That Sweet Little Boy Who Caught My Eye

Ahh, music videos in their infancy.  So simple.  So easy.  This video from 1980 probably took about an hour to shoot.  No change of costumes and very little scenery change for the Pointer Sisters.  The video may be very basic, but when you have a trio like the Pointer Sisters you really don't need much because their charisma carries the video.  Here is their top 10 hit from 1980 - "He's So Shy"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Pointer Sisters lyrics - He\'s So Shy lyrics

"He's So Shy"
Single by The Pointer Sisters
from the album Special Things
B-side	Movin' On
Released	May 1980
Format	7" single
Recorded	1980
Genre	New Wave, Pop, R&B, Synthpop,Post-Disco
Length	3:37
Label	Planet
Writer(s)	Tom Snow, Cynthia Weil
Producer	Richard Perry
Certification	Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #3

You Told Me You Loved Me

Here's some crazy 80's visual effects from the British new wave band known as the Thompson Twins.  They're going to get you!  They are "Lies"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Thompson Twins lyrics - Lies lyrics

"Lies"
Single by Thompson Twins
from the album Quick Step and Side Kick
B-side	Beach Culture
Released	1982
Recorded	1982
Genre	New Wave, synthpop
Length	3:08
Label	Arista
Writer(s)	Tom Bailey Alannah Currie Joe Leeway
Producer	Tom Bailey

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #30

Hurry Home Early, Hurry on Home

So I've been reading a book called "The Good Son:  The Life of Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini."  It's an intriguing book about one of the most famous fighters in history from his upbringing in Youngstown as the son of a boxer (the original "Boom") through his rise to becoming champion and the fight that seems to have defined his career when Duk Koo Kim died shortly after his fight with Mancini.  Anyway, in 1987 Warren Zevon, a big Boom Boom fan, actually put out a song called "Boom Boom Mancini"...  



"Boom Boom Mancini"

by Warren Zevon
from the album:  Sentimental Hygiene

Sentimental Hygiene
Studio album by Warren Zevon
Released	August 29, 1987
Recorded	1987 at Record One and A&M Studios, Cheshire Sound, Atlanta
Genre	Rock, hard rock, alternative rock,folk rock
Length	36:49
Language	English
Label	Virgin
Producer	Warren Zevon, Niko Bolas, Andrew Slater

Who is Bobby Chacon?  Here's their fight from January, 1984...

We Live In the Modern Age

I mostly remember this dude from his 1975 #1 hit "Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song."  It was a catchy little tune that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Country charts.  Anyway, since this is an 80's blog (mostly), here's a crappy video of BJ Thomas singing his number one country hit from 1983, "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love"...

"Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love"
Single by B. J. Thomas
from the album New Looks
Released	1983
Genre	Country
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Lewis Anderson
Producer	Pete Drake

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #93
U.S. Country charts peak:  #1

80's Movie Weekend

It just doesn't matter!  It just doesn't matter!  It just doesn't matter!  This is one of those teen age comedies that slipped by the ol' parents back in the 80's and made to my viewing eyes.  The movie is Bill Murray's first starring role and actually came out in the summer of 1979, but I'm lumping it in with the great, stupid, teenage comedies of the 80's just because I can.  It's the movie "Meatballs"

the trailer...



Camp Mohawk!



It just doesn't matter!

Meatballs
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ivan Reitman
Produced by	John Dunning
Written by	Len Blum Dan Goldberg Janis Allen Harold Ramis
Starring	Bill Murray Chris Makepeace Kate Lynch
Music by	George Fenton
Cinematography	Don Wilder
Editing by	Debra Karen
Studio	Famous Players CFDC
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	June 29, 1979
Running time	99 minutes
Country	Canada
Language	English
Budget	$1.6 million
Box office	$43,046,003[1]

You Tell Me That You're Serious

Today's artist wants to hear your body talk to hers.  But you've got a lot of proving to do before you get that far.  Becoming her first #1 hit on the U.S. Dance Club charts, the now 50 year old female hailing from New York, Taylor Dayne, hit the U.S. Billboard top 10 for the second time off of her debut album back in 1987-88.  Here she is just teasing her bandmates in the video of "Prove Your Love"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Taylor Dayne lyrics - Prove Your Love lyrics

"Prove Your Love"
Single by Taylor Dayne
from the album Tell It to My Heart
B-side	"Upon the Journey's End"
Released	1988
Format	Cassette single 7" single 12" single CD single
Recorded	1987
Genre	Dance-pop, New Jack Swing
Length	3:25
Label	Arista
Writer(s)	Arnie Roman, Seth Swirsky
Producer	Ric Wake

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #7

You Told Me You Love Me. You Told Me You Care

Get ready to do "the Bucky" for today's video featuring the horn player as the artist for the song and Janet Jackson as merely the singer.  Featuring "Little Janet" on lead vocals and that's got to be Wesley Snipes as Bucky the DJ right?  Here is a quintessential 80's video and song produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  It's Herb Alpert with "Diamonds"...

"Diamonds"
Single by Herb Alpert
from the album Keep Your Eye on Me
B-side	"African Flame"
Released	December 8, 1986 (U.S.) March 14, 1987 (UK)
Format	7" single, 12" maxi single, cassette
Genre	Jazz, R&B
Length	4:53
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	James Harris III, Terry Lewis
Producer	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

I Was a Car Hop

Boom!  Back-to-back Paul Davis from his "Solid Gold" performance for you!  Just thought it deserved a "Boom!"  Yesterday, we brought you his hit "Cool Night."  Today, here's the other part of that performance and another great song that cracked the top 10 in the U.S.  Here he is with "'65 Love Affair"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Paul Davis lyrics - \'65 Love Affair lyrics

"'65 Love Affair"
Single by Paul Davis
from the album Cool Night
Released	November 1981
Recorded	1981
Genre	Blue-eyed soul, Soft rock
Length	3:43
Label	Arista
Writer(s)	Paul Davis

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #6

I Sometimes Wonder Why All the Flowers Had to Die

With a serious beard and serious long hair, this dude meant business back in the early 80's especially with today's video.  It's actually one of those "live" performances and a "Solid Gold classic" from 1981 on a cool, mellow grooving song.  Another one of those performers made for the 70's who eventually faded away when the 80's hair metal performers took over.  I know you'll remember today's hit song though.  Here is Paul Davis with "Cool Night"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Paul Davis lyrics - Cool Night lyrics

"Cool Night"
Single by Paul Davis
from the album Cool Night
Released	1981
Format	7" single
Genre	Soft rock

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #11

What Are You Saying?

Don't know if you're going to remember today's rap video from 1989 or not.  It reminds me a little bit of De la Soul or Arrested Development.  He went by the name of Divine Styler, and this was probably the most well known single from the 1989 album "Word Power."  Here is the alternative hip hop artist born in Brooklyn to the name Marc Richardson.  Going by the name of Divine Styler, it's the song "Ain't Sayin' Nothin'"



"Ain't Sayin' Nothin'"

by Divine Styler
from the album:  Word Power
released:  1989

80's Movie Weekend

Today's movie flashback to 1985 takes us back to a Jack Nicholson - Kathleen Turner flick that also garnered a best supporting actress Oscar for Anjelica Huston.  I never saw this movie.  It's rated R and I was only 14 when it came out, but after watching the preview, it seems very much like an 80's version of the Brad Pitt - Angelina Jolie movie "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."  Two hit-men in love hired to kill each other.  Anyway, I realize with this cast it's probably a pretty good movie that I need to check out sometime soon.  Here is "Prizzi's Honor"...

the trailer...



speaking of Anjelica Huston... you wanna do it, Charlie?...

Prizzi's Honor
Theatrical poster
Directed by	John Huston
Produced by	John Foreman
Written by	Richard Condon Janet Roach
Starring	Jack Nicholson Kathleen Turner Robert Loggia Anjelica Huston William Hickey
Music by	Giacomo Puccini Alex North
Cinematography	Andrzej Bartkowiak
Editing by	Kaja Fehr Rudi Fehr
Distributed by	20th Century Fox (United States) Producers Sales Organization (non-United States)
Release date(s)	June 13, 1985
Running time	130 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$16 million[1]
Box office	$26,657,534 (US) [2]

Baby There's No Doubt

It's Paula Abdul's first single!  Hooray!  Hooray!  You're excited.  Don't deny it.  From the "Forever Your Girl" album, here comes the big R&B hit for Paula.  It's a low budget video heavy on the dancing on a song produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface.  Here is "Knocked Out"...

"Knocked Out"
Single by Paula Abdul
from the album Forever Your Girl
Released	May 4, 1988; April 1990
Recorded	1987[1]
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	3:52
Label	Virgin
Writer(s)	LA Reid, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Daryl Simmons
Producer	LA Reid, Babyface

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #41

Cause There's Music in the Air and Lots of Lovin' Everywhere

The Excellent 80's is bringing you some funk today from 1980!  I love this song.  I love this video.  There's just so much to love about it - the roller skates, the beach, the clothes, etc.  It's the biggest hit ten-time Grammy award winning musician George Benson.  The song and video also showcases Patrice Rushen on background vocals.  She does this cool little scat during the song as well that I love.  Everything about this song and video is top quality in my books!  Produced by the great Quincy Jones, here is George Benson with "Give Me the Night"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | George Benson lyrics - Give Me The Night lyrics

"Give Me the Night"
Single by George Benson
from the album Give Me the Night
B-side	"Dinorah, Dinorah"
Released	1980
Format	7"
Genre	R&B, disco, boogie, funk
Length	3:41 3:50 (Commercial 7") 4:58 (Album)
Label	Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer	Quincy Jones

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #4
U.S. R&B charts peak:  #1

Oh I'm Sorry But There's No One on the Line

What does today's song even mean?  I had no clue back in 1982 and don't have much of an idea in 2012 some 30 years later.  With the horn section of Earth, Wind, and Fire backing the group, here is Genesis with their 1982 hit "Paperlate"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Genesis lyrics - Paperlate lyrics

"Paperlate"
Single by Genesis
from the album 3 X 3
B-side	You Might Recall
Released	May 15, 1982
Recorded	May-June 1981
Genre	Pop rock
Length	3:20
Label	Charisma (UK)
Writer(s)	Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford
Producer	Genesis

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #32

Now Maybe You'll See My Side of Things

Just because I felt like some Motley Crue today is why you're getting this.  Originally a 1973 hit sung by Brownsville Station, here is Sixx, Mick, and Tom (and Vince) "Smokin' in the Boy's Room"...




Do ya ever seem to have one of those days where everyone's on your case from your teacher all the way down from well to your best girlfriend? Well you I use to have those about all the time. But I found a way to get out of it
Let me tell ya 'bout ...

Sittin' in the classroom thinkin' it's a drag
Listening to the teacher rap-just ain't my bag
When two bells ring you know it's my cue
Gonna meet the boys on floor number 2

Smokin' in the boys room
Smokin' in the boys room
Teacher don't you fill me up with your rule
Everybody knows that smokin' ain't allowed in school

Checkin' out the halls makin sure the coast is clear
Lookin' in the stalls-nah, there ain't nobody here
My buddies Sixx, Mick & Tom
To get caught would surely be the death of us all

Smokin' in the boys room
I was Smokin' in the boys room
Teacher don't you fill me up with your rules
Everybody knows that smokin' ain't allowed in school
Hey can I be excused?

(Back-Forth Soli's)

Well, Put me to work the school book store
Check-out counter and I got bored
Teacher was lookin' for me all around
Two hours later you know where I was found

Smokin' in the boys room
I tell you I was Smokin' in the boys room
Now , Now, Now Teacher don't you fill me up with your rules
Everybody knows that smokin' ain't allowed in school

Hmm... everybody

Smokin' in the boys room
Smokin' in the boys room
I tell you I was Smokin' in the boys room
Smokin' in the boys room
Hey, Teacher don't you fill me up with your rules
Everybody knows that smokin' ain't allowed in school

One more

Smokin' in the boys room
Smokin' in the boys room
Now Teacher I ain't foolin' around with your rule
Cuase everybody knows that Smokin' ain't allowed in School!

"Smokin' in the Boys Room"
Single by Mötley Crüe
from the album Theatre of Pain
Released	1985
Format	7" single
Recorded	1985
Genre	Glam metal
Length	3:27
Label	Elektra
Writer(s)	Cub Koda, Michael Lutz
Producer	Tom Werman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #16

Whoa, Whoa, Yea, Yea

It's the debut of Mr. Leo Sayer in The Excellent 80's today.  Leo is best known for his two #1 singles, both of which were in 1977 - "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" and "When I Need You."  Love the pink jacket Leo!  Here is his 1980 hit that stalled at #2.  It's his version of a 1960 song called "More Than I Can Say"...




Lyrics | Leo Sayer lyrics - More Than I Can Say lyrics

"More Than I Can Say"
Single by Leo Sayer
from the album Living in a Fantasy
B-side	"Only Fooling"
Released	1980
Format	7" (45 rpm)
Genre	Pop, soft rock, adult contemporary
Length	3:34
Label	Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Sonny Curtis, Jerry Allison
Producer	Alan Tarney

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #2