Day 11 – Talking Heads are dancing
He’s got the moves …
Our knowledge about Talking Heads basically started and ended with “Psycho Killer” but watching today’s submission was thoroughly entertaining!
Here is the link to the original video submission:
Talking Heads – Life During Wartime LIVE Los Angeles ’83
There is something so refreshing about seeing people having fun on stage!
We’re on record several times saying that we’re generally not big into music that came out of the 80s. A lot of mainstream music in that decade really doesn’t do it for us, especially the synth-heavy pop that was dominating the radio. But we’d love to find more hidden gems from that decade and would really appreciate some good song suggestions in the comments. Can we manage to actually put together a great 80s playlist? Let the challenge begin! 😉
New MLT Club layout
On a different note, you might have noticed that the MLT Club is looking a little different since yesterday. We’ll continue to fine-tune things over the next few days taking your feedback into account. Check out the “Site-Wide Activity” page that sums up all social activity throughout the MLT Club.
You can now (voluntarily!) personalise your profile much more, befriend and chat with other members, interact with other people’s update posts etc. We will soon film a more in-depth video about all the new changes once we’ve got all the details figured out but we’d love to get your first impression and feedback about it. Have a look around!
We’ll talk to you in the comments!
Mona & Lisa
The keyboard player who does not appear in that Talking Heads clip is Bernie Worrell who toured with them from 1980-1984 and was part of Parliament-Funkadelic right through the 1970s and looked relatively restrained in his choice of clothes: https://www.mptvimages.com/images/155607/bernie-worrell-backstage-at-the-philadelphia-spectrum-during-the-parliament-funkadelic-earth-tour-4
1980s songs, well The Jam – Going Underground or Start (That might sound familiar) or That’s Entertainment.
The Smiths – Panic or How Soon Is Now or What Different Does It Makes
The Traveling Wilburys – Handle With Care or End of the Line
I’m typing this a few days after Terry Hall passed away The Specials – Ghost Town
The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York
This song could be called workout and get in shape, definitely lots of energy.
I’m a child of the 60’s and not a big fan of 80’s music although there are a few songs that are O.K., Talking heads “Wild, wild life” is another good song I like. Heart’s “How can I refuse” is another great song that I like and can play on guitar too.
LOL…The 80’s was a bit of a blurr to me, my kids were born 82,84,88…so I do remember some good songs like Pink Catallac by Bruce Springston, Phil Collins, Huey Lewis, Lionel Richie , Michael Jackson, Madonna…etc….but no talking heads for me…LOL…
The 80s for me was country music as I was a country radio DJ…but forget that ..I’ll keep in the vein of pop..the hair generation…my ears were always waiting for something by The Bee Gees…as the 80s began so did Bee Gee free weekends meaning NO BEE GEE music on weekends on radio….the first evidence of that was “He’s a Liar” which came immediately following 6-consecutive #1’s..the public was tired of Bee Gees….aaaahhh but not their song writing…Barbra Streisand tops the charts with a Bee Gees penned tune “Woman in Love” followed by a #5 duet with Barry Gibb “Guilty”…1982 found The Bee Gees writing a #1 for Dionne Warwick “Heartbreaker” …then 1983 found Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton singing a #1 duet “Islands in the Stream” written by The Bee Gees and it went on to win the Academy of Country Music SINGLE OF THE YEAR……Robin Gibb circa 1983-84 put out two fabulous solo albums that included hits like “How Old Are You” and “Juliet”…. by 1987 The Bee Gees were back on the charts with “You Win Again and “E-S-P” and 1989 with “One”…..I admit it…I am a Bees Gees Fan……..The Beatles during their time were #1……the Bee Gees had already burst on the scene leading the 2nd wave of the British Invasion so when The Beatles broke up it was The Bee Gees time to take over…my Top 5 groups were ..Beatles..Bee Gees..Hollies..Moody Blues..Seekers…and of course my favorite band of this century is MonaLisa Twins….I love what you do and thank you for allowing us to reminisce ❤️🧡
The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC as their alter ego 60’s psychedelic band) performing the greatest Brian Wilson song he never wrote. Pale and Precious. They absolutely capture the sound. The lyrics and instrumentation are spot on. Worth a listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8fsHzKJpX0
OMG I turned the tv onto an eighties video channel and what do think came on? Falco! Don’t turn around, Uh oh! I like the MLT version better.
We loved watching you react to Talking Heads. We are eighties kids, so you know? This music is engrained in us, so it’s delightful to watch your reactions.
After Talking Heads, David Byrne had a successful solo career. I saw him one summer in the late nineties at a club in Latham, NY. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was a long building with the stage at one end and a big open floor. It was a warm, no it was hot. The band was on fire. Band and audience were all soaked in sweat just standing still and then the music started. I remember being near the stage and the audience seemed to be bouncing to a choreographed dance. Na, we were all pogo jumping at the same time.
They played most of the album they were promoting and a lot of Talking Heads songs. It was a ton of fun. I think there was only a few hundred people in there. My favorite Talking Heads song is Naive Melody. It has a great lyric that many couples ask themselves. “I can’t tell one from another, did I find you or you find me”
You might like Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend It’s mostly a four piece with guitar heavy pop songs. He wrote some catchy tunes. We got to see him a couple of years ago in a small dinner theater. It was very kool. He was celebrating this album, Girlfriend, and played most of it in the second set.
Talking Heads – Naive Melody is very poppy with beautiful lyrics. Here is an updated live version David Byrne did a few years ago. He’s still got it.
https://youtu.be/BIbrrAbsDpw
Here is Matthew Sweet’s “Evangeline”
https://youtu.be/rjffOMJxXlY
You might also like “Girlfriend”
https://youtu.be/n12OBlcHx9E
Songs from the 1980’s! Wow, I have trouble remembering songs I heard yesterday!! There was a lot of good music back then, but the one that stands out in my mind is “Love Shack” by the B-52’s. Not because I was crazy about the song, but because I had a friend who was and he played it all of the time… drove me crazy. 😅😅
https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs
Some of my favorite 80s tunes are Stevie Ray Vaugh – Pride and Joy, J Giles Band- Centerfold, and Dionne Warwick-That’s What Friends Are For
I love the Talking Heads! But I’m with you, a lot of the synth pop from the 80’s wasn’t my cup of tea. One of my favorite’s from the 80’s is Rush’s “Limelight”. A great song about how not so great it is to be in the limelight.
The David Byrne workout from 1983 looked like an outtake from my wife’s Athletic Dance Classes, four per day from 1976-1994 choreographed with dance and aerobic strength routines using music by Bob Seger, Whitney Houston, Dazz Band, the Gap Band, Lipps Inc, the Whispers, Billy Ocean, Marvin Gaye, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Eurythmics, Annie Lennox solo, Michael Jackson, Chic.
A presentation thought: 1979 Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers approached Sheila, a chanteuse popular in France, with a production idea of creating an album with her as lead. She agreed even though she didn’t speak English. Edwards and Rodgers created eight songs and recorded in NYC. “King of the World” was a hit in France and “Spacer” is well known while the remaining six are quite good.
“Mayday” (m’aidez) one of the tunes of interest. Lyrics:
My engines are stalling
For help, I’m calling
You
Papa, Zulu, x-ray
My readings, 49er
3; -3
The song is 3:48 and after the chorus at 1:48 Nile Rodgers drops a guitar solo to the end of the song which tells you all you need to know about production values and musicianship.
Entire album called “Sheila and B Devotion” on YouTube, no video but perfect sound. Sheila and Rodgers have videos in more recent times.
Check it out, real music by real people from 1980. Many 1980’s trends began with some of the numbers on the album.
I completely loved the GoGos in the 80s. Beautiful women with great voices, great instrumentalists, wrote their own songs – very cool. Not in the same class for me as Mona and Lisa, but great. Mona and Lisa, what do you think of the GoGos?
I also think 1980 produced some of John’s best solo songs – Starting Over, Beautiful Boy,
Watching the Wheels, Woman.
A great live performance. Mona and Lisa should check this out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaZiYv5Chio
Much like you, the 1980’s ushered in a new sound I never liked. I know this is stereotyping and does not apply to many albums released during the decade by artists that I thought were really excellent, including; Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Don Henley, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dire Straits, Huey Lewis and the News, and others. But the “machine-like” nature of most of the newer “rock” music just lacked something and drove me to listen to more country music.
Getting married in 1981, starting a family and a new career also meant I had less time to indulge myself with music than I had before.
That was a serious workout. No wonder David Byrne was always so thin. I never saw them in concert, but I read somewhere that early in his career he shaved his head on stage. And who can forget his big suit? Quite the performance artist.
As for 80s music, I didn’t listen to much radio music, but Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were an awesome band in the latter half. She had a great voice and very clever lyrics. Only one album in the 80s, with their second album spilling over into the 90s.
If you don’t know Edie Brickell, she left the band and married Paul Simon.
Their biggest hit, What I Am, from their first album:
https://youtu.be/tDl3bdE3YQA
Love her so much. Still doing great stuff. Circle of Friends is one of those songs that gives me chills. So good.
I always thought that there was some cross pollination going on between “What I Am” and the Grateful Dead’s “Estimated Prophet”. The wha-sounding guitar seems very similar. Long-ish but fun… https://youtu.be/-njCLxvOn8g
I don’t know if there’s a line of influence between the two, but I hear the guitar similarity for sure.
I would have sworn that that was a 90s song. Then the top comment read “This is the most 90’s sounding 80’s song of all time.” haha. Great pick, thanks for sharing!
I can’t be more succinct. Paul Simon – Graceland 1986
Of course! One of the greatest albums ever.
I like to dream a lot but I would like to see the monalisa twins do an 80s tribute ep of some sorts or a montage of a bunch of 80s song like talking heads, prince, cindy lauper , tear for fears, eurythmics, pat benatar, lionel ritchie, michael jackson, etc…but with guitars, bass, harmonica, ukele, accordion etc… n your beautiful voices. I’m just talking I love love love the things you do n the variation/changes n harmonies n what you guys bring to the table in this world is sooo fresh n sooo good to hear
XTC is one of my favorite bands. This song is off their 1986 album “Skylarking”. I believe you’ll be able to tell that the songwriter, Andy Partridge, is a huge Beatle and Paul fan. No video was made so it is audio only. XTC were known for their intricate and interesting guitars. The bass line in this song is amazing. I like the Beatlesque ending. I hope you get an opportunity to listen to and enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKoiCKaMU6A&list=OLAK5uy_mMEWbPty0s2NfKWQg653sRPW0nb_vsAOI“Earn Enough For Us”.
XTC! Senses Working Overtime!
Always loved XTC. Talk about one of the most underrated bands ever. Rick does a great breakdown of Mayor of Simpleton you’ll enjoy if you haven’t already seen it: https://youtu.be/TntNxv8wFR4
Oh yeah, I can tell the influences. That one’s going on my playlist 🙂 I only knew their “Dear God”.
Nice choice. I always tell people “Please be upstanding for the mayor of Simpleton 🎶 ” Pretty rare when they get it.
https://youtu.be/at4DL40FQ7Y
The Replacements Achin’ To Be
In kicking off the 80s, It seemed like Led Zeppelin’s last album came out January of 1980, but by the end of the year John Bonham died. That and the disco genre in full force it really felt like the end of a musical era. Even one of my brothers said it was a lost cause, and that disco was here to stay.
That assessment of his didn’t last long.
Along with many other people, I do though sense something was lost in popular music by 1980 due to a wrong emphasis, but it’s difficult to articulate it right. Life went on.
Sometime after wearing out the Zeppelin album, I remember hearing this familiar sounding tune come on the radio. The first time hearing it, right away I could tell it wasn’t Brian Wilson’s voice, so I listened closer and knew it was a parody song. Then all the stations picked up on it every hour you could listen, then all of a sudden it stopped. It was about a month later you’d hear condemnation on the news about it, which made it even funnier. Sure, they overborrowed the Wilson tune, but it wasn’t exactly a cover of the song either.
After all, they did change some of the metering around in verses here and there to make the lyrics fit the notes better. By Christmas of 1980, it was banned on many radio stations.
Vince Vance & The Valiants
(1980)
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Let’s take a stand
Bomb Iran
Our country’s got a feelin’
Really hit the ceilin’, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Went to a mosque, gonna throw some rocks
Tell the Ayatollah, “Gonna put you in a box!”
Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Our country’s got a feelin’
Really hit the ceilin’, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Ol’ Uncle Sam’s gettin’ pretty hot
Time to turn Iran into a parking lot
Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Our country’s got a feelin’
Really hit the ceilin’, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Call the volunteers; call the bombadiers;
Call the financiers; better get their *** in gear
Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Our country’s got a feelin’
Really hit the ceilin’, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
(Let’s nuke ’em! Whoo!)
Call on our allies to cut off their supplies
Get our hands untied, and bring em’ back alive
Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Our country’s got a feelin’
Really hit the ceilin’, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb
Bomb Iran
Let’s take a stand
Bomb Iran
Our people you been stealin’
Now it’s time for “keelin”, bomb Iran
Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran
OMG. I’d entirely forgotten about that! Thanks for resurrecting it.
I too had forgotten it also until yesterday! LOL
That tune reminds me a little of clackers (see-through colored golf balls with string that you’d get them clacking against one another), which came out one Summer, like 1971 and 1972, and then totally disappeared. Let me see if I can find an image of one and attach it..
GOT IT.
According to a write-up, there were legal issues with the toy and they were finally banned in 1981. I loved that toy. You could get the clackers going just right to double-clack top and bottom. You had to have the double-clack touch.
One guy I knew was walking up and down the street with 2 clackers, one in each hand, and he had both of them going on double-clack, and I never could get mine to do 2 clackers at a time right and left hand. It took some serious coordination.
It’s like that song, it was here then gone and unless something brings it to mind, it’s forgotten.
Wow! Forgot about those, too! Couldn’t figure out why they banned them…why not just make them out of something that wouldn’t shatter?
Another fun lovely video.
This was an amazing concert by Talking Heads.
My top songs of Talking Heads are Road to Nowhere and Once in a Lifetime. Great quirky band.
The bass player, Tina Weymouth is married to the drummer and had another band, the Tom Tom Club. She’s one of the few to have concurrent hits with 2 bands. “Genius of Love” was a big hit.
I always associated the B 52’s with Talking Heads, for some reason. Planet Claire is a fun one.
I was in high school (secondary school) in the 80’s, but I was really into the Beatles at that time. I was in Argentina, so no MTV. Still there are some songs that I really liked.
A Flock Of Seagulls Space Age Love Song and I Ran (So Far Away)
Simple Minds Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Eurythmics Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Simply Red Holding Back The Years
Dexys and Dexys Midnight Runners Come On Eileen
Katrina And The Waves Walking on Sunshine
The Bangles Walk Like an Egyptian
Violent Femmes Blister In The Sun
The Police Every Breath You Take
Michael Jackson Billie Jean
U2 With Or Without You
Dire Straits Brothers In Arms
Tom Petty Free Fallin’
Bryan Adams Summer Of ’69
Sade The Sweetest Taboo
Sinéad O’Connor Nothing Compares 2 U
Pet Shop Boys West End Girls
Erasure A Little Respect
Peter Schilling Major Tom
The Cure Friday I’m In Love
Howard Jones No One Is To Blame
and of course Toto Africa
Can’t believe we’re half way through the calendar already!
Thank you!
Thanks for putting this list together. Most of the songs I do know, but I’ll click my way through the unfamiliar titles 🙂
Here are 3 Bands that I listened to in the 80’s . The Alarm, U2 , The Replacements
https://youtu.be/GPnc_RKjd-U
https://youtu.be/jeYCyCaK_5k
https://youtu.be/at4DL40FQ7Y
Never heard of The Alarm. Cool blues harp breaks!
they are from Rhyl,Wales, me and couple of friends went to see them in 1984 at First Avenue in Minneapolis , Never heard of them or heard any of their songs before that night . one of my favorite concerts
Nothing but synths in the 80’es – well you don’t have to look far before you find rock with normal instruments – here is a group of my favorites around those times.
Status Quo – Whatever You Want – Aplauso,TV Show Spain 1980 – not the best video but a great band I’ve followed from the start and until today – seen the 4 times in Denmark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn2eLZsZ6zY
Robert Palmer in Danish Tv 1995 with his hit from 1985 Addicted to love. In memory he died a couple of years back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NV_K4o4f_Q
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (1982) after she ended her story with the Runaways – first female rockband in USA and she’s still playing today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ecqUhec-s
The Runaways – School Days (1977) • TopPop Joan Jet’s first group together with Lita Ford a brilliant guitarist, who also continued after The Runaways
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxUAeEs8mE
The Runaways – Cherry Bomb – 1976 with a 16 year old lead singer – but bad asses anyway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBvXpjudf8
Keep rock alive.
Wow those folks have a lot of energy! Some of my favorite songs from the 80s…It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me (Billy Joel) Dirty Laundry(Don Henley) Walk Like An Egyptian (Bangles) Just Like Starting Over(John Lennon).
The one thing bothering me about this whole discussion and after reading all these comments (whew!) is that I take exception to the term “80s music.” Or any other decade since, for that matter. The 50s, 60s, and 70s did have definite sounds, mostly because the whole industry was just getting started and it was all new. But by the 80s, distinct genres had been defined and developed and “sounds” from previous decades continued on (and still do). But even the stuff that was born of the 80s was very different and not an inclusive “sound.” You’re really going to put such disparate things as Metallica, U2, R.E.M., the Indigo Girls, the Cure, Oingo Boingo, New Kids on the Block, Yes, Debbie Gibson, Van Halen, Rush, etc. etc. all in the same bucket and classify it all as “80’s music?” Ridiculous. In fact I think it might be the most musically diverse decade of all until the Internet broke the whole mold and made independent publishing the new norm (Yay MLT!).
I added my location to my profile from my Android phone with no problem. The member map is a cool thing.
This was a “novelty” tune from 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hEtI9AI0U
Somewhere along the line I heard someone say something to the effect “Why does history have to take such a long long time?”
LOL!
Ah, the 80’s. Bought my first house was raising 2 boys and working hard to move on up! I was aware of 80’s music and I kinda liked the Talking Heads. As for favorite groups or songs not sure I have one…but the Traveling Wilbury’s were a terrific band. Petty/Harrison/Dylan/Orbison and Lynne. Great harmonies!
Thanks for the submission it was very fun to watch. Wish I had that kind of energy now…😎
Some of my favourite 80s songs, ‘Edge of Seventeen’ by Stevie Nicks. ‘I Got My Mind Set on You’ by George Harrison (the music video is pretty good too). The entire album ‘Travelling Wilburys Vol 1’ and ‘You Got It’ by Roy Orbison. A guilty pleasure song for me is ‘We Built This City on Rock and Roll’. Don’t judge.
All that is great. We built this city wasn’t even my favorite (even from them) but it’s enjoyable enough that I just don’t understand all the flack it’s taken lately.
The 80s’ definitely had it’s unique pop culture through the music, though a lot of the fashion and style from that time, looking back now look so dated and out of style. For me as much as the music, movies and shows of that time also was a big part of the culture. Movies like The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Risky Business, Weird Science etc…in 1983 (which launched Tom Cruise career). A lot of the actors from those times that debuted in 80s culture movies became big stars today, like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Matthew Broderick, Emilio Estavez etc all from that time, all in my age bracket. I guess the 80s can be credited for the decade that launched many famous Hollywood stars. Miami Vice crime drama was big on the TV at the time, and I think can be credited for invigorating a lot of the fashion and styles of the 80s, and they featured a lot of the big music of the times like Genesis/Phil Collins. I have to admit I had a certain white jacket, a la Don Johnson, I wore out to the Clubs, that my friends still make fun of me! 😁
Miami Vice: In The Air Tonight
https://youtu.be/-aMCzRj3Syg
Gone were the lovely bell-bottom blue jeans, seeming replaced in 1980 by stain-resistant ultra-sheen polyester leisure suits available in eye-catching Day-Glo lavender and lime green colours, with tone-clashing over-wide Paisley ties.
Thinking back around that time, we were bombarded with cheap television advertisements. There were Veg-O-Matic slicers and dicers, Popiel’s pocket fisherman, Ginsu knives guaranteed for life, fuzzy dice, curb scrapers. When the K-Mart blue light went off on aisle #5, you didn’t want to miss the chance to get your hands on the pick of the litter re-treaded tires that would always make sure you at least got to the Saturday Night Fever style open button-down satin shirts, fake gold medallion chain necklaces, high platform Naugahyde slipper shoes, spinning mirror ball, flash strobe, and giant hexagon coloured dancing floor lights…
LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbIbyUdA_B4
Hi Mike
Yeah I remember those colourful mens pastel shirts were big. They were some odd eclectic mixture of colours you couldn’t really call it a specific main colour, like one shirt I had was labeled “salmon”. And those 80s TV ads ring of those times indeed. I think the hair spray business really boomed too, if you recall some of those very 80ish hair-do’s by the girls and guys too.
LOL. Hard to believe I lived through it!
Had a white, Miami Vice style jacket as well, along with a killer mullet (called a “new-wave”) in the 80s. Even today, I still keep the back of my hair longish at the back, guess it is some odd way of holding on to my youth. Deb always is on my case to cut it off, especially since I am a victim of male-pattern baldness, lol.
The 80s is a decade that is much maligned, but those of us who came to age during that period will always hold it as something both unique and special. Finally, the music of the 80s is much better than the auto-tuned, sampling stuff of today. There are a few songs that are good (for some reason, I really like Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero”), but compared to the 80s? Not even close!
Hi Christopher.
I recall one summer evening in the 80s’s after clubbing down in Seattle me and my friend came back across the border at like 3:30 AM, and I don’t know if it was that white Don Johnson jacket, or the time, or both, but let’s say it was little more involved getting back home. HAHAHA
I agree, the 80s music, while not everyone’s cup of tea, I think still had a lot of creativity, diversity, and musical talent in it, compared to the auto-tuned techno stuff of today that seems to be nothing more than regurgitation of beat and sound effects in my old Casio electronic keyboard. No musicianship nor singing required. I’m talking about the main stream top 20 junk of today, there are of course a lot of talented independent artists today creating great music.
The 60s and 70s rock music is timeless, real art appealing to a universal audience, whereas the 80s music I feel had some great music, but was more limited in appeal to that time, and sounds dated today. Not that there aren’t many artists from that period that went on to develop and create great music, like Sting, Phil Collins etc….for example. At least that’s how 80s music feel to me compared to the 60s.
I’ve never been a fan of the Talking Heads, but they sure use up a lot of energy on stage. Kind of like Mick Jagger. Here is a mid 80’s video that was reworked and became a sensation; Take on me by A-Ha, a band from Norway I believe. https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914?t=7 I thought it was an interesting video.
Was never into techno or most 80’s music. One band stands out to me in the 80’s, but they actually started in the late 60’s. Heart. Ann and Nancy Wilson. They continued to have hits in the 80’s. Check out “Alone”, or “These Dreams”. And there were many others. Both sisters are still performing today, but usually not together. One of my favorite bands forever!
I’ll say one thing – if you want to play in that band, you better do your road work.
In the eighties, the clubs I frequented played a variety of music, not all disco, i.e. Pointer Sisters, Police, etc. But recently I stumbled across techno band music that I really like – Naked Eyes – Always Something There to Remind Me. (learning to play it on guitar). Modern English – I’ll Melt with You (not true techno, but I’m also learning to play on guitar). And Soft Cell – Tainted Love (Gloria Jones cover) that I am also “trying” to learn on guitar.
Luv your hair cut Mona, I wish I had hair to cut. Peace Be.
Dusty Springfield did that ” Something To Remind Me ” back in the 60s ….
Mona and Lisa, the 80s was my decade of growing up…high school, university, and first Masters Degree. It was a extended part of my youth and the music of that period was definitely a soundtrack. But not all of it…
Being an American growing up on the U.S./Canadian Border (Niagara Falls) I had the privilege of working with and attending classes with many Canadians. That, along with all the Toronto radio that we were able to receive, allowed me to appreciate the great content by our neighbors. Jacki already mentioned one of my favorites, and I will list a few others.
“Stay in the Light”/Honeymoon Suite (Thanks Jacki)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFcIqX_wXF0
“My Dreams of You”/The Box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDrKOjaY5oE
“Everytime I See Your Picture”/Luba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKr5-LWTU4o
“When There’s Time for Love”/Lawrence Gowan (Mona and Lisa, you just received this album with the beagle card. Even though it was a 1993 release, he recorded it in the late 80s when he was in his “Inner Beatle” phase after meeting Ringo Starr. This was the song in which my wife and I had our first dance at our wedding).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdsTwYnH0Wo
I will always think that the 1960’s was the best decade for music ever.
I do like some of the artists and music of the 70’s & 80’s.
One of the most successful and talented singer/songwriters is Billy Joel.
As is true with many musicians, the Beatles were a big influence in his life.
Paul McCartney was his idol and BJ did get his chance to play on the same stage with Paul several times, which was really cool.
Imagine you sign a record deal and after you record your first album & many copies are pressed, it turns out that they were at the wrong speed. So fast that you sound like a chipmunk. That is what happened to Billy. He couldn’t get out of his contract, so he went into hiding in Los Angeles, CA (from NY). Supposedly that is where he wrote his big hit song Piano Man, and the rest is history.
BTW, I have a copy of that original album, Cold Spring Harbor, recorded at the wrong speed.
I have seen Billy Joel in concert many times and one of the best performances was a “Face to Face” concert with him & Elton John. There were pianos on stage facing each other. They each played a few songs of the other guys and also a few together. If you were a fan, it was awesome.
One more thing, Billy has played in many different countries and in July of 2023, he is returning to the UK and playing at BST Hyde Park.
Oh, and in reference to the fact of having small hands or chubby fingers and not being able to play the piano – Billy Joel has hands like that & he is a pretty good piano player. The last album he wrote was solely classical music and he said his hands were not big enough to play classical, so someone else played it for him.
Take good care,
Bobby S
I saw the Talking Heads in person for the first time in 1979 after they released their third album “Fear of Music”. I saw them again in 1983 at an outdoor amphitheater and it was amazing to see how they had gone from a relatively “stiff” band to these amazing stage shows filled with dance. I second the motion of you watching “Stop Making Sense”. It kind of parallels how their performances evolved. It starts with David Byrne playing an acoustic version of “Psycho Killer” accompanied by a boom box for percussion. Each song adds another band member and they get the house cranking! https://youtu.be/-oVami1uT7Q
When I was a junior in high school we had a talent show and a few friends and I formed our own “air band” called the London Broils, and lip synched “Psycho Killer”. None of us could play any of the instruments we had, but it was a lot of fun! We didn’t win, but we didn’t get “gonged” either, so there’s that. The next year, we added a female “vocalist” so we could do “Rock Lobster” by the B-52’s. Unfortunately, there weren’t many photos of it at the time except for these few. Have a great Sunday and stay warm. We’re expecting our first snow flake here today as well.
I want to watch the whole thing when I find a bit of time. A lot of people have posted various great clips from that show now.
Haha love the story and pics, thanks for sharing!
The 80’s didn’t have much to interest me as I prefer people playing instruments vs. electronic music and the decade was rife with machine-generated music. I did find a few tunes, though, in addition to pretty much Stevie Ray’s entire catalogue:
“Don’t Ask Me Why” Billy Joel 1980, classic Billy
“Synchronicity II” The Police 1983, love Copeland’s drumming
“Straight Up” Paula Abdul 1988, just a real catchy tune
Yep, I like all three 🙂
Psycho Killer – opening song of the movie. As you’ve never heard it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM9SHDNAbPw&list=PL9F–rUB8nuY3FPPnmiBMtLkasg7X32FP&index=1
https://youtu.be/FBUe_v6Mi70
same concert different song called Burning down the house i was so into this song while dating my future wife Suzanne that she got me a t-shirt made with burning down the house on it
There were some very good groups that made headway in the 80’s. Boston hit a resurgence with the release of their hit single Amanda and the album Third
Stage. some fans weren’t really impressed after the roaring success in the 70’s, but I loved it (huge fan of Tom Scholtz’s overlays and track mixes).
Elton John went on a tear with Too Low for Zero (that mention of the young boy with the small fingers, his teacher should have had a look at Sir Elton’s stubby sausage-like fingers, sure didn’t hold him back!). Obviously greats like SRV and Clapton, Bob Seger and others were still putting out the goods.
But on the Canadian front a lesser known rock group called Toronto hit our scene in a pretty big way, and one of their songs went over to Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart) and What About Love was huge for them. Other Canadian acts: The Tragically Hip, Loverboy, and Red Rider, and closer to the end of the decade Sass Jordan…all were getting plenty of airtime and the MTV era loomed large. Of course, you have to include Rush (how could you not mention them?) in the 80’s although their 70’s heyday was what most remember them for.
A lot of good came out of the 80’s, not just the stuff I (and yes many music fans) didn’t care for. I wasn’t really a fan of a whole lot of it; I was and still am a pretty solid rock fan. I need guitars, keyboards, a solid bass and drum line, solid vocals (that don’t require auto-tune) and something that, at times, seems to have gone away with time: imagination and real writing talent.
But that submission did have energy, and they did remind me of The Hip to a degree. Showmanship is still a big part of the live performance deal, and they showed it big time.
Yep, snow overnight here too, ’tis that season too.
Until tomorrow, keep groovin’!
edit: Yay, I found it! Please disregard my crying….
D
Oh woe is me, an errant key stoke just killed my entire comment. Waaaaaa! :>(
I can’t begin to redo it but that was a great submission!
Ctrl-Z is undo on a Windows PC. Not sure if that would have helped.
Hello everyone! Not doing so good today. Yesturday I started my day in New Mexico about 3 miles from Texas border and my transmission went out. Got up to 11th gear and stopped and wouldn’t go back into gear. I hate automatics . Give me a manual 13 speed any day. Now I’m hiding out at the Amarillo KW shop. Hiding in my truck because I’m not supposed to be inside. Hard for me to insure my refrigerator and freezer would stay on and my medical equipment. Oh well.
When I first saw the talking heads I thought they were fun like the B52s. Once in a Lifetime was the first song I heard from them. When I changed my job in the US ARMY in 1985, I would take my family to a local pizza shop and for a joke, and my daughter of 6 loved, I would play REM Happy Shinny People. My daughter would dance. Later on after Desert Shield/Desert Storm I heard on the radio Losing My Religion while I worked out lifting weights.
My second band I support has made me rediscover 1980s Metal, I have heard everything back then too, however it had fallen away. My Black Sabbath was different players in the 1970s. Bought my first Black Sabbath album, Master of Reality, in 1974 when I was 14 or 15. I have rediscovered how much I love DIO and Black Sabbath DIO. I saw a live concert with DIO vamping in the middle, explaining what the 🤘means to him. Not historical where he got it from. To him, it meant that Rockin Roll will never die. That’s why I use it. For the 80s I love the song Die Young. I’ve heard my second bands lead vocal sing to it also. Wish they would cover it. She has sang a few times with the Dio/ Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice. Here, brought to you by youtube, DIO Black Sabbath playing my favorite 80s song Die Young. A lot of contrast in this piece. I also miss the Keyboads playing patterns like in 70s and 80s. My 3rd band is Prog so they brought that back for me. I’ve been sending links to my second band to give them inspiration. The keyboard of my second band just turned 15 and I don’t know where he will progress. More like a George Shearing…or maybe Emerson Lake and Palmer? Time will tell. I’m the crazy Oldman that communicates my ideas to my bands I love and support and hope, like my first band, MLT will live their Rockin Roll dreams! Here’s the link to my favorite 80s Dio Sabbath song.
https://youtu.be/R8VFpGhP0JU
Peace. Stay safe. God Speed. ❤️🌹🤘
Thankyou for Day 11….brought back my teenage years in music tastes….lol…loved your reactions, yes David Byrnes…an interesting sort …..lol
Whoops, forgot to add, I enjoy music of different genres , but the key here is, it has to move/me, appeal to me, if it makes me sing, dance, get emotional, the lyrics, instrumentation, etc, then it’s music to my ears …. yes, certain stuff, I’m just not keen on which is classical, hard core rock, punk, highly all synthetic stuff, heavy metal, some alternative stuff, some country stuff …
It’s interesting how varied one’s music tastes are…
Well, that was a switch…. I recall of the Talking Hears but I was never really a fan of their stuff…. I was a teenager in the 80s, and being a huge Duran Duran fan….lol… Glass Tiger came into my radar around 1986-ish so, ( my bedroom walls consisted primarily of Duran Duran /GT posters and my record collection too vastly consists of those 2 bands, with a few other stuff non D2/GT related, same applies to cassette tapes )
I enjoyed other stuff to, but it was stuff that I was only drawn to that appealed to me , I was into stuff that I enjoyed Dancing/Singing Along to that I enjoyed in the 80s, I think I was in better physical shape back then….. I got my cardio workouts through dancing like a maniac back then…..lol
Also, being the visual person that I am, I enjoyed the visual/sound effects of videos made from that era….very creative/off the wall sometimes as it were, but entertaining all the same…..
It was also a key time for the Canadian music scene , like it was back in the 60s/70s for Canada but it surely exploded musicwidee in Canada in the 80s… many bands….Rush, GT, Blue Rodeo, Anne Murray, Honeymoon Suite, just to rattle off a few….
Honeymoon Suite!
The pride of Niagara Falls, Ontario!
I was born and grew up in Niagara Falls, New York so we considered both sides as one big playground!
We always considered Honeymoon Suite was one of our own!
“Stay in the Light”!
I loved this selection. They generated enough energy on stage to power a small town!
Here’s a 1980’s song with a message that you might like: “A Little Good News”, Ann Murray, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJcchmKhPw
And one of my 1980’s favorites: “Papa Don’t Preach”, Madonna, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G333Is7VPOg
As to Mona’s hair: You ladies have beautiful hair. You change your hair frequently and it always looks great. When I was young and had hair, it was thick stranded and unruly. A barber once complained that it was hard to cut. You and Lisa are also people who can look quite different by changing your hair, so it is fun to see “the new you” every few weeks.
Hello Ladies,
Can’t say I was ever into techno music, but this one was interesting.
As for music from the 80s You’re The Inspiration from Chicago’s XVll Album comes to mind. It was an era when Chicago was going without their horns much. Much to most of the bands disappointment. Probably why Peter Cetera left the group. He, oddly enough didn’t like the horns.
“You know our love was meant to be,
The kind of love that lasts forever,
And I want you here with me,
From today till the end of time”
Elton John’s Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. The Lyrics on this really hit you in your heart.
“What do I say when its all over,
What have I got to do to be heard,
What do I do when lightning strikes me,
And sorry seems to be the hardest word”
Wow! Remembering those lyrics from memory brings back a flood of emotions.
Thanks Ladies for the memories and an interesting video today.
Have an extra Groovy Day
Rick Ross
PS love the fresh new cut Mona. ✂️ I noticed right away.
Hi Rick
Yeah I really liked a lot of the music of Chicago in the 80s. Other ones too like Look Away, Hard to Say I’m sorry.
Talking of hair, I was blown away by Lisa cutting her gorgeous silky red hair that was always long since I’ve been here, and it looks just as beautiful short, love it.
Hi Jung,
Lisa’s hair has always been to her waist. You’re right, it looks so good now
Technically the 80’s were “my era” (high school and college), but except for Paul McCartney and Weird Al Yankovic I pretty much avoided listening to any of its music.
When MTV aired the Monkees’ TV show in 1986 I just had to watch, and usually turned the set on a couple of minutes early, so I caught videos from a few groups I otherwise would never have heard of.
One of them intrigued me: the Bangles. I assumed their name was a parody of the Beatles (you know, beat vs. bang), and they looked to me like female versions of them: the lead singer was Paul, the drummer of course was Ringo, the other dark-haired one was George, and the other blonde one was John.
I ended up listening to a number of their songs, and they ultimately became the only 80’s group for which I ever bought a greatest hits album. This is one of my favorites:
The Bangles – Eternal Flame (Official Video) – YouTube
Never owned Different Light but loved the album before it “All Over the Place”. Just looked up the video for Going Down to Liverpool which I’d never seen before The Bangles – Going Down to Liverpool (Official Video) – YouTube… Why is Leonard Nimoy their driver?
Thier version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Hazy Share of Winter” is on my “Would love to hear the MTL cover” list next to the Beatles “We Can Work It Out”.
I hadn’t seen that Liverpool video before either, Stephen. Neat!
According to Wikipedia, Nimoy was a friend of Susanna Hoffs’ family.
How did we ever survive without the internet?
I had completely forgotten about The Bangles – great song.
I do like the Bangles also David and that song Eternal Flame is the bestest.
BTW – from what I remember, they originally were calling themselves The Bangs, but legal issues caused them to change their name.
Bobby S
It’s so funny you bring up that song. It was one of the songs our dad used to always sing in the car with us as kids (Besides “Barbara Ann” and a handful of other tunes) and we even practised a bit of harmonies with it. For that reason it will always be a “car rides with Dad” song for me! Very nostalgic 🙂
I am not so much a 80’s fan, tough there have been big names in that decade (police, duran duran etc.)
I , am not a fan of synth music. The 60’s and 70-‘s I like more. I really like the dancing in this clip, David Byrne , the lead singer of Talking heads was well known for his quirky dance moves. Thats what i like in the music from the 60’s and 70’s. Most of them songs were very danceable. And if , like me, one couldn’t play an instrument, you could allways learn to dance, and so I did! very much even and still do. I think dancing ads some extra to a video or performance. If you let yourself go with the rythm, dancing feels like art too, at least to me, You can make your own moves, like David Byrne did. I remember doiing dance moves, like Michael Jackson did, even before he showed them to the world via his video’s.My favourite 80’s ( well in fact it is from 1979, but I didn’t hear it earlyer than 1981) is Garys Gang “showtime”it is an instrumental , were all the instruments play solo , one after the other. The Rhythm is so great, iI still cant sit still when I hear it, for those who are interested :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4-XyX5j0vA
I realise it is a whole lot different then wat the most people on this club are used too, but if you feel like dancing, be my guest
For 80s music?
I’m exactly the same as Mona and Lisa on the dreadful subject. Sorry.
Many music listeners became part of the disco music backlash. There’s a reason in my case though:
It was one day not long after the Staying Alive record came out, I attained a vinyl copy of it but the surface developed a skip on that particular turntable track just as I was drifting off to sleep. I woke up 3 hours later with a splitting headache.
That’s just me…. or did some of you also experience similar health symptoms from hearing disco?
I still like disco Michael, sorry , still dance on it too, but its oke if people hate or dislike it, theres music for everyone.
Hallo Mona.
Hallo Lisa.
It’s a lovely new MLT Club website GUI.
This is for all the Grinches out there: We are now on Week 3 of Advent already! LOL.
In many advent wreath arrangements, the 3rd week candle is rose coloured and also known as the Shepherd’s candle
Merrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Christmas to everyone in the MLT Club. It’s a wonderful time of year
Happy 3rd Advent, Michael! Crazy, how quickly that came around.
You should watch the movie that this came from, “Stop Making Sense”. Widely regarded as one of the best concert films. Directed by Jonathon Demme who went on to direct “The Silence of the Lambs”. Even if you don’t know any of their music, the movie is so visually stunning that you can’t look away. Here is a link to a song from the movie that shows the band as a 4 piece, bass, drums and two guitars. No synths. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXzDh1Q1JsM&list=PL9F–rUB8nuY3FPPnmiBMtLkasg7X32FP&index=4
Another fun one! “Stop Making Sense”, I’ll keep that in mind 🙂
That was fun to watch! Exhausting too! I was not into 80’s music at all, mainly for lack of exposure. During the 8o’s I was at university, studying classical music – mainly into Gregorian chant and renaissance music! And I can’t say that I ever enjoyed synthesized music. A couple of songs come to mind that I remember enjoying: Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham because it was upbeat and fun and We’re Not Going to Take It by Twisted Sister. The latter comes to mind every time I’m in a mood of high frustration! I should add a Canadian song too: Makin It Work by Doug and the Slugs is a catchy one.
This Advent Calendar has been such a rich experience! I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say every day!
Links:
(1) Lindsey Buckingham – Holiday Road (Official Music Video) – YouTube
(1) Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It (A Twisted Christmas Live) – YouTube
(1) Doug and the Slugs Making it Work (flac) – YouTube
The 80s were a great time for Canadian music. Gowan, Rush, Luba, The Box, Honeymoon Suite…the list goes on and on.
Between my first and second year of University I took a couple of summer History of Music classes to lighten my class load for the upcoming year. I knew that Intermediate Accounting I and II were going to be time consuming. I distinctly remember going through the Gregorian Chant, Baroque, and Renaissance periods. Learned a great deal. My final paper was about the parallels of Rush and the Baroque period. It was rather perceptive for an 18 year old Accounting major, or so my Professor said, lol.
My musical interests vary 😜 wildly! When I like a song I seldom take notice what era or genre it’s from. I just like it or I don’t. I was raised around country music (Statler Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Buck Owens, C.W.McCall, etc.) My sister, nine years older than me, dictated much of what I heard in my youth wether I liked it or not. She over-exposed and therefore soured me on the like of Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, John Denver, etc. Graduating H.S. in ’84, I was exposed to lots of that era music in the car since there weren’t any oldies stations nearby. Some I detested, others stuck. To this day I like much of ZZ Top, most of Huey Lewis and the News (excellent blues harpist!), and even a fair amount of J. Geils. My favorite album from that era is Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms”, Mark Knopfler being the main reason! “Walk of Life” is my favorite song on that LP, and it has 2 different videos that are fun to watch, much like George’s “Got My Mind Set on You ” does. The animated video for “Money for Nothing” is nostalgically a hoot, too! I don’t care for much ’90s and newer stuff, but do enjoy some Lenny Kravitz on occasion! His style reminds me a bit of what Jimi may have sounded like had he recorded in that era.
The 80’s were a time of big changes for me. I got married, had two sons, graduated from college while working full time and then switching careers. My musical tastes during that time tended to be more mellow and I was introduced to the music of David Lanz and Paul Speer. This recording is from 1993, but the two songs were originally published in 1985 and 1987: https://youtu.be/W4dZOvWjGUI
Thank you, again, for doing this advent calendar!
I am not into the 1980s music either. I believe the best music was from 1964 (imagine that) through 1975 or so…….basically Beatles through Queen and Eagles. I like some of the things done in the 1990s but mostly from the female artists, e.g., Sixpence None the Richer, Jewel, Paula Cole. I didn’t care much for Grunge music in the 1990s. Other than that, my musical interests range from traditional RnR to Lou Reed and points in between to classical music.
Hi Michael,
I was a fan of Jewel and have 3 or 4 of her CDs. Some good songs and you probably know that she is a good yodeler.
She is now an actress.
Bobby S
The best Spanish group of the 80s was Mecano. Very good music and interesting lyrics
His best known song was “Hijo de la luna” (Son of the moon)
https://youtu.be/ytPlKYKpXB0
Another interesting song is “Héroes de la Antartida” about the attempt of the English expedition of Captain Scoot who failed in his attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole
https://youtu.be/2dJ2KMAikmI
And another two songs:
Laika: https://youtu.be/ZuijqjUrOS0
Un año más: https://youtu.be/KJbeA7JNC8s
„Hijo de la luna” by Mecano is a wonderful song, thanks for sharing. It exudes so much charm and magic. Also the other songs are very beautiful. Here with us Héroes del Silencio were very popular for a while, but then unfortunately disappeared without a trace.
Héroes del Silencio / “Entre Dos Tierras”
https://youtu.be/A5JmfQ5EPn8
Thank you, Jürgen. The singer of Héroes del Silencio has a very peculiar voice
I liked “Laika”, and it has subtitles, which will be great as I try to relearn and improve on the Spanish I have tried to learn over the years.
The Spanish language music around here (New Mexico, USA) is mostly influenced by the music in Northern Mexico. Here’s a version of one of the saddest love songs I’ve ever heard, sung by Tish Hinojosa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzScAH6VI3Y
Thank you, Dennis
I’ve just heard the song. It is a well-known bolero. I didn’t know Tish Hinojosa
Ahhh, the 80’s where great bands of the 70’s went to die… for a while. I blame the record industry, driving bands to the “New Sound”. That said I’m sure many bands just wanted to play with the new toys.
I mentioned Rennaissance after an earlier video. In the 70’s they gave us beautiful songs like “Day of the Dreamer” Renaissance – Day of the Dreamer (Remastered) [Symphonic Rock – Progressive Rock] (1978) – YouTube with all its grand orchestration. The 80’s gave us Camera Camera – YouTube… Yes it’s the same band, minus the drummer and keyboard player, and probably what is responsible for me ever listening to this Missing Persons – Words – YouTube.
Jethro Tull fared better, but that 80’s sound that started with “A” in ’79 (Jethro Tull – Fylingdale Flyer (Rockpop, 02.02.1981) – YouTube) is still prevalent in ’82 for Broadsword and the Beast but toned down a bit. Beastie (2005 Remaster) – YouTube As a side note, Broadsword and the Beast is hands down the best Tull album cover ever.
Since you can’t have a rule without an exception … Some band did bet better. Rush – Limelight – YouTube.
Enjoy,
Steve
Limelight is an epic classic!
First, the new format of the website is great. Stumbled into it yesterday evening and then spent some time filling out the information section. The MLT Club members will be able to learn about each other a bit more!
Secondly, it was fun watching your reactions to the Talking Heads video. Known for their unique, intricate movements, David Byrne and the band were a big part of the 1980s new wave movement. The 80s were the pioneering period for music videos, and I am certain that Michaela will receive lots of examples per your reques!
Finally, thank you for hanging my Beagle Christmas card on the mantle. Lady Jane Beagle is fifteen and doing fine. She is snoring as I write this!
Great performance, where does he get the energy from. My favourite Talking Heads song is Road to Nowhere:
https://youtu.be/OFgayzZ5KTM
There are so many 80’s tracks I love so hard to make a list but here are a few of the top of my head (too much pressure this early in the morning to remember them all!):
https://youtu.be/1Cw1ng75KP0 (Heart)
https://youtu.be/eIZafmCKLBE (this is a recent live version from Nik Kershaw)
https://youtu.be/6Uxc9eFcZyM (Duran Duran)
For some Scottish tunes- https://youtu.be/enZ3cLD-9kQ (Big Country – Look Away)
And be interesting what you make of https://youtu.be/tbNlMtqrYS0 and https://youtu.be/yy9GmieAEaQ (both from The Proclaimers)!
Love the outfits today, so colourful and bright for Sunday morning! Great haircut Mona, I’m sure you’ll be happy with it!
Just looked over the new extended profile page and found I’m only 33% complete! It’s going to take a while to to get to 100%!
Mona, you asked me yesterday for some snow, so I sent some down for you!!
Have to agree Allan, Road to Nowhere might just be my favorite, although Burning Down the House will always be one of those that just makes me want to dance and drum on my desk. 😀
I’m with you regarding the heavy Synth stuff in the 80’s!!.
One of my favorite guitar bands was the amazing SMITHS, with the genius that is Johnny Marr on Guitar and the unique vocals and poetry of Morrissey. Its hard to pick a favorite song of theirs, but I’ll go for “There is a light that never goes out”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6CrPfjkS6Y
I saw them play their last concert in Manchester at Salford Uni. Love them
Mona always makes fun of my love for the Smiths haha. I’m with you, I think they were a great, unique band.
David Byrne is one of those peerless musical geniuses that would top a short list. All their shows were theatrical wonders where the music was sometimes a side benefit! The 80’s in general set the bar for the vast amounts of genius music right along side mountains of crap. Throw out the bath water, but keep the babies. Even George Harrison was huge in the late 80’s. In fact, Cloud Nine was an awesome album!
It really just makes my heart hurt to think of the great stuff that younger people today have never even heard of. I mean, stuff that was HUGE. But I’m glad they got educated! 😀
Some of the new stuff in the MLT profile is unanswerable! Favorite song? Favorite singer? I don’t think I could narrow it down to the top 20 it I had to much less pick one. I can’t even answer the question for today…favorite 80’s song? How about I give you my top 100?
Here’s one that would make the top 25:
https://youtu.be/lf6vCjtaV1k
Hi Roger, yeah I like REM. There’s also their Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts, and The One I Love that are great. The One I Love was released in 1987.
There are dozens of great R.E.M. songs and those are just the most popular ones. I think I previously posted their “Shiny Happy Monsters” redux that they did on Sesame Street. Too cute.
.
That was a fun video, so high energy, and loved it when the singer started running laps around the stage! HAHAHA. The 80s was a big decade in music I think, a style that is very “acquired” if you grew up in that decade. I think there were so many styles that people followed. My sister who was in highschool was really into Depeche Mode, and also Duran Duran (Durani’s). The big group that was all over the place and I liked was the Police, and for a time people were saying they were the next Beatles. There was also U2, and on the female front, I really liked the sound of Bananarama, like “Robert De Niro is Waiting”.
There were also a lot of the rockier groups that were big in the 80s like ZZTOP, White Snake, Loverboy, Def Leppard, and Billy Squier. I really liked this one by Billy Squier, “Every Body Wants You”.
Then there was the funky music style they played at the night clubs, and people use to cruise around in cars with. One of my favourites, you probably know this one is, is by none other than Falco “Rock Me Amadeus”. I know this version the best.
I’m checking out all the cool new features on the website. The Member Map is really cool, love that. It will be so cool to see the map light up like a Christmas tree across the entire world with members in all corners of the world. The Site Wide Activity feature is rally great, because you can see all the new update comments from the forum and other posts across the whole website from one convenient place. Will keep checking it out and provide more feedback.
For me, this is as much as the 80s sound as anything, from two ends of the scale that I really enjoyed from that period in the 80s:
https://youtu.be/H9694K85Xc8
https://youtu.be/4xHy3ngYfWo
A decade of diversity.
Hi Jung,
yeah even in the 80s there were quite a few musical twins. I like “Hold me now” by the Thomson Twins. And then there were just “The Twins” who hit the charts with “Face to face, heart to heart”. I like it, but it’s Synthi-Pop, so I should not present… 🙂 .
I remember seeing an interview with Paul McCartney in 1986 or 7 in which he was asked if there were any current groups that he liked, and the only one he mentioned was the Thompson Twins. I hadn’t checked them out until now. Not bad!
Hi David
For some reason I have special connection to that song by the Thompson Twins. In 1984 I left Vancouver for the first time, I think the first time I got on an airplane that I remember, and headed off to Toronto to start what felt like a new life, and as the plane taxi’d, had the head phones on listening to the plane stereo system, and Thompson Twins “Hold Me Now” came on, and that tune and feeling as I took off stayed with me all my life. Whenever I hear that, it takes me back to what I felt as the plane took off leaving behind everything I was familiar with in Vancouver. Interesting what music can do.
I love the whole 80’s era. For me personally, one of the most creative phases of music after the 1960s. (Independent music scene, New Wave, Neue Deutsche Welle, Synthi-Pop, so much cool stuff…). The German-speaking music scene was just foaming over with creativity and self-confidence (see also Falco).
New Model Army / “Vagabonds”
https://youtu.be/yJjj0hHBvDg
…and this track. I’m not a big BAP fan, but if you’re talking about the 80s, you just can’t ignore this song… :
BAP / “Verdamp lang her”
https://youtu.be/DB1RaK6ISPY
…oh and I almost forgot “Fury”, after this one I better stop… 🙂
Fury in the Slaughterhouse / “Won’t forget these days”
https://youtu.be/rxIi9vSS6As
Hi Jurgen,
The 80s was also the decade of the music video, MTV, Much Music. Music in a sense was experienced with another dimension of a video to go with it. It was indeed a creative period, though the 80s music does not have the universal appeal of the 60s and 70s music. I think the 80s is more niche in a sense. There are a lot of songs I like from that period. This is probably one of the most iconic videos from the 80s. Who can’t deny this is an impactful video.
https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914
Hi Jung,
musical niche or independent epoch: a question of worldview. Depeche Mode and Co. still filled the concert halls many years later. But you’re right: at that time the music clips weren’t just a nice accessory in which the respective band presented themselves, they developed into an art form of their own. Even if Mona and Lisa might not like the 80s that much, they continue this tradition in their music videos (fortunately).
https://youtu.be/UMPC8QJF6sI
Hi Jurgen,
That video doesn’t play in my region. Yeah, video was such a big part of the 80s music experience, usually when an artist released a new song it would hit the video stations like MTV or Much Music in Canada. I remember people use to talk about “he have you seen the new video” by so and so instead of that song. From my recollection, The Police, and Blondie were the two big acts that hit the scene in 1980, I was still in high school, and that’s all I heard about, then later that year the big crush of new 80s bands appeared. I remember hearing this one by Blondie, technically released in 1979, that sounded so different like nothing I heard before.
Blondie – Rapture
https://youtu.be/pHCdS7O248g
Visage / “Fade to Grey”
Sorry Jung that the video is not running in all regions. I think the song itself is very beautiful, but I chose it primarily because of the music video (we were talking about artistically designed video clips). I’m trying another link here, although this video version is designed differently (for whatever reason) and I like the other version better. The song is of course still the same (and I hope it will work this time).
https://youtu.be/PeGTJOFSIgU
Hi Jurgen, thanks, Visage Fade to Grey, I like it, has a nice feel. It has a bit of Depeche Mode vibe to me.
That was a fun video, so high energy, and loved it when the singer started running laps around the stage! HAHAHA. The 80s was a big decade in music I think, a style that is very “acquired” if you grew up in that decade. I think there were so many styles that people followed. My sister who was in highschool was really into Depeche Mode, and also Duran Duran (Durani’s). The big group that was all over the place and I liked was the Police, and for a time people were saying they were the next Beatles. There was also U2, and on the female front, I really liked the sound of Bananarama, like “Robert De Niro is Waiting”.
There were also a lot of the rockier groups that were big in the 80s like ZZTOP, White Snake, Loverboy, Def Leppard, and Billy Squier. I really liked this one by Billy Squier, “Every Body Wants You”.
Then there was the funky music style they played at the night clubs, and people use to cruise around in cars with. One of my favourites, you probably know this one is, is by none other than Falco “Rock Me Amadeus (Canadian Version)”, I know this version the best.
I’m checking out all the cool new features on the website. The Member Map is really cool, love that. It will be so cool to see the map light up like a Christmas tree across the entire world with members in all corners of the world. The Site Wide Activity feature is rally great, because you can see all the new update comments from the forum and other posts across the whole website from one convenient place. Will keep checking it out and provide more feedback.
Thank you Jung for the Canadian version of “Rock me Amadeus“ by Falco. I didn’t even know that different versions of this song were produced for different countries. Next to “Der Kommissar” probably one of his most famous songs. Also a chart stormer “Vienna Calling” -should also be well known- (in case the video doesn’t play in your region again, here’s an alternative link. If that doesn’t work either, I don’t know what else… 🙂 )
https://youtu.be/MTlSjRMx5Ic
https://youtu.be/KmWYEQbhKCQ
B52’s ‘Love Shack’ You can put this on an exercise playlist.
https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs
Awesome but I like Roam even beter:
https://youtu.be/iNwC0sp-uA4
Cool stuff, Diana. The complete album “Cosmic Thing” is just great.
Hi Diana, oh yeah I remember the B52s Love Shack. Do you remember Rock Lobster? Another big one of theirs on the airwaves. So different and out of this world.
https://youtu.be/vz65vonktMA