80's Hit Song Review: "My Girl" by Donnie Iris and the Cruisers (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 25

Backstory: Iris was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1943. Growing up, he fell in love with the music of Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, and Elvis, among many others as well. After graduating from high school in 1961, he formed a band called the Jaggerz in 1964, who had a No. 2 hit six years later in 1970 with, "The Rapper". After that, he joined Wild Cherry of, "Play That Funky Music" fame in 1978. Two years later in 1980, he finally embarked on his solo career with a backup band that he named the Cruisers. This following song from early 1982 was his biggest ever Top 40 hit (and sadly his final one as well.) Iris still performs to this day, usually in the Pennsylvania area.

The review: Oh crap, I absolutely just LOVE this banger of a tune! With the 50's and 60's doo wop inspired vocal work and guitar and keyboard melodies, this one is a winner in my book! I also love the saxophone solo and the bleeping and blooping sound effects near the middle and ending of this fine song. Overall, a very catchy and classy, epic tune. Truly badass. Shame that it stalled at just No. 25. If you like this one, check out other songs by Donnie as well, including, "Ah! Leah!" and, "Love is Like A Rock".

Final rating: 10/10

80's Music Video of the Day: "Backfired" by Debbie Harry (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 43. Underrated song. 8/10 for me, personally. Has a funky beat and was produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic. From her album, KooKoo.

80's Music Video of the Day: "Shy Boy (Don't It Make You Feel Good)" by Bananarama (1983)

Peaked at No. 4 on the U.K. Singles Chart and No. 83 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. 9/10 for me, personally, I think that this is a definitely great and catchy upbeat New Wave song.

60's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Soul Sister" by Four Gents (1966)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Charts peak position No. 133

Backstory: Not a whole lot is known or written about this group, but from what I could find, they are a funk and soul group from the Flint and Detroit areas of Michigan. This song (which was actually a b-side to a single called, "I've Been Trying" ), was their only ever charting single. It was released off of the very short lived Hanna-Barbara Records label. They released only one more single off of Liberty Records in 1967 called, "He Got Soul" and then split up soon afterwards.

The review: This is a pretty damn fine soul and (mostly) instrumental R&B tune with a funky and catchy horn and drum beat. Good stuff.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Music Video of the Day: "Stars On 45 Original Medley" by Stars On 45 (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 1! (Yup, this REALLY was a No. 1 hit here in the States and also around certain European countries as well.)

Stars On 45 was pretty much just a Dutch tribute and mash-up group. One of the members was even a member of the rock band, Golden Earring.

Honestly, this is a fairly huge guilty pleasure of mine. (8/10) for me, personally.

"You got to beat the clock, you got to beat the clock!" While also doing the Beatles. LOL.

80's Hit Song Review: "Murphy's Law" by Cheri (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 39

Backstory: This Canadian R&B, Funk, Post-Disco, and pop duo was formed in Montreal by best friends Rosalind Hunt and Lyn Cullerier. This song, released off of the short lived American record label, Venture Records, was their one and only charting Hot 100 single, where it just barely got into the Top 40, but it did go all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts and to No. 5 on the R&B Charts. It was also a hit in a couple of other countries as well. They tried to capitalize on the success of this song, but sadly follow up singles on the short lived Polydor sub-label, 21 Records weren't any sort of success at all. They soon called it quits shortly afterwards.

The review: This oddball R&B song has always been a fairly big guilty pleasure song of mine. With the chipmunk like vocals and funky post disco beat, this one's pretty good and interesting, IMO.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Music Video of the Day: "Shakin'" by Eddie Money (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 63. And I'm sure you probably thought this actually was a MUCH bigger hit, right? Well sadly, it wasn't.

9/10 for me, great song, IMO.

80's Music Video of the Day: "Each Word's A Beat of My Heart" by Mink DeVille (1984)

Peaked at just No. 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. Underrated song. 9/10 for me. Sounds like a more upbeat version of, "Every Breath You Take" to me, personally. This was this group's (led by Willy DeVille)'s only ever hit single, believe it or not.