Today, once again in The Excellent 80's, we bring you the unmistakable dance moves and unmistakable lips and sound of Mr. Steven Tyler and the band Aerosmith with a song thought to be inspired in a meeting with members of Motley Crue and their usuage of the word "Dude"... here is Steven Tyler, cool Joe Perry, the rest of Aerosmith and "Dude Looks Like a Lady"...
Single by Aerosmith from the album Permanent Vacation B-side "Simoriah" Released 1987 Format Cassette, CD, Record Recorded 1987 Genre Hard rock Length 04:24 Label Geffen Writer(s) Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Desmond Child Producer Bruce Fairbairn
I like all the corny endorsements from the paid reviewers during this era of movies... I laughed til I cried!... George Burns is a national treasure!... Good stuff and all true sayeth The Excellent 80's! When body swapping was the in-thing to do in movies, George Burns and Chalie "whatever happened to you" Schlatter star in this movie... check out our 80's movie weekend of "18 Again"...
the trailer...
that crazy track coach with his pulled up pants...
18 Again!
DVD Cover Directed by Paul Flaherty Produced by Walter Coblenz Written by Josh Goldstein and Jonathan Prince Starring George Burns Charlie Schlatter Tony Roberts Music by Billy Goldenberg Cinematography Barry Sonnenfeld Distributed by New World Entertainment Release date(s) April 8, 1988 (USA) Running time 93 minutes Country United States Language English
I would say Fleetwood Mac went all out on today's featured video... dance sequences, costumes, black and white and color film, and I don't have any idea what message if any they are trying to convey with this video... whatever it is, I still like it and I still like the song with the ever familiar vocals of Stevie Nicks and "Gypsy"...
"Gypsy" Single by Fleetwood Mac from the album Mirage B-side "Cool Water" Released 1982 Recorded 1981-1982 Genre Rock Length 4:24 Label Warner Bros. Writer(s) Stevie Nicks Producer Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac Ken Caillat Richard Dashut
This video today makes absolutely no sense and I never liked the song either from this one-hit wonder... I like how the chick in this video just beats the crap out of the lead singer, pushes over the rest of his wussy band and makes a break for it... also, I think someone just said - hey let's make sure we incorporate 3-wheelers, scuba diving, and rock climbing into our video! and everyone somehow agreed that this would make for a great video... here is the Scottish band Big Country with "In a Big Country"...
"In a Big Country" Single by Big Country from the album The Crossing Released 1983 Recorded 1982-1983 Genre Folk rock Length 4:44 (Album version) 3:56 (Radio/music video edit) Label Mercury Writer(s) Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson Producer Steve Lillywhite
Back in 1984 Sammy Hagar was wearing one horrible looking outfit in this video, but he was making his message known - it's ok to resist arrest, get in the judge's face and run away from the police if you have a much faster vehicle... the Red Rocker did put on some sweet athletic moves in this video though, especially when he throws the guitar up in the air and runs up the wall doing a flip and catching his guitar as it comes back down, and also his long jump over the judges' bench... this song is definitely outdated since 55 mph speed limits are pretty rare these days but anytime I find myself in one, I like to think that me and Sammmy "Can't Drive 55"...
"I Can't Drive 55" Single by Sammy Hagar from the album VOA Released 1984 (1984) Format 7" single Recorded 1984 Genre Hard rock, heavy metal Length 4:25 Label Geffen Records Producer Ted Templeman
Today's video may feature the first ever Danish group in The Excellent 80's... I'm not positive, but the number of Danish groups with "hits" are few and far in between... anyway, I remember hearing this song 25 years ago and thinking "what the hell?"... and then I watched the video and I thought "what the hell?"... today, I kind of go 'oh... white horse I think refers to heroin,' and then I try and figure out how this song made the Billboard Top 100 back in 1983... here is the group Laid Back with "White Horse"...
Summer 2009 is winding down and here is a fitting song and video for that as The Excellent 80's checks in for the first time here with a new wave/pop rock band from L.A.... with one of their highest charting singles, here is Martha Davis on lead vocals for the group The Motels, and you can see one of her daughters in the video for "Suddenly, Last Summer"...
A horribly stupid movie that is so bad, it's funny... and with Steve Martin during his prime, you know you will get some laughs... from 1983, directed by Carl Reiner and starring Steve Martin and Kathleen Turner, here is "The Man With Two Brains"...
Steve Martin runs over Kathleen Turner and encounters a no-it-all little girl... damn that makes me mad!...
this is one hell of a drunk test...
The Man with Two Brains Directed by Carl Reiner Produced by William E. McEuen David V. Picker Written by Steve Martin Carl Reiner George Gipe Starring Steve Martin Kathleen Turner Music by Joel Goldsmith Cinematography Michael Chapman Editing by Bud Molin Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date(s) 3 June 1983 Running time 93 min. Country U.S. Language English
I've already had the Crue in The Excellent 80's twice, but today's video is appropriately done on a Friday, because I can remember popping this cassette into my '84 Camaro's cassette player and blasting this song long and loud on the weekend nights... why did my parents let me listen to this trash? because it rocked back then and it still rocks today! here is Motley Crue with "Girls Girls Girls"...
"Girls, Girls, Girls" Single by Mötley Crüe from the album Girls, Girls, Girls Released May 11, 1987 Format Vinyl record, Cassette, CD Genre Glam metal Hard rock Length 4:30 Label Elektra Writer(s) Lyrics: Nikki Sixx Music: Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee
If you ever just feel frustrated and need to blame something or someone, then don't take Howard Jones advice in this song... today's video is Howard Jones "No One is To Blame"... I say blame anything and everything on Howard today... he deserves it for coming out with such a lame song and even lamer video...
"No One Is to Blame" Single by Howard Jones from the album Dream Into Action Released 15 March 1986 (UK) 24 March 1986 (US) Format 7", 12" Recorded 1985 Genre Pop, New wave Length 4:14 Label WEA Records (UK) Elektra Records (US) Writer(s) Howard Jones Producer Phil Collins
So come on! It's the Brits again today as I bring you Roland and Curt for a third time in The Excellent 80's... also known as Tears For Fears... here they are with their mega-hit - considered to be the biggest hit of 1985, it is the video with pretty nature scenes... I wish I could stand on a mountain and "Shout"... (let it all out...)
"Shout" Single by Tears for Fears from the album Songs from the Big Chair B-side "The Big Chair" Released November 19, 1984 (UK) June 4, 1985 (USA) Format 7", 12" Recorded 1984 Genre New Wave Length 6:33 (album version) 5:53 (UK single version) 3:59 (US single version) Label Phonogram Records Mercury Writer(s) Roland Orzabal Ian Stanley
Today's group is a quirky uniquely styled British-American group... judging by their style and dress I think a street fight is in order between them and Dexy's Midnight Runners! formed in 1982 here is JoBoxers with their only U.S. top 40 hit "Just Got Lucky"...
I always thought today's song sounded very 1950ish... the song was actually written in 1979 and performed by England's Kristy MacColl and became a hit overseas... it wasn't until this British American stage and television actress, comedienne, and singer got a hold of it in 1983 before it became an American hit... The Tracey Ullman show spawned The Simpsons which still airs new episodes to this day... with Sir Paul McCartney making a cameo in the video, here is Tracey Ullman with "They Don't Know"...
"They Don't Know" Single by Tracey Ullman from the album You Broke My Heart In 17 Places B-side "The B-Side" (UK); "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" (U.S.) Released 1983 Format 7" single Length 3:02 Label MCA/Stiff Writer(s) Kirsty MacColl
Back before he was caught pleasuring himself in a movie theater, he was simply a big goofball known as Pee Wee Herman and he had himself a decent little movie... here is Tim Burton's first full length film - Paul Reubens also known as Pee Wee Herman in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"...
the trailer...
I know you are but what am I?
Pee Wee with his famous dance to the song of "Tequila"...
Pee-wee's Big Adventure Directed by Tim Burton Produced by Richard Gilbert Abramson Robert Shapiro Written by Paul Reubens Phil Hartman Michael Varhol Tim Burton (uncredited)[1] Starring Paul Reubens Elizabeth Daily Mark Holton Diane Salinger Music by Danny Elfman Cinematography Victor J. Kemper Editing by Billy Weber Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date(s) August 9, 1985 Running time 90 min. Country United States Language English Budget $7 million Gross revenue $40.94 million Followed by Big Top Pee-wee
Today's video choice is an annoying little number from 1982... a song I never really liked and a video I liked even less... in fact, I only made it to the 1 minute 10 second mark before I stopped watching and I really don't ever plan to watch it again... here is the cartoonish freaky video by the "new wave band" founded in 1980 by Talking Heads alumni Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz... here is Tom Tom Club with "Genius of Love"...
"Genius of Love" Single by Tom Tom Club from the album Tom Tom Club Released 1982 Format 7" single 12" Recorded 1980 Genre Nu-funk Length 5:34 (7") 7:24 (12") Label Sire Writer(s) Adrian Belew, Chris Frantz, Steven Stanley, Tina Weymouth
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #31 U.S. Hot Dance Club peak: #1
Today's song should inspire you with it's subliminal message... ahh, who am I kidding... I just enjoy the video because Stevie Wonder is sporting a sweet 80's afro... dressed in black and white and singing about living in perfect harmony, it's Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney with their #1 hit "Ebony and Ivory"...
""Ebony and Ivory" (song)" Single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder from the album Tug of War B-side "Rainclouds" Released March 29, 1982 Format 7" Recorded 1981 Genre Pop/R&B Label Parlophone/EMI (UK) Columbia (US) Writer(s) Paul McCartney Producer George Martin
Chart (1982) ↓ Peak position ↓ UK Singles Chart 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 U.S. Billboard AC 1
Born Lana Michele Moorer in 1971, today's rap artist has had a successful rap career as well as done some acting over the years... it's a double shot today of Miss MC Lyte - up first with "Lyte as a Rock"...
From the best beards of the 80's yesterday to the best mustache of the 80's today... back with one of their earliest hits is the duo of John Hall and Darryl Oates... they had six #1 hits... this one peaked at #5 back in 1981 - here is "You Make My Dreams"...
"You Make My Dreams" Single by Hall & Oates from the album Voices Released October 27 1980 Recorded 1979 Length 3:11 Label RCA Writer(s) Sara Allen, Daryl Hall, John Oates
"Gimme All Your Lovin'" Single by ZZ Top from the album Eliminator Released 1983 Format 7" Recorded 1982 Genre Rock, hard rock Length 3:59 Label Warner Bros. Writer(s) Billy Gibbons Dusty Hill Frank Beard Producer Bill Ham
Chart (1983) ↓ Peak position ↓ UK Singles Chart 100 U.S. Billboard Hot 37
Most of John Hughes classics have already been posted here including yesterday's Mr. Mom, so today I went with one of his lesser thought of classics that didn't do quite as well at the theaters, and one that I've never seen... here is the 1987 film starring Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, and Mary Stuart Masterson - "Some Kind of Wonderful"...
the trailer...
the kiss between Keith and Watts...
and Hardy's party where Lea Thompson slaps him upside his head...
Some Kind of Wonderful
Directed by Howard Deutch Produced by John Hughes Written by John Hughes Starring Eric Stoltz Mary Stuart Masterson Lea Thompson Craig Sheffer John Ashton Music by Stephen Hague John Musser Cinematography Jan Kiesser Editing by Bud S. Smith M. Scott Smith Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) February 27, 1987 Running time 95 min Country United States Language English
At 59 years of age John Hughes succumbed to an apparent heart attack yesterday and will be sorely missed... between the ages of 12 and 20 Hughes provided me with hours of endless entertainment at the movies, by way of VHS tapes, and through cable... even to this day, I can still get sucked in for a few moments of "Pretty in Pink," "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," or "Weird Science." All of those have been posted in The Excellent 80's before along with "Uncle Buck," "Christmas Vacation," and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." 59 is too young to die and so a big thank you to John Hughes today for his work... let's all take in a flick or two of his in the coming days and enjoy the genius...
Here is one of his earlier works that was a big hit in 1982 - starring Terri Garr and Michael Keaton, here is the trailer to "Mr. Mom"
at the grocery store...
Mr. Mom
Directed by Stan Dragoti Produced by Lynn Loring Lauren Shuler Donner Written by John Hughes Starring Michael Keaton Teri Garr Martin Mull Music by Lee Holdridge Cinematography Victor J. Kemper Distributed by 20th Century Fox Release date(s) July 22, 1983 (limited) August 19, 1983 (wide) Running time 91 min. Country United States Language English Budget Unknown
If you frequent here often, you know I occasionally like me some 80's country, and no one was more popular on the country scene than today's artist in a hit duet... The Gambler himself, Kenny Rogers, hit it big again with this song with Sheena Easton (I didn't realize just how little Ms. Sugar Walls is, but Kenny towers over her)... a song written by Bob Seger, it's "We've Got Tonight"...
Single by Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton from the album We've Got Tonight B-side "You Are So Beautiful" Released 1983 Format 7" Vinyl Length 3:49 Label Liberty Records Writer(s) Bob Seger
Chart (1983) ↓ Peak position ↓ U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 6 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 2 Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1 Canadian RPM Top Singles 4 Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 1 UK Singles Chart 28 Producer David Foster
It's the trio of twins back again in The Excellent 80's today... the British pop group that had a pretty good run in the mid-80's - Thompson Twins with "Doctor! Doctor!"...
Back in 1985, Duran Duran took a break, and Arcadia was formed with Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran leading the project which produced just one album that went platinum... still with a sleak image and pretty hair, here is Arcadia with "Election Day"...
U Can't Touch This! Well, before MC Hammer sampled it and busted out with his rap anthem, there was the song that inspired the track for that Hammer song by the late Mr. Rick James back in 1981... born in New York, his Uncle Melvin was a bass vocalist for The Temptations... Rick's lifelong battle with drugs namely crack cocaine eventually led to his death in 2004... so, on the 5th anniversary of his death, let's take a look at a glittery Rick on his most popular song - "Super Freak"...
Single by Rick James from the album Street Songs Released November 5, 1981 Recorded 1980-1981 Genre R&B, Funk Length 3:24 Label Gordy Writer(s) Rick James, Alonzo Miller Producer Rick James
Yesterday, we featured a song off of this movie's stellar soundtrack, and so today I thought it would only be fitting to bring you the movie itself for this weekend's look back... filmed in 1983, this coming of age movie is pretty much remembered for it's non-happy ending which is rare in Hollywood cinema especially among movies of this type... anyway, this has some great 80's music in it and features Diane Franklin who was also in "Better Off Dead"... here is "The Last American Virgin"...
the trailer...
some of the funny scenes from the movie...
and, if you forgot the sad ending, here is James Ingram to sing you into the credits...
The Last American Virgin
Directed by Boaz Davidson Produced by Yoram Globus Menahem Golan David Womark Written by Boaz Davidson Starring Lawrence Monoson Joe Rubbo Diane Franklin Louisa Moritz Music by Deborah Harry Mark Allen Cinematography Adam Greenberg Editing by Bruria Davidson Distributed by Cannon Film Distributors Release date(s) June 26, 1982 July 15, 1982 July 30, 1982 October 1, 1982 June 3, 1983 March 28, 1984 Running time 92 min. Country United States Language English
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.
