80's Movie Weekend

I never saw today's "scary" feature, but I have a feeling I would have laughed more than I would have been scared... and that's just from checking out the trailer to this horrific comedy/horror film... set at a high school in New Jersey located very close to a nuclear plant, here is the cult classic "Class of Nuke 'Em High"...

the trailer...



Class of Nuke 'Em High

Directed by Richard W. Haines
Michael Herz
Samuel Weil
Produced by Michael Herz
Lloyd Kaufman
James Treadwell
Written by Lloyd Kaufman
Richard W. Haines
Mark Rudnitsky
Stuart Strutin
Starring Janelle Brady
Gil Brenton
Robert Prichard
Pat Ryan
Music by Ethan Hurt, Title Track
link title
Michael Latlanzi
Cinematography Michael Mayers
Editing by Richard W. Haines
Distributed by Troma Entertainment
Release date(s) December 12, 1986)
Running time 85 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $2 million (est)
Followed by Class of Nuke 'Em High II (1991)
Class of Nuke 'Em High III (1994)

We Roll Tonight to the Guitar Bite

Filmed in Landover, Maryland, today's popular rock anthem was the title track off of the Australian band AC/DC's 8th studio album. It's the unmistakable guitar of Angus Young and the piercing sound of Brian Johnson on lead vocals as AC/DC wants you to know "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"...




Lyrics | Ac Dc lyrics - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) lyrics

"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"
Single by AC/DC
from the album For Those About to Rock We Salute You
B-side "Let There Be Rock" (live)
T.N.T. (live, US)
Released 1982
March 22, 1982 (US)
Format 7 inch
Recorded 1981
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:44
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Angus Young,
Malcolm Young,
Brian Johnson
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange

What In the World is Happening Here?

Seriously, what is happening in this video? Lionel Ritchie is way over-acting, but thanks to some nifty camera work, he appears to be literally dancing on the ceiling in this video! I love the drummer's hair in the video as well, but personally speaking watching this video for too long tends to make me dizzy, but the best part is the cameo by Rodney Dangerfield at the end.




Lyrics | Lionel Richie lyrics - Dancing On The Ceiling lyrics

"Dancing on the Ceiling"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Dancing on the Ceiling
B-side Love Will Find a Way
Released June 19, 1986
Format CD single, 7" single, 12" single
Recorded Summer 1985
Genre Pop, Adult contemporary, New Wave, rock
Length 4:21
Label Motown
Writer(s) Lionel Richie, Carlos Rios, Michael Frenchik
Producer Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

It Seems True Love is So Rare

Although "There's Something About You" is their most popular and most recognizable hit, today's video and song produced a top 20 hit in the UK for the band Level 42, but didn't crack the charts in the U.S. apparently. It has a very Tears For Fears feel to it, and it's not a bad song at all. Here is the British group Level 42 with "Leaving Me Now"...




Lyrics | Level 42 lyrics - Leaving Me Now lyrics

"Leaving me Now"
Single by Level 42
from the album World Machine
B-side I Sleep on My Heart
Released 1985
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1985
Genre Pop rock
Length 5:03
Label Polydor Records
Writer(s) Mark King, Phil Gould, Wally Badarou
Producer Level 42

UK peak: #15

Papa I Know You're Going to Be Upset

In June of 1986, Madonna sent out a message to all papa's around the world - don't preach! She's keeping her baby, alright? Love that Danny Aiello gets to be papa in the video. Madonna is looking fine, but I didn't really dig the short blond look that she sports for this video. Here is the material girl's 4th #1 hit - "Papa Don't Preach"...




Lyrics | Madonna lyrics - Papa Don't Preach lyrics

"Papa Don't Preach"
Single by Madonna
from the album True Blue
B-side "Pretender"
Released June 11, 1986
Format 7", 12", CD single, CD Video
Recorded 1985-1986
Genre Dance-pop
Length 4:29
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Brian Elliot, additional lyrics by Madonna
Producer Madonna, Stephen Bray

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

What Did Her Daddy Do?

Apparently one of rock's best bands is on a permanent leave because someone wants to be a judge on American Idol among other things. Anyway, back when they were banging out hits in the 70's, 80's, and 90's today's band was one of the best in the business. Today's featured video was released in 1989 as part of their "Pump" album and the song went all the way to #4 on the Billboard charts and produced a Grammy win for the band. Here is Aerosmith with "Janie's Got a Gun"...




Lyrics | Aerosmith lyrics - Janie's Got A Gun lyrics

"Janie's Got a Gun"
Single by Aerosmith
from the album Pump
Released November 8, 1989
Format Cassette, CD
Recorded 1989
Genre Hard rock
Length 05:33
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton
Producer Bruce Fairbairn

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

"The funniest comedy of the year" it was not. As is the case with most sequels they rarely live up to the first one and that was definitely the case for Airplane II The Sequel. Last week we brought you the trailer and some of the funniest scenes from the original. This week, we bring you the trailer and a few of the scenes that attempt to be funny.

the trailer...



a compilation of some of the better scenes...



Airplane II: The Sequel

Directed by Ken Finkleman
Produced by Howard W. Koch
Written by Ken Finkleman
Starring Julie Hagerty
Robert Hays
Lloyd Bridges
Chad Everett
Peter Graves
Rip Torn
Stephen Stucker
Wendy Phillips
Sonny Bono
William Shatner
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Richard Hazard
Cinematography Joe Biroc
Editing by Tina Hirsch
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) December 10, 1982
Running time 85 min
Country United States
Language English
Preceded by Airplane!

It's Like a Full Force Gale

Today's video features the deep raspy voice of Mr. Bob Seger. From his 13th studio album "Like a Rock" (this man cranked out the albums and the hits back in the late 70's and early 80's), here is the top 20 single "American Storm" just featuring he and his band jamming...




Lyrics | Bob Seger lyrics - American Storm lyrics

"American Storm"

by Bob Seger
from the album: "Like a Rock"
released: 1986

You Have Been Single for a Long Time

Early last month as part of this blog's "Soul Train Saturdays" we featured The SOS Band with arguably their biggest hit "Take Your Time (Do It Right)", and today here's another S.O.S. Band hit a few years later. Though not as successful, the yellow outfits they're wearing are still pretty sweet and the video is pure 80's. From Atlanta, Georgia, here is The S.O.S. (Sounds of Success) Band with "Just the Way You Like It"...




Lyrics | S.O.S Band lyrics - Just The Way You Like It lyrics

"Just the Way You Like It"

by The S.O.S. Band
from the album: Just the Way You Like It
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #64
U.S. R&B charts peak: #6

There I Was Completely Wasting

When I think of today's song, I always think of the Beavis and Butthead episode where sing today's chorus while creating more mischief. Those crazy kids, huh-huh, uh, huh-huh, huh-huh. It's considered one of VH1's greatest 40 metal songs of all-time. Here is the English band, Judas Priest, robbing a bank with guitars as weapons and they are definitely "Breaking the Law"...




Lyrics | Judas Priest lyrics - Breaking The Law lyrics

"Breaking the Law"
Single by Judas Priest
from the album British Steel
Released 1980
Recorded January- February 1980
Startling Studios
Ascot, England
Genre Heavy metal, hard rock
Length 2:35
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Rob Halford
K.K. Downing
Glenn Tipton
Producer Tom Allom

The Whispers in the Morning

Most people will think of today's song as the #1 hit for Celine Dion in 1993. What most people don't realize is that this song was originally co-written and recorded by Brooklyn native Jennifer Rush in 1984. The song stalled out at #57 in the U.S. but bounded all the way to #1 in the UK where it remained for five weeks. Here is the video for Jennifer Rush and "The Power of Love"...




Lyrics | Jennifer Rush lyrics - The Power Of Love lyrics

"The Power of Love"

Single by Jennifer Rush
from the album Jennifer Rush
B-side "I See A Shadow (Not A Fantasy)"
Released 1985
Format 7" single
Recorded 1984
CBS Studios International
(Frankfurt am Main)
Genre Pop
Length 4:20
Label CBS
Writer(s) Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge, Jennifer Rush, Mary Susan Applegate
Producer Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #57
UK peak: #1

Baby When I Met You There Was Peace Unknown

Welcome to the month of November!

Forget about the more recent country cross-over superstars like Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Kenny Chesney. Back in the early to mid 80's, Kenny Rogers was the man who killed it on the country charts and then managed to find himself on the pop charts from time to time as well. Today's live performance features two of country's all-time biggest stars with their famous duet from 1983. It's Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers with their #1 hit not only on the country charts but on the Billboard charts as well - "Islands in the Stream"...




Lyrics | Kenny Rogers lyrics - Islands In The Stream lyrics

Single by Kenny Rogers featuring Dolly Parton
from the album Eyes That See in the Dark
Released August 1983 (U.S.)
Genre Country, Pop
Length 4:08
Label RCA
Writer(s) Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
Producer Barry Gibb
Certification 2× Platinum (US)

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