This weekend's movie flashback has a nice summer feel to it. It stars a young Matt Dillon as Jeffrey, and is directed by Garry Marshall. Set in 1963, the movie about a young impressionable working class kid (Dillon) who goes to work at a beach resort called The Flamingo also stars Hector Elizondo, Richard Crenna, and Mrs. Wayne Gretzky - Janet Jones.
Here is the trailer for "The Flamingo Kid"...
The Flamingo Kid needs some help eating quietly...
The Flamingo Kid
Directed by Garry Marshall Produced by Michael Phillips Nick Abdo (associate producer) Written by Gary Marshall Neal Marshall Bo Goldman Starring Matt Dillon Hector Elizondo Janet Jones Richard Crenna Jessica Walter Music by Curt Sobel Cinematography James A. Contner Editing by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly Studio ABC Motion Pictures Distributed by 20th Century Fox (theatrical) MGM (DVD) Release date(s) December 21, 1984 Running time 100 min. Country United States Language English
Back in the late 80's emerged a rap duo that was smoooove... the legendary duo from Brentwood, NY rapped like they were in no hurry and called themselves EPMD (the E for Erick Sermon and the P for Parrish Smith = Erick and Parrish Making Dollars).
From their debut album (which I used to have on cassette) called "Strictly Business", today's song gave us some memorable lines like "If you're tired, then go take a nap." But, most of all, sampling from Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and funk band Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce," EPMD told us all "You Gots to Chill"...
It was the end of 2007 the last time I posted a video of today's group led by the man simply known as "Kool." This is some great acting in today's video, but it's definitely one of my favorite songs from Kool and the Gang. From 1985, here is the weird all-white woman dancing around Robert "Kool" Bell in a weird video, but a cool song - "Misled"
Check out all of Michael Stipe's hair in today's classic performance from The Late Show with David Letterman circa 1983. I also love his pants. I wonder how many bands like this David has seen over the years and thinks to himself, "these guys are terrible... they'll never be heard from again." Well, if he thought that on this night in 1983, he couldn't have been more wrong as R.E.M. has endured and persevered through the years. Here is their debut single, the indecipherable "Radio Free Europe"...
From the late 80's, one of Christian Music's biggest artists ever... so big, only one name was needed - Carman! Check out this video from Tulsa sometime in the late 80's with Carman performing one of his earliest hits - "The Champion"...
In the vast expanse of a timeless place, Where silence ruled the outer space, Ominously, towering it stood, The symbol of a spirit war Between the one name Lucifer, And the Morning Star, The ultimate of good.
Enveloped by a trillion planets, Clean as lightning and hard as granite, A cosmic coliseum would host the end Of the war between the lord of sin and death, And the Omnipotent Creator of man's first breath, Who will decide who forever will be the Champion.
The audience for the 'Fight of the Ages' was assembled and in place. The angels came in splendor from a star. The saints that had gone before were there: Jeremiah, Enoch, Job. They were singing the "Song of Zion" on David's harp.
The demons arrived, offensive and vile, cursing and blaspheming God. Followed by their 'trophies' dead and gone. Hitler, Napoleon, Pharaoh, Capone, Tormented and vexed and grieved. Waiting for their judgment From the Throne.
Then a chill swept through the mammoth crowd and the demons squealed with glee, as a sordid, vulgar, repulsive essence was felt. Arrogantly prancing, hands held high, draped in a sparkling shroud Trolled by demons, Satan ascended from Hell.
Then Satan cringed, the sinners groaned! The demons reeled in pain as a swell of power like silent thunder rolled With a surge of light beyond intense, illuminating the universe, In resplendent glory appeared the Son of God.
Then a Persona, yes, Extraordinaire appeared in center ring. God the Father will oversee the duel. Opening the Book of Life, each grandstand hushed in awe as majestically He said, "Now here's the rules. He'll be wounded for their transgressions, bruised for iniquities" When He said, "By His stripes they're healed," the devil shook! He screamed, "Sickness is my specialty. I hate that healing junk!" God said, "You shut your face, I wrote the book!" Then the Father looked at His only Son and said, "You know the rules. Your blood will cleanse their sins and calm their fears." Then He pointed His finger at Satan and said, "And I know you know the rules. You've been twisting them to deceive My people for years." Satan screamed, "I'll kill you Christ! You'll never win this fight!" The demons wheezed, "That's right, there ain't no way." Satan jeered, "You're dead meat, Jesus, I'm gonna bust you UP tonight!" Jesus said, "Go ahead, make my day!" The bell rang, the crowd cheered, the fight was on, And the devil leaped in fury. With all his evil tricks he came undone. He threw his jabs of hate and lust. A stab of pride and envy but the hand that knew no sin blocked every one.
Forty days and nights they fought, and Satan couldn't touch Him. Now the final blow saved for the final round. Prophetically Christ's hands came down And Satan struck in vengeance! The blow of death felled Jesus to the ground.
The devils roared in victory! The saints shocked and perplexed as wounds appeared upon His hands and feet. Then Satan kicked Him in His side, and blood and water flowed. And they waited for the 10 count of defeat.
God the Father turned His head, His tears announcing Christ was dead! The 10 count would proclaim the battle's end. Then Satan trembled through his sweat in unexpected horror, yet... As God started to count by saying, "...10..." "Hey wait a minute, God..." "...9..." "Stop! You're counting wrong..." "...8..." His eyes are moving... "...7..." His fingers are twitching... "...6..." "Where's all this Light coming from?" "...5..." "He's alive!" "...4..." "Oh - nooooo!" "...3..." "And yet," "...2..." "Oh...Yessssss! "...1..." He has won! He has won! He's alive forevermore! He is risen, He is Lord, He has won! He has won! He's alive forevermore, He is risen! He is Lord!
Proclaim the news in every tongue, Through endless ages and beyond Let it be voiced from mountains loud and strong Captivity has been set free, salvation bought for you and me 'Cause Satan is defeated, And Jesus is The Champion
"The Champion" by Carman from the album "The Champion" released: 1986
Before 1985's album "Who's Zoomin' Who?" the Queen of Soul had not had a top 40 hit since 1973. But, back she came in a big way with two top 10 hits that year and a #1 hit followed in 1987 with her duet with George Michael. Here is one of those top 10 hits from the 1985 album... it's the then 43 year old Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, with "Freeway of Love"...
"Freeway of Love"
Single by Aretha Franklin
from the album Who's Zoomin' Who?
B-side "Until You Say You Love Me"
Released June, 1985
Genre R&B, pop
Length 4:09 (single edit)
5:52 (album version)
Label Arista
Writer(s) Jeffrey Cohen, Narada Michael Walden
Producer Narada Michael Walden
I still love today's movie from 1988 and being born and raised in Oklahoma I always love it when Steve Martin is running around banging on a pot yelling "Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma!" A clever and very funny movie indeed also co-starring Michael Caine, enjoy the look back at "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"...
the trailer...
The best of Ruprecht...
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Directed by Frank Oz Produced by Bernard Williams Written by Dale Launer Stanley Shapiro Paul Henning Starring Steve Martin Michael Caine Glenne Headly Ian McDiarmid Dana Ivey Anton Rodgers Barbara Harris Music by Miles Goodman Cinematography Michael Ballhaus Editing by Stephen A. Rotter William S. Scharf Distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation Release date(s) December 14, 1988 (1988-12-14) Running time 110 minutes Country United States Language English
Something around 1985 caused Peter Gabriel to come out with all these weirdly creative videos during the 80's that, personally, I just didn't like that much. That includes today's hit from Gabriel that came out after his wildly popular song/video "Sledgehammer." I'll be a big noise with all the big boys... "Big Time"...
Single by Peter Gabriel from the album So B-side "Curtains", "We do what we're told" Released January 1987 Format 7", 12", CD Recorded 1985 Genre New Wave, Funk rock Length 4:26 (6:14 Extended version) Label Geffen Writer(s) Peter Gabriel Producer Daniel Lanois
It's the day after... the 3rd birthday of The Excellent 80's has come and gone and the hangover has set in from counting down my favorite 80 songs/videos of the 80's... but instead of some depressing, slow song today, I've got to pump things back up with some upbeat music and a classic video...
He's walking on water! He's marrying a supermodel! He's landing another top 40 hit! It's another Robert "Mutt" Lange production as Ric and the boys known as The Cars get you into the summer mood in the heart of summertime with this gem - "Magic"...
"Magic" Single by The Cars from the album Heartbeat City B-side "I Refuse" Released May 7, 1984 (1984-05-07) Format 7" Recorded 1983-1984 Genre Rock Length 3:56 Label Elektra Writer(s) Ric Ocasek Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange The Cars
It's been a totally awesome 80 days where I've displayed my favorite 80 videos/songs of the 80's right here everyday for 80 days. It's basically been an impossible task as there have been numerous great songs and videos that didn't make my list for whatever reason.
Anyway, it's also a happy 3rd birthday to The Excellent 80's today, and here, after 80 days, is the #1 song/video from the 80's as selected by a panel of one at The Excellent 80's.
It's a song I remember blaring from my car speakers in the summer of 1987 before my junior year in high school. It's part rock ballad, part rock anthem. I loved the keyboards and the slow buildup, and then who can resist playing air drums as this song kicks into high gear with David Coverdale's vocals and a sweet guitar solo. Also proving they could play some music across the pond, this is the third straight non-U.S. group in the countdown.
The video itself features fast cars and a fast woman by the name of Tawny Kitaen who was unbelievably hot back then, and would later become Coverdale's wife for about two years, before divorcing and going on to marry baseball pitcher Chuck Finley (the couple would divorce as well). The only debate is who has the better hair in the video - David or Tawny?
But all of that doesn't matter to me. Just take me back to 1987 for this four and half minutes of hair metal magic, and this number one hit for the band Whitesnake as they cap off our Top 80 countdown. Thanks for following along!
Sorry, but The Excellent 80's 3rd birthday is not until tomorrow, so I've chosen to put you in another 24 hours of suspense as you eagerly await my #1 video/song of the 80's. Just liken it to when Casey Kasem would play a sappy, boring, time-wasting "long distance dedication" right before the number one song. Anyway, here are few other of my favorites that just didn't quite make it into my top 80 countdown, but they aren't sappy, boring, or time-wasting. Check 'em out!
Just missed: "California Girls" by David Lee Roth
What can I say, the video is killer and Diamond Dave does a nice remake of this Beach Boys' classic, and there's some pretty eye candy in it as well.
Today, we have the runner-up and my #2 favorite song/video from the 80's, and it's from a Scottish band. The song is the featured song from the movie soundtrack of one of the best (if not the best) movies from the 80's - "The Breakfast Club." I absolutely still love this song to this day and will always remember "The Breakfast Club" as the first R-rated movie I ever snuck into... twice. The song hit #1 in the U.S. in 1985 for the Scottish group known as Simple Minds.
Next to Van Halen, today's hard rock act is probably my favorite. Tons of hits, catchy hooks, and they're still touring hard to this day. I believe somewhere along the line this song was also ranked as the #1 stripper song of all-time so it has that going for it as well. Here is the English rock band Def Leppard with a little ditty that was the final track added to their 12 track album called "Hysteria." It peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts back in 1987, and has since turned into a timeless classic. Kudos to one-armed drumming sensation Rick Allen for the Jim Morrison t-shirt he's sporting in the video as well.
I have to say that I honestly don't think I ever saw the UK version of the video that was released in 1987, and after watching it (below), I don't think I really missed out on anything. Here's a bonus video of the song for you today...
I love the Eagles as a group, but when Don Henley went solo I didn't mind it one bit because he came up with some great stuff including this gem at #4 on The Excellent 80's Countdown of its' favorite 80 videos/songs of the 80's. The song and video have a very nostalgic feel with the black and white shots, and also a very nostalgic sound to it, and that's one of the reasons I love it especially every September when this song seems most applicable. Even though today's song only reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, the video won Video of the Year by MTV in 1985 (back when MTV played music videos and only had one station). Don Henley is just cool in this video and this song is still cool to this day.
Wow we are in the top 5 now here on my own personal Top 80 countdown of my favorite videos/songs of the 80's. The Excellent 80's is kicking it into high gear my friends and not slowing down over the next five days culminating with the #1 song on this blog's third birthday!
Today we feature my favorite Canadian rocker (sorry Cory Hart, it's not you). From a great album entitled "Reckless" (I still have the cassette tape) we get today's hit which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. I've seen Bryan Adams twice in concert - once back during his Reckless tour and then again about 5 or 6 years ago. He can still jam this song, and I still like the video with its' change in seasons and on stage shots. It's Bryan Adams at his best telling everyone that it's ok to be a two-timing dog if you don't get caught! Wait... is that right?
The first words I ever heard from today's group were "Welcome to your life." After that there was no stopping Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith as the 1985 album "Songs from the Big Chair" would dominate the airwaves and MTV for months to come including today's video at #6 on The Excellent 80's countdown. It doesn't really make much sense to me other than the little hispanic boy trying to shoot down Curt at the beginning of the video - that boy has some ambition! But, otherwise, what's up with the two brothers dressed in tuxedos grooving in front of some old school gas pumps? Here is the British pop/rock group that hit it big in the mid to late 80's with my favorite song of theirs, because this blog will rule the world someday... believe it!
#6 "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears
When today's hit was released I was only nine so I don't recall it, but when the re-release happened six years later along with a video, it didn't take long for it to become one of my all-time favorites. You've got a chick riding a mechanical bull in a hot leather outfit along with others riding stationary bikes. This video just screamed sex and as a 15 year old it was right in my wheelhouse. It's the unmistakable vocals of Brian Johnson and the school-boy outfit wearing Angus Young and the Aussie band AC/DC today.
Wow, I almost let the day go by without a mention that today is the 25th anniversary of Live Aid held both at Wembley Stadium in London and also at JFK Stadium in Philly. Organized by Boomtown Rats' Bob Geldof, the two events drew over 170,000 people total and helped raise money and awareness for famine relief in Ethiopia. There were appearances made by U2, Sting, Elton John, Madonna, Rick Springfield, Run DMC, and Bryan Adams among many others. Also rememberable was the fact that Phil Collins, thanks to a concorde flight across the Atlantic, played both concerts that day.
It's not often that I get to post any Queen in here, but thanks to their performance at Live Aid in 1985, here is piece of their performance...
Now I know I've never got to post any Zeppelin in here until today, but thanks to their reunion of sorts for Live Aid, here is a piece of their performance from that historic day... even though it wasn't a great performance by many standards (including theirs), it's still Zeppelin!
Here's some Mick Jagger and Tina Turner tearing up the stage...
U2 with "Bad"...
And finally, here is the Material Girl performing "Holiday"...
In September of 1984, today's song/video peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but every where around the country English teachers cringed... and so did any adults trying to teach proper English to their children. That's because John Waite was all over the airwaves and all over MTV with his hit that features the word "ain't" approximately 17 times throughout the song. With the video, we get an idea of how outdated it is whenever we see John in a telephone booth. Kids these days have no idea what a telephone booth or payphone even is, as both have become relics from the 80's and early 90's. John is looking pretty cool in this video, but the dangling earring always bothered me, but maybe that's what gives him the super power to crush a telephone receiver in one scene!
Well, it's back to my favorite rock band ever with their most popular hit. It's the song that propelled them to superstar status in the mainstream in 1984 just before they decided to get rid of their lead singer. The band was formed in Pasadena, CA, in 1972 and discovered by Kiss' Gene Simmons who originally wanted the band to be called Daddy Long Legs. Thank goodness that didn't happen and thank goodness for this song which was the band's only #1 single and can still be heard to this day at various basketball arenas around the country before a jump ball. Here's the very limber and flexible Diamond Dave, bassist Michael Anthony, and the Van Halen brothers.
Wow, how time has flown as we're entering serious territory right now - The Excellent 80's top 10 songs/videos of the 80's. In a lot of the best songs or best rock songs of the 80's lists, Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer" can be found at or near the top. But, here at The Excellent 80's with a panel of one voting, my favorite Bon Jovi song is the one that really seemed to put them on the map. I love the concert energy in the video, the chicks wearing the "Slippery When Wet" t-shirts, and the overall performance of a man and a group that has stood the test of time. Give me this #1 hit classic from 1986 from Bon Jovi any day of the week, and I'll play air drums with the best of them.
This was the song that turned me into a MJ fan forever. It caused me to learn to moonwalk and to put on shows for my family as I attempted to imitate the late, great, Michael Jackson. I always wished that the sidewalk would light up as I walked down it and also thought I'd look good in a pink bow-tie and black leather pants. Also, the video has a nice shout-out to the old polaroid instant camera, and I always loved how Michael shushed the old lady as he made his way up the lighted stairs. This song helped propel Michael into the king of pop status that he may never relinquish even in death.
Today's #12 video/song on The Excellent 80's top 80 countdown is the second song in less than a week for Rick Springfield. It was a #5 hit on the Billboard charts for Rick in 1984 and was the biggest hit off of his album "Hard to Hold" which was also the title of the less than successful movie of his by the same name. Regardless, this song remains my favorite Springfield song to this day. With lyrics like "you're undernourished and overfed", how can you not like it? Just take his advice and love somebody, baby. I added the "baby" part, but you know what he's saying.
Surprisingly to myself, the #13 video in my countdown is the highest video on my list with a female singer. What can I say, though, I love the haunting sound of Aimee Mann and her band Til Tuesday in this song. The dude is a grade A jerk in the video, and Aimee gets her revenge with the crazy, spiky, braided hair, and the ruckus she creates at the opera totally embarrassing him - take that, jerk!
What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good power ballad, and there aren't many better than today's video/song. Today's song made the top 40 on the U.S. Billboard charts and the video was a cool collection of concert footage from around the U.S. Everytime I watch this video, I always think there's a chance that this time I'm going to get to see that girl's rack about midway through the video when the guy whose shoulders she's sitting on starts to raise her shirt, but alas the camera cuts away to shot of Tommy Lee mugging for the camera. Anyway, from 1985, here is the Crue.
Poor old Johnny Ray! I've always liked today's one-hit wonder video/song. It's just quirky and you have all these overall wearing dudes and chicks doing funny little dances and playing violins and a banjo and an accordian, and shouting out to a girl named Eileen. His thoughts verge on dirty, and for a brief time in 1982 this group with this song was at the top of the world. This song actually prevented Michael Jackson from having back to back #1 hits on the Billboard charts when it spent one week at #1 between "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
Ok, who of you guy's knew a guy back in high school or college named Jessie and he had a hot girlfriend? I didn't know any, but I'm sure they were out there, and I'm sure plenty of jealous dudes mocked poor Jessie wherever he was. You know, I really feel bad for Rick in today's video, because poor Rick, so ugly and unattractive, probably never got any woman he wanted. It just would have been nice had Jessie's girl seen past his hideous exterior and dumped her loser boyfriend so that Rick could have had someone. Poor sap. I guess that's why Rick continues to tour to this day and puts on a pretty damn good show. I've seen him about 2-3 times in the last 10 years and enjoy it. I love that the working class dog appears at the end of the video also.
Happy Fourth of July! We're taking a one day break from our Top 80 countdown to celebrate our nation's birth... the ironic thing about today's song is that it was regarded by many as a happy, rockin' U.S.A anthem, but instead really finds Bruce talking about the difficulties of Vietnam veterans back in 1984 and as Americans chased the American dream... still, it's an upbeat track and, well, let's all be proud to be "Born in the U.S.A." today!
"Born in the U.S.A." Single by Bruce Springsteen from the album Born in the U.S.A. B-side "Shut Out the Light" Released October 30, 1984 Format 7" single, 12" single Recorded May 1982 at the Power Station in New York Genre Heartland rock Length 4:39 Label Columbia Records Writer(s) Bruce Springsteen Producer Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt
When it's summer and hot like it is right now, I can't help but run today's song in the background of my mind. It's three jumpy, dancing English chicks who love eating bananas and throwing the peels at local law enforcement. I think you can get arrested for that kind of disregard these days, but back in 1983 it was all good and fun and games. So, get out your overalls, your silly little hat and bounce around to this feel-good ditty about the cruelty of summer.
In 1984 a movie was released called "Streets of Fire." I have to admit that I never saw it, but one of my favorite 80's songs comes from this soundtrack courtesy of Dan Hartman. The funny thing about the video is that that is not Dan Hartman, but instead the fictional doo-wop group from the movie called "The Sorels" - and yes, that is Robert Townsend as one of the back-up singers. The other funny thing is that Dan Hartman was a white dude, but he definitely had some soul as is evidenced by this song - his biggest hit as a singer. And I love the fact that the guys in this fictional group performing the song perform the moonwalk whenever they mention the phrase "moving sidewalks..." It's the late Dan Hartman (died of a brain tumor in 1994) checking in at #18 on The Excellent 80's Top 80 Countdown.
Today's song/video made it to #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 back in 1984 and is a classic power ballad by one of the 80's most successful rock bands. This song is their most popular but certainly not their only hit. It's a coming of age song and video and the person in this song is an actual person in real life. Somewhere she's motorin'. This is one dramatic drummer in one awesome video.
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.
