Today's movie flashback gave us the memorable catch phrase "Go ahead. Make my day." That's right, today's movie is actually the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series starring the one and only Clint Eastwood. "Who's we, sucka? Smith and Wesson, and me." Classic.
the trailer...
Here is the coffee scene... that is a lot sugar...
Sudden Impact
Directed by Clint Eastwood Produced by Clint Eastwood Screenplay by Joseph Stinson Story by
* Charles B. Pierce * Earl E. Smith
Starring
* Clint Eastwood * Sondra Locke * Pat Hingle * Paul Drake
Music by Lalo Schifrin Cinematography Bruce Surtees Editing by Joel Cox Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date(s) December 9, 1983 (1983-12-09) Running time 117 minutes Country United States Language English Gross revenue $67,642,693 (USA)
Today's "UK Thursdays" flashback to great 80's hits out of the UK brings us a duo known as Mel and Kim. The British pop duo sister act achieved success between 1986 and 1988 before Mel's terminal cancer took her life in 1990 at the age of only 23. Here is one of their two #1 hits and one of the biggest hits in the UK in the year of 1987. Love the straight 80's dancing in their video called "Respectable"...
"Respectable" Single by Mel and Kim from the album F.L.M. B-side Instrumental Released 1987 Format 7" single, 12" maxi Recorded 1987 Genre Dance-pop Length 3:21 Label Supreme Writer(s) Stock Aitken Waterman Producer Stock Aitken Waterman
Today's video is from the song that was the first top 10 hit by the group with the same name as the first book of The Bible. From 1983, here is the song by Genesis in which my friend's little brother at the time thought the lyrics were "It's just a shame, this song." It's not this song, it's "That's All" from Genesis...
"That's All" Single by Genesis from the album Genesis B-side "Second Home by the Sea" Released October 31, 1983 Format 7", 12" Recorded 1983 Genre Pop rock Length 4:23 Label Atlantic, Virgin, Vertigo Writer(s) Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford Producer Genesis, Hugh Padgham
Chalk up today's music video flashback to another group trying their hand at some sort of Indiana Jones / safari themed video. The graphics and set is awesomely 80's bad as is the acting and the pointlessness to the video. Gotta love the 80's and gotta love today's cheesy video from the rock group Asia. Here is their top 10 hit from 1983 entitled "Don't Cry"...
"Don't Cry" Single by Asia from the album Alpha B-side "True Colors" (UK) "Daylight" (outside of UK) Released 1983 Format 7" single 12" single Genre Progressive rock Length 3:41 (album version) Label Geffen Writer(s) Geoff Downes John Wetton Producer Mike Stone
Today's flashback to 1983 gives us a video set in 1870 with a lead singer dressed up from the 80's and featuring a thief/cheater who gets his just due at the end of the video when he has to walk the plank on the Mississippi. It's a silly little video from a silly little group who fared very well in the early to mid 80's. Here is the eclectic Boy George and Culture Club with the group's biggest hit and only #1 hit in the States - "Karma Chameleon"...
"Karma Chameleon" Single by Culture Club from the album Colour by Numbers B-side "That's the Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You)" Released 5 September 1983 Format 7", 12" Recorded 1983 Genre Folk rock, new wave Length 4:12 (album version) 3:51 (single edit) Label Virgin Writer(s) George O'Dowd, Jon Moss, Mikey Craig, Phil Pickett, Roy Hay Producer Steve Levine
Sissy Spacek won a well-deserved Academy Award for her performance in this weekend's 80's movie flashback where she did her own singing. She starred in the biographical tale of country legend Loretta Lynn and her rise from humble beginnings to fortune and fame. Also starring Tommy Lee Jones as her abusive, alcoholic husband whom she married at the age of 13, here is "Coal Miner's Daughter"...
the trailer...
making her first public appearance in the movie...
Coal Miner's Daughter
Directed by Michael Apted Produced by Bernard Schwartz Written by Loretta Lynn George Vecsey (autobiography) Thomas Rickman Starring Sissy Spacek Tommy Lee Jones Beverly D'Angelo Levon Helm Phyllis Boyens Music by Owen Bradley Cinematography Ralf D. Bode Editing by Arthur Schmidt Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) March 7, 1980 (1980-03-07) Running time 125 minutes Country United States Language English
We gave you "The Gas Face" last year, and this year 3rd Bass is back with another hit from their 1989 debut album called "The Cactus Album." So here is MC Serch, Prime Minister Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich with "Steppin' to the A.M."...
Every Thursday throughout the months of April and May, The Excellent 80's is bringing you a hit from across the pond in the UK that didn't chart or didn't chart very high in the U.S. for whatever reason. Today's video was a #1 hit in the UK around Christmas of 1983 spending five weeks atop the UK charts while failing to even chart in the U.S. It's the first ever a cappella chart topper in the UK by a band known as the Flying Pickets, and it's the first time I've ever heard this version... and I like it. Check out The Flying Pickets with a song originally written for the band Yazoo by former Depeche Mode member Vince Clark called "Only You"...
"Only You" Single by The Flying Pickets from the album Lost Boys Released 1983/1984 Format 7" Recorded 1983 Genre a cappella Length 3:15 Label Virgin Producer The Flying Pickets, John Sherry Sonet
With Christine McVie on lead vocals, it's the British/American band Fleetwood Mac for you once again today on The Excellent 80's. After a short hiatus where both McVie and Lindsey Buckingham issued solo albums, the group got back together and put out the album "Tango in the Night" which was their biggest selling album dating back to their 1977 album "Rumours." Here is the Fleetwood Mac hit "Little Lies"...
Single by Fleetwood Mac from the album Tango in the Night B-side "Ricky" Released August 29, 1987 Format 7", 12", Cassette Single Recorded 1985-1987 Genre Pop rock Length 3:38 Label Warner Bros. Writer(s) Christine McVie, Eddy Quintela Producer Lindsey Buckingham, Richard Dashut Certification Silver (UK)
From one Aussie band (yesterday's AC / DC post) to another, today's band makes their first appearance in The Excellent 80's. They formed in Australia in the late 70's and they enjoyed a lot of success in Australia and found pop stardom in the U.S. in 1987. With one of their hits from 1987, here is the Australian band Icehouse featuring a sweet mullet by lead singer Iva Davies with "Crazy"...
"Crazy" Single by Icehouse from the album Man of Colours B-side "Completely Gone" Released 1987 Format 7" single Genre Soft rock Synthpop Label Regular Writer(s) Iva Davies Robert Kretschmer Andy Qunta
It's time for the band from Down Under once again. Here is the Brian Johnson led AC/DC with the first single off of their 1988 album "Blow Up Your Video." It's a song called "Heatseeker"...
"Heatseeker" Single by AC/DC from the album Blow Up Your Video B-side "Go Zone"; Snake Eye (12 inch and 3-inch CD only) Released 14 February 1988 Format 7 inch, 12 inch, CD Recorded August–September 1987 Genre Hard rock Length 3:43 Label Atlantic Records Producer Harry Vanda, George Young
Paul Newman stars in this courtroom drama from 1982 for our 80's movie flashback weekend. It was one of the top 10 grossing films of the year. Here is the trailer for "The Verdict"...
Summation...
The Verdict
Directed by Sidney Lumet Produced by David Brown Richard D. Zanuck Screenplay by David Mamet Based on The Verdict by Barry Reed Starring Paul Newman Charlotte Rampling Jack Warden James Mason Milo O'Shea Cinematography Andrzej Bartkowiak Editing by Peter C. Frank Distributed by 20th Century Fox Release date(s) December 8, 1982 (1982-12-08) Running time 129 minutes Country United States Language English
Known for their chart topping hit "Secret Lovers" the R&B band from New York known as Atlantic Starr turned in a mushy, lovey-dovey #1 hit in 1987. Here is Atlantic Starr with "Always"...
Girl, you are to me, all that a woman should be, And I dedicate my life to you always. A love like yours is rare, It must have been sent from up above And I know you'll stay this way, for always
And we both know, that our love will grow And forever it will be you and me Ooh you're like the sun, Chasing all of the rain away,
"Always" Single by Atlantic Starr from the album All in the Name of Love B-side I'm In Love Released 1987 Format 12" maxi single Recorded 1986 Genre R&B, Pop Length 4:47 (album version); 3:59 (single version) Label Warner Bros. Writer(s) David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Wayne Lewis Producer David Lewis, Wayne Lewis
It's another "UK Thursday" here in The Excellent 80's where we are traveling back in time to the 80's and across the pond to check out some of the hits that didn't really chart in the U.S., but were big in the UK. Today's band was formed by The Clash's former guitarist and singer Mick Jones, and was known as Big Audio Dynamite. This song hit #11 in the UK in 1986 and did make the U.S. dance charts probably becoming the group's most well known song in the states. Here is Big Audio Dynamite making their Excellent 80's debut with the confusing "E=MC2." I dig the serious dread locks in this video!
"E=MC2" Single by Big Audio Dynamite from the album This Is Big Audio Dynamite Released 1986 Format 7", 12" Genre Rock Length 5:55 Label CBS Writer(s) Mick Jones, Don Letts Producer Mick Jones
Today's hit song off of the album "She's So Unusual" is a live performance because this is the only hit of Cyndi Lauper's that no official video was released with. The song broke the top 10 and is actually a cover of a 1983 song written and recorded by little known U.S. artist Jules Shear. Here is Cyndi with "All Through the Night"...
"All Through the Night" Single by Cyndi Lauper from the album She's So Unusual B-side "Witness" Released May 28, 1984 Format 7" Recorded 1983 Genre Pop Length 4:29 (Single Edit) 4:33 (Album Version) Label Epic Writer(s) Jules Shear Producer Rick Chertoff Certification Gold (CRIA)
"Dirty Laundry" Single by Don Henley from the album I Can't Stand Still B-side "Lilah" Released October 1982 Format 7" (45 rpm) Recorded 1982 Genre New Wave, rock, dance-rock, hard rock Length 5:36 Label Asylum Writer(s) Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar Producer Don Henley, Greg Ladanyi Certification Gold (RIAA)
The year was 1982 and Rick Springfield was fast becoming every school girl's fantasy. On the heels of his album "Working Class Dog" he released "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet" which produced the hits "Don't Talk to Strangers," "I Get Excited" and today's top 25 hit. Here is the Australian singer-song-writer, musician, and actor born in 1949 (yep, he's over 50) with "What Kind of Fool Am I"...
One of my favorite sports weekends of the year kicked off on Thursday with flowers in full bloom, green jackets, and "Amen Corner." As Jim Nantz will tell you, it's a tradition unlike any other. The Masters tournament moves into high gear today and concludes tomorrow. Augusta National golf course opened in 1933, but there was probably no better place to be then on the backside in 1986 - 25 years ago. It was on that afternoon that the Golden Bear rallied and overtook Seve Ballesteros to become the oldest Masters champion at the age of 46.
The video is not very good, but I still love to listen to the commentary and the fact that the highlights are to one of the best songs of the 80's, that doesn't hurt either.
Coolin' in my crib, and I'm cold maxin'. That's what I'm doing when I'm checking out today's video from 1989 from the large and in charge big man known as Heavy D. Here he is with his boyz in his colorful clothes and style and telling the world what we already knew... "Gyrlz They Love Me"... he's the overweight lover, Heavy D!
Coolin in my crib and I'm cold, maxin Call up a cutie, I'm in the mood for relaxin Get my phone book from, top o' the shelf I'll dial 66 - hm, I better keep it to myself Call up a cutie with a triple star next to it She says, "Hello, " we con-versate a bit Invite her over for a candlelight dinner Believe me when I tell you that this girlie is a winner Shortly after that, I hear the doorbell ring Turn on the radio, Anita Baker starts to sing Open up the door and I kiss her on the cheek She's so nice, polite, petite, so sweet Sit her on the couch and uh, remove her coat Squat next to her, *ahem* clear my throat Whisper in her ear, told her what she wants to hear Let her know that, "Have no fear - Heavy D.'s here" And...
Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me (Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!) Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me (Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!)
Take my hand, walk with me I'm the imperial, Overweight Lover MC Heavy D. Now that I've introduced myself correctly Do you have a moment to spend some time with me? Would you like a drink, maybe a Piña, Colada A strawberry Daiquiri, a wine from Havana It really doesn't matter, the choice is yours And when you're through with your drink, we'll take a walk out-doors Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com Gazed at the stars, walked down the boardwalk Sit by the beach and talk lover's talk Make a quick call on my cellular phone Some type of limousine to pick us up and take us home Ahh! - an enjoyable night The mood was smooth and everything was alright It may be hard for you, but it's easy for me Cause girls, the girls, the girls, THEY LOVE ME!
Me, Glenn, and Troy went to a disco (word) Pete Rock and CL Smooth was on stage drinkin Cisco Damien had his girl Michelle (of course!) Craig Boogie had a girl that I never seen before Eddie F. was home makin a beat Mick T. was at the crib on a hundred and twenty-two street (chillin) Tootie had a cutie that was dope (Damn!) Groovy Lou, Quan, and Little Dow was crackin jokes (YOU BIG!) Grapp had the dancefloor packed (GO, GO, GO) Joe Black was in the corner lookin meanie when he {? } Tommy, George, Jeff and Butta was on the spot Buyin champagne from the crew a hundred dollars a pop! Me, I was casin the joint Clockin all the people as they stared and point It feels really good to be Heavy D. Because the girls, the girls, they LOVE me!
Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me...
(Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!)
"Gyrlz They Love Me"
by Heavy D and the Boys from the album: "Big Tyme" released: 1989
Occasionally, I like to take a trip down 80's memory lane across the pond so to speak. I've decided for the next couple of months on every Thursday, The Excellent 80's will bring you one of those hits in the UK that didn't necessarily chart very big here in the U.S. So to start off our "UK Thursday," here is the first appearance by the British synth pop band known as Bronski Beat. The openly gay band never achieved much success or notoriety in the States, but had quite a few hits in the UK. Here is one such dance club hit from 1986 called "Hit That Perfect Beat"...
"Hit That Perfect Beat" Single by Bronski Beat from the album Truthdare Doubledare Released 1985 Format 7", 12" Genre Synthpop Length 3:38 Label London Records Producer Adam Williams
Today's feature took a perfectly good Beatles tune, and turned it on its head by changing one word. Instead of "I Saw Her Standing There," 80's pop icon Tiffany changed the song to "I Saw Him Standing There," and somehow produced a top 10 single with it. Doing her best Joan Jett/Pat Benetar impersonation with her voice her is the red head from 1987 with "I Saw Him Standing There"...
"I Saw Him Standing There" Single by Tiffany from the album Tiffany B-side "Mr. Mambo & Gotta Be Love" Released March 1988 Format 7" single, 12" single, Cassette single Recorded 1987 Genre Synth-pop Length 4:12 Label MCA Records Writer(s) Lennon/McCartney Producer George Tobin
Today's video and song is my favorite of from the son of John Lennon - Mr. Julian Lennon. It was his first single from his debut album of the same name. From 1984, here is the top ten hit "Valotte"...
"Valotte" Single by Julian Lennon from the album Valotte Released October 1984 (1984-10) (US) December 1984 (1984-12) (UK) Format 7", 12" Genre Rock Length 4:15 Label Atlantic (US) Charisma Records (UK) Writer(s) Julian Lennon, Justin Clayton, Carlton Morales Producer Phil Ramone
There you are. You're running for your life. You're a shooting star.
The Road to the Final Four is over and only one game remains for the NCAA Men's Championship. At the end of the game, we will get to see our montage of the tournament with "One Shining Moment" as the soundtrack.
The song was written by David Barrett after watching Larry Bird's run to the NCAA title game in 1979. The first use of the song by CBS was after the Indiana win in 1987 and has played every year following the championship game and has been performed by Barrett, then by Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, and last year by Jennifer Hudson.
I was a senior in high school in 1989 and watched the finals between Michigan and Seton Hall at my high school basketball coach's house. It's a memory I still treasure to this day and this song is so nostalgic that it's become one of my favorite things about the NCAA tournament to this day. Here is the "One Shining Moment" montage from 1989...
In 1981, George Hamilton gave his own spirited twist to one of Americana's classic swashbuckling heroes. George, playing the character Don Diego de la Vega donned the cape and mask and also the cape and mask to his identical gay brother, Bunny Wigglesworth. It's the comedy movie called "Zorro The Gay Blade"...
the trailer...
swing your heeps like theess...
Zorro, The Gay Blade
Directed by Peter Medak Produced by C.O. Erickson George Hamilton Written by Johnston McCulley Hal Dresner Greg Alt Don Moriarty Starring George Hamilton Lauren Hutton Ron Liebman Brenda Vaccaro Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Release date(s) July 17, 1981 Country United States Language English
It's another round of the sisters and their band Heart for you today. I'm not sure who came up with this video concept, but apparently someone thought to themselves "it sure would be cool to have a black panther in the video." What the black panther has to do with anything is beyond me, but I guess it just added to the cool factor. So, check out the sleek black panther and the band Heart with their top 10 hit from 1985 - "Nothin' At All"...
Single by Heart from the album Heart B-side "The Wolf" Released April 19, 1986 Format 7", 12", CD Single (UK only) Genre Rock Length 4:13 Label Capitol Records Writer(s) Mark Mueller Producer Ron Nevison
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.
