About 80s Music

Spotlight on 1980 - A Rough Year for Rock Music Fans

2009-07-04T12:47:59Z

I'm hoping that the five major rock music deaths that took place in 1980 is as unusually high a number as I assume it is. If not, then going back over the '80s year by year is going to be a far more somber experience than I bargained for. We'll see about that, I suppose, but 1980 certainly announced a changing of the guard in more ways than one. Gone (literally) was rock's quintessential supergroup, Led Zeppelin, and the world would lose its first Beatle - John Lennon - in an extraordinarily tragic and cruel fashion. Many other things happened musically during 1980, of course, some of which lighten the mood a bit, but it's hard to shake the sense of loss inevitably felt during a survey of the year as a whole. Check out my list of 1980's Most Memorable Moments in Music for a holiday mood lift (or something like that, anyway).

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Alabama's "Love in the First Degree"

2009-07-01T18:39:00Z

Nashville's country songwriters certainly seemed to know what they were doing when they crafted some of the most memorable country-pop crossover tunes of the early '80s, of which this is inarguably one. Built on crisp, tremendously catchy melodies, songs like the No. 15 1981 pop hit "Love in the First Degree" effectively split the difference between modern country ballads, rock guitars and ultimate pop accessibility. In fact, I found myself listening to this track a few years ago with particular glee as I marvelled at the simple but rather ingenious chord progression. Beyond that, the broad use of metaphor so central to the song's lyrical content fit perfectly with its populist appeal and today still makes it far more than just another top country hit of what many would call a traditionally bereft era for the genre. "Baby, you left me defenseless, I've only got one plea:" Produce a few more songs like this and I might actually listen occasionally to commercial country. Well, that's a serious maybe.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of RCA

King of Pop Michael Jackson Dead at 50, News Seems Unbelievable

2009-06-25T19:17:31Z

This space should probably just be left blank to signify the gaping hole in the floor created by my jaw's drop when I heard the news this evening of Michael Jackson's death from apparent cardiac arrest. Not to mention the massive hole that's now left in the middle of the entertainment world. Still, there will be no shortage of things said and written in the coming days about the amazing career and life of Michael Jackson.

Some of it will no doubt be laced with lurid streaks if not downright disrespect. But all I can think of to say right now is simply that I can't believe this particular King (just like the One before) is dead. Take comfort, however, in the fact that Jackson's mesmerizing output of entertainment, especially from the decade we fixate on here, will always be with us. That and - of course - the singer will surely be sighted at convenience stores (if he hasn't already) for the duration of at least the next 20 years. Adieu, MJ. Nope, still can't believe it.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Epic

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy"

2009-06-24T20:59:02Z

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been spending my share of time focusing on the hits of the '80s, the songs that certainly few will say they haven't had enough opportunity to hear over the years. Some of these qualify as truly great music, but it always saddens me when inarguable classics fall through the cracks completely on the pop music front. This is certainly the case with "Love and Mercy," a latter-day Brian Wilson stunner that must have suffered upon its 1988 release at least in part due to the Beach Boys mastermind's long-term isolation and absence from the pop culture arena. There's certainly no reason that has anything to do with songcraft why this tune did not become as big a hit as Wilson ever wrote.

From its first line - "I was sittin' in a crummy movie with my hand on my chin" - "Love and Mercy" simultaneously recalls Wilson's '60s superstar past and projects an instantly familiar musical stamp on any listener within hearing distance. So heartbreakingly innocent that they can't help but feel naive at times, Wilson's simple lyrics mesh perfectly with an utterly unshakable melody that rivals his precise Pet Sounds work in majesty if not virtuosic intensity. Forget religion, riches or even a ripe July peach: this is your best source of pure American joy.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rhino/Warner Bros

'80s Music Fun Factoid - Think Beyond the Usual Suspects for Decade's Longest-Running Top Hit

2009-06-22T22:02:10Z

If I were asked to name spontaneously the artist who held the top spot on the pop charts for the most consecutive weeks during the '80s, I have to admit I would probably drop more than a dozen names before getting to the correct answer. Perhaps anyone would gravitate toward Michael Jackson, Madonna or Prince - the usual suspects - and with good reason. But as it turns out, the female solo artist who claimed the No. 1 spot for an astounding 10 weeks during the winter of 1981-1982 is responsible for one of the most memorable flashpoint tunes of the decade.

Many will always view Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" as nothing more than an embarrassing novelty song, but a fresh listen to the track reveals that it's an effective song quite deserving of the attention it once generated. It's reasonably racy, for one thing, especially for a soft rock star of the time like this not often tied to controversy. Nowadays, it's hard to believe that some radio stations banned the song or censored its "suggestive" lyrics, but the pop music world was just slightly more conservative 30 years ago (pre-Britney) than it is today. In addition, the song's music video defied the typical T&A template and featured dozens of hairy, overweight dudes sweating in the gym. Even more unexpectedly, it offered a rather shocking twist at its conclusion as explanation for the guys' lack of attention toward the lovely, leotarded Newton-John. Love it or hate it, "Physical" was a bona fide '80s phenomenon to a degree some of us might hesitate to admit.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of MCA

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - The Alan Parsons Project's "Don't Answer Me"

2009-06-17T21:47:58Z

In spite of an overly lengthy saxophone solo and some other elements of typical '80s overproduction, this composition from the successful writing partnership of Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson presents one of the decade's finest melodies. I'm actually somewhat surprised to learn that "Don't Answer Me" climbed to No. 15 on the Billboard pop charts and all the way to No. 4 on the fledgling adult contemporary charts. I certainly don't remember hearing the song back during a time when I listened to plenty of pop radio, but then again the Project was far from one of the darlings of new wave and MTV.

That's why this feature feels like the perfect opportunity to shine some light on a truly well-crafted pop classic that has too easily moved to the edge of obscurity. Though Woolfson receives far too little credit as a top-notch vocalist - perhaps because of some observers' belief that the group's progressive rock impulses seemed haughty if not boring - the lead vocal here is captivating and confident. Lyrically plaintive and quite moving, this track will probably jog your '80s music memory and deliver a welcome mid-week jolt of listening pleasure.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Arista/BMG Heritage

New Elvis Costello Album's Pop Chart Success Heartening If Surprising

2009-06-13T00:58:01Z

The way legitimate singer-songwriters tend to get completely ignored on the pop charts these days, I must say I was staggered this week to learn that the legendary Elvis Costello's latest release, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, had debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. I haven't had a chance to hear all that much of the record yet, but at the very least I wanted to chime in instantly with some hope-filled recognition of this minor musical miracle. After various meanderings into all sorts of music genres over the years, Costello - still essentially a young pup at 54 - has returned to his acoustic guitar roots for this outing, digging into country, bluegrass and Americana with abandon.

There's really never been a question as to Costello's musical relevance over the past 30 years, but this impressive pop showing does represent his highest album chart performance since 1980's Get Happy. In a pop music world saturated with the Jonas Brothers and Katy Perry, it's more than refreshing to see a music veteran of Costello's stature being rewarded for his consistently high-quality output. And even though the singer is currently receiving his fair share of mainstream attention for his latest work, I don't think it'll hurt a bit if I take a moment to point out with pride that one of the finest artists of the '80s is proving himself to be, well, still one of the finest artists working today.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Hip-O

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Lyle Lovett's "You Can't Resist It"

2009-06-10T22:07:16Z

Although he emerged for reasons I still have trouble grasping as a mainstream country artist, singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett has occupied a huge variety of musical spaces in his nearly 25 years on the music horizon. Even so, there's absolutely no good reason why "You Can't Resist It," a straightforward pop/rock song of the highest order from Lovett's self-titled 1986 debut, didn't become a huge hit on some chart or the other. This song demonstrates such a surplus of quality that it manages to neutralize the rather dated production that threatens to overshadow the proceedings. But ultimately it's impossible to argue with the tune's central guitar riff, a rock groove that's far more permanent than it seems on its glossy surface. Lovett's vocals have no peer in popular music no matter which era you scour, and any music scene that has room for him (even if it's late-'80s mainstream country) couldn't be all bad, right? I'll get back to you on that one.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Curb/MCA

Tony Award Setpiece KOs Poison's Bret Michaels, But He's Wisely Laughing With Us

2009-06-08T21:56:11Z

I don't usually give Bret Michaels a tremendous amount of credit, but I have to give the Poison frontman some due for his great-sport response to his Sunday night Tony Award broadcast tumble. Despite stitches and a broken nose for his trouble, Michaels reportedly laughed off the incident backstage while hob-knobbing with theater legends, and I for one find it impressive to see an otherwise publicity-crazy rock star throwing his vanity out the window in such a way. After all, this is the same guy who believes (relatively correctly, as ratings have shown) that there's a public interested in watching his sexcapades on VH-1's Rock of Love. Nice job taking a hell of a shot from that scenery, Bret, but even more kudos for immediately seeing the obvious humor in the moment.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of BMB/Poor Boy Records

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Concrete Blonde's "Make Me Cry"

2009-06-03T21:54:01Z

One of the most atmospheric bands of the late post-punk, early modern rock era, Concrete Blonde was blessed with the substantial presence of frontwoman Johnette Napolitano, something that afforded that group a hefty advantage in terms of critical reputation if not record sales. The band's self-titled 1986 debut introduced Napolitano's mesmerizing, husky vocals and also her defiant version of feminine beauty, neither of which easily drew massive audiences for some reason I still can't fathom.

Sporting classy, explosive pipes few pop/rock competitors could come close to matching, Napolitano should have become a major star in her own right. But Concrete Blonde's organic and gothic sound on a stirring track like "Make Me Cry" holds too many challenges and emotional mysteries, I suppose, for most pop audiences to embrace. This is the kind of music - in a way that reminds me of a current artist like Neko Case - that sounds like it's just waiting to be discovered even if it feels a bit conflicted about that desire.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Capitol