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 He originally made and produced this rap style song spoken in the style of than president Ronald Reagan on his radio show, where it received enough local airplay to attract the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6/10 for me, not a bad song, but very outdated, in my opinion.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.

80's Hit Song Review: "Love Light" by Yutaka (1981)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 81 (Note: This song was originally released in his native Japan in 1978, so technically, yes it is in fact a 70's song.)

Backstory: Japan born Yutaka Yokokura discovered Brazilian music and smooth jazz at an early age and moved to the States during his young adult years to attend college. He had an opportunity to work with the Japanese fusion jazz group Hiroshima. In 1978, he released this album which didn't make it into the U.S. airwaves until 3 years later in '81. It only became a minor hit and was his only ever charting single in the States. He released a follow up album 7 years later in '88. 

The review: This is a fine song with a relaxing melody and fine vocals by both Yokokura and Patti Austin (yes, Patti Austin!) I really like the traditional Asian melodies mixed in with the cool saxophones. Should've been a bigger hit.

80's Music Video of the Day: "It's Inevitable" by Charlie (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 38, the biggest ever hit for this U.K. based rock band. Ironically enough, they never had a single charting single in their native U.K.

(9/10) for me personally, love this tune! (By the way, the music video audio is in a different key than the album version of the song)

60's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Song Review: "Letter From A Teenage Son" by Brandon Wade (1967)

U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Charts Peak Position No. 120

Backstory: Hardly anything is even known about Wade at all, besides the fact that he released this one and only single of his off of Philips Records in 1967 and that it flopped. It was an answer record to Victor Lundberg's unexpected Top 10 spoken word hit, "An Open Letter To My Teenage Son". Besides that, we know that he is was a Caucasian young man with short, black hair at the time. Who knows what ever became of him?

The review: This is barely even a "song" at all, it's just a spoken word letter with music playing in the background. However, the music sets the serious and even slightly scary at times mood of the letter. Wade explains to parents on how he finds many of the things that they believe in to be rather hypocritical and even very unkind and unfair at certain times. I love it. Yes, seriously. LOL. Definitely an unique oddball track. (Also, the "song" is the exact same "song" on the flip side, the only difference is mono and stereo versions.)

Final rating: 9/10

80's Hit Song Review: "Bad, Bad Billy" by Snuff (1983)

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position No. 88

Backstory: This Virginia based country rock band originally formed as a trio in the late 70's and got signed to Warner Bros./ Curb Records. In 1982, they released their first charting single off of their self titled debut album, a minor Country Chart hit called, "(So This Is) Happy Hour" which peaked as high as No. 71 on the Country Charts. This other single was their one and only ever Hot 100 Chart entry, only peaking as high as No. 88 on the Hot 100. Their recording days came to an end, but they still continue to perform occasionally in the Virginia and Washington D.C. areas. The band's violinist, Cecil Hooker, however went on to become a film producer and editor. He has worked on numerous commercials and TV shows, specifically those for CBS.

The review: This is a pretty good and decent country rock tune. Not sure why it stalled so low. It's definitely nothing outstanding, but it's still really good as is. I like the strings and the fun and catchy upbeat rhythms of the guitars and the drum beat. The vocals are pretty fine as well.

Final rating: 7/10