Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you and your significant other have a romantic evening. To get you in the mood here is the R&B band named after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois. It's the band Champaign from 1981 with their big hit "How Bout Us"...




Lyrics | Champaign lyrics - How Bout Us lyrics

"How 'Bout Us"
Single by Champaign
from the album How 'Bout Us
Released January 18, 1981
Genre R&B, pop
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Dana Walden

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12

Now, on the other hand if you're not in a relationship nor do you want to be in one, enjoy this video also from a 1981 song by The Greg Kihn Band - "The Break Up Song"...




Lyrics | Greg Kihn Band lyrics - Breakup Song lyrics

"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"

Single by The Greg Kihn Band
from the album 'Rockihnroll'
B-side "When the Music Starts"
Released May 1981
Genre Rock
Length 2:50
Label Beserkley
Writer(s) Greg Kihn, Steve Wright
Producer Matthew King Kaufman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

I've Heard People Say That Too Much of Anything Is Not Good For You

Though known mostly for his timeless R&B hits in the 70's, the late, great Barry White born in Galveston, Texas produced a few R&B hits in the 80's. And since we are just a day away from Valentine's Day, the Excellent 80's is bringing you the big man with the deep sexy voice from years ago. Here is his top 20 R&B hit from 1987, "Sho You Right"...




"Sho You Right"
by Barry White
released: 1987
from the album: "The Right Night and Barry White"

U.S. R&B peak: #17

I'm not going to leave you with just that minor hit from 1987! I wouldn't do that to you. Check out Barry in some sweet threads from the 70's and one of his all-time classics - his #1 hit from 1974, "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love"...




Lyrics | Barry White lyrics - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love lyrics

80's Movie Weekend

Loved this movie that was based upon the personal letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, and the novels Lay This Laurel, by Lincoln Kirstein, and One Gallant Rush, by Peter Burchard. This American Civil War story is based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up entirely of African American men. It's told by Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer during the American Civil War. With stars like Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, here is "Glory"...

the trailer...



This is one of those movies you can watch in parts on youtube. Here is part one to get you started if you want to watch it...



Glory

Directed by Edward Zwick
Produced by Freddie Fields
Written by Books:
Lincoln Kirstein
Peter Burchard
Screenplay:
Kevin Jarre
Starring Matthew Broderick
Denzel Washington
Cary Elwes
Morgan Freeman
Music by James Horner
Cinematography Freddie Francis
Editing by Steven Rosenblum
Studio TriStar Pictures
Freddie Fields Productions
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release date(s) December 14, 1989 (Limited)
February 16, 1990 (Wide)
Running time 118 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $18,000,000[1]
Box office $26,828,365[2]

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

I've Been Looking Too Hard, I've Been Waiting Too Long

Any of you that have been to this blog from time to time through the years know I always post some sappy, syrupy love songs in the early part of February to get you properly motivated for Valentine's Day. Well add this live performance to the list! From 1981, here is Foreigner with "Waiting For a Girl Like You"...




Lyrics | Foreigner lyrics - Waiting For Girl Like You lyrics

"Waiting for a Girl like You"

Single cover
Single by Foreigner
from the album 4
B-side "I'm Gonna Win"
Released October 1981
Format 7"
Recorded 1981
Genre Soft rock
Length 4:35 (single)
Label Atlantic
Writer(s) Mick Jones, Lou Gramm
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Mick Jones

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

This Stuff is Starting Now

Known for their infectious hit "Word Up!", the band Cameo followed that up with another #1 R&B hit which also cracked the Billboard Top 25 as well. The thing that's disappointing is that lead singer Larry Blackmon is back with his bright red cup protector which you can't help but look at it everytime it's on the screen, and that just pisses me off. Here is the second single released from the "Word Up!" album entitled "Candy"...




Lyrics | Cameo lyrics - Candy lyrics

"Candy"
Single by Cameo
from the album Word Up!
Released July 31, 1986
Genre Funk
Length 5:39
Label Casablanca Records
Writer(s) Larry Blackmon
Tomi Jenkins
Producer Larry Blackmon

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

You've Got Me Captured. I'm Under Your Spell.

Well, I've been under the spell of Van Halen and all of its drama for some 30 years now every since I bought "Diver Down" on cassette back around 1982-83. With today being February 7th, it marks the first all-new Van Halen album since 1998's colossal disappointment - "Van Halen III" with Gary Cherone on lead vocals. This marks the first all-new album with David Lee Roth on vocals since 1983's "1984" album, and I for one couldn't be more excited. The band kicks off its tour February 18th in Louisville, and though I won't be there, I will be in Tulsa, OK at the BOK Center on May 1st when the band rolls through there. If only Michael Anthony were still strumming bass, but I'll take three out of four at this point in their careers.

In honor of their return, from their "1984" album, here is their top 20 hit (a poor concert video - it was 1984 though!) "I'll Wait"...




Lyrics | Van Halen lyrics - I'll Wait lyrics

"I'll Wait"
Single by Van Halen
from the album 1984
A-side "I'll Wait"
B-side "Girl Gone Bad" (US)/"Drop Dead Legs" (UK)
Released 1984
Recorded 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California, 1983
Genre Hard rock
Length 4:45
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Michael McDonald
Producer Ted Templeman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13

The Cradle of Love Don't Rock Easily, It's True

Recorded in 1989, but released in 1990 today's song and video was truly the last major hit, and only #1 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. to date for one William Michael Albert Broad.

Better known as Billy Idol, today's video is one of my favorites of his. The old school computer, the cassette tape player, and just the fact that the Patrick Dempsey lookalike would let some strange girl into his apartment to play her music as loud as she wanted while dancing around half naked and tearing the sheets off of his bed is just simply outlandish. But, it wasn't for 1990! It could have happened to anyone, right!? Here he "Cradle of Love"...




Lyrics | Billy Idol lyrics - Cradle Of Love lyrics

"Cradle of Love"

Single by Billy Idol
from the album Charmed Life
B-side "311 Man"
Released 1990
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1989
Length 4:39
Label Chrysalis
Writer(s) Billy Idol, David Werner
Producer Keith Forsey

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

Super Bowl Weekend

Thirty years ago Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers took on Ken Anderson and the Cincinnati Bengals. I can't believe it's been 30 years! Anyway in honor of the Super Bowl tomorrow, here is a look back to 1982's Super Bowl XVI battle...

Standing in the Door of the Pink Flamingo

Known for their catchy time-defying hit "Tainted Love," the synth-pop duo known as Soft Cell put out this sweet little romantic hit in 1982 that went all the way up to #3 on the UK charts. Featuring a whole lot of rain and water, here is Soft Cell with "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye"...




Lyrics | Soft Cell lyrics - Say Hello Wave Goodbye lyrics

"Say Hello, Wave Goodbye"

Single by Soft Cell
from the album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
B-side "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" (Instrumental)
Released 1982
Format 7", 12"
Genre Synthpop
Length 5:24
Label Some Bizzare
BZS 7
Writer(s) Marc Almond, David Ball
Producer Mike Thorne

UK peak: #3

Been Running So Long

Last week The Excellent 80's brought back The Go Go's for the first posting since 2008, but here they are in back to back weeks now! Belinda Carlisle is sporting a fresh short do which might be the reason for the downward spiral The Go Go's were about to embark on from drug problems to conflicts within the group. They would break up a little over a year later from the release of their "Talk Show" album sometime in 1985. Here is one of the two hits from that last album, it's "Head Over Heels"...




Lyrics | Go-go's lyrics - Head Over Heels lyrics

"Head over Heels"
Single by The Go-Go's
from the album Talk Show
Released February 21, 1984 (1984-02-21) United States
June 19, 1984 (1984-06-19) United Kingdom
Format 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1983
Genre Pop rock
New wave
Length 3:37
Label I.R.S.
Writer(s) Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine
Producer Martin Rushent

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11

With All My Heart, I Love You Baby

Ahh, it's February once again and it's the month of love. Guys, you're working on two weeks to pull off something wonderful for your wife or girlfriend. Maybe today's video and song will give you a little inspiration. Making her first appearance in The Excellent 80's, it's the soul singer/songwriter raised in Detroit known as Anita Baker. An eight time Grammy award winner, from 1986 here is her top 10 hit "Sweet Love"...




Lyrics | Anita Baker lyrics - Sweet Love lyrics

"Sweet Love"

Single by Anita Baker
from the album Rapture
Released 1986
Format 7" vinyl single
Recorded 1985
Genre R&B, Soul
Length 4:26
Label Elektra
Writer(s) Anita Baker
Louis A. Johnson
Gary Bias

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8