10, 9, 8, 7,...

Want to see what the New Year's Eve celebration looked like 30 years ago tonight? In lieu of an 80's movie flashback, today's short 2:40 clip takes us back to 1981 and we get to watch the ball drop to take us into 1982. There's no Dick Clark. It's actress Donna Mills and some of Mr. Donny Osmond involved. And, the ball doesn't drop quite as smooth as it does these days. If you ask me, it looks a little shaky, like it might fall at any moment crushing hundreds below! Thankfully it doesn't. Have a safe New Year's Eve, and The Excellent 80's will see you in 2012!

When I Come Home, You Telephone

I'm a sucker for any video that features an old-school phone booth. There's just something so nostalgic and strange about them in today's modern world where even third graders have cell phones. The year was 1986 and red berets and pink shirts were in vogue. Trust me.

I also like how lead singer Alan Frew said screw it, I know I have a microphone to sing into in this video, but I'm not going to. I'm going to dance my way over to the two hot back-up singers and sing with them while they sing into their microphones. It's just a little peculiar to me. Either everyone should sing into their microphones or no one. It's not up for debate. Choose one! Anyway, here is the Canadian band Glass Tiger with their top 10 hit "Someday"...




Lyrics | Glass Tiger lyrics - Someday lyrics

"Someday"

by Glass Tiger
from the album: The Thin Red Line
released: 1986

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

She Was a Be-Bop Baby on A Hard Day's Night

I challenge you to find another classic 80's tune that opens with a mandolin and some sort of flute-like keyboard contraption being played together. That's what happens though when you get a crazy rock band from Philadelphia and combine that with some crazy teen agers hiding in car trunks and heading out to an old drive in movie theater for some fun. Here is the band known as The Hooters with "And We Danced"...




Lyrics | Hooters lyrics - And We Danced lyrics

"And We Danced"
Single by The Hooters
from the album Nervous Night
Released 1985
Format 7", 12", 12" promo
Genre Hard rock, Pop rock, Roots rock
Length 3:48
Label Columbia (1985)
Writer(s) Eric Bazilian, Rob Hyman
Producer Rick Chertoff

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

One Hubcap Cause Three Got Stolen

When Anthony Ray burst onto the rap scene with 1988's "Swass" album, I loved "My Posse's On Broadway." Then when he came out with his 1989 album "Seminar," I was hooked especially when he released this gem. Check out the rapper better known as Sir Mix-a-lot with "My Hooptie"...


Sir Mix A Lot - My Hooptie by DaDDy_sHug_1972


Lyrics | Sir Mix-a-lot lyrics - My Hooptie lyrics

"My Hooptie"

by Sir Mix-A-Lot
from the album: "Seminar"
released: 1989

I'm Under A Spell Again

Well if you're susceptible to seizures you may want to skip today's pop hit from 1987. It's a whirlwind of flashing lights and bright colors and quick cutaways. Here is the Brooklyn-born, now 41 year old Debbie Gibson from when she was about 17 with "Shake Your Love"...




Lyrics | Debbie Gibson lyrics - Shake Your Love lyrics

"Shake Your Love"

Single by Deborah Gibson
from the album Out Of The Blue
A-side Vocal (3:46)
B-side Bad Dubb Version (5:03) (U.S., 89187)
"Wake Up to Love" (Vocal/3:42) (U.K., A9187)
Released September 1987
Recorded March 1987
Genre Dance-pop, teen pop, freestyle, R&B
Length Album Version 3:38
Single Version 3:32
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Deborah Gibson
Producer Fred Zarr

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4

People Talking

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas yesterday and you are enjoying your day off today! From 1982 comes an early solo hit for the former front man of the band known as The Babys. He also went on to front the supergroup known as Bad English. In between those two gigs he was a solo artist best known for the hit "Missing You." Today's tricky video features John saving a coked out porn star from jumping off a ledge... or did he? or is she? It's all very confusing at the end.




"Change"

by John Waite
from the album: Ignition
released: 1982

80's Movie Weekend

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! With the triumphant return of the Muppets to the big screen this holiday season, The Excellent 80's takes you back to just a few years outside of the 1980's (it happens every once in a while). In 1992, the Muppets put on their own production of A Christmas Carol with "The Muppet Christmas Carol"... enjoy and Merry Christmas from The Excellent 80's!

the trailer...



The Muppet Christmas Carol

by Drew Struzan
Directed by Brian Henson
Produced by Brian Henson
Martin G. Baker
Jerry Juhl
Frank Oz
David Barron
Screenplay by Jerry Juhl
Based on A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens
Starring Michael Caine
Steven Mackintosh
Muppet Performers:
Dave Goelz
Jerry Nelson
Frank Oz
David Rudman
Steve Whitmire
Music by Miles Goodman (score)
Paul Williams (songs)
Cinematography John Fenner
Editing by Michael Jablow
Studio Jim Henson Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
Release date(s) December 11, 1992 (1992-12-11)
Running time 86 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $12,000,000
Box office $27,281,507

Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You

There's something so Christmasly 80's about this in-studio video performance by Billy Squier as he's joined by the MTV cast. It's just a very happy, very jolly performance that takes me back to a simpler place in time. I always enjoy whomever the woman is who dressed up like Santa. I would like to know who that is someday. Until then, enjoy the MTV gang from 1981 and Billy Squier, and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones from The Excellent 80's! Here is "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You"...




Lyrics | Billy Squier lyrics - Christmas Is The Time To Say 'i Love You' lyrics

Christmas In the Stars

We love you R2D2! From the 1980 Star Wars Christmas Album, this is actually a recording by none other than Jon Bon Jovi. It was apparently his first professional recording under his birth name John Bongiovi. What a gem this song is!



"R2D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

album: Christmas in the Stars
Studio album by Meco Monardo
Released November, 1980
Recorded 1980
Genre Christmas music
Length 33:52
Label RSO Records
Producer Meco Monardo

Track listing

1. "Christmas in the Stars" – 3:17
2. "Bells, Bells, Bells" – 3:15
3. "The Odds Against Christmas" – 3:04
4. "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)" – 3:24
5. "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas" – 3:16
6. "Sleigh Ride" – 3:36
7. "Merry, Merry Christmas" – 2:09
8. "A Christmas Sighting ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)" – 3:43
9. "The Meaning of Christmas" – 8:08

80's Christmas Toys

With Christmas fast approaching I hope you get some of the following 80's toys from Santa this year...

For those of you trying to win the national spelling bee still...



for you G.I. Joe fans out there...



For you little pony lovers out there...



For those of you in need of a post-Christmas dinner game to argue with your family relatives at...



And finally, those of you that are still master or your domain... or is it master of your universe... I have the power!!!

Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart (and the Christmas before that and the one before that...)

There are always a select few videos I love playing around Christmas time here in The Excellent 80's, and to me it's just not Christmas without George and Andrew and some ski lodge somewhere with a snowball fight, and some lost love out there. Here is Wham! with "Last Christmas"...




Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Wham! / Last Christmas lyrics

There's No Need to Be Afraid

Just remember to feed the world everyone and you'll be just fine. Of course you knew that line was going to lead you into Europe's version of USA For Africa. Here are a lot of your favorite 80's European stars in the group known as Band Aid in "Do They Know It's Christmas"...




Lyrics | Band Aid lyrics - Do They Know It's Christmas Time lyrics

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's 80's movie flashback is from 1985 and stars Mary Steenburgen and Harry Stanton. The moral of this story is always mail your children's letters to Santa Claus!

You can watch the entire movie on youtube, and here is part one of "One Magic Christmas"...



One Magic Christmas

Directed by Phillip Borsos
Written by Phillip Borsos
Barry Healey
Thomas Meehan
Starring Mary Steenburgen
Harry Dean Stanton
Gary Basaraba
Arthur Hill
Wayne Robson
Sarah Polley
Elisabeth Harnois
Robbie Magwood
Jan Rubes
Studio Walt Disney Pictures
Silver Screen Partners II
Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures
Release date(s) November 22, 1985
Running time 89 minutes
Country US/Canada
Language English

Home For the Holidays

I hope you are able to make it "home" to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and that you enjoy this time of year that can be ever so fast-paced and stressful. For now, sit back, relax, and check out this 80's performance by Kenny Loggins and some of his young friends as they perform "Celebrate Me Home"




Lyrics | Kenny Loggins lyrics - Celebrate Me Home lyrics

And A New Hat for Coach Landry

Wow, this is some mangled Christmas version of The Twelve Days of Christmas as done by a group of 1980's Dallas Cowboys that still featured Tom Landry, Tony Dorsett, Bill Bates, and Danny White among others. Check out the Dallas Cowboys and this classic 12 Days of Christmas rendition...

It Was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the Dark

Without a doubt, the best Christmas rap of all time from arguably the greatest rap group ever. Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay bring you this rap classic from the 1987 "A Very Special Christmas" album that benefited Special Olympics. Here is "Christmas in Hollis"...




Lyrics | Run-d.m.c. lyrics - Christmas In Hollis lyrics

"Christmas in Hollis"
Single by Run-D.M.C.
from the album A Very Special Christmas
B-side Peter Piper
Released November 1987
Format Vinyl, Cassette
Recorded 1987
Genre Hip hop
Length 2:59
Label A&M
Writer(s) Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizell
Producer Rick Rubin, Run-D.M.C.

80's Christmas Commercials

For those of you that enjoyed those holiday commercials of the 80's, here are some of the best from then...

It's a Swell Time

It's definitely that time of year to start playing some of my favorite 80's Christmas videos. There aren't too many better than Hall and Oates and their performance of "Jingle Bell Rock." They are wearing some outstanding clothes in this video. Enjoy!




Lyrics | Hall & Oates lyrics - Jingle Bell Rock lyrics

Of course Beavis and Butthead are so the 90's, but I couldn't resist adding their commentary on the Hall and Oates classic or is it the Hall and Rivera classic?

80's Movie Weekend

Last Saturday we brought you a 1986 made for NBC movie starring Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves called "Babes in Toyland." Well, to give ABC equal time here in The Excellent 80's, this weekend it's a made for ABC Christmas movie starring Jaclyn Smith (of "Charlie's Angels fame), and Art Carney (of Ed Norton fame from "The Honeymooners"). Check out "The Night They Saved Christmas"...



you can also watch this entire movie on youtube as well... here is Part 1 that is sure to get you hooked!



The Night They Saved Christmas

Directed by Jackie Cooper
Produced by David R. Kappes
Written by Jim Moloney
Starring Jaclyn Smith
Music by Charles Gross
Folliott S. Pierpont
Cinematography David Worth
Editing by Eric Albertson
Distributed by Cabin Fever Entertainment Inc.
Release date(s) 1984
Running time 94 min.
Country USA
Language English

Who Cries for the Children?

Once upon a time in 1985 the heavy metal industry felt slighted when musical all-stars from the U.S. and England produced sappy, money raising awareness songs for hungry children and the A.I.D.S. epidemic in Africa. Well, the late great Ronnie Dio would have none of that, so he wrote his own sappy all-star cast song called "Stars" which was a modest hit in the UK, but made nary a splash in the U.S. Thank goodness for Youtube and the video that accompanied it. Here is the all-star cast including among others lead vocalists Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult), Ronnie James Dio (Dio), Don Dokken (Dokken), Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), and Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) known as Hear 'n Aid with "Stars"...




Lyrics | Hear N' Aid lyrics - Stars lyrics

"Stars"

by Hear 'n Aid
released: 1985

UK peak: #26

Lead Guitar Solos:

Vivian Campbell (Dio)
Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
Craig Goldy (Giuffria)
George Lynch (Dokken)
Yngwie Malmsteen
Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
Neal Schon (Journey)

We Need More of This From the NBA

Less bickering, more music videos from NBA players I say!

OK, for those of you that didn't grow up in the 80's, you have to remember that it was the thing for teams to get together and shoot music videos. We had the Seattle Seahawks "Cuz the Blue Wave is on a Roll," the New England Patriots with "Skin the Bears," and "New England, the Patriots, and We." The Cinci Bengals brought us the "Who Dey?" rap from 1989, and of course who can forget the most famous - the Chicago Bears "Superbowl Shuffle."

Well, we might not have any NBA yet, but I can at least bring you the 1987 Lakers with an important public announcement in the form of a rap... just remember that when it comes to drugs, "Just Say No!" Just say no to colorful tight tank tops and short shorts...

Our Finest Gifts We Bring

I hope you are well into your Christmas shopping, or perhaps even finished! Regardless of where you are in your busy holiday season, feel free to take a few minutes and relax and enjoy today's Christmas video. Even though this was pre-1980's by a few years, it's still a holiday classic, and I still enjoy it. David Bowie drops in on Bing Crosby and the two do a little duet shortly before Bing passed away. Here are the two legendary performers in the Christmas spirit with "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth"...




Lyrics | David Bowie lyrics - Peace On Earth - Little Drummer Boy lyrics

My Baby Broke All the Rules

It's part comedy, part rock-act today for your 80's video flashback. It's the glam metal band from the Philly area making its first appearance in The Excellent 80's with one of their most famous hits. It's a 1988 single from the debut album of the same name as the band... it's Britny Fox with "Girlschool"...




Lyrics | Britny Fox lyrics - Girl School lyrics

"Girlschool"

by Britny Fox
from the album: Britny Fox
released: 1988

Now I Got a Job, But it Don't Pay

Recorded in 1979 and released in early 1980, today's hit song has to be considered one of the signature songs of the British punk rock band known as The Clash. Apparently written in one night and recorded the next day, here is The Clash off of their "London Calling" album with "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)"...




Lyrics | Clash lyrics - Train In Vain lyrics

"Train in Vain"
Single by The Clash
from the album London Calling
B-side "London Calling"
Released 12 February 1980
Format Vinyl
Recorded 1979 at Wessex Studios, London
Genre Rock
Length 3:09
Label CBS 50851
Writer(s) Joe Strummer / Mick Jones
Producer Guy Stevens, Mick Jones

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #23
UK peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is right around the corner... again. Didn't we just get through taking down the decorations? Anyway, I always like to post Christmas movies from the 80's or TV specials or cartoons, etc., etc. every December, and I refuse to deviate from that award-winning approach! Check out a young Drew Barrymore along with Keanu Reeves and Richard Mulligan in a made for NBC movie musical from 1986 titled "Babes in Toyland"...



All 10 parts can be watched on youtube... here is part one if you dare...



Babes in Toyland
Directed by Clive Donner
Produced by Tony Ford
Neil T. Maffeo
Written by Glen MacDonough
Paul Zindel
Starring Drew Barrymore
Keanu Reeves
Richard Mulligan
Pat Morita
Eileen Brennan
Jill Schoelen
Music by Leslie Bricusse
Cinematography Arthur Ibbetson
Editing by David Saxon
Country United States
Language English
Original channel NBC
Release date December 19, 1986 (1986-12-19)
Running time 140 minutes

Get Up On It

Today's video with soul has so much 80's pleasure to enjoy I had to watch it twice. From the vintage late 80's clothing (ripped, high waisted acid washed jeans anyone?) to the horrible dancing, white-boy rapping, and the receding hairline of today's featured artist who had some hits in the late 80's and early 90's with "24/7", "Summer Girls," "Romeo," and this song. Here is Dean Esposito, better known as Dino with his top 10 hit from 1989 "I Like It"...




Lyrics | Dino lyrics - I Like It lyrics

"I Like It"

by Dino
from the album: 24/7
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Cause We Are Living in a Crazy, Crazy World

It's a crazy, crazy dog at the beginning of the video and the end in today's tribute to the little known girl band Big Trouble. Don't remember them? Don't worry, because you're probably not alone. They were an all-girl pop band that was put together by TV executive Fred Silverman. Bobbi Eakes (Miss Georgia 1983) was the lead singer. Here is their only "hit," called "Crazy World"...




Lyrics | Big Trouble lyrics - Crazy World lyrics

"Crazy World"
by Big Trouble
from the album: Big Trouble
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #71