Please Excuse Me, I Never Meant to Break Your Heart

For our final "UK Thursdays" installment (in case you haven't visited in a while, we've had some lesser known U.S. songs, but big hits in the UK playing every Thursday for the months of April, May, and June), The Excellent 80's is bringing you a double shot of the English band Marillion. Interestingly enough Marillion has appeared in The Excellent 80's already, because I was a big fan of the song "Kayleigh" when it came out in 1985. I remember even recording it off the radio onto a blank cassette I had so that I could listen to it whenever I wanted because it wasn't a big hit stateside by any means. The song barely cracked the top 100, but was a #2 hit in the UK, so first up is a song I still love to this day. Here is Fish and the boys known as Marillion with "Kayleigh"...




Lyrics | Marillion lyrics - Kayleigh lyrics

"Kayleigh"
Single by Marillion
from the album Misplaced Childhood
B-side "Lady Nina" [1]
Released 7 May 1985 (1985-05-07)
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl [1]
Recorded Hansa Ton Studios, Berlin, March — May 1985
Genre Neo-progressive rock
Soft rock
Pop
Length 3:33 (7" version) [1]
Label EMI
Writer(s) music: Mark Kelly, Ian Mosley, Steve Rothery, Pete Trewavas
lyrics: Fish
Producer Chris Kimsey

UK peak: #2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #74


In our second video from Marillion, lead singer Fish is rocking the kilt. Do you think he looks back at these videos and thinks to himself: "look at my hideous hair"? Dude was fighting baldness big time and no matter how long those bangs grew, those circle drives weren't going anywhere. Anyway, here is another top 10 effort in the UK off of the same album. It's a song called "Lavender"...




Lyrics | Marillion lyrics - Lavender lyrics

"Lavender"
Single by Marillion
from the album Misplaced Childhood
B-side "Freaks"
Released 1985 (UK)
Format Vinyl record (7" and 12")
Recorded Hansa Ton Studios, Berlin, March–May 1985
Genre Neo-progressive rock
Soft rock
Pop
Length 3:40 (7")
Label EMI
Producer Chris Kimsey/Wonderknob

UK peak: #5

80's Television

I remember watching today's 80's television flashback about a former Flying Tigers pilot named Jake Cutter who delivered cargo during the late 1930s all over the South Pacific. The show was supposedly on to try and capture those fans of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." The series only last one season with 21 episodes, but I always thought it was a pretty solid effort. Star Stephen Collins eventually hit the tv series jackpot when he landed the role of "Reverend Eric Camden" on the hugely successful series, "7th Heaven." Today's television show from 1982-83 is "Tales of the Gold Monkey."

the opening...



a scene from the opening pilot... who could forget Jack the one eyed dog!?



Tales of the Gold Monkey

Format Action/Adventure
Created by Donald Bellisario
Starring Stephen Collins
Jeff MacKay
Caitlin O'Heaney
Roddy McDowall
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 21 (List of episodes)
Production
Running time 60 mins.
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Picture format Film
Audio format Monaural
Original run September 22, 1982 – June 1, 1983

Life Is a Mystery

Before all the "Little Monsters" started worshiping a somewhat original artist by the name of Lady Gaga, we had the true Gaga original back in the 80's and her name is Madonna. That's right 80's fans, here is where Madonna stepped her controversial game up with today's song and video featuring a black man representation of Jesus. From 1989, here are the burning crosses, and the no longer blonde Madonna with "Like a Prayer"...

Madonna - Music - More Music Videos

Lyrics | Madonna lyrics - Like A Prayer lyrics

"Like a Prayer"

Single by Madonna
from the album Like a Prayer
B-side "Act of Contrition"
Released
February 28, 1989 (USA)
March 16, 1989 (Japan)
Format Cassette, CD, 7", 12”
Recorded 1988
Genre Power pop, gospel
Length 5:40
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Madonna, Patrick Leonard
Producer Madonna, Patrick Leonard

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1


And, as an added bonus today, don't forget about the much anticipated Pepsi commercial that accompanied the hit song. After all of the controversy regarding the "Like a Prayer" video, Pepsi quickly yanked the commercial after two airings, and attempted to distance themselves from Madonna for fear of boycotting by churches and religious organizations around the country. The irony is that they thought Madonna represented "the choice of a new generation," which she may or may not have at that time. Ultimately though Pepsi decided it was safer to stay with the choice of an old generation instead of pushing the envelope any. Ahh, good times in 1989!

There You Stood, That'll Teach Ya

Today's top 10 hit is a pretty lame video as it just features the band performing on a stage. Regardless, the song climbed up the charts all the way to #8 in April of 1985. It's the band Survivor with "High on You"...




Lyrics | Survivor lyrics - High On You lyrics

"High on You"
by Survivor
from the album: Vital Signs
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

80's Movie Weekend

It's one of the great movies of 1988 for you today. Of course I'm an excellent driver. Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, and Valeria Golino in "Rain Man"...

the trailer...



going to win some money in Vegas...



Rain Man

Directed by Barry Levinson
Produced by Mark Johnson
Screenplay by Barry Morrow
Ronald Bass
Story by Barry Morrow
Starring Dustin Hoffman
Tom Cruise
Valeria Golino
Music by Hans Zimmer
Cinematography John Seale
Editing by Stu Linder
Distributed by United Artists
Release date(s) December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16)
Running time 133 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Italian
Budget $25 million
Gross revenue $354,825,435

He's Just a Canine Running Round in Heat

Back in 1987 there were canine's running around in heat for today's artist. It was probably the height of popularity for one Perri A. Reid. Her debut album simply titled "Pebbles" had two big hits. One was "Mercedes Boy" and the other was today's featured video. Once married to famous record producer L.A. Reid (divorced in 1996), here is the song written and produced by L.A. Reid and longtime collaborator Babyface - it's Pebbles (and her sweet 80's shoulder pads) with "Girlfriend"...




Lyrics | Pebbles lyrics - Girlfriend lyrics

"Girlfriend"

Single by Pebbles
from the album Pebbles
Released October 26, 1987
Genre R&B, Freestyle
Length 6:42
Label MCA
53185
Writer(s) L.A. Reid, Babyface[1]
Producer L.A. Reid
Babyface
Pebbles (co-producer)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

A Police Car and a Screaming Siren

Today's English band had a string of hits overseas from the late 1977 through 1982. They had 18 consecutive top 40 hits in the UK at one point, and today's song was also listed among "Rolling Stones" Top 500 songs of all-time list from 2004 even though it only peaked at #21 in the UK when it was released. It's the popular English band called The Jam, and this is possibly their most famous song called "That's Entertainment"...




Lyrics | Jam lyrics - That's Entertainment lyrics

"That's Entertainment"
Single by The Jam
from the album Sound Affects
B-side Down in the Tube Station at Midnight (Live)
Released 7 February 1981
Format 7" vinyl
Genre Acoustic Punk
Length 3:34
Writer(s) Paul Weller
Producer Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and The Jam

UK peak: #21

Yes, the Rhythm the Rebel

The mid to late 80's is really when the rap genre came into the scene and started to explode as thousands of middle class white kids like myself bought up the tapes and later cds at record pace. In 1987, an active, political hip hop group called Public Enemy burst on the scene with an album titled "Yo! Bum Rush the Show." The next year saw the release of "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" which featured this single. Performed on "Yo! MTV Raps!" here is Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, and Professor Grif with "Rebel Without a Pause"...




Lyrics | Public Enemy lyrics - Rebel Without A Pause lyrics

"Rebel Without A Pause"
Single by Public Enemy
from the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
B-side Sophisticated Bitch
Released 1987
Format 12"
Genre Political hip hop
Length 5:02
Label Def Jam
Writer(s) Ridenhour, Sadler, Shocklee, Rogers
Producer The Bomb Squad

Cheesy 80's Sports Posters

I had this poster on my bedroom wall growing up. Yes, I was a big fan of two steroid needle sharing teammates in my teen years. As far as I knew at the time, they worked out in the weight room 24/7 and took special supplements to help them grow to mammoth, cartoonish proportions. Hey, it was blind innocence on my part back then, ok?


I also owned this sweet poster of "The Boz." I lived in Norman, OK at the time and there was no bigger star than Brian Bosworth during his days at OU and his early days with the Seattle Seahawks (pre getting run over by Bo Jackson). Plus, the chick in the poster was the hottest Dorothy ever!



Anyway, I hadn't thought about these posters in a long time until Sports Illustrated came up with this nice rundown of some more great 80's sports posters

Enjoy!

Girl Tell Me Only This

In 1982, Mr. Lionel Richie made his solo debut after departing from the successful group known as The Commodores. Today Lionel turns 62, but here he is in a live performance when he was only 33 with the grammy award winning #1 hit called "Truly." Happy birthday to Lionel Richie!




Lyrics | Lionel Richie lyrics - Truly lyrics

"Truly"

Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Lionel Richie
A-side "Wandering Stranger"
Released November 5, 1982
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded 1982
Genre Pop, R&B
Length 3:26
Label Motown
Writer(s) Lionel Richie
Producer Lionel Richie
James Anthony Carmichael

U.S. Billboard Charts peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's movie flashback is a perfect example of when to stop and never do a sequel. In 1989, some 22 years before Kirstie Alley's runner-up finish on "Dancing With the Stars" and at a time that began the comeback of one of the legends of the big screen we got this funny little movie. The 80's can claim this movie while the 90's must claim the two horrible sequels that followed. Let's forget about those and enjoy this one. It's John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, the voice of Bruce Willis, and appearances from Abe Vigoda and Olympia Dukakis in "Look Who's Talking"...

the trailer...



When I grow up to be a man...



Look Who's Talking

Directed by Amy Heckerling
Produced by Jonathan D. Krane
Written by Amy Heckerling
Starring John Travolta
Kirstie Alley
Music by David Kitay
Cinematography Thomas Del Ruth
Editing by Debra Chiate
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Release date(s) October 13, 1989
Running time 93 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $7.5 million
Gross revenue $296,999,813

I Said Go if You Want to Go

A happy Friday to you today! The Excellent 80's brings you Mike Rutherford's side project from the mid-80's. One of the founding members of the band Genesis, Mike took a break and formed Mike and the Mechanics. Here is their top 10 hit "All I Need is a Miracle"...

All I Need Is A Miracle lyrics found at elyricsworld.com

"All I Need Is a Miracle"
Single by Mike + The Mechanics
from the album Mike + The Mechanics
B-side You Are The One
Released February 3, 1986
Format 7' 12"
Recorded 1985
Genre Pop rock
New wave
Length 4:10
Label Atlantic - Atlantic 89450
Writer(s) Mike Rutherford and Christopher Neil
Producer Christopher Neil

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

We Nearly Made It

I love that today's feature in our "UK Thursdays" run we've been having since April has the title of "Ultimate 100 Really Bad Songs" on the screen the whole time this video plays. I can't say I disagree too much, but this song hit #1 in 1986 in the UK and stayed there for two weeks. Dude named Nick Berry, who is rockin' some George Michael eyebrows in the video, was apparently an actor and singer in Britain and came out with this gem of a ballad. Check out Berry's #1 hit "Every Loser Wins"...




Lyrics | Nick Berry lyrics - Every Loser Wins lyrics

"Every Loser Wins"
Single by Nick Berry
from the album New Vintage: The Best of Simon May and The Simon May Collection
B-side "Instrumental version"
Released 1986
Format 7" Single
Genre Pop
Length 3:11
Label BBC Records
Writer(s) Simon May
Stewart James
Bradley James
Producer Simon May

UK peak: #1

Tell Me How the Pain's Supposed to Go

You have to love Steven Tyler's white jumpsuit at the beginning and end of today's video. It's almost like Aerosmith goes country today with their barroom ballad called "What It Takes." The only thing I would have suggested for the brawl that happens is that the patrons throw bottles of beer at the chicken wire separating the band like a scene from "Blues Brothers." It would have made this video much much better. Nonetheless, here are Steven and the boys from a song that came out on the 1989 "Pump" album but peaked in 1990. Here is "What It Takes"...

What It Takes lyrics found at elyricsworld.com

"What It Takes"
Single by Aerosmith
from the album Pump
B-side "Monkey on My Back"
Released February 27, 1990
Format Cassette, CD, Vinyl
Recorded 1989
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:09
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Desmond Child
Producer Bruce Fairbairn

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

The Song Came and Went

Today's song and video is a follow up to the #1 hit by Bruce Hornsby and the Range's "The Way It Is." This song peaked at #4 back in 1987. Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, here is Bruce Hornsby, his piano, and one of the Range on the mandolin. So, everyone, it's not banjo wind, it's "Mandolin Rain"...


Bruce Hornsby - Mandolin Rain by jpdc11


Lyrics | Bruce Hornsby lyrics - Mandolin Rain lyrics

"Mandolin Rain"
Single by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
from the album The Way It Is
B-side "The Red Plains"
Released 1987
Genre Piano rock, adult contemporary
Length 5:19
Label RCA
Writer(s) Bruce Hornsby
John Hornsby
Producer Bruce Hornsby
Elliot Scheiner

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak #4

Early Morning Lookin Tired and Worn

When he wasn't cranking out monster movie soundtrack hits, Kenny Loggins was releasing mediocre studio albums with modest success. One of those came in the form of the 1985 album of Kenny's called Vox Humana. Here is the strange little video for the strange little title track called "Vox Humana (Human Voice)"...




Lyrics | Kenny Loggins lyrics - Vox Humana lyrics

Vox Humana
by Kenny Loggins
from the album: Vox Humana
Released 1985

80's Movie Weekend

The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow... you go ahead finish it. You know the words, because you like everyone else has seen the movie or musical known as "Annie." The 1982 film adaptation featured an awesome Carol Burnett as orphanage owner Miss Hannigan and stars Albert Finney, Bernadette Peters, Tim Curry, and Aileen Quinn as Annie. I was curious about Aileen and to the best of my research (which is not much) she appeared in minor roles in movies and tv projects throughout the years as well as on Broadway. Apparently she is a professor at Monmouth College in Long Branch, NJ these days.

Here is the trailer from 1982's "Annie"...



It's the "Hard Knock Life" for those poor orphans...



"Easy Street" with Burnett, Curry, and Peters...



here is an interview from a few years ago with Aileen...




Annie

Directed by John Huston
Produced by Joe Layton
Ray Stark
Written by Carol Sobieski
Based on Annie by
Charles Strouse
Martin Charnin
Thomas Meehan
Starring Aileen Quinn
Albert Finney
Carol Burnett
Bernadette Peters
Tim Curry
Ann Reinking
Geoffrey Holder
Music by Charles Strouse
Martin Charnin (Lyrics)
Cinematography Richard Moore
Editing by Michael A. Stevenson
Studio Rastar
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) May 17, 1982 (1982-05-17)
Running time 127 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $50 million
Gross revenue $57,059,003

Talk to Me, Don't Lie to Me

Today's song from 1985 is from the English band OMD with their first success stateside and a cool little song called "So in Love"...




Lyrics | Omd lyrics - So In Love lyrics

"So in Love"
Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
from the album Crush
B-side "Maria Gallante",
"Concrete Hands",
"White Trash (Live)"
Released 13 May 1985 (1985-05-13)
Format 7" vinyl,
12" vinyl
Recorded Amazon Studios,
The Manor
Genre New Wave, Synthpop
Length 3:29
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Producer Stephen Hague

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #26

I'll Stay With You Until the End

Today's "UK Thursdays" hit brings us to a successful pop group in the UK that had moderate success on the U.S. dance charts. One of the chicks in this video is rocking the Princess Leia do from Star Wars A New Hope. I dig it, and this song's not too bad either. So, check out the band formed in 1979 that broke up in 1987 called Blancmange with "Don't Tell Me"...




Lyrics | Blancmange lyrics - Don't Tell Me lyrics

"Don't Tell Me"
by Blancmange
from the album: Mange Tout
released: 1984

UK peak: #8

Slight of Hand, Hands of Fate

Today's weird video and song from 1981 come from "the female Rod Stewart." Well, that's what some people referred to her as. This song and video was a follow up to her biggest hit and one of the biggest hits of 1981 called "Bette Davis Eyes." Yes, it is Kim Carnes with "Draw of the Cards"...




Lyrics | Kim Carnes lyrics - Draw Of The Cards lyrics

"Draw of the Cards"
Single by Kim Carnes
from the album Mistaken Identity
Released 1981
Format 7" Single, 12" Single
Recorded 1981
Genre Pop
New Wave
Length 4:53
Label EMI America
Writer(s) Kim Carnes, Bill Cuomo, Dave Ellingson, Val Garay
Producer Val Garay

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28

I Go To Work Like a Doctor

Today we're back with some Mohandas Dewese for you. OK, you probably don't know him by that name. You most likely know him as the big shades wearing rapper Kool Moe Dee. I posted Kool's first big two mainstream hits How Ya Like Me Now? and Wild Wild West way back on this blog. So, today we move to Kool's follow up album and its' debut single which features Kool Moe Dee doing some work James Bond style and attempting to stop Dr. Yo. Here is the now 48 year old with his hit from 1989 called "I Go To Work"...




Lyrics | Kool Moe Dee lyrics - I Go To Work lyrics

"I Go To Work"

by Kool Moe Dee
from the album: Knowledge is King
released: 1989

You've Been Down Too Long in the Midnight Sea

I could have done without the first minute of this video which pans through a bunch of tree limbs. Really? Is this supposed to be setting me up for something? Anyway, after that, Italian-American Ronnie James Dio proceeds to wield a rather large sword while singing an early Dio hit. Dio meaning "God" in Italian rocks it today in The Excellent 80's with "Holy Diver"...




Lyrics | Dio lyrics - Holy Diver lyrics

"Holy Diver"
Single by Dio
from the album Holy Diver
B-side "Evil Eyes"
"Don't Talk to Strangers"
Released August 1983
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1983
Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Genre Heavy metal
Length 5:51
Label Vertigo
Mercury
Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Ronnie James Dio
Producer Ronnie James Dio

U.S. Mainstream rock charts peak: #40

80's Movie Weekend

In 1982, Dustin Hoffman donned makeup, high heels, and a dress, and landed a gig on a soap opera. Hilarity ensued. Anytime a man can dress up like a woman isn't that a recipe for success? I don't know, but this was a huge hit for Hoffman. It's "Tootsie"...

the trailer...


Tootsie

Directed by Sydney Pollack
Produced by Sydney Pollack
Dick Richards
Screenplay by Murray Schisgal
Barry Levinson
Elaine May
Story by Larry Gelbart
Starring Dustin Hoffman
Jessica Lange
Teri Garr
Dabney Coleman
Charles Durning
Music by Dave Grusin
Cinematography Owen Roizman
Editing by Fredric Steinkamp
William Steinkamp
Studio Mirage Enterprises
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures (Sweden)
Release date(s) December 17, 1982 (1982-12-17)
Running time 116 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $21 million
Gross revenue $177,200,000

Well You Admit You Like the Game

Peaking at #32 off his "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet" album Rick Springfield is sporting a sweet cut-off shirt with no sleeves (I saw Rick perform a few years ago and he still likes the sleeveless shirts where he can show off his guns and he still sweats a lot just like in today's video). Here is a live video version of "I Get Excited"




Lyrics | Rick Springfield lyrics - I Get Excited lyrics

"I Get Excited"

by Rick Springfield
from the album: Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet
released: 1982

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #32

It's Time We Should Talk About It

Well, The Excellent 80's has brought you "UK Thursdays" throughout the months of April and May, and we've decided to extend it another month through June. Basically, we're bringing you some of the best from across the pond that didn't chart very big for one reason or another in the U.S. So, you're not going to see any Tears For Fears or Def Leppard amongst this group. You're going to get singers and bands like the one today. It's British pop band known as China Crisis. The band formed near Liverpool in 1979 and had 10 "hit" singles in the UK while never really making a name for themselves in the U.S. Today's UK hit reached #9 back in 1983. Here is a cool little song and decidedly English looking video called "Wishful Thinking"...




Lyrics | China Crisis lyrics - Wishful Thinking lyrics

"Wishful Thinking"
Single by China Crisis
from the album Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two
B-side "This Occupation"
"Some People I Know to Lead Fantastic Lives"
Released 1983
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded 1983
Genre New Wave, Synthpop
Length 4:08 (7" single edit)
4:40 (12" single / album version)
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Gary Daly, Eddie Lundon
Producer Mike Howlett

UK peak: #9

We the People of the United States

Though not one of my favorite songs of Vincent Damon Furnier who was born in 1948, today's video is still classic Alice Cooper. Yes, Vincent was his given name. The video is from 1987's song "Freedom." All I know is that his lead guitarist I think is Dweezil Zappa on steroids. Check out born again Christian Alice Cooper with "Freedom"...




Lyrics | Alice Cooper lyrics - Freedom lyrics

""Freedom""

Single by Alice Cooper
from the album Raise Your Fist and Yell
Released 1987 (US)
1988 (UK)
Recorded 1987
Genre Heavy metal
Length 4:09
Label MCA
Writer(s) Alice Cooper, Kane Roberts
Producer Alice Cooper

UK peak: #50