She Calls Me Baby, She Calls Everybody Baby

I hope you enjoyed The Excellent 80's tribute to John Cougar Mellencamp this month with our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" kicking off 2011. Today's song and video from the "Scarecrow" album are easily in my top three of favorite Mellencamp songs. I just like the rhythm and tempo of the song and the cool black and white feel to the video. See you in February, but enjoy "Lonely Ol' Night" on this last day of January 2011...




Lyrics | Mellencamp John Cougar lyrics - Lonely Ol Night lyrics

"Lonely Ol' Night"
by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6
U.S. Mainstream Rock tracks peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

I never saw today's movie from the 80's. Perhaps I will watch it at some time, because back in the 80's I was about 17 when this movie came out and it in no way appealed to me whatsoever. Now, maybe. It has Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman, and Michelle Pfeiffer so it can't be that bad can it? It's "Dangerous Liaisons"...

the trailer...




Dangerous Liaisons

Directed by Stephen Frears
Produced by Norma Heyman
Hank Moonjean
Written by Christopher Hampton
Starring Glenn Close
John Malkovich
Michelle Pfeiffer
Swoosie Kurtz
Keanu Reeves
Mildred Natwick
Uma Thurman
Music by George Fenton
Cinematography Philippe Rousselot
Editing by Mick Audsley
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16)
Running time 119 minutes
Language English
Budget US$14 million
Gross revenue $34,700,000 (USA)

With Drummers Going Crack, Boom, Bam

As we wind down our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" today's song is a tribute to the 60's era of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. But, now, some 25 years later, John Mellencamp is getting the shout outs from some of today's artists that were influenced by him. Here is "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60's Rock)"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A lyrics

"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

Take a Break, Driver 8

If you've been on a shift too long then take a break! So sayeth the brilliant Michael Stipe and R.E.M. Check out the choo-choo trains! From their 1985 album Fables of the Reconstruction, here is the mostly train footage video of "Driver 8"...

Lyrics | Rem lyrics - Driver 8 lyrics

"Driver 8"

Single by R.E.M.
from the album Fables of the Reconstruction
B-side "Driver 8 (Live)"
Released September 1985
Format 7"
Recorded 1985
Genre College rock
Length 3:18
Label I.R.S. Records
Writer(s) R.E.M.[1]
Producer Joe Boyd

A Million Young Poets

Our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" rolls on here in The Excellent 80's with John's 1988 hit from "The Lonesome Jubilee" called "Check It Out"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Check It Out lyrics

"Check It Out"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album "The Lonesome Jubilee"
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14

I Know I Was Lookin' Good

Today's video has some nice 80's hair and clothes for you females out there. This girl group kind of has a Jacksons feel to it (with a couple of white chicks thrown in). And anytime you can feature a keytar in the video, you know it's gold, baby! If I heard this song on in a club, I would pause, and then make my way to the door. Nonetheless, it was a girl anthem for many of you out there in 1986... time to feel sexy with the L.A. girl group, Klymaxx and "The Men All Pause"...




Lyrics | Klymaxx lyrics - The Men All Pause lyrics

"The Men All Pause"
Single by Klymaxx
from the album Meeting in the Ladies Room
Released 1984
Format 7" single
Recorded 1984
Genre soul
Label MCA

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #80
U.S. Dance Club peak: #9

When I Was a Young Boy

Today's song spent 16 weeks in the Billboard top 10 in 1982 and was one of the two songs that really put John Cougar Mellencamp on the national music scene. Still love this song til this day. Here is "Hurts So Good"...




Lyrics | Mellencamp John Cougar lyrics - Hurts So Good lyrics

"Hurts So Good"
Single by John Mellencamp
from the album American Fool
B-side Close Enough
Released 1982
Format 45 record
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 3:37
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp, George M. Green
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

80's Movie Weekend

I think one of the great questions from this weekend's movie flashback is not "Who's That Girl?" but instead is who's Griffin Dunne? His rise and fall from fame was quite rapid with this disaster of a movie... so I hear anyway, because I've never actually seen it.

Here is the trailer to "Who's That Girl?"...



Who's That Girl

Directed by James Foley
Produced by Rosilyn Heller
Bernard Williams
Written by Andrew Smith
Ken Finkleman
Starring Madonna
Griffin Dunne
Haviland Morris
John McMartin
Bibi Besch
John Mills
Robert Swan
Music by Stephen Bray
Cinematography Jan de Bont
Editing by Pembroke J. Herring
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) August 7, 1987 (1987-08-07)
Running time 94 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Gross revenue $7,305,209

When you see her, say a prayer, and kiss your heart goodbye. The title song from the movie was better than the actual movie. Here is Madonna with her #1 hit "Who's That Girl"...




Lyrics | Madonna lyrics - Who's That Girl lyrics


"Who's That Girl"
Single by Madonna
from the album Who's That Girl
B-side "White Heat"
Released June 30, 1987 (U.S.)
July 14, 1987 (UK)
Format 7", 12", Cassette, CD single
Recorded 1986
Genre Latin pop
Length 3:58
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Madonna, Patrick Leonard
Producer Madonna, Patrick Leonard

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

There's a Black Man with a Black Cat

Today's John Cougar Mellencamp video/song was his highest charting single from the "Uh-Huh" album, but ironically enough is probably my least favorite of his hits from that album. Anyway the song reportedly started when John was on his way home to Bloomington, Indiana from the airport and he drove by a little pink house with a man sitting in a chair holding a black cat. He waved and John, and John waved back. Here is "Pink Houses"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Little Pink Houses lyrics

"Pink Houses"
Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album Uh-Huh
B-side Serious Business
Released 1983
Format 7" 45 record
Recorded 1983
Genre Heartland rock, Rock
Length 4:43
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Cougar Mellencamp
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

Be Stiff My Babies

A cover of the band Devo, here is Toni Basil (of "Mickey" fame) with her $20 video that features some crazy dancing! You just thought she was a one-hit wonder didn't you? Well, I'm glad this song is not very long, but this video is oh so 80's. Here is "Be Stiff"...




Lyrics | Devo lyrics - Be Stiff lyrics

"Be Stiff"

by Toni Basil
released 1983
from the album: "Word of Mouth"

Sucking On Chili Dogs Outside the Tastee Freeze

Today's video has been featured in The Excellent 80's once before just as a video of the day. It's the song that broke John into the American mainstream and the one I remember hearing as a ten or eleven year old that made me sit up and take notice of this John Cougar Mellencamp guy. The song spent four weeks at #1. Everybody, get ready to clap along, here is "Jack and Diane"...




Lyrics | John Cougar Mellencamp lyrics - Jack And Diane lyrics

"Jack & Diane"
Single by John Mellencamp
from the album American Fool
Released August 1982
Format 45 Record
Recorded 1981
Genre Heartland rock
Length 3:45 (Edit)
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Dig That Sound and Shake It Around Your Mind

Formed in New York in 1980 by Brian Setzer, today's trio features bassist Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom on drums. With their very distinctive sound and their second biggest hit, here are The Stray Cats with "(Sexy) & 17"...




Lyrics | Stray Cats lyrics - (She's) Sexy & 17 lyrics

(She's) Sexy & 17
by Stray Cats
from the album: Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats
released: 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

Blood On the Plow

The guy to the far left cracks me up never saying a word at the beginning of the video then laughing last when the other two start laughing like 'hey these two just said something funny and I better laugh too!'. Here's Mr. Mellencamp again with "Rain on the Scarecrow"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Rain On The Scarecrow lyrics

"Rain on the Scarecrow"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: "Scarecrow"
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

80's Movie Weekend

You didn't think I was going to bring you the first two movies that last two Saturdays and leave out #3 did you? Of course not. By 1985 Mel Gibson was becoming a bonafide big screen star and the third movie in this trilogy featured Tina Turner in it as well and received mostly positive reviews. It's "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome."

the trailer...



Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

film poster by Richard Amsel
Directed by George Miller
George Ogilvie
Produced by Terry Hayes
George Miller
Doug Mitchell
Written by Terry Hayes
George Miller
Starring Mel Gibson
Tina Turner
Bruce Spence
Music by Terry Britten, Graham Lyle, Holly Knight
(Songs)
Maurice Jarre
(Score)
Cinematography Dean Semler
Editing by Richard Francis-Bruce
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) July 10, 1985
Running time 107 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget AU$12,000,000 (estimated)[1]
Gross revenue $36,230,219[2]
Preceded by Mad Max 2
Followed by Mad Max 4: Fury Road

Here's the hit song from the film "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" featuring the sexy legs and sultry voice of Tina Turner...




Lyrics | Tina Turner lyrics - We Don't Need Another Hero lyrics

"We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)"
Single by Tina Turner
from the album Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (soundtrack)
Released July 29, 1985UK
Format 7", 12", CD single
Genre Pop
Length 6:07
Label Capitol Records
Writer(s) Terry Britten
Graham Lyle
Producer Terry Britten
Certification Silver (UK)[1]

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
UK peak: #3

Some People Ain't No Damn Good

If you are a John Cougar Mellencamp fan I hope you're enjoying our tribute to John as our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" rolls on. Once again from his "Uh-Huh" album, here he is with "Crumblin' Down"




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Crumblin' Down lyrics

"Crumblin' Down"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: "Uh-Huh"
released: 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

Decisions To Be Made

Today's video comes to us from 1983. Some music director somewhere said let's get and all white room and everybody dress up in black and make sure you where some bright lipstick, ok? So, lead vocalist Philip Oakey proceeded to put on his black suit as well as his lipstick, womens' earrings, and blush. Then the director yelled "Dammit, Oakey, I was talking about the girls!" With Martha Quinn (that is Martha isn't it?) providing backup vocals here is The Human League with "(Keep Feeling) Fascination"...




Lyrics | Human League lyrics - (Keep Feeling) Fascination lyrics

"(Keep Feeling) Fascination"
Single by The Human League
B-side "Total Panic"
Released 17 April 1983
Format 7", 12", 3"CD single (re-issue)
Recorded Genetic Studios, 1983
Genre Synthpop
Length 3:45
Label Virgin, A&M
Writer(s) Jo Callis, Philip Oakey
Producer Martin Rushent

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
UK peak: #2

That's When a Sport Was a Sport

Today's John Cougar Mellencamp song is my favorite from his "The Lonesome Jubilee" album released in 1987, and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. It's just a real mellow, laid back kind of song done only as John Mellencamp can. Here is "Cherry Bomb"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Cherry Bomb lyrics

"Cherry Bomb"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album "The Lonesome Jubilee"
released: 1987

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

Good Love Is Hard to Find

Happy 1-11-11 day! In honor of this crazy date, The Excellent 80's brings you today's "futuristic" video featuring a sweet hover car! It's funny to watch today with the cassette boom box, and the televisions, and the slot machine and the old school video game. It's just some random black tent out in the desert in some sort of Mad Max apocalyptic setting for the gun-slinging Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with "You Got Lucky"...


Tom Petty - You Got Lucky
Uploaded by jpdc11. - See the latest featured music videos.



"You Got Lucky"
Single by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
from the album Long After Dark
B-side "Between Two Worlds"
Released October 22, 1982
Format 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 3:38
Label Backstreet
Writer(s) Tom Petty, Mike Campbell
Producer Tom Petty, Jimmy Iovine

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #20

Still Hayseed Enough to Say Look Who's in the Big Town

Every Monday throughout January we are starting your work week with a little John Cougar Mellencamp as part of The Excellent 80's "John Cougar Mellencamp January." Today's hit is easily one of my favorites from my favorite Mellencamp album entitled "Scarecrow." The video features old footage and photos and just gives you that nostalgic feeling and even makes you wish you were from a "Small Town"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Small Town lyrics

"Small Town"

Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album Scarecrow
B-side "Small Town" (acoustic version)
Released November 2, 1985
Format 7"
Recorded Belmont Mall Studio, 1985
Genre Rock and Roll, Roots rock
Length 3:42
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6

80's Movie Weekend

Last week we brought you the trailer for the original Mad Max, and so this week, here is the successful sequel that further propelled Mel Gibson to superstardom. Here is "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior."

the trailer...



Mad Max 2

Mad Max 2 poster
Directed by George Miller
Produced by Byron Kennedy
Written by Terry Hayes
George Miller
Brian Hannant
Starring Mel Gibson
Michael Preston
Bruce Spence
Vernon Wells
Kjell Nilsson
Virginia Hey
Emil Minty
Music by Brian May
Cinematography Dean Semler
Editing by David Stiven
Michael Balson
Tim Wellburn
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) 24 December 1981 (1981-12-24)
(Australia)
28 April 1982 (1982-04-28)
(North America)
Running time 91 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget A$4,000,000[1]
Gross revenue $23,667,907
(North America) [2]
Preceded by Mad Max
Followed by Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

She Had a Dream, and Boy It Was a Good One

Our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" continues today with one of John's top ten hits from The Lonesome Jubilee album. According to the all-knowing, never wrong Wikipedia, today's song is "a cautionary tale concerned with the cost of chasing our dreams." Apparently one of John's chases recently has been Meg Ryan coming on the heels of his separation of his wife of 20 years. John and Meg have been spotted at various hangouts recently leading to speculation about their relationship. Anyway, here is "Paper in Fire"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Paper In Fire lyrics

"Paper in Fire"
by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: The Lonesome Jubilee
released: 1987

U.S Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

Randee

Who remembers Randee of the Redwoods from the late 80's as a fixture on MTV? You should, but if you don't maybe today's look back at this MTV promo will remind you.

I Feel Sorry for the World, I Feel Sorry for You

I don't really feel sorry for you, but back in 1985 when John Mellencamp slid this little track into his "Scarecrow" album he did feel sorry for you and for the world. In my opinion, one of his most underrated tracks is today's featured video in our "John Cougar Mellencamp January." Overshadowed by bigger hits like "Small Town," "Lonely Ol' Night," and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," here is one of my personal favorites from that same album - it's the short three minute song "Rumbleseat"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Rumbleseat lyrics

"Rumbleseat"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28

I Don't Want to Talk About the Things We've Gone Through

Today's group is thought of mainly as a 70's group, and with good reason. The majority of their hits came in the 70's, but the group did release a couple of albums in the early 80's, one of which produced today's video feature. It's the highly successful Swedish group of Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha, and Anni-Frid ("Frida") known collectively as ABBA with their last U.S. top 10 hit from the year 1980. It's a bitter break-up song and we can see that Agnetha is not happy during the whole video. Here is "The Winner Takes It All"...




Lyrics | Abba lyrics - The Winner Takes It All lyrics

"The Winner Takes It All"

Single by ABBA
from the album Super Trouper
B-side "Elaine"
Released July 21, 1980
Format Single
Genre Pop, Soft rock
Length 4:54
Label Polar Music
Writer(s) Benny Andersson
Björn Ulvaeus
Producer Benny Andersson
Björn Ulvaeus
Certification Gold (Netherlands)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
UK peak: #1

It's a John Cougar Mellencamp January

Welcome once again to 2011! My how the time has flown. For the month of January we are featuring the one and only John Cougar Mellencamp. So, throughout The Excellent 80's "John Cougar Mellencamp January" you will see most of John's biggest hits and his best videos. We're kicking it off with one of his biggest hits from his "Uh-Huh" album in 1983 and a staple on MTV for a long time. We could all relate when we were in our youth back in the 80's, because it always seemed like when we fought authority, authority always won. Here is "Authority Song"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Authority Song lyrics

"Authority Song"

by John Mellencamp
from the album "Uh-Huh"
released 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

80's Movie Weekend

Happy New Year and welcome to 2011!

Since I haven't featured any of today's trilogy of movies I decided there was no time like the present... or maybe there's no time like the future. The first in this series actually came out in 1979 and featured the relatively unknown Mel Gibson long before he went crazy. Released in April of 1979, here is "Mad Max"...

the trailer...



Mad Max

Theatrical release poster
Directed by George Miller
Produced by Byron Kennedy
Bill Miller
Written by George Miller
Byron Kennedy
James McCausland
Starring Mel Gibson
Steve Bisley
Joanne Samuel
Hugh Keays-Byrne
Tim Burns
Geoff Parry
Music by Brian May
Cinematography David Eggby
Editing by Cliff Hayes
Tony Paterson
Studio Kennedy-Miller Productions
Distributed by Village Roadshow Pictures
(Australia)
American International Pictures
(United States)
Release date(s) 12 April 1979 (1979-04-12)
Running time 88 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget A$400,000 (est)[1]
Gross revenue $100,000,000
Followed by Mad Max 2