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

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