80's Music Video of the Day: "We Can Get Together" by Icehouse (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 62, their first ever U.S. hit song. Pretty good New Wave tune, kinda catchy and slightly art-rockish.

80's Hit Song Review: "Ch-Ch-Cherie" by The Johnny Average Band Featuring Nikki Wills (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 53

Backstory: This short lived American rock and power pop group was formed in Woodstock, NY and released their one and only album and charting single off of Todd Rundgren's very own Bearsville Records label. The song made it only about halfway up the chart before falling off. They released one more single, "Some People" off of their one and only album of the exact same name, but it failed to chart. Mick Hodgson and his wife, Nikki (who appears and sings the lead vocals on this track) were the main two members of this group. Oddly, Nikki went on to voice the Berry Godmother character in the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon series in 1983 after the group split, while member Shane Fontayne (real name Mick Barakan) went on to play with Bruce Springsteen's band during the period in which the E-Street Band was disbanded.

The review: This is definitely a pretty good and cutesy little short ditty with nice vocal work from Wills and some cool synth and modulation effects. Should've at least have a minor Top 40 success. Overall, a very fun yet definitely not outstanding or brilliant tune.

Final rating: 7/10

80's Hit Song Review: "You've Got A Good Love Coming" by Van Stephenson (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 79

Backstory: This American singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ohio was born in 1953 and moved to Nashville when he was 10. He started writing songs in the early 70's and even wrote songs for artists such as Juice Newton, Kenny Rogers, and Crystal Gayle. Then, in 1981, he released his first charting single off of the short-lived Handshake Records and Tapes label, this minor hit which couldn't climb higher than 79. Famous country singer Lee Greenwood of, "God Bless the U.S.A." fame would later cover the tune in 1984, where it got to as high as No. 9 on the Billboard Country Charts and No. 6 on the Canadian Country Charts. Stephenson would only have two other songs chart, both in 1984, though they were both much bigger successes than this one was: "Modern Day Delilah" (No. 22), and, "What the Big Girls Do". He would only release one more album in 1986, though he would still work in the music industry for a bit longer. Sadly in 2001, he died from a form of cancer called melanoma. He was just 47.

The review: While I don't think that this tune is a masterpiece, it certainly deserved to do a whole lot better than just getting as high as No. 79 on the charts. It's a soft and sweet soft rock love song with a feel and vibe to it, and Stephenson has a really nice voice in this song. The instrumentation is quite simple, but it still flows along really fine. Overall, just a really good soft rock song, though it's not a masterpiece.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Music Video of the Day: "Over My Head" by Toni Basil (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 81, her last ever charting single.

80's Hit Song Review: "Right Between the Eyes" by Wax (1986)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 43 (No. 60 in their native U.K.)

Backstory: This short-lived British rock and pop group was formed by 10cc's Graham Gouldman and Andrew Gold (Gold was best known for songs such as, "Thank You For Being A Friend" (1978, No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Never Let Her Slip Away" (also 1978, No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100), and even the 1996 Halloween style novelty song, "Spooky Scary Skeletons", which later became an internet meme and was later remixed by the Living Tombstone.)  After going thru a couple of band name changes, they finally settled on simply calling themselves Wax and released this first hit single off of their debut album, Magnetic Heaven. It nearly made the Top 40 in the U.S., yet ironically and surprisingly stalled at just No. 60 in their Native U.K. It also made it all the way to No. 24 in the Netherlands, and barely made the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, peaking at No. 39 on that chart. They released another much bigger hit single in their native U.K., "A Bridge To Your Heart" which peaked at No. 12 on the U.K. Singles Chart. Though they released two more albums, they sadly weren't too successful and they disbanded by 1989. Sadly, Gold died from heart failure caused from kidney cancer, and died on June 3rd, 2011 in his sleep. Gold was 59.

The review: Oh MAN, how I absolutely LOVE this song! To me, it's just an absolutely brilliant 4 minute long pop and rock tune with great guitars, drums, and keyboards, along with absolutely FANTASTIC production. Even the lyrics, though kinda simple, are pretty nice as well, and I absolutely love the, "You hit me with a million volts!", main chorus, along with the lyrics about true love and being in love. The song also has a nice synth based instrumental section at nearly the 3 minute mark that lasts for a short yet still long enough amount of time. And I also love Gold's positive sounding, "DIG IT!", remark at the very ending of the song. Overall, just an absolutely brilliant and wonderful positive and upbeat sounding pop and rock tune that sadly stalled early in both the States and in their native U.K.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "My Mistake" by The Kingbees (1980)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 81

Backstory: This rockabilly style rock band from Southern California was formed by Jamie James and got signed to the RSO record label. In 1980, they released this minor hit single off of their self-titled debut album. Unfortunately for them, it was their only ever charting song, despite releasing a couple of other singles. Though the group soon disbanded, they recently reunited a couple of years ago and occasionally tour around certain American states and cities. Before reuniting, Jamie James helped form a rock and roll band called DQ and the Sharks. The DQ in question is actor and musician Dennis Quaid, who is the brother of fellow actor Randy Quaid (among having some other famous family members as well as dating famous actresses, such as P.J. Soles.)

The review: This is a really good cool cat style rockabilly tune with a nice guitar rhythm and drum beat, along with a slight early 80's New Wave feel that can be compared to other rockabilly New Wave style bands of the early 80's, including, The Motors, The Jags, The Rockets, The Romantics, and of course, The Stray Cats. The vocal style is also very cool and sounds like it was recorded in a unique way, though I don't know exactly how the vocals came exactly to be. Though it's not absolutely brilliant or a masterpiece, it definitely deserved at least a Top 40 or Top 30 showing. Shame that this was such a minor hit and had no other hit singles. Such an underrated band (like the Polecats, best known for their non -charting KROQ station staple, "Make A Circuit With Me".)

Final rating: 8/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Goin' Down" by Greg Guidry (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 17

Backstory: This singer-songwriter was born in 1954 in St. Louis and wrote songs for artists such as the Climax Blues Band, Robbie Dupree, and even Reba McEntire. In 1982, he released this single which became his biggest hit single. It got inside the Top 20 on the Hot 100 and got to No. 11 on the Adult Contemporary Charts. Greg would only have one other really minor hit song which was a duet with his sister, Sandy, "Into My Love" (No. 92 on the Hot 100.) Though he continued to work as a songwriter thru the late 80's, he wouldn't release a follow-up album until 2000. Sadly, in 2003, he died in a fire in his car in his own garage. His death was ruled out as a suicide. Greg was just 49.

The review: I've always loved this slightly darker and mysterious sounding "mature" soft rock and pop song with great vocals and a nice and relaxing melody. Even just the way that the song starts off with a mysterious vibe is just awesome! I also love the, "Goin' down, for the last time" chorus and just the production and instrumentation in general, especially the guitars, bass, and drums. Overall, just a damn good song. May Greg Rest in Peace.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Hold Me" by Menudo (1985)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 62

Backstory: This highly successful Latin boy band was formed in 1977 and lasted until 2009, staying strong for 32 years, but with (of course) numerous line-up and vocalist changes. Their band name means "little" in Spanish, and in Puerto Rican Spanish (oddly enough), loose change. This song from 1985 was their first and only ever Billboard Hot 100 entry, surprisingly only getting to as high as No. 62 on the Charts. A young 13 or 14 year old Ricky Martin was even an active member at the time. Many of the members have gone off to solo careers, but unfortunately there have been many conflicts within the group, especially when it came to line-up changes and relationships between the members. Menudo still remain hugely popular within the Hispanic and Spanish communities to this very day, and even have somewhat of a cult following here in the States, though it's mostly in (of course) like I just said the Mexican-American and Spanish-American Hispanic communities. This song is only a handful of their songs that is sung in English.

The review: I know that I may totally be embarrassing myself by saying this, but I honestly LOVE this song. I love the funky synth and upbeat R&B style beats and the chorus. And these boys could definitely sing better than some other boy bands out there! Heck, remember Jesse McCartney in Dream Street and friggin' A1 (Yeah, name your boy band like their a goddamn steak sauce!) LOL. The production's absolutely great and top-notch as well. Overall, a surprisingly REALLY good boy band tune. And the video (filmed in L.A.) makes it even better! LOL. With the dancing, street running footage, and (of course) the ridiculous mid-80's clothing styles. LOL.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Obscene Phone Caller" by Rockwell (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 35

Backstory: Rockwell (Kennedy William Gordy) (born 1964) is the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. As a child, he often visited Michael Jackson and his other Jackson 5 siblings. His first charting single, "Somebody's Watching Me" made it all the way to the 2nd spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It also included backup vocals from none other than Michael Jackson himself. This 2nd follow up single was his one and only other Hot 100 Chart entry, stalling near the bottom of the Top 40. He released a few other albums including, Captured and The Genie, but neither were successful. Recently, Rockwell was arrested for beating a woman with a chair at Hollywood's Magic Castle Hotel after she approached him and demanded him for payment. Just two days after his arrest, he was released after a $30,000 bail. The woman sued Rockwell for breaking her arm, and more info is on the way. Damn.

The review: Oh no, this way just not the way to go! I'm surprised that this damn tune about a pervert making (obviously) obscene phones calls even made it as high as the Top 40! The lyrics and plot sucks (and not in a "so bad it's good" cheesy way), and even the actual melodies sound cheesy and somewhat unfinished with a violin and somewhat repetitive music lines. This was just not a good idea at all! No wonder he didn't have any chart success after this tune (though he did have one more single in 1985 that did Bubble Under the Hot 100.) What a shame. That being said, I'll still give the song a couple of points for making me laugh and being somewhat creative and different (yet sadly failing miserably.) And I'll also give it those few points for trying to make humor out of such a taboo and controversial topic, but definitely nothing more than that.

Final rating: 2/10