It's Close To Midnight - Happy Halloween!

As I do every year on Halloween, I bring you the late, great Michael Jackson with his classic masterpiece of a video - "Thriller." Have a spooktacular Halloween everyone!




Lyrics | Michael Jackson lyrics - Thriller lyrics

80's Movie Weekend

In 1987, we were introduced to one scary figure in American horror, and he goes by the name "Pinhead." The movie spawned several sequels. Your 80's movie flashback for the weekend is considered one of the scarier movies from the 80's - "Hellraiser"...

the trailer...



here is Pinhead...



Hellraiser

Directed by Clive Barker
Produced by Christopher Figg
Written by Clive Barker
Starring Andrew Robinson
Clare Higgins
Ashley Laurence
Sean Chapman
Oliver Smith
Doug Bradley
Music by Christopher Young
Cinematography Robin Vidgeon
Editing by Richard Marden
Tony Randel
Studio Cinemarque Entertainment BV
Film Futures
Rivdel Films
Distributed by New World Pictures
Release date(s) September 11, 1987 (UK)
September 18, 1987 (US)
Running time 94 minutes
Country United Kingdom
United States
Language English
Box office $14,564,027[1]

Who Could Ask For More?

Every year around this time there is always one or two videos I post. Today's post happens to be one of them and it's one of my favorites and probably only song I know from the obscure band originally known in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. They shortened their name, released quite a few albums and toured for many years. This, fittingly, is their most famous song. Just leave your body and soul at the door and enjoy "Dead Man's Party"...




Lyrics | Oingo Boingo lyrics - Dead Man's Party lyrics

"Dead Man's Party"

Single by Oingo Boingo
from the album Dead Man's Party
Released April 29, 1986
Format 7"
Recorded August 1985
Genre New Wave
Length 6:23
Label MCA
Writer(s) Danny Elfman
Producer Danny Elfman, Steve Bartek

Ooh, Something's Got a Hold of Me Now

It's almost Halloween again, and here's a Dracula-inspired video featuring Edward Joseph Mahoney, or as you might know him as - Eddie Money. From 1982, it's "Think I'm In Love"...




Lyrics | Eddie Money lyrics - I Think I'm In Love lyrics

"Think I'm in Love"
Single by Eddie Money
from the album No Control
B-side "Drivin' Me Crazy"
Released 1982
Format 7" single
Genre Rock
Length 3:09
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Eddie Money, Randy Oda
Producer Tom Dowd

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #16

I Know What You Want

Back in 2007 leading up to Halloween, The Excellent 80's featured my favorite vampire movie of all-time - "The Lost Boys." You can go back and view the trailer and Gerrard McMann's theme song "Cry Little Sister." Today's video and song were also from The "Lost Boys Soundtrack" and about the only way anyone would have ever heard of the band Mummy Calls. Here is the British pop/rock band Mummy Calls with "Beauty Has Her Way"





"Beauty Has Her Way"

Single by Mummy Calls
from the album Mummy Calls
Released 1986
Format 7", 12"
Genre New Wave, Synthpop
Length 4:18
Label Geffen
Writer(s) David Banks, Paul Brook
Producer Hugh Padgham

80's Television

With Halloween right around the corner, The Excellent 80's is featuring this television show that originated in 1989, so I'm classifying it as a product of the 80's. It was a HBO series that ran for seven seasons and was based on the 1950's EC Comics series of the same name. Yes, I'm talking about that cackling zombie known as the Crypt Keeper and "Tales from the Crypt"...

the intro...



the Crypt Keeper was always pretty entertaining. Here he is running for office...



the Crypt Keeper talking about your brain and your brain on drugs...



Tales from the Crypt

Genre Horror
Created by William Gaines (original concept)
Starring Van Snowden
Voices of John Kassir
Theme music composer Danny Elfman
Composer(s) Steve Bartek
Frank Becker
Bruce Broughton
Michel Colombier
Bill Conti
Ry Cooder
Cliff Eidelman
Christopher Franke
Jay Ferguson
Jan Hammer
James Horner
Vladimir Horunzhy
Michael Kamen
David Kitay
David Mansfield
David Newman
Nicholas Pike
J. Peter Robinson
Michel Rubini
Alan Silvestri
Jimmy Webb
Walter Werzowa
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 7
No. of episodes 93 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Richard Donner
David Giler
Walter Hill
Joel Silver
David Geffen
Robert Zemeckis
Running time approx. 22-29 minutes.
Production company(s) HBO
Broadcast
Original channel HBO[1]
Audio format Dolby Surround 2.0
Original run June 10, 1989 – July 19, 1996

Do You Remember When We Met

OK, Robert Plant, I know you are cool and one of the best lead singers from one of the best rock bands of all-time, but I question your direction around 1981 when you formed today's group The Honeydrippers. From what I understand this was to quench a thirst that Robert had for a band with a heavy R&B sound to it. The original lineup was quite impressive though for their one and only album they released. It included Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on guitars, Paul Shaffer on the keyboard, Nile Rodgers as a guitarist and co-producer, Wayne Pedziwiatr on bass, Dave Weckl on drums, and Brian Setzer made a guest appearance on guitar. The worst thing about today's video... did we really need a speedo wearing xylophonist in the video? I think not. Totally ruined it for me. A remake of the Phil Phillips hit from 1959, here are The Honeydrippers with "Sea of Love"...




Lyrics | Honeydrippers lyrics - Sea Of Love lyrics

"Sea of Love"

by The Honeydrippers
from the album: The Honeydrippers Volume One
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

80's Movie Weekend

OK, so I never saw this weekend's movie review at all. I never even heard of it. I saw it somewhere in some list about the top scary movies of the 80's. It's called Re-animator and it looks pretty... campy and gory, but not that scary. It's the first in a series of movies like it called "Re-Animator"

here's the trailer...



Re-Animator

Directed by Stuart Gordon
Produced by Brian Yuzna
Screenplay by Stuart Gordon
William J. Norris
Dennis Paoli
Based on Herbert West, Re-Animator by
H. P. Lovecraft
Starring Jeffrey Combs
Bruce Abbott
Barbara Crampton
David Gale
Music by Richard Band
Cinematography Mac Ahlberg
Editing by Lee Percy
Studio Re-Animator Productions
Distributed by Empire Pictures
Release date(s) October 18, 1985
Running time 95 minutes
86 minutes (Unrated cut)
Country United States
Language English
German
Budget $900,000[1]
Box office $2,023,414[1]

I Don't Mind When You Act Your Age

The Red Rocker is 63 and still going strong as his group Chickenfoot is set to release their second album soon. Back in 1982 Sammy was pumping out some good solo stuff like this hit off of his "Three Lock Box" album. If he really is 63, he would have been about 32 or 33 in this video. Here is a younger and skinnier Sammy Hagar with "Your Love is Driving Me Crazy"...




Lyrics | Sammy Hagar lyrics - Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy lyrics

"Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy"
Single by Sammy Hagar
from the album Three Lock Box
Released 1982
Length 3:30
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Sammy Hagar

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13

80's Halloween Costumes

Halloween and all the fun parties are approaching quickly and if you're still struggling with what to wear, here are some awesome 80's costume ideas if you just haven't found that perfect outfit yet!

Grab Your Coat and Wave Goodbye to Your Friends

Monday, the group Shalamar made their debut in The Excellent 80's with "Dead Giveaway," but today's video and song from the group is probably the one I remember the most from this group. Included on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack as well as their album "Heartbreak" here is Shalamar again (this time post Jody Watley) with a sweet bar fight scene with their song/video for "Dancing in the Sheets"...




Lyrics | Shalamar lyrics - Dancing In The Sheets lyrics

"Dancing in the Sheets"

by Shalamar
from the album: "Heartbreak" (also included on the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack)
released: 1984

80's Television

Don't tell me you don't remember this classic comedy/drama tv show from 1988. It lasted two whole seasons! John Ritter starred in it as a San Francisco plain clothes police officer named Harry Hooperman who inherits the apartment building he lives in when the landlady is killed in the first episode. Hilarity and drama ensue... It's the show "Hooperman"...

the intro...



speaking of hilarity, here is a clip from the show...



Hooperman

Format Comedy/Drama
Created by Steven Bochco
Terry Louise Fisher
Starring John Ritter
Felton Perry
Debrah Farentino
Dan Lauria
Barbara Bosson
Joseph Gian
Opening theme Hooperman Theme by Mike Post
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 42
Production
Executive producer(s) Robert M. Myman
Running time 30 min.
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run September 23, 1987 – July 26, 1989

How Long You Gonna Carry On?

That's sometimes the question I ask myself about this little blog and its continues run for four years. But, I seem to always find something new or fresh or exciting to keep me wanting to update this thing. One 80's group that I haven't featured in here before is making its' debut today. With 10 studio albums spanning the late 70's to 1990 the most famous member of the band was one-time member Jody Watley. She appears in today's mysterious video from their 1983 album "The Look." Here is the band Shalamar with "Dead Giveaway"...




Lyrics | Shalamar lyrics - Dead Giveaway lyrics

"Dead Giveaway"

by Shalamar
from the album: The Look
released: 1983

80's Movie Weekend

Wow, Halloween is really sneaking up on me this year. It's just about two weeks away so it's time to start in with a few "scary" 80's movies for you to remember. Personally, I never saw today's 80's movie flashback, nor did I ever read the book. I'll just assume that it was pretty scary since it's a Stephen King story. It's some crazy, loony, killer dog they called "Cujo"...

the trailer...



Cujo

Directed by Lewis Teague
Produced by Robert Singer
Daniel H. Blatt[1]
Written by Stephen King (novel)
Lauren Currier
Starring Dee Wallace
Danny Pintauro
Daniel Hugh-Kelly
Christopher Stone
Ed Lauter
Music by Charles Bernstein
Cinematography Jan de Bont
Editing by Neil Travis
Studio Taft Entertainment
Sunn Classic Pictures
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) August 12, 1983
Running time 91 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $5,000,000
Box office $21,200,000

Your the Seventh Son of the Seventh Son

Before she started strutting and talking about her "sugar walls" Sheena Easton was a pure wholesome singer with hits like this one from 1981. Here is the Scottish born Easton with the song off the album of the same name - "You Could Have Been With Me"...




Lyrics | Sheena Easton lyrics - You Could Have Been With Me lyrics

"You Could Have Been With Me"
Single by Sheena Easton
from the album 'You Could Have Been with Me'
B-side "Savoir Faire"
Released November 1981
Format 7" single
Genre Adult Contemporary
Length 3:48
Label EMI-America
Writer(s) Lea Maalfrid
Producer Christopher Neil

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

I Can Wait Another Day Until I Call You

In honor of Sir Paul McCartney's recent third marriage, let's take a look back at his hit from 1984 off of the "Give My Regards to Broad Street" soundtrack album. I'm not sure what the first minute of the video accomplishes, but it's not too bad of an effort overall. Here is McCartney with "No More Lonely Nights"... Congrats on the new marriage, Paul!




Lyrics | Paul McCartney lyrics - No More Lonely Nights lyrics

"No More Lonely Nights"

Single by Paul and Linda McCartney
from the album Give My Regards to Broad Street
B-side "No More Lonely Nights (Playout Version)"
(original pressing);
"No More Lonely Nights (Special Dance Mix)"
(later pressing)
Released 24 September 1984
Format 7" single
Recorded Abbey Road - 1983
Genre Rock, Power Ballad
Length 4:42 (Ballad version)
4:35 (Playout version)
Label Parlophone
R6080(stereo)
Columbia (US & Canada)
Writer(s) Paul McCartney
Producer George Martin

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6
UK peak: #2

Once Is Never Enough

Back to 1980 we go today for a sunglasses wearing flute playing man just called "The Captain." More specifically it's "Captain" Daryl Dragon and his wife, Cathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille. That's right it's Captain and his hot wife, Tennille, and their hit that peaked at #1 in February of 1980 - "Do That To Me One More Time"...




Lyrics | Captain & Tennille lyrics - Do That To Me One More Time lyrics

"Do That to Me One More Time"

Single by Captain & Tennille
from the album Make Your Move
B-side "Deep in the Dark"
Released 1979
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Genre Adult contemporary, Pop
Length 3:45
Label Casablanca 2215
Writer(s) Toni Tennille
Producer Daryl Dragon

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Television

Now all of you know and have probably seen at least a little bit of the classic television series "Saved By the Bell," right? Sure you have. But how many of you remember that there was one season of a show right before "Saved By the Bell" that was the precursor to it? That's right, Zack Morris was there, so was Lisa Turtle, and of course "Screech." But there was no Kelly Kapowski, AC Slater, or Jesse Spano. The show was called "Good Morning Miss Bliss."

Here is the intro from that lone season in 1988-89



Here is part one of the pilot episode with the lame original opening...



Part two...



Good Morning, Miss Bliss

Good Morning, Miss Bliss title card
Also known as Saved by the Bell: The Junior High Years
Genre Teen sitcom
Created by Sam Bobrick
Starring Hayley Mills
Dennis Haskins
Joan Ryan
Max Battimo
Dustin Diamond
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Heather Hopper
Lark Voorhies
T.K. Carter
Theme music composer Charles Fox
Opening theme "These are the Best of Times"
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13

I Used to Think That Love Was Such a Fairy Tale

I thought this QVC video from 2010 was really interesting when I stumbled across it the other day because I hadn't seen Billy Ocean probably since the late 80's, maybe early 90's. The thing that's cool about this is that he sings live with just an acoustic guitarist accompanying him and he still has magic in that voice. Though this is not one of my favorite Ocean songs, you sure can hear that voice that made him so popular during the 80's. Born in Trinidad, here is the now 61 year old Billy Ocean singing one of his biggest hits from 1985... "Suddenly"...




Lyrics | Billy Ocean lyrics - Suddenly lyrics

"Suddenly"
Single by Billy Ocean
from the album Suddenly
Released May 10, 1985
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded 1984
Genre Soul, R&B, soft rock
Length 3:55
Label Jive Records
Writer(s) Billy Ocean
Producer Keith Diamond, Billy Ocean

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
UK peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

Back during John Travolta's first run as a superstar A-list actor, he had this 1981 movie that was pretty good. It also starred Nancy Allen (not sure who she is), and also John Lithgow. You can't go wrong when Lithgow is playing a villain in your movie can you? It's the 1981 thriller by Brian De Palma called "Blowout"...

the trailer...



the opening credits...



Blow Out

Directed by Brian De Palma
Produced by George Litto
Written by Brian De Palma
Starring John Travolta
Nancy Allen
John Lithgow
Dennis Franz
Music by Pino Donaggio
Cinematography Vilmos Zsigmond
Distributed by Filmways
Release date(s) July 21, 1981 (U.S. release)
Running time 108 min.
Language English
Budget $18 million

I Can Make You Number One

I sense some Michael Jackson influence from today's group and video. From the dress to even some of the dance moves at the end, I sense a Jackson Five wannabe group that includes three females and two males - all siblings. It's the British pop/R&B group known as Five Star. They didn't achieve too much success stateside other than the occasional top 40 showing on the U.S. R&B charts. They had much more success in Britain during the peak of their fame from 1985-1988. Here are the five Pearson siblings known as Five Star with "R.S.V.P."...



"R.S.V.P."
Single by Five Star
from the album Luxury Of Life
B-side "Say Goodbye"
Released November 9, 1985
Format 7" single, 12" single
Genre Pop
Length 4:45
Label RCA, Tent
Writer(s) Nick Trevisick, Paul Gurvitz
Producer Buster Pearson, Nick Martinelli

UK peak: #45

Says He's A People Fan

From 1982, one of the great British synthpop bands of the 80's is coming your way today. They've been featured before here in The Excellent 80's, and here is another one of their top 40 U.S. hits, and a song that went all the way to #2 on the UK charts. It's "Mirror Man"...




Lyrics | Human League lyrics - Mirror Man lyrics

"Mirror Man"

Single by The Human League
from the album Fascination!
B-side "Non-Stop"
Released 27 November 1982
Format 7", 12" vinyl single
Recorded Genetic Studios, Reading, UK
Genre Synthpop
Length 3:52
Label Virgin Records, A&M Records
Writer(s) Philip Oakey, Jo Callis, Ian Burden
Producer Martin Rushent

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

I Was Taught To Never Tell a Lie

Love today's song and video from the one and only Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan is rocking the white outfit today. And, for the second day in a row we get a video that features a turn table with an old 45 single being played. And remember those things you had to put in the middle of those singles called 45 rpm adapters? Wow, that takes me back. Anyway, check out a song that barely cracked the top 20 on the Billboard charts, so in my mind that makes this an underrated hit of Joan's. Here is "Little Liar"...




Lyrics | Joan Jett And The Blackhearts lyrics - Little Liar lyrics

"Little Liar"

by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
from the album: "Up Your Alley"
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #19

You Say You're Going Through Changes

I love today's video for its outlandish clothing, hair, and anytime you can feature a keytar in the video that's a plus in my books. I always get today's band confused with its Star counterpart known as Atlantic Star. It's not Atlantic Star, it's the group formed in the late 70's at Kentucky State University known as Midnight Star making their debut in The Excellent 80's for you today with a sweet little number and video known as "Midas Touch"...




Lyrics | Midnight Star lyrics - Midas Touch lyrics

"Midas Touch"

by Midnight Star
from the album: "Headlines"
released: 1986

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #42
U.S. R&B peak: #7
UK peak: #8

You Had to Have Style, Get a Gold Tooth Smile

I know you'll remember today's jam from one of your school dances in 1988/89 whether you hated it or busted a move on the dance floor to it. She's a one hit wonder, but she brought it for that one hit! No moneyman could win her love, it's the Swedish songwriter singer/rapper Neneh Cherry with "Buffalo Stance"...




Lyrics | Neneh Cherry lyrics - Buffalo Stance lyrics

"Buffalo Stance"
Single by Neneh Cherry
from the album Raw Like Sushi
Released October 23, 1988
Recorded 1988 Hot Nights
Genre Hip-hop, Electro-hop
Length 5:42 (full-length version)
4:07 (7" edit)
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Neneh Cherry, McVey, Ramacon and Morgan
Producer Tim Simenon and Mark Saunders

U.S. Billboard peak: #3
UK peak: #3

80's Movie Weekend

1989 saw Disney come strong to the box offices with their musical cartoon released titled "The Little Mermaid." With brand new music, and colorful characters (Sebastian anyone?), "The Little Mermaid" was a top 10 blockbuster and helped lead a new charge of kids' movies that even the adults could enjoy...

the trailer...



"Under the Sea" anyone?



The Little Mermaid

Directed by Ron Clements
John Musker
Produced by John Musker
Howard Ashman
Written by Ron Clements
John Musker
Based on "The Little Mermaid" by
Hans Christian Andersen
Starring Rene Auberjonois
Christopher Daniel Barnes
Jodi Benson
Pat Carroll
Buddy Hackett
Jason Marin
Kenneth Mars
Samuel E. Wright
Music by Alan Menken
Howard Ashman (Lyrics)
Studio Walt Disney Feature Animation
Silver Screen Partners IV
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
Buena Vista Distribution
Release date(s) November 14, 1989 (1989-11-14)
Running time 85 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $40 million[1]
Box office $211,343,479[2]