Richard Donner Produced by Harvey Bernhard Richard Donner Written by Steven Spielberg (story) Chris Columbus (screenplay) Starring Sean Astin Josh Brolin Jeff Cohen Robert Davi Corey Feldman Kerri Green John Matuszak Joe Pantoliano Martha Plimpton Jonathan Ke Quan Anne Ramsey
Music by Dave Grusin (orchestration) Editing by Michael Kahn Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date(s) June 7, 1985 Running time 114 min. Country United States Language English Budget US$19,000,000
A little triple-header on this Valentine's Day for ya...
When you love someone, you're always insecure... take William Joel's advice and "Tell Her About It" right now, today!... (love the Rodney Dangerfield cameo!)
Single by Billy Joel
from the album An Innocent Man
Released 1983
Format 7" vinyl
Genre Pop/Rock
Length 3:52
Label Columbia
Writer Billy Joel
Producer Phil Ramone
Certification Gold
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1
Needing a second chance with a ex or soon to be ex? Swallow your pride, man, and do what this singer is doing! Love this 80's hit from the little known English band Marillion... "Kayleigh"...
Single by Marillion
from the album Misplaced Childhood
Released May 7, 1985 (UK)
Format Vinyl record (7" and 12")
Recorded Hansa Ton Studios, Berlin, March - May 1985
Genre Progressive Rock
Length 3:33 (7")
Label EMI
Producer Chris Kimsey/Wonderknob
UK Peak: #2
US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #74
And for those of you that need a little hair metal ballad on the V-Day, here ya go... I don't need to be the king of the world, as long as I'm the hero of this little girl... Warrant and "Heaven"...
Ahh... nothing says sweet syrupy love like Peter Cetera's voice... the band Chicago helps you kick in those Valentine's vibes even more today with "You're The Inspiration"...
Single by Chicago from the album Chicago 17 B-side "Once In a Lifetime" Released November 1984 Format 7" Genre Rock Length 3:49 Label Full Moon/Warner Bros. Writer Peter Cetera, David Foster Producer David Foster
US Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3 US Adult Contemporary peak: #1
the little boys from Boston have grown up some as this marks the first big hit post-Bobby Brown... with the new addition of Johnny Gill, here is New Edition with "If It Isn't Love"...
Single by New Edition from the album Heart Break Released July 1988 Format Cassette single, CD single, Vinyl single Recorded 1987–1988 Genre R&B/Pop Length 5.09 Label MCA Writer James Harris, Terry Lewis Producer Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Valentine's Day is just days away and when I think of slow sappy love songs from the 80's, this next one always makes my short list... all the slo-mo camera work and that gospel choir coming in at the end to really blow it out, here is the great 80's band Foreigner and "I Want To Know What Love Is"...
Single by Foreigner from the album Agent Provocateur Released November/December 1984 Genre Power ballad Length 05:05 Label Atlantic Records Writer Mick Jones Producer Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin Certification Gold (RIAA)
Chart Peak Position U.S. Billboard Hot 100: 1 U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks: 1 UK Singles Chart: 1 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary: 3 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: 85
this video is kind of grainy, but this video and song takes me back and reminds me of a good friend of mine who played this song on a loop for days on end... Soul II Soul and "Back To Life"...
Single by Soul II Soul from the album Club Classics Vol. I Released June 17, 1989 Format 7" single 12" maxi single Cassette CD single Genre R&B, Dance Length 3:52 Label Virgin Writer Jazzie B Caron Wheeler Nellee Hooper Law Producer Jazzie B Nellee Hooper
Chart (1989) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 4 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 1 U.S. Billboard Dance Club Play 1 U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 3 UK Singles Chart 1
Still one of the best movies ever... why is everything so "heavy?"... it's Doc Brown and Marty Mcfly in Michael J. Fox's best movie ever - "Back To The Future"...
It's time for Marty to go back to the future!
Of course, what would this post be without the hit song by Huey Lewis and the News... "The Power of Love"...
French 7-inch single cover. Single by Huey Lewis & the News from the album Back to the Future Soundtrack Released 1985 Format 7-Inch Genre Rock Length 3:59 Label Chrysalis Records Writer Chris Hayes, Huey Lewis
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Back to the Future
Back to the Future film poster Directed by Robert Zemeckis Produced by Bob Gale Steven Spielberg Neil Canton Kathleen Kennedy Frank Marshall Johnny Colla (uncredited) Written by Robert Zemeckis Bob Gale Starring Michael J. Fox Christopher Lloyd Lea Thompson Crispin Glover Thomas F. Wilson Music by Alan Silvestri Cinematography Dean Cundey Editing by Harry Keramidas Arthur Schmidt Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) July 3, 1985 Running time 116 min. Country United States Language English Budget US$19,000,000 Gross revenue US$381,109,762 (worldwide) Followed by Back to the Future Part II
Attention all you snake-dancing Axl wannebes, it's GNR making their first appearance on The Excellent 80's, and I'm sure they are just thrilled... everybody now, Whoooa... "Sweet Child o' Mine"...
Single by Guns N' Roses from the album Appetite for Destruction Released 1988 Format Vinyl single (7", 12") Cassette CD Recorded 1987 Genre Hard rock Length 5:56 Label Geffen Writer Axl Rose Slash Izzy Stradlin Duff McKagan Steven Adler Producer Mike Clink
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
And, in case you've never seen the 80's hair band tribute band called Metal Skool, you can check out their version of the G&R version from above with a little extra bonus of Tony Romo and a wasted Jessica Simpson "helping" out (note: there is some r-rated language)...
In celebration of an album that made Michael Jackson the king of pop, a lot of today's artists have collaberated and re-done some of the original songs and you can check them out here. I'm throwing out a little love for MJ today... They told him don't you ever come around here... with Eddie Van Halen on guitar, it's "Beat It"...
Single by Michael Jackson from the album Thriller Released March 1983 Recorded 1982 Genre Hard rock Pop Rock Length 4:16 Label Epic Records Writer Michael Jackson Producer Quincy Jones
Gotta get some Lionel here in the Excellent 80's... One of the sappiest love songs of the 80's, but a guilty pleasure for many... don't deny it... what drama! what acting! it's Mr. Reynolds and "Hello"...
Single by Lionel Richie from the album Can't Slow Down B-side You Mean More To Me Released 1984 Genre Pop Length 4:07 Label Motown Writer Lionel Richie Producer Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
It's the song and video that made Billy Ocean a rich man and a household name... puppet band members way before N'Sync ever decided to do it... here is "Caribbean Queen"...
Single by Billy Ocean from the album Suddenly Released 1984 Genre R&B Length 7:55 Label Jive Writer Billy Ocean Robert John "Mutt" Lange Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange Certification Gold
I'll lay down my jacket so you can walk over a puddle... the first slow rap jam that crossed over to the mainstream... I can still go word for word with this rap... thank you, LL for this romantic very fitting February jam... "I Need Love"...
Single by LL Cool J from the album Bigger and Deffer Released Fall 1987 Format 12" vinyl Recorded 1987 Genre Hip hop Length 5:23 Label Def Jam Writer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse Producer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse
#1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts Billboard Hot 100 charts peak: #14. The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987.
This year's Super Bowl halftime performer has been making ago of it for a long time... one strange video for its' time... "Don't Come Around Here No More"...
It's officially February... the month of love... and so, you all will get some romantic songs and movies of the 80's leading up to Valentine's Day...
Here's the romantic wraslin' movie with Matthew Modine called "Vision Quest"... here's the wall climb scene with John Waite's singing in the background... pumps me up everytime...
Six minutes with Shute and a little bonus Journey music to wrap it up...
From the "Vision Quest" soundtrack, it's Madonna and the romantic ballad "Crazy For You"...
Single by Madonna from the album Vision Quest Motion Picture Soundtrack B-side "No More Words" (performed by Berlin) "Gambler" (Japan) 1991 Release: "Keep It Together" (Remix) "Into the Groove" (Shep Pettibone Remix) Released March 2, 1985 June 5, 1985 (UK/Japan) February 24, 1991 (UK re-release) Format 12" Maxi Single, 7" Single Shaped Picture Disc, CD Single, Cassette Single Genre Ballad Label Geffen, Warner Bros., CBS (1985) Sire, Warner Bros. (1991 Re-issue) Writer John Bettis (lyricist) Jon Lind (composer) Producer John "Jellybean" Benitez Certification Gold (UK, U.S.)
Chart (1985) Peak Position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales 2 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 2 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 80 United Kingdom 2
Vision Quest
Directed by Harold Becker Produced by Jon Peters Peter Guber Written by Terry Davis (novel) Darryl Ponicsan Starring Matthew Modine Linda Fiorentino Michael Schoeffling Ronny Cox Harold Sylvester Daphne Zuniga Music by Tangerine Dream Cinematography Owen Roizman Editing by Maury Winetrobe Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Release date(s) February 15, 1985 Running time 105 min. Country Language English Gross revenue $12,993,175
If you grew up during the 80's and still have a soft spot in your heart for mullets, leg warmers, Pacman, and you still remember who you had a crush on whenever you hear REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling," then I hope you get some enjoyment here as we blast through the world of music videos, tv shows, sports, cartoons, and movie clips from the 1980's.
