Today’s Song of the Day is “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon, which hit #1 on this day in 1985. The song remained in the top spot for three weeks. It was the group’s second number-one hit on the U.S. charts (the first being 1981’s “Keep on Loving You”, also written by Kevin Cronin). “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” was the second single released off of 1984’s Wheels Are Turning album, following the song “I Do’ Wanna Know”. REO Speedwagon played this at Live Aid in 1985. They followed Rick Springfield on the US stage.
Two videos were made for this song: one that shows them goofing around in a rehearsal space before performing it, and another far more elaborate video directed by Kevin Dole that shows a baby going through different life stages from birth to death. Heavy on compositing and special effects, it was cutting edge for 1984.
On this episode of Return to the ’80s, Robert and Paul welcome Ty Ray, from the Beats and Eats podcast, to the show. The guys Return to 1981, and count down the year’s top songs, movies, and television shows. Also, find out what the biggest selling toys were in 1981, and reminisce on the big news stories of the year.
As this current decade comes to a close, come join us to Return to the greatest decade ever, and check out the awesome year of 1981!
10. One Day At a Time
9. M*A*S*H
8. ABC Monday Night Movie
7/6 tie Too Close for Comfort and The Dukes of Hazzard
5. Alice
4. Three’s Company
3. The Jeffersons
2. 60 Minutes
1. Dallas
NFL
Oakland Raiders beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 – January 25, 1981 at the Louisiana Superdome
NBA
Boston Celtics beat the Houston Rockets 4-2
NHL
New York Islanders defeat the Minnesota North Stars 4-1
MLB
LA Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 4-1
News Events
January 20 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days freed
March 6 Walter Cronkite signs off of CBS Evening News
March 30 Reagan Assassination attempt
April 18 The Longest Game – Pawtucket Red Sox tie Rochester Red Wings 2-2 in 32 innings (game resumed 23rd June)
May 11 Cats premieres in London
May 13 Assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II
Jun 2 Barbara Walters asks Katharine Hepburn what kind of tree she would be
Jun 5 AIDS Epidemic officially begins when US Centers for Disease Control reports on pneumonia affecting five homosexual men in Los Angeles
Jun 12 Baseball players begin a 50 day strike, their 3rd strike
July 29 Royal Wedding
Aug 1 MTV premieres at 12:01 AM
Aug 3 13,000 Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) begin their strike; US President Ronald Reagan offers an ultimatum to workers: ‘if they do not report for work within 48 hours, they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated’
Sep 12 “The Smurfs” animated cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera first broadcasts in North America
Sep 25 Sandra Day O’Connor sworn in as 1st female supreme court justice
Dec 11 Muhammad Ali’s 61st & last fight, losing to Trevor Berbick
Dec 28 1st American test-tube baby, Elizabeth Jordan Carr is born in Norfolk, Virginia
Welcome to a new episode of Return to the 80s! This was a hard fought battle to get this posted. Del and I had recorded another episode a week before this one, and it did not come out at all. So we had to have a do-over, and Robert was able to join us this time. In case you are wondering who Del is…he’s the one giving you the Remember That Song every day. He also hosts an 80s radio show, which we discuss in this episode.
Speaking of this episode, we each had gone to a concert, which we discuss in this episode.
– Welcome Del Roehling from 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM, and from the legendary Return to the 80s, “Remember That Song” fame
– Stream WEDM at 8am on Saturdays and Sundays for Del’s show, 80s at 8
– Paul misses Def Leppard and Journey at Fenway Park
– Robert’s review of Rick Springfield, and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
– Del’s review of the band, Yacht Rock Review
– Paul’s review of Chicago and REO Speedwagon, and the great Chicago controversy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome back to a new podcast episode! This week is another 80s crossover event from the 80s League! This month’s topic is 80s Movie Villains. Robert and Paul go through some of their favorite/most hated 80s movie villains. Paul also broke down and watched last year’s Ghostbusters movie. Come hear the exclusive review in this show. There is a new Play This, Not That, featuring Survivor. We had a Remember That Song winner, so there is a new one this week.
We would love to hear who some of your favorite 80s villains are. Please comment below, or email us at returnto80s@gmail.com.
Opening Segment of this 80s Crossover Event
Check out these sites that are participating this month:
Sadly, REO Speedwagon guitarist and songwriter, Gary Richrath, died this past Sunday, September 13, 2015 at the age of 65. The cause of death has not been given yet.
Robert has written a great tribute to this guitar legend.
My First Guitar Hero Has Passed
I was personally taken aback Monday night when I read about the death of Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagon’s original guitarist. A few months ago I wrote about Hi Infidelity, the first album I ever bought with my own money. That album and Richrath’s guitar work mark the beginning of my passionate love affair with ‘80s rock. Since those days I have never been without some form of music with me – records, cassettes, CDs, MP3s, – whatever, no matter, I need it. I owe this love of the guitar and rock ‘n roll to the amazing guitar work of Gary Richrath. It is with a heavy heart that I am listening to his guitar with REO Speedwagon as I write this.
Richrath was a founding member of the band from Champaign, Illinois. He remained the band’s lead guitarist and primary songwriter with lead vocalist Kevin Cronin (actually the REO’s second vocalist) until 1987 and the release of Life As We Know It, REO’s thirteenth studio album (not counting compilations). Richrath’s distinct, driving guitar work shines on songs like “Roll With the Changes”, REO’s first top 40 hit in 1978.
Roll With the Changes
With Richrath, REO Speedwagon produced quality rock music for nearly two decades. Songs like “Time for Me to Fly”, “Back on the Road Again”, and “157 Riverside Avenue” were mainstays in the REO live performances which became their mantra. In 1981, with the release of Hi Infidelity, REO hit the big time. After years of touring and producing moderately successful rock albums, this one soared to the top of the album charts and was declared the top selling album of the year. Richrath’s precise solo could be heard on the massive hit “Keep On Loving You”, REO’s first #1 single that helped launch the power ballad genre. That same album contains Richrath’s most famous song “Take It on the Run.” In an interview, Richrath said this about his classic song, “When I wrote that, I woke up one night, half asleep, and sat down in front of the TV. There was a soap opera on it. I was just sitting there, strumming a guitar, thinking, ‘God, these guys’ relationships are worse than mine.’ I just sat there and sang vocals about the effects of gossip and relationships breaking up, which was what was on the tube and all that was similar to what was going on in my life.” This song quickly became a second huge hit from Hi Infidelity reaching #5. As great as all of Richrath’s guitar work is, give this one another listen – the length, the tempo, and emotions of this solo makes it nothing short of a masterpiece.
Take It on the Run
On the REO Speedwagon official website, lead singer Kevin Cronin wrote, “I feel so sad. Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold. I learned most of what I know about being in a rock band from Gary Richrath. The entire REO family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans. These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time.” Cronin reflects the true relationships that emerge in long lasting bands. Despite leaving REO in 1987 and being replaced by Dave Amato, the connection with the rest of the band is clear.
The follow up to Hi Infidelity, 1982’s Good Trouble, did not reach the same heights, but 1984’s Wheels are Turnin’ marked REO’s return to the top of the charts. Once again, Richrath’s guitar was as the center of more classic REO songs. “I Do’ Wanna Know”, “I Can’t Fight This Feeling”, and “Thru the Window” all featured excellent guitar work. Richrath’s last album with REO was 1987’s Life as We Know It. Predictably, Richrath’s guitar shines once again, giving each song a distinct rock edge with plenty of solid solo work.
Keep the Fire Burning
I Do’ Wanna Know
That Ain’t Love
As great as all of the recorded albums were, Richrath truly shined onstage. His work during REO’s live shows was nothing short of amazing. His tireless rhythm guitar and soaring solos always took center stage at an REO show. My very first concert was an REO show in Offenbach, Germany in 1985. This show was in support of the Wheels are Turnin’ album – and I was completely blown away. Maybe it was because it was my first concert, but I had never heard anyone play a guitar like that! I was riveted from the opening notes of “Don’t Let Him Go” to the last warbles of “Riding the Storm Out.” Richrath’s last appearance with REO Speedwagon was in 2013 in his home state of Illinois where he joined his former bandmates in a concert to benefit victims of a recent tornado.
157 Riverside Avenue (Live)
Richrath did release one solo album, 1992’s Only the Strong Survive. I purchased it right away, but quickly realized that is was not quite the same as having the entire lineup together. It was good, but something was missing. REO has carried on and continued to be a very successful touring band. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert in May and it was excellent – they sounded great – but deep inside I missed Gary’s guitar. As excellent as Amato played, it was not the same as it was in 1985.
The rock world has lost a fantastic, and for some reason, underrated guitarist. Gary Richrath’s songs with REO Speedwagon will never fade from my memory and I will never stop playing them and telling my children how great he was. Gary, I will truly miss your music. I will always remember to keep on riding the storm out and, “If you want to go, let me go along / I’d never walk that road alone / I heard it was hard, I heard it was long / But we’ll come back alive because only the strong survive.”
Today’s Song of the Day is “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon, which hit #1 on this day in 1985. The song remained in the top spot for three weeks. It was the group’s second number-one hit on the U.S. charts (the first being 1981’s “Keep on Loving You”, also written by Kevin Cronin). “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” was the second single released off of 1984’s Wheels Are Turning album, following the song “I Do’ Wanna Know”. REO Speedwagon played this at Live Aid in 1985. They followed Rick Springfield on the US stage.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
This worldwide smash hit by Australia’s own Crowded House, reached all the way to #2 in the U.S.
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.
My favorite Wang Chung song! No matter how down I am, this song always seems to lift me up.
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.
Return to the 80s 