Somebody I Never Met

It's another "UK Thursday" here in The Excellent 80's where we are traveling back in time to the 80's and across the pond to check out some of the hits that didn't really chart in the U.S., but were big in the UK. Today's band was formed by The Clash's former guitarist and singer Mick Jones, and was known as Big Audio Dynamite. This song hit #11 in the UK in 1986 and did make the U.S. dance charts probably becoming the group's most well known song in the states. Here is Big Audio Dynamite making their Excellent 80's debut with the confusing "E=MC2." I dig the serious dread locks in this video!




Lyrics | Big Audio Dynamite lyrics - E=mc2 lyrics

"E=MC2"
Single by Big Audio Dynamite
from the album This Is Big Audio Dynamite
Released 1986
Format 7", 12"
Genre Rock
Length 5:55
Label CBS
Writer(s) Mick Jones, Don Letts
Producer Mick Jones

UK peak: #11

All Through the Night

Today's hit song off of the album "She's So Unusual" is a live performance because this is the only hit of Cyndi Lauper's that no official video was released with. The song broke the top 10 and is actually a cover of a 1983 song written and recorded by little known U.S. artist Jules Shear. Here is Cyndi with "All Through the Night"...


Cyndi Lauper - All Through The Night by Zerenodo


Lyrics | Cyndi Lauper lyrics - All Through The Night lyrics

"All Through the Night"
Single by Cyndi Lauper
from the album She's So Unusual
B-side "Witness"
Released May 28, 1984
Format 7"
Recorded 1983
Genre Pop
Length 4:29 (Single Edit)
4:33 (Album Version)
Label Epic
Writer(s) Jules Shear
Producer Rick Chertoff
Certification Gold (CRIA)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5

I Make My Living Off the Evening News

From 1982 and his solo debut, here is Don Henley singing about that "Dirty Laundry"...


Don Henley - Dirty Laundry Live by rvdgu2006


Lyrics | Don Henley lyrics - Dirty Laundry lyrics

"Dirty Laundry"
Single by Don Henley
from the album I Can't Stand Still
B-side "Lilah"
Released October 1982
Format 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave, rock, dance-rock, hard rock
Length 5:36
Label Asylum
Writer(s) Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar
Producer Don Henley, Greg Ladanyi
Certification Gold (RIAA)

I Wonder Who She's Seeing Tonight

The year was 1982 and Rick Springfield was fast becoming every school girl's fantasy. On the heels of his album "Working Class Dog" he released "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet" which produced the hits "Don't Talk to Strangers," "I Get Excited" and today's top 25 hit. Here is the Australian singer-song-writer, musician, and actor born in 1949 (yep, he's over 50) with "What Kind of Fool Am I"...




Lyrics | Rick Springfield lyrics - What Kind Of Fool Am I lyrics

"What Kind of Fool Am I"

by Rick Springfield
from the album: Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet
released: 1982

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

One of my favorite sports weekends of the year kicked off on Thursday with flowers in full bloom, green jackets, and "Amen Corner." As Jim Nantz will tell you, it's a tradition unlike any other. The Masters tournament moves into high gear today and concludes tomorrow. Augusta National golf course opened in 1933, but there was probably no better place to be then on the backside in 1986 - 25 years ago. It was on that afternoon that the Golden Bear rallied and overtook Seve Ballesteros to become the oldest Masters champion at the age of 46.

The video is not very good, but I still love to listen to the commentary and the fact that the highlights are to one of the best songs of the 80's, that doesn't hurt either.

He's The Overweight Lover

Coolin' in my crib, and I'm cold maxin'. That's what I'm doing when I'm checking out today's video from 1989 from the large and in charge big man known as Heavy D. Here he is with his boyz in his colorful clothes and style and telling the world what we already knew... "Gyrlz They Love Me"... he's the overweight lover, Heavy D!



Coolin in my crib and I'm cold, maxin
Call up a cutie, I'm in the mood for relaxin
Get my phone book from, top o' the shelf
I'll dial 66 - hm, I better keep it to myself
Call up a cutie with a triple star next to it
She says, "Hello, " we con-versate a bit
Invite her over for a candlelight dinner
Believe me when I tell you that this girlie is a winner
Shortly after that, I hear the doorbell ring
Turn on the radio, Anita Baker starts to sing
Open up the door and I kiss her on the cheek
She's so nice, polite, petite, so sweet
Sit her on the couch and uh, remove her coat
Squat next to her, *ahem* clear my throat
Whisper in her ear, told her what she wants to hear
Let her know that, "Have no fear - Heavy D.'s here"
And...

Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me
(Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!)
Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me
(Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!)

Take my hand, walk with me
I'm the imperial, Overweight Lover MC Heavy D.
Now that I've introduced myself correctly
Do you have a moment to spend some time with me?
Would you like a drink, maybe a Piña, Colada
A strawberry Daiquiri, a wine from Havana
It really doesn't matter, the choice is yours
And when you're through with your drink, we'll take a walk out-doors
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Gazed at the stars, walked down the boardwalk
Sit by the beach and talk lover's talk
Make a quick call on my cellular phone
Some type of limousine to pick us up and take us home
Ahh! - an enjoyable night
The mood was smooth and everything was alright
It may be hard for you, but it's easy for me
Cause girls, the girls, the girls, THEY LOVE ME!

Me, Glenn, and Troy went to a disco (word)
Pete Rock and CL Smooth was on stage drinkin Cisco
Damien had his girl Michelle (of course!)
Craig Boogie had a girl that I never seen before
Eddie F. was home makin a beat
Mick T. was at the crib on a hundred and twenty-two street (chillin)
Tootie had a cutie that was dope (Damn!)
Groovy Lou, Quan, and Little Dow was crackin jokes (YOU BIG!)
Grapp had the dancefloor packed (GO, GO, GO)
Joe Black was in the corner lookin meanie when he {? }
Tommy, George, Jeff and Butta was on the spot
Buyin champagne from the crew a hundred dollars a pop!
Me, I was casin the joint
Clockin all the people as they stared and point
It feels really good to be Heavy D.
Because the girls, the girls, they LOVE me!

Gyrlz they, gyrlz they love me...

(Cause he's The Overweight Lover Heavy D!)


"Gyrlz They Love Me"

by Heavy D and the Boys
from the album: "Big Tyme"
released: 1989

Searching For Some Company

Occasionally, I like to take a trip down 80's memory lane across the pond so to speak. I've decided for the next couple of months on every Thursday, The Excellent 80's will bring you one of those hits in the UK that didn't necessarily chart very big here in the U.S. So to start off our "UK Thursday," here is the first appearance by the British synth pop band known as Bronski Beat. The openly gay band never achieved much success or notoriety in the States, but had quite a few hits in the UK. Here is one such dance club hit from 1986 called "Hit That Perfect Beat"...




Lyrics | Bronski Beat lyrics - Hit That Perfect Beat lyrics

"Hit That Perfect Beat"
Single by Bronski Beat
from the album Truthdare Doubledare
Released 1985
Format 7", 12"
Genre Synthpop
Length 3:38
Label London Records
Producer Adam Williams

UK peak: #3

Well He Was Just Seventeen

Today's feature took a perfectly good Beatles tune, and turned it on its head by changing one word. Instead of "I Saw Her Standing There," 80's pop icon Tiffany changed the song to "I Saw Him Standing There," and somehow produced a top 10 single with it. Doing her best Joan Jett/Pat Benetar impersonation with her voice her is the red head from 1987 with "I Saw Him Standing There"...




Lyrics | Tiffany lyrics - I Saw Him Standing There lyrics

"I Saw Him Standing There"
Single by Tiffany
from the album Tiffany
B-side "Mr. Mambo & Gotta Be Love"
Released March 1988
Format 7" single, 12" single, Cassette single
Recorded 1987
Genre Synth-pop
Length 4:12
Label MCA Records
Writer(s) Lennon/McCartney
Producer George Tobin

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Sitting on the Doorstep of the House I Can't Afford

Today's video and song is my favorite of from the son of John Lennon - Mr. Julian Lennon. It was his first single from his debut album of the same name. From 1984, here is the top ten hit "Valotte"...




Lyrics | Julian Lennon lyrics - Valotte lyrics

"Valotte"
Single by Julian Lennon
from the album Valotte
Released October 1984 (1984-10) (US)
December 1984 (1984-12) (UK)
Format 7", 12"
Genre Rock
Length 4:15
Label Atlantic (US)
Charisma Records (UK)
Writer(s) Julian Lennon, Justin Clayton, Carlton Morales
Producer Phil Ramone

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

The Ball is Tipped

There you are. You're running for your life. You're a shooting star.

The Road to the Final Four is over and only one game remains for the NCAA Men's Championship. At the end of the game, we will get to see our montage of the tournament with "One Shining Moment" as the soundtrack.

The song was written by David Barrett after watching Larry Bird's run to the NCAA title game in 1979. The first use of the song by CBS was after the Indiana win in 1987 and has played every year following the championship game and has been performed by Barrett, then by Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, and last year by Jennifer Hudson.

I was a senior in high school in 1989 and watched the finals between Michigan and Seton Hall at my high school basketball coach's house. It's a memory I still treasure to this day and this song is so nostalgic that it's become one of my favorite things about the NCAA tournament to this day. Here is the "One Shining Moment" montage from 1989...

80's Movie Weekend

In 1981, George Hamilton gave his own spirited twist to one of Americana's classic swashbuckling heroes. George, playing the character Don Diego de la Vega donned the cape and mask and also the cape and mask to his identical gay brother, Bunny Wigglesworth. It's the comedy movie called "Zorro The Gay Blade"...

the trailer...



swing your heeps like theess...



Zorro, The Gay Blade

Directed by Peter Medak
Produced by C.O. Erickson
George Hamilton
Written by Johnston McCulley
Hal Dresner
Greg Alt
Don Moriarty
Starring George Hamilton
Lauren Hutton
Ron Liebman
Brenda Vaccaro
Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox
Release date(s) July 17, 1981
Country United States
Language English

I Would Walk Home Every Evening Through the Pyramids of Life

It's another round of the sisters and their band Heart for you today. I'm not sure who came up with this video concept, but apparently someone thought to themselves "it sure would be cool to have a black panther in the video." What the black panther has to do with anything is beyond me, but I guess it just added to the cool factor. So, check out the sleek black panther and the band Heart with their top 10 hit from 1985 - "Nothin' At All"...




Lyrics | Heart lyrics - Nothing At All lyrics

"Nothin' at All"

Single by Heart
from the album Heart
B-side "The Wolf"
Released April 19, 1986
Format 7", 12", CD Single (UK only)
Genre Rock
Length 4:13
Label Capitol Records
Writer(s) Mark Mueller
Producer Ron Nevison

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #10