We're On a Mission From God - 80's Movie Weekend

One of the greatest comedy sketches ever created on SNL made for a huge film hit back in 1980 with the legendary John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd... also featuring Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Carrie Fisher, and John Candy, this movie not only gave us classic lines, it gave us classic music and one of my favorite soundtracks that I still enjoy to this day... here is Jake and Elwood... "The Blues Brothers"...




c'mon, baby don't you wanna go? Sweet Home Chicago...




Lyrics | Blues Brothers lyrics - Sweet Home Chicago lyrics

remember people, there are still some things that make us all the same... you, me, them, everybody...




Lyrics | Blues Brothers lyrics - Everybody Needs Somebody lyrics

The Blues Brothers

Directed by John Landis
Produced by Bernie Brillstein
George Folsey Jr.
David Sosna
Robert K. Weiss
Written by Dan Aykroyd
John Landis
Starring John Belushi
Dan Aykroyd
John Candy
Carrie Fisher
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography Stephen M. Katz
Editing by George Folsey Jr.
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) United States:
June 20, 1980
United Kingdom:
October 10, 1980
Australia:
December 26, 1980
Running time 133 min.
148 min. (extended version)
Country United States
Language English
Budget $27 million[1]
Gross revenue $115,229,890
Followed by Blues Brothers 2000

What's Your Definition of Dirty, Baby?

Well, we are concluding our "George Michael May" with one of the most controversial songs for its' time and probably George's most popular song ever... yes, I'm talking about "I Want Your Sex"... a song that was banned from play during the day in many places and only played on MTV at night, Michael's song was not even named by Casey Kasem during his weekly top 40 broadcasts - Kasem would only refer to it as the new single by George Michael... hope you enjoyed our "George Michael May", and remember to "Explore Monogamy"...

George Michael - I Want Your Sex
Uploaded by LuisB

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - I Want Your Sex lyrics

“I Want Your Sex”

Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
B-side "I Want Your Sex" (Rhythm 2: Brass In Love)
Released June 1, 1987 (1987-06-01)
Format 7", 12", CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop, Dance pop
Length 4:44
Label Epic - LUST 1
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael
Certification Platinum


Chart (1987) Peak position

United States Hot 100: #2
United States Hot Dance Club Play: #2
United States Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: #34
UK Single Charts #3

What Do You Wanna Do With Your Life!?

I can't believe I'm almost two years into this blog and just now getting around to posting this classic youth rebellion song and video by the New York City metal band Twisted Sister... so here is Dee Snider and company along with a little help in the video from Niedermeyer (Mark Metcalf) from "Animal House" - "We're Not Gonna Take It!"

Twisted Sister - New Music - More Music Videos

Lyrics | The Veronicas lyrics - We're Not Going To Take It lyrics

“We're Not Gonna Take It”

Single by Twisted Sister
from the album Stay Hungry
B-side "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll"
Released April 27, 1984
Format 7" Single
Recorded 1984
Genre Hard rock
Length 3:38
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Dee Snider
Producer Tom Werman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

Coast To Coast L.A. to Chicago

Today's song is smooth and sexy kind of like me... a song that brings us the line "a license to love, insurance to hold" and the first appearance for this female chart topper in The Excellent 80's... born in Nigeria, but hailing from cheery old England, Sade (pronounced Shaw-day) Adu hit it big with today's video back in 1985... here is Sade with "Smooth Operator"...

Sade - Smooth Operator
Uploaded by chilavert

“Smooth Operator”

Single by Sade
from the album Diamond Life
B-side "Spirit"
Released 15 September 1984 (UK)
2 March 1985 (U.S.)
Format 7" single, 12" maxi single
Genre Soul, smooth jazz, R&B
Length 4:54
Label Epic, Portrait
Writer(s) Sade Adu, Ray St. John
Producer Robin Millar

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
UK peak: #19


Lyrics | Sade lyrics - Smooth Operator lyrics

I Don't Know What the Hell You Want From Me

Today's video was a song that shared the same record as their Christmas hit "Last Christmas"... George Michael states this as his favorite Wham single... here is the George and Andrew with "Everything She Wants" as our "George Michael May" rolls on...

wham - everything she wants
Uploaded by kareem93

Lyrics | Wham! lyrics - Everything She Wants lyrics

“Everything She Wants”

Single by Wham!
from the album Make It Big
Released 27 December 1984
April 17, 1985 (US)
Format 12", 7"
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop
Length 5:01
6:29 (Remix)
Label Columbia Records
Producer George Michael

Chart (1984/5) Peak position
UK #2
US Billboard Hot 100 #1

A Summer Love is Beautiful

Oh yes it is and summer is fast approaching so today's title is fitting... before Babyface was Babyface, he was still Babyface, but he was heading up a little remembered group from the 80's called The Deele... The Cincinnati based band had this one big hit back in 1988... also featuring Antonio "L.A." Reid, here is The Deele with "Two Occasions"...

The Deele - Two Occasions
Uploaded by coolfunk

Lyrics | The Deele lyrics - Two Occasions lyrics

“Two Occasions”

Single by The Deele
from the album Eyes of a Stranger
Released 1988
Format 7" single
Genre R&B
Length 4:17
Label Capitol
Writer(s) Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Darnell "Dee" Bristol, Sid Johnson
Producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Antonio "L.A." Reid

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10
U.S. R&B peak: #4

Feel The Heat - 80's Movie Weekend

A new breed of crook breeds a new type of cop in this weekend's 80's movie flashback... from a division of the police known as "the Zombie squad" here is the leader better known as "the Cobra"... Sylvestor Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen in this 1986 action flick simply titled "Cobra"...

the trailer...



"Angel of the City" by Robert Tepper...



Cobra

Cobra poster
Directed by George P. Cosmatos
Produced by Menahem Golan
Yoram Globus
Written by Novel:
Paula Gosling
Screenplay:
Sylvester Stallone
Starring Sylvester Stallone
Brigitte Nielsen
Reni Santoni
Brian Thompson
Andrew Robinson
Art LaFleur
Lee Garlington
Music by Sylvester Levay
Cinematography Ric Waite
Editing by James R. Symons
Don Zimmerman
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Cannon Films
Release date(s) May 23, 1986 (USA)
Running time 87 min.
Country USA
Language English
Gross revenue $49,042,224 (USA)
$160,000,000 (Worldwide)

It's Friday Night and I'm Party Hopping

Love this dance classic, and how fitting that it's a Friday and hopefully most of you got paid and will be breaking out into a choreographed dance number on the streets of your hometown tonight... here is Johnny Kemp's classic (re-made not too long ago by N'Sync) with "Just Got Paid"...

Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Johnny Kemp lyrics - Just Got Paid lyrics

"Just Got Paid"

by Johnny Kemp
from the album: Secrets of Flying
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: top 10
Hot Dance Tracks: #1

There Ain't No Joy For an Uptown Boy

Ho hum, just another #1 hit for George Michael as we roll through our "George Michael May"... this is one of my least favorites and I didn't hesitate to turn the radio station whenever this one came on... boring song and boring video I always thought, but apparently I was in the mainstream minority as this song spent three weeks at #1 in the U.S.... here is George still wearing that cross earring... did he shoot all these videos the same day?... here is "One More Try"...

George Michael - One More Try
Uploaded by zocomoro

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - One More Try lyrics

“One More Try”

Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released 1988
Format CD, Cassette
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop, R&B, Gospel music
Length 5:52
Label Epic Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael
Certification Gold (RIAA)

Chart (1988) Peak position

United States Hot 100 #1
United States Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #1
UK Single Charts #8

Come On and Hold Me

This dude definitely has a Kenny Loggins thing going on with the sweet beard and hair in this video and I'm really surprised he didn't have any other hits... recently featured on VH1's one-hit wonders of the 80's, here is the Brooklyn, NY native Robbie Dupree with 1980's hit "Steal Away"...

Robbie Dupree - Steal Away

Lyrics | Robbie Dupree lyrics - Steal Away lyrics

"Steal Away"

by Robbie Dupree
released: 1980
from the album: Robbie Dupree

U.S. Hot 100 peak: #6

Ace is Back and He Told You So

I hadn't heard today's rock song in probably 20 years until it came across hair metal nation channel 23 on my Sirius radio the other day... better known as one of the members of Kiss, there was a time when Ace Frehley did his own thing and had a minor hit and some minor airplay on MTV with today's video... just always remember that "Rock Soldiers" come and "Rock Soldiers" go... Ace Frehley from 1987's "Frehley's Comet" album...

Ace Frehley |MTV Music

Lyrics | Ace Frehley lyrics - Rock Soldiers lyrics

"Rock Soldiers"

by Ace Frehley
from the album: "Frehley's Comet"
released: 1987

U.S. Mainstrema Rock tracks peak: #27

Guilty Feet Have Got No Rhythm

Still one of my favorite ballads from the 80's... it's something about the saxophone, I don't know, but here is George Michael and Wham reaching number #1 in about 25 different countries with "Careless Whisper"


George Michael - Careless Whisper (Official Music Video) - For more funny videos, click here


Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Careless Whisper lyrics

“Careless Whisper”

Single by Wham!
from the album Make It Big
B-side "Careless Whisper" (Instrumental version)
Released July 24, 1984 (1984-07-24)(U.K.)
February 1, 1985 (1985-02-01)(U.S.)
Format 12" maxi
7" single
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop, R&B
Length 5:04 (Single Version)
6:30 (Album version)
Label Columbia Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Andrew Ridgeley
Producer George Michael
Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA)
3x Platinum (BPI)

Chart (1984) Peak position
UK Singles Chart #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #1

80's Movie Weekend

That which does not kill us makes us stronger...

Before he was the terminator and long before he became the governator, he was "Conan The Barbarian"... from 1982 and also starring James Earl Jones here is Arnold in his first major motion picture...

the trailer...



Conan! What is best in life?





Conan the Barbarian

film poster by Frank Frazetta
Directed by John Milius
Produced by Raffaella De Laurentiis
Buzz Feitshans
Written by Characters:
Robert E. Howard
Story:
Edward Summer
(uncredited)
Screenplay:
John Milius
Oliver Stone
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
James Earl Jones
Music by Basil Poledouris
Distributed by Universal Studios
Release date(s) May 14, 1982
Running time Theatrical cut:
129 min.
Extended cut:
131 min.
Edited versions:
123 min.
115 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $20 million
Followed by Conan the Destroyer

Do You Love Your Monkey or Do You Love Me?

I always thought George Michael looked a bit Amish in this video in the shots of him in his hat, white shirt, dark pants, and suspenders... only the week old growth on his face separates him, well, that and the dancing he does... I just want to know why you can't set your "Monkey" free?...

George Michael - Monkey
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Monkey lyrics

“Monkey”

Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released 1988
Format CD Single
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop , Dance pop
Length 5:37
Label Epic
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael

Chart (1988) Peak position

United States Hot 100 #1
United States Hot Dance Club Play #1
United States Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #8
UK Single Charts #13

Don't Turn Around, Oh, Oh

Why shouldn't you turn around? Well, it's obvious! It's because Der Kommissar (the commissioner/police chief) is in town of course... originally recorded and released by Falco (of "Rock Me Amadeus" fame), After The Fire released their own version just one year later and it became a huge U.S. hit peaking at #5... just remember that the more you live, the faster you will die... here is a big scary tarantula and the British band After The Fire with "Der Kommissar"...

After The Fire-Der Kommissar
Uploaded by adiis

Lyrics | After The Fire lyrics - Der Kommissar lyrics

“Der Kommissar”

Single by After The Fire
from the album Der Kommissar a/k/a ATF
B-side "Dancing In The Shadows"
Released 1982
Format 7" vinyl single; 12" vinyl single
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave/Pop-rock
Length 5:43 (U.S. album version)
4:03 (single version)
Label Epic Records
Writer(s) Robert Ponger, Falco, Andy Piercy
Producer John Eden and ATF

Year (1983) Peak position

Canadian Singles Chart #12
South African Singles Chart #2
UK Singles Chart #47
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #5


Bonus today! Want to see the Falco version? I hope Falco thought this video was funny, because it is hilariously lame, here is Falco's version from 1981 of "Der Kommissar"...

Falco - Der Kommissar
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land

“Der Kommissar (The Commissioner)”

Single by Falco
from the album Einzelhaft
B-side "Helden Von Heute (Alles Wartet Auf) (Today's Heroes)"
Released 1981 (Germany), 1982 (U.S.)
Format 7" vinyl single; 12" vinyl single
Recorded 1981
Genre Hip hop ("Der Kommissar), Pop-rock ("Helden von heute")
Length 3:51
Label GIG Records (Europe); A&M Records (U.S.)
Writer(s) Robert Ponger, Falco
Producer Robert Ponger

You Put The Boom Boom Into My Heart

We just couldn't go through our "George Michael May" without one of the gayest videos and songs of all-time... this song still makes me cringe to this day, but like I've said, I'm not going to discriminate and there are plenty of people out there that might or might not admit to liking this song... a guilty pleasure by many and the song that put George Michael on the scene, here is the song by Wham inspired by a note written by Andrew Ridgley to his parents - "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"...

Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Wham! lyrics - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go lyrics

“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”

Single by Wham!
from the album Make It Big
Released May 5, 1984
Format 12", 7"
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop
Length 3:50
Label Columbia Records (US/Canada)
Epic Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael

Chart (1984) Peak position
UK #1
US Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Hot Summer Night, Storm Clouds in the Air

Rising out of the hot Niagra Falls, Ontario rock scene back in 1982, today's featured group came and disappeared just as quickly (actually they had a few good years), but not before they gave us this little ditty that I quite enjoyed... love the Delorean at the beginning of the video and the awesome 80's visual effects... here is the Canadian group Honeymoon Suite with "New Girl Now"...

Honeymoon Suite - New Girl Now
Uploaded by jpdc11

Lyrics | Suite Honeymoon lyrics - New Girl Now lyrics

"New Girl Now"

by Honeymoon Suite
released in 1984
from the album "Honeymoon Suite"

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #57
Canada #23

Not A Word From Your Lips

Alright, this song has an infectious pop/dance beat and was a good club song back in the day, but c'mon! With one of the most un-manly mustaches of all-time and straightened hair, here is one-hit wonder Jermaine Stewart with a song featured on "Miami Vice" - "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off"...

JERMAINE STEWART - We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off
Uploaded by keurbi

Lyrics | Jermaine Stewart lyrics - We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off lyrics

“We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off”

Single by Jermaine Stewart
from the album Frantic Romantic
Released 1986
Format CD single
Genre R&B
Length 4:54 (album version)
4:38 or 4:04 (edited single versions)
Label Arista
Producer Narada Michael Walden

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
UK peak: #2

Treat Her Right

You're so ugly that your ears stick out to get away from your face... huh? Maybe one of the best things ever captured on video, here is Mr. T singing, sort of... Treat her right... treat your mother right...

Happy Mother's Day from Mr. T

Hey! Is This Iowa? - 80's Movie Weekend

"If I post it, they will come," said the voice in my head... "they will most surely come... they will come from google and go mamma and yahoo for reasons they can't even fathom... people will most certainly come to The Excellent 80's... it's baseball season and here's one of the all-time best movies that has baseball running through its' core... Kevin Coster and James Earl Jones in "Field of Dreams"...

the trailer...



"Moonlight" Graham...



the one constant in America, Ray, has been baseball...



Field of Dreams

Promotional poster by Olga Kaljakin
Directed by Phil Alden Robinson
Produced by Lawrence Gordon and
Charles Gordon
Written by W.P. Kinsella (novel Shoeless Joe)
Phil Alden Robinson (screenplay)
Starring Kevin Costner
Amy Madigan
James Earl Jones
Timothy Busfield
Frank Whaley
Gaby Hoffmann
with Ray Liotta
as 'Shoeless Joe'
and Burt Lancaster
as 'Doc Graham'
Music by James Horner
Cinematography John Lindley
Editing by Ian Crafford
Distributed by Universal Studios
Release date(s) April 21, 1989 (1989-04-21) (USA)
Running time 107 min.
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $84,431,625

When The Valley Was Low, It Didn't Stop Me

Today's George Michael hit became his third consecutive number-one in the UK from three releases since going solo, following 1984's "Careless Whisper"... here is the unshaven one in a duet with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and "I Knew You Were Waiting"...

George Michael & Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting F
Uploaded by zocomoro

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - I Knew You Were Waiting lyrics

“I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)”

Single by Aretha Franklin and George Michael
from the album Aretha
Released 1987
Format 7' single
Recorded 1986
Genre R&B/Pop
Label Arista
Writer(s) Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan
Producer Narada Michael Walden

Charts
Country Peak position
Australia #1
Canada #4
The Netherlands #1
United Kingdom #1
United States #1

Some Women Do This

One of the biggest artists of the 70's made her mark in the early 80's especially with today's featured video which shows some women working hard for their money... getting slapped on the ass, sewing for hours on end, and putting up with no-good snot-nosed kids... she should've slapped them around and punched that ass-slapping dude in the face... that would have made for a better video... nonetheless, here is one of the biggest female stars ever, Donna Summer with reminding you that your moms probably busted her tail to raise a snot nose brat like you so don't forget about Mother's Day this Sunday and enjoy "She Works Hard for the Money"... so you better treat her right...
Lyrics | Donna Summer lyrics - She Works Hard For The Money lyrics


She Works Hard For The Money

Studio album by Donna Summer
Released June 13, 1983
Genre Pop, Dance, Soul, R&B Disco Music
Length 42:06
Label Mercury
Producer Michael Omartian

Chart Position
US Billboard Hot 100 #3
US Billboard R&B Chart #1
US Billboard Club Play Chart #3
UK Singles Chart #25

You Can't Think of Dying When The Bottle's Your Best Friend

Those are wise words to live by... Sebastian Bach back with us today in The Excellent 80's with another of their hits from their debut album... youth, anger, trouble, drama... it's all here in this song... Skid Row biggest hit - "18 and Life"...

Skid Row - 18 And Life
Uploaded by tomkool

Lyrics | Skid Row lyrics - 18 And Life lyrics

“18 and Life”

Single by Skid Row
from the album Skid Row
Released 1989
Genre Heavy metal
Length 3:51
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Rachel Bolan, Dave Sabo
Producer Michael Wagener
Certification Gold

Chart Peak position

US Billboard Hot 100 #4
US Mainstream Rock Tracks #11

I Got A Vibe on You the First Time That I Saw You

If you thought today's artist was african-american, you wouldn't be alone or have been alone back in the day... when I first saw this video, I thought she must have been associated with Prince somehow, but upon reading her bio, it was actually Rick James who gave her her start... so check out the white girl playing the guitar, adding some choreography and singing her biggest hit... it's Mary Christine Brockert , better known as Teena Marie with "Lovergirl"...

Teena Marie - Lovergirl
Uploaded by trashfan

Lyrics | Teena Marie lyrics - Lover Girl lyrics

"Lovergirl"

by Teena Marie
from the album: Starchild
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard hot 100 peak: #4

That's All I Wanted

We're early into our "George Michael May" as the song "Faith" kicked it off on Friday. Today's Michael hit is the third single from the same album and also went on to reach #1... it's the seductive tale known as "Father Figure"...

George Michael - Father Figure
Uploaded by trashfan

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Father Figure lyrics

“Father Figure”

Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released 1987
Format CD single
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop, R&B
Length 5:40
Label Columbia
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael

Chart (1988) Peak position

US Billboard Hot 100 #1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #13
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #6
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #3
UK Single Charts #11

80s Movie Weekend

what little kid hasn't wished this at one time or another?... still one of Tom Hanks' all-time best films... here is "Big"...

the trailer...



the classic piano scene...



and the big high-five...



Big

Directed by Penny Marshall
Produced by James L. Brooks
Robert Greenhut
Written by Gary Ross
Anne Spielberg
Starring Tom Hanks
Elizabeth Perkins
Robert Loggia
John Heard
Music by Howard Shore
Cinematography Barry Sonnenfeld
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) June 3, 1988
Running time 104 min.
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $18,000,000 (est.)

You Gotta Have George

Once upon a time, kiddies, before he was getting busted for drugs and getting busted soliciting gay sex in public restrooms, George Michael was a stud... a hit-making, lady-swooning sex symbol in the 80's, and since this is an 80's blog, we are dedicating the month of May to one George Michael and calling it our "George Michael May"... we're going to kick it off with the best selling single of 1988 and the video that had everyone talking about George's butt - "Faith"...

George Michael - Faith [1986] bY ZapMan69
Uploaded by ZapMan69

Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Faith lyrics

“Faith”

Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released 1987
Format CD Single
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop rock
Length 3:16
Label Columbia Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael
Certification Gold (RIAA)