Ahh... nothing says sweet syrupy love like Peter Cetera's voice... the band Chicago helps you kick in those Valentine's vibes even more today with "You're The Inspiration"...
“You're the Inspiration”
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago 17
B-side "Once In a Lifetime"
Released November 1984
Format 7"
Genre Rock
Length 3:49
Label Full Moon/Warner Bros.
Writer Peter Cetera, David Foster
Producer David Foster
US Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
US Adult Contemporary peak: #1
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Why Does It Hurt So Bad?
the little boys from Boston have grown up some as this marks the first big hit post-Bobby Brown... with the new addition of Johnny Gill, here is New Edition with "If It Isn't Love"...
“If It Isn't Love”
Single by New Edition
from the album Heart Break
Released July 1988
Format Cassette single, CD single, Vinyl single
Recorded 1987–1988
Genre R&B/Pop
Length 5.09
Label MCA
Writer James Harris, Terry Lewis
Producer Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
US Pop Charts Peak: #7
US R&B Charts Peak: #2
“If It Isn't Love”
Single by New Edition
from the album Heart Break
Released July 1988
Format Cassette single, CD single, Vinyl single
Recorded 1987–1988
Genre R&B/Pop
Length 5.09
Label MCA
Writer James Harris, Terry Lewis
Producer Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
US Pop Charts Peak: #7
US R&B Charts Peak: #2
Monday, February 11, 2008
In My Life, There's Been Heartache and Pain
Valentine's Day is just days away and when I think of slow sappy love songs from the 80's, this next one always makes my short list... all the slo-mo camera work and that gospel choir coming in at the end to really blow it out, here is the great 80's band Foreigner and "I Want To Know What Love Is"...
“I Want to Know What Love Is”
Single by Foreigner
from the album Agent Provocateur
Released November/December 1984
Genre Power ballad
Length 05:05
Label Atlantic Records
Writer Mick Jones
Producer Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Chart Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100: 1
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks: 1
UK Singles Chart: 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary: 3
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: 85
“I Want to Know What Love Is”
Single by Foreigner
from the album Agent Provocateur
Released November/December 1984
Genre Power ballad
Length 05:05
Label Atlantic Records
Writer Mick Jones
Producer Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Chart Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100: 1
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks: 1
UK Singles Chart: 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary: 3
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: 85
Sunday, February 10, 2008
However Do You Want Me
this video is kind of grainy, but this video and song takes me back and reminds me of a good friend of mine who played this song on a loop for days on end... Soul II Soul and "Back To Life"...
“Back To Life”
Single by Soul II Soul
from the album Club Classics Vol. I
Released June 17, 1989
Format 7" single
12" maxi single
Cassette
CD single
Genre R&B, Dance
Length 3:52
Label Virgin
Writer Jazzie B
Caron Wheeler
Nellee Hooper
Law
Producer Jazzie B
Nellee Hooper
Chart (1989) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 4
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 1
U.S. Billboard Dance Club Play 1
U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 3
UK Singles Chart 1
“Back To Life”
Single by Soul II Soul
from the album Club Classics Vol. I
Released June 17, 1989
Format 7" single
12" maxi single
Cassette
CD single
Genre R&B, Dance
Length 3:52
Label Virgin
Writer Jazzie B
Caron Wheeler
Nellee Hooper
Law
Producer Jazzie B
Nellee Hooper
Chart (1989) Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 4
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 1
U.S. Billboard Dance Club Play 1
U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 3
UK Singles Chart 1
Saturday, February 9, 2008
80's Movie Weekend
Still one of the best movies ever... why is everything so "heavy?"... it's Doc Brown and Marty Mcfly in Michael J. Fox's best movie ever - "Back To The Future"...
It's time for Marty to go back to the future!
Of course, what would this post be without the hit song by Huey Lewis and the News... "The Power of Love"...
"The Power of Love"
French 7-inch single cover.
Single by Huey Lewis & the News
from the album Back to the Future Soundtrack
Released 1985
Format 7-Inch
Genre Rock
Length 3:59
Label Chrysalis Records
Writer Chris Hayes, Huey Lewis
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Back to the Future
Back to the Future film poster
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Produced by Bob Gale
Steven Spielberg
Neil Canton
Kathleen Kennedy
Frank Marshall
Johnny Colla (uncredited)
Written by Robert Zemeckis
Bob Gale
Starring Michael J. Fox
Christopher Lloyd
Lea Thompson
Crispin Glover
Thomas F. Wilson
Music by Alan Silvestri
Cinematography Dean Cundey
Editing by Harry Keramidas
Arthur Schmidt
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) July 3, 1985
Running time 116 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget US$19,000,000
Gross revenue US$381,109,762
(worldwide)
Followed by Back to the Future Part II
It's time for Marty to go back to the future!
Of course, what would this post be without the hit song by Huey Lewis and the News... "The Power of Love"...
"The Power of Love"
French 7-inch single cover.
Single by Huey Lewis & the News
from the album Back to the Future Soundtrack
Released 1985
Format 7-Inch
Genre Rock
Length 3:59
Label Chrysalis Records
Writer Chris Hayes, Huey Lewis
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Back to the Future
Back to the Future film poster
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Produced by Bob Gale
Steven Spielberg
Neil Canton
Kathleen Kennedy
Frank Marshall
Johnny Colla (uncredited)
Written by Robert Zemeckis
Bob Gale
Starring Michael J. Fox
Christopher Lloyd
Lea Thompson
Crispin Glover
Thomas F. Wilson
Music by Alan Silvestri
Cinematography Dean Cundey
Editing by Harry Keramidas
Arthur Schmidt
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) July 3, 1985
Running time 116 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget US$19,000,000
Gross revenue US$381,109,762
(worldwide)
Followed by Back to the Future Part II
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Where Do We Go Now?
Attention all you snake-dancing Axl wannebes, it's GNR making their first appearance on The Excellent 80's, and I'm sure they are just thrilled... everybody now, Whoooa... "Sweet Child o' Mine"...
"Sweet Child o' Mine"
Single by Guns N' Roses
from the album Appetite for Destruction
Released 1988
Format Vinyl single (7", 12")
Cassette
CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:56
Label Geffen
Writer Axl Rose
Slash
Izzy Stradlin
Duff McKagan
Steven Adler
Producer Mike Clink
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
And, in case you've never seen the 80's hair band tribute band called Metal Skool, you can check out their version of the G&R version from above with a little extra bonus of Tony Romo and a wasted Jessica Simpson "helping" out (note: there is some r-rated language)...
"Sweet Child o' Mine"
Single by Guns N' Roses
from the album Appetite for Destruction
Released 1988
Format Vinyl single (7", 12")
Cassette
CD
Recorded 1987
Genre Hard rock
Length 5:56
Label Geffen
Writer Axl Rose
Slash
Izzy Stradlin
Duff McKagan
Steven Adler
Producer Mike Clink
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
And, in case you've never seen the 80's hair band tribute band called Metal Skool, you can check out their version of the G&R version from above with a little extra bonus of Tony Romo and a wasted Jessica Simpson "helping" out (note: there is some r-rated language)...
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Thriller Is 25
In celebration of an album that made Michael Jackson the king of pop, a lot of today's artists have collaberated and re-done some of the original songs and you can check them out here. I'm throwing out a little love for MJ today... They told him don't you ever come around here... with Eddie Van Halen on guitar, it's "Beat It"...
Song lyrics | Beat It lyrics
“Beat It”
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
Released March 1983
Recorded 1982
Genre Hard rock
Pop Rock
Length 4:16
Label Epic Records
Writer Michael Jackson
Producer Quincy Jones
Song lyrics | Beat It lyrics
“Beat It”
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
Released March 1983
Recorded 1982
Genre Hard rock
Pop Rock
Length 4:16
Label Epic Records
Writer Michael Jackson
Producer Quincy Jones
Is It Me You're Looking For?
Gotta get some Lionel here in the Excellent 80's... One of the sappiest love songs of the 80's, but a guilty pleasure for many... don't deny it... what drama! what acting! it's Mr. Reynolds and "Hello"...
"Hello"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Can't Slow Down
B-side You Mean More To Me
Released 1984
Genre Pop
Length 4:07
Label Motown
Writer Lionel Richie
Producer Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
US Billboard Peak: #1
UK Peak: #1
"Hello"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Can't Slow Down
B-side You Mean More To Me
Released 1984
Genre Pop
Length 4:07
Label Motown
Writer Lionel Richie
Producer Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
US Billboard Peak: #1
UK Peak: #1
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
No More Love On the Run
It's the song and video that made Billy Ocean a rich man and a household name... puppet band members way before N'Sync ever decided to do it... here is "Caribbean Queen"...
"Caribbean Queen"
Single by Billy Ocean
from the album Suddenly
Released 1984
Genre R&B
Length 7:55
Label Jive
Writer Billy Ocean
Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Certification Gold
US Peak: #1
"Caribbean Queen"
Single by Billy Ocean
from the album Suddenly
Released 1984
Genre R&B
Length 7:55
Label Jive
Writer Billy Ocean
Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Certification Gold
US Peak: #1
Monday, February 4, 2008
We All Need Love
I'll lay down my jacket so you can walk over a puddle... the first slow rap jam that crossed over to the mainstream... I can still go word for word with this rap... thank you, LL for this romantic very fitting February jam... "I Need Love"...
"I Need Love"
Single by LL Cool J
from the album Bigger and Deffer
Released Fall 1987
Format 12" vinyl
Recorded 1987
Genre Hip hop
Length 5:23
Label Def Jam
Writer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse
Producer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse
#1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts
Billboard Hot 100 charts peak: #14.
The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987.
"I Need Love"
Single by LL Cool J
from the album Bigger and Deffer
Released Fall 1987
Format 12" vinyl
Recorded 1987
Genre Hip hop
Length 5:23
Label Def Jam
Writer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse
Producer LL Cool J, L.A. Posse
#1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts
Billboard Hot 100 charts peak: #14.
The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Don't Come Around Here No More
This year's Super Bowl halftime performer has been making ago of it for a long time... one strange video for its' time... "Don't Come Around Here No More"...
1985
from the album: Southern Accents
1985
from the album: Southern Accents
Friday, February 1, 2008
80's Movie Weekend
It's officially February... the month of love... and so, you all will get some romantic songs and movies of the 80's leading up to Valentine's Day...
Here's the romantic wraslin' movie with Matthew Modine called "Vision Quest"... here's the wall climb scene with John Waite's singing in the background... pumps me up everytime...
Six minutes with Shute and a little bonus Journey music to wrap it up...
From the "Vision Quest" soundtrack, it's Madonna and the romantic ballad "Crazy For You"...
"Crazy for You"
Single by Madonna
from the album Vision Quest Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-side "No More Words"
(performed by Berlin)
"Gambler" (Japan)
1991 Release:
"Keep It Together" (Remix)
"Into the Groove" (Shep Pettibone Remix)
Released March 2, 1985
June 5, 1985 (UK/Japan)
February 24, 1991 (UK re-release)
Format 12" Maxi Single, 7" Single Shaped Picture Disc, CD Single, Cassette Single
Genre Ballad
Label Geffen, Warner Bros., CBS (1985)
Sire, Warner Bros.
(1991 Re-issue)
Writer John Bettis (lyricist)
Jon Lind (composer)
Producer John "Jellybean" Benitez
Certification Gold (UK, U.S.)
Chart (1985) Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales 2
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 80
United Kingdom 2
Vision Quest
Directed by Harold Becker
Produced by Jon Peters
Peter Guber
Written by Terry Davis (novel)
Darryl Ponicsan
Starring Matthew Modine
Linda Fiorentino
Michael Schoeffling
Ronny Cox
Harold Sylvester
Daphne Zuniga
Music by Tangerine Dream
Cinematography Owen Roizman
Editing by Maury Winetrobe
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s) February 15, 1985
Running time 105 min.
Country
Language English
Gross revenue $12,993,175
Here's the romantic wraslin' movie with Matthew Modine called "Vision Quest"... here's the wall climb scene with John Waite's singing in the background... pumps me up everytime...
Six minutes with Shute and a little bonus Journey music to wrap it up...
From the "Vision Quest" soundtrack, it's Madonna and the romantic ballad "Crazy For You"...
"Crazy for You"
Single by Madonna
from the album Vision Quest Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-side "No More Words"
(performed by Berlin)
"Gambler" (Japan)
1991 Release:
"Keep It Together" (Remix)
"Into the Groove" (Shep Pettibone Remix)
Released March 2, 1985
June 5, 1985 (UK/Japan)
February 24, 1991 (UK re-release)
Format 12" Maxi Single, 7" Single Shaped Picture Disc, CD Single, Cassette Single
Genre Ballad
Label Geffen, Warner Bros., CBS (1985)
Sire, Warner Bros.
(1991 Re-issue)
Writer John Bettis (lyricist)
Jon Lind (composer)
Producer John "Jellybean" Benitez
Certification Gold (UK, U.S.)
Chart (1985) Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales 2
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 80
United Kingdom 2
Vision Quest
Directed by Harold Becker
Produced by Jon Peters
Peter Guber
Written by Terry Davis (novel)
Darryl Ponicsan
Starring Matthew Modine
Linda Fiorentino
Michael Schoeffling
Ronny Cox
Harold Sylvester
Daphne Zuniga
Music by Tangerine Dream
Cinematography Owen Roizman
Editing by Maury Winetrobe
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s) February 15, 1985
Running time 105 min.
Country
Language English
Gross revenue $12,993,175
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