Sooner or Later You'll Feel That Momentum Kick In

I can't tell you the last time I even thought about this video or song by Billy Joel. In the video, Joel plays some sort of angel dressed in black helping a young kid named George Bailey, I mean George Young overcome some obstacles and showing him what life would look like without him in the world. As we finish up our "Billy Joel July" today don't forget your second wind, people! Hope you enjoyed our month long tribute to the 80's hits of Billy Joel. Here is "You're Only Human (Second Wind)"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - You're Only Human (Second Wind) lyrics "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" Single by Billy Joel from the album Greatest Hits - Volumes I & II B-side "Surprises" Released 1985 Format 7" Recorded 1985 Genre Pop, Rock Length 4:48 (album version) 4:21 (single version) Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

Party People, Can Ya'll Get Funky?

My apologies to all of you Afrika Bambaataa fans out there for having this 80's blog for four + years and never before featuring this funky group. Many even consider today's song as one of the top 10 or 20 rap songs of the 1980's. Born in 1957, Afrika Bambaataa is considered by many the "father of the electro funk sound." Check out the sweet dance moves in today's video and song known as "Planet Rock"...
Lyrics | Afrika Bambaataa lyrics - Planet Rock lyrics

 "Planet Rock"

 Single by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force 
from the album Planet Rock: 
The Album Released April 17, 1982 
Format 12" 
Genre Electro, hip hop 
Length 7:31 (original 12" version) 
Label Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records 00823 
Writer(s) Arthur Baker John Robie Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force Ralf Hütter Florian Schneider Producer Arthur Baker John Robie

80's Movie Weekend

I don't recall ever seeing today's comedy from 1985, but it doesn't mean I didn't see it and just forget about it because the reviews indicate it's a fairly forgettable film despite the stellar cast. Featuring an all-star lineup with Tom Hanks, Dabney Coleman, Lori Singer, Charles Durning, Carrie Fisher, and James Belushi, here is your 80's weekend movie, the comedy "The Man With One Red Shoe"... the trailer... The Man With One Red Shoe Directed by Stan Dragoti Produced by Victor Drai Written by Francis Veber Yves Robert Robert Klane Starring Tom Hanks Dabney Coleman Lori Singer Charles Durning Carrie Fisher James Belushi Edward Herrmann Music by Thomas Newman Distributed by 20th Century Fox Release date(s) July 19, 1985 Running time 92 min. Country United States Language English

Some Love is Just a Lie of the Heart

The Excellent 80's "Billy Joel July" is quickly wrapping up. Here is another Joel song that I love. From 1986 featuring then wife Christie Brinkley and their daughter Alexa, it's the top 10 single "A Matter of Trust"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - A Matter Of Trust lyrics "A Matter of Trust" Single by Billy Joel from the album The Bridge Released 1986 Format 7", CD single Recorded 1985 Genre Rock Length 4:08 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

Well, Low Dealer With Snake Eyes

You have to love it whenever a glam metal band wants to play cowboy in their video. The boys from Ratt get all dressed up and look down right scary in their western wardrobe with that hair and all that makeup they're wearing. My only complaint is that those five should have ended the video getting gunned down by the five real cowboys, but we don't get to see who even wins. I feel slightly ripped off by this video. Here is Ratt with "Wanted Man"...
Lyrics | Ratt lyrics - Wanted Man lyrics

 "Wanted Man"

 Single by Ratt
from the album Out of the Cellar
Released 1984
Format Vinyl LP, Cassette, CD
Recorded 1984
Genre Glam metal
Length 3:37
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Joey Cristofanilli, Robbin Crosby, Stephen Pearcy Producer Beau Hill

 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #87

Combed My Hair in a Pompadour

Like the rest of the Romeos wore - a permanent wave! Is Joel innocent? With cameos by Richard Pryor, Joe Piscapo, Dick Clark, and Christie Brinkley, here is another Joel classic - "Keeping the Faith"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Keeping The Faith lyrics "Keeping the Faith" Single by Billy Joel from the album An Innocent Man Released 1984 Format 7" Recorded 1983 Genre Pop rock Length 4:41 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18

And the Thunder Sounds Like Horses' Hooves

It's been since 2010 that I've featured the best beard in country music here in The Excellent 80's. With another country chart topper, here is a video from 1985 for Kenny Rogers and "Morning Desire"...
Lyrics | Kenny Rogers lyrics - Morning Desire lyrics

 "Morning Desire"
 Single by Kenny Rogers
from the album The Heart of the Matter B-side "People in Love"
Released October 7, 1985
Genre Country
Length 4:09
Label RCA
Writer(s) Dave Loggins Producer George Martin

 U.S. Country charts peak: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #72

Some People Stay Far Away From the Door

As our "Billy Joel July" rolls on here is a live version from Wembley Stadium in London in 1984, here is "An Innocent Man"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - An Innocent Man lyrics "An Innocent Man" Single by Billy Joel from the album An Innocent Man B-side "I'll Cry Instead" (live) Released December 1983 Format 7", 12" Genre Pop rock Length 5:17 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

80's Movie Weekend

I wasn't quite old enough to catch this R rated movie back in 1988 and I didn't sneak into it either, but it was geared probably more towards women then men so that gave it another strike in my book. It does star Lea Thompson and SNL's Victoria Jackson and features "The Diceman," Andrew Clay. That alone could make me want to rent it someday, plus there appears to be some great 80's fashion throughout the flick. Anyway, your 80's weekend movie is "Casual Sex?"... the trailer... various scenes from the movie, but I am going to start doing my crunches with emphasis like The Diceman does... Casual Sex? Directed by Geneviève Robert Produced by Ilona Herzberg Written by Wendy Goldman Judy Toll Starring Lea Thompson Victoria Jackson Stephen Shellen Jerry Levine Andrew Dice Clay Sandra Bernhard Music by Van Dyke Parks Cinematography Rolf Kestermann Editing by Donn Cambern Sheldon Kahn Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) April 22, 1988 Running time 103 min Country United States Language English Box office $12,277,096[1]

Friday Night I Crashed Your Party

Another one of Joel's big hits from his "Glass Houses" album. From 1980, it's the song about my life - "You May Be Right"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - You May Be Right lyrics "You May Be Right" Single by Billy Joel from the album Glass Houses Released 1980 Format 7" Recorded 1979 Genre Rock Length 4:15 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Bass! How Low Can You Go?

The original version of today's song was produced in 1987 and was the lead track from the album "It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back." In 1991, Public Enemy collaborated with Anthrax on a re-make of this song. So, originated in 1987, but updated in 1991, here is Public Enemy with Anthrax and "Bring the Noise"...
Lyrics | Public Enemy lyrics - Bring The Noise lyrics "Bring the Noise" Single by Public Enemy from the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back B-side "Are You My Woman?" by The Black Flames Released 1987 Format 12" Genre Hip hop Length 3:45 Label Def Jam Writer(s) Carl Ridenhour Hank Shocklee Eric "Vietnam" Sadler Producer The Bomb Squad U.S. R&B/Rap peak: #65

You Don't Know How Lucky You Are

What? Who's lucky? Originally a Beatles' song, today's Billy Joel choice is the first song released by Joel written by someone other than himself. Check out "Back in the USSR"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Back In The Ussr lyrics "Back in the USSR" by Billy Joel written by The Beatles released: 1987

Listen Boy, Don't Want To See You Let a Good Thing Slip Away

One of Joel's three number one hits during the 80's, and one of nine top 10 hits during the decade, here is "Tell Her About It"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Tell Her About It lyrics "Tell Her About It" Single by Billy Joel from the album An Innocent Man Released July 28, 1983 Format 7" vinyl Genre Pop rock Length 3:52 (Album version) 3:35 (Single version) Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone Certification Gold (RIAA) U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Bet She Never Had a Backstreet Guy

Depending upon who you believe, today's Billy Joel song was inspired by then girlfriend, super model Elle Macpherson, or future wife super model Christie Brinkley, or inspired by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I think a combination of all three is a nice way to tidy it up. Whatever the case, that alone ought to let you know what a stud Billy Joel was back in the 80's - he went from Elle to Christie! Probably two of the hottest women of the 80's, and Billy Joel was at one time with both. Now, he's with neither, and I'm not sure or not if he'd settle again for an "Uptown Girl"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Uptown Girl lyrics "Uptown Girl" Single by Billy Joel from the album An Innocent Man Released September 29, 1983 Format Vinyl (7")[1] Recorded 1983 Genre Pop rock Length 3:18 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone[1] Certification Gold (RIAA) U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

80's Movie Weekend

This weekend's 80's movie flashback takes us back to a stinker from 1987. The film featuring Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs and was directed by her mother Tamar Hoffs. It's the classic one final night film before graduation happens and changes everything, and unfortunately it bombed at the theaters. Also featuring Michelle's sister Dedee Pfeiffer and Joan Cusack, it's "The Allnighter"... the trailer... The Allnighter Directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs Produced by James L. Stewart Written by Tamar Simon Hoffs M.L. Kessler Starring Susanna Hoffs Dedee Pfeiffer Joan Cusack Pam Grier Michael Ontkean John Terlesky James Shanta Meshach Taylor Phillip Brock Music by Charles Bernstein Cinematography Joseph D. Urbanczyk Editing by Dan M. Rich Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) May 1, 1987 Running time 108 minutes Country United States Language English

Happy Friday the 13th!

Just because I can and felt the need this morning...
Lyrics | Rick Astley lyrics - Never Gonna Give You Up lyrics "Never Gonna Give You Up" Single by Rick Astley from the album Whenever You Need Somebody Released 27 July 1987 Format 7" single, 12" maxi Recorded 1 January 1987 Genre Dance-pop Length 3:32 Label RCA Records Writer(s) Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman Producer Stock Aitken Waterman U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

If You Said Goodbye to Me Tonight, There Still Would Be Music Left to Write

Oh Billy, Billy, Billy, Billy. Here is Mr. Joel with his 1984 hit "The Longest Time"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - The Longest Time lyrics "The Longest Time" Single by Billy Joel from the album An Innocent Man B-side "Christie Lee" Released April 1984 Format 12", CD Recorded 1983 Genre Doo-wop, a Capella Length 3:40 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14

My Clothes I Quickly, I Quickly Shed

This video is awesome. Plain and simple, it's absolutely 80's awesomeness. I don't remember this song or video, but after watching it I can't believe this didn't make a bigger splash on MTV in 1985. It's a little known band called The Family with a funky Prince-inspired sound released on Prince's Paisley Park Records. The background is incredible. The dress (some sort of pajamas/robe look), and the choreography is outstanding. Check out The Family with "The Screams of Passion"...
Lyrics | Family lyrics - The Screams Of Passion lyrics The Family Studio album by The Family Released August 19, 1985 Recorded 1984 - Paisley Park Genre Pop, R&B, funk, jazz Length 36:00 Label Paisley Park/Warner Bros. 25322 Producer Prince, David Z.

Knee Deep in the Hoopla

I probably hated this popular 80's song as much if not more than any other popular song of the 80's that went all the way to #1. That would explain why this is the first time in 4+ years of posting that I've posted the song and video. First off the band started off as Jefferson Airplane, then they were Jefferson Starship, and then after much court wrangling they were eventually just Starship. That's confusing enough. Like I've said many times before in here, I don't discriminate just because I don't like the song or video. Anyway, if you happen to like this song or video, I hope you enjoy this stupid song and this stupid video. It's "We Built This City"...
Lyrics | Starship lyrics - We Built This City lyrics "We Built This City" Single by Starship from the album Knee Deep in the Hoopla B-side Private Room (Instrumental) Released August 1, 1985 [1] Format 7" Recorded December 1984 Genre Pop rock Length 4:56 Label Grunt Writer(s) Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, Peter Wolf Producer Peter Wolf, Jeremy Smith[disambiguation needed] U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnny Ray

Not one of my favorite Billy Joel songs, but it made it all the way to #1 back in 1989. As our "Billy Joel July" rolls on, here is "We Didn't Start the Fire"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - We Didn't Start The Fire lyrics "We Didn't Start the Fire" Single by Billy Joel from the album Storm Front B-side "House of Blue Light" Released September 27, 1989 Format 7" single, 12" single, CD, Cassette Single Recorded 1989 Genre Rock Length 4:49 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Mick Jones Billy Joel Certification Gold (RIAA) U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

80's Movie Weekend

I never watched this weekend's 80's movie flashback, but I've got in on my radar screen now after checking out the cast that includes Andrew McCarthy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kevin Dillon, Donald Sutherland, Wallace Shawn, Stephen Geoffreys, John Heard, and Patrick Dempsey. From 1985, it's "Heaven Help Us"... the trailer... you can watch the full movie on youtube if you want. Here is part one... Heaven Help Us (Also known as Catholic Boys) Theatrical release poster Directed by Michael Dinner Produced by Mark Carliner Dan Wigutow Written by Charles Purpura Starring Andrew McCarthy Mary Stuart Masterson Kevin Dillon Donald Sutherland John Heard Distributed by TriStar Pictures Release date(s) February 8, 1985 Running time 1 hr. 44 min. Country United States Language English Box office Theatrical: $6,070,794 (USA)[citation needed] Rentals: $2,700,000 (USA)[citation needed]

There's One More Outfit

Today's R&B singer from Nassau, Bahammas will forever be remembered as the man that "Just Got Paid." That song is enough in my book to put you into Friday night jams legendary status. Unfortunately, that's really all Johnny Kemp will be remembered for from the 80's, but he did have one other top 40 hit. It climbed all the way up to #36 and was from the soundtrack of the motion picture "Sing" (which I never saw and don't remember at all). But I do remember this song. Here is Johnny with "Birthday Suit"...
Lyrics | Johnny Kemp lyrics - Birthday Suit lyrics

 "Birthday Suit"
 by Johnny Kemp
from the album: "Sing"
the album released: 1989

 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #36

Must Have Left My House At Eight

You can thank me later for today's song and video. With their last top 10 hit in Sweden, it's the Swedish super group ABBA from 1982 with "The Day Before You Came"... Must have left my house at eight, because I always do My train, I'm certain, left the station just when it was due I must have read the morning paper going into town And having gotten through the editorial, no doubt I must have frowned. I must have made my desk around a quarter after nine With letters to be read, and heaps of papers waiting to be signed I must have gone to lunch at half past twelve or so The usual place, the usual bunch And still on top of this I'm pretty sure it must have rained The day before you came. I must have lit my seventh cigarette at half past two And at the time I never even noticed I was blue I must have kept on dragging through the business of the day Without really knowing anything, I hid a part of me away. [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/agnetha_faltskog/the_day_before_you_came.html ] At five I must have left, there's no exception to the rule A matter of routine, I've done it ever since I finished school The train back home again Undoubtedly I must have read the evening paper then Oh yes, I'm sure my life was well within it's usual frame The day before you came. Must have opened my front door at eight o'clock or so And stopped along the way to buy some Chinese food to go I'm sure I had my dinner watching something on TV There's not, I think, a single episode of Dallas that I didn't see. I must have gone to bed around a quarter after ten I need a lot of sleep, and so I like to be in bed by then I must have read a while The latest one by Marilyn French or something in that style It's funny, but I had no sense of living without aim The day before you came. And turning out the light I must have yawned and cuddled up for yet another night And rattling on the roof I must have heard the sound of rain The day before you came. More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/agnetha_faltskog/#share "The Day Before You Came" Single by ABBA from the album The Singles: The First Ten Years B-side "Cassandra" Released 18 October 1982 Format 7" Single Recorded 20 August 1982 at Polar Music Studios Genre Pop / Synthpop Length 5:50 Writer(s) Benny Andersson Björn Ulvaeus Producer Benny Andersson Björn Ulvaeus

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th everyone! I hope you stay safe and well on our nation's birthday and do something patriotic today whether it be attending a fireworks' display, visiting with your favorite soldier, or taking in a movie like the patriotic "Top Gun." Being born in the Bronx, Billy Joel is as American as you can get I say, and we're having a "Billy Joel July" in The Excellent 80's this month, so here is another one of Joel's big hits - "Allentown"...
Lyrics | Billy Joel lyrics - Allentown lyrics "Allentown" Single by Billy Joel from the album The Nylon Curtain B-side "Elvis Presley Blvd." Released 1982 Format 7" Recorded 1982 Genre Pop/Rock Length 3:48 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17

Straight Up, I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson

OK, so I've been on an 80's video game kick the last few weeks. I so loved me some Mike Tyson Punch Out with Glass Joe, Piston Honda, Bald Bull, Mr. Sandman, my personal favorite - the pec-flexing Super Macho Man, and of course Mike Tyson. Here is a video of the game, and this guy makes it through the entire game getting hit only once... as an added bonus, I had to add the 1989 DJ Jazzy Jeff, Fresh Prince video for "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson"...
Lyrics | Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince lyrics - I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson lyrics "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" Single by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince from the album And in This Corner… Released February 28, 1989 Format 12" Recorded 1989 Genre Rap Length 4:50 Label Jive/Zomba Writer(s) Smith, Townes, Harris Producer Smith, Townes, New, Harris

What's the Matter With the Clothes I'm Wearing?

It's July and it's hot! And it's time for another month here in The Excellent 80's featuring an artist that had numerous videos and hits throughout the 80's. His name is William Martin Joel, born in May of 1949. Because of his massive number of hits, we are just featuring those from the 80's, so there won't be any 70's hits like "Piano Man," or "She's Always A Woman," or any from the 90's like "River of Dreams." Paying homage to his hits of the 80's, it's a "Billy Joel July," and we're kicking it off with a #1 hit from 1980 - "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me"...
Lyrics | Laptop lyrics - It's Still Rock 'N' Roll To Me lyrics "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" Single by Billy Joel from the album Glass Houses B-side "Through The Long Night" Released 1980 Format 7" vinyl Recorded 1979 Genre Rock and roll Length 2:57 Label Columbia Writer(s) Billy Joel Producer Phil Ramone Certification Platinum (RIAA) U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1