Underrated 80s
I can’t be stopped with these Spotify playlists.
Here’s another new one. All 80s. All the time. All not as appreciated as they should be. No judgements!
It’s an 80s Heartbreak – back on the chain gang (of 1974?)
This is a great recommendation from Chazz who’s consistent gym/shazam combo is paying off big dividends for Grant.
Super Simple Minds/John Hughes-y. It’s “Don’t You Forget About Me” with a little more glitter. The Chain Gang of 1974 – “Heartbreakin’ Scream”https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OL4gKC1fmZY
Vesta’s Good Thing
So “Unsung” is back on TVOne and if you’re not watching it, you are COMPLETELY MISSING OUT.
The winter season kicked off with an episode devoted to Vesta Williams and this song is the unmistakable winner.
It’s late 80s A&M, the John McClain era, and you can definitely hear the sound of labelmate (and enormous success) Janet Jackson being applied pretty effectively.
Thanks to Chazz for pointing it out before I could even watch it off the DVR.
Tamara and The Seen – curing your long cold nights
As a tried and true Prince fan I’m not sure how I missed Ta Mara and The Seen…. This white girl-fronted MN-based band from the mid-80s slipped through my fingers (though now that I think about it…I definitely remember seeing this in the “cut out bins” of Golden Oldies and just presuming it was crap based on the oh-so-classy cover art.
Margie Cox made an appearance on Prince’s 90s 1-800-NEW-FUNK compilation with the outstanding “Standing At The Alter” but I somehow never connected that she had a long-standing Prince connection that was worth exploring. Well some youtube digging can cure all ills and after a brief indoctrination, I’m here to share. I think this one is my favorite, which definitely has a “Lovergirl” feel. Prince didn’t actually have anything to do with it – it was produced by The Time’s Jesse Johnson – but it’s dripping with the Minneapolis sound. The ending reminds me of “Nasty Girl” and I love that she bites off a bit of Aretha’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” in the vamps. Ta Mara & The Seen – “Long, Cold Nights” I like this one too…HELLO 80s video!! “Affection” And here’s a snippet of the 90s track, which actually was written/produced by Prince – “Standing At The Alter”The Cars – New New Wave
Doesn’t get any new wavier than this!
The Cars – “Blue Tip” And let us recall this little song from their yesteryears which I remember seeing (in edited form) in 1984 and being very confused by. “Hello Again”Is that Ricky Gervais or is that Flock of Seagulls?
This one is really hard to process. But, YES, that is Ricky Gervais singing lead on this 1983 UK single (which only made it to #79 on the charts).
Seona Dancing – “Bitter Heart”Bigger than a Honda and Bigger than a Subaru
An oft forgotten slice of 80s cheese that is do for a revisit. Sometimes confused with “Freeway of Love,” I remember this song being huge but apparently it only peaked on the R&B charts (April 1988). A cover of a Bruce Springsteen B-side, Bette Midler wanted to include this on an early 80s album but was rebuffed by Springsteen’s people. And the whole song is actually a naughty little metaphor…something that completely went over my head at age 13.
Side note: the single version here was remixed by Clivilles & Cole. And…is that Khandi Alexander whipping her hair back and forth at 1:48?
Such a Pretty Mess on My Dress
World's most ridiculous song. After being kicked off the Purple Rain set by Prince and quickly being replaced by (one in a long succession) of lookalikes (this time Apollonia), Vanity moved to Motown to record a solo record. I think it's sort of amazing that she released this song as a pop single in 1984. Um, it's about someone ejaculating on her clothes. That was 25 years ago, people. Like, um, wow!
It's been well documented that she had a pretty serious drug problem at this time and has since cleaned up (maybe too much – I think she's a Christian evangelist now). But her bad choices are our YouTube fodder. And check-out all the video's popped champagne corks, falling pearls, etc, just to drive the visual metaphor home. Thanks, Vanity! Vanity – "Pretty Mess"Don’t Forget Maxine Nightingale
Why hello early 80s soul diva resurgence…nice to see you again.
What, you only know “Right Back Where You Started From” and “Lead Me On”? Me too! How handy that we’ve discovered this gem from one of her latter full length albums (from her heyday) that sounds very Pointer Sisters “Fire”/”Slow Hand”…but, let’s be honest, not as good. Maxine Nightingale – “Work On It”I Need A Man
How amazing is this song? Happy New Year!
Katie Kissoon – "I Need A Man In My Life"
SWIZZLSTICK 