80's Hit Song Review: "Memphis" by Joe Jackson (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 85

Backstory: Jackson just released his critically acclaimed album, Night and Day the previous year, which included his biggest U.S. hit, "Steppin' Out" (1982, No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100). This following single was his lowest charting U.S. single in his entire career, peaking at just No. 85 and not even charting in any other country. It was released off of the soundtrack for the forgotten movie, Mike's Murder. Of course, Jackson would go on to release many more albums and some more singles. Nowadays, Jackson still performs live and even went into performing classical and jazz style music.

The review: This song is a bit of an oddity in Jackson's overall catalogue. It sounds like his take on a B-52's style song with a 60's surf rock style New Wave beat. Despite being somewhat repetitive, I still really like this tune. I definitely wouldn't peg it for a Top 10, but it definitely deserved a Top 40 showing. Overall, a really catchy tune.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Hit Song Review: "I Don't Mind At All" by Bourgeois Tagg (1987)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 38

Backstory: This Sacramento band was formed by Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg in 1984. In 1986, they released their first hit single, "Mutual Surrender (What A Wonderful World)", which peaked at No. 62 on the Hot 100. This second single was their only ever Top 40 hit and last hit song, peaking at No. 38 in 1987. After disbanding, Bourgeois kept on creating more music, mostly in the genres of pop and Contemporary Christian. Later, Tagg kept on making more music as well, but also became a high school English and history teacher. He retired from teaching in 2017.

The review: I've always loved this beautiful short but sweet tune with interesting lyrics and a nice melody with strings and a soft guitar. Should've been a Top 10 hit.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "If I Only Had A Brain" by The Coconuts (1982)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Peak Position No. 108

Backstory: The Coconuts were an all female backing band from New York City who worked with and was created by August "Kid Creole" Darnell. With Creole, the Coconuts had many songs chart on the Dance Charts, but Kid Creole himself (with the Coconuts) only had one really minor Hot 100 Chart entry in 1988 with Barry Manilow, "Hey Mambo" (No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100). This single was the Coconuts only charting single in the States without Creole, unfortunately only being able to Bubble Under. Ironically, Kid Creole and the Coconuts actually had much more success in the U.K. than in the States. Why, I have no idea. LOL. They still perform occasionally to this day.

The review: This is a really nice, upbeat, and catchy version of the timeless Wizard of Oz tune. It also has a nice tropical blending in the sound of the beat. Should've made it onto the Hot 100, have no idea why it didn't.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Say It, Say It" by E.G. Daily (1986)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 70

Backstory: Elizabeth Ann Guttman, better known as E.G. Daily was born in 1961 and grew up in the Los Angeles/ Hollywood area. During the 80's, she appeared in films such as Pee Wee's Big Adventure and Valley Girl. She started her singing career sometime in the mid 80's, and then released this following single which was a huge No. 1 smash hit on the Dance Charts, but only made it as high as No. 70 on the actual Hot 100. It would be her one and only song to ever chart on the Hot 100. She would, however, have a couple more songs on the Dance Chart, including "Mind Over Matter". Daily is also incredibly well known for being a voice actress, including playing the voice of Tommy Pickles on Rugrats and Buttercup on The Powerpuff Girls. Quite recently, in September of 2013, she even appeared on The Voice.

The Review: This is a really nice and catchy synth pop style dance song with a nice beat. Daily also has a really nice and solid singing voice as well. It definitely deserved to do a lot better on the Hot 100. The film noire style music video was also very cool and interesting. Can't believe it only got to as high as No. 70 on the actual Hot 100.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "So Fine" by Marc Anthony Thompson (1984)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Peak Position No. 101

Backstory: This Panamanian singer and musician first became somewhat popular during the mid 80's when he released his self titled debut album, including this single. The video above is one of the ONLY uploads of this tune even up on YouTube! It would be his only single to chart. Nowadays, Thompson is with his jazz-funk fusion and soft jazz and experimental rock band Chocolate Genius, Inc. and works and produces music for his daughter, Tessa, who is also a really famous actress. Recently she appeared in a Men in Black sequel and Beck's music video for one of his most recent hits off of his new Hyperspace album, "Uneventful Days", paying homage to his famous, "Devil's Haircut" video from his 1996 Odelay album. That video was directed by the brilliant Mark Romanek, who also directed videos for Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, Eels, and even Michael and Janet Jackson.

Chocolate Genius Inc.'s 1998 song, "Life", off of their Black Music album, was even featured in an episode of the critically acclaimed TV series, Breaking Bad.

The review: This is a really great, fun, and upbeat R&B tune with a nice funky beat and sound. Can't believe it Bubbled Under. Should've been a Top 40 hit. Thompson has a good voice as well, and the horns and synths in this tune are really nice as well. The

Final rating: 10/10

Music video of the day: "Everyday I Write the Book" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1983)

Peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Brilliant pop/rock, slightly, New Wave-ish style song. An 80's classic and MTV staple of the period.