Can you name the artist and song:
Instinctively you give to me
The love that I need
I cherish the moments with you
Last Song: “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John from Too Low For Zero (1983)
Great job Andy (@andytorah)!!!
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide
Behind that mask you use
Hi Everybody! Welcome back to this week’s countdown! If you missed the previous posts, you can check out songs 40-31 and 30-21. Once again, we have a crazy diverse day. We have hair bands, R&B, and pop. And, we also have a Long Distance Dedication! So, let’s Return to the week ending March 25, 1989, and continue the countdown.
We begin today with Poison’s cover of the Loggins and Messina hit, “Your Mama Don’t Dance”. The Loggins and Messina version reached all the way up to #4 in 1972. While Poison didn’t go as high with the song, they did manage to reach #10. This song was kind of a let down for me. But, next year, Poison would release what I feel was their best album – Flesh and Blood.
“Your Mama Don’t Dance” by Poison on Amazon
This is one of those songs that I didn’t recognize by the title, but remembered it when I heard it. This has that classic late-80s New Wavey synthpop sound. This song was a worldwide hit for the Canadian synthpop band.
“I Beg Your Pardon” by Kon Kan on Amazon
Oh Good Lord!!! I forgot that we are now in a point in time where the New Kids were white hot. Well, I was never a part of their target audience, so this is not my thing. They are local to me, so I am happy for their success. Donnie is awesome in Blue Bloods, and I actually do enjoy the A&E show, Wahlburgers. I still haven’t been to one of those restaurants yet. By the way, who would have thought that 26 years after this song, New Kids On the Block would still be touring?!?
“You Got It (The Right Stuff)” by New Kids On The Block on Amazon
“Superwoman” is the second single from R&B singer Karyn White’s self-titled debut album, Karyn White (1988). It became her second U.S. top ten hit and second U.S. R&B number-one hit.
Here is a nice R&B song by Karyn White. She had a nice string of hits in the late ’80s through early ’90s. She then left the music business to start a family. In 2012, she released her first studio album in 17 years – Carpe Diem.
“Superwoman” by Karyn White on Amazon
Here is the second song, of this list, titled “You Got It” (minus “The Right Stuff”). I remember this song very well, but thought this was an older song from the ’60s. This song reached #9, and was Orbison’s first Top 10 hit in 25 years. Unfortunately, Orbison never saw this return to the charts, as he died of a heart attack the previous December at the age of 52. A couple of his Traveling Wilburys played on this song – Jeff Lynne on backing vocals and electric guitar, and Tom Petty on backing vocals and acoustic guitar.
“You Got It” by Roy Orbison on Amazon
Here is another really good R&B hit. This is my favorite song so far today. Anita Baker won a Grammy with this song for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
“Just Because” by Anita Baker on Amazon
Ugh, I can’t “Stand” this song! I don’t know what it is about R.E.M., but they just irritate me. This song just sounds like an annoying children’s song. I will give them credit for having a unique sound.
Now we’re up to our Long Distance Dedication. This is the feature that reminds us what popular music is all about…songs helping us to express important feelings. Here is a letter from Robert from Nebraska:
Dear Casey,
This dedication is for the most important person in my life. I had the great experience of growing up in Frankfurt, Germany. I was part of military family and we moved quite a few times. I was a quiet, shy boy and I had a few good friends, but always had difficulty being comfortable in groups, especially if girls were present. I never really dated much – until the beginning of my senior year when I met Diana. I had signed up for the bus to take us to an away football game. The buses were crowded and I was forced to sit next to one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. Naturally, I was nervous and had trouble even looking as her- not to mention talking to her. During the football game we gave each other side glances and on the trip home we again sat together- not because we had to this time. When we got back to the school, I somehow summoned enough courage to ask for her phone number. The rest, as they say, is history. We became inseparable and did everything together. Eventually, the time came to return to the U.S. for college. We decided to go to school in Nebraska – I just could not imagine being without her. I was leaving the first week of July and she would leave at the end of August. We spent every day until that week in June. These were the best days I had ever had. I was worried that things would not work out while we were apart and these could be the last days I would ever see her. Casey, would you please play “Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx. This song reminds me of the great times I spent with Diana and how much she meant to me. Thank you.
P.S. Casey, everything did work out. This summer we will celebrate our 25th anniversary with our four wonderful children. Even today this song reminds me of her and that summer after our senior year.
Robert. Here is your long distance dedication
From 1987, that was “Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx, a long distance dedication from Robert in Nebraska, to his wife Diana.
Now. On with the countdown.
“Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx on Amazon
I had never heard this song before. I do like some songs by Breathe, so I was hoping this would be a pleasant surprise. It’s not bad. Not great either, but far from the worst on this countdown.
“Don’t Tell Me Lies” by Breathe on Amazon
This is the third R&B song today, and it is another winner! This was Vanessa’s first top 40 hit, and first #1 R&B hit.
“Dreamin'” by Vanessa Williams on Amazon
This is, by far, my favorite Guns N’ Roses tune! It is such a perfect rock song. From Steven Adler’s awesome drumming to Slash’s classic guitar sound, to Axl’s voice, which is perfect for this song. They are just firing on all cylinders at this point. I think that if they all got along, kept their s*!t together, they would have survived through the grunge era. Everybody has been waiting for the original lineup to get back together for years. And after Eddie Trunk’s recent interview with Steven Adler, there is a buzz about this happening. I’m not holding my breathe though.
“Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses on Amazon
Follow @returntothe80sWhat is wrong about getting a little psyched over Ren? He’s cute! He’s from out of town, and don’t tell me that doesn’t curl your toes, Ariel, I know you too well. You want out of here so bad you probably memorize bus schedules.
Happy 50th Birthday to Sarah Jessica Parker!!!
Follow @returntothe80sCan you name the artist and song:
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide
Behind that mask you use
Last Song: “So Emotional” by Whitney Houston from the album Whitney (1987)
I’ve been waiting for the phone to ring all night
Why you wanna make me feel so good
Hi Everybody! Welcome back to this week’s countdown! At this point in time, we were getting away from that classic early to mid-’80s sound. It is kind of sad as we begin to move out of the ’80s. But, I did love the huge range of musical styles. For example, yesterday we had Metallica and Enya on the same list! Today also has a mix of rock acts and pop acts.
There are going to be a couple of different things about today’s list. For each song, I will include an Amazon link to the song. Then you can download it, and put it on your iPod, MP3 player, whatever listening device you use. Don’t worry though. You can still click on the song title to listen/watch the YouTube video of the song.
The second change is that I am going to throw an older song into this list. I listen to Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 station on iHeartRadio whenever I get a chance. I noticed that he often plays an older song in addition to the Long Distance Dedication. So I will do the same thing here.
Now, let’s Return to the week ending March 25, 1989, and continue the countdown.
I had heard this song before. But, I had no idea that Animotion (best known for their smash hit, “Obsession“) was the band who performed this. It has that distinctive late-’80s sound. This song was also featured in the 1988 movie, My Stepmother Is an Alien, starring Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger.
“Room to Move” by Animotion on Amazon
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This is one of my favorite duets of all-time. I bought the 45 of this song before I joined the Navy. You can’t go wrong with Ann Wilson lead singer of Heart, who I think has one of the best rock voices ever. She sounded really good with Robin Zander, the lead singer of Cheap Trick. It also doesn’t hurt that Richard Marx was one of the songwriters here, as he was at the top of his game. This song was also featured in a 1988 movie. This one was for Tequila Sunrise starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.
“Surrender to Me” by Ann Wilson and Robin Zander on Amazon
.38 Special is mainly known for their upbeat rock songs. However, this awesome ballad would be the band’s biggest hit, peaking at #6. It also peaked at #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and became the band’s first #1 single on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“Second Chance” by .38 Special on Amazon
This is one of the biggest power ballads of all-time. Bon Jovi was in the peak of their incredible run at this point, and this song shot right up to #1. I still love this song. Richie Sambora’s backing vocals are just incredible. And it feels like Jon is putting everything he has into this song – Especially, at the part where he screams after the lyrics I didn’t mean to miss your birthday, baby/I wish I’d seen you blow those candles out. So, so great!
“I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi on Amazon
He’s back. Yesterday, we hit Tone Lōc’s “Wild Thing”. Now here is his other song. This song does sound like “Wild Thing” to me, but I still like it.
“Funky Cold Medina” by Tone Lōc on Amazon
This is one of my favorite Madonna songs. It was the first song released off of the album of the same name. I think that Like a Prayer was Madonna’s last solid album. I would not hear this title track until I got to San Diego a month later. I instantly loved this song, and still love it today.
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna on Amazon
I love this song by Deon Estus! Deon was the bass player in Wham!, and was the bassist on George Michael’s first two solo albums. And how’s this for a resume? Deon has played with Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Frank Zappa, George Clinton, Annie Lennox, Edgar Winter, Aaron Neville, and Elton John. This song was his biggest hit, peaking all the way up at #5. George Michael sang the backing vocals here.
“Heaven Help Me” by Deon Estus on Amazon
This countdown took place 26 years ago this week. Now that we have Returned to 1989, let’s go back another 26 years – to 1963. This week in 1963, unless you saw them in a club in Hamburg Germany, chances are that you have never heard of the Beatles yet. Before the music landscape changed forever, let’s take a look at what was at the top of the charts this week in 1963.
It was Ruby and the Romantics. Their song “Our Day Will Come” was their first mainstream hit, and it topped the charts. They didn’t go on to be anywhere near as successful.
“Our Day Will Come” by Ruby and the Romantics on Amazon
OK, I had enough of that for now. Let’s Return to 1989.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Now a lot of you want to go back to 1963 again! But, this was a huge hit, and put Paula Abdul on the map. I know I loved this song when it came out. I don’t love it so much now, but it’s still not bad to hear once in a while.
“Straight Up” by Paula Abdul on Amazon
I love Vixen! I could not get enough of this all-female hard rock group. They are mainly known for this song and “Edge of a Broken Heart“. But, I loved every song on their first two albums. And I still love them today.
I was unfamiliar with this hit from the “Toy Soldiers” singer, Martika. Martika rose to prominence by starring in the musical television show, Kids Incorporated, which also launched the careers of Stacy Ferguson (aka Fergie) and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Martika was a stand-out on that show. I love her voice. I don’t know why, but even though I was really into rock (and still am), I loved this freestyle pop sound of the very late ’80s.
“More Than You Know” by Martika on Amazon
I hope you are all enjoying this trip back to 1989. At least this gives you something else to listen to instead of Taylor Swift.
Tomorrow is going to be an even bigger range of musical styles than it was today. And tomorrow, we will have the return of the Long Distance Dedication!!! So come back tomorrow, and check it out!
Betty Childs: Oh, Stan. You were wonderful. You did things to me you’ve never done before.
[Lewis takes off his mask]
Betty Childs: [gasps] Ahhh! You’re that NERD!
Lewis: Yeah.
Betty: Oh, you were wonderful.
Betty: Are all nerds as good as you?
Lewis: Yes.
Betty: How come?
–‘Cause all Jocks ever think about is sports, all we ever think about is sex.
Happy 61st Birthday to Robert Carradine!!
Follow @returntothe80sCan you name the artist and song:
I’ve been waiting for the phone to ring all night
Why you wanna make me feel so good
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Last Song: “I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan from the album I Feel For You (1984)
I wouldn’t lie to you, baby
It’s mainly a physical thing
This feeling that I got for you, baby
Makes me wanna sing
Welcome back, as we wrap up the series premier of the “Who’s the Boss?” – Live/1975–85. If you missed the previous posts, you can go back and check out Disc 1 and Disc 2. So far, this has been a pretty awesome album. Let’s see if it ends strong.
Most of the songs on this disc were played at stadiums – The LA Coliseum and Giants Stadium. The last three were from The Meadowlands Arena. These are some pretty big places. Let’s see if these are pretty big songs.
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: This song is listed at over 11:00. But, Bruce is talking for the first 5 minutes about his relationship with his father. The song itself isn’t bad. I am aware of The River album. I was expecting the song to be better, but I could probably warm up to it after a few listens.
Upon further listening: As with previous songs on this album where Bruce did a lot of talking, it took me some getting used to. Although, even from my first listen, I knew he was telling a story to set up the song. I do appreciate it much more now. And I have warmed up to this song more. There are other songs on this album that I like a lot more. However, I feel that way because those other songs are incredible. “The River” is a very good storytelling song.
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: I love this song! It is a remake of the Edwin Starr classic.
Upon further listening: This is such a perfect song for Bruce. The theme is right in his wheelhouse, and his voice is perfect for this song.
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: This is a fun song. I like it a lot. Love “The Big Man” on sax!
Upon further listening: This song just makes you want to get up and dance. Well, in my case that means it makes me want to get up and move around. So, so good!!!
Recorded August 19, 1985 at Giants Stadium
Initial thought: This song feels like a throwback a little. It reminds me of “Summertime Blues.” I’m liking this one too.
Upon further listening: Another winner! I love these rockin’ songs!
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: This isn’t bad. It’s not great either.
Upon further listening: I have no idea why I didn’t love this song the first time I heard it. It’s one of my favorites now. One sign of a great song is when you can’t get the song out of your head – and you don’t mind. This one really sticks with me. The lyrics are incredible, and the music is outstanding.
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: I kind of remember this song from the Born in the U.S.A. album. I think I prefer this live version. The band sounds awesome.
Upon further listening: I still like this song a lot. You can feel Bruce putting his all into this song.
Recorded August 19, 1985 at Giants Stadium
Initial thought: Unfortunately, I’m familiar with this song. I’m sorry, but when somebody says “I’m On Fire,” I expect to hear some screaming. At least this is not as boring as “Streets of Philadelphia,” so there’s that.
Upon further listening: I had never liked this song at all. But, as I said in a recent Top 40 Countdown which featured this song, I have warmed up to it. I have turned a corner on this song, and am liking it more and more.
Recorded August 21, 1985 at Giants Stadium
Initial thought: OK, I’m back on board now. I like this song. And it seems like this is one of those songs I would like more the more I listen to it.
Upon further listening: This has now changed to “OK, I’m still on board.” I do like this more and more. The lyrics are really good, and the music is great.
Recorded September 30, 1985 at the LA Coliseum
Initial thought: I love this song!
Upon further listening: Wow, that was an insightful initial thought! I love the music for this song, and once again, tells a great story.
Recorded August 19, 1985 at Giants Stadium
Initial thought: This is one of my all-time favorite Springsteen tunes.
Upon further listening: There’s really not much more I can say about this one. This has always been one of my favorite Springsteen songs. It sounds even better live than on the studio version I’m used to. The band really stands out in this live version.
Recorded August 20, 1984 at Meadowlands Arena
Initial thought: I think this is my favorite song on this 3rd disc. I love the sax, horns and drums in this one.
Upon further listening: Well, I think “The Promised Land” took over the honors of favorite song on this disc. But, I still love this song. The E Street Band is awesome!!!
Recorded August 6, 1984 at Meadowlands Arena
Initial thought: This is kind of a somber tune. Not bad though.
Upon further listening: Somber means awesome storytelling song. I am loving this song more and more. The opening lyrics are so me:
We busted out of class had to get away from those fools
We learned more from a three minute record, baby, than we ever learned in school
Well, I didn’t really cut classes. But, I did mentally check out of school in those high school days, and did learn life lessons through music.
Recorded July 9, 1981 at Meadowlands Arena
Initial thought: Well, this concert album started off with a slow song, and now it’s ending with one. It doesn’t sound like a song he should go out on, but I do like it a lot.
Upon further listening: What a great way to wrap up my introduction to “The Boss”! While a lot of his other slower songs on this album could get dark, this is a nice tender love song. It was originally done by Tom Waits, but Bruce but his own twist on this version
Fun Facts. Woo-ooo-ooo. Say it proud and Geek Out Loud, it’s fun facts
– The Edwin Starr version of “War” was the #1 hit in the country the day I was born.
– These days, Bruce never plays “Jersey Girl” outside of New Jersey area shows. When Kristin saw last saw him, in Philadelphia, he played this, and she died. Well, maybe not literally died, or she wouldn’t have been able to tell that story. Unless she did really die, and Bruce gave her mouth-to-mouth to revive her. It does sound like he would do anything for his fans, as you will find in this last fun fact…
– A fan met Bruce Springsteen in a cinema at a screening of Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories. The fan asked Bruce to prove that he does not disregard his fans by coming to meet his mom and have dinner. Bruce accepted the invitation and is said to still visit this particular fan’s mother. (Celebrity Fun Facts and I Fear Brooklyn)
When the idea to become a Springsteen fan appeared in my crazy mind, I had no idea how much fun this would be! A special thank you goes out to Kristin from Rock Out Loud for taking up this challenge, and guiding me through the steps of becoming a Springsteen fan. She made a perfect choice of an album to start with! We got him at his best, and got quite the variety of songs. Not to mention that this album is technically an ’80s album. I would never have imagined that this would be the album to start with. To say it was a pleasant surprise would be putting it mildly. The first time listening to this album is like trying to take a little sip of water from a fire hose. But, I was able to take it all in, and I enjoy it more and more with each listen. I already knew that the E Street Band was really good. After studying this album, I am truly impressed.
Am I a Springsteen fan yet? Well, one album does not make me an official fan. Besides, what fun would that be? We have plenty of more albums to cover!
Now it is time to move on to the next album. I won’t give away which one it will be yet. I am going to digest this next album, and you will hear all about it in another couple of weeks.
In the meantime, please check out the Rock Out Loud podcast, and show them some love. You will really enjoy Steve and Kristin. The latest episode was outstanding (and not just because they started it by talking some Return to the ’80s, and reading a couple of letters from one of your fellow Return to the ’80s readers)! It was about Women Who Rock, and there is plenty of ’80s rock talk on it, which I know you will love.
And if you like that podcast, you will also enjoy Steve’s other awesome podcasts – Disney Vault Talk (which Steve does with Teresa about Disney animated films, which we all grew up on), Mark Out Loud (a wrestling podcast that Steve does with Dave, and are covering some old school Wrestlemania’s this Wrestlemania season), as well as the flagship show, Geek Out Loud. Steve is such a great host and personality, that it doesn’t matter if he has a guest or is going solo. You will be very entertained, and enjoy this podcast.
I hope you enjoyed this inaugural series of “Who’s The Boss?”. Please leave me your feedback! And please let me know if you are joining me on this journey of learning about Bruce Springsteen.
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Hi Everybody! Back by popular demand is the Top 40 Countdown!!! The last countdown – from 1985 – was classic. Personally, I think this is going to be an outstanding week as well. This week, we are Returning to 1989. At the time of this countdown, I was cut off from pop culture civilization as I was in the middle of Navy boot camp. There are some songs on this countdown that I had heard before boot camp, and there are some that were new to me after boot camp. But, there are also some that had come and gone in the 9 week period that I was away. This should be interesting! Now, let’s get started, and Return to the week ending March 25, 1989, and begin the countdown!
Earlier in the decade, who would have thought that Metallica would have a Top 40 hit on the pop charts? This was Metallica’s first Top 40 hit, and it was the third and final song released from their album …And Justice for All. In a couple of years later the band would release their controversial album Metallica (aka The Black Album). It wasn’t the material that was controversial. The controversy was that they changed their sound, causing them to lose a lot of fans. But, they would gain plenty of new fans. So, I suppose this was the beginning of the end of Metallica’s true heavy metal sound.
This is my favorite song from the second Van Halen album to feature Sammy Hagar – OU812. I didn’t think this album was as good as 5150 (although, it would have been almost impossible to top that one), but OU812 was a pretty solid album. And this song came as advertised – it made me feel good.
Is it bad that I like this “Wild Thing” better than the Trogg’s “Wild Thing”? Tone Lōc’s song was not a remake, and had nothing to do with the Troggs, except for the title.
I could not find this song anywhere on the internet at all. So I linked up to his hit, “Walk On Water”, which also came off of his album, Nothing to Lose.
I wish I could “sail away, sail away, sail away” from this new-agey song. This song was a world wide hit for the Irish singer, Enya. But this song is not for me.
I love Luther! This song was a huge R&B hit. It was nominated for a Grammy for “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male”.
This is one of those songs that I didn’t remember until I just listened to it again. I hadn’t realized that Sheena Easton lasted this late into the ’80s. But, this was her biggest hit in the U.S. since “Morning Train”, topping out at #2. This song was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, who were hitting their stride at this point.
Time for some freestyle from Sweet Sensation, the latin trio from New York! This was off of their debut album, Take It While It’s Hot. Although I was still heavy into rock music at that time, I loved Sweet Sensation.
I loved this nice ballad by Sa-Fire. I bought this cassingle when I got out of boot camp, and went to my Navy schooling in San Diego. It was a perfect song for being very far away from home for the first time.
Two years after the release of the legendary Hysteria album, Def Leppard were still hitting the charts with songs from that album! This was the final single released from that album. I still love it, and it is still one of the kost popular songs they play in concert.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m loving this countdown already. What a variety! There was only one stinker for me. We’ll be back to continue the countdown tomorrow.
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Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris: Mahoney! Remember, that nobody screws with me.
Carey Mahoney: Well, maybe you’ll meet the right girl and all that will change.
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Return to the 80s 