Don't Call Him Shirley.

After 82 years, Leslie Nielsen passed away on Sunday leaving a legacy of solid roles in the 60's and 70's and then hitting newfound popularity in the 80's with hits like "Airplane," and "The Naked Gun" series. We salute you, Lt. Frank Drebin and the hilarious moments you gave us throughout your life like this classic umpire scene from the first Naked Gun...



or the singing of our National Anthem as Enrique Pollazzo...



Finally, a tribute to The Naked Gun and Airplane featuring many classic Nielsen scenes...



R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen

Just Touch My Cheek Before You Leave Me, Baby

The Juice is loose today in The Excellent 80's! No, not the convict Juice, but the sweet, majestic Juice with the great voice. From 1981 here is Juice Newton, born Judith Kay Newton in New Jersey in 1952, with the boring video to "Angel of the Morning"


JUICE NEWTON - ANGEL OF THE MORNING
Uploaded by rvdgu2006. - Explore more music videos.


Lyrics | Juice Newton lyrics - Angel Of The Morning lyrics

"Angel of the Morning"

Single by Juice Newton
from the album Juice
B-side "Headin' for a Heartache"
Released 1981
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Genre Country pop, Adult contemporary
Length 3:49
Label Capitol 4976
Writer(s) Chip Taylor
Producer Richard Landis

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
U.S. Adult Contemporary peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

If you can't lower Heaven, then raise hell! That was the popular phrase said by Michael J. Fox in this 1987 movie that was fair in my opinion. Also starring Gena Rowlands and Joan Jett as Fox's musically talented sister, here is your 80's movie weekend flashback to the film "Light of Day"

The trailer...



a warped clip from the beginning of the movie...



Light of Day

Directed by Paul Schrader
Produced by Keith Barish
Rob Cohen
Written by Paul Schrader
Starring Michael J. Fox
Gena Rowlands
Joan Jett
Music by Thomas Newman
Cinematography John Bailey
Editing by Jacqueline Cambas
Rose Kuo
Jill Savitt
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Release date(s) February 6, 1987
Running time 107 min.
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $10,490,000

The title song, sung by Joan Jett (and somewhat by Michael J. Fox) and performed by their fictitious band the Barbusters, was written by Bruce Springsteen...




Lyrics | Joan Jett And The Blackhearts lyrics - Light Of Day lyrics

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #33

Well, She's Always Been a Good Good Girl

Today's 80's flashback takes you back to 1983 and an underrated Eddie Money song. This guy put out some great music in the late 70's through the late 80's and today's video is one of his minor hits reaching only #54 on the Billboard Hot 100. Playing a cop in the video, which was actually Money's job before becoming a full time musician, here "The Big Crash."




Lyrics | Eddie Money lyrics - The Big Crash lyrics


"The Big Crash"
Single by Eddie Money
from the album Where's the Party?
B-side "Backtrack"
Released 1983
Format 7" single
Genre Rock
Label Columbia

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #54

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for all of you that check in here on a regular basis and if Ronald Reagan were still alive he would be frequenting this site I'm sure. Since he's not, but thanks to the magic of the internet and youtube, here is our former President with a brief Thanksgiving message for you all...



Have a great day and be thankful!

80's Movie Weekday

OK, technically this movie was released in November of 1990, but some part of it (the writing, casting, production, etc.) had to have happened in the 80's, right? See how I find the loopholes. Anyway, it's close enough, and for many of you is a must watch this time of year just out of tradition. Yes, it's that crazy McAllister family who leaves poor little Kevin "Home Alone." Hilarity ensues.

Another great late John Hughes production, here is the trailer...



Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were great bumbling burgulars. Harry! I've reached the top...




Home Alone

Directed by Chris Columbus
Produced by John Hughes
Written by John Hughes
Starring Macaulay Culkin
Joe Pesci
Daniel Stern
John Heard
Catherine O'Hara
Roberts Blossom
Music by John Williams
Cinematography Julio Macat
Editing by Raja Gosnell
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) November 16, 1990 (1990-11-16)
Running time 103 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $18,000,000 (estimated)
Gross revenue $476,684,675 (worldwide)[1]
Followed by Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Say You Will, Say You Won't

Today's video was an attempt to be all artsy with the black and white footage of a bunch of faces and parts of the faces and lighting and shadows, and wow what a cluster of a mess. One word for this video - boring. At least the song wasn't half bad. It's the British-American rock band Foreigner with their top 10 hit from 1987 "Say You Will"...




Lyrics | Foreigner lyrics - Say You Will lyrics

"Say You Will"
Single by Foreigner
from the album Inside Information
B-side "A Night to Remember"
Released December 5, 1987
Format 7", 12", CD single
Genre Soft Rock, Arena Rock
Length 3:59
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Mick Jones and Lou Gramm
Producer Mick Jones and Frank Filipetti

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6

Another Holiday

Holiday season is upon us. Everywhere you turn, it's turkey this and turkey that as everyone gets prepared for Thanksgiving and then Christmas. So, it's only fitting that the Excellent 80's bring you this little lost classic from 1987 from a band made up mostly of Australians based in Berlin called The Other Ones. Here is their 15 minutes of fame called "Holiday"...




Lyrics | The Other Ones lyrics - Holiday lyrics

"Holiday"

by The Other Ones
from the album: The Other Ones
released: 1986

80's Movie Weekend

Helloooo again.... hello. Today's 80's movie flashback weekend takes you back nearly 30 years exactly for the acting debut of Neil Diamond. Diamond was blasted for his acting or lack of in this movie that also starred Desi Arnaz and Sir Laurence Olivier. Check out today's movie feature - "The Jazz Singer"...

the trailer...




The soundtrack was a huge success and became Neil Diamond's biggest selling album in the United States, selling over 5 million copies there and reaching #3 on the pop albums chart. Three of the songs from the album became Top 10 pop singles, with "Love on the Rocks," "Hello Again" and "America" reaching #2, #6, and #8 respectively.

Here is "Love on the Rocks." Pour me a drink and I'll tell you some lies...




Lyrics | Neil Diamond lyrics - Love On The Rocks lyrics

Neil wraps it up with dad in attendance by performing his classic "America"...




Lyrics | Neil Diamond lyrics - America lyrics

The Jazz Singer

Directed by Richard Fleischer
Sidney J. Furie
Produced by Jerry Leider
Written by Herbert Baker
Starring Neil Diamond
Laurence Olivier
Lucie Arnaz
Music by Gilbert Bécaud
Neil Diamond
Leonard Rosenman
Richard Bennett
Alan E. Lindgren
Cinematography Isidore Mankofsky
Editing by Frank J. Urioste
Maury Winetrobe
Distributed by Associated Film Distribution
Release date(s) December 19, 1980 (1980-12-19)
Running time 115 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $27,118,000

I Feel The Night Explode When We're Together

Wow, I'm over three years into this blog that just kind of started out as a way to post a few of my favorite 80's videos and this is the first time we've featured today's hottie here. In 1987, this then 25 year old hit it big in the dance clubs and then on the charts with the debut song from the album of the same name. Her birth name was Leslie Wunderman, but you and I know her best as Taylor Dayne. Here is "Tell It to My Heart"...




Lyrics | Taylor Dayne lyrics - Tell It To My Heart lyrics

"Tell It to My Heart"
Single by Taylor Dayne
from the album Tell It to My Heart
B-side Instrumental or remix
Released 1987
Format Cassette single, 7" single, 12" single, CD single
Recorded 1987
Genre Dance-pop, Freestyle
Length 3:41
Label Arista
Writer(s) Seth Swirsky / Ernie Gold
Producer Ric Wake

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
UK peak: #3

Well I'm An Axe Grinder, Piledriver

Love today's hard rock song from the band known as Quiet Riot. This album was one of the first hard rock cassettes I ever bought back in 1983. I don't think my parents realized that this album had a song called "Love's a Bitch" on it. Probably not appropriate music for a 6th grader, but hey this hard rock music was sweeping the country at the time. "Metal Health" sold six million albums thanks largely to "Cum On Feel the Noize" and today's mental patient escape video - "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)"... Bang your head and raise the dead!




Lyrics | Quiet Riot lyrics - Metal Health lyrics

"Metal Health"
Single by Quiet Riot
from the album Metal Health
Released 1983
Format 12" and 7" vinyl
Recorded 1982
Genre Heavy metal
Label Pasha
Producer Spencer Proffer

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #31

Fab Five Freddy Told Me Everybody's Fly

Yesterday we brought you Blondie's "Call Me" and so I thought I'd follow it up today with another Blondie hit from 1980 and the same album. Here is Debbie Harry doing a little rapping in today's video. Featuring Fab Five Freddy, and a host of characters including a ballerina, an Indian, and a bunch of dudes sporting some sweet high tech shades at the end of the video. Here is "Rapture"...


BLONDIE-RAPTURE
Uploaded by pierrot77. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.


Lyrics | Blondie lyrics - Rapture lyrics

"Rapture"
Single by Blondie
from the album Autoamerican
Released January 1981
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1980
Genre Disco, Pop rap
Length 6:33 (US)
4:57 (UK)
Label Chrysalis Records
Writer(s) Deborah Harry
Chris Stein
Producer Mike Chapman
Certification Gold (US), Silver (UK)

Color Me Your Color, Baby

Today's 1980 hit was one of the hottest bands in the land in 1980 with one of the hottest lead singers of her time. Many a man fell in love in the late 70's and early 80's with Debbie Harry. Here is her band Blondie with their biggest hit "Call Me"...




Lyrics | Blondie lyrics - Call Me lyrics

"Call Me"
Single by Blondie
from the album American Gigolo
Released February 1980 (US)
April 1980 (UK)
Format Vinyl 7" & 12" single
Recorded August 1979
Genre New Wave, hard rock
Length 3:32 (7" version)
8:04 (LP version)
Label Polydor Records
Chrysalis Records
Salsoul Records
Writer(s) Debbie Harry, Giorgio Moroder
Producer Giorgio Moroder

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

Rollin With My Posse is the Only Way To Go

Most notably known for his dance club hit of the early 90's called "Baby Got Back," Seattle based Sir Mix-A-Lot debuted in 1988 with his album "Swass." On that debut album, Mix-A-Lot gave us today's rap classic about a street in his native Seattle and about rolling with his posse. Here is "Posse On Broadway"




Lyrics | Sir Mix-A-Lot lyrics - My Posse's On Broadway lyrics

"Posse on Broadway"
Single by Sir Mix-a-Lot
from the album Swass
Released 1988
Format 7", 12", Cassette single, CD single
Genre Hip-hop
Label Nastymix Records
Writer(s) Sir Mix-a-Lot
Producer Sir Mix-a-Lot

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #70
U.S. R&B/Rap singles: #44

80's Movie Weekend

I never saw today's "scary" feature, but I have a feeling I would have laughed more than I would have been scared... and that's just from checking out the trailer to this horrific comedy/horror film... set at a high school in New Jersey located very close to a nuclear plant, here is the cult classic "Class of Nuke 'Em High"...

the trailer...



Class of Nuke 'Em High

Directed by Richard W. Haines
Michael Herz
Samuel Weil
Produced by Michael Herz
Lloyd Kaufman
James Treadwell
Written by Lloyd Kaufman
Richard W. Haines
Mark Rudnitsky
Stuart Strutin
Starring Janelle Brady
Gil Brenton
Robert Prichard
Pat Ryan
Music by Ethan Hurt, Title Track
link title
Michael Latlanzi
Cinematography Michael Mayers
Editing by Richard W. Haines
Distributed by Troma Entertainment
Release date(s) December 12, 1986)
Running time 85 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $2 million (est)
Followed by Class of Nuke 'Em High II (1991)
Class of Nuke 'Em High III (1994)

We Roll Tonight to the Guitar Bite

Filmed in Landover, Maryland, today's popular rock anthem was the title track off of the Australian band AC/DC's 8th studio album. It's the unmistakable guitar of Angus Young and the piercing sound of Brian Johnson on lead vocals as AC/DC wants you to know "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"...




Lyrics | Ac Dc lyrics - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) lyrics

"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"
Single by AC/DC
from the album For Those About to Rock We Salute You
B-side "Let There Be Rock" (live)
T.N.T. (live, US)
Released 1982
March 22, 1982 (US)
Format 7 inch
Recorded 1981
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:44
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Angus Young,
Malcolm Young,
Brian Johnson
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange

What In the World is Happening Here?

Seriously, what is happening in this video? Lionel Ritchie is way over-acting, but thanks to some nifty camera work, he appears to be literally dancing on the ceiling in this video! I love the drummer's hair in the video as well, but personally speaking watching this video for too long tends to make me dizzy, but the best part is the cameo by Rodney Dangerfield at the end.




Lyrics | Lionel Richie lyrics - Dancing On The Ceiling lyrics

"Dancing on the Ceiling"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Dancing on the Ceiling
B-side Love Will Find a Way
Released June 19, 1986
Format CD single, 7" single, 12" single
Recorded Summer 1985
Genre Pop, Adult contemporary, New Wave, rock
Length 4:21
Label Motown
Writer(s) Lionel Richie, Carlos Rios, Michael Frenchik
Producer Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

It Seems True Love is So Rare

Although "There's Something About You" is their most popular and most recognizable hit, today's video and song produced a top 20 hit in the UK for the band Level 42, but didn't crack the charts in the U.S. apparently. It has a very Tears For Fears feel to it, and it's not a bad song at all. Here is the British group Level 42 with "Leaving Me Now"...




Lyrics | Level 42 lyrics - Leaving Me Now lyrics

"Leaving me Now"
Single by Level 42
from the album World Machine
B-side I Sleep on My Heart
Released 1985
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1985
Genre Pop rock
Length 5:03
Label Polydor Records
Writer(s) Mark King, Phil Gould, Wally Badarou
Producer Level 42

UK peak: #15

Papa I Know You're Going to Be Upset

In June of 1986, Madonna sent out a message to all papa's around the world - don't preach! She's keeping her baby, alright? Love that Danny Aiello gets to be papa in the video. Madonna is looking fine, but I didn't really dig the short blond look that she sports for this video. Here is the material girl's 4th #1 hit - "Papa Don't Preach"...




Lyrics | Madonna lyrics - Papa Don't Preach lyrics

"Papa Don't Preach"
Single by Madonna
from the album True Blue
B-side "Pretender"
Released June 11, 1986
Format 7", 12", CD single, CD Video
Recorded 1985-1986
Genre Dance-pop
Length 4:29
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Brian Elliot, additional lyrics by Madonna
Producer Madonna, Stephen Bray

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

What Did Her Daddy Do?

Apparently one of rock's best bands is on a permanent leave because someone wants to be a judge on American Idol among other things. Anyway, back when they were banging out hits in the 70's, 80's, and 90's today's band was one of the best in the business. Today's featured video was released in 1989 as part of their "Pump" album and the song went all the way to #4 on the Billboard charts and produced a Grammy win for the band. Here is Aerosmith with "Janie's Got a Gun"...




Lyrics | Aerosmith lyrics - Janie's Got A Gun lyrics

"Janie's Got a Gun"
Single by Aerosmith
from the album Pump
Released November 8, 1989
Format Cassette, CD
Recorded 1989
Genre Hard rock
Length 05:33
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton
Producer Bruce Fairbairn

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

"The funniest comedy of the year" it was not. As is the case with most sequels they rarely live up to the first one and that was definitely the case for Airplane II The Sequel. Last week we brought you the trailer and some of the funniest scenes from the original. This week, we bring you the trailer and a few of the scenes that attempt to be funny.

the trailer...



a compilation of some of the better scenes...



Airplane II: The Sequel

Directed by Ken Finkleman
Produced by Howard W. Koch
Written by Ken Finkleman
Starring Julie Hagerty
Robert Hays
Lloyd Bridges
Chad Everett
Peter Graves
Rip Torn
Stephen Stucker
Wendy Phillips
Sonny Bono
William Shatner
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Richard Hazard
Cinematography Joe Biroc
Editing by Tina Hirsch
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) December 10, 1982
Running time 85 min
Country United States
Language English
Preceded by Airplane!

It's Like a Full Force Gale

Today's video features the deep raspy voice of Mr. Bob Seger. From his 13th studio album "Like a Rock" (this man cranked out the albums and the hits back in the late 70's and early 80's), here is the top 20 single "American Storm" just featuring he and his band jamming...




Lyrics | Bob Seger lyrics - American Storm lyrics

"American Storm"

by Bob Seger
from the album: "Like a Rock"
released: 1986

You Have Been Single for a Long Time

Early last month as part of this blog's "Soul Train Saturdays" we featured The SOS Band with arguably their biggest hit "Take Your Time (Do It Right)", and today here's another S.O.S. Band hit a few years later. Though not as successful, the yellow outfits they're wearing are still pretty sweet and the video is pure 80's. From Atlanta, Georgia, here is The S.O.S. (Sounds of Success) Band with "Just the Way You Like It"...




Lyrics | S.O.S Band lyrics - Just The Way You Like It lyrics

"Just the Way You Like It"

by The S.O.S. Band
from the album: Just the Way You Like It
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #64
U.S. R&B charts peak: #6

There I Was Completely Wasting

When I think of today's song, I always think of the Beavis and Butthead episode where sing today's chorus while creating more mischief. Those crazy kids, huh-huh, uh, huh-huh, huh-huh. It's considered one of VH1's greatest 40 metal songs of all-time. Here is the English band, Judas Priest, robbing a bank with guitars as weapons and they are definitely "Breaking the Law"...




Lyrics | Judas Priest lyrics - Breaking The Law lyrics

"Breaking the Law"
Single by Judas Priest
from the album British Steel
Released 1980
Recorded January- February 1980
Startling Studios
Ascot, England
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock
Length 2:35
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Rob Halford
K.K. Downing
Glenn Tipton
Producer Tom Allom

The Whispers in the Morning

Most people will think of today's song as the #1 hit for Celine Dion in 1993. What most people don't realize is that this song was originally co-written and recorded by Brooklyn native Jennifer Rush in 1984. The song stalled out at #57 in the U.S. but bounded all the way to #1 in the UK where it remained for five weeks. Here is the video for Jennifer Rush and "The Power of Love"...




Lyrics | Jennifer Rush lyrics - The Power Of Love lyrics

"The Power of Love"

Single by Jennifer Rush
from the album Jennifer Rush
B-side "I See A Shadow (Not A Fantasy)"
Released 1985
Format 7" single
Recorded 1984
CBS Studios International
(Frankfurt am Main)
Genre Pop
Length 4:20
Label CBS
Writer(s) Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge, Jennifer Rush, Mary Susan Applegate
Producer Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #57
UK peak: #1

Baby When I Met You There Was Peace Unknown

Welcome to the month of November!

Forget about the more recent country cross-over superstars like Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Kenny Chesney. Back in the early to mid 80's, Kenny Rogers was the man who killed it on the country charts and then managed to find himself on the pop charts from time to time as well. Today's live performance features two of country's all-time biggest stars with their famous duet from 1983. It's Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers with their #1 hit not only on the country charts but on the Billboard charts as well - "Islands in the Stream"...




Lyrics | Kenny Rogers lyrics - Islands In The Stream lyrics

Single by Kenny Rogers featuring Dolly Parton
from the album Eyes That See in the Dark
Released August 1983 (U.S.)
Genre Country, Pop
Length 4:08
Label RCA
Writer(s) Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
Producer Barry Gibb
Certification 2× Platinum (US)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
U.S. Country charts peak: #1