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

R.I.P. Manny Loiacano (1946-2021)

 R.I.P. to the brilliant and kindhearted man who started up the short lived pop and doo pop group Unipop in the early 80's. You were such a great man and father and grandfather to many, Manny. R.I.P.

I already made a review of Unipop's minor 1982/ 1983 hit, "What If (I Said I Love You)" a while back. So, check it out when you can and leave your tributes and respects for Manny either here or there.

80's Music Video of the Day: "When You Were Mine" by Mitch Ryder (1983)

 

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 87

Underrated cover version of a 1980 Prince song. A winner in my opinion. Produced by John Mellencamp. Interesting video as well. Takes place in the big city and a nightclub.

80's Music Video of the Day: "Loveline" by Dr. Hook (1982)

 

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 60, their final ever Hot 100 song entry.

9/10 for me, underrated soft rock song, in my opinion, soft and sweet. This is actually a cover of an Eddie Rabbitt song. Much softer than their earlier work from the 70's, however. I love the sweet and relaxing melodies of this tune and the flute and the soft acoustic guitars.

80's Hit Song Review: "Ronnie's Rapp" by Ron and the D.C. Crew (1987)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 93 (Released in late '86, peaked in January or February of '87)

Backstory: This incredibly short lived novelty music act was the brainchild of Miami, Florida based radio DJ and voice over artist, Mark Moseley. He originally made and produced this rap style song spoken in the style of than president Ronald Reagan on his radio show, where it received enough local airplay to attract the interest of Profile Records. It was then released and distributed nationally where it actually became a very minor hit. Surprisingly, despite some popular in the dance clubs as well, it never charted on that specific chart. After Moseley's act ended, Moseley went on to do more voice overs, especially those for cartoons and animated movies such as: The Simpsons Movie and Disney's straight to DVD sequel, Mulan II, replacing Eddie Murphy. Moseley is still active and doing well to this very day.

The review: Alright, I'm not gonna lie. I love this goddamn thing. Yes, it's cheesy as heck, but I think it's clever and the production and beat is really good for an one off local radio station. Not surprised that it stalled low on the charts, but this should've been a bigger hit in my honest opinion. Call me crazy, but I don't care. The Reagan impersonation is spot on, and the beat is catchy AF. A winner in my book. Maybe slightly less funny than Genesis's, "Land of Confusion" video, though. LOL.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Music Video of the Day: "Living On Video" by Trans-X (1983 or 1984, I believe)

 

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 61 (In 1986, this wasn't released as a single here in the States until a couple of years later. This was a bigger hit in other Countries.

6/10 for me, not a bad song, but very outdated, in my opinion. Got to love those cheesy synths. LOL.

So, Borat 2 is coming out!

 

Kinda can't believe it after 14 years that this finally happens again! But I'm very excited and hyped as well! In my opinion, Sacha Baron Cohen is a comedic genius.