Men At Work Finale

Of course I couldn't conclude my Men At Work March Mondays without their biggest of hits... i love the beach dancing scenes as the boys sing about where they hail from... Colin and company with "Down Under"...




Down Under Lyrics
“Down Under”

Single by Men at Work
from the album Business as Usual
A-side Down Under
B-side Crazy
Released 1981
Format 7"
Genre Pop
Length 3:42
Label CBS
Writer(s) Colin Hay, Ron Strykert

US, UK, and Australia Peak position: #1

I'm Wearing Fur Pajamas

The quirky New York City band with their unique sense of humor and their strange lyrics... still love the John Goodman cameo in this video... from 1986, it's Talking Heads with "Wild Wild Life"...




Wild Wild Life Lyrics

“Wild Wild Life”

Single by Talking Heads
from the album True Stories
Released 1986
Genre Rock
Label Sire Records
Writer(s) David Byrne
Producer Andy Zax, Talking Heads

Won Best Group Video at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards

80's Movie Weekend

I never actually saw this movie. I'm not sure why. It just never came up I guess, but I remember the music well. Maybe I'll get around to watching it one day. Here, with a younger Tom Berenger, is the trailer to "Eddie And the Cruisers"...



Tender years...




Eddie and the Cruisers










Directed by Martin Davidson
Produced by Joseph Brooks
Robert K. Lifton
Written by P. F. Kluge (novel)
Martin Davidson
Arlene Davidson (screenplay)
Starring Tom Berenger
Michael Paré
Joe Pantoliano
Matthew Laurance
Helen Schneider
David Wilson
Michael "Tunes" Antunes
Ellen Barkin
Music by John Cafferty
Cinematography Fred Murphy
Editing by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Distributed by Embassy Pictures
Release date(s) September 23, 1983
Running time 95 minutes
Country USA
Language English
Followed by Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives


Looking back at this video below, I swear this guy was just trying to be Bruce Springsteen with his rough voice and his Springsteen-like expressions and movements... he even has a band with a black saxophone player! Now, I feel like I truly never knew this John Cafferty guy or his Beaver Brown Band... and what about this whole dark side thing they had going back in 1983? From the movie "Eddie and the Cruisers," here is "On the Dark Side"...




On The Dark Side Lyrics

"On The Dark Side"

by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
1983
from the film: Eddie and the Crusiers
US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #7

Come On, Baby. Where's Your Guts?

Oh-wee-oh-wee-oh, it's "Jungle Love"... Morris Day and the Time...

The Time - Jungle Love (morris Day)
Uploaded by coolfunk

Jungle Love Lyrics

Single by The Time
from the album Ice Cream Castle
B-side "Tricky" (Europe 12")
"Oh, Baby" (7")
Released 1984
Format 7" single
12" single
Recorded Sunset Sound, March 26-27 1983
Genre Rock, Funk
Length 7" edit: 3:24
Album/12": 5:33
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Jamie Starr, Morris Day, Jesse Johnson
Producer The Starr ★ Company

I've Been Living on the Edge

... the edge of a broken heart, that is... lots of hair, lots of leather, lots of make-up... no, it's not Poison or Cinderella, but actually four chicks who rocked a few songs in the late 80's... Vixen with "Edge of a Broken Heart"...




Edge Of A Broken Heart Lyrics

"Edge of a Broken Heart"
from the album: Vixen
1988

US Peak: #26
UK Peak: #51

What's A Scritti Politti?

Well, as far as I know they were an interesting band.

To fill you with a little knowledge, according to Wiki... The name Scritti Politti was chosen as a homage to the Italian Marxist theorist Antonio Gramsci: The name is generally understood to refer to Gramsci's political writings (although the correct spelling in Italian would have produced "Scritti Politici"). Green changed it to "Scritti Politti" as he thought it sounded more rock and roll, like "Tutti Frutti".

Now don't you feel more enlightened?

Here's Scritti Politti and a cool little ditty from 1985... "Perfect Way"...

SCRITTI POLITTI lyrics

"Perfect Way"

by Scritti Politti
from the album: Cupid & Psyche 85
released in June 1985
US Peak: #11

The Men At Work Madness Continues

It's our fourth Men At Work March Monday... it's truly March Madness baby! Here's a quirky song that was always one of my favorites... it should have been included in my October Halloween themed videos, but better late than never... "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive"...




Dr Heckyll And Mr Jive Lyrics

"Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive"
from the album: Cargo (1983)
US Pop peak: #28
US Rock charts: #12

And Another One Gone, And Another One Gone

One of the most recognizable bass lines in music history... here is the unmistakable voice of Freddie Mercury with that thumping bass line, and the rest of the gang known as Queen from 1980 with "Another One Bites the Dust"...




Another One Bites The Dust Lyrics

“Another One Bites the Dust”

Single by Queen
from the album The Game
Released 22 August 1980
Format vinyl record (7")
Recorded 1980
Genre Funk rock
Length 3:32
Label EMI, Elektra (US)
Writer(s) John Deacon
Producer Queen and Mack


US Billboard Peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

One of Eddie's best, "Beverly Hills Cop"... enjoy!



Beverly Hills Cop

Directed by Martin Brest
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer
Don Simpson
Written by Danilo Bach
Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Vincent Patrick
Starring Eddie Murphy
Judge Reinhold
John Ashton
Steven Berkoff
Editing by Billy Weber
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) December 5, 1984
Running time 105 min
Country United States
Language English
Budget US$15,000,000
Gross revenue $316,360,478 (worldwide)
Followed by Beverly Hills Cop II

A pretty decent soundtrack came about in conjunction with the film...
The soundtrack won a Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special (1986).


The Pointer Sisters with "Neutron Dance"...



Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #6
(couldn't find any embeddable lyrics)


Glen Frey with "The Heat Is On"...




The Heat Is On Lyrics


And finally, the instrumental track that rocked a nation... Harold Faltermeyer with "Axel F"



Chart Performance:
The Netherlands: #1
UK: #2
US: #3

I Was Working As a Waitress in a Cocktail Bar

Don't you want me... don't you want this video? I can't decide which one had the better make-up... judge for yourself. It's Human League with "Don't You Want Me?"




Don't You Want Me Lyrics

“Don't You Want Me”

Single by The Human League
from the album Dare
Released 1981
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1981
Genre Synthpop
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Philip Oakey
Jo Callis
Philip Adrian Wright
Producer Martin Rushent

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1

Word, Word, Word

Hammer, you ain't hitting in New York... so whatcha gon' do about that Hammer?

The song that started MC Hammer's meteoric rise into the commercial rap stratosphere hit the airwaves in the late 80's, and is still my personal Hammer favorite - "Turn This Mutha Out"




Turn This Mutha Out Lyrics

from the album: "Let's Get It Started"
1988

That's Just The Way It Goes

This guy helped me through high school french by teaching me the ever-important phrase... "C'Est la Vie" ... That's life! Thank you Robbie Nevil (look at him and tell me he couldn't be related to Kenny G)




C'est La Vie Lyrics

"C'Est la Vie"

by Robbie Nevil
1986
from his self-titled album

US Billboard Peak: #2
Hot Dance Singles peak: #1
UK Peak: #3
US R&B Singles: #7

As a side note, this guy has co-written some of the songs on the High School Musical Soundtrack as well as the theme song for Hannah Montana and some stuff for Hilary Duff

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We're in the middle of a Monday Men At Work March, so that will continue today, but with it being St. Patty's Day, I had to make this a double-header. Two groups that will probably never tour together. One from down under and the other one from Ireland. So, first up, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, we have U2 "With Or Without You"...

U2 With or Without You
Uploaded by Celtiemama

With Or Without You Lyrics

“With or Without You”

Single by U2
from the album The Joshua Tree
Released March 1987
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, cassette, CD
Recorded Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland 1986
Genre Rock
Length 4:56
Label Island
Producer Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1
UK Peak: #4


Now, from 1983, here is Men At Work and "Overkill"...




Overkill Lyrics

“Overkill”

Single by Men at Work
from the album Cargo
B-side "Till The Money Runs Out"
Released 1983
Format 7", 12"
Genre Pop
Length 3:47
Label Epic
Writer(s) Colin Hay

Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3

Everyday is Like Sunday

I was never a big Smiths fan or a Morrissey fan, but I did like this song when it was initially released and I knew a lot of girls that loved this guy. So, for all you 30 or 40 something year old females still with a soft spot in your heart for Morrissey, from his solo debut album, Viva Hate, here is "Everyday is Like Sunday"...




Everyday is Like Sunday Lyrics

“Everyday Is Like Sunday”

Single by Morrissey
from the album Viva Hate
Released May 31, 1988 (UK)
Format 7", 12", CD, cassette
Length 3:33
Label HMV (UK)

We Can Dance

Medevil times, dwarfs, funny costumes, funny song, and funny video from the group from Montreal - Men Without Hats and "The Safety Dance"...




Safety Dance Lyrics

“The Safety Dance”

Single by Men Without Hats
from the album Rhythm of Youth
B-side "Security"
Released 1982 (US)
1983 (UK)
Format 7"
12"
CD
Recorded 1982
Genre Pop
Length 2:41
Label Virgin

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3
UK Peak: #6

It's March Madness - 80's Movie Weekend

If you are a college basketball fan like me then you realize that March is the month of "Madness" for college hoops, and what better movie to get you in the mood then one of the best sports' movies of all-time... Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and that guy that nevered missed - Jimmy Chitwood... "Hoosiers"...

The regional finals motivational speech...



Just before the state championship game...



What's a matter with you guys!? What's a matter with you!? I'll make it...



Hoosiers













Directed by David Anspaugh
Produced by Carter DeHaven
Angelo Pizzo
Written by Angelo Pizzo
Starring Gene Hackman,
Barbara Hershey,
Dennis Hopper,
Sheb Wooley
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Distributed by Orion Pictures
Release date(s) November 14, 1986
Running time 115 min.
Language English

What Comes Around Goes Around

You know you've got a great music video when you have Milton Berle starring in it... Ratt and Roll, baby! "Round and Round"...




Round And Round Lyrics

“Round and Round”

Single by Ratt
from the album Out of the Cellar
Released 1984
Format Vinyl LP, Cassette, CD
Recorded 1984
Genre Glam metal
Length 4:22
Label Atlantic
Producer Beau Hill

80's Television - Valerie / The Hogan Family

Remember this? It started out as "Valerie" and then once Valerie Harper left the show and Sandy Duncan took over as the female lead, it became "The Hogan Family"... Jason Bateman as the wise-cracking big brother and the two little brothers (Willie the irresponsible one and Mark the brain) always getting in trouble, and who can forget that crazy Mrs. Poole...

Life is such a sweet insanity... The "Valerie" intro...



After star Valerie Harper left the show in a dispute, the show eventually became "The Hogan Family"... here's that intro...



A clip from one of the many great episodes...



The Hogan Family








Format Sitcom
Created by Charlie Hauck
Starring Valerie Harper (1986-1987) as Valerie Hogan
Sandy Duncan (1987-1991) as Sandy Hogan
Josh Taylor as Michael Hogan
Jason Bateman as David Hogan
Danny Ponce as Willie Hogan
Jeremy Licht as Mark Hogan
Edie McClurg as Patty Poole
Christine Ebersole (1986) as Barbara Goodwin
Judith Kahan (1986-1987) as Annie Steck
Tom Hodges as Rich
Steve Witting as Burt
Willard Scott as Peter Poole (1987-1989)
John Hillerman (1990-1991) as Lloyd Hogan
Angela Lee (1990-1991) as Brenda Walker
Josie Bissett as Cara (1990-1991)
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 6
No. of episodes 110

Look At Them Yo-Yo's

One of the most revolutionary and inovative videos of its' time, this video received tons of airplay on MTV while racking up a "Video of the Year" award... the UK's Dire Straits with "Money For Nothing"... (and your chicks for free)...




Money For Nothing Lyrics

“Money For Nothing”

Single by Dire Straits
from the album Brothers in Arms
B-side Love over Gold (live)
Released June 1985
Format 7"
Recorded December 1984
Genre Rock
Length 8:26 (full-length)
7:04 (vinyl LP edit)
4:38 (official single edit)
4:05 (promo single edit)
Label Vertigo (UK)
Warner Bros.(US)
Writer(s) Mark Knopfler, Sting
Producer Mark Knopfler, Neil Dorfsman

US Peak: #1
UK Peak: #4

Another March Men At Work Monday

Week 2 of our March Men At Work Monday and one of the funniest videos they did... still love this kid named Johnny... Be good, be good, be good, "Be Good Johnny"...




Be Good Johnny Lyrics

from the album: Business As Usual (1982)

80's Television - Cartoons!

Some of the best Saturday morning cartoon intros from the 80's... may they bring back those good memories of when you could only watch some things one day a week at one time...

Not ever one of my favorites, but word is that they are working on a full length movie... it's a Smurfy Saturday



The Smurfs (1981)

Format Comic book series
Animated television series
Created by Pierre Culliford aka Peyo
Country of origin Belgium (Comic books)
United States (Animated series)
No. of episodes 421 (List of episodes)
Production
Running time 22 minutes
Broadcast
Original run September 12, 1981 – December 2, 1989


And Captain Caaaaaavvvveeemannnn!



Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
Genre Animation
Created by Joe Ruby
Ken Spears
Directed by Charles A. Nichols
Voices of Mel Blanc
Laurel Page
Marilyn Schreffler
Vernee Watson
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 40
Production
Executive
producer(s) William Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Running time 10 minutes per episode
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run September 10, 1977 – June 21, 1980
(I can't believe this is mostly a 70's cartoon)


And PacMan the cartoon...



Pac-Man

The Pac Family
Format Animation
Starring Marty Ingels
Barbara Minkus
Russi Taylor
Chuck McCann
Barry Gordon
Neilson Ross
Susan Silo
Allan Lurie
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 28
Production
Executive
producer(s) William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Audio format stereo
Original run September 25, 1982 – September 1, 1984

80's Movie Weekend

Hasn't Scott Baio been around forever? Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi, Charles In Charge, Diagnosis Murder, Scott Baio is 45 and Single, Scott Baio is 46 and Pregnant, and who can ever forget this early 80's classic movie with future Charles In Charge castmate Willie Aames... that's right, here is a clip from the 1982 movie "Zapped!"



Zapped!

















Directed by Robert J. Rosenthal
Produced by Jeff Apple
Written by
Robert J. Rosenthal
Bruce Rubin

Starring
Scott Baio
Willie Aames
Robert Mandan
Scatman Crothers
Heather Thomas
Sue Ane Langdon
Roger Bowen
Eddie Deezen
Merritt Butrick
Music by
John M. Keane
Charles Fox
Tom Keane
Cinematography Daniel Pearl
Editing by Robert A. Ferretti
Distributed by Embassy Pictures
Release date(s) July 23, 1982
Running time 98 min
Country United States
Language English
Followed by Zapped Again!

Jenny, Jenny, Who Can I Turn To?

A true one-hit wonder with one of the catchiest tunes of the 80's and still a phone number that one would feel cursed to have I'm sure... Tommy Tutone with 867-5309 (Jenny)...




8675309 (jenny) Lyrics

“867-5309/Jenny”

Single by Tommy Tutone
from the album Tommy Tutone 2
B-side "Not Say Goodbye"
Released 1982
Format 7-inch vinyl
Recorded 1981
Genre Rock
Length 3:47
Label Columbia Records 02646
Writer(s) Alex Call
Jim Keller
Certification Gold (RIAA)

Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #4

Daddy Says She's Too Young (And You Should Listen To Your Daddy)

Whether you thought he was gay or hot, Kip Winger and his band Winger helped bring awareness to statutory rape in the 80's with this hit... "Seventeen"...

Winger - Seventeen
Uploaded by jpdc11

Seventeen Lyrics

“Seventeen”

Single by Winger
from the album Winger (album) & The Very Best of Winger
Released May 1989
Genre Glam metal/Hard rock
Length 04:04
Label Atlantic Records
Writer(s) Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Beau Hill

US Peak: #26
Producer Beau Hill

The Excellent 80's Goes Country

Even though this is not a country music video blog (mainly because country music videos didn't catch on until later), occasionally I'll hear a country song from the 80's that I liked, so here are a couple that I remember being huge hits...

First up, Alabama with "Mountain Music"...




Mountain Music Lyrics

“Mountain Music”

Single by Alabama
from the album Mountain Music
A-side "Mountain Music"
B-side "Never Be One"
Released February 19, 1982 (U.S.)
Format 7"
Recorded 1981
Genre Country
Length 3:39 (single edit)
4:08 (album version)
Label RCA Records 13019
Writer(s) Randy Owen
Producer Harold Shedd and Alabama

Hot Country Singles: #1


I love to hear the thunder and watch the lightening as it lights up the sky... Edddie Rabbitt with "I Love A Rainy Night"...




I Love A Rainy Night Lyrics

“I Love a Rainy Night”

Single by Eddie Rabbitt
from the album Horizon
Released 1980
Format 7"
Recorded 1980
Genre Country, pop
Length 3:08
Label Elektra Records 47066
Writer(s) Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens and David Malloy
Producer David Malloy
Certification Gold (RIAA)

Billboard Hot 100: #1
Hot Country Singles: #1
Adult Contemporary Chart: #1

It's a March Men At Work Monday

Or a "Three M'er" as I'm going to refer to it as. Every Monday in the month of March, The Excellent 80's will bring you one of the best videos from one of the best 80's bands from Down Under... Men At Work this Monday with "Who Can It Be Now?"




Who Can It Be Now? Lyrics

"Who Can It Be Now?"

from the album: Business As Usual
October 1982
US Peak Position: #1

Darkness Imprisoning Me

It's March One. So this video and song is still One of the coolest and One of my favorites... Metallica and "One"




One Lyrics

“One”

Single by Metallica
from the album ...And Justice for All
Released January 1989
Format CD single
Recorded January - May, 1988
Genre Thrash metal
Length 7:24
Label Elektra
Writer(s) James Hetfield
Lars Ulrich
Producer Metallica
Flemming Rasmussen