80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's 80's flashback has a ton of great actors in it... with Rob Reiner directing, we get to see young Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and even Jack Bower, aka Kiefer Sutherland, makes for a wicked bad guy in this flick (you even get a little bit of John Cusack and Richard Dreyfuss thrown in for good measure) ... the tale of youth and innocence, and growing up as narrarated by Dreyfuss... let's all go searching for a dead body and check out "Stand By Me"

the trailer...



this is one of those movies where you can watch the whole thing on youtube in parts... here is part one to get you started... the first 8 minutes



Stand by Me

Directed by Rob Reiner
Produced by Bruce A. Evans
Written by Stephen King
Starring Wil Wheaton
River Phoenix
Corey Feldman
Jerry O'Connell
Kiefer Sutherland
Music by Jack Nitzsche
Cinematography Thomas Del Ruth
Editing by Robert Leighton
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) August 8, 1986 (limited)
August 22, 1986 (wide)
Running time 88 min.
Country
Language English
Budget $8 million
Gross revenue $52,287,414

Can You Hear Me?

This English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right..
Hello, Tommy. I'm sorry that I left... And I'm sorry I made such a corny video too... just kidding! I kind of like this video (even at 5 mins. long)... here is Mike and the Mechanics with "Silent Running"...

Mike + The Mechanics - Silent Running
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Mike And The Mechanics lyrics - Silent Running lyrics

"Silent Running"

1985
from the album "Mike & The Mechanics"

UK singles #21
US Hot 100 #6
Canada singles #8
German singles #8

She's So Mean, But I Don't Care

A freaky video that I never really cared for back in 1988, and still don't to this day... it's the English rock band The Escape Club with "Wild Wild West"...

Escape Club - Wild Wild West by jpdc11

Lyrics | Escape Club lyrics - Wild Wild West lyrics

“Wild, Wild West”

Single by The Escape Club
from the album Wild Wild West
Released 1988
Format CD single, 7"
Recorded 1987
Genre Alternative rock
Length 5:44
Label EMI, Atlantic
Writer(s) The Escape Club
Producer The Escape Club

Chart (1988) Peak Position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart #7
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks #3
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #36

And Now You Find Yourself in '82

Today's video makes me dizzy and tends to give me a headache if I stare at it too long... making their debut in The Excellent 80's is a supergroup made up of former members of of veteran progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Uriah Heep, U.K., Roxy Music, Wishbone Ash and The Buggles... it is Asia with "Heat of the Moment"...

Asia - Heat Of The Moment
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Asia lyrics - Heat Of The Moment lyrics

“Heat of the Moment”

Single by Asia
from the album Asia
Released April 1982
Format LP/CS
Recorded 1982
Genre Progressive rock
Length 3:53
Label Geffen Records
Producer Mike Stone

U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock peak: #1
U.S. Pop Singles Chart peak: #4

80's Television Game Show

What would a month long of Tuesday game show clips be without one of (if not the) best game show hosts of all-time - Chuck Woolery! I'm not going all "two in two" on you today (and if you know what that means, then bonus points for you), but instead I'm directing your way to the game show "Scrabble"...


Check out 16 year old aspiring actress Heather Graham (yes, that Heather Graham) on an episode of "Scrabble"... proof that everyone loves this game! I think Heather still hates Sandy to this day resulting from this closely fought contest...



(Sorry, this video has been removed, so that sucks, but trust me, it was great)

Instead, here is some lame one with Jon and Mary or Sally or Butch or whatever you want to call her....



On host week, Chuck even shows that he's got mad Scrabble skillz...



Scrabble

Genre Game show
Created by Robert Noah
Written by Richard Janaver
Deb Dittmann
Jan Heininger
Directed by Chris Darley
Presented by Chuck Woolery
Narrated by Jay Stewart
Charlie Tuna
Theme music composer Marc Ellis
Ray Ellis
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 1,335 (Total)
1,230 (1984-1990)
105 (1993)

Who's Gonna Drive You Home, Tonight?

I feel bad for the crazy girl in this video, because let's all face it - there was a time at one point in all of our lives where we wanted to scream at Ric Ocasek's face... c'mon, you know you wanted to do it... The Cars today with their black and white drama starring Mrs. Ocasek, Paulina Porizkova, "Drive"...

Drive - The Cars
Uploaded by martin1976

Lyrics | Cars lyrics - Drive lyrics

“Drive”

Single by The Cars
from the album Heartbeat City
B-side "Stranger Eyes"
Released July 23, 1984 (1984-07-23)
Format 7"
Genre New wave
Length 3:55
Label Elektra
Writer(s) Ric Ocasek
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
U.S. Adult Contemporary peak: #1
UK peak #5

80's Movie Weekend

... a 1982 favorite of boys everywhere... Phoebe Cates, Matthew Modine, Betsy Russell, and who could forget about the great name of Bubba Beauregard (played by Michael Zorek) in the sex comedy, "Private School"...


the trailer...



Matthew Modine with some of his finest acting ever! Along with Betsy Russell just teasing the poor soul...



Private School

Directed by Noel Black
Written by Dan Greenburg
Suzanne O'Malley
Starring Phoebe Cates
Betsy Russell
Matthew Modine
Sylvia Kristel
Michael Zorek
Fran Ryan
Kathleen Wilhoite
Ray Walston
Jonathan Prince
Kari Lizer
Julie Kathleen Payne
Music by Rick Springfield
Cinematography Walter Lassally
Editing by Fred A. Chulack
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) July 29, 1983
Running time 97 min.
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $14,000,000

if you just can't get enough of that song playing in the background during the scene above, I have included a poor video quality of Vanity Six and "Nasty Girl"... the trio was formed by Prince in the early 80's, and can't we all just decide that these three girls are the original Pussycat Dolls?

Vanity 6 NASTY GIRL 1982




Lyrics | Vanity lyrics - Nasty Girl lyrics

“Nasty Girl”

Single by Vanity 6
from the album Vanity 6
Released 1982
Format 7", 12" Vinyl Single
Genre R&B/Funk
Length 5:12 (Album Version)
2:55 (Single Version)
Label Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s) Vanity, Prince
Producer The Starr Company

Chart (1982) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #7
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles #1

Once Upon A Time

Today's English group hit it big in the late 1960s with a song called "Nights in White Satin," and then seemigly out of nowhere after being broke up in the mid to late 1970's the band known as The Moody Blues got back together and enjoyed some mild success in the 80's and here is one of those songs... "Your Wildest Dreams"...

Moody Blues Your Wildest Dreams
Uploaded by avajra

Lyrics | Moody Blues lyrics - Your Wildest Dreams lyrics

“Your Wildest Dreams”

Single by The Moody Blues
from the album The Other Side of Life
B-side "Talkin' Talkin'"
Released 9 April 1986
Recorded 1985
Length 4:53
Label Polydor Records
Writer(s) Justin Hayward
Producer Tony Visconti

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
U.S. Adult Contemporary peak: #1

You Have Seen By the Look in My Eyes, Baby

Fresh out of the 70's, this next group began their meteoric rise with this huge hit back in 1980... this video was the 17th video played on the first day of MTV... sweet television in the video - here is Kevin Cronin and REO Speedwagon with "Keep On Loving You"...

Keep On Loving You／REO Speedwagon
Uploaded by gaimon5656

Lyrics | Reo Speedwagon lyrics - Keep On Loving You lyrics

“Keep On Loving You”

Single by REO Speedwagon
from the album Hi Infidelity
B-side Follow My Heart
Released November 4, 1980
Format 7"
Genre Rock
Length 3:22
Label Epic
Writer(s) Kevin Cronin
Producer Kevin Beamish
Kevin Cronin
Alan Gratzer
Gary Richrath

U.S. Billboard HOt 100 peak: #1
UK peak: #7

Mom, Dad, How Was Your Trip?

Will Smith and Jeff Townes were better known in the late 80's and early 90's as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and instead of gravitating toward the hardcore, thug life rap that was really beginning to emerge as the sound of rap, these two took rap a completely different direction, and to much success... probably the duo's most famous rap song of all time, here is the duo from Philly with the song that won the first ever rap Grammy - "Parents Just Don't Understand"...

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince - Parents
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand lyrics

“Parents Just Don't Understand”

Single by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
from the album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
Released 1988
Format 12", cassette, CD single
Recorded 1987
Genre Hip-Hop/Rap
Label Zomba/Jive

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #12

80's Television Game Show

It's game show Tuesday throughout the month of February, and here's another classic that only lasted about four seasons, but was good for a laugh or two... the video is horrible in this, but hey, we get a live band, Burt Reynolds, Lonnie Anderson, Linda Carter, and Jason Bateman... it's a star-studded "Win, Lose, or Draw" from Hawaii... oh, that crazy Bert Convey!



check out Vicki Lawrence hosting the show which featured Samantha Fox as one of the celebrities and a bunch of cheerleaders from Canada...


Win, Lose or Draw

Genre Game Show
Directed by Richard S. Kline
Presented by Bert Convy (1987-1989)
Robb Weller (1989-1990)
Vicki Lawrence (NBC)
Narrated by Gene Wood
Bob Hilton
Johnny Gilbert
Composer(s) Thomas Morrison
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English

She's Been Living in Her White Bread World

Ahh, one of the classics of the 80's... the piano man from the 70's married everyone's favorite SI Swimsuit model in 1985, but they divorced in 1994 (that's whey the 80's should have never ended!)... love it when the greasers and the brothers break out into a dance number... it's the short Billy Joel and the leggy, supermodel, once Mrs. Joel, Christie Brinkley with a song Billy just doesn't perform anymore in concert, but remains a song I don't get tired of hearing - "Uptown Girl"

BILLY JOEL - UPTOWN GIRL
Uploaded by hushhush112

Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Uptown Girl lyrics

“Uptown Girl”

Single by Billy Joel
from the album An Innocent Man
Released 1983
Format 7"
Recorded 1983
Genre Pop
Length 3:15
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Billy Joel
Producer Phil Ramone
Certification Gold (RIAA)

80's Movie Weekend

Before he was McDreamy on "Grey's Anatomy," Patrick Dempsey had two fine 80's movies... one being one of my favorites of all-time - "Can't Buy Me Love", and the other being today's Valentine's Day selection... with appearances by Kate Jackson, Kirstie Alley, and Carrie Fisher, here is Patrick Dempsey... he wants to be your, lover, lover, "Loverboy"...

Happy Valentine's Day from The Excellent 80's!

the trailer...



Loverboy

Directed by Joan Micklin Silver
Produced by Gary Foster
Willie Hunt
Written by Robin Schiff
Tom Ropelewski
Leslie Dixon
Starring Patrick Dempsey
Kate Jackson
Kirstie Alley
Carrie Fisher
Robert Ginty
Music by Michel Colombier
Cinematography John Hora
Editing by Rick Shaine
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Release date(s) 28 April 1989
(North America)
Running time 98 min.
Country United States
Language English

How Can I Convince You

... what you see is real?... questions of the heart are confusing... miracles of fate... living for a dream... loving for a moment... it's all so very poetic and touching and all that crap... it takes then new lead singer Jimi Jamison all of four minutes to realize that his true love was right before his eyes... Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy Survivor with "The Search Is Over"...

Survivor - The Search Is Over
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Survivor lyrics - The Search Is Over lyrics

"The Search Is Over"

by Survivor
from the album: Vital Signs
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #4


Also, a happy 52nd birthday are in order for one Alan Hunter - original MTV VJ... enjoy some Alan from 1985 in this video...

I Miss You

For those of you that can't be with your Valentine on Valentine's Day tomorrow, you can always send out a long distance dedication from this all-girl group in 1985 who worked with the likes of Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam, and Babyface throughout the years... here is Klymaxx and "I'll Miss You"...

Klymaxx - I Miss You
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Klymaxx lyrics - I Miss You lyrics

"I Miss You"

by Klymaxx
from the album: Meeting in the Ladies Room

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3

Pay Attention

Are you listening? You're my favorite girl. A semi-slow jam for you as we approach Valentine's Day... from a group formed in New York City in 1982.. they are the band known as The System with their biggest hit "Don't Disturb This Groove"...




Lyrics | The System lyrics - Don't Disturb This Groove lyrics

"Don't Disturb This Groove"

by The System
from the album: Don't Disturb This Groove
released: 1987

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #4
U.S. R&B Singles Peak: #1

Get Up, Get Up, Get Up, Get Up

One of the smoothest, most soulful voices of a generation makes an appearance in the Excellent 80's today... most of this man's hits came in the 60's and 70's, but before his untimely death at the hands of his father in 1984, Marvin Gaye hit it big once again with arguably his most famous of songs... as we close in on another Valentine's Day, fittingly from 1982, it's time for a little "Sexual Healing"...

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
Uploaded by hushhush112

Lyrics | Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing lyrics

“Sexual Healing”

Single by Marvin Gaye
from the album Midnight Love
Released September 1982
Format 7" single
Recorded Ohain, Belgium; 1982
Genre Soul
Length 4:05
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown, David Ritz
Producer Marvin Gaye
Certification Platinum (RIAA)

Chart (1982/1983) Peak position

UK Singles Chart #4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #3
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #8

80's Television Game Show

If you had cable back in the day, you probably had one of the first all kids television stations - Nickelodeon... in which case, you most definitely caught some of these messy episodes of the popular game show hosted by Marc Summers - "Double Dare"...




Marc Summers thinks these little row boats are hilarious...



Double Dare

Format Children's game show
Created by Geoffrey Darby
Dee LaDuke
Michael Klinghoffer
Robert Mittenthal
Presented by Marc Summers (1986-1993)
Jason Harris (2000)
Narrated by Harvey (1986-1991)
Doc Holliday (1992-1993)
Tiffany Phillips (2000)
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 482 (Original)
65 (Revival)
Production
Running time 23 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Nickelodeon
Picture format NTSC (480i)
Original run October 6, 1986 – February 1993

Love Will Find a Way

As the 80's were winding down, this band from Sacremento, California scored their biggest charting hit with this power ballad proclaiming that love will find a way... making their debut in The Excellent 80's today as we inch closer and closer to Valentine's Day - and don't you dare confuse them with the glam metal bands of the 80's! it is the rock band Tesla with "Love Song"... do do do do do, I know...

Tesla - Love Song
Uploaded by krematoria

Lyrics | Tesla lyrics - Love Song lyrics

"Love Song"

by Tesla
from the album: The Great Radio Controversy
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

80's Movie Weekend

With one week until Valentine's Day, let's combine some comedy with some romance in this weekend's 80's movie flashback... Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, interesting dialogue, fake orgasms, and one classic movie - "When Harry Met Sally..."

the trailer...



of course, here is the fake orgasm scene...



I hate you, Harry! I hate you. The happy ending...



When Harry Met Sally...

Directed by Rob Reiner
Produced by Andrew Scheinman
Rob Reiner
Written by Nora Ephron
Starring Billy Crystal
Meg Ryan
Carrie Fisher
Bruno Kirby
Music by Marc Shaiman
Cinematography Barry Sonnenfeld
Editing by Robert Leighton
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) July 14, 1989 (limited)
July 21, 1989 (wide)
Running time 96 minutes
Country USA
Language English
Budget $16,000,000
Gross revenue $92,823,546 (North America)

Never Gonna Make You Cry, Never Gonna Say Goodbye

It's the very very white English guy with the soul singer black man's voice... consider yourself "Rickrolled"... a very happy 43rd birthday today to Rick Astley...

Rick, we're "Never Gonna Give You Up"...

Rick Astley |MTV Music

Lyrics | Never Gonna Give You Up lyrics

“Never Gonna Give You Up”

Single by Rick Astley
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody
Released 1987 (UK)
1988 (U.S.)
Recorded October 1986
Genre Dance-pop
Length 3:32
Label PWL, RCA
Writer(s) Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman
Producer Stock Aitken Waterman

Chart (1987-1988) Peak position
Australia ARIA Singles Chart[20] #1
Dutch Top 40[22] #1
German Singles Chart[23] #2
Irish Singles Chart[24] #2
Italian Singles Chart[25] #3
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[26] #1
Norwegian VG-lista Singles Chart[21] #1
Swedish Singles Chart[21] #1
Swiss Singles Chart[21] #2
UK Singles Chart[27] #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[28] #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary[28] #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play[28] #1

Contact Is All That It Takes

And then you sense a change... nothing feels the same... all your dreams are strange... Valentine's Day is fast approaching people, so you best get in the mood and what better way than with a power ballad from one of the best damn groups of all-time... it's Eddie on keyboards, Sammy shredding on the guitar, Michael Anthony on bass, and Alex pounding away on the skins, here is Van Halen from the album named after Eddie's home studio, 5150, with "Love Walks In"...

Van Halen Love Walks In
Uploaded by Celtiemama

Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Love Walks In lyrics

"Love Walks In"

by Van Halen
from the album: 5150
released: 1986

This One Goes Out To...

(c'mon)... (finish the title)... (you can do it)... the One I Love... thought I'd bring in a little romantic R.E.M. for you today as we all get romantic with our loved ones leading up to Valentine's Day... from 1987 and their fifth studio album "Document", it is "The One I Love"...




Lyrics | Rem lyrics - The One I Love lyrics

“The One I Love”

Single by R.E.M.
from the album Document
Released August 1987 (U.S.)
September 1991 (UK re-issue)
Format 7", cassette, CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:17
Label I.R.S.
Producer Mitch Easter, R.E.M.

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Canada #14
UK #16

80's Television Game Show

Throughout the month of February, The Excellent 80's will be bringing you the best of 80's television game shows every week. And we're starting it off with one of the best and one of the best game show episodes ever...

No Whammies! No Whammies! No Whammies! And.... stop! Classic 80's game show today with the unforgettable "Press Your Luck"... We have the five parter of the two episodes where a guy named Michael Larson used months of studying video tape to memorize the patterns and rack up a ton of money... here is the classic episode if you have about an hour to kill today... it's well worth it if you've never seen it...

part one



part two



part three



part four



the conclusion



Press Your Luck

Format Game show
Created by Bill Carruthers
Starring Peter Tomarken (host)
Rod Roddy (announcer)
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 757[1]
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Picture format 480i SDTV
Audio format Stereo
Original run September 19, 1983 – September 26, 1986

All I Need is Some More Jack!

Welcome to February - the month of love... part of what makes this blog go is those that frequent here and say "what about this person? or that group? or remember that?" Well, this is another one of those days as I was reminded that actor Jack Wagner of Melrose Place and General Hospital hit the charts hard with one particular song back in 1984... Jack's hair is perfect, his facial expressions are awesome, and he puts his heart and soul into this hit that kicks off February in The Excellent 80's... this romantic song peaked at #2 - it's "All I Need"...

Jack Wagner - All I Need
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Jack Wagner lyrics - All I Need lyrics

“All I Need”

Single by Jack Wagner
from the album All I Need
B-side "Tell Him (That You Won't Go)"
Released 1984
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Genre Adult contemporary, Pop
Length 3:29
Label Qwest Records
Writer(s) Glen Ballard, Clif Magness
Producer Glen Ballard, David Foster

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2
U.S. Adult Contemporary Peak: #1