It's Close to Midnight

As has become tradition here at The Excellent 80's, Halloween must officially mean one thing... the posting of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Have a spooky good time today and enjoy the late, great MJ.




Lyrics | Michael Jackson lyrics - Thriller lyrics

80's Movie Weekend

As Halloween nears, who can forget the woman that defined cleavage in the 80's and introduced horrible late night scary movies... it's the one and only Mistress of the Dark, Elvira and her first feature film cleverly titled: "Mistress of the Dark, Elvira"


the trailer...




Here's Elvira from her Midnight Madness TV show introducing some lame movie...



and another intro to a movie...



Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

Directed by James Signorelli
Produced by Eric Gardner
Mark Pierson
Written by Cassandra Peterson
John Paragon
Sam Egan
Starring Cassandra Peterson
Music by James B. Campbell
Cinematography Hanania Bier
Editing by Battle Davis
Distributed by New World Pictures
Release date(s) September 30, 1988
Running time 96 min.
Country United States
Language English
Followed by Elvira's Haunted Hills

You Must Be a Special Lady

It's the day before Halloween and we have a very special 80's movie weekend post coming up for you after this one. We have to do this one so we can conclude our "Soul Train Saturdays" here in the Excellent 80's. From 1980, here is Ray, Goodman, and Brown (formerly known as The Moments) with "Special Lady"...




Lyrics | Ray, Goodman & Brown lyrics - Special Lady lyrics

"Special Lady"

by Ray, Goodman, and Brown
released: 1979

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
U.S. R&B charts peak: #1

80's Halloween Costumes

So, if you're still wracking your brain for that last minute Halloween costume for tonight or tomorrow, here is a link to some classic 80's costumes to get your creative juices flowing.

Discos Don't Open Till After Dark

Today's rap jam is one of the best from the 80's and fitting as Halloween is just about here. The Brooklyn group known as Whodini had a big following back in the 80's and especially from all the freaks. So, here is vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy (who wore a Zorro-style hat as his trademark); and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee with "Freaks Come Out at Night"... especially this time of year...




Lyrics | Whodini lyrics - Freaks Come Out At Night lyrics

"Freaks Come Out at Night"

by Whodini
from the album: Escape
released: 1986

Here is the audio version of their Halloween themed rap called "The Haunted House of Rock" from their 1983 self titled debut album "Whodini"...




Lyrics | Whodini lyrics - Haunted House Of Rock lyrics

Shadows On the Mountain and the Night Begins to Fall

Halloween is getting near and here's a long forgotten Halloween-themed song from 1986 from John Fogerty. Off his critically panned "Eye of the Zombie" album, here is the title track of the same name and the weird video that accompanied it from 1986...




Lyrics | John Fogerty lyrics - Eye Of The Zombie lyrics

"Eye of the Zombie"

by John Fogerty
from the album: "Eye of the Zombie"
released: 1986

Are You Ready for Freddy?

Anytime you can combine the rap group the Fat Boys with one of the all-time horror characters then it has to be an instant classic, right? Well, maybe not, but it's still pretty good and very fitting at this time of the year. Here are the Fat Boys from the "Nightmare on Elm Street 4 : The Dream Master" movie - "Are You Ready for Freddy?"




Lyrics | Fatboy Slim lyrics - Are You Ready For Freddy lyrics

"Are You Ready for Freddy"
Single by The Fat Boys
from the album Coming Back Hard Again
Released 1988
Genre Rap
Length 3:34
Label Rhino Entertainment

If You're Gonna Do It, Do It Right

We're closing in on another Halloween here at the Excellent 80's and if today's video doesn't scare you then I don't know what will! It's black and white and it features the group Wham! with "I'm Your Man." You've been properly warned...




Lyrics | Wham! lyrics - I'm Your Man lyrics

"I'm Your Man"
Single by Wham!
from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven /
The Final
Released 14 September 1985
Format 12", 7"
Recorded 1985
Genre Pop Dance
Length 4:04
Label Epic Records, (UK)
CBS Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
UK peak: #1

How Can I Explain

Today's European synthpop duo had four straight top 20 hits in the UK and three in the U.S. It's keyboardist Vince Clarke along with vocalist Andy Bell better known as the group Erasure with their debut in the Excellent 80's. Here is "Chains of Love"...




Lyrics | Erasure lyrics - Chains Of Love lyrics

"Chains of Love"
Single by Erasure
from the album The Innocents
B-side "Don't Suppose", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"
Released May 31, 1988 (1988-05-31)
Format 12", 7", CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Synthpop
Length 3:36
Label Mute (UK)
Sire (U.S.)
Writer(s) Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer Stephen Hague

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11
UK peak: #12

I've Got to Drive a Stake Right Through His Heart

We're just a little over a week away from Halloween, so I bring you today's campy makeup and fake looking monsters as a blast from 1985, and a pretty good scary flick that still holds up well today I think. Imagine you lived next door to a vampire. For a good 80's scary movie, check out today's flash back - "Fright Night."

the trailer...



Fright Night

Directed by Tom Holland
Produced by Herb Jaffe
Written by Tom Holland
Starring Chris Sarandon
William Ragsdale
Roddy McDowall
Amanda Bearse
Stephen Geoffreys
Jonathan Stark
Music by Brad Fiedel
Cinematography Jan Kiesser
Editing by Kent Beyda
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) August 2, 1985
Running time 106 min
Country United States
Language English
Budget $9 000 000
Followed by Fright Night II


Here's the title track from J. Geils Band - "Fright Night"




Lyrics | J. Geils Band lyrics - Fright Night lyrics

Coffee, Tea, or Me, Baby

The Excellent 80's continues with our "Soul Train Saturdays" throughout the month of October. Here is Teen Marie from 1987 with her big hit "Lover Girl"...




Lyrics | Teena Marie lyrics - Lover Girl lyrics

Looks Like It's Raining

Without their well known face paint here are the boys KISS from 1985 when they ditched the face paint for a while with their minor hit from their "Asylum" album. With Paul Stanley donning some sort of three-quarter length pink sparkly thing, here is "Tears Are Falling"...




Lyrics | Kiss lyrics - Tears Are Falling lyrics

"Tears Are Falling"
Single by Kiss
from the album Asylum
Released 1985 (US)
Format 7"
Recorded Electric Lady Studios,
New York City: 1985
Genre Hard rock, glam metal
Length 3:55
Label Mercury 884-141-7 (US)
Producer Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #57

She's So Very Nice, You Should Break the Ice

Today's hit from 1982 won a Grammy for best female vocal that year and was a top 10 hit for Melissa Manchester. Just by watching her over-the-top facial expressions and body language on stage it's easy to see that she went to one of those fancy school of music and arts (Manhattan by the way). Anyway, love the dress, love the shoes, love the hair, love all the old white folks sitting in the theatre quietly watching like they're in a library. Here is Melissa Manchester with "You Should Hear How She Talks About You"...




Lyrics | Melissa Manchester lyrics - You Should Hear How She Talks About You lyrics

"You Should Hear How She Talks About You"
Single by Melissa Manchester
from the album Hey Ricky
A-side "You Should Hear How She Talks About You"
B-side "Long Goodbyes"
Format 7" single
Genre synthpop
Length 4:17
Label Arista
Writer(s) Dean Pitchford, Tom Snow
Producer Arif Mardin

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

You Look Out of Your Window

Today's lame video, err, 80's classic is from that timeless group known as The Kinks. "Come Dancing" was their biggest 80's hit and they followed that up with today's song that made it to #29 on the Billboard charts. Here is "Don't Forget to Dance"...




Lyrics | Kinks lyrics - Don't Forget To Dance lyrics

"Don't Forget to Dance"
Single by The Kinks
from the album State of Confusion
B-side "Bernadette" (Ray Davies)
Released August 1, 1983 (U.S.)
September 30, 1983 (U.K.)
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded September/October 1982 at Grand Slam Studios, East Orange, New Jersey & Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Genre Pop
Length 4:39, 5:09 (12" single)
Label Arista
Writer(s) Ray Davies
Producer Ray Davies

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #29

I Can't Tell Ya Baby What Went Wrong

Sometimes I hear today's band and think to myself 'is this really this guy's real voice?' Honestly I can't listen to today's glam-metal band for more than about 3-4 minutes at a time because of it, and I sure didn't listen to this ballad when it came out back in August of 1988. Not one of my favorites. The band is Cinderella and the thing I notice now about this video is how strange and out of place it seems for a glam-metal band all decked out in their 80's glam-metal attire outside with all these nature backdrops. It seems very weird and out of place... just like lead singer Tom Kiefer's voice. Here is the band's most successful single "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)"...




Lyrics | Cinderella lyrics - Don't Know What You've Got (Till It's Gone) (Accoustic) lyrics

"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)"

Single by Cinderella
from the album Long Cold Winter
Released August 1988
Format 7", 12"
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:55
Label Mercury
Writer(s) Tom Kiefer
Producer Andy Johns, Cinderella

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12

The Beat's So Lonely

Today's American singer, songwriter, and guitarist put out his debut album at the age of 16 which produced today's one hit from the 80's. He hasn't received much acclaim as a solo artist, but has been widely recognized for his guitar play as part of Bob Dylan's backing band from 1999-2002 and 2009 to present. He occasionally opened for David Bowie back in the 80's, and was a popular session guitarist for artists like Don Henley, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood. Check out this small hit from the ultra skinny Charlie Sexton from 1985 called "Beat's So Lonely"...




Lyrics | Charlie Sexton lyrics - Beat's So Lonely lyrics

"Beat's So Lonely"

by Charlie Sexton
from the album: Pictures for Pleasure
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17

The Electric Boogaloos & Cinderfella

Long before the America's Best Dance Crew show became a big hit on MTV, we had America's original best dance crew - The Electric Boogaloos from Fresno, CA. Anyway, our "Soul Train Saturdays" continue with a little dancing today. Check out some these moves, particularly the pre-Michael Jackson moonwalk, and the introduction by the great Don Cornelius is second to none...




From Soul Train in 1987, here is the man from Brooklyn known as Dana Dane with his fictitious English accent and his biggest hit called "Cinderfella Dana Dane"...




Lyrics | Dana Dane lyrics - Cinderfella Dana Dane lyrics

U.S. R&B charts peak: #11

I'm Still Standing Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It's Sir Elton John once again from his 1983 album "Too Low for Zero" and a song that reached #12 in the U.S. and #4 in the UK. Complete with weird body paint and weird outfits, here is Elton with "I'm Still Standing"...


Elton John - I'm Still Standing
Uploaded by ohayou91. - Videos of family and friends from around the world.


Lyrics | Elton John lyrics - I'm Still Standing lyrics


"I'm Still Standing"
Single by Elton John
from the album Too Low for Zero
B-side "Love So Cold" (US)
"Earn While You Learn" (UK)
Released 3 July 1983
Format 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre Pop / Rock
Length 3:03
Label Geffen (US); Rocket (UK)
Writer(s) Elton John (music), Bernie Taupin (lyrics)
Producer Chris Thomas

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
UK peak: #4

Crazy, But That's How It Goes

The former frontman of the band Black Sabbath was no more in 1980 when "Blizzard of Ozz" came crashing into metal fans' living rooms and bedrooms everywhere. Ozzy's first official single from the album is still considered to be his masterpiece by many Ozzy fans to this day. Are you going off the rails on a "Crazy Train"?


Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Explore more music videos.


Lyrics | Ozzy Osbourne lyrics - Crazy Train lyrics

"Crazy Train"
Single by Ozzy Osbourne
from the album Blizzard of Ozz
B-side "You Lookin' at Me Lookin' at You"
Released September 20, 1980
August 22, 1995 (re-issue)
Format 7" Vinyl (45RPM)
Recorded March 22-April 19, 1980
Genre Heavy metal
Length 4:56
Label Jet, Epic
Writer(s) Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley
Producer Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake

US Billboard Top Tracks chart peak: #9
UK peak: #49

Just For Fun He Says Get a Job

With his thinning frizzy hair and his piano skills, Bruce Hornsby and the Range made a splash in the late 80's with today's hit called "The Way It Is." The album title of the same name helped Hornsby and the Range garner a Grammy for Best New Artist of 1987. Here is their biggest charting hit, "The Way It Is"...


Bruce Hornsby - The Way It Is
Uploaded by Dixvad59. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.


Lyrics | Bruce Hornsby lyrics - The Way It Is lyrics

"The Way It Is"
Single by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
from the album The Way It Is
B-side "The Red Plains"
"The Wild Frontier"
Released August 1986
Genre Piano rock, adult contemporary
Length 4:55
Label RCA
Writer(s) Bruce Hornsby
John Hornsby
Producer Bruce Hornsby
Elliot Scheiner

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Should I Get a Set of Whitewall Tires

Another hit song for you today from the fashionably dressed William Joel. Sweet sneakers, sweet jacket, sweet hair, sweet song. From 1980, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"...




Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - It's Still Rock And Roll To Me lyrics

"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Glass Houses
B-side "Through The Long Night"
Released 1980
Format 7" vinyl
Recorded 1979
Genre Rock
Length 2:57
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Billy Joel
Producer Phil Ramone
Certification Platinum (RIAA)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Oh, Won't You Please Take Me Home

Another great song from a great album for you all today. Said to be Slash's favorite GNR song, this song was suposedly conceived in the back of a rental van after a gig in San Francisco. This band caught lightening in a bottle and truly rode the top of the hard rock scene for a good five or six years before the band took a hiatus and Axl seemed to screw everything up. Here is GNR with "Paradise City"...




Lyrics | Guns N' Roses lyrics - Paradise City lyrics

"Paradise City"
Single by Guns N' Roses
from the album Appetite for Destruction
B-side "Used to Love Her", "Anything Goes", "Sweet Child o' Mine" (UK), "Move to the City" (USA)
Released November 30, 1988
Format 7" vinyl, 10" vinyl, 12" vinyl, cassette, CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Hard rock, heavy metal
Length 6:46
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Axl Rose
Slash
Izzy Stradlin
Duff McKagan
Producer Mike Clink

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

Clap Your Hands Everybody

Our "Soul Train Saturdays" continue with Mr. Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album in 1980. These are "The Breaks"...




Lyrics | Kurtis Blow lyrics - The Breaks lyrics


"The Breaks"

Single by Kurtis Blow
from the album Kurtis Blow
B-side "The Breaks (Instrumental)/Do It Yourself"
Released 1980
Format 12" single
Recorded 1979
Genre Old School Hip-Hop
Length 7:43
Label Mercury Records
Writer(s) Kurtis Blow, Robert Ford Jr., J.B. Moore, Russell Simmons, Larry Smith
Producer Larry Green, J.B. Moore
Certification Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #87

Hello, Molly

Today's southern rock band formed in Florida in 1975 is making its first appearance in The Excellent 80's, but are still putting on quality live shows to this day. Here is Molly Hatchet with a single off their sixth album released back in 1984 - "Satisfied Man"...




Lyrics | Molly Hatchet lyrics - Satisfied Man lyrics

"Satisfied Man"

by Molly Hatchet
from the album: The Deed is Done
released: 1984

If I Get to Know Your Name

I wasn't sure if today's lead singer was a girl or guy for a long time... and I'm still not 100% sure. With flags a waving, a pirate's patch, and a disco ball, it's the weird British new wave band Dead or Alive with their one hit wonder song "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)"...




Lyrics | Dead Or Alive lyrics - You Spin Me Right 'Round (Like A Record) lyrics

"You Spin Me Round
(Like a Record)"
Single by Dead or Alive
from the album Youthquake
Released November 1984 (United Kingdom)
Format Vinyl record (7")
Recorded 1984
Genre Dance-pop
Synthpop
New Wave
Hi-NRG
Length 3:19
Label Epic
Writer(s) Pete Burns, Wayne Hussey, Mike Percy, Tim Lever, Steve Coy
Producer Stock Aitken Waterman
Certification Gold (500,000 copies sold)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11
UK peak: #1

Your Eyes Tell Me How You Love Me

With some video of guys jumping at various track meets, the Pointer Sisters are back with one of their biggest hits from the 80's. So as not to be confused with Van Halen's "Jump" released earlier in the year, the Pointer Sisters changed their track title to "Jump For My Love"...




Lyrics | Pointer Sisters lyrics - Jump (for My Love) lyrics

"Jump (for My Love)"
Single by Pointer Sisters
from the album Break Out
Released 1984
Format 7" single; 12" single
Recorded 1983
Genre New Wave, Hi-NRG,[1] dance-pop, R&B
Length 3:59 (Single Mix)
4:22 (Album Version)
Label Planet / RCA
Writer(s) Steve Mitchell, Marti Sharron, Gary Skardina
Producer Richard Perry

Chart (1984) Peak position

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #3
UK Singles Chart #6

Slip Inside My Sleeping Bag

It's everyone's favorite beards back again today as the car in the video takes flight at the end. And as always, there are three hot chicks to the rescue. Surprisingly this is the band's highest charting single on the Billboard charts. It's the Houston, Texas band ZZ Top with "Sleeping Bag"...




Lyrics | Zz Top lyrics - Sleeping Bag lyrics

"Sleeping Bag"
Single by ZZ Top
from the album Afterburner
B-side "Party on the Patio"
Released 1985
Format 7"
Recorded 1985
Genre Rock
Length 4:03
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard
Producer Bill Ham

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

If You Want to See Other Guys, Baby I Could Let It Slide

Many of you that frequent this little blog know what a Van Halen fan I am, so when today's little ditty came out in 1988 I wasn't sure what to make of it. It didn't have the distinctive Van Halen sound and actually had a little blues and a little country sound mixed in. It has grown on me over the years but doesn't rank in my top 10 on my favorite Van Halen songs by any means, but I still enjoy it from time to time. Needing no explanation about the title, here is Van Halen with Sammy on lead vocals - "Finish What Ya Started"...

Van Halen Finish What You Started from Mark A on Vimeo.

"Finish What Ya Started"

by Van Halen
released: 1988
from the album: OU812

Take The Time Do It Right

Anytime I can get a video of some lip-synching R&B band or solo act on Soul Train on here, that's never a bad thing. So, beginning today and running every Saturday through the month of October, The Excellent 80's brings "Soul Train Saturdays." Today's kickoff is a little dance number from The S.O.S. Band. With Mary Davis on lead and a whole lot of captains who've obviously come directly from their yachts, here is one of the last big hits of the Disco era, from 1980 it's "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" Oh, and if I didn't say that the dude in the green jacket on bass wasn't my favorite member, I'd be lying.




Lyrics | S.O.S Band lyrics - Take Your Time (Do It Right) lyrics

"Take Your Time (Do It Right)"
Single by The S.O.S. Band
from the album S.O.S.
A-side "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" Part 1
B-side "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" Part 2
Released March 18, 1980
Format 7" single
Genre Disco, pop, R&B
Length 3:51 (radio edit)
7:44 (full version)
Label Tabu
Writer(s) Sigidi Abdallah
Harold Clayton
Producer Sigidi Abdallah
Certification Platinum

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
U.S. R&B charts peak: #1

I Think Very Deeply

Originally comprised KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock, today's group from the Bronx is making their debut in the Excellent 80's. Boogie Down Production is credited by many as telling about life as it was in the South Bronx in the late 80's and kick-starting what would eventually be referred to as "gangsta rap." D-Nice is also credited with discovering a white rapper/rocker in the late 80's known as Kid Rock and helping him get signed to Jive Records. Here is BDP welcoming everyone to October with KRS-One telling everyone about "My Philosophy"...




Lyrics | Boogie Down Productions lyrics - My Philosophy lyrics

"My Philosophy"

by Boogie Down Productions
released: 1988
from the album: By All Means Necessary