Wham! – Last Christmas
My favourite Christmas song and luckily enough I hadn’t posted a Wham! song as yet, although I have been very tempted several times. Also a great video here, a trait present in a lot of Wham! songs (see Tropicana, club).
I hope everyone has enjoyed a pleasant holiday.
RjK
Was (not was) – I feel better than James Brown
I am back home for Christmas and I am writing this from my parent’s house. As such, I thought it would be fitting to post the song that most reminds me of the mix tapes my father made for long childhood car journeys which I have written about extensively.
I think this stands out most because of the uniformly wacky lyrics. It is typical of this eclectic duo, who are more than just a novelty act and put out some pretty great poppy electronica music.
I was attending Mardi Gras with Fidel Castro
Buxom cross dressers threw fake gold coins at our feet
As we discussed the fate of the revolution
Suddenly, CIA men dressed in bikinis
Tried to stab us with fountain pens
Fidel blew mustard gas from his cigar
And immobilised the lot of them
19 tequilas later we had a deal
Havana goes back to the mob
And Fidel and I open a chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken shops
Wow!
RjK
Steve Arrington – Feel so real
This is a classic, upbeat 1980’s tune. It is my last Saturday in London in 2011 and I intend to mark it with a bang. This is the kind of song I want as a soundtrack.
RjK
Again today, this probably not the most apt song to post on a frigid December night. However it has been on my mind recently and particularly the song’s opening (an all time favourite) is irresistible to me. I am aware that it is a little cheesy but it’s also kind of splendid at the same time. A perfect microcosm of 80’s music.
Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach. I feel it in the air, the summer’s out of reach. Empty lake, empty streets, the sun goes down alone. I’m driving by your house though I know that you not home…
/RjK
Hall and Oates – You make my dreams come true
Classic 80’s. I have wanted to post these guys for ages. It was a struggle to choose one song in particular as they have several great tracks but this one is an excellent party tune for a Friday night.
RjK
The Bar-Kays – Open your heart
I seem to be in the mood for funk this week. I was reminded of these guys by a friend this week and I thought I would revist them. I first came across them on a Stax compliation a while ago.
I love this track, it is upbeat and funky with that classic 80’s groove.
RjK
Spandau Ballet – True
I have realised that the 1980’s have been under represented on here recently and what better a way to address that anomaly than this? Classic and iconic, I can’t do it justice with words.
It came into my mind today in somewhat embarrassing fashion – A guilty pleasure of mine came onto my MP3 player. It was a cheesy Nelly track (I know, I know) that I am shamefully fond of and which uses a sample of True.
Also, how good is the video? Silhouettes, smoke and shoulder pads. Ah, the 80’s, they were simpler times,
Head over heels, when toe to toe, this is the sound of my soul. This is the sound…
RjK
The Style Council – Shout to the top
The Style Council are widely derided but they get a bad rap in my eyes. They were certainly a departure from The Jam him I respect people who like to keep changing things up, and this tune in particular is great. A pretty special video here too, pleasingly cheesy.
/RjK
Womack and Womack – Teardrops
This duo have some amazing musical lineage, with the two Womacks in question being Linda, the daughter of Sam Cooke and Cecil, the brother of Bobby Womack. Not a bad duo of relatives that! An added bonus is the classic 80’s style on display in the video.
I was particularly reminded of this recently when I heard blog favourites Peter and Kerry do a stripped down, acoustic version of it.
And the music don’t feel like it did when I felt it with you…
/RjK
Elvis Costello and The Attractions – Everyday I write the book
Elvis come on my MP3 player today and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to post one of his songs. The guy has flat out got GAME. I had forgotten how prolific he was. I was torn between this and several other favourites. Alison, Watching the detectives, Oliver’s Army… There are several classics, it was tough to choose.
I finally settled on this as it is so easy on the ear and it has a great video.
I’m giving you a long look, everyday, everyday, everyday I write the book…
RjK