Is This the Train to Desert Moon?

Born in Chicago today's solo artist video is one from one of the founding members of the rock band Styx. The band gained popularity through the 70's and into the early 80's before breaking up for a little while. In 1984, lead singer Dennis DeYoung released a solo album called "Desert Moon." In today's video, Dennis is going back to his roots and hanging out with the guys for a few days drinking some beer (there's an open container violation in the video - you just watch for it), playing some football (Dennis has no QB skills at all), cruising around in his sweet convertible, and just reminiscing about days gone by and a magical place called "Desert Moon"...




Lyrics | Dennis Deyoung lyrics - Desert Moon lyrics

"Desert Moon"

Single by Dennis DeYoung
from the album Desert Moon
B-side "Gravity"
Released 1984
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Genre Pop
Length 4:48 (single version)
6:09 (album version)
Label A&M
Writer(s) Dennis DeYoung
Producer Dennis DeYoung

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

You're Struck By Lightening

I think today's hair metal jam is a little bit underrated in the fact that it only reached #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and #34 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks back in 1985. The song is the lead track from the San Diego band Ratt's album "Invasion of Your Privacy." Here is some Ratt n' Roll with "You're In Love"...




Lyrics | Ratt lyrics - You're In Love lyrics


"You're in Love"

Single by Ratt
from the album Invasion of Your Privacy
Released 1985
Format Vinyl LP, Cassette, CD
Recorded 1985
Genre Glam metal
Length 3:12
Label Atlantic
Producer Beau Hill

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #89

80's Movie Weekend - Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!

Yes that's right, after a successful debut in 1984, Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Larry B. Scott, Timothy Busfield, and the rest are back for the 1987 sequel... Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!

The trailer to "Revenge of the Nerds II (Nerds in Paradise)"...



Vote "No" on 15! Remember comedian Barry Sobel? You will once you see him rapping with the nerds...




the nerds get their revenge with a young hot Courtney Thorne Smith helping to lead the way...



Revenge of the Nerds II
Nerds in Paradise

Directed by Joe Roth
Produced by Joe Roth
Ted Field
Peter Bart
Written by Steve Marshall
Starring Robert Carradine
Anthony Edwards
Curtis Armstrong
Larry B. Scott
Timothy Busfield
Music by Gerald V. Casale
Mark Mothersbaugh
Cinematography Charles Correll
Editing by Richard Chew
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Interscope
Release date(s) July 10, 1987
Running time 98 min.
Country
Language English
Budget $10 million
Gross revenue $30,063,289
Preceded by Revenge of the Nerds
Followed by The Next Generation

I'm Not Aware of Too Many Things

Today's artist was born and reared in Texas in 1966 and married Paul Simon in 1992. Best known for today's little diddy from 1988, here is Edie Brickell along with her New Bohemians with the catchy little hit "What I Am"...


Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - What I Am
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. - Explore more music videos.


Lyrics | Edie Brickell & New Bohemians lyrics - What I Am lyrics

"What I Am"

7" single cover
Single by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
from the album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
B-side "I Do", "Walk on the Wildside"
Released 1989
Format 7" single, 12" single, 3" CD single, cassette single
Genre Alternative rock, jangle pop
Length 4:54
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow
Producer Pat Moran

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

When I Took You Out, I Knew What You Were All About

Well, I'm getting the rest of my Robert Palmer kick out of my system today. I know, some of you are sarcastically saying "thankfully." Anyway, this is a phrase I've used I don't know how many thousands of times. It happens to us studs all the time, back when we were single that is... I'm sorry, baby, "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On"...




Lyrics | Robert Palmer lyrics - I Didn't Mean To Turn You On lyrics

"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On"
by Robert Palmer
from the album: Riptide
released: 1985

How Can It Be Permissable

Continuing our Robert Palmer hits that I started yesterday, here is Mr. Palmer with a #2 hit from 1988 called "Simply Irresistible"...


Robert Palmer - Simply Irresistible
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - Explore more music videos.


Lyrics | Robert Palmer lyrics - Simply Irresistible lyrics

"Simply Irresistible"
Single by Robert Palmer
from the album Heavy Nova
A-side "Simply Irresistible (Extended Version)" (12" and CD)
"Simply Irresistible (7" version)
B-side "Simply Irresistible (Instrumental Version)" (12" and CD)
"Nova"
Released June 22, 1988 (UK)
Format Vinyl 7" and 12"
Compact Disc
Recorded Lugano, Switzerland
Genre Dance-rock
Power pop
Length 4:14
Label EMI, Manhattan
Writer(s) Robert Palmer

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

Your Lights Are On, But You're Not Home

In the 80's, an Englishman by the name of Robert Palmer hit it big both with solo hits and as part of a group known as Power Station. We've already seen some Power Station videos in The Excellent 80's, so today, tomorrow, and the next day we bring you three of his biggest solo hits. This was probably his most famous solo hit and probably one of the most famous and most parodied videos in the MTV era. Here he is with a lot of guys' dream band in his song and video "Addicted to Love"...




Lyrics | Robert Palmer lyrics - Addicted To Love lyrics

"Addicted to Love"
Single by Robert Palmer
from the album Riptide
A-side "Addicted to Love"
B-side "Remember to Remember"
Released 1986
Format 7"
Recorded 1985
Genre Rock
Length 6:01 (album version)
4:04 (single version)
Label Island Records
Writer(s) Robert Palmer
Producer Bernard Edwards

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

How Many Times Must I Tell You Babe

When I posted "The Color of Money" this past weekend featuring Eric Clapton's "It's in the Way That You Use It" single, it got me to thinking about this hit of his from 1985. It was the only video Clapton shot from his album "Behind the Sun," but the song reached #1 on the Top Rock Tracks Chart that year. At the time, the popular Clapton was 40 years old and you can just tell from the video that it probably took one take to do. Not too much to this video, but it doesn't need to be... it's Eric Clapton with "Forever Man"...


Eric Clapton - Forever Man (Official Music Video) - Watch more top selected videos about: Eric_Clapton


Lyrics | Eric Clapton lyrics - Forever Man lyrics

"Forever Man"
Single by Eric Clapton
from the album Behind the Sun
Released 1985
Format CD
Recorded 1984
Genre Rock
Length 3:14
Label Warner Music Group
Writer(s) Jerry Lynn Williams
Producer Lenny Waronker, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins

Chart (1985) Peak position
Billboard Hot 100 #26
Billboard Top Rock Tracks #1

80's Movie Weekend

In 1961, a young Paul Newman starred in a movie called "The Hustler" along with Jackie Gleason. Some 20 plus years later, he reprised his role as Fast Eddie Felson for a sequel that featured star Tom Cruise as his young and unpredictable protege named Vincent (who can forget the black t-shirt with his name "Vince" on the front of it?).

A Martin Scorsese flick from 1986, here is the trailer for "The Color of Money"...



Whatchu got in there? Here? Doom...



A younger Forrest Whitaker hustles Fast Eddie...



"The Color of Money" had a good soundtrack to it that featured Warren Zevon, Don Henley, Robert Palmer, B.B. King, and included this gem by Eric Clapton. Hard to believe that this is the first appearance by Clapton in The Excellent 80's despite his years and years of success. He just wasn't a staple on MTV very much in the 80's with only a handful of videos. This one, though, remains one of my favorite Clapton solo efforts. Just remember, "It's in the Way That You Use It"




Lyrics | Eric Clapton lyrics - It's In The Way That You Use It lyrics

The Color of Money

Directed by Martin Scorsese
Produced by Irving Axelrad
Barbara De Fina
Dodie Foster
Written by Richard Price
Walter Tevis (novel)
Starring Paul Newman
Tom Cruise
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Helen Shaver
Forest Whitaker
John Turturro
Music by Robbie Robertson
Cinematography Michael Ballhaus
Editing by Thelma Schoonmaker
Distributed by Touchstone Pictures
Release date(s) October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17)
Running time 119 minutes
Language English
Budget $13,800,000 (estimated)
Gross revenue $76,728,982(Box Office and Rentals)
Preceded by The Hustler

Well Your Nobody Called Today

The Excellent 80's took you country on Monday with Terri Gibbs and "Somebody's Knockin'," and we end the work week with another country cross-over smash from the artist born as Sylvia Jane Kirby in Kokomo, Indiana. Better known as just Sylvia, she charted 13 top 10 country singles in the 80's, and I recall today's song very vividly cruising around in the backseat of my parents green oldsmobile in 1982. Here is Sylvia with the 1982 BMI Song of the Year, and her biggest hit - "Nobody"...




Lyrics | Sylvia lyrics - Nobody lyrics

"Nobody"

Single by Sylvia
from the album Just Sylvia
Released 1982
Genre Country Pop
Length 3:19
Label RCA Records
Writer(s) Kye Fleming, Dennis Morgan
Certification Gold (RIAA)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15
U.S. Country Charts peak: #1

When I Kiss You I Can Taste What Other Men Had for Lunch!

We had one "Wild Thing" on Tuesday, and here's another totally opposite one today. This video was a classic staple on MTV for quite a while after it came out. There was no comedian more popular for a short time than Sam Kinison. In 1988, he came out with this novelty video that covered a 60's song. With a very hot Jessica Hahn rolling around on the floor, the video features cameos from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Slash, Billy Idol, Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Richie Sambora, and Tommy Lee. Here is Sam Kinison's take on a song that went all the way to #1 for an English band called The Troggs in 1966. Originally written and performed in 1965 by a band called The Wild Ones, here is the ex-preacher, now deceased Sam Kinison with "Wild Thing"




Lyrics | Sam Kinison lyrics - Wild Thing lyrics

"Wild Thing"
by Sam Kinison
from the album: Have You Seen Me Lately?
released: 1988

The Wind Blows Hard Against This Mountainside

Though I wasn't particulary a fan of today's band and didn't care for their first single "Broken Wings", I did like today's hit which shot up the charts all the way to #1 in 1986. It's that crazy named band called Mr. Mister today with the latin phrase "Kýrie, eléison" which simply translates to "Lord Have Mercy". Here is "Kyrie"...




Lyrics | Mr. Mister lyrics - Kyrie lyrics

"Kyrie"

Single by Mr. Mister
from the album Welcome to the Real World
Released January 1986
Format 7", 12"
Recorded December 1985
Genre Pop rock
Length 4:25
Label RCA Records
Writer(s) R. Page/S. George/J. Lang
Producer Mr. Mister, Paul DeVilliers

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Said I Got It Going on Baby Doll, and I'm on Fire

Today's video takes a page out of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" video and also samples Van Halen's "Jamie's Cryin'." It's the unmistakable baritone voice of one Mr. Anthony Terrell Smith born in 1966 in L.A. You might know him better as the rapper known as Tone Loc. Written by Young MC, here is Tone Loc's biggest hit - "Wild Thing"...


Tone Loc - Wild Thing
Uploaded by exploreur. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.


Lyrics | Tone Loc lyrics - Wild Thing lyrics

"Wild Thing"
Single by Tone Lōc
from the album Lōc-ed After Dark
Released 1988
Genre Rap/Pop-rap
Length 4:23
Label Delicious Vinyl
Writer(s) Young MC
Producer Matt Dike, Michael Ross

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

I've Heard About Him, But I Never Dreamed...

... He'd have blue eyes and blue jeans. Ahh, yeah, don't tell me you don't remember that line from today's blast back to 1981 and a blind country singer by the name of Terri Gibbs. She was nominated for a grammy for today's song and also went on to chart 13 singles on the Billboard Country charts between 1980-1990, but she is most known for today's hit. Being introduced by Barry White and Dionne Warwick, here is Terri Gibbs with "Somebody's Knockin'"...




Lyrics | Terri Gibbs lyrics - Somebody's Knockin' lyrics

"Somebody's Knockin'"

by Terri Gibbs
from the album: "Somebody's Knockin'"
released: 1981

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13
U.S. Country Charts peak: #8

I know someone who made a post about this movie once... once! If you have any idea about what that first sentence means, then you must have seen this movie at least once back in the day. Michael Keaton stars as "Johnny Dangerously," a honest, good-hearted gangster who has to turn to a life of crime to pay for his mother's medical bills and to put his brother through law school. SNL's Joe Piscopo stars as his nemesis in this gangster spoof of a movie as well as Marilu Henner, Dom DeLuise, and Peter Boyle.

the trailer to "Johnny Dangerously"...



who knew Michael Keaton could bust a move like this?...



my mother grabbed me once... once...



Johnny Dangerously

Directed by Amy Heckerling
Produced by Michael Hertzberg
Written by Harry Colomby
Jeff Harris
Bernie Kukoff
Norman Steinberg
Starring Michael Keaton
Joe Piscopo
Marilu Henner
Maureen Stapleton
Peter Boyle
Richard Dimitri
Griffin Dunne
Dom DeLuise
Danny DeVito
Dick Butkus
Byron Thames
Alan Hale, Jr.
Glynnis O'Connor
Music by John Morris
Cinematography David M. Walsh
Editing by Pembroke J. Herring
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) September 1984 (1984-1221)
Country United States
Language English

a little bonus Weird Al Yankovich for you this weekend as Weird Al was responsible for the title track to this movie... here is "This is the Life"...

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Well, the past two days have featured hits from 1982, so in keeping with that theme, let's take you back again to 1982 and the former front woman of the hit girls group known as The Supremes. That's right, it's a little Diana Ross for you again today. Wind machine - check. Smoke machine - check. Sexy dress - check. Mirrors - check! Here is "Mirror Mirror"...




Lyrics | Diana Ross lyrics - Mirror, Mirror lyrics

"Mirror, Mirror"
Single by Diana Ross
from the album Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Released 1982
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1981
Genre Rock, Pop, Dance
Length 6:02
Label RCA
Writer(s) Dennis Matkosky,
Michael Sembello
Producer Diana Ross
Certification Gold (US)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

I Can Tell You Got Plans for Me

I think I've seen today's keyboardist on some "America's Most Wanted" posters at some point throughout my life. Chances are he was fired at some point after today's hit by the sexy Olivia Newton-John. I say she was no more than 75 pounds in today's wild and crazy video. I actually preferred today's song to the more popular "Physical" that was also on the same album. Today's song peaked at #5 back in 1982, here is "Make a Move on Me"...




Lyrics | Olivia Newton-John lyrics - Make A Move On Me lyrics

"Make A Move On Me"
Single by Olivia Newton-John
from the album Physical
Released 1982
Recorded 1981
Length 3:13
Label MCA
Writer(s) Tom Snow
Producer John Farrar

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

Cryin' On the Corner, Waitin' in the Rain

Today I give you fire and motorcycles and a bulldozer! You're probably thinking what metal group and video do you have for us today? Sadly, it's not a hard rock group or even that cool of a video. The song was a hit back in 1982 and has a catchy tune to it for a band formed in Portland in 1980. It's the band Quarterflash with their biggest charting single "Harden My Heart." Where is this chick running at the beginning of the video and why is she in a leotard?





Lyrics | Quarterflash lyrics - Harden My Heart lyrics

"Harden My Heart"
Single by Quarterflash
from the album Quarterflash
Released 1981
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded 1981
Genre Rock
Label Geffen Records
Writer(s) Ross

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

I Did My Best, but I Guess My Best Wasn't Good Enough

Quincy Jones is one of the most successful men in music recording history. He has worked with the likes of Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and the late king of pop, Michael Jackson. In 1981, Quincy released an album called "The Dude" which marked the debut of a talented singer by the name of James Ingram.
The great thing about today's video, besides James' sweet afro, has to be that it is subtitled in Japanese, maybe Chinese, I don't know, but if you're of Asian descent and you liked you some James Ingram back in the day, then this is just the best. Check out James with his 1981 hit off of a Quincy Jones album - "Just Once"...




Lyrics | James Ingram lyrics - Just Once lyrics

"Just Once"
by James Ingram
from the album: "The Dude" (Quincy Jones')
released: 1981

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17

That Funky Monkey

The Beasties are back today with another classic from their "Licensed to Ill" album. Today's song a tribute to an alcoholic beverage by the same name. Though there was never an official video to this song, here is a concert shot video from one of their early DVD's. Just put your left leg down, your right leg up, and enjoy this cut of "Brass Monkey"...




Lyrics | Beastie Boys lyrics - Brass Monkey lyrics

"Brass Monkey"
Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Licensed to Ill
Released January 5, 1987 (1987-01-05)
Format 7"
Recorded 1986
Genre Hip-hop
Length 2:37
Label Def Jam/Columbia Records
Writer(s) Beastie Boys, Rick Rubin
Producer Rick Rubin
Certification Gold (RIAA)

Chart (1987) Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #48
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #83

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's 80's flashback is a movie that came out in the early 80's with a setting in 1959. The screenplay for "Diner" was nominated for an Academy Award and featured a truck load of stars - Steve Guttenberg as Edward 'Eddie' Simmons, Daniel Stern as Laurence 'Shrevie' Schreiber, Mickey Rourke as Robert 'Boogie' Sheftel, Kevin Bacon as Timothy Fenwick Jr., Tim Daly as William 'Billy' Howard, Ellen Barkin as Beth Schreiber, and Paul Reiser as Modell.

the trailer to "Diner"...



the classic popcorn scene with Mickey Rourke's unbelievable explanation that somehow works...



Diner

Directed by Barry Levinson
Produced by Jerry Weintraub
Written by Barry Levinson
Starring

* Steve Guttenberg
* Daniel Stern
* Mickey Rourke
* Kevin Bacon
* Timothy Daly
* Ellen Barkin
* Paul Reiser

Music by Bruce Brody
Ivan Kral
Cinematography Peter Sova
Editing by Stu Linder
Distributed by MGM
Release date(s) March 5, 1982 (1982-03-05)
Running time 110 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $5 million
Gross revenue $14,099,953 (United States)[1]

Roam If You Want To

Of course everyone knows today's group for their funky, infectious little hit back in the 80's known as "Love Shack." But, they had another big hit from the same album that I enjoy just as much, maybe even more, to this day. It's some state of art video graphics for 1989 in this video for sure. Here is the Athens, Georgia band known as The B-52's with "Roam"...




Lyrics | B-52's lyrics - Roam lyrics

"Roam"
Single by The B-52's
from the album Cosmic Thing
B-side "Bushfire"
Released 21 April 1990
Format Compact disc
Recorded 1989
Genre Pop rock / New Wave
Length 4:54
Label Reprise
Writer(s) Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Robert Waldrop, Cindy Wilson
Producer Nile Rodgers
Don Was

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

Kneel Down Ye Sinners

Kneel down to the force that is the Crue! Always one of my favorite rock bands, Motley Crue gives us a glimpse into their "Girls, Girls, Girls" tour of 1987/88 with today's video that features Tommy Lee's drum contraption that would rise into the air and turn him 360 degrees while he banged on the skins. At this time in their career, the L.A. band was indeed living the "Wild Side"...


Motley Crue - Wild Side (Official Music Video) - Watch more top selected videos about: Mötley_Crüe


Lyrics | Motley Crue lyrics - Wild Side lyrics

"Wild Side"
Single by Mötley Crüe
from the album Girls, Girls, Girls
Released 1987
Recorded 1987
Genre Glam metal
Length 4:40
Label Elektra
Writer(s) Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil

I'm Asking You What You Know About These Things

When you have crazy Bobby one day, you just have to follow it up with crazy Whitney the next, don't you? I can't seem to separate them after watching years of drugs, abuse, and just weirdness from the duo. So, back in 1985, 22 year old Whitney Houston released this song that bounded up the charts to #1 and the video became a staple on MTV. Back when she was just churning out hit after hit, here is "How Will I Know"...


Whitney Houston - How Will I Know (Official Music Video) - Watch more top selected videos about: Whitney_Houston


Lyrics | Whitney Houston lyrics - How Will I Know lyrics

"How Will I Know"

Single by Whitney Houston
from the album Whitney Houston
Released November 1985
Format CD single
Cassette single
7" single
Recorded 1984
Genre Dance-pop, R&B
Length 4:36
Label Arista
Writer(s) George Merrill
Shannon Rubicam
Producer Narada Michael Walden

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

If I Put a Drink Up, You Won't Even Toast

Whaaattt? That ain't right, girl. After over three years with this blog I'm a little surprised I've never featured my favorite Bobby Brown song. And don't tell me when you see skinny Bobby Brown in this video that you don't think to yourself - 'he looks a little like Chris Rock.' Back when Bobby was hitting his stride and at the top of his solo game, from 1987, here is "Don't Be Cruel"...




Lyrics | Bobby Brown lyrics - Don't Be Cruel (Single Mix) lyrics

"Don't Be Cruel"
Single by Bobby Brown
from the album Don't Be Cruel
Released May 16, 1988
Format Cassette single
7" single
12" single
CD single
Recorded 1987
Genre New jack swing
Length 6:52 (album version)
4:54 (radio edit)
Label MCA
Writer(s) Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Antonio Reid, Daryl Simmons

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

Curiosity Rules My Brain

Today's video features one of the 80's biggest female stars selling over 20 million albums. She's already been featured in here once before with "Don't You Want Me?" Showing off her sexy legs in today's featured 80's video, it's Chicago native Jody Watley and check her out as she's "Looking for a New Love"...




Lyrics | Jody Watley lyrics - Looking For A New Love lyrics

"Looking for a New Love"
Single by Jody Watley
from the album Jody Watley
Released 1987
Recorded 1986
Genre Pop
Length 5:07 (album) / 3:58 (single)
Label MCA
Writer(s) André Cymone, Jody Watley
Producer André Cymone, David Z.

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
U.S. R&B peak: #1