It's simply one of the most annoying Christmas time songs going. Just before the clock turned from 1979 to 1980, Paul McCartney recorded this holiday staple. If you can stomach it another time, here is "Wonderful Christmastime"...
Some type of "aid" was all the rage back in the 80's with Band-Aid, Live Aid, and Farm-Aid, and we also had Ferry Aid. Don't remember it? Ferry Aid were a British-American ensemble group, brought together to record the iconic Beatles' song "Let It Be" in 1987. The single was released following the Zeebrugge Disaster, which had occurred on the 6th of March 1987 involving the capsizing of the MS Herald of Free Enterprise ferry, which killed 193 passengers and crew. All the proceeds from the single went towards a charity set up to benefit the families of those that perished. I don't really remember this nor do I remember this song. Probably because I was living my little sheltered life in the U.S. mid-west. Anyway, I really only recognize Sir Paul McCartney and Boy George in this video, but here is Ferry Aid with "Let It Be"...
Lyrics | Beatles lyrics - Let It Be lyrics
"Let It Be"
Single by Ferry Aid
B-side "Let It Be (The Gospel Jam Mix)"
"Let It Be (Mega Message Mix)"
Released 23 March 1987
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 15–17 March 1987
Genre Pop
Length 6:08
Label CBS
Writer(s) Lennon–McCartney
Producer Stock Aitken Waterman
Certification UK: gold (500,000 copies)
In honor of Sir Paul McCartney's recent third marriage, let's take a look back at his hit from 1984 off of the "Give My Regards to Broad Street" soundtrack album. I'm not sure what the first minute of the video accomplishes, but it's not too bad of an effort overall. Here is McCartney with "No More Lonely Nights"... Congrats on the new marriage, Paul!
Single by Paul and Linda McCartney from the album Give My Regards to Broad Street B-side "No More Lonely Nights (Playout Version)" (original pressing); "No More Lonely Nights (Special Dance Mix)" (later pressing) Released 24 September 1984 Format 7" single Recorded Abbey Road - 1983 Genre Rock, Power Ballad Length 4:42 (Ballad version) 4:35 (Playout version) Label Parlophone R6080(stereo) Columbia (US & Canada) Writer(s) Paul McCartney Producer George Martin
After featuring Pete Townshend yesterday with a solo hit while on hiatus from The Who, The Excellent 80's is featuring another member of an iconic rock band. Maybe you've heard of The Beatles. They had one or two hits. After they all went their separate ways, Paul McCartney kept churning out hits with his group Wings and as a solo artist. This 1980 hit of his featured him playing all of the instruments while wife Linda McCartney provided backup vocals. According to the always accurate wikipedia page, this video is an early example of electronic trickery, with Paul McCartney playing ten roles and Linda McCartney playing two. The "band" identifies itself as "The Plastic Macs" on the drum kit, which is a nod to Lennon's "Plastic Ono Band." Here is "Coming Up"...
Single by Paul McCartney
from the album McCartney II
B-side "Coming Up" (Live at Glasgow)
"Lunchbox/Odd Sox"
(both with Wings)
Released 11 April 1980
Format 7"
Genre Funk rock
Label Parlophone/EMI (UK)
Columbia (US)
Writer(s) Paul McCartney
Producer Paul McCartney
In the mid-80's, Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase were two of the biggest Hollywood stars going. The two paired up in 1986 on slapstick comedy called "Spies Like Us" which produced a pretty decent film with a few laughs.
the trailer...
I always thought the test taking scene was pretty funny...
training time...
even the late, great Bob Hope makes an appearance...
Sir Paul McCartney sung the title track to the movie and it fared pretty well breaking into the top 10 on the U.S. charts back in 1986. Here is "Spies Like Us"...
"Spies Like Us" Single by Paul McCartney B-side "My Carnival" (Paul McCartney & Wings) Released November 18, 1985 Format single Recorded 1985 Genre Pop/Rock Length 4:48 Label Parlophone/EMI
Today's song should inspire you with it's subliminal message... ahh, who am I kidding... I just enjoy the video because Stevie Wonder is sporting a sweet 80's afro... dressed in black and white and singing about living in perfect harmony, it's Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney with their #1 hit "Ebony and Ivory"...
""Ebony and Ivory" (song)" Single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder from the album Tug of War B-side "Rainclouds" Released March 29, 1982 Format 7" Recorded 1981 Genre Pop/R&B Label Parlophone/EMI (UK) Columbia (US) Writer(s) Paul McCartney Producer George Martin
Chart (1982) ↓ Peak position ↓ UK Singles Chart 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 U.S. Billboard AC 1
Michael's success was primarily solo though you can attribute some of his hits to duets, most notably with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. The duo of Sir Paul and Michael hit it big with the 1982 single "The Girl is Mine" which peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was the first single released from the "Thriller" album in 1982... a year later (even though this song was recorded before "The Girl is Mine"), the duo followed up for this single which appeared on Paul McCartney's album "Pipes of Peace"... from 1983, and featuring sister LaToya, here is "Say, Say, Say"...
Single by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson from the album Pipes of Peace B-side "Ode to a Koala Bear" Released October 9, 1983 Format 7" single Recorded 1983 Genre Pop Length 3:55 Label Parlophone Records Writer(s) Michael Jackson Paul McCartney Producer George Martin Certification Platinum
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Here is Michael's 1995 duet with sister Janet, who at the time was putting out more hits than her older brother... written, composed, and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "Scream"/"Childhood" would become the first single in the 37 year history of Billboard to debut at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked... they both seem very angry in this video...
Single by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I Released May 31, 1995 Format CD single, cassette single, 7" single Recorded February 1995 Genre Pop, R&B, hip hop, funk, rock ("Scream")[1][2] Pop ("Childhood")[1] Length "Scream" - 4:39 "Childhood" - 4:27 Label Epic Writer(s) Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Producer Michael Jackson Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Certification Platinum (RIAA) [3]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
And, of course, who can forget the forgettable duet with Eddie Murphy in 1992 - the corny graphics and a video that should be an 80's video, but somehow slipped into the 90's, here is "Whatzupwitu"
I know it's Janet Jackson June, but I thought I'd throw in a little family for baby Janet... You know what I'm talking about here... fake strength juice, a lame Vaudeville act... it's the second successful teaming of McCartney and big brother Michael Jackson with "Say Say Say"... sister LaToya also stars in the video...
Single by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson from the album Pipes of Peace B-side "Ode to a Koala Bear" Released October 9, 1983 Recorded Summer 1981 Genre R&B/Soul Length 3:55 (Album version) 5:40 (Extended version) Label Parlophone Records Producer George Martin
Recently voted lamest duet of all time by some publication in the U.K. But what the hell does the U.K. know about classic American 80's videos and music? I say nothing! It's not my favorite duet, but if you love it, feel free to sing along with Paul and Stevie. This video may be scary for some people (October theme creeping in), but I love Stevie's afro.. it's Ebony and Ivory...
Single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder from the album Tug of War Released March 29, 1982 Format 7" Recorded 1981 Genre Soft rock Label Parlophone/EMI (UK) Columbia (US) Writer(s) Paul McCartney Producer(s) George Martin Peak chart positions #1 (UK Singles Chart) #1 (United States Billboard Hot 100) #1 (Germany) #1 (Norway) #2 (Sweden) #2 (Switzerland) #2 (Australia Kent Music Report) #3 (Austria) #26 (Japan Oricon Weekly Singles Chart)
If you grew up during the 80's and still have a soft spot in your heart for mullets, leg warmers, Pacman, and you still remember who you had a crush on whenever you hear REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling," then I hope you get some enjoyment here as we blast through the world of music videos, tv shows, sports, cartoons, and movie clips from the 1980's.
