Have You Seen Her? So Fine and Pretty

From Van Halen II released in 1979, here is Van Halen's first top 20 hit with Eddie performing some tap harmonics, "Dance the Night Away"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Dance The Night Away lyrics

"Dance the Night Away"
Single by Van Halen
from the album Van Halen II
A-side "Dance The Night Away"
B-side "Outta Love Again"
Released 1979
Recorded December 1978 - January 1979
Genre Hard rock
Length 3:07
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

80's Movie Weekend

In keeping with my Van Halen theme this weekend, we're taking a look back at a singing hamburger in 1985. Yes, I've already featured the classic John Cusack movie "Better Off Dead" in The Excellent 80's before, but it's worth another trip...

Here is the Eddie Van Halen guitar playing hamburger performing "Everybody Wants Some"...



Johnny wants his two dollars and he'll stop at nothing to get it!



It's a Better Off Dead Christmas...



Better Off Dead

Directed by Savage Steve Holland
Produced by Gil Friesen
Michael Jaffe
Andrew Meyer
Written by Savage Steve Holland
Starring John Cusack
David Ogden Stiers
Diane Franklin
Curtis Armstrong
Amanda Wyss
Music by Rupert Hine
Cinematography Isidore Mankofsky
Distributed by
Warner Bros.
Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) August 23, 1985
Running time 97 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $10,297,601

We Gotta Cool This Anger

It's funny what lyrics we make up in our heads when we're younger and we don't know any better. In this song by Kool and the Gang, there is a line that goes "We gotta cool this anger. What a mess we made." I used to think it said "We gotta pull the finger. What a mess we made." I like my lyrics better, but I will admit they are horribly wrong.

I love at the beginning of this live performance from Kool and the Gang, lead singer J.T. Taylor asks Michael how he feels and Michael just responds with an oooohhh. No words needed, just an ooohhhh. Here is Kool and the Gang with "Too Hot"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Too Hot lyrics

"Too Hot"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: Ladies Night
released: 1980

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

I Been To the Edge

And there I stood and looked down... I plan on wearing the same outfit as DAve has on in this video when I attend the Van Halen concert next Tuesday in Tulsa. You got to got to bleed baby! Another classic off of Van Halen I, here is a live version of "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love lyrics

"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love"
Single by Van Halen
from the album Van Halen
B-side "Feel Your Love Tonight"
Released 1978
Recorded 1977
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock
Length 3 min 50 sec
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen
David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

Get Your Back Up Off the Wall

Continuing on with our week long tribute to Van Halen and Kool and the Gang, here is a mess of a video from Kool and the Gang. I don't know who thought this would look good, but it's an utter disaster. I love the song, but I can't watch this video. Maybe you can. Best of luck to you as you try to enjoy Kool and the Gang with "Get Down On It"...



Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Get Down On It lyrics "Get Down on It"
Single by Kool & The Gang
from the album Something Special
Released December 1981
Format 7"
Recorded 1981
Genre Funk, R&B
Length 4:52
3:33 (7")
Label De-Lite Records

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

Give Me a Call Sometime

Yesterday was some Kool and the Gang, so today is some Van Halen for you as The Excellent 80's prepares to take in the Van Halen concert in Tulsa on May the 1st. Even though this song is technically from 1978, here is concert footage from 1982, with the band knocking out "Jamie's Cryin'"...



Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Jamie's Cryin' lyrics "Jamie's Cryin'"

by Van Halen
from the album: Van Halen I
released: 1978

As a bonus today, check out a 1984 interview between MTV's Martha Quinn and David Lee Roth...

I Need a Taxi.

So, I have tickets to go see Van Halen in Tulsa in a little over a week, and I'm getting pretty pumped about that. So, with that being the case, The Excellent 80's will be bringing you some Van Halen and also some videos from their opening act - Kool and the Gang up until May 1st. Here is Kool and the Gang with their 1985 hit "Emergency"...




Lyrics | Kool & The Gang lyrics - Emergency lyrics

"Emergency"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: Emergency
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18

80's Movie Weekend

Last week we took a look back at the original Rambo First Blood movie from 1982. This weekend we bring you the follow up to that block-buster which came out in 1985.

Here is an unofficial trailer for "Rambo First Blood II"...





Rambo: First Blood Part II

Directed by George P. Cosmatos
Produced by Buzz Feitshans
Screenplay by Sylvester Stallone
James Cameron
Story by Kevin Jarre
Based on Characters created by
David Morrell
Starring Sylvester Stallone
Richard Crenna
Charles Napier
Steven Berkoff
Julia Nickson
Julian Turner
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Peter Schless
Cinematography Jack Cardiff
Editing by Larry Bock
Mark Goldblatt
Mark Helfrich
Gib Jaffe
Frank E. Jiminez
Studio Anabasis Investments
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Release date(s) May 22, 1985
Running time 94 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $44 million
Box office Domestic:
$150,415,432
Worldwide:
$300,400,432

R.I.P. Dick Clark

"America's Oldest Teenager," Richard Wagstaff Clark passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday leaving a lasting legacy on pop culture. If you grew up in the 80's or before then you saw Dick Clark every week on American Bandstand. I remember that it came on around 11 am or there-abouts every Saturday morning and I'd usually check it out for a few minutes every once in a while to see who might appear on the show.

Here are a few clips of American Bandstand from the 80's.

Look at this young New Edition from 1985...



Here is Dick interviewing The Romantics in 1983...



And there was probably nothing more awkward for Dick during the mid to late 80's when he had to interview rappers on American Bandstand. Check out this one with a young 17 year old L.L. Cool J and his two man crew of "Cut Creator" and "E Love."




I also loved me some $100,000 Pyramid hosted by Dick Clark. It was easily one of my favorites growing up. Here's some bloopers and an ending that features a young Billy Crystal giving clues and winning some money for the contestant...




Of course it won't truly be a New Year's Rockin' Eve anymore without Dick Clark...





R.I.P. Dick Clark

Down This Wild Street Walks

Best known for her hit "Buffalo Stance," Swedish singer, songwriter, and rapper Neneh Cherry followed up that hit with another one that cracked the U.S. top 10 and the UK top 20. From her debut album "Raw Like Sushi," here is "Kisses on the Wind"...



Down this wild street walks
Walks a child with no trace
Of ever being as young as her sister is
A local neighborhood crush the boys would hide out and watch
Her hanging washing on the line all the time

Chorus:
More like a woman she talks like one
She was the first girl, she was the first girl
To turn the boys on
Boys boys
Wrapped around her finger
So young
Making love was only dreaming
This girl she´s got another story
When they are gone she blows them kisses on the wind

At the corner shop half way down the block
All the radios pumping to the way she walks
Past the fly boy´s art where her name´s engraved
Sweet liberty is what it says

Chorus:

The price of puberty´s got
A way of showing
It doesn´t come in easy stages
Her mother´s face in the pot
She won´t ever leave it
She needs a bell to ring the changes

"Kisses on the Wind"

by Neneh Cherry
from the album: "Raw Like Sushi"
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
UK peak: #20

I Call My Baby On the Phone

Today's American R&B quartet started out in Carson, California, and is composed of the four Abdulsamad brothers, Khiry (born 1973), Hakeem (born 1975), Tajh (born 1976), and Bilal (born 1979). The had three #1 R&B hits, but never topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts. In this video, Khiry is like three feet taller than the other three, which puts them a little out of proportion, but the other three just make up for that lack of height with their cuteness factor. Check out the group known as The Boys with their 1988 "Dial My Heart"...




Lyrics | The Boys lyrics - Dial My Heart lyrics

"Dial My Heart"

Single by The Boys
from the album Messages From The Boys
Released September 7, 1988
Format Vinyl (7")
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop, R&B
Length 4:22
Label Motown Records
Writer(s) Babyface, L.A. Reid, Daryl Simmons

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13
U.S. R&B charts peak: #1

I Hear, I Hear, I Hear It So Clear

Often labeled a Christian rock band, today's group traces its roots back to Missouri in 1979. While they never achieved high mainstream airplay status, today's video received some decent airplay on MTV back in 1989. Here is the hard rock band King's X with "Over My Head"...




Lyrics | King's X lyrics - Over My Head lyrics

"Over My Head"

by King's X
from the album: Gretchen Goes to Nebraska
released: 1989

Keep Turning Round and Round in My Mind

One thing about Sting and his videos, he's big on black and white videos, but it's very strange to see choreographed dance numbers in a Sting video. I felt like Paula Abdul was behind the scenes saying "yes! yes! this is great!" I do dig the tortoise shell glasses Sting sports in the video as well. Those are totally 80's. And the drunk dancing scene that Sting pulls off is fantastic. Here is Sting's top 10 hit "We'll Be Together"...



I see me with you and all the things you do
Keep turning round and round in my mind
Forget the weather we should always be together
And any other thought is unkind

To have you with me I would swim the seven seas
I need you as my guide and my light
My love is a flame that burns in your name
We'll be together, we'll be together tonight

We'll be together, yeah
We'll be together, yeah
We'll be together, yeah

I see you with me and all I want to be
Is dancing here with you in my arms
Forget the weather we should always be together
I'll always be a slave to your charms

To have you with me I would swim the seven seas
I need you as my guide in my life
My love is a flame that burns in your name
We'll be together, we'll be together tonight

We'll be together, yeah
We'll be together, yeah
We'll be together, yeah

Call me baby
You can call me anything you want
Call me baby, call me, just call me

I see you with me and baby makes three
I see me with you and all the things you do
Forget the weather we should always be together
I need you as my guide and my light
My love is the flame that burns in your name
We'll be together, we'll be together tonight

"We'll Be Together"

by Sting
from the album: Nothing Like the Sun
released: 1987

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
UK peak: #41

80's Movie Weekend

In 1982, the fictional character of John Rambo came to life on the big screen. Based upon the 1972 book by the same name written by David Morrell, Sylvester Stallone created a larger than life character that would appear in many sequels to come through the 80's and then again with a fourth installment in 2008. But, it doesn't get any better than the original... "First Blood"...

a look at the trailer...




First Blood

Directed by Ted Kotcheff
Produced by Buzz Feitshans
Mario Kassar
Andrew G. Vajna
Screenplay by Michael Kozoll
William Sackheim
Sylvester Stallone
Based on The novel by
David Morrell
Starring Sylvester Stallone
Richard Crenna
Brian Dennehy
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography Andrew Laszlo
Editing by Joan E. Chapman
Studio Anabasis Investments N.V.
Distributed by Orion Pictures
Release date(s) October 22, 1982
Running time 97 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $14 million[1]
Box office $125,212,904[1

Happy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Weekend!

Today, The Excellent 80's is honoring a few of the bands being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland tomorrow. We have the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, and Guns N Roses to name three of the biggest acts being inducted tomorrow.

Let's kick off The Excellent 80's party today with the Chili Peppers...

I realize this is not an 80's song, but it's pretty dang close considering this song came out 21 years ago in 1991 and was probably the group's most popular album. From the Chili's fifth studio album, "Blood Sugar Sex Magik," here is "Give It Away"...




Lyrics | Red Hot Chili Peppers lyrics - Give It Away lyrics

"Give It Away"

Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
B-side "Search and Destroy"
"Soul to Squeeze"
Released September, 1991
Format CD, cassette, 7", 12"
Recorded April–June 1991 at The Mansion in Los Angeles, California
Genre Funk rock, rap rock
Length 4:43 (album version)
3:47 (edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith
Producer Rick Rubin


Now, onto Guns N Roses, which is an interesting story in itself because Axl Rose has declined his invitation into the Hall of Fame for personal reasons. So, there will be no reunion, and as best I can tell it is mostly due to his personal issues with Slash. Anyway, they made some awesome music for many years in the late 80's and early 90's. Here is their 1989 hit "Patience"...




Lyrics | Guns N' Roses lyrics - Patience lyrics

"Patience"

Single by Guns N' Roses
from the album G N' R Lies
A-side "Patience" (LP Version)
B-side "Rocket Queen" (LP Version)
Released April 1989 (US),
June 1989 (UK)[1]
Format Vinyl, cassette
Recorded 1988
Genre Folk rock, blues rock
Length 5:56
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Izzy Stradlin and Axl Rose
Producer Guns N' Roses, Mike Clink

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4


Finally, it's those lovable crazy Brooklyn kids that are now all in their 40's but still pumping out music. It's the Beastie Boys with the first single from their debut album "Licensed to Ill," here is "Hold It Now, Hit It"...




Lyrics | Beastie Boys lyrics - Hold It Now - Hit It! lyrics

"Hold It, Now Hit It"

Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Licensed to Ill
Released April 15, 1986
Format 7", 12"
Recorded Spring 1986
Genre Hip hop
Length 3:27
Label Def Jam/Columbia Records
Writer(s) Beastie Boys, Rick Rubin
Producer Rick Rubin

When You Get That Notion, Put Your Backfield in Motion

Tell me you don't remember 1988's dance hit today! It was by a group called Experience Unlimited or E.U. Led by Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, from the School Daze Soundtrack, everybody get your backfield in motion! Here is the Spike Lee led video "Da Butt"...




Lyrics | E.U. lyrics - Da' Butt lyrics

"Da Butt"

by E.U. (Experience Unlimited)
from the album: School Daze Soundtrack
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #35
U.S. R&B singles peak: #1

Shoot Em Down, Turn Around, Come On Mony

It's William Michael Albert Broad again for you today with a live version of a remake of a 1968 hit by Tommy James and the Shondells. William, err, Billy gives it his own spin today in our video flash back to 1987. So, here is Billy Idol with "Mony Mony"...




Lyrics | Billy Idol lyrics - Mony Mony lyrics

"Mony Mony"

Live version
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Don't Stop and Vital Idol
B-side "311 Man"
Released 1981 (original version)
October 2, 1987 (live version)
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1981-1985
Genre Hard rock, New Wave
Length 5:01 (on Don't Stop)
5:02 (on Vital Idol)
4:08 (45 version)
Label Chrysalis
Writer(s) Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell, and Bobby Bloom
Producer Keith Forsey

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Know Tonight She Comes

It's another top 10 80's hit from the band The Cars via 1985. Plenty of black and plenty of white with some polka dots mixed in just for fun in today's video. Ric's hair is looking mighty fine in today's video. Here is "Tonight She Comes"...




Lyrics | Cars lyrics - Tonight She Comes lyrics

"Tonight She Comes"
Single by The Cars
from the album Greatest Hits (The Cars album)
B-side "Just What I Needed"
Released October 1985
Format 7"
Genre Pop, New Wave
Length 3:52
Label Elektra - Elektra 69589
Writer(s) Ric Ocasek
Producer The Cars and Mike Shipley

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Call Up, Ring Once, Hang Up the Phone

Does the title sound like anything you've done over the years? The lyrics aren't too hard to understand that's for sure. Sporting the 'do that was later popularized by tennis pros Venus and Serena Williams, it's the great Stevie Wonder singing his #1 hit from 1985 about adultery - "Part-Time Lover"...




"Part-Time Lover"

Call up, ring once, hang up the phone
To let me know you made it home
Don't want nothing to be wrong with part-time lover

If she isn't with me I'll blink the lights
To let you know tonight's the night
For me and you my part-time lover

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it's so wrong, but feeling so right

If I'm with friends and we should meet
Just pass me by, don't even speak
Know the word's "discreet" with part-time lovers

But if there's some emergency
Have a male friend to ask for me
So then she won't peek its really you my part-time lover

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it's so wrong, but feeling so right

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it's so wrong, but feeling so right

[Repeat]

I've got something that I must tell
Last night someone rang our doorbell
And it was not you my part-time lover

And then a man called our exchange
But didn't want to leave his name
I guess that two can play the game
Of part-time lovers
You and me, part-time lovers
But, she and he, part-time lovers


"Part-Time Lover"

Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album In Square Circle
Released September 1985
Recorded Summer 1985
Genre Pop, R&B, soul, synthpop
Length 7": 3:43
Album: 4:12
12": 8:20
Label Motown
Writer(s) Stevie Wonder
Producer Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Don't Drive Drunk"
(1984) "Part-Time Lover"
(1985) "That's What Friends Are For"
(1985)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

Happy 1st weekend in April! This weekend's look back to 80's film lore is a Dan Aykroyd comedy. The film also stars Howard Hesseman as a pimp, and Lynn Whitfield, Fran Drescher, and Donna Dixon as prostitutes. There is also a special appearance by James Brown. From 1983, it's "Dr. Detroit"...

the trailer...




Check out the title track song by Devo. Here is "Dr. Detroit"...




Lyrics | Devo lyrics - Dr. Detroit lyrics

Doctor Detroit

Directed by Michael Pressman
Produced by Robert K. Weiss
Written by Bruce Jay Friedman
Carl Gottlieb
Robert Boris
Starring Dan Aykroyd
Howard Hesseman
Fran Drescher
Donna Dixon
Music by James Brown (song, "Get up Offa That Thing/Dr. Detroit")
Lalo Schifrin
Cinematography King Baggot
Editing by Christopher Greenbury
Studio Brillstein Company
Distributed by Universal Studios
Release date(s) May 6, 1983
Running time 89 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $8 million[citation needed]
Box office $10,375,893[1]

If We Can't Solve Any Problems

Ahh, this is so 80's today. A song written by Darryl Hall, but never released as a single by Hall and Oates, it became the only #1 hit for English musician Paul Young. Here is a live performance from 1986 that features Paul Young with a little help from George Michael on vocals, a decent guitar player named Eric Clapton, and I believe that is Elton on the Piano. Here is "Everytime You Go Away"...




Lyrics | Paul Young lyrics - Every Time You Go Away lyrics

"Everytime You Go Away"

Single by Paul Young
from the album The Secret of Association
B-side "This Means Anything"
Released 25 February 1985
Format 7" single, 12" maxi
Recorded 1984
Genre Rock, blue eyed soul
Length 4:15 (7")
7:32 (12")
5:24 (album)
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Daryl Hall
Producer Laurie Latham

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Television

It's officially opening day for the 2012 Major League Baseball season. I love me some baseball, so, in honor of the kickoff of a new baseball season, here's a few baseball related videos from the 80's...

Remember Intellivision? My best friend in 5th grade had an Intellivision and had this baseball game which was awesome at the time!



An NBC sports promo for baseball...

Doo Doo Doobie Doo

Yesterday The Excellent 80's brought you a #1 hit by The Fine Young Cannibals. Today, we bring you their follow-up #1 hit "Good Thing." It features one bad scooter gang that you should be on the lookout for.




Lyrics | Fine Young Cannibals lyrics - Good Thing lyrics

"Good Thing"

Single by Fine Young Cannibals
from the album The Raw & the Cooked
A-side Good Thing
B-side Social Security
Released 14 April 1989
Format 7" single
12" maxi
CD maxi
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop
Length 3:24
Label London Records
Writer(s) Fine Young Cannibals
Producer Fine Young Cannibals

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Can't Stop The Way I Feel

And what I'm feeling like today is to bring you a video of a #1 hit from an English band that released only two studio albums that culminated into two #1 hit singles in the U.S. I like this quirky little video and I particularly like all the hopping that is done throughout. I am pro-hopping. The first big hit from 1989 featuring the unique sound and vocals of Roland Gift, here are the Fine Young Cannibals with "She Drives Me Crazy"...




Lyrics | Fine Young Cannibals lyrics - She Drives Me Crazy lyrics

"She Drives Me Crazy"

Single by Fine Young Cannibals
from the album The Raw and the Cooked
A-side "She Drives Me Crazy"
B-side "Pull the Sucker Off"
Released 1 January 1989
Format 7" single
12" maxi
CD maxi
Recorded 1988
Genre Pop rock
Length 3:38
Label London Records
Writer(s) Fine Young Cannibals
Producer David Z
Fine Young Cannibals

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
UK peak: #5

80's NCAA Flashback

With the NCAA championship game upon us, let's take a look back 30 years ago when a youngster named Michael Jordan helped lead the North Carolina Tarheels to a national championship over Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas. Neither team made it back to this year's final, but here is the 1982 classic condensed into about 10 minutes...