It Was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the Dark

Without a doubt, the best Christmas rap of all time from arguably the greatest rap group ever. Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay bring you this rap classic from the 1987 "A Very Special Christmas" album that benefited Special Olympics. Here is "Christmas in Hollis"...




Lyrics | Run-d.m.c. lyrics - Christmas In Hollis lyrics

"Christmas in Hollis"
Single by Run-D.M.C.
from the album A Very Special Christmas
B-side Peter Piper
Released November 1987
Format Vinyl, Cassette
Recorded 1987
Genre Hip hop
Length 2:59
Label A&M
Writer(s) Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizell
Producer Rick Rubin, Run-D.M.C.

80's Christmas Commercials

For those of you that enjoyed those holiday commercials of the 80's, here are some of the best from then...

It's a Swell Time

It's definitely that time of year to start playing some of my favorite 80's Christmas videos. There aren't too many better than Hall and Oates and their performance of "Jingle Bell Rock." They are wearing some outstanding clothes in this video. Enjoy!




Lyrics | Hall & Oates lyrics - Jingle Bell Rock lyrics

Of course Beavis and Butthead are so the 90's, but I couldn't resist adding their commentary on the Hall and Oates classic or is it the Hall and Rivera classic?

80's Movie Weekend

Last Saturday we brought you a 1986 made for NBC movie starring Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves called "Babes in Toyland." Well, to give ABC equal time here in The Excellent 80's, this weekend it's a made for ABC Christmas movie starring Jaclyn Smith (of "Charlie's Angels fame), and Art Carney (of Ed Norton fame from "The Honeymooners"). Check out "The Night They Saved Christmas"...



you can also watch this entire movie on youtube as well... here is Part 1 that is sure to get you hooked!



The Night They Saved Christmas

Directed by Jackie Cooper
Produced by David R. Kappes
Written by Jim Moloney
Starring Jaclyn Smith
Music by Charles Gross
Folliott S. Pierpont
Cinematography David Worth
Editing by Eric Albertson
Distributed by Cabin Fever Entertainment Inc.
Release date(s) 1984
Running time 94 min.
Country USA
Language English

Who Cries for the Children?

Once upon a time in 1985 the heavy metal industry felt slighted when musical all-stars from the U.S. and England produced sappy, money raising awareness songs for hungry children and the A.I.D.S. epidemic in Africa. Well, the late great Ronnie Dio would have none of that, so he wrote his own sappy all-star cast song called "Stars" which was a modest hit in the UK, but made nary a splash in the U.S. Thank goodness for Youtube and the video that accompanied it. Here is the all-star cast including among others lead vocalists Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult), Ronnie James Dio (Dio), Don Dokken (Dokken), Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), and Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) known as Hear 'n Aid with "Stars"...




Lyrics | Hear N' Aid lyrics - Stars lyrics

"Stars"

by Hear 'n Aid
released: 1985

UK peak: #26

Lead Guitar Solos:

Vivian Campbell (Dio)
Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
Craig Goldy (Giuffria)
George Lynch (Dokken)
Yngwie Malmsteen
Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
Neal Schon (Journey)

We Need More of This From the NBA

Less bickering, more music videos from NBA players I say!

OK, for those of you that didn't grow up in the 80's, you have to remember that it was the thing for teams to get together and shoot music videos. We had the Seattle Seahawks "Cuz the Blue Wave is on a Roll," the New England Patriots with "Skin the Bears," and "New England, the Patriots, and We." The Cinci Bengals brought us the "Who Dey?" rap from 1989, and of course who can forget the most famous - the Chicago Bears "Superbowl Shuffle."

Well, we might not have any NBA yet, but I can at least bring you the 1987 Lakers with an important public announcement in the form of a rap... just remember that when it comes to drugs, "Just Say No!" Just say no to colorful tight tank tops and short shorts...

Our Finest Gifts We Bring

I hope you are well into your Christmas shopping, or perhaps even finished! Regardless of where you are in your busy holiday season, feel free to take a few minutes and relax and enjoy today's Christmas video. Even though this was pre-1980's by a few years, it's still a holiday classic, and I still enjoy it. David Bowie drops in on Bing Crosby and the two do a little duet shortly before Bing passed away. Here are the two legendary performers in the Christmas spirit with "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth"...




Lyrics | David Bowie lyrics - Peace On Earth - Little Drummer Boy lyrics

My Baby Broke All the Rules

It's part comedy, part rock-act today for your 80's video flashback. It's the glam metal band from the Philly area making its first appearance in The Excellent 80's with one of their most famous hits. It's a 1988 single from the debut album of the same name as the band... it's Britny Fox with "Girlschool"...




Lyrics | Britny Fox lyrics - Girl School lyrics

"Girlschool"

by Britny Fox
from the album: Britny Fox
released: 1988

Now I Got a Job, But it Don't Pay

Recorded in 1979 and released in early 1980, today's hit song has to be considered one of the signature songs of the British punk rock band known as The Clash. Apparently written in one night and recorded the next day, here is The Clash off of their "London Calling" album with "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)"...




Lyrics | Clash lyrics - Train In Vain lyrics

"Train in Vain"
Single by The Clash
from the album London Calling
B-side "London Calling"
Released 12 February 1980
Format Vinyl
Recorded 1979 at Wessex Studios, London
Genre Rock
Length 3:09
Label CBS 50851
Writer(s) Joe Strummer / Mick Jones
Producer Guy Stevens, Mick Jones

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #23
UK peak: #4

80's Movie Weekend

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is right around the corner... again. Didn't we just get through taking down the decorations? Anyway, I always like to post Christmas movies from the 80's or TV specials or cartoons, etc., etc. every December, and I refuse to deviate from that award-winning approach! Check out a young Drew Barrymore along with Keanu Reeves and Richard Mulligan in a made for NBC movie musical from 1986 titled "Babes in Toyland"...



All 10 parts can be watched on youtube... here is part one if you dare...



Babes in Toyland
Directed by Clive Donner
Produced by Tony Ford
Neil T. Maffeo
Written by Glen MacDonough
Paul Zindel
Starring Drew Barrymore
Keanu Reeves
Richard Mulligan
Pat Morita
Eileen Brennan
Jill Schoelen
Music by Leslie Bricusse
Cinematography Arthur Ibbetson
Editing by David Saxon
Country United States
Language English
Original channel NBC
Release date December 19, 1986 (1986-12-19)
Running time 140 minutes

Get Up On It

Today's video with soul has so much 80's pleasure to enjoy I had to watch it twice. From the vintage late 80's clothing (ripped, high waisted acid washed jeans anyone?) to the horrible dancing, white-boy rapping, and the receding hairline of today's featured artist who had some hits in the late 80's and early 90's with "24/7", "Summer Girls," "Romeo," and this song. Here is Dean Esposito, better known as Dino with his top 10 hit from 1989 "I Like It"...




Lyrics | Dino lyrics - I Like It lyrics

"I Like It"

by Dino
from the album: 24/7
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Cause We Are Living in a Crazy, Crazy World

It's a crazy, crazy dog at the beginning of the video and the end in today's tribute to the little known girl band Big Trouble. Don't remember them? Don't worry, because you're probably not alone. They were an all-girl pop band that was put together by TV executive Fred Silverman. Bobbi Eakes (Miss Georgia 1983) was the lead singer. Here is their only "hit," called "Crazy World"...




Lyrics | Big Trouble lyrics - Crazy World lyrics

"Crazy World"
by Big Trouble
from the album: Big Trouble
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #71