This Is the Night, You'll See the Light

Tonight is the night for The Excellent 80's. It's the night I'll be in Tulsa to take in the Van Halen concert with opening act Kool and the Gang! I'll try to post some pics and video when I can. But for now, here is a double dip - one from Kool and the Gand, and one from Van Halen. First up is the appropriately titled 1984 hit from Kool and the Gang - "Tonight"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Tonight lyrics

"Tonight"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: In the Heart
released: 1984

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13


And also from 1984 and the album that pushed Van Halen into mainstream popularity on the Billboard pop charts, it's the never-gets-old #1 hit "Jump"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - Jump lyrics

"Jump"

Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
A-side "Jump"
B-side "House of Pain"
Released January 5, 1984
Recorded 5150 Studios, Studio City, California, 1983
Genre Hard rock, New Wave, synthpop
Length 4:03
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen
Alex Van Halen
Michael Anthony
David Lee Roth
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

We Gotta Cool This Anger

It's funny what lyrics we make up in our heads when we're younger and we don't know any better. In this song by Kool and the Gang, there is a line that goes "We gotta cool this anger. What a mess we made." I used to think it said "We gotta pull the finger. What a mess we made." I like my lyrics better, but I will admit they are horribly wrong.

I love at the beginning of this live performance from Kool and the Gang, lead singer J.T. Taylor asks Michael how he feels and Michael just responds with an oooohhh. No words needed, just an ooohhhh. Here is Kool and the Gang with "Too Hot"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Too Hot lyrics

"Too Hot"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: Ladies Night
released: 1980

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

Get Your Back Up Off the Wall

Continuing on with our week long tribute to Van Halen and Kool and the Gang, here is a mess of a video from Kool and the Gang. I don't know who thought this would look good, but it's an utter disaster. I love the song, but I can't watch this video. Maybe you can. Best of luck to you as you try to enjoy Kool and the Gang with "Get Down On It"...



Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Get Down On It lyrics "Get Down on It"
Single by Kool & The Gang
from the album Something Special
Released December 1981
Format 7"
Recorded 1981
Genre Funk, R&B
Length 4:52
3:33 (7")
Label De-Lite Records

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

I Need a Taxi.

So, I have tickets to go see Van Halen in Tulsa in a little over a week, and I'm getting pretty pumped about that. So, with that being the case, The Excellent 80's will be bringing you some Van Halen and also some videos from their opening act - Kool and the Gang up until May 1st. Here is Kool and the Gang with their 1985 hit "Emergency"...




Lyrics | Kool & The Gang lyrics - Emergency lyrics

"Emergency"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: Emergency
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18

No Time For Wasting Baby

I recently gave a shout out to the great rock band Van Halen due to the release of their new album and subsequent tour coming up. One of the interesting things about their upcoming tour is their opening act - Kool and the Gang. Yes, the great R&B band from the 70's and 80's. Strange? Yes. Possibly a little awkward? Sure. I love Van Halen, but I also love me some Papa Bell "Kool" and the Gang. Here is a #1 R&B song from 1981 from Kool and the Gang - it's "Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Take My Heart lyrics

"Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)"

by Kool and the Gang
released: 1981
from the album: "Something Special"

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
U.S. R&B singles peak: #1

You're the One, the One for Me

I have to say that Kool and the Gang is one of my all-time favorite groups. Just the uniqueness of the band and all of its different sounds and instruments they implemented make them stand out above many of the other R&B groups of the time. Of course, the smooth vocals of James "J.T." Taylor lend an easy sound to the ear. I never met anyone named Joanna, but if I would have and had fallen in love, this was the perfect song. Alas, here is that hit from 1983 and the accompanying video for "Joanna"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Joanna lyrics

"Joanna"
Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album In the Heart
Released 1983
Genre R&B-Pop
Length 4:02
Label Polygram

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
U.S. R&B charts: #1

Lovely Lady, Pretty As Can Be

I challenge anyone to top this remake of the fairy tale "Cinderella." All it took was this three or four minute video to fully capture the true essence of the classic story. Oh, and some sexy Cinderella dancing was added to spice things up a little bit. Starring James "J.T." Taylor as Prince Charming and lead vocalist for Kool and the Gang, here is "Fresh"...




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Fresh lyrics

"Fresh"
Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Emergency
Released 1984
Format 7" vinyl
Recorded 1984
Genre R&B, Post-Disco, Dance-pop
Length 3:42
Label De-Lite, Mercury
Producer Kool & The Gang, Jim Bonnefond

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

Late At Night, Body's Yearning

It was the end of 2007 the last time I posted a video of today's group led by the man simply known as "Kool." This is some great acting in today's video, but it's definitely one of my favorite songs from Kool and the Gang. From 1985, here is the weird all-white woman dancing around Robert "Kool" Bell in a weird video, but a cool song - "Misled"




Lyrics | Kool And The Gang lyrics - Misled lyrics

"Misled"

by Kool and the Gang
from the album: Emergency
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10

We Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight

In the Excellent 80's... ok, one of the most recognizable and most played songs ever... Kool and the Gang help you get your celebratory groove on as we approach a new year... "Celebration"...




Celebration Lyrics

"Celebration"

Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Celebrate!
Released 1980
Format 7" Vinyl Single
Genre Funk
Length 5:00
Label Mercury Records
Writer Robert Bell
Kool & the Gang

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1