Tag Archives: Billy Idol

Welcome back to this week’s Countdown! Today’s songs bring me back to a great time. Well, I suppose any week of ’80s music brings us back to a great time.
If you want to listen to this great music, you can click on the song title to get the YouTube video, and you can click on the album cover to get the song on Amazon.

New, let’s return to the week ending November 8, 1986, and continue the countdown on, One, Two, One, Two, Three, Four!

30. “A Matter of Trust” by Billy Joel

We begin today’s list with the second single released from Billy Joel’s album, The Bridge, which happens to be my favorite Billy Joel album. This is a fun video featuring several cameos, including Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and Joel’s then wife Christie Brinkley who is holding their baby daughter Alexa. The song would peak at #10.

29. “Throwing It All Away” by Genesis

Yet another smash hit by Genesis. This was the second single released from the classic Invisible Touch album. This song would reach #4 on the Hot 100 chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

28. “Heartbeat” by Don Johnson

There were a lot of big fads in the ’80s. Yesterday, I had mentioned our love of ’50s and ’60s culture. There was also a big wave of Australia that hit the U.S. And of course, we had famous actors trying their hand in singing. Most were successful. There was Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, Jack Wagner, and of course Miami Vice’s Don Johnson. This was a huge hit for Johnson, hitting the Top 10, landing at #5.

27. “Somebody’s Out There” by Triumph

I fell in love with this Canadian rock band in 1983 when I saw them perform at the US Festival. This would turn out to be one of my favorite songs by them. It was their most successful single in the U.S. landing at #27.

26. “Freedom Overspill” by Steve Winwood

I don’t remember this song at all. Yet, it was a #20 hit, and came off of Steve Winwood’s huge album, Back in the High Life. It was the second single released from the album, right between “Higher Love” and “Back in the High Life Again“. For some reason, I blocked it out. Maybe my brain can only hold so much information. Now that I’m familiar with this song, another song probably dropped out of my head.

25. “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles

Here’s another song I never heard of! What’s going on?!? Just kidding. If you have never heard of this song, you must have lived under a rock. This was the third single released off of the Bangles Different Light album. It as released in September 1986, and would hit number in December for four weeks, going into 1987. It would be the #1 song from 1987. This is the first song by an all-female group playing their own instruments to top the Billboard singles chart.

24. “Girl Can’t Help It” by Journey

Three years after Frontiers, Journey finally released a new studio album, called Raised On Radio. Steve Smith was replaced on drums by Larry Londin, and this is the only Journey album without bassist Ross Valory. As anybody who has watched American Idol knows, Randy Jackson played bass for Journey, and he won’t let you forget it. Even though Journey was a mess at this point, I still loved this album. This was the third single released, and it peaked at #17.

23. “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung

This is a fun song by the British new wave group. It has become Wang Chung’s signature song. It would reach #2 on the chart, being held out of the top spot by “Walk Like an Egyptian”.

22. “To Be a Lover” by Billy Idol

This was Billy Idol’s lead single from his Whiplash Smile album. This was originally a soul ballad from 1968, by William Bell, called “I Forgot to Be Your Lover“. This song would be Billy Idol’s 2nd Top 10 hit, peaking at #6.

21. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by Aretha Franklin

I got so tired of both “Satisfaction” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones that if I hear either of them ever again, it would be too soon. However, Aretha makes this song so awesome! I cannot get enough of anything by Aretha Franklin. This song is perfect for her. It also features Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards on guitars, and Aretha on paino. This version of the song was used for the Whoopi Goldberg film Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

What a way to go out! What do you think of the countdown so far this week? Come back tomorrow as we continue this week’s countdown.

1987, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week (UK Edition) – July 12, 1987: Songs 20-11

July 11, 2018 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

We are back to continue the countdown! So far, this has been pretty cool. On today’s list, there are some very familiar songs to everybody. And there are some that we may have never heard before. And there are two songs with very familiar titles, but totally different from what we would expect. As usual, you can click on the song title to listen to the song on YouTube, and you can click on the album cover to get the song from Amazon. Now, let’s Return to the week ending July 12, 1987 in the U.K., and continue the countdown!

20. “Hold Me Now” by Johnny Logan

Not to be confused with the hit song by the Thompson Twins, this ballad by the Irish singer, Johnny Logan, was the winner of the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest. Never released in the U.S., this song was a top 5 song in most of the European countries, with the exception of Switzerland, where it peaked at #6.

19. “I Want Your Sex” by George Michael

This worldwide smash hit was the first single released from Michael’s iconic Faith album. It was also part of the Beverly Hills Cop II Soundtrack, which was an awesome soundtrack.

18. “Comin’ On Strong” by Broken English

Broken English was a British band formed in 1987 by Steve Elson (singer and guitarist), who at the time performed in a Rolling Stones tribute band. You can totally get that vibe from this song. It sounds like it could be a Rolling Stones song.

17. “Sweet Sixteen” by Billy Idol

This was the 3rd single released from Billy Idol’s Whiplash Smile album. This song also appeared in a Miami Vice episode, which automatically gives it a Cool factor, as if Billy Idol isn’t enough for that.

16. “F.L.M.” by Mel and Kim

Mel and Kim were sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. Sadly, Melanie died of cancer in 1990 at the age of 23. She bears a striking resemblance to Maya Rudolph. This was the third single released from their debut album, F.L.M.

15. “Alone” by Heart

Unless you live under a rock, you know this signature song by Heart. It was a worldwide smash hit. But, did you know it was a cover? It was originally performed by I-Ten in 1983. Not only that, but before Heart covered it, the song was also covered by Valerie Stevenson and legendary Beach Boys drummer, John Stamos in their roles as Lisa Copley and Gino Minelli, on the original soundtrack of the CBS sitcom Dreams in 1984.

14. “When Smokey Sings” by ABC

This is a pretty cool tribute to the R&B legend, Smokey Robinson. Robinson was still going strong at the time. In October of 1987, in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100, Robinson’s hit, “One Heartbeat”, was in the top 10 along with this tribute song to him.

13. “Let’s Dance” by Chris Rae

Not to be confused with David Bowie’s hit song, this song is by British rock and blues singer-songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea. This song would peak at #12 here, but only landed at #81 in the U.S.

12. “Sweetest Smile” by Black

This sounds like a combination of Bryan Ferry, Morrissey, and Chris Isaak. This is not for me.

11. “Is This Love” by Whitesnake

Back to a song familiar to the U.S. audience. This was the second single released from Whitesnake’s classic 1987 self-titled album. What an awesome rock ballad! It would reach #9 in the U.K., and #2 in the U.S.

That wraps up today’s list of songs. Come back tomorrow as we see what the biggest hits were in the U.K. this week in 1987!

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 6/18/18

June 18, 2018 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Can you name the artist and song:

You want some peace and understanding
So everybody can be free
I know that we can get together
We can make it, stick with me

Last Song: “Flesh for Fantasy” by Billy Idol from the album Rebel Yell (1984)

Great job Mark (@MCBLUHD)!!!

It’s after midnight
Are you feelin’ alright, oh yeah
Turn on the light, babe
Are you someone else tonight?

If you’d like to get this song from Amazon, you can click on the album cover below

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 5/31/18

May 31, 2018 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

Can you name the artist and song:

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again

Last Song: “Hot in the City” by Billy Idol from the album Billy Idol (1982)

If you’d like to get this song from Amazon, you can click on the album cover below

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1987, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week – February 28, 1987: Songs 40-31

February 26, 2018 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

Hi Everybody! We are back this week with another Top 40 Countdown! This week, we Return to 1987. This was one of the best periods in my life. I was in my junior year of high school. I was actually doing decent in school, finally. I had met a girl who would be a great girlfriend around this time. And music, movies, and TV shows were outstanding. So, “let’s go”, and Return to the week ending February 28, 1987, and begin the countdown. As usual, you can click on the song title to watch the video, and you can click onthe album cover to listen or purchase the song on Amazon.

40. “That Ain’t Love” by REO Speedwagon

Very cool rocker by REO, who were still going strong, as this song cracked the Top 40 this week, and would go on to be a top 20 hit.

39. “Don’t Need a Gun” by Billy Idol

Yeesh, this is a timely song title right now. I had forgotten about this song. This song also mentions the album title – Whiplash Smile. I always thought it was cool when there was no title track, but a song on the album had the title in the lyrics.

38. “C’est La Vie” by Robbie Nevil

This was a huge hit for Robbie Nevil, reaching all the way up to #2 on the Hot 100. I was very much into rock at this point, so I didn’t care much for it. It didn’t help that it was constantly on the airwaves.

37. “Midnight Blue” by Lou Gramm

Great song that was Lou Gramm’s debut solo single. It would be his biggest solo hit, reaching #5. Still love this song to this day!

36. “As We Lay” by Shirley Murdock

I never heard of this song in my life. It’s a good R&B slow jam song. This would go well on the soundtrack of a Tyler Perry movie.

35. “We Connect” by Stacey Q

Another song I had forgotten about. Stacey Q performed this on an episode of The Facts of Life. I kind of dig the guitar solo in this!

34. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House

This worldwide smash hit by Australia’s own Crowded House, reached all the way to #2 in the U.S.

33. “We’re Ready” by Boston

I love Boston! They were on fire in the late ’70s with back-to-back smash albums. However, it then took 8 years to release their 3rd album, Third Stage. It was another great album. But, what I remember most was when I bought the cassette, and in the liner notes, there were all kinds of excuses of why it took so long to release this album. Even back then, I thought that was strange.

32. “Let’s Go” by Wang Chung

My favorite Wang Chung song! No matter how down I am, this song always seems to lift me up.

31. “Facts of Love” by Jeff Lorber Featuring Karyn White

We’ll close out today with another song I had never heard of before. I’ve been missing out! This song was off of Jeff Lorber’s Private Passion album. In 1988, Karyn White would go on to release her debut album, and had a great run as a solo artist.

Well, that wraps up today’s list of songs. Any favorites so far, or any forgotten hits for you? What were you doing at this time in 1987? I’d love to hear from you! Come back tomorrow as we continue the countdown.

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song: 12/4/17

December 4, 2017 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Can you name the artist and song:

I’ll shoot it to you straight and look you in the eye.
So gimme just a minute and I’ll tell you why

Last Song: “Eyes Without A Face” by Billy Idol from the album Rebel Yell (1983)

Great job Lillian (@LilliBug93), Mark (@MCBLUHD), and Candy (@candyissodandy)!!!

When I’m far from home
Don’t call me on the phone
To tell me you’re alone

If you’d like to purchase this song from Amazon, click on the album cover below:

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1982, Artists, Music, Top 40

Top 40 Songs This Week – September 25, 1982: Songs 30-21

September 27, 2016 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

Hi Everybody! Welcome back to this week’s Top 40 Countdown. Today, we will cover songs 30-21. If you missed the previous songs, you can go back and check out songs 40-31.
Ah, 1982! What a great time for music! These 10 songs alone have such diversity that we definitely don’t see in today’s countdowns, and may never see again. Today, there is some rock, country, pop, funk, R&B, and flat-out classic ’80s.
Now, let’s Return to the week ending September 25, 1982, and continue the countdown.

30. “Make Believe” by Toto

This was the second single from the multi-platinum album Toto IV, which also contained the smash hits “Africa” and “Rosanna“. There are a few different theories of where the band name originated. In the early ’80s, band members told the press that the band was named after the dog in The Wizard of Oz. There was also a joke that the name came from Bobby Kimball’s “true” last name, Toteaux. The last theory is that after the completion of the first album, the band and record were still unnamed. David Hungate, after seeing the name Toto on the demo tapes (which Jeff Porcaro wrote in order to distinguish their own demo tapes from other bands’ in the studio), explained to the group that the words “In Toto” in Latin translated to “all-encompassing.” Because the band members played on so many different records and many different musical genres, they adopted the name “Toto” as their own.

29. “Voyeur” by Kim Carnes

The title track from Kim Carnes’ 1982 album received a nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1983 Grammy Awards. To me, this sounds a lot like Carnes’ smash hit, “Bette Davis Eyes“.

28. “Never Been in Love” by Randy Meisner

Randy Meisner was a founding member of the Eagles, who sang backup on “Take It to the Limit“.

27. “Break It To Me Gently” by Juice Newton

Now, we’ll get to some country music. If a country song were to enter the Top 40 today, it would be a re-recorded pop version of the original version. But, back in the good ole days, the songs made it on the countdown in its original version. This song earned Juice Newton the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

26. “Gloria” by Laura Branigan

This smash hit by Laura Branigan, which I still love, is actually a cover. The original version was an international hit, performed in Italian, by Umberto Tozzi. I’m actually digging his version as well!

25. “Jump To It” by Aretha Franklin

This fun song was produced by Luther Vandross, and features Vandross and Cissy Houston (yes, Whitney’s mom) on backing vocals.

24. “Big Fun” by Kool and the Gang

Time to get funky! I love the horns and the vocals and harmonies in this song.

23. “Hot in the City” by Billy Idol

This song peaked right here at #23. But, if you remember this song from later in the decade, you are either from the U.K., where this song was re-released in 1987, or you are one of the few people that watched the 21 Jump Street spinoff, Booker. This song was the theme song for Booker, which was supposed to launch Richard Grieco into super-stardom. Oh well. We’ll always have If Looks Could Kill anyway.

22. “What’s Forever For” by Michael Martin Murphey

And now we go back to Country music. This song was Murphey’s first of two number ones on the country chart.

21. “I Ran (So Far Away) by A Flock Of Seagulls

Today, we close out with some classic ’80s New Wave. I was never really much of a New Wave fan back then. However, I am embracing it now. Unfortunately, now that I’m older, I don’t think I can quite pull of the Mike Score hairdo from back in the day:

Well, that wraps up today’s list of songs. We’ll continue the countdown tomorrow. Have you had any favorite songs, pleasant surprises, or “I never want to hear that song again” moments? Please let me know.

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song: 12/1/15

December 1, 2015 Paul Stroessner Leave a comment

Can you name the artist and song:

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I’ve got it all here in my heart

Last Song: “White Wedding” by Billy Idol (who turned 60 yesterday) from the album Billy Idol (1982)

There is nothin’ fair in this world
There is nothin’ safe in this world
And there’s nothin’ sure in this world

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Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song – 10/28/13

October 28, 2013 Paul Stroessner 2 Comments

It’s Halloween Week! Can you name the artist and song:

I thought nothin of it as I grabbed the remote
I pushed the power button and then I almost choked
When I heard this awful voice coming from behind It said,”You turned off David Letterman…now you must die!!”

Last Song: “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol

Great job Cooly, Scott (@sneely71) and Frida (@carrjam94)!!

Last night a little dancer
came dancing to my door
Last night my little angel
came pumping on the floor

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80's Pop Culture and News