It's Close to Midnight

As is my yearly duty on Halloween here in The Excellent 80's, I bring you the late, great Michael Jackson with his cinematic video masterpiece, "Thriller." May you all have a happy and safe Halloween!

Screams Break the Silence

We've managed to make it this far in this little blog without one of Ozzy's signature songs. And considering we're at the time of year where listening and watching Ozzy seems very natural, here is a "live" performance of his 1983 song "Bark at the Moon"...
Lyrics | Ozzy Osbourne lyrics - Bark At The Moon lyrics "Bark at the Moon" Single by Ozzy Osbourne from the album Bark at the Moon B-side "One Up the "B" Side" Released November 1983 Format 7 inch vinyl (45 RPM) Recorded 1983 Genre Heavy metal Length 4:17 Label Jet, Epic Writer(s) Ozzy Osbourne Producer Max Norman

Bustin' Still Makes Me Feel Good!

It's been a few years since I posted this classic! I loved me some Ghostbusters back in the day and this Ray Parker Jr. song and video for the movie is classic 80's. I ain't afraid of no ghost... but, if I was... who you gonna call?




Lyrics | Ray Parker Jr. lyrics - Ghostbusters lyrics

"Ghostbusters"

Single by Ray Parker Jr.
from the album Ghostbusters OST
Released 1984
Genre Rock, funk, dance, disco pop
Length 4:04
4:45 (extended instrumental version)
Label Arista
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Producer Ray Parker Jr.

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

Just the name of the movie makes me chuckle.  This campy horror classic has plenty of funny-scary moments and lots and lots of blood.  Not considered by many as good as the sequel, but still considered a classic 80's horror movie, The Excellent 80's brings you "The Evil Dead"...

the trailer...

The Evil Dead
Directed by	Sam Raimi
Produced by	Robert Tapert
Written by	Sam Raimi
Starring	Bruce Campbell Ellen Sandweiss Hal Delrich Betsy Baker Sarah York
Music by	Joseph LoDuca
Cinematography	Tim Philo
Editing by	Edna Ruth Paul
Studio	Renaissance Pictures
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date(s)	October 15, 1981(Premiere) April 15, 1983(United States)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$350,000 – $400,000
Box office	$29,400,000 (est.) (As of July 26, 2006)

Holy Moses Met the Pharoh

I'm sure I was not the only one disappointed in the fact that there were no actual zombies in today's video. The title says "All You Zombies," yet, not one Michael Jackson-esque zombie anywhere losing a limb or having maggots crawling out of their noses. Not a one. Even though the title of the song lends itself to a Halloween theme you would think, the lyrics suggest a more religious one instead. Here are The Hooters with "All You Zombies"...




Lyrics | Hooters lyrics - All You Zombies lyrics

"All You Zombies"

7" single cover (1985)
Single by The Hooters
from the album Nervous Night
Released 1982 (live)
1985 (extended)
Format 7", 12", 12" promo, 7" live
Recorded 11 April 1981 at Emerald City (live version)
Genre pop rock, synthpop
Length 5:54 (long), 3:52 (short)
Label Eighty Percent Records (1982)
Columbia (1985)
Writer(s) Eric Bazilian, Rob Hyman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #58

A Disney Halloween

I took the family to Disney World a few years ago and it happened to be in October and coincided with the Halloween theme at Disney.  It was fantastic experience, and one that I will treasure for many years.  For those of you that were still into cartoons in the 80's and even into the early or mid-90's, Disney's Halloween Treat first premiered on The Wonderful World of Disney back in 1982 with animated shorts and clips from feature films.  It ran every year up through the early to mid 1990's.  Check out the intro for Disney's Halloween Treat...

"Disney's Halloween Treat"
The Wonderful World of Disney episode
Produced by	William Robert Yates
Featured music	Gene de Paul Sammy Fain Don Raye Paul J. Smith
Original air date	October 30, 1982
Running time	47 minutes

Don't Pay Him Until You Get To the Other Side

Today's "spooky" video comes to us from Mr. Chris de Burgh who enjoyed some minor success in the early 80's with hits like "High on Emotion," and "Lady in Red." It's the half live performance, half video from de Burgh's 1982 album "The Getaway."  Here he is with "Don't Pay the Ferryman"...




Lyrics | Chris De Burgh lyrics - Don't Pay The Ferryman lyrics

"Don't Pay the Ferryman"
Single by Chris de Burgh
from the album The Getaway
Released	1982
Genre	Rock
Length	3:48
Label	A&M
Producer	Rupert Hine

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #34

All Our Times Have Come

Ok, so I'm dipping into the mid 70's today with a little Halloween-inspired music.  With Will Farrell on cowbell, (ok, maybe not in this version) it's the New York band Blue Oyster Cult.  From 1976, come on baby, "Don't Fear the Reaper"...




Lyrics | Blue Oyster Cult lyrics - (Don't Fear) The Reaper lyrics

"(Don't Fear) The Reaper"
Single by Blue Öyster Cult
from the album Agents of Fortune
B-side	"Tattoo Vampire"
Released	July 1976
Format	7" vinyl
Recorded	1976
Genre	Hard rock, psychedelic rock
Length	5:08 (Album version) 3:45 (Single/Radio edit)
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Buck Dharma
Producer	David Lucas, Murray Krugman,Sandy Pearlman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #12

Costume Time

If you're still searching for that perfect 80's Halloween costume, then I hope this will at least help get the creative juices flowing...



And here's an actual how-to for being Teen Wolf, Marty McFly, the Goonies, Maverick, or Lloyd Dobbler...

80's Movie Weekend

As we get closer to Halloween, The Excellent 80's brings you a horror classic from 1989 by the master of horror literature - Stephen King. His books were generally too scary for me, but I read some of them anyway. The movies normally didn't do the books justice, but they got close, and they generated some income. From 1989, here is the spooky "Pet Sematary"... the trailer... Pet Sematary Theatrical release poster Directed by Mary Lambert Produced by Richard P. Rubinstein Screenplay by Stephen King Based on Pet Sematary by Stephen King Starring Dale Midkiff Fred Gwynne Denise Crosby Brad Greenquist Miko Hughes Blaze Berdahl Susan Blommaert Music by Elliot Goldenthal Cinematography Peter Stein Editing by Daniel P. Hanley Mike Hill Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) April 21, 1989 Running time 103 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $11.5 million Box office $57,469,179 In case you didn't realize it, The Ramones made a title song for the movie entitled "Pet Sematary." Here is the forgettable song but mildly amusing video...
Lyrics | Ramones lyrics - Pet Sematary lyrics U.S. Billboard Modern Rock tracks peak: #4

Just An Earth Bound Misfit, I

My cousin Christina bought be the cassette tape of Pink Floyd's "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" back in 1987, and though the music wasn't really in my wheel house I did enjoy a few of the songs including today's video and single from that album. With a cool vibe to it, and a cool video, here is Pink Floyd's first single since Roger Waters departed the band. The video actually won for "Best Concept" at MTV's video awards in 1988. It's "Learning to Fly"...
Lyrics | Pink Floyd lyrics - Learning To Fly lyrics

"Learning to Fly"

by Pink Floyd
from the album A Momentary Lapse of Reason
B-side "Terminal Frost"
Released 14 September 1987
Format 7", 12", CD
Recorded October 1986–May 1987
Genre Progressive rock
Length 4:53 (album version) 4:21 (single edit)
Label EMI (Europe/UK) Columbia Records (US)
Writer(s) David Gilmour, Anthony Moore, Bob Ezrin, Jon Carin Producer Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour

 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #70

You Are Far

Perusing some of my favorite sites the other day I stumbled across this article which is a solid piece on George Michael written by Grantland's Steven Hyden.  This month marks the 25th anniversary of Michael's 80's defining "Faith" album, and while I've put almost all of George's 80's stuff on here I did miss this little gem which was the last and least successful single released from the album.  It peaked at #5 in the U.S., and in celebration of that album now 25 years old, here is the black and white video to "Kissing a Fool"...




Lyrics | George Michael lyrics - Kissing A Fool lyrics

"Kissing a Fool"
Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released	November 21, 1988
Format	CD single
Recorded	1987
Genre	Jazz, R&B, adult contemporary
Length	4:34
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	George Michael
Producer	George Michael

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #5
UK singles chart peak:  #18

Don't Tell Me Lies

Today's band which has been featured in The Excellent 80's twice before had three hits off their debut album "All That Jazz," then released a less successful follow-up album and then disbanded. Their star was bright but fleeting. I never saw them coming, and I never saw them go, and I don't feel like I missed out on anything. Here is Breathe with "Don't Tell Me Lies"...
Lyrics | Breathe lyrics - Don't Tell Me Lies lyrics "Don't Tell Me Lies" Single by Breathe from the album All That Jazz B-side "Monday Morning Blues" Released 1986, 1989 (re-issue) Recorded 1985 Genre Pop rock, sophisti-pop, New Wave Length 3:42 Label A&M Writer(s) David Glasper, Marcus Lillington Producer Bob Sargeant U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

Your Sweet Nature, Darling Was Too Hard to Swallow

Known mostly for their hit "You Spin Me Round" the British new wave band Dead or Alive did follow that hit up with another top 20 hit which actually went to #1 on the Dance Club charts in 1986.  With Pete Burns on vocals and sporting boots and spurs here is Dead or Alive with "Brand New Lover"...




Lyrics | Dead Or Alive lyrics - Brand New Lover lyrics

"Brand New Lover"
Single by Dead or Alive
from the album Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know
B-side	"In Too Deep" (live)
Released	September 1986 1987 (USA)
Genre	New Wave
Length	5:19
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Pete Burns, Tim Lever, Mike Percy, Steve Coy
Producer	Stock Aitken Waterman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #15
UK peak:  #31

You're a Polished Diamond

It's the Wilson sisters for you again today in The Excellent 80's. Today's song from 1987 features Nancy Wilson on lead vocals which deviated from the usual fronting vocals of Ann Wilson (Nancy also sang lead on "These Dreams."). A song that peaked at #12 in the U.S., here is "There's the Girl"...




Lyrics | Heart lyrics - There's The Girl lyrics

"There's the Girl"

Single by Heart
from the album Bad Animals
B-side "Bad Animals"
Released November 7, 1987
Format 7", 12", CD Single
Genre Rock Length 3:50 (Remix)
Label Capitol
Writer(s) Holly Knight Nancy Wilson Producer Ron Nevison

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #12

80's Movie Weekend

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And, I'm all out of bubblegum." What a classic line! And that could only be delivered back in 1988 by one of the greatest actors of our generation. That's right, none other than "Rowdy" Roddy Piper! I've never seen this movie, but I'd like to now that I've seen the trailer. The unintentional comedy scale has to be off the charts in this "scary" movie from 1988. You should also recognize Keith David in this trailer for "They Live"... You can actually watch the whole John Carpenter classic on youtube as well if you want to devote an hour and a half of your time to it... They Live Directed by John Carpenter Produced by Larry Franco Written by John Carpenter (as Frank Armitage) Based on Eight O'Clock in the Morning by Ray Nelson Starring Roddy Piper Keith David Meg Foster Raymond St. Jacques Peter Jason Sy Richardson George 'Buck' Flower Music by John Carpenter Alan Howarth Cinematography Gary B. Kibbe Editing by Gib Jaffe Frank E. Jimenez Studio Alive Films Larry Franco Productions Distributed by Universal Studios Release date(s) November 4, 1988 Running time 93 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $3,000,000 (estimated) Box office $13,008,928

Baby You'll Find

I have to say that there are a lot of Lionel Richie songs to like, and this one would be one of my favorites.  I just like the vibe I guess.  Involving some serious cane action and featuring his high waisted pants, here is Lionel with "You Are"...




Lyrics | Lionel Richie lyrics - You Are lyrics

"You Are"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Lionel Richie
A-side	You Are
B-side	You Mean More to Me
Released	1982
Format	7" (45 rpm)
Recorded	1981
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	5:05 4:05 (7")
Label	Motown
Writer(s)	Lionel Richie Brenda Harvey Richie
Producer	Lionel Richie James Anthony Carmichael

U.S.  Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #4

Well, There's a Little Boy Waiting at the Counter of the Corner Shop

Man, I hadn't thought about today's song since, well, since I last heard it probably in 1982 or 1983.  It's the Australian rock band known as Moving Pictures with their lone hit (#1 in Australia) called "What About Me"...




Lyrics | Moving Pictures lyrics - What About Me lyrics

"What About Me"
Single by Moving Pictures
from the album Days of Innocence
Released	January 1982 (AUS) 18 September 1982 (U.S.) 1989 (U.S.)
Format	7" vinyl CD single
Genre	Rock
Length	3:38
Label	Wheatley (AUS) Network (U.S.) Geffen (U.S.)
Writer(s)	Garry Frost, Frances Swan

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #29

The Mississippi Delta Was Shining Like a National Guitar

Today's song won a Grammy for song of the year and the album won the 1986 Grammy for Album of the Year.  The album continues to grace many best of lists.  The song encapsulates the singer's thoughts during a road trip to Graceland after the failure of his marriage to actress and author Carrie Fisher. Here's a live performance of Paul Simon singing the title track from from the album called "Graceland"...




Lyrics | Paul Simon lyrics - Graceland lyrics

"Graceland"
Single by Paul Simon
from the album Graceland
Released	1986
Format	7" single
Recorded	1986
Genre	Pop, world
Length	4:48
Label	Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s)	Paul Simon
Producer	Paul Simon

Here I Am. Just Like I Said I Would Be

You always get plenty of excited dancing and skirt swishing from today's artist. Here is one of her nine top 10 hits from the 80's. From 1986 and filmed in Trafalgar Square in London, here is the irrepressible Cyndi Lauper with "Change of Heart"...

Lyrics | Cyndi Lauper lyrics - Change Of Heart lyrics

 "Change of Heart"

Single by Cyndi Lauper
from the album True Colors
Released November 1986
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded 1986
Genre Pop
Length 3:59
Label Epic
Writer(s) Essra Mohawk, Cyndi Lauper Producer Cyndi Lauper, Lennie Petze
Certification Gold (US)

The Sun Comes Up Another Day Begins

The first single off of their debut album, "Psychocandy" here is The Jesus and Mary Chain with "Never Understand"...
Lyrics | Jesus And Mary Chain lyrics - Never Understand lyrics "Never Understand" Single by The Jesus and Mary Chain from the album Psychocandy B-side "Suck" Released February 1985 Format 7", 12" Genre Noise pop Length 2:54 Label Blanco y Negro Writer(s) William Reid, Jim Reid Producer The Jesus and Mary Chain UK singles peak: #47

80's Movie Weekend

Today's fantasy film from 1984 is based on the novel of the same name written by Michael Ende. With lots of imagination and creative creatures, here is "The NeverEnding Story"... the trailer... The NeverEnding Story Directed by Wolfgang Petersen Produced by Bernd Eichinger Dieter Geissler Screenplay by Wolfgang Petersen Herman Weigel Based on The Neverending Story by Michael Ende Narrated by Alan Oppenheimer Starring Noah Hathaway Barret Oliver Tami Stronach Moses Gunn Thomas Hill Alan Oppenheimer Music by Klaus Doldinger Cinematography Jost Vacano Editing by Jane Seitz Distributed by Neue Constantin Film (West Germany) Warner Bros. Pictures (USA) Release date(s) 6 April 1984 (West Germany) Running time 102 minutes Country West Germany United States Language English Budget $27 million[1] Box office $100,000,000 (USA + International)[2] He rose to fame as lead singer of the group Kajagoogoo, and she was, well, she was Beth Anderson. It's an over-acting Limahl and an invisible Beth Anderson with the title track to the movie. Here is the video for "NeverEnding Story" the song...
Lyrics | Limahl lyrics - The Never Ending Story lyrics "NeverEnding Story" Single by Limahl from the album Don't Suppose B-side "Ivory Tower" or Instrumental version Released 1984 Format 7" single 12" maxi Genre Synthpop, New Wave Length 3:31 Label EMI Writer(s) Giorgio Moroder Keith Forsey Producer Giorgio Moroder U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17

Inside Everyone Hides One Desire

Yesterday The Excellent 80's brought you an excellent song called "We Close Our Eyes" by Oingo Boingo. Today, the Excellent 80's brings you another excellent 80's song called "We Close Our Eyes." The band this time is the British pop band Go West. Formed in 1982 in London they are probably best known for their hit from the movie "Pretty Woman" - "King of Wishful Thinking." Today's video and song is the first single off of their debut album, here is "We Close Our Eyes"...
Lyrics | Go West lyrics - We Close Our Eyes lyrics "We Close Our Eyes" Single by Go West from the album Go West Released February 1985 (UK) Format 7", 12" Recorded 1984 Genre Pop rock Length 3:50 Label Chrysalis Writer(s) Peter Cox Richard Drummie Producer Gary Stevenson U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #41

The World Has Turned Around Again

It's time for a "We Close Our Eyes" two-part post. The first "We Close Our Eyes" comes from every dead man's favorite party-band - Oingo Boingo. The boys (which I always feature closer to Halloween) which will always be known mainly for "Dead Man's Party" put out this solid tune from their 1987 album. Here is a live performance of "We Close Our Eyes"...
Lyrics | Oingo Boingo lyrics - We Close Our Eyes lyrics "We Close Our Eyes" by Oingo Boingo from the album: Boi-ngo released: 1987

Sometimes You Start Feeling So Lost and Lonely

Best known probably for his hit "Steppin' Out," I always thought this dude was a brother, but turns out he's a white English musician. Here is Joe with his 1984 top 20 hit "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)"...



Lyrics | Joe Jackson lyrics - You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) lyrics

"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)"

by Joe Jackson
from the album:  Body and Soul
released:  1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #15

More Than This Nothing

This lead singer appears to be the love child of Jim Carey and Jim Nabors with a little Nicolas Cage thrown in for good measure.  He's lead singer Bryan Ferry and his band is called Roxy Music.  Formed in London in the early 70's, their biggest U.S. hit was a 1975 single called "Love is the Drug."  They fared better on the UK charts which includes today's single which made it to #6 back in 1982.  Here is Roxy Music with "More Than This"...




Lyrics | Roxy Music lyrics - More Than This lyrics

"More Than This"
Single by Roxy Music
from the album Avalon
B-side	"India"
Released	April 1982 [1]
Format	7" single
Recorded	1981-1982
Genre	Art rock, New Wave
Length	4:30 (album) 4:10 (7" single)
Label	Polydor/E.G./Atco
Writer(s)	Bryan Ferry
Producer	Roxy Music

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #103
UK peak:  #6

Hold On Tight to Your Dream

Today's British rock band from Birmingham released 11 studio albums between 1971 and 1986. They also had 27 top 40 singles in the U.S. and UK. The band is known short hand as E.L.O. If prefer the long version, you can call them Electric Light Orchestra. Here is a live performance from 1986 from their top 10 U.S. hit released in 1981 - "Hold On Tight"
Lyrics | Electric Light Orchestra lyrics - Hold On Tight lyrics

"Hold On Tight"
Single by Electric Light Orchestra
from the album Time
B-side "When Time Stood Still"
Released July 1981
Format 7"
Recorded 1981 Musicland Studios, Munich
Genre Rock
Length 3:06
Label Jet Records
Writer(s) Jeff Lynne Producer Jeff Lynne

 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10