#73 - Axel F

Artist: Harold Faltermeyer

Album: Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack
Video: When I see this, it's impossible not to think of this.

This is the only instrumental song on the countdown.  It is also the second of three songs from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. 

"Axel F" refers to the character played by Eddie Murphy, Axel Foley.  The song reached #3 in the Billboard Hot 100.  The main synthesizer riff is unmistakable, absolutely screaming 80's.

Harold Faltermeyer composed music for several other classic 80’s movies, including Top Gun, Fletch, The Running Man, and Tango & Cash.  But he is most famous for this song.

In 2005, the band Crazy Frog remixed “Axel F” and reached #1 in over 10 different countries.

The video contains some Beverly Hills Cop scenes, but focuses most prominently on a secretive man sneaking around, watching footage in a dimly lit office.  I don't understand the video.  Is this man Faltermeyer? 

I am stumped.  Give me Peter Griffin any day.

#74 - That Was Yesterday

Artist: Foreigner

Album: Agent Provocateur
Video: An abbreviated version from YouTube. 

Foreigner was another favorite band in 1985.  Led by founding members Mick Jones (lead guitar) and Lou Gramm (lead vocals), the group cranked out classic rock hits in the late 70's and early 80's.  Its first five albums reached the top 5 in America.

"That Was Yesterday" was the second biggest hit from the "Agent Provocateur" album, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This song has always been a favorite of mine, I think mostly because of Lou Gramm's kick-ass vocal performance, and the lyrics.  It is the story of a man who is grieving over a lost love, yet determined to move on and put the relationship behind him.

The video is a live performance, featuring many shots of adoring fans as well as crew preparing for the concert.  The version that aired on MTV also includes part of the number #1 hit "I Want To Know What Love Is".  Gramm also rocks a mean tambourine.

Finally, there is a new poll.  I haven't figured out how to archive old polls, but I am keeping track of the winners of previous polls.  So far, that includes This Time and Rock 'n' Roll Girls.  These songs and other winners will square off against each other in future polls.  Thanks for voting!

#75 - Along Comes A Woman

Artist: Chicago

Album: Chicago 17
Video: From YouTube.

Back-to-back Chicago videos.  Gotta love it.

"Along Comes A Woman" peaked at only #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, yet appears one notch ahead of "You're The Inspiration" on this countdown.  Maybe the African gambling den scenes in the video pushed it over the top.

The song is about a man who believes he is doomed to a life of loneliness, but finds salvation in an amazing Woman.  Chicago caught lightning in a bottle with this formula, harvesting several hit singles from the theme.

The video begins with Peter Cetera portraying an Indiana Jones-like character, fighting off spear chuckers in the jungle.  Then, the scene switches to an homage to Casablanca, with Cetera reprising Humphrey Bogart's "Rick" character.  Any video that combines aborigines with a splash of international intrigue is a winner in my book.

And with that, Chicago's reign over this blog is over.  Next, a different band will be featured.

#76 - You're The Inspiration

Artist: Chicago

Album: Chicago 17
Video: From DailyMotion.

Ah, “You’re The Inspiration”.  This was another one of my very favorite songs at the time. 

Chicago recorded some classic ballads during this time period.  Peter Cetera is at his best with a powerhouse vocal performance.  The rest of the band is not too shabby either, supporting the heartfelt lyrics with the signature Chicago sound.

How does this song compare to this album’s other hit ballad, “Hard Habit To Break”?  Both made it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Almost too close to call, as both songs are epic.  I’ve gotta go with "Inspiration" though.

Going all the way back to the 60’s, Chicago is one of the longest-running rock bands of all time.  Formerly named the Chicago Transit Authority, they enjoyed their greatest commercial success in the early 70’s when they had five consecutive albums reach the top of the charts.  After a down period in the late 70’s and early 80’s, the group made a strong comeback with Chicago 16 in 1982 and picked up even further momentum with the release of Chicago 17 in 1984.

Chicago 17 was the band’s biggest selling album.  It is also the final album they recorded with founding member and lead vocalist Cetera, who went on to great success as a solo artist in 1986.  Chicago still tours to this day.

The video features a series of couples in various stages of their love relationships.  In between, we see the band casually practicing the song in a large, brightly-lit room.  Peter Cetera spends most of the video lounging on the couch.

Happy Birthday to Todd Bridges, who is 47 years old today.  “Whatchu talkin about Willis?”

#77 - Smooth Operator

Artist: Sade

Album: Diamond Life
Video: Extended 8-minute version, with story.

With this song, we are beginning a stretch of some of my favorite songs of 1985.

I was fascinated by this mysterious “Smooth Operator” as a teenager.  Breaking hearts worldwide, making high-stakes business deals, and leaving chaos in his wake.  He has loved in seven languages (as stated in the spoken word intro).  It seemed so exotic and glamorous. 

Born in Nigeria and raised in England, Sade’s voice is beautiful and silky on this track.  But it’s the saxophone that makes the song.  Absolutely gorgeous, soulful sax play by Stuart Matthewman.  The band’s first top 10 hit, “Smooth Operator” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The video was directed by filmmaker Julien Temple.  It has a distinctive mood, a sultry night club atmosphere, and is classically lit with deep shades of red throughout.  Also weaved into the video were several scenes that did not make sense to me, as I had no idea that the short version it was part of a larger story. 

After viewing the extended version, it still didn’t make that much sense to me, but at least I knew that it was intended to be part of a larger film.  And I finally learned the fate of the “Smooth Operator”.  SPOILER ALERT:  The Smooth Operator dies at the end.

Also, there is a new poll posted!  Vote for your favorite among songs #96 through #93.

#78 - Neutron Dance

Artist: The Pointer Sisters

Album: Breakout
Video: From DailyMotion.

It’s funny, I thought I was going to crush this song.  But doing the "Neutron Dance" just looks like so much gosh-darned fun!  Besides, the classic Beverly Hills Cop footage makes this video OK in my book.

The Pointer Sisters were one of the most prolific all-female bands from the mid-70's to the mid-80's, releasing about an album per year during that time. In 1985 they were enjoying the fruits of their most successful album, "Breakout", which yielded four Top 10 singles including this one. "Breakout" was actually released way back in 1983, but the "Neutron Dance" single was released late enough in 1984 that it spent time on the charts in 1985.

More famously, "Neutron Dance" is featured in the movie Beverly Hills Cop.  One of the biggest box-office movies of all-time, the soundtrack also reached the top of the charts. This is the first of three songs from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack on this countdown.

It's also awesome that the video is loaded with action scenes from the movie.  Here we see Eddie Murphy at his greatest (as opposed to here).  It even contains dialogue, including Eddie’s signature laugh.  The frenetic beat of the song fits perfectly with the film clips. The video also includes a sub-theme in which the Pointer Sisters are usherettes in a movie theater which is showing the film.  During the screening, they completely forego their job responsibilities and strut onto the stage to perform the “Neutron Dance”.  Much to the delight of the crowd.

So, I’m torn…..this wasn’t one of my favorite songs.  In a way it is nonsensical, especially the title.  But reflecting deeper on the lyrics, it is about thriving in the face of adversity.  In the end, the BHC connection plus a legendary sister act adds up to a winner.

#79 - Lovergirl

Artist: Teena Marie

Album: Starchild
Video: From YouTube.

It seems a bit like going from the sublime to the ridiculous, from "People Get Ready" to "Lovergirl". Yet, had you asked me in 1985 which was the greater achievement, no doubt I would have picked this song. It still feels like a guilty pleasure. What the hey, it was groovy.  Whoooooo!!

I had no idea, but Teena Marie (real name Mary Christine Brockert) actually had a long recording career, which included a Grammy nomination. A protege of Rick James, she had several top 40 hits on the Billboard R&B charts, including seven top 10's. I was only aware of this song and "Lead Me On", which was on the Top Gun soundtrack in 1986.

 

"Lovergirl" was her only song that climbed as high as the top 30 in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #4. It takes the perspective of a woman who is the initiator of a romantic relationship, desiring only to be this man's lovergirl, and additionally to rock his world. The video is a live performance.

 

Sadly, Teena Marie died in 2010 at the age of 54.  I was not aware of her passing.

On a lighter note, there is some exciting blog news!  For the first time, I am featuring a poll.  I want to know which 1985 songs are your favorites.  We've got some ground to make up, and every few days I'll post a new poll with a few more choices.  Eventually we'll have some kind of crazy tournament to determine the winner.  It will be awesome!  Tell your friends!

Seriously, tell your friends.  It would be too sad if the winner got only one vote.


#80 - People Get Ready

Artist: Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart

Album: Flash
Video: From YouTube.

Written by Curtis Mayfield in 1965, “People Get Ready” captures the optimism and faith of the civil rights movement.  Dozens of artists have covered the song, including Bob Dylan, John Denver, Aretha Franklin, Sting, John Mayer and Seal. 

Rolling Stone magazine declared it the 24th greatest song of ALL-TIME.  Not too shabby.  However, it is clearly not as good as any of the next 79 songs that will be featured here.

Jeff Beck’s guitar brilliance and Rod Stewart’s vocals combined to deliver one of the better versions in 1985.  It was their first recording together since their success with The Jeff Beck Group in the late 60’s.  In recent years, it has been rumored that they would once again collaborate.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Beck/Stewart version missed Billboard’s Top 40 completely, peaking at #48. I suppose it is quite different than the typical 1985 pop hit.  I know it escaped my attention at the time.  My first memory of “People Get Ready” was Bono's performance in one of the greatest concerts I’ve attended, U2’s Joshua Tree tour in 1987. 

The video opens with Rod writing a letter to Jeff that says: "Why not come to L.A. and take up the guitar professionally?"  Dozens of people in a small farming town are featured, mingling with the performers.  You can really feel the sense of community.  Classic tune, well covered by a couple of pros.

#81 - Some Like It Hot

Artist: The Power Station

Album: The Power Station
Video: From YouTube.

When half of Duran Duran split to form Arcadia, the rest of the group became The Power Station. "Some Like It Hot", a hard-driving rock 'n' roll song, was their biggest hit. It reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

Robert Palmer joined the group as lead singer and his distinctive style meshed well with Andy Taylor on guitar and John Taylor on bass. However, they only performed together once in 1985 (on Saturday Night Live), as Palmer decided not to join the band on tour.

 

I enjoyed this song. The video is visually striking, featuring bright colors and especially pink neon.  The topless woman in the single artwork becomes an animated character in the video, gyrating aggressively to the beat. 

 

Unlike Arcadia, whose "So Red The Rose" album was a one-shot deal, The Power Station reunited to record a second album in 1996 (although John Taylor did not participate).  However, it was not a commercial hit.

 

We are now officially one-fifth of the way through this blog! Looking forward to the next 80 videos.

#82 - No Lookin' Back

Artist: Michael McDonald

Album: No Lookin' Back

Video: From DailyMotion.

Michael McDonald is best known for his years as the lead singer of The Doobie Brothers in the late 70's. As a solo artist he had two top ten hits, "I Keep Forgettin'" in 1982 and "Sweet Freedom" in 1986. He also had a #1 song in 1986, "On My Own", which was a duet with Patti LaBelle.

"No Lookin' Back" was not one of his great successes. The single peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100. I don't remember this song, it made no impact on me.

However, I do remember the Doobie Brothers performance in this episode of What's Happening!!  Classic 70's TV.

The video features several people running and falling down. I suppose it's a metaphor. I don't really understand.  But I do like the opening shot of the road with the mountains and fields in the distance.

 

#83 - Lucky In Love

Artist: Mick Jagger

Album: She's The Boss
Video: Brace yourself.

This is one of the few songs on the countdown that I don't remember. I think I did see the video in 1985 though. In fact, I'm pretty sure this is the reason I didn't appreciate the Rolling Stones until I became an adult. The song is, well, odd.

 

From Mick Jagger's first solo album, "Lucky In Love" barely cracked the top 40, peaking at #38 in the Billboard Hot 100.  I find myself baffled by the order of the songs in the MTV countdown.  We've already seen three #1 singles ranked lower than this song. Was the video that much more successful than the audio track?

Ah, and what a video it is. It begins with typical Jagger bravado: Mick strutting around a casino, wearing a big black cape, playing roulette, going to the track, basically being the coolest guy in the place. In his hotel room, he seems to be celebrating his luck (in love). But then Mick takes a dark turn. He takes out a gun and is about to play Russian Roulette, when the chambermaid discovers him before he can act.  Then he apparently has sex with the chambermaid.

Then Mick becomes crazed, running out of the casino and spilling his chips everywhere. Gunfire breaks out, the pit bosses throw him down the stairs, and he parties on a boat with a bunch of crazy characters. Finally, the song descends into gibberish as he babbles like a homeless man, finally jumping overboard.

 

Not only is Mick Jagger always entertaining, he's also topical! Tonight he is hosting Saturday Night Live.

#84 - Dress You Up

Artist: Madonna

Album: Like A Virgin
Video: Fast forward to about the 1 minute mark, to see where the version from the MTV countdown starts.

With this entry, Madonna becomes the first artist to appear twice in the countdown. She also had the #91 video.

"Dress You Up" was the fourth top 5 single released from the "Like A Virgin" album.  One of her more underrated hits from this time period, it's strong work.  Catchy beat, easy to dance to, Madonna doing what she does.

The video is a live performance from The Virgin Tour. Based on the entrance, it appears this video is also the opening song of this particular concert.  I will also note, Madonna sporting quite the colorful jacket.

Here's some blog trivia: This is the second consecutive video to come from a Michigan native.  Madonna and Stevie Wonder are both from the Wolverine State.

Also, I added a "#1 hit" label.  I thought it would be fun to see which songs made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.  It's interesting that we've had three #1 hits already in this countdown, and we're only at #84.

#85 - Part-Time Lover

Artist: Stevie Wonder

Album: In Square Circle
Video: This video contains a 30-second intro which was not included on the MTV countdown.

"Part-Time Lover" may have been the first Stevie Wonder song I ever heard.  It was a good song, not great, so I didn't understand that he was a legend at the time.  It wasn't until years later, when I listened to classic albums like "Songs In The Key Of Life" and "Talking Book", that I came to appreciate the true greatness of Stevie Wonder.

The tempo of the song is light and upbeat, and in the video Stevie appears to be his familiar jolly self, singing live at a dance club.  In contrast, the lyrics explore darker themes of adultery and deception.  The video also includes a few scenes with characters illustrating the illicit liaison.

In the song's final two stanzas, we learn of a twist: the philanderer's partner is also having an affair!  How can this be so!  And yet, it is.  For you see, two can play the game of Part-Time Lover.

Finally, it is sad to learn of Donna Summer's passing today.  She was an influential performer bridging the disco and pop eras.

#86 - The Search Is Over

Artist: Survivor

Album: Vital Signs
Video: From YouTube.

Is Survivor the greatest band of all-time?  Growing up in the 80’s, I had no doubt of that.  Survivor’s music has always struck a chord with me on a visceral level.

Of course, the band is most famous for their biggest hit “Eye of the Tiger”, the theme from Rocky III.  That was the first song that made me want to have entrance music.  It’s still my go-to song for anything requiring adrenaline or inspiration.

I was about 12 or 13 when HBO started playing Rocky III every day for a while, and I became a Rocky nut.  And Survivor is the band most closely associated with the Rocky series.  I must have watched Rocky III at least 50 times as a kid.  If my life depended on it, I believe I could recite every single line of dialogue.  I know I could at the time.  When Rocky V was released, I watched it opening night at Mann’s (now Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre in Hollywood at midnight…..after watching a special screening of the first four movies consecutively.

So when Survivor released “Vital Signs” in 1984, you can imagine that I was giddy.  The album is a personal favorite.  Nine tracks, not a slacker in the bunch.  “High On You” is an amazing song.  But basically, there is every other song on this album, and then there is “The Search Is Over”.

I can say, completely without bias, that this is one of the greatest ballads of all time.  It’s a moving tale of a man’s discovery that his true love was right under his nose, only he didn’t know it.  Beautiful keyboards.  Jimi Jamison’s golden throat.  Awesome lyrics, especially the bridge.  And the video fits the song perfectly….lots of soul searching walks through the streets at night, hanging out with the boys in the band playing pool, and finally Jamison returns to his beloved.

So I guess what I’m trying to say about “The Search Is Over” is, I liked it.

And now, this blog post is over.  “Yo, Adrian!  I did it!”

#87 - Obsession

Artist: Animotion
Album: Animotion
Video: DailyMotion. (Get it?)

"Obsession" is a celebration of unhealthy fixation, set to an infectious synth-pop beat. It's the song that makes stalking fun!

The opening keyboard riff is quite distinctive....it's got a great catchy hook. This song was another favorite. Hearing the first few notes gives me a distinct "80's" feeling.

Animotion had a couple of other minor hits, but "Obsession" is their most famous. I was surprised to learn they were from my hometown of Los Angeles. My guess was that they were British.

The video is colorful as the band cycles through a variety of costumes. Cleopatra, maybe the knights of the round table, preening and prancing in some kind of luxurious mansion.

"I will collect you, and capture you." Creepy, yes, but irresistible.

Today's Birthday: George Brett is 59 years old today. One of the best third basemen ever to play baseball.

#88 - Method Of Modern Love

Artist: Hall & Oates
Album: Big Bam Boom
Video: From YouTube.

Daryl Hall & John Oates formed one of the most successful bands of the early 80's, with five singles reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the decade. "Method Of Modern Love" made it to #5.

I hate to be the one to say it, but M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E spells "Method Of Love", not "Method Of Modern Love". That would be M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-M-O-D-E-R-N-L-O-V-E. Did Hall & Oates think we would not notice? Maybe they were just being lazy.

This is a trippy song, made even more surreal when watching the video.  Our heroes are leisurely sipping cocktails when a guitar crashes into the roof of their apartment.  They investigate, and have much amusement singing and playing.  Finally, Hall boldly leaps off the building!  Don't worry though, he's OK.  He ends up dancing in the clouds to the amazement of his bandmates. Which inspires them to jump off the building as well. I guess that answers the question: "If your friend jumped off a building, would you do it too?"

Also significant: Daryl Hall is rapping! I didn't know he had it in him.

Birthday: Robert Zemeckis, the director of "Back To The Future", is 61 years old today. Released in 1985, this is one of my favorite movies.  "You made a time machine....out of a DeLorean?"

#89 - Freedom

Artist: Wham!
Album: Make It Big
Video: Difficult to find.  It's all there but you have to be patient.

"Freedom" was a hit song by Wham!  I'm not just excited, the exclamation point is actually part of the band's name.  It's from their breakthrough album "Make It Big"!  That time I was excited.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were two young schoolmates in England who became one of the most adored pop bands of the early 80's.  It turned out that Michael had all the talent, which led to his becoming a superstar in his own right, while Ridgeley plays golf.

Wham! was at their creative peak when "Make It Big" was released in 1984.  In 1985 they became the first Western pop group to tour China.  The "Freedom" video documents the band's China experience.

This song is about a distressed man who is unable to secure a commitment from his lover.  The video, in contrast, features George and Andy frolicking and having a jolly time.

On this day in 1985, the best-selling album of the year was released: Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms".

#90 - Say You, Say Me

Artist: Lionel Richie
Album: Dancing On The Ceiling
Video: From DailyMotion.

"Say You, Say Me" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1985. It was featured in the movie "White Nights". However, it was not included on the film soundtrack because of boring music industry politics. The song eventually appeared on the album "Dancing On The Ceiling", which wasn't released until 1986.

The video switches between scenes from the movie and Richie singing on an empty stage. Didn't see the movie, didn't dig the song. Yawn.

Like Lionel Richie, I also had an awesome dream. That this song never existed.

Birthday: Emilio Estevez is 50 years old today. "I'll make you famous!"

#91 - Like A Virgin

Artist: Madonna
Album: Like A Virgin
Video: One of the all-time classics.

This song was, um, slightly influential.

Madonna is the top selling female recording artist of all-time. "Like A Virgin" was her first #1 single, and it spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Yet, MTV would like us to believe that in 1985 alone, there were 90 videos better than this one. Okaaaayyyyyyy. I guess they didn't factor in the live performance at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, which is still one of the most famous in MTV history.

In 1985, Madonna was everywhere. She started her first North American concert tour, broke into feature films, and generally acted as the object of young boys' fantasies everywhere. What else can be said about her? It's hard to think of a female entertainer who had a more significant impact on pop culture.

The video is classic. Venice. The gondolas. That LION. The way she gazes into the camera, the way she MOVES. So sensual and seductive.

This was one of the first albums I ever bought, on a cassette tape. I've always been a big fan of female musicians. In 1985? Me likey very much.

Today's Birthday: Martha Quinn is 53 years old today. Now that, my friends, makes me feel very old.

#92 - Silent Running

Artist: Mike + The Mechanics
Album: Mike + The Mechanics
Video: This video from DailyMotion includes a brief scene in the opening which was not in the version that MTV showed in the top 100 countdown.

"Silent Running" is the first single from the first Mike + The Mechanics album. I have always liked this song and was intrigued by the narrative, very atypical lyrics for an 80's pop song. I've always associated this song with the book "A Wrinkle In Time", which also confronts the unusual theme of how a child is affected by a father's travels through time.

The video effectively tells this story as a young boy is presented with a key from a friend of his father's. The time travel is represented through imagery of outer space, computer equations, and the richly descriptive lyrics. The boy uses the key to open the door to a room filled with blinding white light, and finds an image of his father who has left a message to explain his reasons for leaving. We see explosions which signify that an apocalypse is looming. The mother senses trouble and goes upstairs, just in time to see her child disappear in a flash of light. Fade to the stars in the sky, and the haunting refrain, "Can you hear me? Can you hear me running?"

Alas, we cannot hear him. For it is a Silent Running.

Mike + The Mechanics was initially a side project of Genesis' founding member Mike Rutherford. However, the effort met with such success that the band continued to record seven albums over the years, including one as recently as 2011.

And today, one of the greatest musicians of our time, Bono of U2, celebrates his 52nd birthday.

#93 - Election Day

Artist: Arcadia
Album: So Red The Rose
Video: In all its glory.

When MTV was born, one of the bands that took the greatest advantage of the new medium was Duran Duran. "Rio" and "Hungry Like The Wolf" were early classic videos. In 1985, at the height of its popularity, they splintered into two new groups. While John Taylor and Andy Taylor joined The Power Station, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor became Arcadia.

Arcadia recorded only a single album, "So Red The Rose", and "Election Day" was their biggest hit. Their sound and image was darker and seemed more mysterious than Duran Duran. The video is stylish, lots of undulating women in skin tight outfits, with lots of meaningful staring into the camera by the band. There seems to be some bizarro dinner party going on, which sometimes moves into tunnels and caves.

For the life of me, I can't follow the plot of the video. I love this song, it has a great groove and interesting lyrics, but like the video, I have no idea what it means.

Birthday: Happy Birthday to Billy Joel! The Piano Man is 63 today.

#94 - This Is Not America

Artist: David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group
Album: The Falcon and The Snowman Soundtrack
Video: I did not find a copy of the original video, but this is very similar to what was shown on MTV.

When I started listening to music in 1985, I was not a David Bowie fan. This was the first song of his that I had heard. After that he released an album called "Never Let Me Down" which, if the single was any indication, was pond scum. So I did not appreciate Bowie until I got older and discovered Ziggy Stardust, Major Tom and Ch-ch-changes.

I did not see the movie "The Falcon and the Snowman". Maybe I would have understood this video if I did. A dizzying array of imagery, much of it disturbing. I probably preferred Cry to this video.

The Pat Metheny group is a jazz group that still records today.

Birthday: Randall "Tex" Cobb is 62 today. He was in a lot of classic 80's movies including Raising Arizona.

#95 - Rock 'n' Roll Girls

Artist: John Fogerty
Album: Centerfield
Video: No commercials!

After a nine year break from his music career, John Fogerty returned in 1985 to release the #1 album "Centerfield". He was the lead singer and guitarist from legendary '60s southern rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. I was not aware of CCR in 1985, I didn't learn about them until the late 80s. Chronicle, Vol. 1 is great road trip music.

"Rock 'n' Roll Girls" was not as big a hit as the title track "Centerfield" and "The Old Man Down The Road", but it did reach #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and was a very catchy tune. Nothing complex, a classic female appreciation song.

The video is another live performance. Love the auxiliary percussion section. Tamborine, maracas and what have you. Also a very small audience, only about 4 rows that I can see. Where did this take place, in an Elks Club?

Other blog stuff: The link that I provided at the beginning of this blog, with the list of the top 100 video of 1985 according to MTV, appears to be broken. Sorry about that. Here is another list.

Birthdays: Going with a couple of sports birthdays. Willie Mays is 81 years old today. And on this day in 1985, NBA All-Star point guard Chris Paul was born! Go Clips! (by that I mean, go just far enough to lose to the Lakers in the conference finals).

#96 - Shame

Artist: The Motels
Album: Shock
Video: YouTube has the complete video, but you have a 20-second commercial first.

This song and video explores the complex human emotion of shame.

Look, if you spend the night with a random sex partner in a sleazy motel in the middle of nowhere, I can understand how that would elicit feelings of shame. Further, if following said affair, you gazed out the window and found your image on a giant billboard singing to you on the very subject of your shame, I can understand how that would cause an even deeper and perhaps more complicated level of shame. But if ultimately a giant hand reached out of the billboard and beckoned you to join your video self in a duet, I think that would result in confusion, surprise, and utter bewilderment.

The Motels have been together in various incarnations since 1971, and still tour and record to this day. Their biggest hits were in the early 80's - both "Only The Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer" reached the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100.

I was not familiar with this band, song or video in 1985. It seems like the kind of crap I would have liked.

Today's Birthday: Tina Yothers, who played Jennifer on Family Ties, is 39 years old today. Geez.

#97 - This Time

Artist: INXS
Album: Listen Like Thieves
Video: It was hard to find an unedited original version of this video. Good ol' YouTube.

"This Time" was the first single released from INXS' breakthrough album, "Listen Like Thieves". The biggest band ever to come out of Australia! Air Supply notwithstanding.

I became an INXS fan. Their sound was edgy for me in 1985, as I had been listening to a heavy diet of Phil Collins, Bryan Adams and such. In 1988, the band released their most commercially successful album, "Kick". I attended the Kick tour and wore a T-shirt from the concert for several years. But not all in a row.

The video is a standard live performance piece, with front man Michael Hutchence doing his best Jim Morrison imitation. His flowing dark locks make him look quite girlish. We also have a dizzying array of spotlights.

Hutchence died in 1997 under controversial circumstances, believed to be autoerotic asphyxiation. He was 37. INXS still performs today with a singer they hired on a reality TV show.

May 4 Birthday: Randy Travis is 53 years old today. In 1985 he was honored as country music's Top New Male Vocalist.

#98 - Party All The Time

Artist: Eddie Murphy
Album: How Could It Be
Video: If you must.

Eddie Murphy was approaching the peak of his fame when this video appeared on MTV. His rise as an entertainer was meteoric, first saving Saturday Night Live from cancellation as a teenager and then starring in blockbuster movies like 48 Hours, Trading Places and the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. When you're that successful at an early age, I guess you think you can be a musician too.

I must say, I thought this song blew chunks. I definitely didn't understand who Rick James was in 1985. I thought he looked like a lion.

The hangers-on in the studio sure do appear jolly. They look like they want to, well, "party all the time"! I still fail to appreciate the artistry. Catchy tune, though!

Also, the Wikipedia explanation of the plot of this song is quite humorous.

Eddie Murphy became one of the greatest comedic perfomers of all-time. Musically, "Party All The Time" was his biggest success.

Today's Birthday: Bruce Hall, bass guitarist for REO Speedwagon, is 59 today. We'll be seeing REO later in the countdown.

#99 - Walking On Sunshine

Artist: Katrina and the Waves
Album: Katrina and the Waves
Video: From DailyMotion.

The only hit song for Katrina and The Waves, it is still popular today. I'm confused by the plot of this video. First she's in the projects, then there are these men in trenchcoats (who start following her), then they're all feeding the ducks in the park, then they're going to the recording studio and, oh, wait, these guys are the band! I think. Maybe not, I'm still confused.

I don't care what anyone says though, I like this song! It's positive, upbeat, and so dang peppy. With a title like "Walking on Sunshine", you get what you would expect - energy and light-heartedness.

Although this was their only hit, Katrina and the Waves actually recorded until 1999.

Also, Happy Birthday to Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner in the 80's! He is 62 years old today. And he's still Cold As Ice.

#100 - Cry

Artist: Godley and Creme
Album: The History Mix Volume 1
Video: Watch it here. This is from the video sharing website Daily Motion.




The MTV Top 100 kicked off with this distraught man, jowls quivering and chins jiggling. This video freaked me out when I saw it. I changed the channel as fast as I could, which back then probably involved sprinting across the room and turning a knob.

Kevin Godley and Lol Crème were among the founders of 10cc, most famous for the 1975 hit “I’m Not In Love”. They broke up in the late 80s.

Actually though, this video was cutting edge for 1985. It uses a technique called "analog cross-fading" to blend faces into one another. This foreshadows the digital morphing used in Michael Jackson’s 1991 video, “Black Or White”.

The entire video consists of faces, most of them trippy looking, singing along with the lyrics. Why is everybody so melancholy? Also, is that Mr. T at 00:46?

Next Up: #99.