80's Movie Weekend

Last weekend, we brought you the great Sylvester Stallone in "Over the Top," so this weekend, we bring you his counterpart, Ahhhnold in one of his motion picture disappointments from the 80's called "Raw Deal"...

Here's the "Raw Deal" final fight scene with some horrifically bad shooting by the bad guys...



Raw Deal

Directed by John Irvin
Produced by Martha Schumacher
Written by Luciano Vincenzoni (story) &
Sergio Donati (story)
Gary DeVore (screenplay) &
Norman Wexler (screenplay)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
Kathryn Harrold
Darren McGavin
Sam Wanamaker
Paul Shenar
Steven Hill
Ed Lauter
Music by Tom Bähler
Chris Boardman
Albhy Galuten
Claude Gaudette (theme "Kaminski Stomps")
Cinematography Alex Thomson
Editing by Anne V. Coates
Distributed by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group
Release date(s) June 6, 1986
Running time 97 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $8,500,000
Gross revenue $16,209,459 (USA)

People I Know, Places I Go

I love this little ditty back from 1989 due mostly to the sweet voice of lead singer Harriet Wheeler... it's the English alternative band known as The Sundays with "Here's Where The Story Ends"... enjoy...

Sundays - Here's Where the Story Ends
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Lyrics | Sundays lyrics - Here's Where The Story Ends lyrics

"Here's Where the Story Ends"

Single by The Sundays
from the album Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic
Released 1990
Recorded 1989
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:54
Label Rough Trade Records
Writer(s) David Gavurin, Harriet Wheeler
Producer The Sundays, Ray Shulman

Hey Babe, How About Coming Back to My Room?

Back in 1987, model and "singer" Paul Lekakis just skipped all the small talk and got straight to the point with a hit dance single called "Boom Boom Boom, Let's Go Back to My Room"... my question in this performance that Paul puts on is why doesn't he go back to his room and change wardrobe? Seriously, the only people heading back to his room would be gay males judging by the white tights and shirtless outfit... give it up for Paul Lekakis!




Lyrics | Paul Lekakis lyrics - Boom Boom (Let's Go Back To My Room) lyrics

"Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)"
Single by Paul Lekakis
from the album Tattoo It
Released 1987
Format 12"
Recorded 1987
Genre Hi-NRG, dance-pop
Length 3:54 (radio edit)
7:16 (US remix)
Label ZYX/Polydor
Writer(s) Paul Lekakis
Producer Miki Chieregato, Roberto Turatti, Ric Wake

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #43

Set Me Free Why Don't You Babe

I can just picture today's music video producer screaming - wind! Give me more wind! Today's windy video is a song originally sung by The Supremes, but that wouldn't be 80's would it? So, here it is changed up a little bit with some 80's flair and groove sung by the british Kim Wilde... it's her only U.S. #1 hit - "Keep Me Hanging On"...

Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hanging On
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Lyrics | Kim Wilde lyrics - You Keep Me Hangin' On lyrics

"You Keep Me Hangin' On"

Single by Kim Wilde
from the album Another Step
B-side "Loving You"
Released September 19, 1986 (U.K.)
1987 (U.S.)
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1986
Genre Synthpop
Electropop
Length 4:15
Label MCA
Writer(s) Holland-Dozier-Holland
Producer Ricki Wilde

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
UK peak: #2

So I Saw You in the Pizza Place

Today, we go back to 1982 to a girl group known as The Flirts... don't remember them? That's ok, their run didn't last too long and their number of hits was limited... this song appeared on The Valley Girl soundtrack as well as their album 10 cents a Dance... here is the trio from NYC with "Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)"...




Lyrics | The Flirts lyrics - Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime) lyrics

Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)

by The Flirts
released: 1982
from the album: 10¢ a Dance

When Explanations Make No Sense

Today's British trio had a major hit back in 1987 with today's colorful video... Andy Connell (keyboards), Martin Jackson (drums), and Corinne Drewery (vocals) make up the trio that got its' name from a 1945 movie of the same name - "Swing Out Sister." So, here is the group Swing Out Sister with "Breakout"...

Swing out sister -Breakout-
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Lyrics | Swing Out Sister lyrics - Breakout lyrics

"Breakout"
Single by Swing Out Sister
from the album It's Better to Travel
B-side "Dirty Money"
Released October 3, 1986
Format CD single, 7"
Recorded 1986
Genre Sophisti-pop, Ska, Ska Jazz, Swing, Jazz Fusion, New wave
Length 3:48
Label Mercury Records
Writer(s) Andy Connell
Corinne Drewery
Martin Jackson
Producer Paul Staveley O'Duffy

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6
UK peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

Just remember that the world meets nobody half way! The baddest arm wrestling movie in history just for you today! Back when Sly Stallone was a badass, he had this over-achieving flick about a dad's lost time with his son and a goal to be the baddest arm wrestler in the world! As is the acting with this film, it's Lincoln Hawk and "Over the Top"

the trailer...



just an oscar-worthy scene right here...



Over the Top

Directed by Menahem Golan
Produced by Menahem Golan
Yoram Globus
Written by Gary Conway &
David Engelbach (story)
Stirling Silliphant &
Sylvester Stallone (screenplay)
Starring Sylvester Stallone
Robert Loggia
Susan Blakely
Rick Zumwalt
David Mendenhall
Music by Giorgio Moroder
Cinematography David Gurfinkel
Editing by James R. Symons
Don Zimmerman
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (USA)
Cannon Films (non-USA)
Release date(s) February 12, 1987
Running time 93 min.
Language English
Budget $15,000,000 (est.)
Gross revenue $16,057,580 (USA)

If You Said Goodbye to Me Tonight

Today, it's a little doo-wop tribute by the great Billy Joel... the fourth single off the album "An Innocent Man," with my favorite performance in the video given by the cool janitor, here is "The Longest Time"...

Billy Joel - The Longest Time
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Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - The Longest Time lyrics

"The Longest Time"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album An Innocent Man
B-side "Christie Lee"
Released 1984
Format 12", CD
Recorded 1983
Genre Doo-wop
Length 3:40
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Billy Joel
Producer Phil Ramone

U.S. Billboard Hot 100: #14
UK peak: #25

I Wanna Go

Today's hair metal band caught the end of the hair metal glam scene... this song was my introduction to the band called Warrant back in 1989... Were you a "down boy" back in 1989? Here is the group from Hollywood with "Down Boys"...

Warrant - Down Boys
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Lyrics | Warrant lyrics - Down Boys lyrics

"Down Boys"

by Warrant
from the album: Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #27

Here's Lookin' At You, Kid

The drag on a cigarette at the beginning of this video just screams classic! Inspired by the classic 1948 movie "Key Largo," starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, today's artist is included in that one-hit wonder category with this beauty from 1981... it's Elbert Joseph "Bertie" Higgins sporting some sweet clothes and an awesome beard singing "Key Largo"...




Lyrics | Bertie Higgins lyrics - Key Largo lyrics

"Key Largo"
Single by Bertie Higgins
from the album Just Another Day in Paradise
B-side "White Line Fever"
Released 1981
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded 1981
Genre Adult contemporary, Pop
Length 3:20
Label Kat Family
Writer(s) Bertie Higgins, Sonny Limbo
Producer Sonny Limbo, Scott MacLellan

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

80's Television

For all you sci-fi lovers of 80's stuff, I know you checked out this tv series at least once back in 1983-84... of course it was only around for 12 episodes so if you didn't check it out quickly you missed the whole thing... the series did feature Desi Arnaz Jr. (son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) as one of the stars... today's 80's television flashback brings you "Automan"...

the full pilot episode/movie is on youtube, and just to get you hooked here is the intro and the beginning of that maiden episode that hooked viewers for a whole season before being cancelled...



Automan

Walter Nebicher (Desi Arnaz, Jr.)
and Automan (Chuck Wagner).
Format Science Fiction, Superhero
Created by Glen A. Larson
Written by Sam Egan (4 eps)
Douglas Heyes, Jr. (3 eps)
Larry Brody (2 eps)
Directed by Kim Manners (4 eps)
Winrich Kolbe (3 eps)
Lee H. Katzin (1 ep)
Starring Desi Arnaz, Jr.
Chuck Wagner
Heather McNair
Robert Lansing
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Composer(s) Stu Phillips
Billy Hinsche
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s) Glen A. Larson
Larry Brody
Producer(s) Donald Kushner
Peter Locke
Running time 50 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run December 15, 1983 – April 2, 1984

Won't You Take Me To

Sure today's video is a 1979 classic disco era song, but it's close enough to the 80's and actually gained popularity in 1980 despite a copyright date of 1979. Once upon a time when I lived in the Oklahoma City area, I would venture to a local club there and catch a 70's tribute band called Grooveline. The band, with fake afros and sweet one piece jump suits, would always perform this classic from the band known as Lipps Inc (pronounced lip sync). Even though Grooveline was four dudes, they always did an outstanding job of bringing a little "Funkytown" to the masses. So, here is the band formed in Minneapolis known as Lipps Inc. with their number one hit "Funkytown"...

Lipps Inc. - Funkytown
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Lyrics | Lipps Inc. lyrics - Funkytown lyrics

"Funkytown"
Single by Lipps Inc
from the album Mouth to Mouth
B-side "All Night Dancing"
Released 1979
Genre Disco
Synthpop
Length 3:58/7:49
Label Casablanca Records
Writer(s) Steven Greenberg
Producer Steven Greenberg

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's 80's movie flashback takes us back to 1982 when Richard Gere's star was definitely on the rise... along with Debra Winger and Louis Gossett Jr. (who won an academy award for Best Supporting Actor), here is... I got nowhere else to go!!!! - "An Officer and a Gentleman"...

the trailer...



here is the full scene... DOR! I Ain't gonna quit! Don't you do it!



Here is the hit #1 song from the movie by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes... "Up Where We Belong"...




Lyrics | Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes lyrics - Up Where We Belong lyrics

"Up Where We Belong"
Single by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
from the album An Officer and a Gentleman Original Soundtrack
B-side Sweet Lil' Woman (Joe Cocker)
Released 1982
Format CD, Casette
Recorded 1982
Genre Pop
Length 3:58
Label Island Records
Writer(s) Jack Nitzsche
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Will Jennings

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

An Officer and a Gentleman

Directed by Taylor Hackford
Produced by Martin Elfand
Douglas Day Stewart
Written by Douglas Day Stewart
Starring Richard Gere
Debra Winger
Louis Gossett, Jr.
David Keith
Robert Loggia
Music by Jack Nitzsche
Cinematography Donald E. Thorin
Editing by Peter Zinner
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) July 28, 1982
Running time 122 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Do You Dream About the Excellent 80's?

Or when you close your eyes, do you just dream about me? It's a tough question, I know, but one that needs to be asked... remember when you learned about love in the back of an old Chevrolet? No? Well, maybe you'll remember once you check out today's video from that big time hair band out of San Francisco known as Night Ranger... here is "When You Close Your Eyes"...

Night Ranger - When You Close Your Eyes
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Lyrics | Night Ranger lyrics - When You Close Your Eyes lyrics

"When You Close Your Eyes"

by Night Ranger
from the album: Midnight Madness
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14

What More Can I Do? There's Nothing I Haven't Tried

From 1984, and wearing some tight ass jeans (and shirtless at one point), here is the supergroup Bon Jovi led by Jon with a lesser classic of theirs from their debut album called "She Don't Know Me"...

Bon Jovi - She Don't Know Me
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Lyrics | Bon Jovi lyrics - She Don't Know Me lyrics

"She Don't Know Me"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album Bon Jovi
Released 1984
Format 7", CD single
Recorded The Power Station, New York City 1983
Genre Hard rock
Length 4:02
Label Polygram Records
Writer(s) Mark Avsec
Producer Tony Bongiovi
Lance Quinn

I Wish Someone Would Send Me Forget Me Nots

Before Will Smith blew up with "Men in Black", he had this little jam to thank for the music. It's Grammy Award winning American R&B singer, songwriter, composer and pianist Patrice Rushen with her most notable hit from 1982 - "Forget Me Nots"...

patrice rushen-Forget me nots
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Lyrics | Patrice Rushen lyrics - Forget Me Nots lyrics

"Forget Me Nots"
Single by Patrice Rushen
from the album Straight from the Heart
Released April 26, 1982
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1982
Genre Funk, soul, post-disco, dance-funk
Length 4:45 (Radio edit)
7:13 (Extended version)
Label Rhino
Writer(s) Terri McFadden, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington
Producer Patrice Rushen
Certification Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #23
U.S. R&B Charts peak: #2

80's Television

Looking cool and having the best mustache this side of Tom Selleck, here is Lee Horsley as that cool Texas oilman Matlock "Matt Houston"... don't really remember this series? That's ok, not sure that a lot of people do, but it did last three seasons and included Buddy Epsen (Uncle Jed Clampett) in the final season... here is "Matt Houston"

check out all the highly believable straight 80's stunts in the intro...



it's Matt Houston doing some great acting and driving away in a DeLorean... hope he doesn't get it up to 88 mph...



Matt Houston
Format Crime drama
Created by Lawrence Gordon
Starring Lee Horsley
Pamela Hensley
George Wyner
Buddy Ebsen (1984-1985)
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 67
Production
Executive producer(s) Aaron Spelling
Producer(s) Aaron Spelling Productions
Running time 60 min.
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run September 26, 1982 – July 19, 1985

This Is Not The Way I Would Have Planned Anything

Warning: today's video could cause a stroke if you watch it too long and are prone to flashing lights. Once upon a time, "Miami Vice" was the biggest hit on television with all kinds of musicians as guests on the show like Phil Collins and Glen Frey. Well, somewhere along the line, the two stars of the show, Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, thought they could sing as well as act. Though Don Johnson did produce a top 5 hit with his song "Heartbreak", Philip Michael Thomas was not as successful... and you can see why from today's semi-tribute to the old Michael Jackson "Rock With You" video... here is a horrible video of a horrible song, but like death and destruction, it's just hard to look away... I don't think this was ever anyone's plan, but here is Philip Michael Thomas from 1985 with "Just the Way I Planned It"...

Philip Michael Thomas . Just the Way I Planned It
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"Just the Way I Planned It"

by Philip Michael Thomas
from the album: Livin' the Book of My Life
released: 1985

80's Movie Weekend

I've still never seen this whole movie, just bits and pieces... it featured an all-star cast back in 1986, so maybe someday I'll get around to catching the whole thing... starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene, along with appearances by John Candy, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, it's "Little Shop of Horrors"...


the trailer...



it's the mean green mother scene...




Little Shop of Horrors

Directed by Frank Oz
Produced by David Geffen
Written by Howard Ashman
Narrated by Stanley Jones
Starring Rick Moranis
Ellen Greene
Vincent Gardenia
Steve Martin
and Levi Stubbs
as the voice of Audrey II
Music by Miles Goodman
Alan Menken
Howard Ashman
Cinematography Robert Paynter
Editing by John Jympson
Studio The Geffen Company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) December 19, 1986
Running time 93 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $30,000,000
Gross revenue $38,747,385

I Don't Give a Damn Bout My Bad Reputation!

No The Excellent 80's doesn't! And neither did this chick back in the day... Joan Jett and her Blackhearts with one of her signature songs (also featured in the short lived tv series "Freaks and Geeks")... check out the giant eye at the beginning of the video - that is one bad ass eye! It's "Bad Reputation"...

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - New Music - More Music Videos

Lyrics | Joan Jett lyrics - Bad Reputation lyrics

"Bad Reputation"
Single by Joan Jett
from the album Bad Reputation
Released 1981
Genre Hard rock, Punk rock
Length 2:48
Label Boardwalk Records
Writer(s) Joan Jett/ Ritchie Cordell/ Kenny Laguna/ Marty Joe Kupersmith

I Don't Mean a Big Reduction in the Price of Beer

Today's new wave English band is the first band in The Excellent 80's with a band name beginning with the letter X... though this song never charted in the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., it did cause quite a stir for it's anti-God lyrics... here is XTC with "Dear God"...

XTC-Dear God
Uploaded by rollaman96. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Lyrics | Xtc lyrics - Dear God lyrics

"Dear God"
Single by XTC
from the album Skylarking
Released June 1987 (UK)
Format 7", 12"
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:34
Label Virgin (UK)
Geffen (US)
Writer(s) Andy Partridge
Producer Todd Rundgren

Love Can Make You Weep

I always thought this was Julian Lennon singing today's song... I don't know why, but anyway, it's the Aussie group Crowded House again today being a little too happy in this video with band members so close together I thought they were going to start making out... hey, is that Matt Damon in the glasses? No, maybe not, but man this video is cheesy... here is "Something So Strong"...

Crowded House-Something So Strong
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Lyrics | Crowded House lyrics - Something So Strong lyrics

"Something So Strong"

Single by Crowded House
from the album Crowded House
Released July 1987
Format Vinyl single
Recorded Capitol Recording Studios
Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles
Genre Rock
Pop
Length 2:51
Label Capitol Records
CP 1945 (Australia)
Writer(s) Neil Finn & Mitchell Froom
Producer Mitchell Froom

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Are You Ready Boy?

Today's video features a lot of jumping and dancing and falling, and even an appearance by "Ducky"... it was a #1 hit at the dance clubs and peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart... it's the electronic dance music group out of Philly known as Pretty Poison with "Catch Me I'm Falling"...




Lyrics | Pretty Poison lyrics - Catch Me I'm Falling lyrics

"Catch Me (I'm Falling)"
Single by Pretty Poison
from the album Catch Me I'm Falling
Released 1987
Format 7" single, 12" single
Genre Dance-pop, Freestyle
Length 4:54
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Jade Starling, Whey Cooler
Producer Kae Williams, Jr., Kurt Shore
Certification Gold (RIAA)

Chart (1987) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #8
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1

Give Her Inches and Feed Her Well

Back in 1984 if you turned on MTV and watched it continually for about 30 minutes, there was a good chance you were going to see this video, because they wore it out... nonetheless, it's a rock classic with "futuristic" women and a shaky cage that could collapse at anytime... get ready because The Excellent 80's is getting ready to rock you... "Rock You Like a Hurricane"...

Scorpions - Rock You Like a Hurricane
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Lyrics | Scorpions lyrics - Rock You Like A Hurricane lyrics


"Rock You Like a Hurricane"

Single by Scorpions
from the album Love at First Sting
Released 1984
Format Vinyl LP, Cassette, CD
Recorded 1984
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock
Length 4:11
Label Mercury
Producer Dieter Dierks

Chart (1984) Peak position
France Top 50 #17
UK Singles Chart #78
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #25
U.S. Billboard Top Rock Tracks #5

80's Movie Weekend

I remember catching today's flick at the movie theater back in the day, and I especially remember the part where she flashed the goodies to show that she was indeed a she and not a he in this pretty good movie that stars Joyce Hyser and also the one and only Billy Zabka (of Karate Kid fame)... from 1985, she's "Just One of the Guys"...

the trailer...



here's the first 10 minutes of the movie (check out the rest of it on Youtube if you want)...



Just One of the Guys

Directed by Lisa Gottlieb
Produced by Andrew Fogelson
Written by Dennis Feldman
Jeff Franklin
Starring Joyce Hyser
Clayton Rohner
Billy Jayne (credited as Billy Jacoby)
William Zabka
Sherilyn Fenn
Music by Tom Scott
Cinematography John McPherson
Editing by Tony Lombardo
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) April 26, 1985
Running time 90 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue US$11,500,000 (USA)

We Are We Are We Are But Your Children

Well, 2010 is now upon us and I've opted for this video from the band Icicle Works to open up 2010 with... don't remember them? That's ok, this is one of those songs that you go "oh, I remember that song!" after you hear the chorus kick in... so, turn up your wind machine, throw some leaves around, and join in on some dancing this first day of 2010 to this song by the band named after the 1960 short story "The Day The Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl... it's the English band Icicle Works from 1983/1984 with "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)"...




Lyrics | Icicle Works lyrics - Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) lyrics

"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)"

Single by The Icicle Works
from the album The Icicle Works
B-side "In the Cauldron of Love"
Genre Rock
Length 3:45
Label Beggars Banquet
Writer(s) Ian McNabb
Producer Hugh Jones

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #37