80's Movie Weekend

Last weekend we had Burt Reynolds in his 1980 hit "Smokey and the Bandit II." This weekend, a little more Burt and this time in a movie I really liked from 1981 called "The Cannonball Run." The movie is about a cross country outlaw road race called The Cannonball Run featuring Burt, Dom DeLuise (aka Captain Chaos), a bra-less Farrah Fawcett, Roger Moore, Jackie Chan, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and more. The star studded cast helped make the movie the 6th highest grossing film of 1981.

the trailer...



Cannonball Run

Directed by Hal Needham
Produced by Raymond Chow
Written by Brock Yates
Starring Burt Reynolds
Roger Moore
Farrah Fawcett
Jackie Chan
Dean Martin
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Dom DeLuise
Editing by Donn Cambern
William D. Gordean
Studio Golden Harvest
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) June 19, 1981
Running time 95 min
Country United States
Hong Kong
Language English

This One Way Love Affair Ain't Fair

Today's old video from 1981 is off of the album that helped make this man a superstar. The album - "Working Class Dog." Of course I speak about General Hospital's own Rick Springfield and his follow up to the #1 "Jessie's Girl." Here is "I've Done Everything For You"... you've done nothing for me!




Lyrics | Rick Springfield lyrics - I've Done Everything For You lyrics

"I've Done Everything For You"

by Rick Springfield
from the album: Working Class Dog
released: 1981

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

It's Going to Take Plenty of Money to Do it Right, Child

Today's #1 hit for the late ex-Beatle George Harrison had two videos shot for the song back in 1987. Here is the first one featuring the age old story of boy chasing girl and somehow winning at the impossible claw game to win the girl the prized ballerina that she longed for. Here is "Got My Mind Set On You"...




Lyrics | George Harrison lyrics - Got My Mind Set On You lyrics

Here is the second and more popular version of the video that features a cool dog and some crazy ass furniture and dead animals. This version was nominated for three MTV VMA's...



"Got My Mind Set On You"
Single by George Harrison
from the album Cloud Nine
B-side "Lay His Head"
Released October 1987
Format Vinyl
Recorded Friar Park Studios Oxford 1987
Genre Rock
Length 3:51 (album version)
5:17 (extended version)
Label Dark Horse Records
Writer(s) Rudy Clark
Producer Jeff Lynne
George Harrison

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
UK peak: #2

I Run a Comb Through My Hair

Featuring some cool cars and some big hair, it's solo artist Eric Carmen from 1988 today for you here in The Excellent 80's. I didn't know a lot about Eric until I researched his career on wikipedia, which is always 100% accurate. Nonetheless, he had hits as part of a group called The Rasberries, then as a solo artist, and as a writer for other artists. Today's song was not included on the "Dirty Dancing" movie soundtrack, but was featured in the film. Featuring radio personality "Kid Leo" in the video here is Eric Carmen with "Make Me Lose Control"...




Lyrics | Eric Carmen lyrics - Make Me Lose Control lyrics

"Make Me Lose Control"
Single by Eric Carmen
Released May 1988
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Genre Adult contemporary
Label Arista Records
Writer(s) Eric Carmen, Dean Pitchford
Producer Jimmy Ienner

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

80's Television

Na-nu, na-nu, and hello earthlings. Today's retro flashback to the 1980's genre known as sci-fi comedy brings us a young alien by the name of Mork. Shortly after his crazy appearances on "Happy Days," Robin Williams turned his character known as Mork into his own series along with his co-star, never-to-be-heard-from-again Pam Dawber. It definitely had its share of crazy, whacked out comedy as only Robin Williams can produce. Here's the intro to "Mork and Mindy"... Shazbot!



Just about every episode Mork would call back home to Orson with a solid message for all of us...



Mork & Mindy

Genre Science fiction sitcom
Created by Garry Marshall
Dale McRaven
Joe Glauberg
Starring Robin Williams
Pam Dawber
Elizabeth Kerr
Conrad Janis
Jeffrey Jacquet
Jay Thomas
Gina Hecht
Tom Poston
Jim Staahl
Jonathan Winters
Theme music composer Perry Botkin, Jr.
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 95 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Anthony W. Marshall
Garry Marshall
Producer(s) Bruce Johnson
Brian Levant
Dale McRaven
Ed Scharlach
Tom Tenowich
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 22–24 minutes
Production company(s) Henderson Production Company
Miller-Milkis Productions
Paramount Television
Distributor CBS Television Distribution
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Audio format Monaural
Original run September 14, 1978 (1978-09-14) – May 27, 1982 (1982-05-27)
Status Ended
Chronology
Preceded by Love, American Style
Happy Days
Related shows Laverne & Shirley
Blansky's Beauties
Out of the Blue
Joanie Loves Chachi
The New Love, American Style

Come On Baby, Tell Me What's the Word

Normally any music video that features LaVar Burton of "Reading Rainbow" and "Star Trek" fame would be enough, but oh no, no, no, no, no. Today's group is Cameo, and apparently lead singer Larry Blackmon was extremely high/drunk when he picked out his wardrobe. Seriously dude, what were you thinking? Trying to over compensate for the lack of something? Not sure, but this is truly one of the worst costumes in 80's video history. LaVar Burton is a detective in the video, and I'm sure he's trying to arrest the band for the hideous fashion violations. Here is the trio known as Cameo with their 1986 hit "Word Up!"




Lyrics | Cameo lyrics - Word Up lyrics

"Word Up!"
Single by Cameo
from the album Word Up!
B-side "Urban Warrior"
Released 1986
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1986
Genre Funk, hip hop, R&B
Length 4:20
Label Atlanta Artists Records

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6

80's Movie Weekend

Of course we all know that sequels are rarely as good as the first ones, and that's pretty true in this case with this weekend's 80's movie flashback. The original Smokey and the Bandit debuted in 1977. Part two came out in 1980 and it was one of the biggest money makers of the year, but not as good as the original. I love Jackie Gleason, but three Jackie Gleasons in three different roles wasn't what this film needed. Yet, we still get plenty of Burt Reynolds and plenty of Sally Field (way before her "Brothers and Sisters" days) and a few laughs along the way. It's "Smokey and the Bandit II"...

the trailer...



I am a sucker for blooper reels though...



Smokey and the Bandit II

Directed by Hal Needham
Produced by Mort Engelberg
Written by Michael Kane
Jerry Belson
Brock Yates
Starring Burt Reynolds
Sally Field
Jackie Gleason
Music by Snuff Garrett
Cinematography Michael Butler
Editing by Donn Cambern
William Gordean
Studio Rastar
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) August 15, 1980 (United States)
January 1, 1981 (Australia)
March 27, 1981 (Finland)
January 30, 1981 (Sweden)
Running time 100 min.
Language English

Welcome to the Big Time

Ahhh, it's the birthday hangover today for The Excellent 80's. After celebrating four years of mindless postings and snarky comments, it's the letdown after the big day, and that's why I'm bringing you this peppy little tune from an artist that I wasn't even particularly fond of. But, hey after four years of mostly new posts everyday, some of the good stuff to choose from is gone. Oh well, I do like this song, and it's probably because it sounds like something from The Eagles. It's no coincidence because Joe Walsh is on slide guitar and Timothy B. Schmidt is on background vocals.
Oh, and for any of you out there that watch TNT's "The Closer," check out the creepy landlord. I think you'll recognize him. Here is the 47 year old Chicago native Richard Marx with the Grammy nominated "Don't Mean Nothing"...




Lyrics | Richard Marx lyrics - Don't Mean Nothing lyrics

"Don't Mean Nothing"
Single by Richard Marx
from the album Richard Marx
B-side "The Flame of Love"
Released May 1987 (1987-05)
Format 7", 12"
Genre Rock
Length 3:59
Label Manhattan Records
Writer(s) Richard Marx
Bruce Gaitsch
Producer Richard Marx
David Cole

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

Happy 4th Birthday to Me!

A happy Thursday to you and a happy fourth birthday to me!

Unbelievable, but this little blog has now gone on for four years! Fittingly, the first video ever aired on MTV was also the first feature post of this blog back in 2007. So, as a shout out to the past four years and over 1200 posts, here is "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggels...




Lyrics | Buggles lyrics - Video Killed The Radio Star lyrics

"Video Killed the Radio Star"

Single by The Buggles
from the album The Age of Plastic
B-side "Kid Dynamo"
Released 7 September 1979
Format 7"
Recorded 1979
Genre New Wave, Synthpop
Length 4:13 (album version)
3:25 (2010 Japanese re-issue single version)
Label Island
Writer(s) Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, and Bruce Woolley
Producer The Buggles
Certification Gold (UK)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #40
UK peak: #1

When I'm Called Off, I Got a Sawed Off

It's amazing that this blog is nearly four years old and I've neglected to feature today's video. It's a song and a group that ushered in the hardcore gangsta rap of the late 80's and early 90's. The video features rap pioneers like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E. Also featured in the video are MC Ren, Krazy Dee, and DJ Yella. Obviously the group is N.W.A. and the song with one or two explicit words is "Straight Outta Compton"...




Lyrics | N.w.a. lyrics - Straight Outta Compton lyrics

"Straight Outta Compton"
Single by N.W.A
from the album Straight Outta Compton
Released 1988
Format CD single
Recorded 1988
Genre Hip hop, West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap
Length 4:26
Label Priority/Ruthless
Writer(s) Eric "Eazy-E" Wright, O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson, Lorenzo "MC Ren" Patterson
Producer DJ Yella
Dr. Dre

When I Go Out I Can See the World from Inside

For awhile Canadian Corey Hart was bigtime. He hit it big with "Sunglasses at Night," and "Never Surrender." He also released today's lesser hit, which was the title track from the album "Boy in the Box." The song was definitely a letdown from the other two hits he had off of this album. Plus, the video and its Asian vibe is just weird. Here is now 49 year old Corey Hart with his 1985 single "Boy in the Box"...




Lyrics | Corey Hart lyrics - Boy In The Box lyrics

"Boy in the Box"

by Corey Hart
from the album: Boy in the Box
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #26
Canadian peak: #7

Lovely Lady, Pretty As Can Be

I challenge anyone to top this remake of the fairy tale "Cinderella." All it took was this three or four minute video to fully capture the true essence of the classic story. Oh, and some sexy Cinderella dancing was added to spice things up a little bit. Starring James "J.T." Taylor as Prince Charming and lead vocalist for Kool and the Gang, here is "Fresh"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Fresh lyrics

"Fresh"
Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Emergency
Released 1984
Format 7" vinyl
Recorded 1984
Genre R&B, Post-Disco, Dance-pop
Length 3:42
Label De-Lite, Mercury
Producer Kool & The Gang, Jim Bonnefond

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

You See It All Around You

Man, there's a lot of hair in this video. It's a live performance of the southern rock band 38 Special with one of their well known hits and some advice for you... just "Hold On Loosely"...




Lyrics | 38 Special lyrics - Hold On Loosely lyrics

"Hold On Loosely"
Single by 38 Special
from the album Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
Released 1981
Format 12"
Recorded 1980
Genre Rock
Length 4:40
Label A&M
Writer(s) Jim Peterik, Jeff Carlisi, Don Barnes

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #27

Today's 80's television featured a cool chopper and lots of explosions. The series lasted four short seasons, and brought you the house hold names of Jan-Michael Vincent, Alex Cord, and Jean Bruce Scott. OK, so maybe you've never heard of any of them, but it also starred Ernest Borgnine. Today's 80's flashback was the action packed tv show "Airwolf"...

the intro...



It's Airwolf vs. Redwolf featuring a very high tech laser...



Airwolf

Title card from original run
Format Action
Espionage
Created by Donald P. Bellisario
Starring Jan-Michael Vincent
Ernest Borgnine
Alex Cord
Jean Bruce Scott
Theme music composer Sylvester Levay
Composer(s) Sylvester Levay (S1-3)
Udi Harpaz (S2-3)
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 79 (List of episodes)
Production
Running time 45–48 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS (1984–1986)
USA (1987)
Original run January 22, 1984 – August 7, 1987
Status Ended

I've Always Said That One's Enough to Love

It's multiple Elton Johns in multiple multi-colored rooms! What could be more exciting than that I ask? Don't answer. Anyway, the video may be lacking, but it's a solid Elton song from 1988's "Reg Strikes Back" album. The song reached #2 in the U.S. From 1988, here is "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That"...


Elton John - I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like... by rvdgu2006


Lyrics | Elton John lyrics - I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That lyrics

"I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That"

Single by Elton John
from the album Reg Strikes Back
B-side "Rope Around a Fool"
Released 1988
Format CD maxi, 7" single, 12" maxi
Genre Pop, New Wave, piano rock
Length 4:35
Label Mercury
Writer(s) Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer Chris Thomas

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
UK peak: #30

I'll Be Over the Edge in No TIme at All

We've had the great country band Alabama in here before back in 2008 with their first huge hit called "Mountain Music." So, here's another 80's hit from the bearded one and his band Alabama. Seriously, this country band had to be one of the hairiest in the 80's. They could have shaved those beards and transformed to hair metal with no problem. Here is the #1 country hit "The Closer You Get"...




Lyrics | Alabama lyrics - The Closer You Get lyrics

"The Closer You Get"
Single by Alabama
from the album The Closer You Get...
A-side "The Closer You Get"
B-side "You Turn Me On"
Released April 29, 1983 (U.S.)
Format 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre Country
Length 3:35 (single edit)
4:33 (album version)
Label RCA Records 13524
Writer(s) J.P. Pennington, Mark Gray
Producer Harold Shedd and Alabama

U.S. Country Charts peak: #1

We Only Act Like Children When We Argue, Fuss, and Fight

In 1989, a slow, angst-ridden, somewhat of a love song came on the radio... every 15 minutes... all day long... on 75% of the radio stations around the country. Uggh. The song skyrocketed to #1 in the U.S. obviously, and Australia, and Canada, and every time it came on my radio I changed the station.
Sorry. Nothing against those of you that still enjoy this song, but it just seemed to drag on forever and ever despite it's barely over three minutes length. Anyway, here is the band Simply Red with Sideshow Bob on lead vocals ("Simpsons" reference... look it up if you don't know who that is and tell me I'm wrong) and a remake of a 1972 hit by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes called "If You Don't Know Me By Now"...





Lyrics | Simply Red - If You Don’t Know Me By Now lyrics

"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
Single by Simply Red
from the album A New Flame
Released March 27, 1989
Format 7" single
12-inch single
CD single
Genre Pop
Length 3:24
Label Elektra
Writer(s) Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Producer Stewart Levine

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

This movie came on some station the other day and I had never seen it before. Much to my surprise, a mustached Kevin Costner was the star before he actually became a Hollywood superstar. The acting is horrible, the cycling is kind of fun, but overall I can see why this movie was a flop. Enjoy anyway.

the trailer...



the brothers training with the help of a mean dog...



American Flyers

Directed by John Badham
Produced by Paula Weinstein
Gareth Wigan
Written by Steve Tesich
Starring Kevin Costner
Rae Dawn Chong
Alexandra Paul
David Marshall Grant
Janice Rule
Music by Greg Mathieson
Lee Ritenour
Cinematography Donald Peterman
Editing by Jeff Jones
Frank Morriss
Dallas Puett
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) 16 August 1985
Running time 113 minutes
Country United States
Language English

First You Need, Then You Bleed

A very happy rockin' Friday to ya! I still have today's hit rock song on a cassette tape somewhere in my attic, because I remember wearing this song out in my '84 Camaro cruising the mean streets of Norman, Oklahoma. Sam Kinison makes an appearance at the beginning of the video and all the fans film their own Bon Jovi video in what is one of the better Bon Jovi videos in my opinion. Here are the boys from New Jersey with their 1988 #1 hit "Bad Medicine"...




Lyrics | Bon Jovi lyrics - Bad Medicine lyrics

"Bad Medicine"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album New Jersey
B-side "99 in the Shade"
Released 1988
Format CD Single
Recorded 1988
Genre Hard rock[1]
Length 5:16
Label Mercury
Writer(s) Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child
Producer Bruce Fairbairn

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Sittin' On This Bar Stool, Talkin' Like a Damn Foole

Unbelievably, this is the first song / video by the group Styx in The Excellent 80's. Granted there aren't a ton of Styx videos from the 80's, but there are plenty that they should have been in here before now as this blog approaches its 4th birthday later this month. One of my first albums was a present to me when I was about ten, and it was the Styx "Paradise Theater" triple platinum album that was the band's only #1 album in the U.S. Today's song and video is from that album and features Tommy Shaw on lead vocals instead of Dennis DeYoung. Here are the boys trying to do funny (unsuccessfully of course) in the video for "Too Much Time on My Hands"...




Lyrics | Styx lyrics - Too Much Time On My Hands lyrics

"Too Much Time on My Hands"
Single by Styx
from the album Paradise Theatre
Released 1981
Format 7"
Recorded 1980
Genre Progressive rock
Label A&M
Writer(s) Tommy Shaw

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

One Night in Bangkok and the World's Your Oyster

It's a one-hit wonder for you today in the Excellent 80's. I actually still enjoy this quirky little song to this day. It's sung/performed by British singer and actor Murray Head. Back in 1984 he released this unusual little song that was a top 10 smash in the U.S. and made us all want to spend "One Night in Bangkok"...




Lyrics | Murray Head lyrics - One Night In Bangkok lyrics

"One Night in Bangkok"
Single by Murray Head
from the album Chess OST
B-side "Merano"
Released 1984
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop, dance
Length 3:51
Label RCA
Writer(s) Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus (composers)
Tim Rice & Björn Ulvaeus (lyricist)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
UK peak: #12

As I Watch You Close the Door

It's the Bath, England duo of Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher for you today. The duo is better known by their band name Naked Eyes. Back in 2008, The Excellent 80's blog brought you their two biggest hits - "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me," and "Promises, Promises." Today's mild hit was from their follow up album titled "Fuel For the Fire." The album was not near as successful as their debut, but this was their biggest hit off of it. From 1984, there are plenty of 80's fashions, hair, and hot chicks in this rags to riches short story called "(What) In the Name of Love"...




Lyrics | Naked Eyes lyrics - (What) In The Name Of Love lyrics

"(What) In the Name of Love"
by Naked Eyes
from the album: "Fuel For the Fire"
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #39

Little Sister by the Record Machine

Happy 4th of July 2011 everyone! An underrated American anthem for you today from an underrated rock band from San Francisco who sold over 10 million albums and is known as Night Ranger.
Let's all be thankful for our freedom and the men and women who served this great nation of ours, and always, always, be thankful "(You Can Still) Rock in America" ah yeah, all night! Check out the video... American flags included at no extra cost...




Lyrics | Night Ranger lyrics - (You Can Still) Rock In America lyrics

"(You Can Still) Rock in America"

by Night Ranger
from the album: Midnight Madness
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #51

80's Movie Weekend

1986 introduced us to Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee and produced one of the biggest box office hits of the year. Paul Hogan was the funny, charismatic, rugged Aussie from Down Under and Linda Koslowski was the love interest in the movie. Two horrible sequels followed, but the original "Crocodile Dundee" was funny and entertaining.

the trailer...



You call that a knife?



Crocodile Dundee

Directed by Peter Faiman
Produced by John Cornell
Screenplay by John Cornell
Paul Hogan
Ken Shadie
Story by Paul Hogan
Starring Paul Hogan
Linda Kozlowski
Music by Peter Best
Cinematography Russell Boyd
Editing by David Stiven
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
20th Century Fox (in some European countries)
Release date(s) 26 September 1986
Running time 104 minutes (Australia)[1]
97 minutes (international)[2]
Country Australia
Language English
Budget ~ $8.16 millon USD
Gross revenue $328,203,506

Ain't No Way I'm Sittin' Home Tonight

Hey, happy July to everyone! Summer is in full force and so I wanted to bring you a live performance and appropriate track from one of the best bands of all-time. The band of course is Van Halen, and this underrated song comes from their famed "5150" album. Although the song didn't crack the Billboard top 100 it did peak at #33 on the Rock Tracks chart. It remains one of my favorites from the album and just makes you want to go cruise the Sonic drive in tonight doesn't it? Here is "Summer Nights"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Summer Nights lyrics

"Summer Nights"

by Van Halen
from the album: 5150
released: 1986