Music Video of the Day: "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" by Scritti Politti (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 91 (in 1986), and also went all the way to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts on its first run back in '84, and No. 10 on the U.K. Singles Chart the same year. Really good New Wave tune with lyrics added in the video.

80's Hit Song Review: "Spirit in the Sky" by Doctor and the Medics (1986)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 69 (No. 1 hit in their native U.K.)

Backstory: This British glam rock and slightly New Wavish band was formed in 1981 by Clive Jackson A.K.A. The Doctor. This cover version of Norman Greenbaum's 1969 classic was their one and only ever U.S. hit. The video got a fair amount of airplay on MTV. Oddly, despite being a huge No. 1 success in their native U.K., it stalled at just No. 69 here in the States (though it also got to as high as No. 27 on the Hot Dance Club Play Charts). They would have a couple more U.K. hit singles, including, "Burn", and oddly enough, a cover of ABBA's, "Waterloo". They still occasionally perform around the U.K. to this day and even released a couple of more unsuccessful albums.

The review: Honestly, I have always loved their version of Greenbaum's classic. Why it stalled so early in the U.S., I'll never know. It's catchy, fun, and very well produced.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Put Away Your Love" by Alessi (1982)

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

Backstory: This soft rock duo from Long Island, New York consisting of twin brothers Billy and Bobby Alessi was formed in 1976 and still perform to this very day. They had a No. 8 U.K. hit in 1977 with, "Oh Lori", but oddly enough, this minor U.S. hit was their first and only ever U.S. hit single. In fact, the video above is the one and ONLY upload of this tune even up on YouTube, oddly enough as well. Many of their songs have been covered by artists such as Rick Springfield and Peter Frampton, and the Alessi brothers have also created some radio jingles as well in their spare time. Oddly, the duo has a slight cult following in Japan out of all countries.

The review: This is a very fine and dandy soft rock tune with a nice and relaxing beat and nice keyboards and vocal work. I wouldn't peg it for a Top 10 hit, but it definitely should have had at least made it into the Top 40. Shame they couldn't really find success here in the States.

Final rating: 7/10

Yet Another Fine Song: "Freak-A-Ristic" by Atlantic Starr (1985)

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

Music Video of the Day: "Just Another Day" by Oingo Boingo (1985)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 85 (in 1986): Catchy and fun New Wave. From Stranger Things Season 2

80's Hit Song Review: "I Eat Cannibals" by Total Coelo (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 66 (Also No. 27 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play Charts)

Backstory: This British New Wave novelty group (named Toto Coelo in their native U.K. instead) was formed by Barry Blue in the early 80's and disbanded in 1985. This following single was their one and only song to ever cross over to any of the U.S. music charts. It was a much bigger success in their native U.K. where it peaked as high as No. 8. They released 4 more singles, two of which were successful around Europe, but not in the U.S.

The review: I know that I may be absolutely crazy for saying this, but I've always have absolutely loved this song. It's both really fun and catchy at the same time, though totally ridiculous as well. It was quite popular on MTV when it came out, so there's that. LOL. Overall, I think that this tune deserved to be a much bigger success here in the States. Just ridiculous, kitschy fun. Almost like a combination of Adam and the Ants, Bow Wow Wow, Bananarama, and Haysi Fantayzee. LOL.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Theme From "WKRP in Cincinnati"" by Steve Carlisle (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 65 (also No. 29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts as well.)

Backstory: Not a whole not is really known about Carlisle. I do know that he's from Akron, Ohio, where he met Bucker and Garcia of 1982's, "Pac-Man Fever" fame, who produced his one and only hit single for him, the theme song to the hit CBS comedy sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati. It's actually unclear what happened to Carlisle after his short break shot at music success. Some sources say that he became some sort of religious preacher or monk in some European or Asian country (or even just somewhere in Australia) to start some sort of new lifestyle. Either way, he'll definitely be remembered through this hit theme song. (BTW: Oddly enough, the full length theme song wasn't released until about 3 years after the series first started airing in 1978. Why, I don't know.)

The review: I've always really liked and have enjoyed this fun and mellow happy-go-lucky theme tune about working at a radio station and how it can affect your life, for better or for worse. Shame it didn't do better. Maybe if it was released much earlier in the series run, it would've done much better. And the fake "WKRP in Cincinnati" jingle at the very end of the tune is an incredibly cool and clever nice little final touch! Overall, just a very good theme tune.

Final rating: 8/10