In the interest of full disclosure I wasn’t crazy about this song when it first came out in 1983. I was merely 12 sans a firm grasp of what the song was about, and certainly didn’t know it’d go on to become the 80s stalker anthem.. I suppose that’s partially due to a lack of a … Read More
I guess “Pass The Dutchie” was my informal introduction to world of smoking the funny stuff. At 11-years old I was hardly an expert on lyrical song meanings (nor am I now), but I strongly recall great debate on what this tune was really about. The facts are that a “Dutchie” is a Jamaican cooking … Read More
If nothing else, “We’re Not Going To Take It” was far and away my preferred anti-authority song of the 80s. Whether it was my father, a neighborhood bully, bothersome math teacher or grammar school principal whose hobbies included taking a paddle to my ass, this mantra reminded my 13-year old self that I wasn’t going … Read More
Songfacts.com describes “ I Ran (So Far Away)” by Flock of Seagulls as the following: “This is the opening song of the album, which is a concept piece about an alien invasion of earth. The song itself describes a person seeing an attractive female – he becomes anxious and wants to run away from his … Read More
It doesn’t get more powerful musically in the 1980’s and quite possibly any decade before or since than when music royalty Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney collaborated on a song. If you’re into today’s music, it’s the equivalent of a Bruno Mars/Ed Sheeran duet. “Say Say Say” was actually the second time the two got … Read More
If you’ve followed this countdown thus far, I offer your biggest takeaway—-George Benson originals ain’t shit compared to those that’ve covered him. Benson originally recorded “Nothing’s Going To Change My Love For You”, which eventually was covered by Glenn Mederios and a huge hit in 1986 (No. 86 on this countdown). Lightning strikes again here. … Read More
That drum beat tho. I don’t care how cheesy and overall meaningless “Mickey” by Toni Basil is. I loved it and its catchy chorus when it hit radio in 1982 as a 11-year old, and I still get down with it today. I also cherished the music video, which likely was south of $300 to … Read More
I can’t say Sheila E. is the best drummer that’s ever lived. That’s preposterous. However, I dare you to name a percussionist that’s ever done 360 spins regularly while playing without missing a single beat—and looked sexier doing it. Good luck with that. Barely teenage Patrick Moran was obsessed with Sheila E. after “The Glamorous … Read More
I must make a confession. When doing research and brainstorming before completing my first draft of this countdown, I omitted Debbie Gibson’s “Only In My Dreams” from it. It’s not that I wasn’t a fan, I was—I simply felt there were 100 songs from the 80s I enjoyed more. I was wrong. There’s a handful … Read More
While even as an 11-year old I learned rather quickly I’d never be the next Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton or Robert Townsend, I dreamed of mastering the electric guitar. Since I didn’t own one (or any instrument for that matter) I’d resort to visualizing banging out riffs with my composition notebook or nearly anything I … Read More
