80's Television

Here's some wrasslin' for you. They just recently had Wrestlemania 73 or something like that, but here was the match that was credited with just exploding the popularity of pay per view Wrestling... with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura (Minnesotans must be so proud) on color commentary, "Gorilla" Monsoon on play by play and Bob Uecker as ring announcer... first held in 1985, this particular match is from Wrestlemania III in 1987, here is Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant...



And don't you ever forget that Hulk Hogan is a "Real American"...




Real American Lyrics

"Real American" performed by Rick Derringer

Marvin Was A Friend of Mine

Without Lionel Richie, but still with a big hit, from 1985, it's The Commodores with a tribute to Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye... gonna be some sweet sounds coming down on the "Nightshift"...

The Commodores - Nightshift
Uploaded by Shakki

Nightshift Lyrics

“Nightshift”

Single by The Commodores
from the album Nightshift
B-side I Keep Running
Released 1985
Genre Funk
Length 4:18
Label Motown
Writer(s) Walter Orange / Dennis Lambert / Franne Golde
Producer Dennis Lambert

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Peak: #1

What's A Yngwie?

Remember the music stylings of Yngwie Malmsteen? It's ok if you don't. Yngwie hails from Sweden and was regarded as one of the great guitarists of the 80's. Still don't remember? He could play multiple instruments and compose as well. Maybe this video will help jog your memory... with Yngwie wailing away on guitar and Joe Turner on vocals, here is "Heaven Tonight"

Yngwie Malmsteen - Heaven Tonight
Uploaded by abderrahimjbali

Heaven Tonight Lyrics

from the album: Odyssey
Released: 1988

She Knows How To Use Them

The furry guitars, the cool car, the hot chicks, the beards, and oh, those "Legs"...

ZZ TOP - Legs -
Uploaded by chantalounette

Legs Lyrics

“Legs”

Single by ZZ Top
from the album Eliminator
B-side "A Fool for Your Stockings"
Released 1984
Format 7"
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 4:35
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Billy Gibbons
Dusty Hill
Frank Beard
Producer Bill Ham

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #8

80's Movie Weekend

It's been 21 years since Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey steamed up the screen with some "Dirty Dancing"

This looks like it might be at a drive in movie, but the message is still clear - "Nobody puts Baby in a corner"



I had the time of my life...



And of course, here is Patrick Swayze with the hit song he actually wrote and sung, along with Wendy Fraser, here is "She's Like the Wind"...

Patrick Swayze- She's Like The Wind
Uploaded by Stella78

She's Like The Wind Lyrics

“She's Like the Wind”

Single by Patrick Swayze
from the album Dirty Dancing Soundtrack
B-side Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs - Stay
Released 1987
Format Vinyl single
Genre pop
Length 3:52
Label RCA Records
Writer(s) Patrick Swayze
Stacy Widelitz
Producer Michael Lloyd

Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3
Adult Contemporary Peak: #1


Dirty Dancing











Directed by Emile Ardolino
Produced by Linda Gottlieb
Written by Eleanor Bergstein
Starring Patrick Swayze
Jennifer Grey
Jerry Orbach
Cynthia Rhodes
Distributed by Vestron Pictures
Release date(s) August 21, 1987
Running time 100 minutes
Language English
Budget $5,000,000[1]
Followed by Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights

80's Television

Look at what's happened to me... believe it or not, here is "The Greatest American Hero" in The Excellent 80's as our look back at a popular TV series in the 80's...
flying away on a wing and a prayer, who could it be?...

The intro...



The superhero in action...




Format superhero drama-comedy television series
Created by Stephen J. Cannell
from 1981-1983
Starring William Katt as Ralph Hinkley
Robert Culp as Bill Maxwell
Connie Sellecca as Pam Davidson
Michael Paré as Tony Villacona
Faye Grant as Rhonda Harris
Opening theme "Theme from Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" by Joey Scarbury
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 44

We Don't Ill, We Chill At A Party

OK, I'm cutting it close, but in late 1989, the rapper named Heavy D released his second and one of his most successful albums and this was my favorite song off of it... check out the big man and his dance moves, try not to focus on the hideous clothes... Heavy D and the Boyz with "We Got Our Own Thang"...




We Got Our Own Thang Lyrics

from the album: Big Tyme
released: 1989
album peak: #19 on Billboard Hot 200 albums and #1 on the R&B/Rap album charts
Genre Hip Hop
Length 53:53
Label Uptown Records
Producer DJ Eddie F
Teddy Riley
Marley Marl
Al B. Sure!
Pete Rock

One Shining Moment

The finals of the NCAA Tournament are upon us and for us basketball fans that means the college basketball season will be capped with CBS' montage of the NCAA tourney all to the song written especially for this exciting three weeks of hoops... it's Kansas and Memphis for the championship, and 20 yrs. ago we witnessed KU and "Danny and the Miracles" beat Oklahoma for the national championship in Kansas City... I was there... I left disappointed, but despite the pain that still lingers, here is the "One Shining Moment" video from 1988...



Here are the lyrics to the popular anthem by David Barrett (and currently being sung by the late Luther Vandross):

The ball is tipped
and there you are
you're running for your life
you're a shooting star
And all the years
no one knows
just how hard you worked
but now it shows...
(in) ONE SHINING MOMENT, IT'S ALL ON THE LINE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, THERE FROZEN IN TIME

But time is short
and the road is long
in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment's gone
And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE

Feel the beat of your heart
feel the wind in your face
it's more than a contest
it's more than a race...

And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY
ONE SHINING MOMENT....

She's The Kind of Girl You Dream Of

It's the two Phils - one was/is a big time star as a solo artist and also with a little-known band called Genesis. The other, I have no clue where he came from or where he is today. Phil Collins and Philip Bailey with the 1984 collaberation and big hit, "Easy Lover"...




Easy Lover Lyrics

“Easy Lover”

Single by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
from the album Chinese Wall
Released USA: 1984
UK: 1985
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop
Length 5:02
Label Columbia/CBS
Writer(s) Philip Bailey, Phil Collins and Nathan East
Producer Phil Collins

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2
US R&B Peak: #3
UK Peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

What a feeling! Take your passion and make it happen! From 1983, it's Jennifer Beals and the popular "Flashdance"...

the trailer...



some serious dancing... in fact, she's a maniac... by Michael Sembello


Lyrics | Michael Sembello lyrics - Maniac lyrics












Directed by Adrian Lyne
Produced by Don Simpson
Jerry Bruckheimer
Written by Tom Hedley
Joe Eszterhas
Starring Jennifer Beals
Michael Nouri
Music by Giorgio Moroder
Cinematography Donald Peterman
Editing by Walt Mulconery
Bud S. Smith
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) April 15, 1983
July 16, 1983
August 11, 1983
September 14, 1983
May 23, 1985
Running time 95 min.
Country United States
Language English


Of course here is the full "What a Feeling" song by Irene Cara from the "Flashdance" Soundtrack





Lyrics | What A Feeling lyrics

“Flashdance... What a Feeling”

Single by Irene Cara
from the album What a Feelin' and Flashdance
Released 1983
2001 (re-released)
Format 12" single
7" single
Recorded 1983
Genre Pop rock
Length 3:55
Label Casablanca Records
Writer(s) Giorgio Moroder (music)
Keith Forsey (lyrics)
Irene Cara (lyrics)
Producer Giorgio Moroder
Certification Platinum (US)
Gold (UK)

This song was a world-wide hit:
U.S. Billboard Hot 100: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks: #4
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: #2
Austrian Singles Chart: #4
Brazilian Singles Chart: #1
Canadian Singles Chart: #1
Dutch Top 40: #1[3]
European Singles Chart: #1
Japanese Singles Chart: #1
Norwegian Singles Chart: #1
Swedish Singles Chart: #1
Swiss Singles Chart: #1
UK Singles Chart: #2

You and I and a Little Toy Shop

Remember Nena? Sure you do. The semi-hot German chick with the funky dance moves. And of course now that you remember her, don't you remember her cold-war era protest song that was a #1 hit around most of the world... "99 Red Balloons" or if you're German, "99 Luft Balloons"...




99 Red Balloons Lyrics

“99 Luftballons / 99 Red Balloons”

Single by Nena
from the album Nena / 99 Luftballons
Released 1983 (Germany)
1984 (United Kingdom)
Format CD single
Recorded 1982
Genre Pop
Length 3:53
Label EMI
Writer(s) Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen(music)
Carlo Karges (German lyrics)
Kevin McAlea (English lyrics)
Certification Gold (RIAA)

US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2
UK Peak: #1
West Germany #1

80's Television

Everytime I turn around... one of my little sister's favorite shows from the 80's - the little orphan and her dog, Brandon - "Punky Brewster"...

But before we get to our television show, we must bring you one of the classic commercials from the 80's... from Wendy's... you know what I'm talking about...



The "Punky Brewster" intro...



Punky Power!...



Punky Brewster





Cast of "Punky Brewster": Soleil Moon Frye, Casey Ellison, George Gaynes, Susie Garrett, Cherie Johnson, Brandon the Wonder Dog, and (center) Ami Foster.






Format Situation Comedy
1984-1986
Created by David W. Duclon
Starring Soleil Moon Frye
George Gaynes
Susie Garrett
Cherie Johnson
T. K. Carter
Ami Foster
Casey Ellison
Brandon
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 88 (44 NBC; 44 syndicated)

Happy April Fool's Day!