Wednesday, April 22, 2020

80's Music Video of the Day: "Lover Come Back To Me" by Dead or Alive (1985)


U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 75, No. 11 on the U.K. Singles Chart, and No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts. Underrated song. (8/10) for me, personally.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

80's Music Video of the Day: "Automatic Man" by Michael Sembello (1983)


Peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 66 on the German Singles Chart. Underrated, catchy song from the singer of, "Maniac". 9/10 for me. This was his only other Hot 100 chart entry besides "Maniac". Cheesy video, however. LOL.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

80's Music Video of the Day: "Live is Life" by Opus (1984)


Peaked at No. 32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Charts in 1986, was originally a hit around Europe in 1984 and 1985. Great tune 9/10 for me personally. A Polydor Records release. Opus are from the Netherlands, and this was their only ever U.S. hit song.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

80's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Oogity Boogity" by Jon St. James (1984)


U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Charts Peak Position No. 105, also peaked at No. 89 on the R&B Charts.

Backstory: Born John Willoughby, this American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and recording engineer got his start in 1977, and by the early 80's he was already producing music for bands such as Berlin and the Vandals. He is even good friends with Stacey Q., and later produced music for the female dance-pop duo, Bardeux, starting in the late 80's. During that time, he released an album, Trans-Atlantic, off of EMI America Records. Unfortunately, this following single flopped, only Bubbling Under the Hot 100 despite having occasional club airplay and music video airplay. His follow up singles, including, "The Girl Who Seduced the World" unfortunately did absolutely nothing to revive his solo career. He released one more album on Enigma Records in 1986 called Fast Impressions. It too wasn't successful. Willoughby still produces music for artists to this day, including bands such as The Used and even Green Day.

Fun Fact: Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers makes an appearance in the music video as an oddball dancer and love interest of some blonde haired woman. The Red Hot Chili Peppers had their first ever album released in 1984, also on EMI America Records.

The review: This is a heavily catchy and fun New Wave song with a nice herky-jerky robotic synth beat to it. It's really upbeat. I also like the odd and robotic "oOgItY bOOgitY" vocoder voice as well. LOL. Overall, it's a really fun, upbeat, and sadly overlooked song.

Final rating: 8/10

Sunday, April 12, 2020

80's Hit Song Review: "Let Me Go" by The Rings (1981)


U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 75

Backstory: This Boston based rock and power pop band played their first show in 1978 and eventually caught the attention of MCA Records who signed them. Their self-titled debut album included this minor hit which was their one and only ever charting single. They released a 2nd album called, "Rhythm Method", but it went nowhere and didn't chart. They broke up soon afterwards.

The review: This is a pretty good rock tune with a slight reggae-like beat and melody to it. Quite interesting. It's nothing outstanding, but I still really like this fine tune. Kind of reminds me of the Cars in all honesty. The Rings, IMO, are a somewhat underrated group that deserved a bit more of attention. Their style of power pop and maybe "New Wave" should've gotten them bigger chart success. Bummer it didn't last long for them.

Final rating: 7/10