70's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 song review: "Reason To Feel" by Scuffy Shew (1973)

 

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Singles Chart Peak Position No. 112

Backstory: There is literally little to NOTHING known about this anonymous male singer, except for the facts that he released this lone single off of the RCA Records sub label Metromedia Records sometime during 1973. It only got slight radio airplay, and therefore only Bubbled Under. Supposedly, the man only known as Scuffy Shew worked with the Beach Boys on their timeless classic Pet Sounds album and was a best friend of Alex Chilton, lead singer of the really popular 60's pop and rock band, The Box Tops. Shew also wrote a single song for the band, The Association in 1975 on the RCA label. Finally (get this): Shew supposedly voiced the Convict Fox on Disneyland's America Sings ride that was popular during the 70's (though now the ride remains infamous due to a goddamn freaky ass accidental DEATH that occurred there in 1974 when a young woman worker there was literally CRUSHED to death between two separate spinning showroom walls), but that's beside the point.  To this day, nobody really knows who Shew truly is, except for maybe a select small handful of folks.

The review: Well, this guy definitely has quite an unusual singing style and voice (which I honestly LOVE). It's almost like a classic cartoon character, like Bugs Bunny but still not quite. It's quite a unique folk rock and pop song. Honestly, I do think that this deserved to be a bigger hit and bigger success than it was, but with Shew intentionally remaining anonymous and probably not a whole lot of promotion for this single going on (besides a rare poster advertising the single that you can even find on eBay out of all places), I honestly think that this song was destined to flop on the first go. But like I said, I think it's an underrated and unique tune. I do like the guitar work and the production quite a bit.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Hit Song Review: "The Curly Shuffle" by Jump 'N' the Saddle Band (1983)

 

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 15 (released in late '83, peaked in early '84)

Backstory: This country pop and novelty swing music group formed and founded by Peter Quinn and T.C. Furlong was formed in Chicago in 1983. This following novelty song based on the classic Three Stooges comedy film series was originally a small regional hit released off of the independent ACME Records label. As the song gained more popularity, it gained the interest of Atlantic Records who eventually signed the group to the label. This following song was sadly their one and only ever hit song. A self titled album was eventually released with many covers and some originals, but it sadly went nowhere as well. However, it definitely sounded a lot different from other Top 40 hit songs from that year, that's for sure! The band still occasionally performs to this day, mostly in thrift native Chicago area.

The review: Now, this was quite the unusual little goody groove, especially for 1984! I liked this song quite a bit when I first heard it, but I liked it even more once I listened to it multiple more times. The swing like horns and trumpets really add a blend of zesty and corny fun to this tune. The imitations and occasional cheesy sound effects are pretty nice as well. But, my favorite part of the song is the fun and fast paced ending. Overall, a really good and unique one of a kind novelty song from this wonderful decade.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Cafe Amore" by Spyro Gyra (1981)

 

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 77 (released in late 1980, didn't chart until in early 1981)

Backstory: This American jazz fusion and smooth jazz/ world music band was formed in Buffalo, NY in 1974. The band name is a play on the word "spirogyra" which is a kind of algae which band member Jay Beckenstein learned about back in his school days. In 1977, they released their debut album which included the single, "Shaker Song" which peaked as high as No. 90 on the Hot 100 in 1978. They would release their biggest hit, "Morning Dance" (a Top 40 single) around the same time. This song was their last ever charting Hot 100 single. The band is still together to this day, but sadly 3 members have since passed away: Jim Kurzdorfer, Ted Reinhardt, and Dave Samuels.

The review: This is a great little instrumental song that is perfect for listening to while relaxing or eating an Italian style lunchtime or dinnertime meal (think Fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti, breadsticks, and a glass of Italian wine or a fancy Italian soda) LOL . I just love the horns, the saxophone, and the occasional flute and the drums in this track. Should've been a bigger hit, but maybe it was a bit too unconventional for an actual "hit" single. Oh well. This ain't no, "Shaddap You Face" Italian novelty style tune though, and that goddamn thing was actually a MUCH bigger hit! LOL.

"Finiculi, Funicula" eating, people. And here's your pizza as well.

Final rating: 8/10

80's Hit Song Review: "I'll Be Around" by What Is This? (1985)

 

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

Backstory: This Los Angeles band was formed by some high school friends in the early 80's. After going through some band name changes, they settled on the silly sounding What Is This?, after some neighbors asked that same exact question after hearing them for the first time. Two of the members of this group were actually Michael Balzary, AKA Flea and Hellel Slovak, both of which were also in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sadly, Slovak would pass away from an accidental drug overdose in 1988. This single, a cover of the classic 1975 soul and R&B hit by The Spinners, would be their only ever hit single, though it only made it as high as No. 62 on the Hot 100. It was produced by legendary musician and singer, Todd Rundgren, who also produced the entire album as well. They later released a small EP the following year, but it wasn't a success and they broke up soon afterwards.

The review: Although this group didn't really change up the original version of the song, I still love this version as well. I love the guitar work and the loud drums. Overall, just a really solid cover version with great production and sound quality as well.

Final rating: 9/10

Surf Mesa's, "ILY"

 

Peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, and was a worldwide success as well. Great dance mix of the classic 1967 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons song. Mesa is 20 year old Powell Aguirre, originally from Seattle, Washington. A true modern classic of a song.

80's Music Video of the Day: "Knocked Down, Made Small (Treated Like A Rubber Ball)" by Was (Not Was) (1983)

 

U.S. Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Charts Peak Position No. 109

Good, underrated pop rock/ New Wave style tune. (8/10) for me, personally. Fun, interesting music video for the song as well. Good stuff overall. From their album, "Born To Laugh At Tornadoes".

60's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Go Go Radio Moscow" by Nikita the K and the Friends of Ed Labunski (1967)

 

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

Backstory: Hardly anything is known about this incredibly short lived oddball novelty music act, but from what I do know, Ed Labunski was a record producer and a radio DJ. This single was the only ever single that the Nikita the K act ever even released at all, off of the Warner Bros. Records label. The b side, titled, "The Spoiler" is apparently an instrumental garage rock type tune. Sadly, according to some sources, Ed died in a car accident in April of 2016, though I don't know if it's necessarily true or not.

The review: This is a pretty gosh darn funny and creative break in novelty radio station kind of record. Should've gone onto the Hot 100. I love the little snippets of Blues Magoos and the The Seekers songs here and there. Even the recording of this single is really cool and must've taken quite a bit of skill. Overall, a fine novelty tune.

Final rating: 8/10