Author Topic: MTV in the 80s Song of the Day (Read 308424 times)

dbrooks22 · « **Reply #1225 on:** August 31, 2012, 06:13:45 AM »

Quote from: kingshmegland on August 31, 2012, 06:10:59 AM

Well thanks to this thread I'm listening to Vital Signs, When Seconds Count and Premonition albums by Survivor today while doing production paperwork.

.... and i just picked up Mr. Mister's welcome to the Real World. Gonna spin it on my 45 min commute...

King Postwhore · « **Reply #1226 on:** August 31, 2012, 06:38:39 AM »

A fantastic album dbrooks22.

KevShmev · « **Reply #1227 on:** August 31, 2012, 09:37:37 AM »

kings, I am not sure if I should be proud or apologize to you.

KevShmev · « **Reply #1228 on:** August 31, 2012, 09:40:51 AM »

Billy Idol - White Wedding

This is another one of those handful of videos that I remember seeing on MTV non-stop when we first got cable TV. Very good little tune, and the video was pretty neat, too, with the gothic wedding and all. This is a very nostalgic song for me.

Orbert · « **Reply #1229 on:** August 31, 2012, 09:47:49 AM »

I'm not a huge Billy Idol fan, but this was one of his cooler, catchier songs. Also, Billy's work is where I first heard Steve Stevens. I always thought Billy was kinda hit or miss, but his guitarist could scream.

King Postwhore · « **Reply #1230 on:** August 31, 2012, 10:05:22 AM »

Quote from: KevShmev on August 31, 2012, 09:37:37 AM

kings, I am not sure if I should be proud or apologize to you.

Hey if I like it it's ok!

Jaq · « **Reply #1231 on:** August 31, 2012, 10:22:49 AM »

Quote from: Orbert on August 31, 2012, 09:47:49 AM

I'm not a huge Billy Idol fan, but this was one of his cooler, catchier songs. Also, Billy's work is where I first heard Steve Stevens. I always thought Billy was kinda hit or miss, but his guitarist could scream.

Sums up my feelings about Billy Idol right there. The only reason I owned Rebel Yell was because of Steve Stevens' guitar work, I used to think he was what the 21st century was going to sound like.

Orbert · « **Reply #1232 on:** August 31, 2012, 10:55:48 AM »

Well, Steve's still around, doing some pretty cool stuff, so you're not that far off with your prediction.

On the other hand:

Jaq · « **Reply #1233 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:02:00 AM »

Orbert · « **Reply #1234 on:** August 31, 2012, 12:26:41 PM »

I know, that's not really fair. I'm sure a lot of singers enjoy doing a Christmas album, a chance to put their personal stamp on classic tunes they grew up with. And actually, when I was growing up, there were a number of Christmas albums that my parents played on their old stereo that were by popular artists (of the time). Now, however, I can't help but think of a holiday album as something you do when your career is in something of a downturn.

But man, we were Christmas shopping a couple years ago and I saw that, and just busted out laughing. The tree, the wreath, and the whiplash smile.

Big Hath · « **Reply #1235 on:** August 31, 2012, 04:22:32 PM »

Quote from: Orbert on August 31, 2012, 10:55:48 AM

Well, Steve's still around, doing some pretty cool stuff, so you're not that far off with your prediction.

On the other hand:

holy crap

Orbert · « **Reply #1236 on:** August 31, 2012, 04:36:09 PM »

Apparently it was pretty popular, since he did a follow-up:

DebraKadabra · « **Reply #1237 on:** September 01, 2012, 02:34:21 AM »

Quote from: Orbert on August 31, 2012, 09:47:49 AM

I'm not a huge Billy Idol fan, but this was one of his cooler, catchier songs. Also, Billy's work is where I first heard Steve Stevens. I always thought Billy was kinda hit or miss, but his guitarist could scream.

Completely agreed - Steve is criminally underrated.

KevShmev · « **Reply #1238 on:** September 01, 2012, 11:38:29 PM »

Level 42 - Something About You

I can't name any other song this band did, but this song was a winner, and is symbolic of the type of music that was popular in 1985. I don't really remember the video, but every time this song comes on, it just screams "mid 80s!" to me.

King Postwhore · « **Reply #1239 on:** September 02, 2012, 05:47:17 AM »

My brother (who is a bass player) got me into this band. Excellent song and Kev, they have a few more cool songs like this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGxHCCUWGtY

KevShmev · « **Reply #1240 on:** September 02, 2012, 04:00:51 PM »

Not a bad little tune there; I had never heard it before.

DebraKadabra · « **Reply #1241 on:** September 02, 2012, 04:19:43 PM »

Quote from: KevShmev on September 01, 2012, 11:38:29 PM

Level 42 - Something About You

I can't name any other song this band did, but this song was a winner, and is symbolic of the type of music that was popular in 1985. I don't really remember the video, but every time this song comes on, it just screams "mid 80s!" to me.

(That is all.

)

Kwyjibo · « **Reply #1242 on:** September 03, 2012, 08:29:26 AM »

Always loved the combination of Billy Idol/Steve Stevens, they were really rocking. Saw them live some years ago and they still brought it on (plus they had Derek Sherinian on Keyboards). Then I heard about this christmas thing and I thought wtf?

Something about you is a great song. Level 42 were really popular in europe in the mid and late 80s. I think their biggest hit was Lessons in Love. During their career they turned from a funky/jazzy band to a major pop act. While I still like some of the later songs I am to this day an avid admirer of their earlier work up to World Machine (from where Something about you is taken).

KevShmev · « **Reply #1243 on:** September 03, 2012, 12:39:56 PM »

Genesis - Invisible Touch

Ah yes, the song that makes old school Genesis fans heave on a regular basis.

But when this came out, I loved it, and the video was great, too, featuring Phil Collins hamming it up like crazy; very fun and comical video. I can definitely see why fans who grew up on 70s Genesis absolutely hated it, but I still enjoy it every once in a while, for nostalgic reasons, of course.

Orbert · « **Reply #1244 on:** September 03, 2012, 02:29:46 PM »

Well, the song is catchy.

jjrock88 · « **Reply #1245 on:** September 03, 2012, 02:58:35 PM »

Quote from: Orbert on September 03, 2012, 02:29:46 PM

Well, the song is catchy.

DebraKadabra · « **Reply #1246 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:19:01 PM »

Jaq · « **Reply #1247 on:** September 03, 2012, 04:23:13 PM »

Genesis is my favorite of the classic prog bands and one of my favorite bands ever, so logically I should hate this song, right?

Well...

I don't!

The thing about Genesis was, whether or not they were crafting 23 minute epics about the end of the world or four minute pop ditties about cute girls, they were songwriters. Whatever they set their minds to do, they did it and they did it well. Yes, Invisible Touch is a poppy song that isn't a thing like the band was in 1971. It's also a brilliant, fantastic pop song, written by three brilliant songwriters who had the technical ability to do just about whatever they set their mind to. I don't have the hang up some prog fans have over well written pop songs, especially when the band in question is Genesis.

dbrooks22 · « **Reply #1248 on:** September 03, 2012, 05:02:43 PM »

This was my favorite song when i was 8 yrs old, and my first cassette tape.

Kwyjibo · « **Reply #1249 on:** September 04, 2012, 12:09:17 AM »

I quite like this song, as mentioned it is catchy and a good written pop song.

Bill Carson · « **Reply #1250 on:** September 04, 2012, 05:44:00 AM »

Talking of Level 42, a great little secret amongst British guitarists is a guy called Alan Murphy. sadly he died of Aids but was a mix between Larry Carlton and Allan Holdsworth (who incidentally replaced him after his death on Level 42s album Guaranteed).
Here's the closest thing Level 42 have done to prog, live.
Incidentally for all you Steven Wilson fans, the drummer, Gary Husband, was supposed to play piano on his most recent tour but dropped out due to injury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzugTJ3l8Ds&feature=related

Cool Chris · « **Reply #1251 on:** September 04, 2012, 08:54:39 AM »

Gah! More Genesis $:\$

KevShmev · « **Reply #1252 on:** September 04, 2012, 10:33:56 AM »

The Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang

This is another video I remember being played quite frequently during my earlier MTV viewing days. It's a good little song, but was one that was more along the lines of one I heard a lot rather than one I wanted to hear a lot. I don't listen to it that often when going through my 80s stuff, but I do think it is a good song still.

Jaq · « **Reply #1253 on:** September 04, 2012, 10:47:39 AM »

If memory serves, wasn't this their first single after two members of the band died in quick succession? While the Pretenders were fairly successful, I always wondered what would have been if the band hadn't suffered so much loss at once. Early Pretenders was some great, hard rocking stuff with a good pop feel, but after the guitarist and bassist died, they lost a bit.

DebraKadabra · « **Reply #1254 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:51:38 AM »

Quote from: Jaq on September 04, 2012, 10:47:39 AM

If memory serves, wasn't this their first single after two members of the band died in quick succession? While the Pretenders were fairly successful, I always wondered what would have been if the band hadn't suffered so much loss at once. Early Pretenders was some great, hard rocking stuff with a good pop feel, but after the guitarist and bassist died, they lost a bit.

Well said, and I completely agree.

Decent song, but IMO the earlier the songs are the better.

KevShmev · « **Reply #1255 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:27:49 PM »

Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

This has always been one of my favorite Madonna songs. It is a great combination of a nice melody, a great dance beat and fairly interesting lyrics, especially given the times. One of her better 80s videos, too, IMO. Madonna always had a knack for making interesting and visually striking videos, and Papa Don't Preach was certainly no exception.

DebraKadabra · « **Reply #1256 on:** September 05, 2012, 02:50:49 AM »

Nah, Lucky Star and Angel were my favorites of Madge's.

dbrooks22 · « **Reply #1257 on:** September 05, 2012, 06:52:04 AM »

At the time, this was my favorite Madonna song.

Orbert · « **Reply #1258 on:** September 05, 2012, 07:33:24 AM »

Songs with a blatant political or social message always start off on the wrong foot with me. I understand that artists create for many different reasons, and the core of that is to express what they feel, and if they feel strongly about some politcal or social issue, then by all means, they should express that in their work. But I don't like being preached to, and the title "Papa Don't Preach" actually made me laugh because it's a very preachy song. It has all the clichés and excuses that young lovers have when the girl somehow ends up pregnant and the song literally is crafted to make a point.

It's the age-old dichotomy. I don't like being manipulated, I don't like feeling like someone's trying to convince me of something; I just want to listen to some music. But at the same time, it's hard not to credit someone who can craft a catchy song with a social message and do it well. And it is a catchy song, and she may even have given a number of young girls some hope or a few lines to use in conversations with their fathers or mothers, so good for her.

Zydar · « **Reply #1259 on:** September 05, 2012, 07:34:49 AM »

I've never been that big on Madonna, but she had a couple of great songs in the 80s. This is one of them, but my very favourite is La Isla Bonita.

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Author Topic: MTV in the 80s Song of the Day (Read 308424 times)