80's Hit Song Review: "Sugar Free" by Wa Wa Nee (1987)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 35 (Released in December of '86, charted in '87)

Backstory: This Australian New Wave/funk/pop band was formed in 1982 by Paul Gray. In 1986, they released their self titled debut album on CBS Records and Epic Records in America, which included this No. 35 hit single. It was their only Top 40 hit here in the States, thus making them an American one hit wonder. Their other single from the same album, "Stimulation", peaked at just No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released two more albums, including a remix album in 1987, before disbanding in 1989. Sadly, Gray died from multiple myeloma, a form of cancer on April 24th, 2018.

The Review: I've always really liked this upbeat and fun synth pop tune with a funky beat to it. It's nothing outstanding, but it's a fine and fun listen. Even though it's from 1986, it does kind of have a 90's boy band sound and persona with it.

Final Rating: 7/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Should I Love You" by Cee Farrow (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 82 (Recorded in '82, wasn't released until sometime in later in early to mid 1983)

Backstory: Born in Frankfurt, Germany on September 4th, 1956, Christian Frede Kruzinski, better known as Cee Farrow, moved to America and landed in the Los Angeles-Hollywood area. Before he became a singer, he was a model. This single, off of his one and only album, Red and Blue, was his only single to ever chart. Despite being a pretty minor hit, the song got quite a bit of radio airplay on Southern California and New Wave style radio stations. It was even a minor success on the R&B Charts, peaking at No. 91. However, his singing career failed because of these very interesting and unfortunate consequences: You see, Farrow was signed to a Anaheim based record label called Rocshire Records which was founded by the husband and wife duo team of Rocky and Shirley Davis. In 1985, they were arrested and charged with embezzling more than 12 MILLION DOLLARS from a Hughes Aircraft Co. employee medical benefit plan to help manage their label. Some of the assets of the label and Farrow's music were seized by the U.S. Federal Marshals in 1984, and to this day, many of Farrow's recordings and many other recordings on the Rocshire Records label are held by the U.S. Federal Marshals in a secret so-called "vault in a certain place and area". It's unknown where these master tapes and recordings are to this very day. Therefore, the album and every release on Rocshire Records have been out of print, making them VERY special 80's music collector's items. Very interesting, huh?

Farrow would release two more singles off of his one and only album, "Don't Ask Why" and "Wildlife Romance", but none of them ever charted. He would release one more single in 1991 called "Imagination" which also never charted.

Farrow was gay, but because of the fact that he wasn't too open about it, he married a woman by the name of April M. Gabrielle in Nevada in 1984 rather than having a life partner or gay companion. During the mid to late 80's and early 90's, Farrow ran two nightclubs in the Los Angeles area, The Apartment Club, The Bitter End, and Maxx. Sadly, in 1993, Farrow passed away from reportedly a brain disease caused by AIDS in West Hollywood at the really young age of just 36. He was cremated and his funeral was held at Greystone Manor in Los Angeles.

The Review: Holy shit do I absolutely LOVE this song! Its fun and upbeat synth pop and synthesizer beat along with Farrow's very smooth, attractive, and sexy voice are just truly badass. It's a very sad shame what happened to him along with his music career.  DEFINITELY should've been a Top 10 hit. The extended version (above in the video) is goddamn brilliant and an absolute BLAST to listen to. I'm really glad I chose to review this following song and Mr. Farrow. May he rest in peace.

Final rating:10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

This Preschool Cartoon Parody is Fricking Amazing.

Canada's most annoying educational children's cartoon just got a heck of a lot better with this brilliant and hilarious parody. Just awesome.

80's Hit Song Review: "She Looks A Lot Like You" by Clocks (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 67

Backstory: This American power pop/pop rock group from Wichita, Kansas consists of Gerald Graves, Jerry Sumner, Lance Threet, and Steve Swaim. They only released one studios album, a self titled debut, on the short lived record label Boulevard Records in 1982, which included this minor hit single. The song was also a modest success on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts where it peaked at No. 47. The music video also got quite a bit of airplay on MTV. It was their only ever hit. They would also release a compilation album called The Black Box in 2004 on the independent record label Zip Records. The band also used to tour quite often and were quite popular in their hometown of Wichita.

The Review: I have absolutely always loved this song. It's a perfectly crafted, well produced, and performed power pop/pop rock tune that sounds a lot like The Cars. Great guitar work and vocals as well. Should've been a Top 10 hit to me, don't know why it stalled so low on the charts.

Final Rating:10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Your Daddy Don't Know" by Toronto (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 77

Backstory: This Canadian rock band from (obviously) Toronto was formed in 1979 and consists of vocalist Annie "Holly" Woods, Brian Allen, Sharon Alton, Nick Costello, Jimmy Fox, and Scott Kreyer. Their first album, Lookin' For Trouble, was released in 1980 and included a single which was a cover of the Rascals 1966 classic, "You Better Bun", which Pat Benatar actually covered in the same year and had a modest success with, with her version peaking at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their version was a modest success in Canada, but Bubbled Under the Hot 100 at No. 104 in the States. This single, off of their 3rd album, Get It on Credit, was their only ever U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart entry, peaking at just No. 77, but was a huge success in their native Canada, peaking at No. 5 on the Canadian Singles Chart. A cut that wasn't on the original release of the album, "What About Love", later became a huge comeback hit for Heart in 1985. The band split up in 1984, but reformed in 2007 and tour often.

The Review: This is a really nice and decent power pop/pop rock tune that has loud guitars but is still nice on the ears. Woods is a great vocalist. Should've been a Top 40 hit.

Final Rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

Why "Freddy Got Fingered" is an Underrated Piece of "Art"

The 2001 Tom Green film "Freddy Got Fingered" is often considered to be one of the worst movies ever made by film critics. That being said, like many other "bad" movies, it has a pretty big cult following.

The humor in the movie is crass, crude, bizarre, stupid, immature, and all in all just so damn crazy, but that's what makes it a "masterpiece". The bizarre and inappropriate sexual jokes, the woman in the wheelchair, the institute for children who were abused, I mean, my God, this is something that literally only Green could make.

This film is a unique kind of bad in the sense that it knows it is so damn stupid, but keeps on going and going with it. Bloody scenes, a horse with balls, elephant jizz, and other crap, along with an interesting ending and story about a crazed and dumb as hell cartoonist is as original as you could get, even in a terrible way.

This isn't "The Emoji Movie" or "Jem and the Holograms" big screen adaptation. Or "Movie 43" or "Max Steel" either.

So, Mr. Tom Green, I applaud you for being brave enough to make this artistic comedy muh muh muh muh MASTERPIECE!

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Bop Girl" by Pat Wilson (1983)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Peak Position No. 104

Backstory: Australian singer and journalist Wilson was born on June 11th, 1948. Wilson wrote for Go-Set, a 1960's and 1970's pop music based newspaper under the pen name "Mummy Cool" from 1971 until 1972. In 1983, she released this song which was written by her then husband, Ross Wilson of the bands Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock. It was a huge success in her native Australia, peaking at No. 2 on the Australian Singles Chart and No. 28 in South Africa. However, the single wasn't promoted by Warner Bros. in the U.S., and so, despite the fact that the song did achieve occasional radio airplay here in the States, the single unfortunately Bubbled Under the Hot 100 at No. 104. The music video for the song includes the first ever on screen appearance of Nicole Kidman at the age of 15.

The Review: I love this song. It's catchy and has a positive beat, along with Wilson's great singing voice makes this tune an overlooked New Wave power pop classic here in the States. Great guitar work and instrument work as well. Should've easily been a Top 30 hit here in the States. Wilson is like an Australian Cyndi Lauper, except without the crazy hair colors and "unusualness" about her.

Final Rating:10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Looking For Clues" by Robert Palmer (1980)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Peak Position No. 105

Backstory: Palmer released five albums before releasing this single off of his album Clues in 1980. This was the second single released off of the album, the first being, "Johnny and Mary". While that song didn't chart on the Hot 100, it did peak at No. 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts. This second single peaked at No. 33 in Palmer's native U.K., but wasn't even a hit here in the States, Bubbling Under the Hot 100 at No. 105. It is, however, one of his best known songs, even here in the States.

The Review: Oh, do I absolutely LOVE this song! The funky, slightly fast-paced, and upbeat synths and drums are just truly awesome and slightly futuristic. The song's break with a xylophone and twangy guitar are just too damn cool. The production is also absolutely flawless and fantastic, thanks to work by Chris Frantz of Talking Heads who I believe even played the guitar on this track, although I could be wrong. Anyways, absolutely great song, can't believe it Bubbled Under the Hot 100. I'd love to see a breakdancer or other kind of professional dancer dance to this tune.

Final Rating:10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Zarah" by Nina Hagen (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts Peak Position No. 45

Backstory: The bizarre yet highly unique, unusual, and talented German singer Nina Hagen was born in East Berlin on March 11th, 1955. In 1974, she and a group called Automobile released a song called, "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen (You Forgot the Color Film)". It went all the way to No. 1 on the German singles chart. Hagen released her first solo album Nina Hagen Band in 1978. Five years later after released quite a few more albums and singles, she released this 2nd and final 12 inch single off of her 1983 album, Angstlos (Fearless). The album was a minor success in the States, peaking at No. 151 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Album Charts thanks to the No. 9 Dance Club hit, "New York, N.Y." This second single was only a minor success on the Dance Charts, peaking at just No. 45. The song is also a cover of "Ich weiss, es wird einmal ein Wunder geschehen" by Zarah Leander, which first appeared in the 1942 film, Die groBe Liebe. And if you're wondering, yes the film is full of a lot of propaganda, mainly Nazi socialism. So there, Hagen covered a song from the days of Nazi Germany. Go figure. Hagen would released plenty of more albums and singles over the years and still performs to this day.

The Review: What gosh darn planet did this song come from!? This song's very existence is incredibly amazing. From an opera opening and closing, to a New Wave synth beat in the middle which then turns into a garbled up unique experimental mush with vocal effects and repeated nonsense German words, this song is TRULY one of a kind. So damn awesome. And some Americans actually payed attention to it in the Dance Clubs. I could imagine just EVERYBODY'S reaction when they had first heard it. LOL. Absolutely brilliant brain exploding madness!

Final rating: 10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on the tune below.

9 Famous People I Actually Talked To On YouTube

I started my original YouTube channel, 45 Records Man, on July 15th, 2015. It was unfairly deleted on the 22nd or 23rd of December of 2017. Since then, I have talked to these following 7 famous people, some of which you've probably never heard of:

John and Valerie Day: The husband and wife musical duo from Portland, Oregon: Nu Shooz, best known for their hits, "I Can't Wait" and "Point of No Return".

Steele Stebbins, 15 year old teen actor best known for being in movies such as the rather negatively received comedy movies, A Haunted House 2 and the 2015 Vacation movie directed by Mr. John Francis Daley. My boy Sam Weir is making me proud! :D

Lacey Bond, former member of the short lived all female New Wave group Toto Coelo, best known for their ridiculous but fun 1982 novelty hit, "I Eat Cannibals".

Jyoti Mishra, the one man band behind White Town, one hit wonder best known for 1997's No. 23 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hit, "Your Woman."

Joe "Shaddap You Face" Dolce: Yes Joe, I had the pleasure of having one of my comments liked by him! Really nice but busy and smart guy, still can't believe that "Shaddap You Face" was such a huge hit in many countries, although it peaked at only No. 53 here in the States.

Robert Own of the short lived and now forgotten bizarre New York based synth pop duo, Ebn-Ozn. He even SUBSCRIBED to my original channel back in the fall of last year before it was unfairly deleted. What a gosh darn bummer.

Tape Face (Sam Wills): New Zealand based comedian, mime, and performance artist best known for appearing on America's Got Talent two years ago as the Boy With Tape on His Face where he doesn't speak at all and has creepy eyeliner shadow makeup.

And finally and most recently, Peter Godwin, a British New Wave singer best known for being in the band Metro, and his 1982 single, "Images of Heaven" which Bubbled Under the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 105 but peaked at No. 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts. Really nice man, just about ALWAYS responds to comments on his channel. He and I are great online friends and he even subbed to my channel. "Images of Heaven" is available on my channel. Brilliant and beautiful New Wave song, can't BELIEVE it bubbled under.

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed this rather interesting post.

80's Hit Song Review: "Voice of Freedom" by Jim Kirk and the TM Singers (1980)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 71

Backstory: Kirk produced and created a lot of music for the American Top 40 and the American Country Countdown radio shows. He also produced tons of radio jingles and television advertisements for corporations like Coca-Cola. In fact, Roy Disney even hired him as a creative director from TM Productions where Kirk did plenty of work. During that time, he and TM Productions formed a small group consisting of him, and other male and female backup singers who were both grown adults and young elementary school age children, who later performed this song to benefit the American Red Cross. It was their only ever single released, and no albums were ever released by them either.

The Review: As much as I hate to admit it, I honestly don't mind this song too much. Sure, the child singers and cheese factor of this song are incredibly high and cringeworthy, but that being said, it's not too bad. It is well recorded and well produced as well, and it makes me proud to be an American. If the Disney Channel existed during this time (it wasn't created until 3 years later in 1983), it could've gotten television airplay on that channel. (Actually, this song was performed on one American talk show, and a clip of it even exists on YouTube.) The adult singers definitely aren't bad. But of course, this is absolutely NOTHING that I'd want to play in my free time.

Final rating:5/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

Godawful Fanfiction No. 1: Joe Blevins and Wyatt Oleff Go To KFC (It's probably better than Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle.)

It was a cool Friday late afternoon in suburban Chicago. Joe Blevins, a white middle aged man in his early 40's decides to get a fast food dinner, and decides to go to KFC to get a 5 Dollar Fill Up. He drove in his 1974 Ford Pinto to go to the nearest KFC there was that was the closest to his apartment. It only took about 10 minutes in total.

Meanwhile, 15 year old teen actor and IT and Guardians of the Galaxy star Wyatt Oleff was in his Chicago residence with his parents when his parents just decided on a quick and simple fast food meal as well. He was practicing his dance routine to the Pink Lady song, "Kiss in the Dark" on a vinyl 45 blasting thru the speakers. His parents came into his room and told him to get ready. It took his parents only 5 minutes to drive over there.

Then Joe and Wyatt saw each other and started to order what they wanted. They ordered the exact same thing: a 3 piece chicken tender 5 Dollar Fill Up with mashed potatoes and gravy, a biscuit, and a chocolate chip cookie on the side. Joe got Dr. Pepper for a drink while Wyatt just got plain Diet Pepsi.

Both of them then headed back to their places. Wyatt ate his meal and so did his parents. Joe just ate alone in his apartment and then went to bed early. However, all of the sudden after Wyatt and his parents ate their meal, Raoul Duke bust into their apartment and told them to give him some money. They did so, but only gave him 20 dollars each, but he was happy. He said, "HA HA, THANKS A LOT YOU WILD FLOWING TURKEYS!", and then went out. Wyatt and his parents then called the police, where they then arrested Duke back at his apartment, discovering thousands of pounds of numerous different kinds of drugs.

Then the day ended. The end.

So, what did you think of this crapfest, Joe?

80's Hit Song Review: "Don Quichotte" by Magazine 60 (1986)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 56 (Originally released in their native France in 1984, wasn't released as a single in the States until 1985 when yet another year passed until it finally charted and peaked.)

Backstory: This French synth pop band from Lille was formed in 1981 by music producer, Jean-Luc Drion. They released their first album, 60's Slows, in 1981, which was actually a Stars on 45 style medley album. It wouldn't be until a year later until they released their first synth pop related music, including the single "Sir Walter Gimmick." Then, in 1984, they released this single which was released on numerous record labels all over the world. It peaked at No. 10 on the French Singles Chart. Then, in 1985, the single was released as the first ever record release on the incredibly short lived Los Angeles based record label, Baja Records, for an American audience. It was a modest hit, peaking at No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was a much bigger success on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts, peaking all the way at No. 16. It was their only ever U.S. hit.  They released a few more singles and than disbanded in 1992.

The Review: Oh, do I absolutely LOVE this song! The mixture of mostly Spanish and occasional spoken word English parts with telephone sound effects, along with badass synths and a guitar breakdown in the middle makes this tune an 80's synthpop classic. For a first ever record label release, the results were pretty gosh darn impressive. Could have been a Top 40 or Top 30 hit if it was released on a much better known record label such as RCA or Warner Bros. Shame this was their only hit here in the States. They are incredibly fun, upbeat, and funky! Many remixes of the song exist, but the original is the very best! There's the single version that run for nearly 4 minutes, and two longer versions released as a twelve inch single with a nearly 7 minute long fully extended version on one side and a 5 minute version on the other side. Absolutely fun and brilliant.

Final rating:10/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

So THIS Happened To Me Today...

Small world we live in... So, I was at a place for job skills training and today was my first day at the place. I'm at this place for two weeks from 9-3 on Mon-Thurs and from 9-12 on Friday. Well, I met this really kind man in his 40's who noticed my Beatles shirt and told me they were epic and that I had great taste in music. Next he asked me if I knew who Barry McGuire, singer of the famous 1965 No. 1 one hit wonder, "Eve of Destruction" is. I told him that yes I knew, and it's not only because he wanted to test out my musical knowledge. It turned out that HE IS THE SON OF BARRY MCGUIRE. His name is Brennan, and he's a classically trained pianist. Turns out, after his short amount of fame, Barry and his family moved and still reside to this day in the city that I live in. McGuire also was behind the absolutely timeless 60's classic, "California Dreaming" by Mamas and the Papas. Small world, isn't it?

But that's not ALL... Turns out my mom had a classmate named Steve McGuire back in the 70's when she was in elementary school, and he is Brennan's half brother. He now resides just north of San Francisco. My mom had to ask him because she needed to make sure. She still remembered details about him: light blonde hair, but most importantly, she still remembered after ALL of these years, something that Steve said: That his father was a famous singer and musician.

This experience made my entire day.

The Brilliance of Sigue Sigue Sputnik: The Acid Group of the 80's

There was probably not even a single other New Wave band like England's Sigue Sigue Sputnik. With music that incorporated repetitive synth tempos, changes in both music pitch and TV show and movie dialogue which also included sound effects such as gunshots, lasers, and other artsy fartsy electronic noises, Sigue Sigue Sputnik were the friction' bomb. Their music can be described as chunks of turbo power with medicine guitars, sexuality, adult films, robots, Japan, pop culture, advertisements and product placement, and every teen boy and teen girls badass wet dream while high on 500,000,000 pounds of acid, alcohol, and every illegal drug that you can think of! The band consisted of 9 total members with the oddball and somewhat mysterious and enigmatic journalist Magenta DeVine hiding in the seasoned British Japanese teriyaki background of sex, drugs, magazines, automobiles, and American worldly filth, as if the Truman Show was mixed with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Jem and the Holograms, and Blade Runner with a boost dash of A Clockwork Orange and Easy Rider combined.

Lead singer Martin Degville wore a goddamn fishnet on his face along with wearing kooky Japanese style kabuki makeup, stockings, and whatever else that God and Jesus Christ might damn well PUH-LEEZE! So did the other members.

Songs included: "Love Missile F1-11", "Dance Everybody", and "21st Century Boy" with "F1-11" and "21st" including movie and tv show soundbits, crazy-ass badass sound effects, highly squeezed out guitars and synths with mega pumping driving acid chip drums!

And yes, my brain literally exploded into a million pieces while making this post. Albums included "Flaunt It" and "Dress For Excess."

They also squeezed why capitalism and Japan were so great.

This band is so damn amazing and you should definitely go and check them out when you can.

80's Hit Song Review: "All Touch" by Rough Trade (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 58 (Wasn't released as a single in the U.S. until a year later in late 1982 on the now defunct Boardwalk Records, which had money problems and closed down a year later. Single peaked at No. 58 on the Hot 100 in January of 1983.)

Background: This somewhat controversial but highly influential Canadian New Wave originally formed as a group simply called O in 1968 by openly lesbian Carole Pope. From 1970-1974, they were also known as The Bullwhip Brothers until finally changing their name to Rough Trade in 1975. (Wanna know the meaning behind their band name? Search it up on Urban Dictionary. You'll be shocked, but also laugh your ass off.) In 1980, they released the highly controversial but successful single, "High School Confidential" which included profanity and sexual lesbian themes. Despite all of the controversy, it peaked all the way up at No. 12 on the Canadian Singles Chart. A year later, they released this single off of their album For Those Who Think Young on True North Records, but it wasn't until a year later that the single was released in America on Boardwalk Records in the fall-winter of '82. It was their only ever U.S. hit. The group released two more albums before disbanding in 1988, but still reunite to go on concerts occasionally. They have a huge fanbase in Canada. (Site note: The famous drag queen Divine even performed in a musical performance by them called Restless Underwear in December of 1977. Shows how much of the LGBT themes there were to this band, even before Bronski Beat and Culture Club. Interesting, huh?)

The review: This is a great and highly catchy New Wave song with an awesome and fun upbeat and slightly bouncy chorus. Pope is like a cross between Grace Slick and Pat Benatar. Great synths, bass, and drums make this a forgotten New Wave tune, although some folks remember it. Should've been a top 40 hit. If Ellen DeGeneres has a favorite New Wave band, it's probably them. (Side note and interesting fact: DeGeneres older brother, Vance, was in an obscure New Wave and rock band called The Cold who formed in New Orleans in 1979. He even was the original Mr. Hands in the Mr. Bill Show on Saturday Night Live in the 70's and 80's. Very interesting, huh?)

Final rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Escalator of Life" by Robert Hazard (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 58 (Released in '82, didn't chart until a year later)

Backstory: American musician Robert Hazard (born Robert Rimato) was born on August 21st, 1948. He grew up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Springfield High School in 1966. In 1979, he helped to record the original demo version of Cyndi Lauper's 1983 classic, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". Three years later, he wrote and performed this New Wave style tune which became his one and only ever hit single. Sadly, on August 5th, 2008 he died after having surgery for pancreatic cancer, just 16 days before his 60th birthday.

Review: This is a slightly dark but still awesome New Wave style tune with cool synths and an awesome chorus and set of post-apacalyistic lyrics about a society which apparently, became addicted to shopping at numerous places, such as malls and record stores. It definitely would have a great place in an 80's style zombie horror movie where zombies invade numerous stores around a certain American city. This song should've had at least a Top 40 showing.

Edit: Turns out a music video was made for this song, but it's only on other video websites, not YouTube because of copyright problems. It's honestly nothing that great, just kinda flashy in a diner and store setting.

Final rating:8/10

And don't forget to comment down your opinion on the tune.

80's Hit Song Review: "Canvas of Life" by Minor Detail (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 92

Backstory: This Irish New Wave group headed by brothers John and Willie Hughes (Yes, there was another less famous John Hughes who existed in the 80's, you learn something every day, don't you?) was formed in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland and formed in 1981 and broke up in 1987. This single was their only single to peak on the U.S. Billboard Charts after only a really short two week stay on the Hot 100. It was a much bigger success in their native Ireland, peaking at No. 25. Their lyrics were often associated with positive images of happiness, peace, and romance, however, besides this song, none of their other songs were really "single-worthy" as they were although good, a bit too slow paced. This single is from their first and only self-titled debut. They would release one more non-album single in 1986 before disbanding a year later.

Review: How the flying heck did this tune stall so gosh darn low on the charts!? It's great! A memorable chorus with a vocoder robot voice, catchy and great synths, and guitars along with positive lyrics make this a forgotten classic. However, after doing research, I learned that this song did get occasional airplay on American radio stations and the music video got occasional airplay as well. Such a bummer this tune never took off here in the States. Should've easily been a Top 40 hit.

Final rating:9/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Burning Flame" by Vitamin Z (1985)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 73

Backstory: This British New Wave trio from Sheffield was formed in 1982 by vocalist Geoff Barradale and bassist Nick Lockwood. This song, from their album Rites of Passage, was their only ever U.S. hit. It also charted at No. 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts and No. 80 on the U.K. Singles Chart. They even toured for a bit with Tears For Fears. They released one more album, Sharp Stone Rain, in 1989 and then disbanded in 1991. But if you want to know what happened to Barradale, get this: He is the manager of the HUGELY successful British alternative rock band, Arctic Monkeys.

Review: This is a great, great catchy and a bit emotional mid tempo New Wave tune that sounds a lot like Tears For Fears (ha ha). The production is absolutely flawless and fantastic. Keyboards, drums, guitars, bass, and occasional horns just blast you in the face even if this tune is softer than certain other New Wave songs by bands such as ABC, New Order, or Haysi Fantayzee. Barradale has a smooth, rich, and soft voice like a fine looking handsome man trying to impress an equally as gook looking woman in a bar. And that British accent, too! Reminds me of Kent Paul from Grand Theft Auto Vice City. LOL. This song should've been on that soundtrack for that game. This should've easily been a Top 30 hit in both the U.K. and the U.S., I'm not sure why it stalled that low.

Final Rating:9/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review:"Automobile" by Hansie (1980)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Peak Position No. 109 (for two weeks) (Released in '79, didn't chart until in early 1980)

Backstory: Dutch actress, model, and singer Hansje Ravenstein was born on July 25th, 1950 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This single, released on the now defunct Millennium Records, was her first single and her only single to ever chart in the U.S., but not even breaking into the Hot 100. Many people call her the Dutch Blondie. She released 3 more singles, including: "Silex Pistols Piew Piew." She even in recent years made an appearance on the Dutch version of The Voice.

Review: This is a really, really fun and great catchy New Wave style and punk rock style tune in the same style of Blondie and Plastic Bertrand (best known for 1977's "Ca Plane Pour Moi", No. 47, peaked in June of 1978, released on Sire Records, making him one of VERY few French speaking artists to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 charts). A great and attractive voice, along with fun lyrics about (obviously) automobiles makes this an obscure and highly overlooked tune. Perhaps America just wasn't paying enough attention to her. Pumping and thumping loud guitars, along with a repetitive synth sound at the beginning and a "WHOO!" at the end are other fine touches. It's a shame that this highly interesting woman never had any success here in the States.

Final Rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on it below.

The Tale of the Dale

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you EASILY one of the most bizarre and interesting stories true stories from the 1970's. This story takes place in 1974-1975, but doesn't end until in about 1989.

And Joe Blevins, this story is for YOU! :) The 10 minute video above will teach you all about the bizarre backstory of the Dale car and the people surrounding it, but more specifically, Geraldine Elizabeth Carmichael. The story takes place mostly in Southern California (Burbank, to be exact), but ends somewhere in Texas (I'm not going to spoil where exactly in Texas... Watch the video for yourself if you want to know.)

And comment what you think of this story down below.

70's Hit Song Review: "Future Shock" by Hello People (1974)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 71 (although released in '74, didn't peak until in January of '75)

Backstory: Before Kiss existed, this unique rock group consisting of all members who wore mime makeup was formed in the late 60's. Other songs by them include 1969's "Anthem" and "As I Went Down to Jerusalem". This song, their only ever Hot 100 chart entry, was from their album The Handsome Devils which was produced by Todd Rundgren, who as a matter of fact, used the Hello People as a backup band on tours in concert. The album cover is something you DEFINITELY need to see for yourself, looking like Pennywise screaming with a black afro. LOL

Review: This is a pretty unique and slightly ahead of it's time psychedelic rock style song with solid and unique male vocals and lyrics. Sound effects like an electronic wiggly wire are used towards the end of the song on the album version. It's a bummer that they hardly had any success at all. The video above was made by me. (of course I own the album, LOL) Should've been a Top 40 hit.

Final rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Rain in May" by Max Werner (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 74

Backstory: Dutch musician and singer Max Werner was a member of the group Kayak who had a couple of minor modest hits here in the States. In 1981, he split from the rest of the group to go onto a solo career, while the rest of the band reformed as Diesel and released "Sausalito Summernight" (No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100) during the same year. This minor hit, released on the now defunct Radio Records, was Werner's only ever U.S. hit. The song, however, was a pretty huge hit in other Europeans countries.

Review: This is a great and slightly different New Wave/ art rock style tune in the same stylings of Phil Collins, Marillion, and Peter Gabriel. In fact, Werner even SOUNDS like Gabriel. I wouldn't peg it for a Top 10 hit, but it should've done much better, at least getting a Top 40 showing.

Final rating:8/10

And don't forget to comment down your opinion on it below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Minimum Love" by Mac McAnally (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 41

Review: Soft rock and country musician and singer songwriter McAnally had his 2nd and final Hot 100 chart entry with this forgotten tune that barely missed making the Top 40. I love this tune. It's soft and relaxing and has a great chorus and slow soft rock sound to it.

Final Rating:9/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on it below.

The Brilliant Hipster White Teenage Actor, Wyatt Oleff

Like a cross between Beck and Michael Cera, 15 year old actor Wyatt Oleff, a Chicago native is completely unique and cool. He has the coolness and good looks of Beck, with the geekiness of Michael Cera (or Sam Weir from Freaks and Geeks.)

Watch the video above to check out how this star of the hit 2017 horror remake, IT, is a completely brilliant yet handsome and charming young dork. In fact, Finn Wolfhard, Jaeden Lieberher, and the rest of the IT cast are cool people. And little 9 year old Jackson Robert Scott is absolutely adorable.

And Joe Blevins,you'll be glad to know about this teen, hopefully.

80's Hit Song Review: "Maybe This Day" by Kissing the Pink (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 87

Backstory: The London based experimental and highly unique New Wave group Kissing the Pink released their debut album, Naked, in 1983 which included their first U.S. hit, this tune called "Maybe This Day". Despite being much more successful in their native U.K. than in the U.S., this song wasn't a big hit in the U.K. either, peaking at just No. 83. They would later release some more albums, such as 1986's Certain Things Are Likely.

Review: Oh man, do I absolutely LOVE this song! The slightly dark tones, electronic, moody synths, and guitars and saxophone solo towards the end which all come together are completely brilliant. This song sounds like it belongs in an episode of Stranger Things or Twin Peaks or in a bizarre science fiction, horror, or romantic comedy movie. I'm REALLY surprised that no music video was ever made for this brilliant New Wave masterpiece. I own the album and the video above was filmed by me and posted on my channel. The lead singer's voice is also smooth and slightly attractive in that 80's sort of way. Yet another overlooked 80's minor hit. (Side note: This song includes the minor line: "Over the Garden Wall..." Did Cartoon Network get inspired by that in a way? LOL)

Final Rating:10/10

And don't forget to comment down your opinion on it below.

80's Hit Song Review: "Don't Do Me" by Randy Bell (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 90

Backstory: Denver, Colorado native Randy Bell was born in 1959 or 1960 (he was 24 in 1984) and started writing songs in his parents' basement as a teenager. After moving out he won a talent show music contest and wrote this song which was his one and ONLY ever single. No album and no follow ups. Nowadays, Bell still lives in Denver and is a real estate agent.

The Review: This song is cheesy in all of the right ways. An over the top fake European accent that doesn't go too far, New Wave style synths, and awesome guitars make this tune yet another overlooked minor Hot 100 blip from the 80's. (Side note: Doesn't Bell look like a rejected Cobra Kai member on the single cover? LOL)

Final Rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on this tune.

80's Hit Song Review: "You Don't Want Me Anymore" by Steel Breeze (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 16

Review: This is a solid power pop/pop rock tune that despite being a Top 20 hit, is now somewhat forgotten. Catchy keyboards, solid male vocals, and a fun beat make this fine and decent listen.

Final Rating:8/10

And as always, don't forget to comment down your opinion on it.