Thriller Night

Seriously, what other song/video can even touch MJ on this day?... the 13 minute masterpiece from John Landis... Happy Halloween all!... here is "Thriller"....

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Uploaded by hushhush112

Lyrics | Thriller lyrics

Michael Jackson's Thriller

Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Directed by John Landis
Produced by George Folsey Jr.
Written by John Landis
Michael Jackson
Starring Michael Jackson
Ola Ray
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Epic Records Productions
Release date(s) December 2, 1983
Running time 13:43
Language English
Budget $ 500,000[1]
Sales:
1 million units

Garfield's Halloween Adventure

Tomorrow is candy day of course and here is the whole "Garfield's Halloween Adventure" for your viewing pleasure if you just need some time to kill today... of course, "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is probably the most famous cartoon about Halloween, but it came out in the 1960s... so, from 1985, here is "Garfield's Halloween Adventure"...

part 1...



part 2...



part 3...

A Man Walks Down The Street

Chevy Chase looks like a giant, but then again anyone standing next to Paul Simon surely feels that way... here is the modest 1986-87 hit for Paul Simon with Chevy Chase lip-syncing his way through it all with some unbelievable choreography in "You Can Call Me Al"...




Lyrics | You Can Call Me Al lyrics

“You Can Call Me Al”

Single by Paul Simon
from the album Graceland
Released October, 1986
Format 7" single
Recorded 1986
Genre Pop
Length 4:40
Label Warner Bros. Records
Producer Paul Simon

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #23
UK Peak: #4

When I'm Out Walking, I Strut My Stuff. Man, I'm So Strung Out

This classic from 1982 gained some real popularity when it was featured in the movie "Grosse Pointe Blank" in 1997... so today, we bring you two different videos from the Milwaukee group called Violent Femmes and "Blister In the Sun"...

first up, is the video associated with the movie "Grosse Pointe Blank"...



here is a live version of the song...




Lyrics | Blister In The Sun lyrics

“Blister in the Sun”

Single by Violent Femmes
from the album Violent Femmes
Released 1982
Format CD, Vinyl, Cassette
Recorded July 1982 at Castle Studios in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Genre Alternative rock
Length 2:24
Label Slash Records
Writer(s) Gordon Gano
Producer Mark Van Hecke

I Got You - That's All I Want

Today's video is a long forgotten hit from the band Split Enz... formed in 1971, the band achieved a little success, but the members went on to form other bands after their breakup in 1984 including the band Crowded House... so enjoy their biggest hit from 1980, it's "I Got You"...




Lyrics | I Got You lyrics

“I Got You”

Single by Split Enz
from the album True Colours
B-side "Double Happy"
Released 21 January 1980
Format 12" vinyl
Recorded Armstrongs, Melbourne, 1979
Genre Pop/Rock/New Wave
Length 3:24
Label Mushroom Records
Writer(s) Neil Finn
Producer David Tickle

New Zealand Peak: #1
Australia Peak: #1
US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #53
UK Peak: #12

80's Movie Weekend - They're Here

With Halloween coming up, I thought it fitting to make this an 80's movie weekend featuring one spooky movie from 1982... Steven Speilberg directed this flick most famous for the little blond haired girl kneeling at the television set and saying those famous words... "they're here..." featuring Craig T. Nelson, here is "Poltergeist"...

the trailer...



one of the reasons people are scared of clowns...




Poltergeist

Directed by Tobe Hooper
Produced by Frank Marshall
Steven Spielberg
Written by Steven Spielberg
Michael Grais
Mark Victor
Starring Craig T. Nelson
JoBeth Williams
Beatrice Straight
Dominique Dunne
Oliver Robins
Heather O'Rourke
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography Matthew F. Leonetti, ASC
Editing by Michael Kahn
Steven Spielberg
Distributed by MGM/UA Entertainment Company/Warner Bros
Release date(s) June 4, 1982
August 5, 1982
September 16, 1982
Running time 114 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $10,700,000 (estimated)
Followed by Poltergeist II: The Other Side

What Do You Mean I Hurt Your Feelings?

I didn't know you had any feelings! Today's featured video received some heavy rotation on MTV's Headbanger's Ball back in 1986... it's a little classic thrash metal for you today with the one and only Megadeth led by Dave Mustaine and "Peace Sells"...




Lyrics | Peace Sells lyrics

“Peace Sells”

Song by Megadeth
Album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
Released November 1986
Recorded 1986
Genre Thrash metal
Length 4:02
Label Combat
Writer Dave Mustaine
Producer Dave Mustaine and Randy Burns

What's A Matter You? Hey!

From 1980, it's the comedy singing of Mr. Joe Dulce... born in Ohio, but of Italian descent, here is Joe with "Shaddap You Face"...




Lyrics | Shaddap You Face lyrics

“Shaddap You Face”

Single by Joe Dolce Music Theatre
B-side "Ain't in No Hurry"
Released 1980
Format 7"
Recorded 1980
Genre New Wave
Writer(s) Joe Dolce

October means World Series time in baseball, and 20 years ago we saw the L.A. Dodgers take down the juiced up Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and the heavily favored Oakland A's

You had Nancy Reagan in the midst of the "Just Say No!" campaign and throwing out a wicked fastball for the 1st pitch...



One of pop's biggest superstars sang the National Anthem prior to Game 1 with Tommy Lasorda, Jose Canseco, and all of America looking on... here was America's sweetheart Debbie Gibson...



love the statement at the end about having Debbie Gibson, but the Dodgers needing Kirk Gibson, because we all know what happened later that night as the Oakland A's were leading and looking to close out Game 1...

Suckers Walk! Money Talks!

Before he took over lead vocals for the little known rock band called Van Halen, this red haired rocker was enjoying some solo success all on his own... one of my favorites today in The Excellent 80's, here is Sammy Hagar, aka "The Red Rocker" with his sweet afro perm and, everybody now - one, two, "Three Lock Box"...




Lyrics | Three Lock Box lyrics

"Three Lock Box"

by Sammy Hagar
from the album: Three Lock Box
released: 1982

Back and on Black Ice

Today, AC/DC releases their first studio album in eight years. "Black Ice" will be their 15th album, and in honor of the band that has given us great rock anthems like "You Shook Me All Night Long", from 1981, the song written for deceased AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott, here is (then new) lead singer Brian Johnson, and school boy Angus Young on guitar and the rest of AC/DC with "Back In Black"...

AC/DC - Back In Black
Uploaded by hushhush112

Lyrics | Back In Black lyrics

“Back in Black”

Single by AC/DC
from the album Back in Black
Released 1981
Format 7"
Recorded Spring, 1980 at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock, Rock and Roll
Length 4:15
Label Atlantic Records
Producer Mutt Lange

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #35

80s Movie Weekend

I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam... Robin Williams in his first major movie... it is a movie that I still need subtitles to understand because of the speech impediment or whatever it is that "Popeye" the sailor man has... grab your favorite can of spinach and enjoy...



Popeye beats the crap out of some poor octopus..



Popeye

Directed by Robert Altman
Produced by Robert Evans
Written by Jules Feiffer
E.C. Segar (comic strip)
Starring Robin Williams
Shelley Duvall
Linda Hunt
Paul L. Smith
Paul Dooley
Music by Harry Nilsson
Tom Pierson (additional music)
Cinematography Giuseppe Rotunno
Editing by John W. Holmes
David A. Simmons
Distributed by - USA -
Paramount Pictures
- non-USA -
Walt Disney Productions
Release date(s) December 12, 1980
Running time 114 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $20,000,000 (estimated)

I Will Be Your Shadow When You Walk Away

John Waite had enjoyed success as the frontman of The Babys and also as a solo artist and then once again with his former Babys' members and a couple of strays from a little known band known as Journey... together they formed Bad English in 1988... John Waite's all white suit is sweet and Journey's Neil Schon wailing away in the rain really stick out to me in this video... "Forget Me Not"...

bad english "forget me not"
Uploaded by miklo

Lyrics | Forget Me Not lyrics

"Forget Me Not"

by Bad English
from the album: Bad English
US Hot 100 Peak: #45

Don't Hang Yourself With a Celibate Rope

Today's video is tale for all the fellas try to do what those ladies tell us... yes, it is the man born Marvin Young, aka "Young MC" with his 1989 hit "Bust a Move"...

Young MC - Bust A Move
Uploaded by hushhush112

Lyrics | Bust A Move lyrics

“Bust a Move”

Cover from the Fourth & Broadway 12" release
Single by Young MC
from the album Stone Cold Rhymin'
B-side "Got More Rhymes," "The Fastest Rhyme-My Name Is Young"
Released 1989
Format 12-inch vinyl, 7-inch vinyl, Cassette, Compact disc
Recorded 1989
Genre Rap
Length 4:20
Label Fourth & Broadway, Delicious Vinyl, Island Records, BMG Ariola
Writer(s) Marvin Young, Matt Dike, Michael Ross
Producer Matt Dike, Michael Ross

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #7

Scary Orange Hair Alert!

First working together in the mid-70's, today's Excellent 80's brings you the British musical duo, officially formed in 1980 by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart... better known as Eurythmics, here is Annie Lennox and her scary orange hair frightening the cows in 1983 with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"...

Eurythmics-Sweet Dreams
Uploaded by adiis

Lyrics | Sweet Dreams lyrics

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”

Single by Eurythmics
from the album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Released February 1983
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave
Synthpop
Length 3:35 (7" Single)
4:48 (12" Single)
Label RCA
Producer David A. Stewart

Chart (1983) Peak position
UK #2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1
U.S. Hot Dance Club Play #2

Oh Yeah, I

Summer may be over, but it's never truly over if you let this corny video infiltrate your brain... a seldom remembered classic from a seldom remembered band back in 1985... they were originally known as Yesterday & Today, but shortened it to Y&T... there's nothing quite so unintentionally funny than a hard rock band trying to dress and fit in at the beach... check out Turbo and "Summertime Girls"...




Lyrics | Summertime Girls lyrics

"Summertime Girls"

single by Y&T
from the album: Down For the Count
released: 1985

This Indecision's Bugging Me

They've been in The Excellent 80s before with "Rock The Casbah", and they are back with another big hit of theirs... it's the English punk band formed all the way back in 1976 - The Clash with spanish backing vocals and "Should I Stay or Should I Go"...

Clash - Sould i stay or Should i go
Uploaded by bebepanda

Lyrics | Should I Stay Or Should I Go lyrics


“Should I Stay or Should I Go”

Single by The Clash
from the album Combat Rock
B-side "Inoculated City"
Released June 10, 1982 (1982-06-10)
Format 7" single, cassette tape
Genre Punk rock, pop punk
Length 3:06
Label Epic 14-03006
Writer(s) The Clash
Producer The Clash

Chart Peak position Date
UK Singles Chart #17 1982
Irish Singles Chart #16 Oct 1982
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #45 1982

You May Be My Lucky Star

The usual 80's movie weekend is skipping this weekend.
Instead, a happy birthday today to one of MTV's original fab five - Mark Goodman. In honor of the perm that rocked MTV many years ago, here is an awkward interview he had with Madonna in some sort of diner booth setup...



and because there was always this weird chemistry between the two, here you go Mark, Madonna in The Excellent 80's today with that world famous belly button! It's "Lucky Star"...

Madonna - Lucky Star '84
Uploaded by bebepanda

Lyrics | Lucky Star lyrics

“Lucky Star”

Single by Madonna
from the album Madonna
B-side "I Know It"
"Everybody" (Japan)
Released September 1983 (UK)
August 8, 1984 (Worldwide)
August 25, 1984 (Japan)
Format Vinyl (12")
CD Single
Vinyl (7")
Recorded 1983
Genre Dance, Pop/R&B
Length 5:33
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Madonna
Producer Reggie Lucas

Chart (1984) Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay #3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales 6
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #19
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks #42
Australia #36
Canada #16
Ireland #19
Rep. of South Africa (re-released May '86) #4
United Kingdom #14

She's Always Talking When She Should Be Listening

How did you know, cause I never told... you found out... from 1985, here is the Wolfgramm family band from Minneapolis, better known The Jets with one of their five top 10 billboard hits - "Crush on You"




Lyrics | Crush On You lyrics

“Crush On You”

Single by The Jets
from the album The Jets
B-side "Right Before My Eyes"
Released 1985
Format 7" single, 12" maxi single
Genre R&B, pop, adult contemporary
Label MCA

Chart (1985) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay #4
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks #4
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales #21
UK Singles Chart #5

Baby, Don't Understand

Today, it's the group that wasn't satisfied with one "Mister", so instead they went with two and thus came the result Mr. Mister and their first big hit - with the cool convertible T-Bird, and the "artistic" black and white look, it's "Broken Wings"...




Lyrics | Broken Wings lyrics

“Broken Wings”

Single by Mr. Mister
from the album Welcome to the Real World
Released November 1985
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1984
Genre Rock/Power ballad
Length 5:42
Label RCA Records
Writer(s) R. Page/S. George/J. Lang
Producer Mr. Mister & Paul DeVilliers

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1

Don't Drink Don't Smoke

What do you do? Feel free to answer that question at your own discretion as The Excellent 80's debuts the English musician today born Stuart Leslie Goddard, better known as Adam Ant with "Goody Two Shoes"...

Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Goody Two Shoes lyrics

“Goody Two-Shoes”

Single by Adam Ant
from the album Friend or Foe
B-side "Red Scab"
Released 1982
Format CD, 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave
Length 3:28
Label CBS
Writer(s) Adam Ant, Marco Pirroni
Producer Adam Ant, Marco Pirroni, Chris Hughes

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2
UK Peak: #1

I'll Be Looking For Eight When They Pull That Gate

Occasionally from time to time, I'll bust you off a country video just to keep you guessing... so today, The Excellent 80's goes country again with my all time favorite George Strait song... argue if you will about "The Chair" or "All My Ex's Live in Texas" or "Check Yes or No", but for my money give me this song that actually only reached #4 on the country charts back in 1982 - actually written and recorded in 1973 by Terry Stafford, many still consider this a George Strait song - here is "Amarillo By Morning"...

George Strait - Amarillo by morning
Uploaded by Coyote63000

Lyrics | Amarillo By Morning lyrics

"Amarillo By Morning"

by George Strait
from the album: "Strait From the Heart"
released: 1982

Country Charts Peak: #4

And Do You Feel Scared?

I do... especially after seeing this hair again. I had forgotten how horribly wrong Howard Jones' hair was back in the 80's... but, you know, I can overlook it because he wore one of the sweetest suits ever... here is Howard, some Charlie Chaplin look alike, and that sweet all-orange suit in the video "Things Can Only Get Better"...

Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Things Can Only Get Better lyrics

"Things Can Only Get Better"

single by Howard Jones
from the album "Dream Into Action"
released: 1985

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #5
UK Peak: #6

80s Movie Weekend

This weekend's movie is the classic from the late John Candy featuring Maculay Culkin when he was still a cute kid... that's right, from 1989, here's "Uncle Buck"



the VHS trailer...



I'm a kid, that's my job...



the drunk clown scene...



Uncle Buck

Directed by John Hughes
Produced by John Hughes
Tom Jacobson
Written by John Hughes
Starring John Candy
Jean Louisa Kelly
Macaulay Culkin
Music by Ira Newborn
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) August 16, 1989
Running time 100 min.
Country U.S.
Language English
Budget $15,000,000 (estimated)

Help Me Understand

I can't understand what makes a man hate another man... maybe it's crappy black and white videos like this one or something... just kidding, it's not that bad... I still like the song though... once again, that crazy little English band known as Depeche Mode with their first U.S. hit - "People Are People"...

Depeche Mode - People Are People
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land

Lyrics | People Are People lyrics

“People Are People”

Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Some Great Reward
B-side "In Your Memory"
Released March 12, 1984
Format Vinyl record (7" and 12"), CD (1991 box set)
Recorded 1984
Genre Synthpop
Length 7" - 3:43
12" - 7:11
Label Mute Records
Writer(s) Martin Gore
Producer Depeche Mode, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones

Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #13
UK Peak: #4

as a bonus, here is original MTV VJ Mark Goodman with an early interview of Depeche Mode describing how they got the name Depeche Mode and correcting Mark on how many albums they had at the time... also, love the hair!

Depeche Mode - MTV Interview w/ Mark Goodman Part 1 @ Yahoo! Video

here is part two of the interview where they discuss the "People Are People" video and the overall direction of music in bloody ol' England...

Depeche Mode - MTV Interview w/ Mark Goodman Part 2 @ Yahoo! Video

You're So Fine

You're so fine, you blow my mind... Hey Mickey!... yes, the popular singer and choreographer from 1982, here is Toni Basil and all those cheerleaders with "Mickey"...

Toni Basil Mickey
Uploaded by Celtiemama

Lyrics | Mickey lyrics


“Mickey”

Single by Toni Basil
from the album Word of Mouth
Released 1982
Recorded 1979
Genre Rock
Power Pop
Length 4:18
Writer(s) Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn
Producer Mike Chapman

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1
UK Peak: #2

Who's House?

Long before the MTV show with the same name, Run, DMC and Jam Master Jay (R.I.P.) were bringing down the house at various shows throughout the world... back in 1988, it was definitely "Run's House"...




Lyrics | Run's House lyrics

"Run's House"

from the album "Tougher Than Leather"
released: 1988