80's Movie Weekend

Were there any worse actors in the 80's than Richard Lewis and Louie Anderson? I don't know, but I don't think so. This movie casts them both though they do make up for it with an appearance by John Goodman as some psycho escaped criminal. Apparently the four former cub scouts reunite to conquer a mountain they couldn't when they were kids and chaos and hilarity ensue. I never saw this movie, and don't really plan to, but please let me know if you've seen it before. It's the comedy "The Wrong Guys"...

the trailer...



The Wrong Guys
Directed by Danny Bilson
Produced by Charles Gordon
Ronald E. Frazier
Executive Producer:
Lawrence Gordon
Written by Paul De Meo
Danny Bilson
Starring Louie Anderson
Richard Lewis
Richard Belzer
Tim Thomerson
Brion James
Franklyn Ajaye
Art LaFleur
Biff Manard
Timothy Van Patten
Ernie Hudson
John Goodman
Distributed by New World Pictures
Release date(s) May 13, 1988
Running time 86 minutes
Country United States
Language English

I Can't Keep Up With What's Been Going On

This song has nothing to do with lawyers or love. Don't believe me? Jackson Browne will tell you the exact same thing. It's a joke, man. Here is Jackson with a live performance of his 1983 hit "Lawyers in Love"...




Lyrics | Jackson Browne lyrics - Lawyers In Love lyrics

"Lawyers in Love"

Single by Jackson Browne
from the album Lawyers in Love
Released 1983
Format 7", CD single
Recorded 1981-1982
Genre Rock
Length 4:18
Writer(s) Jackson Browne
Producer Jackson Browne
Greg Ladanyi

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13

The Mist Across the Window Hides the Lines

I always liked this peppy little tune from 1983. It's from English musician Joe Jackson, and it's his hit "Steppin' Out"...




Lyrics | Joe Jackson lyrics - Steppin' Out lyrics

"Steppin' Out"

Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Night and Day
B-side
"Another World" (UK 7")
"Chinatown" (U.S. 7")
Released August 1982 (U.S.)
October 1982 (UK)
Format 7", 12"
Genre Synthpop, New Wave
Length 4:23 (album version)
3:43 (single version)
Label A&M
Writer(s) Joe Jackson
Producer David Kershenbaum, Joe Jackson

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

I See the Crystal Raindrops Fall

Today's performance video is of the late, great Grover Washington Jr. from Buffalo, NY. Probably his most famous song, which has been sampled many times over the years, here is Washington with "Just the Two of Us"...




Lyrics | Grover Washington Jr. lyrics - Just The Two Of Us lyrics

"Just the Two of Us"

Single by Grover Washington, Jr.
from the album Winelight
B-side "Make Me a Memory (Sad Samba)"
Released 1981
Genre R&B, Jazz
Length 4:00 (radio edit)
7:23 (album cut)
Label Elektra Records
Writer(s) Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

We May Be Big or Small

Today's performance and video happens as the disco era is winding down and is sung and performed by the youngest brother of the four famous Gibb brothers. You might know his three older brothers better as the Bee-Gees. Young Andy Gibb was a teen idol and pop sensation who was taken from this world at the age of 30 due to myocarditis. From his third and final studio album, here is his 1980 hit "Desire"...




Lyrics | Andy Gibb lyrics - Desire lyrics

"Desire"
Single by Andy Gibb
from the album After Dark
B-side "Waiting For You"
Released January 1980
Format 7"
Recorded 1978
30 May 1979 (lead vocal)
Genre Pop, R&B
Length 4:24
Label RSO
Writer(s) Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4

Guess I'm On My Way

It's the fourth single from his "Can't Slow Down" album, here is Lionel Richie with his top 10 hit "Stuck on You"...




Lyrics | Lionel Richie lyrics - Stuck On You lyrics

"Stuck on You"

Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Can't Slow Down
B-side "Round and Round"
Released May 1, 1984
Format 7" single, 12" maxi
Genre Pop, Country pop[1]
Length 3:10
Label Motown
Writer(s) Lionel Richie
Producer Lionel Richie
James Carmichael

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

80's Movie Weekend

Why is the dude/killer running down the street chasing the girl naked? I haven't seen this movie, so I don't really know, but it looks like an interesting slasher, crime drama with a whole lot of Gene Davis' nakedness. What he didn't count on was a tough police detective to take him out. This man is the law! He was the law, and he was a bad mamma jamma! It's the late Charles Bronson, and it's "10 to Midnight"...

the trailer...




10 to Midnight

Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Produced by Lance Hool
Written by J. Lee Thompson
Starring Charles Bronson
Music by Robert O. Ragland
Cinematography Adam Greenberg
Editing by Peter Lee Thompson
Distributed by Cannon Films
Release date(s) March 11, 1983 (USA)
Running time 101 min
Country United States
Language English
Budget $4,520,000 (USA)
Box office $7,175,592 (USA)

I Want to Dive Into Your Ocean

It's creepy video camera stalker Dave Stewart following a creepy orange-haired Annie Lennox in a white nightgown. That's right, it's the Eurythmics with one of their top 10 hits from 1983. I did love the scenery in the video though so I had to look it up to discover that the beginning shot was that of a 450 foot sea stack called "Old Man Hoy" on the island of Hoy, in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Get ready, because "Here Comes the Rain Again"...




Lyrics | Eurythmics lyrics - Here Comes The Rain Again lyrics

"Here Comes the Rain Again"

Single by Eurythmics
from the album Touch
B-side "Paint a Rumour"
Released January 16, 1984
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1983
Genre New Wave, Post-disco, synthpop
Length 4:56
5:08 (7")
Label RCA
Producer David A. Stewart

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
UK peak: #8

My Features Form With a Change in the Weather

Today's hit was the fourth and final single released in the U.S. from Tears For Fears' wildly popular #1 album "Songs From the Big Chair." Here are Roland and Curt with "Mother's Talk"...




Lyrics | Tears For Fears lyrics - Mothers Talk lyrics

"Mothers Talk"

Single by Tears for Fears
from the album Songs from the Big Chair
B-side "Empire Building" (UK)
"Sea Song" (USA)
Released 6 August 1984 (UK)
1 April 1986 (USA)
Format 7", 12"
Recorded Original: 1984
US Remix: 1986
Genre New Wave
Length Original: 3:53
US Remix: 4:14
Label Phonogram Records
Mercury
Writer(s) Roland Orzabal
Ian Stanley
Producer Chris Hughes

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #27
UK peak: #14

Wet Winter Left Me Cold and Crying

By all accounts it's been a very mild winter with spring just around the corner and that lovely sunshine most of us crave. Here is the quirky, even a little silly, English band Bad Manners with their UK top 10 hit from 1981 that has the old folks grooving at the end - "Walking in the Sunshine"...




Lyrics | Bad Manners lyrics - Walking In The Sunshine lyrics

"Walking in the Sunshine"

by Bad Manners
from the album: "Gosh It's... Bad Manners"
released: 1981

UK peak: #10

There's This Girl That's Been On My Mind

When I heard this song originally back in 1984 I thought to myself 'what's a sussudio?' Then when I saw the video I thought 'wow that is a really big band to be playing some little club.' I do dig the brothers all in white though blowing on the horns. Here is Phil Collins and his hit single "Sussudio"...




Lyrics | Phil Collins lyrics - Sussudio lyrics

"Sussudio"

Single by Phil Collins
from the album No Jacket Required
B-side "The Man with the Horn", "I Like the Way" (US)
Released 9 February 1985[1]
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop rock, New Wave, dance
Length 4:23 (Album Version)
6:36 (Extended Version)
Label Virgin[2]
Producer Phil Collins, The System
Certification Gold (RIAA)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

She's Waiting for Another Love

To 1985 today and guitar god Eric Clapton who will be 57 at the end of the month. From his solo album "Behind the Sun," here is Clapton with his cool hair, and cool facial hair and his cool hit song "She's Waiting"...




Lyrics | Eric Clapton lyrics - She's Waiting lyrics

"She's Waiting"

by Eric Clapton
from the album: Behind the Sun
released: 1985

U.S. Mainstream Rock tracks peak: #11

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I posted the first movie, and so here is the sequel which I realize came out in 1994, but I don't care because it's so fitting for today. The leprechaun is back, but sadly Jennifer Aniston is not. It's "Leprechaun 2"... Kiss me. I'm Irish!

the trailer...



Leprechaun 2

Directed by Rodman Flender
Produced by Donald Borchers
Mark Jones (executive)
Written by Turi Meyer
Al Septien
Mark Jones (producer)
Mark Jones (characters)
Starring Warwick Davis
Charlie Heath
Shevonne Durkin
Adam Biesk
Arturo Gil
Linda Hopkins
James Lancaster
and Sandy Baron
Music by Jonathan Elias
Cinematography Jane Castle
Editing by Richard Gentner
Christopher Roth
Distributed by Trimark Pictures
Release date(s) April 8, 1994
Running time 85 min
Country United States
Language English
Budget $2,000,000
Box office $2,260,622

It Was a Cold and Wet December Day

Well tomorrow is St. Patty's day, laddies! I hope ye wear yur green and don't get peenched by any leprechauns!

I always have to post my favorite Irish band this time of year, and one of my favorite bands ever. Here is U2 (I wish Bono would start wearing this hat again) from their "Rattle and Hum" album with a live version of "Angel of Harlem"...




Lyrics | U2 lyrics - Angel Of Harlem lyrics

"Angel of Harlem"

Single by U2
from the album Rattle and Hum
Released 1 December 1988
Format CD, cassette, 7", 12"
Genre Heartland rock
Length 3:47
Label Island
Producer Jimmy Iovine

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14
UK peak: #9

I'll Be the Bill You Forgot to Pay

It's time for a little country cross-over circa 1981 for you today from the smooth silky voice of Ronnie Milsap. The Excellent 80's brought you "Smokey Mountain Rain" a few years back which is probably my favorite Ronnie Milsap song ever. But, this song which hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts is another classic song of his. Plus, he's wearing the same suit jacket that I like to wear to church every so often. Here is "There's No Gettin' Over Me"...




Lyrics | Ronnie Milsap lyrics - (There's) No Gettin' Over Me lyrics

"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me"
Single by Ronnie Milsap
from the album There's No Gettin' Over Me
Released June 1981 (U.S.)
Format 7"
Recorded 1981
Genre Country, pop
Length 3:15
Label RCA
Writer(s) Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield
Producer Ronnie Milsap, Tom Collins

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
U.S. Country charts peak: #1

It Swings, It Jives

Not too many lead singers I know could pull of the black leather pants with white knee pads look. But that's not the case today for a 1980 song that has been remade a million times over the years, but not any better than the original done by Freddie Mercury and the boys of Queen who wrote and recorded the song back in 1979. Released on their 1980 album "The Game," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was a tribute song to Elvis Presley, and became the first #1 hit for the band Queen...




Lyrics | Teen Idols lyrics - Crazy Little Thing Called Love lyrics

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

Single by Queen
from the album The Game
B-side Spread Your Wings
Released 5 October 1979
Format Vinyl record (7" / 12")
Recorded June - July 1979
Genre Rock, rockabilly[1]
Length 2:42
Label EMI, Elektra (US)
Writer(s) Freddie Mercury
Producer Queen and Mack

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Can't Believe the Things That Happen to Me

It's that crazy pop band from across the pond for you today. Peaking with their debut album in 1985, it was a steady decline from there on out. With one of their three top 40 hits from their debut album "Play Deep," here is The Outfield with "All the Love in the World"...




Lyrics | Outfield lyrics - All The Love In The World lyrics

"All the Love in the World"

by The Outfield
from the album: Play Deep
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #19

Sometimes People Play With Love

These girls really shouldn't be rolling around the floor in their dresses. What would their moms think? It's the group that had plenty of dance club hits after forming in 1984. Here is Expose' with "Let Me Be the One"...




Lyrics | Expose lyrics - Let Me Be The One lyrics

"Let Me Be the One"

Single by Exposé
from the album Exposure
B-side "Love Is Our Destiny"
Released August 1987
Format 7", 12", cassingle
Genre Freestyle, Pop
Length 4:18 (album version)
3:56 (single version)
Label Arista
Writer(s) Lewis Martineé
Producer Lewis Martineé

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

80's Movie Weekend

Has Morgan Freeman ever been in a bad movie? It's a legitimate question. Today's 80's flashback takes us back to East Central High in 1989 when Joe Clark (Freeman) took over the reigns. East Side High was very much like my high school in Norman, Oklahoma... practically identical with all the graffiti and drugs and fighting. Wow, this true movie hits so close to home. Anyway, it's a great movie if you've never seen it. Morgan Freeman stars in "Lean on Me"...

the trailer...



cafeteria scene with a slovenly sloppy boy...



Lean on Me

Directed by John G. Avildsen
Produced by Norman Twain
Written by Michael Schiffer
Starring Morgan Freeman
Beverly Todd
Alan North
Robert Guillaume
Music by Bill Conti
Cinematography Victor Hammer
Editing by John G. Avildsen
John Carter
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) March 3, 1989
Running time 124 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $10,000,000 (estimated)
Box office $31,906,454 (USA)

No One Looked As I Walked By

Why they tried to turn today's song/video into a dance number is beyond me, and am I the only one that can't understand a dang thing coming out of Stevie Nick's mouth. I love her voice and Fleetwood Mac, but I thank God every day for places like lyricsmode.com so that I can finally understand what she was saying all these years.

Now, back to this video being turned into some sort of dance routine. What the hell? If Stevie wants to spin around a few times amongst the smoke and wind and light then that's fine, but when they decided to add some dancers to this video like Stevie is Janet Jackson or Paula Abdul I have to object. I do not think about busting a move on the dance floor when I hear Stevie. Maybe it's just me, but I think whoever came up with the concept of this video really screwed it up when they decided to put on a Broadway musical within the video. Here is one of Stevie's solo hits from 1983 - "Stand Back"...




Lyrics | Stevie Nicks lyrics - Stand Back lyrics

"Stand Back"
Single by Stevie Nicks
from the album The Wild Heart
B-side "Garbo"
Released May 19, 1983
Format 7-inch, 12-inch
Recorded Studio 55, Los Angeles, CA
Genre Rock/Pop
Length
4:48 – Album Version
4:18 – Single Edit/Mix
Label Modern
Writer(s) Stevie Nicks
Producer Jimmy Iovine

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

My Heart Starts Breaking

If you didn't believe looks were deceiving, you would just take one look at Rick Astley and that would be enough proof for you right there. Today's hit of Rick's features the line in the chorus that says "it would take a strong strong man to ever let you go." Now, at the end of the video, he refuses to let this woman go, so is he saying that he is a weak man? Whatever the case, here is the white boy with the soulful voice and his top ten hit "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"...




Lyrics | Rick Astley lyrics - It Would Take A Strong Strong Man lyrics

"It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"

Single by Rick Astley
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody''
Released November 7, 1988
Format CD single, cassette single, 3" single, 7" single
Genre Pop
Length 3:39
Label RCA
Writer(s) Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman (Stock Aitken Waterman)
Producer Stock Aitken Waterman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

I Should Have Learned This Lesson Long Ago

Yesterday, I brought you an American Bandstand performance by the 80's band Quarterflash. Today, I bring you a live performance of the band on their follow up hit to "Harden My Heart." With Rindy belting out another impressive sax solo, here is the band that should have had dozens of top 40 hits - Quarterflash with "Find Another Fool"...




Lyrics | Quarterflash lyrics - Find Another Fool lyrics

"Find Another Fool"

by Quarterflash
from the album: Quarterflash
released: 1981

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #16

You Won't Forget My Eyes

There's just so many things to love about today's video that I don't even know where to start. First off, it's a performance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand back in 1984 by the group Quarterflash. While today's song wasn't as popular as their massive hit "Harden My Heart," it did break into the top 20. How Quarterflash didn't become more popular I'll never know. Lead singer Rindy Ross is good looking, has a great voice, and plays one mean sax. In fact, she plays it so well, that the sax starts playing itself at the end of the song when she has to lip synch the final lines of the song. I think I detect a slight smile from Rindy when that happens as well. Anyway, I think Rindy and the crew should have ruled the 80's, but instead they only had a handful of hits including this one "Take Me To Heart"... long live Quarterflash!




Lyrics | Quarterflash lyrics - Take Me To Heart lyrics

"Take Me To Heart"

by Quarterflash
from the album: Take Another Picture
released: 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14

Hey Baby You Gotta Remember

Why didn't Paula Abdul spank this kid at the beginning of this video for disobeying her orders? By having a bunch of kids in her video, Paula assures herself of being the tallest one in most of the shots. Here she is with another one of her #1 hits, "Forever Your Girl"...




Lyrics | Paula Abdul lyrics - Forever Your Girl lyrics

"Forever Your Girl"

Single by Paula Abdul
from the album Forever Your Girl
Released 1989
Format CD Single
Recorded 1988
Genre Pop
Length 4:58
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Oliver Leiber
Producer Oliver Leiber
Certification Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

Never saw it. Don't plan to. Somehow Michael Douglas got roped into this movie. The Excellent 80's brings you 1985's "A Chorus Line!"

the trailer...



A Chorus Line

Directed by Richard Attenborough
Produced by Cy Feuer
Screenplay by Arnold Schulman
Based on A Chorus Line by
James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante
Starring Michael Douglas
Alyson Reed
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Edward Kleban
Cinematography Ronnie Taylor
Editing by John Bloom
Studio Embassy Film Associates
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
(Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Release date(s) December 13, 1985
Running time 113 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $25 million[1]
Box office $14,202,899

Do Your Thing With an '89 Swing

Today's boastful rap is chalk full of good lines. "MC Lyte is back. And better than before if that was possible. My competition, you'll find them in a hospital." Or, how about "... like the fat on your back, it's plain to see that you're a wannabe." She's "more tender than a roni, but harder than a jawbreaker," here is 40 year old Lana Michele Moorer, or "MC Lyte" with her 1989 #1 rap hit "Cha Cha Cha"...




Lyrics | Mc Lyte lyrics - Cha Cha Cha lyrics

"Cha Cha Cha"
Single by MC Lyte
from the album Eyes on This
Released July 3, 1989
Format Maxi single
12" single
Vinyl single
Recorded 1988
Genre hip hop
Length 3:02
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Lana Moorer
Producer Audio Two

U.S. Rap charts: #1

Who Broke My Heart? You Did. You Did.

A happy March 1st to you all out there still enjoying your daily dose of 80's music, movies, and television. Today's ridiculously bad 80's music video comes to you from the English band ABC who've been featured in The Excellent 80's before. I do wish I had a gold suit like Martin Fry does in this video though. It is sweet! This video is just so random, and makes absolutely no sense. But that's what the 80's were about!!! Enjoy ABC with "Poison Arrow"...




Lyrics | Abc lyrics - Poison Arrow lyrics

"Poison Arrow"

Single by ABC
from the album The Lexicon of Love
Released 1982
Recorded 1981 - 1982
Genre New Wave
Label Mercury Records
Writer(s) ABC
Producer Trevor Horn

Chart (1982) Peak position

UK Singles Chart #6
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #25
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #39