80's Movie Weekend

I have no idea what today's 1985 movie was about nor do I really care to watch it.  It does star Robert De Niro, Jonathan Pryce, and Bob Hoskins, but it just looks weird.  Feel free to let me know if you've seen it and you think otherwise.  It's the movie "Brazil."

the trailer...

Brazil
American theatrical release poster
Directed by	Terry Gilliam
Produced by	Arnon Milchan
Written by	Terry Gilliam Tom Stoppard Charles McKeown
Starring	Jonathan Pryce Robert De Niro Katherine Helmond Ian Holm Bob Hoskins Michael Palin Kim Greist
Music by	Michael Kamen
Cinematography	Roger Pratt
Editing by	Julian Doyle
Studio	Embassy International Pictures N.V.
Distributed by	Universal Studios (US) 20th Century Fox (Europe)
Release date(s)	20 February 1985 (France) 22 February 1985 (UK) 18 December 1985 (US)
Running time	143 minutes (original cut)
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$15 million
Box office	$9,929,135

80's Movie Weekend

It's the movie that gave us "Say hello to my little friend!"  It's one of the greatest gangster movies of all-time.  Written by Oliver Stone, directed by Brian De Palma, and starring Al Pacino, you know who it is!  It's Tony Montana and "Scarface"

the trailer...

Scarface
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Brian De Palma
Produced by	Martin Bregman
Written by	Oliver Stone
Starring	Al Pacino
Music by	Giorgio Moroder
Cinematography	John A. Alonzo
Editing by	Gerald B. Greenberg David Ray
Studio	Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	December 9, 1983
Running time	170 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$25,000,000[1]
Box office	$65,884,703[2]

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's film is Spike Lee's first full length production from 1986.  The story centers around Nola Darling and the three suitors that want her all to themselves.  Also starring Spike Lee as one of the three suitors - a non-stop talker known as Mars Blackmon, here is "She's Gotta Have It."

the trailer...

She's Gotta Have It
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Spike Lee
Produced by	Pamm R. Jackson Spike Lee (credited as Shelton J. Lee)
Written by	Spike Lee
Starring	Tracy Camilla Johns Tommy Redmond Hicks John Canada Terrell Spike Lee
Music by	Bill Lee
Cinematography	Ernest Dickerson
Editing by	Spike Lee
Studio	40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Distributed by	Island Pictures
Release date(s)	August 8, 1986
Running time	84 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$185,000
Box office	$7,137,502 (USA) [1]

Johnny Played Guitar, Jenny Played Bass

Lots of bubbles today for you!  An Elvis impersonator, an evil snowman, and a bunch of children all make up our most excellent 80's video today!  here is Men Without Hats and "Pop Goes the World"...



"Pop Goes the World"




Single by Men Without Hats

from the album Pop Goes the World

B-side "The End (Of the World)"

Released October 1987

Format 7", 12", CD single

Recorded 1986

Genre New Wave

Label Mercury

Producer Men Without Hats, Zeus B. Held

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #20

Ahh Sugar

This is a weird little video with a lot of stock footage, and a song that I don't recall at all, but it hit #1 back in 1981 after reaching #1 in the Neatherlands, and #2 in the UK earlier.  It's a medley of songs released under the name of "Stars on 45."  It features the following songs: Intro Venus / Sugar Sugar / No Reply / I'll Be Back /Drive My Car / Do You Want to Know a Secret / We Can Work It Out / I Should Have Known Better / Nowhere Man / You're Going to Lose That Girl / Stars on 45.  So get your disco groove on to "Stars on 45"...

"Stars on 45"
The US Radio Records release with its famous forty-one word title.
Single by Stars on 45
from the album Long Play Album
Released	1979
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	1981
Genre	Disco
Length	7": 4:48 (US: 4:05) 12": 9:45 (West Germany 11:30, US: 10:15)
Label	CNR Records (NL) CBS Records (UK) Radio Records/Atlantic (US)
Producer	Jaap Eggermont
Certification	Gold (RIAA)[1]

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #1

Saw a Psychic in L.A.

I got on a Jeffrey Osborne kick on Friday and wanted to bring his soulful voice back into the fray again today for probably his other biggest hit of the 80's.  It was a duet with Dionne Warwick.  Here, from 1987, is Jeffrey Osborne and Dionne Warwick with "Love Power"...



"Love Power"

by Jeffrey Osborne and Dionne Warwick
from the album:  Reservations For Two
released:  1987

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #12

80's Movie Weekend

Never saw this weekend's movie from 1986 about a petty criminal who becomes entangled in the dangerous life of a high-class call girl.  Starring Bob Hoskins and Michael Caine, here is the trailer to "Mona Lisa"...

Mona Lisa
original film poster
Directed by	Neil Jordan
Produced by	Stephen Woolley
Written by	Neil Jordan David Leland
Starring	Bob Hoskins Cathy Tyson Robbie Coltrane Michael Caine
Music by	Michael Kamen Genesis
Cinematography	Roger Pratt
Editing by	Lesley Walker
Studio	HandMade Films
Distributed by	Island Pictures
Release date(s)	13 June 1986
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£2 million[1]

Can You Woo Woo Woo?

It's the woo woo song!  It's the woo woo song!  Woo woo!  It got its partial name from the daughter of Jeffrey Osborne who just referred to it as the Woo Woo song when she was little.  It was a top 20 hit on the Billboard charts peaking at #13 in 1986.  Here is the debut of the soulful voice of Jeffrey Osborne in The Excellent 80's with "You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)"...



"You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)"
Single by Jeffrey Osborne
from the album Emotional
B-side "Ol' 55"
Released July 14, 1986
Format 7"
Recorded 1986
Genre R&B, soul
Length 4:21
Label A&M
Writer(s) Andy Goldmark, Bruce Roberts
Producer Glyn Johns

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #13

You've Done Nothing For Me!

Today's live performance from 1980 features Sammy Hagar and a song he wrote that ended up being more popular and a bigger hit in 1981 when it was re-recorded by a youngster named Rick Springfield.  Rick's version became a top 10 hit post "Jessie's Girl," but like me, not a lot of people realize it is a Sammy Hagar song written in 1978.  Here is Sammy singing "I've Done Everything For You"...

"I've Done Everything for You"
UK 7" single cover
Single by Sammy Hagar
from the album All Night Long
B-side	"Someone Out There"
Released	May 1978
Format	7" single
Genre	Hard rock
Length	3:00
Label	Capitol
Writer(s)	Sammy Hagar
Producer	Sammy & Carter

Now Check Me Out on the Good Side Here

From their 1981 album Fair Warning, it's the rock band that ruled the 80's... with two different lead singers.  The original lead singer was the probably the most limber front man in rock history.  DLR leads Van Halen in today's 1981 song "So This is Love?"...




Ow, yeah
Now check me out on the good side here
Well my baby's on the corner and she's lookin' so fine
Put one and one together and it blowed my mind
A man needs love to live, I'm the livin' proof
Catch that smile and I hit the roof

Big double take, but ya keep on walkin', uh!
I'm in love
Once over, I'm over done

So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', come on baby, take me home
So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', I'm just skin an' bone

Goin' outta my way, know my way around
The grass is never greener an' there plenty around
All the other girls, they be put to shame
Over the edge and here I stay

Got me on pins and needles, and she knows
She's mine and, ain't lettin' go

So this is love?
Ooh I need your love, baby take me home
So this is love?
Ooh I need your lovin', I know

(Guitar Solo)

Ow! Got me on pins and needles, yes she knows
She's mine and, ain't lettin' go

So this is love?
Ooh I need your love. Whaa, yeah!
So this is love?
Ooh I need your love!
Ahh yeah! Baby, got ta have your love
Ooh I, Ooh I need, got to have that love
Baby, baby, wha-ha-ha! Still love
So this is love?
So this is love?
Ow! Wow! Woo!



"So This is Love?

by Van Halen
from the album:  "Fair Warning"
released:  1981

This Means Nothing to Me

I know you've been wondering when the hell is the Excellent 80's going to provide us with Ultravox's signature song?  It's been day in and day out, year in and year out without Ultravox's hit song that peaked at #2 in the UK back in 1981.  Yes, here you go, it's the UK new wave band Ultravox with their signature song "Vienna"...

"Vienna"
Single by Ultravox
from the album Vienna
B-side	"Passionate Reply" "Herr X" (12" single only)
Released	15 January 1981
Format	7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded	RAK Studios, London, February 1980
Genre	Synthpop, New Wave
Length	4:37 (single edit) 4:53 (album and 12" version)
Label	Chrysalis
Writer(s)	Midge Ure, Chris Cross, Warren Cann, Billy Currie
Producer	Conny Plank, Ultravox

UK peak:  #2

Tell Me Lawyer What To Do

Red minidress - check.  Teased hair - check.  Gorgeous legs - check.  Big, giant shoe - check.  Top 10 hit - check.  Here's Tina Turner with her 1986 hit "Typical Male"...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Lyrics | Tina Turner lyrics - Typical Male lyrics

"Typical Male"
Single by Tina Turner
from the album Break Every Rule
B-side	"Don't Turn Around"
Released	August 30, 1986 (U.S.)
Format	7" single 12" single
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:18
Label	Capitol
Writer(s)	Terry Britten Graham Lyle
Certification	Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak:  #2

80's Movie Weekend

William Hurt won a best actor Oscar for his portrayal as an imprisoned homosexual in this movie based on the novel by Manuel Puig.  The movie itself was nomited for four Academy Awards, but I've never seen it so I can't tell you anything about it.  All I know is that it's not about a female Spiderman which is all I needed to know back in 1985 discouraging me from ever seeing it.  Here is the weekend's movie flashback - "Kiss of the Spider Woman"...

the trailer...

Kiss of the Spider Woman
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Héctor Babenco
Produced by	Francisco Ramalho Jr. David Weisman
Screenplay by	Leonard Schrader
Based on	Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig
Starring	William Hurt Raúl Juliá Sonia Braga José Lewgoy
Music by	Nando Cordeiro Michael Jary John Neschling
Cinematography	Rodolfo Sánchez
Editing by	Mauro Alice
Distributed by	Island Alive
Release date(s)	July 26, 1985
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Brazil United States
Language	English French Portuguese German
Box office	$17,005,229

Higher Baby

We had some Eric B & Rakim for you yesterday, so why not another old school rap classic today to start off the month of March.  Check out Grandmaster Melle Mel with his 1983 hit about the dangers of cocaine, addiction, and drug smuggling.  It's poor video quality, but just enjoy Melle Mel singing "higher baby" with his song "White Lines"...




Fun, baby


Freeze! Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock!

(High... High... High... High...) Rrrrrrrrruh! 

Bass! 

(Oooh White...White) 3X


Verse One:


(Ooooh...White Lines) Vision dreams of passion

(Blowin through my mind) And all the while I think of you

(Pipe cries) A very strange reaction

(For us to unwind) The more I see the more I do

(Something like a phenomenon) Baby

(Tellin your body to come along, but white lines...blow away)

(Blow! Rock it! Blow!)


Ticket to ride white line highway

Tell all your friends, they can go my way

Pay your toll, sell your soul

Pound for pound costs more than gold

The longer you stay the more you pay

My white lines go a long way

Either up your nose or through your vein

With nothin to gain except killin your brain


(Freeze! Rock!) 4X

(Blow!)


(High...) Higher, baby

(High...) Get higher, baby!

(High...) Get higher, baby!

And don't ever come down! (Freebase!)


Verse Two:


Orang dang diggedy dang di-dang

Orang dang diggedy dang di-dang

Orang dang diggedy dang di-dang

Diggedy dang di-dang diggedy dang di-dang


(Pipe line...) Pure as the driven snow

(Connected to my mind) And now I'm havin fun, baby!

(Pipe cries) It's gettin kinda low

(Cause it makes you feel so nice) I need some one-on-one, baby

(Don't let it blow your mind away) Baby

(And go into your little hideaway cause white lines...blow away)

(Blow! Rock it! Blow!)


A million magic crystals, painted pure and white

A multi-million dollars almost over night

Twice as sweet as sugar, twice as bitter as salt

And if you get hooked, baby, it's nobody else's fault, so don't do it!


(Freeze! Rock!) 4X

Rrrrah! (Blow!)


(High...) Higher, baby

(High...) Get higher, baby!

(High...) Get higher, baby!

And don't ever come down! (Freebase!)


Verse Three:


(Don't get too high) Don't you get too high, baby

(Turns you on) You really turn me on and on!

(Cause you gotta come down) My temperature is risin

(When the thrill is gone) No, I don't want you to go!


A street kid gets arrested, gonna do some time

He got out three years from now just to commit more crime

A businessman is caught with 24 kilos 

He's out on bail, and out of jail and that's the way it goes, rrrruh!


(Cane!)

(Sugar! Cane!) 2X


Athletes reject it, governors correct it

Gangsters thugs and smugglers are thoroughly respected

The money gets divided, the women get excited

Now I'm broke and it's no joke it's hard as hell to fight it, don't buy it!


(Freeze!) Huh-huh huh huh! (Rock!)

(Freeze! Rock!) x3

Rrrah! (Blow!)


(High...) Get higher, baby

(High...) Get higher, girl!

(High...) Get higher, baby!

(High...) C'mon! Rrrrrah!!


Verse Four:


(White Lines) Vision dreams of passion

(Blowin through my mind) And all the while I think of you

(Pipe cries) A very strange reaction

(For us to unwind) The more I see the more I do


(Something like a phenomenon) Baby

(Tellin your body to come along, but white lines...blow away...)


Little Jack Horner sittin on the corner with no shoes and clothes

This ain't funny but he took his money and sniffed it up his nose!


Dealer:Hey, man. You wanna cop some blow?

Junkie:Sure, watcha got? Dust, flakes or rocks?

Dealer:I got China White, Mother of Pearl...I reflect what you need.

Junkie:Well yeah, well let me check it out, man. Just let me get a freeze.

Dealer:Go ahead, man. The stuff I got should kill ya...

Junkie:Yeah, man. Th-That's...that's raw...huuuhhhh...

[Don't do it, baby...]
(Freeze!) A-huh huh huh! (Rock!) 
Freeze! Rock! (repeat to fade) 

"White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)"
Single by Grandmaster Melle Mel
Released	1983
Format	Vinyl (12")
Recorded	1983
Genre	Old school hip hop
Label	Sugar Hill Records
Writer(s)	Melle Mel, Sylvia Robinson
Producer	Joey Robinson, Jr., Melle Mel, Sylvia Robinson