Cool Music Video of the day: "Close (to the Edit)" by The Art of Noise (1984)

80's Hit Song Review: "I Cry Just A Little Bit" by Shakin' Stevens (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 67 (Originally released in the U.K. in '83)

Backstory: Welsh singer Michael Barrett, better known as Shakin' Stevens was born in 1948. During the 60's, he started to write songs and perform music with his band Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets. But he got his big break in the early 80's when he had a hit with a cover of, "This Ole House", which was a No. 1 hit in the U.K. In fact, he was the single most successful solo male artist of the 80's in the U.K. But despite all of his success in England, this following song was surprisingly his only ever hit here in the States, only peaking as high as No. 67 on the Hot 100. But it made the top 20 on the Adult Contemporary Charts and was yet another top 10 hit for him in the U.K. He still continues to make and perform music to this very day.

The review: I've always loved this very nice sounding pop song with a slight 60's feel to it. The beat, Stevens's vocals, and the occasional saxophone make this one a winner in my book. Shame it was his only ever hit here in the States, not even a big one either.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Bubbling Under The Hot 100 Song Review: "I Love You" by Yello (1983)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Charts Peak Position No. 103

Backstory: This highly bizarre but unique and one of a kind Swiss electronic duo was formed by millionaire industrialist and gambler Dieter Meier and Boris Blank, along with Carlos Peron, although he left the group to pursue a solo career. Their music is characterized by their usage of bizarre samples, beats, and vocal effects, along with bringing in their own unique and wacky sense of humor. In 1980, they released their debut album, Solid Pleasure, on The Residents Ralph Records label based out of San Francisco. After leaving Ralph Records, they released this single off of their album, You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess, which unfortunately only Bubbled Under. But it was a success on the U.S. dance charts and in the U.K., where it peaked at No. 41 on the U.K. Singles Chart. After that they kept on releasing more and more albums and singles, but they are easily most well known for their bizarre 1985 oddball New Wave/ dance hit, "Oh Yeah", which was used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, among many other movies and TV shows. That song peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was their first and only ever Hot 100 chart entry. They even have an app called the Yellofier that they released sometime in 2013, and are still performing and making new music and samples to this day.

The review: Oh my goodness, is this song an absolutely BLAST to listen to! The funky little upbeat New Wave electronic synth beats and rhythms are just too damn awesome! And the lyrics and the occasional female voice saying a rather goofy yet kind of sexy and attractive "I love you" voice is also another fantastic fine little touch. Love this one, and it's such a bummer it stalled so early.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "I Predict" by Sparks (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 60

Backstory: This incredibly popular Los Angeles based cult rock, pop, and New Wave band (though they also experiment with other music genres as well, even including opera and spoken word), was formed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael in either 1967 or 1968. Both were graduates of UCLA, and are incredibly well-known in their Los Angeles area to this day. Ironically however, they had more chart success in Europe then they ever had here in the States. Their biggest U.S. hit, "Cool Places" which also included The Go-Go's Jane Wiedlin on vocals only got as high as No. 49 on the Hot 100. They still release plenty of music to this day and remain a VERY popular cult act. In fact, filmmaker Edgar Wright is even making a documentary about them. This song, from their 1982 album, Angst in My Pants, was their only other Hot 100 chart entry. A somewhat comedic yet controversial music video was also made for the song, made in the style of David Lynch's weird films, although it wasn't made by Lynch himself. The video consists of member Ron Mael performing a comedic striptease in front of a bunch of middle aged, slightly drunk and perverted looking men.

The review: This is EASILY one of my 100 favorite New Wave songs of ALL time. But what makes it even more epic is not only the cool and ridiculously catchy New Wave synth and drum beat, but also the comedic and truly ridiculous (yet clever and even somewhat smart and creative) lyrics making fun of lies, psychics, and fake news. Lyrics include such gems such as: "You're gonna eat a bowl of chow mien and get hungry real soon", and "This song will fade out" (yet it doesn't.) LOL. But the ONE line of lyrics in this song that is EASILY one of my ALL time favorite pieces of lyrics are, get this: "Cold beer and pretzels takes care of cancer!" LOL! Like, ya right, no shit Sherlock! Overall, just a very strange yet catchy and fun, comedic New Wave song.

(Also, don't forget to check out the album cover for Angst. You'll bust up LAUGHING. LOL.)

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Flashes" by Tiggi Clay (1984)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 86

Backstory: This San Francisco Bay Area based New Wave and R&B trio consisting of all African-American members consisted of Fizzy Qwick (Debravon Lewis), William "Billy" Peaches, and Romeo "Breath" McCall. In 1984, they released their one and only self-titled album. According to the band, the name Tiggi Clay was named after a notorious bully that they unfortunately knew while growing up, most likely sometime during their high school years. This single was released off of the really short lived Motown Records sub-label, Morocco. It was a minor success, but the album sadly never took off despite having many positive reviews. After breaking up, Qwick went on to make and produce more music and even worked a bit with Tina Turner. Most recently, Qwick has written music for the little known singer, U. Niq.

The review: This song is just an absolutely fun and awesome blast to listen to! The catchy synths, and fresh and upbeat vocals, and medleys are just too awesome! Such a shame it never really caught on too well.

Final rating: 9/10

80's Hit Song Review: "What If (I Said I Love You)" by Unipop (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 71 (Released in very late '82, didn't peak until in early '83)

Backstory:Italian-American singer and pianist Manny Loiacano grew up in the New York during the 50's and 60's, and in his early 20's until late 20's he performed in many shows around New York under the name of Rick Daniels. He was even popular enough to make a couple of appearances on the Tonight Show. After marrying his wife, Phyllis, who was a teacher at the time, both of them moved down to Atlanta and began to write and perform their own music. It was there when they got the attention of Bertie Higgins, best known for his No. 8 1982 hit, "Key Largo." It also attracted the attention of Kat Family Records, Higgins's short lived record label. With help from Higgins's main record producer, Sonny Limbo, they recorded their first and only ever album, Unilove. This first single was a minor success, but other singles sadly failed to chart and their Unipop days were over. Loiacano and his wife resumed life in Atlanta and started a family, who all enjoy good music, pianos, and Italian cuisine. Manny and his wife now own Roswell Piano Tuning By Ear, which is still up and running to this day. You should check out their website, and in fact, Loiacano even had a few famous people and musicians drop by there!

The review: Some people may think that I'm overrating this song, but I have personally always absolutely LOVED this 50's doo-wop style throwback song. But what definitely makes it unique is the multi-tracking slightly high pitched vocal style. With saxophones and a sweet piano, this tune is a winner in my book! But what's sad is the fact that only THREE full uploads of this song to this day even exist on YouTube! Such a great little nostalgic sounding tune.

Final rating: 10/10

80's Hit Song Review: "The Fanatic" by Felony (1982)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 42 (Released in '82, didn't peak until in early '83)

Backstory: This short lived Los Angeles based New Wave band was formed by brothers Jeffrey Scott Spry and Joseph Anthony Spry and brothers Danny and Steve Sands. The Spry brothers were originally in a band called The New Order (obviously not the British band of the same name), which only lasted from 1975 until October of 1976. This single was their first and only ever hit single from their first and only ever album, named after this single. The single nearly made it into the Top 40, but the album was only a minor success, only peaking as high as No. 185 on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Charts. Another single of theirs was a cover of the 60's classic hit, "The Pied Piper." The album got quite a lot of airplay on the L.A. based station, KROQ-FM. But many people also remember this song from it being included in the classic 1983 film, Valley Girl. Sadly, on March 9th, 1992, Jeffrey Scott Spry committed suicide by gunshot. He was just 39 or 40 years old. Allegedly, this may have been after a fight with his brother or wife.

The review: I have ALWAYS absolutely LOVED this song! The clever and cool New Wave and guitar rhythm and beat and the slight bounciness of it is just too gosh darn awesome! And the lyrics and Spry's vocal performance are great as well! The crazy laugh at the end of this tune is yet another fine little small touch, and so is the piano solo. May Jeffrey Scott Spry Rest in Peace.

Final rating: 10/10