No more Steve Perry psych-outs!
This isn't easy to admit: I'm addicted to the new TV show "Eli Stone" -- partly because I enjoy the storyline, but mainly because I figure there's always a 50-50 chance that George Michael will show up and perform a song (or the cast will sing one of his tunes).
I absolutely hated George Michael in the 80s. I didn't like Wham! I couldn't stand any of his solo tunes. Even "Careless Whisper" -- perhaps a teenage boy's single greatest weapon in seducing unsuspecting ladies -- gave me the dry heaves.
These days, I dig George. I think he's got a great voice. I enjoy the old tunes now. And I even have to tip my cap to his frequent slip-ups in his personal life because it's fodder for my blog.
Which gets me thinking: What 80s bands and musicians are we ashamed to admit we loved then or today? I want your personal picks. Here are a couple of mine:
JOURNEY and STEVE PERRY: I still remember feeling bad watching Trey Parker and Matt Stone in "Baseketball" when they mocked Perry. "Ohhhh, I shoulda been gone!" ... "No more Steve Perry psych-outs!"
TWISTED SISTER: Dee Snyder's 80s persona was embarrassing. But on the rare occasion their music hits the radio today, I turn it up proudly.
FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD: I remember being practically obsessed with this band back in the mid-80s. Then I realized I was the only one who felt that way. I still am trying to find a way to embrace my inner Frankie.
What 80s bands are you ashamed to admit you enjoy?
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
I love Eli Stone ~ Thanks to you it's on my CANNOT MISS list. I have another friend who isn't under the influence of this blog who says the same thing. Great programming.
My list of shame:
Air Supply &
Barry Manilow
Toni Basil ~ One true hit, but I love MICKEY!
Posted by: Marissa | March 16, 2008 at 11:19 AM
You can add Air Supply to my list as well. Good one.
I can't say the same for Toni Basil.
Posted by: Spears | March 16, 2008 at 11:23 AM
When I bought a "Living In Oblivion" CD (actually it was part of the 'free' selections to join Columbia House), the final cut is a Spanish version of Mickey. I play it once in awhile to freak out unsuspecting listeners.
C'mon, Steve. Let's sing "All Out of Love" as a duet ... think you can wear your undies tight enough to hit the high notes?
Posted by: Marissa | March 16, 2008 at 11:28 AM
True confessions time, eh?
*Early (nothing after 1990) Madonna.
There. I said it. I play her loudly. I play her proudly.
*Peter Cetera
Love his voice, cheesetastic as it is. "One Good Woman" rocks my world.
*Anything from Whitney Houston's first album.
Again, play it loud and sing along.
*Paula Abdul. Shut Up.
But only "Cold Hearted Snake", "Straight Up" and "The Way That You Love Me."
*Janet Jackson: "Control" and "Rhythm Nation"
*The Manilow -- but more of his '70s stuff.
* Al Jarreau's "Breaking Away" album. Holds a lot of memories for me.
Mock away.
Posted by: jane | March 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Steve, I'm with you on Michael as a performer. I'm still not convinced he's going to straighten (no pun intended) himself out but I have to give him his due as a talent, something I wouldn't have said 20 years ago.
Artists I really want to hate before realizing I like too many songs to do so include:
Barry Manilow
Culture Club
Neil Diamond
Olivia Newton John
Posted by: Clark | March 16, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I've already been pilloried for my fondness for Swing Out Sister, so I guess "ashamed" is water under the bridge.
My wife would really like me to be ashamed of my penchant for ABC, but I have no such compulsion.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 16, 2008 at 11:51 AM
A lot of artists that were too high on the dork scale for me, I truly love now. Air Supply, Sheena Easton, Kenny G, "Desert Moon by Denis DeYoung.
Top of the list is Lionel Richie.
Come on, I deserve some kind of medal for owning up to the Kenny G thing.
Posted by: Cait | March 16, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Twisted Sister? What kind of man are you? Hey, about 5 years ago I saw an actual TV commercial for a cold/flu medicine with TS's "We're not gonna take it" as the background theme music....My personal '80s shame is "Curiosity Killed the Cat".
http://garyj.vox.com/library/post/dirty-little-secrets-and-guilty-pleasures.html
Posted by: Gary | March 16, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Whitney Houston would be on my sure-to-come-soon list of 80s performers I never could stand. I've never owned any of her stuff.
I'm not even sure I've ever purchased a Lionel Ritchie CD. Same goes for the Outfield, Culture Club and Janet Jackson.
But with head hung low, I will admit to owning Paula Abdul.
Posted by: Spears | March 16, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I'll think more about this, and be back later with a list, but one that comes to mind that's on my ipod and no one has listed yet...
Michael Bolton... shaking my head, I know, I know, MICHAEL BOLTON??????
Posted by: Carla | March 16, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Don't forget Kenny G got started in the 80s too.
Posted by: Spears | March 16, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Steve, You know I was a big Journey fan...along with Rick and Zack, so I'm not ashamed of Steve Perry....but I'll admit to:
Air Supply (hey I was still in High School)
Kenny G (Ok, it was even after college)
Adam Ant (ok, no excuse there other than I lived in England, but I really like Thin Lizzy too, if that helps make up for it)
Posted by: | March 16, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Oh, no...I actually have Michael Bolton on my Ipod...
Posted by: Darren... | March 16, 2008 at 01:41 PM
I can't even say "Michael Bolton" without thinking of "Office Space."
"I celebrate his entire collection."
Posted by: Spears | March 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM
It's ok Darren... It's Okay! LOL.. No, really, before he got cheesy in the late 80's and early 90's, (yes, those songs are on my ipod), he had 2 really good songs, from his self titled cd released in 83. One was "Fool's Game" (I remember the video on MTV) and the other was "I almost believed you" Good songs!
Posted by: Carla | March 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I'm Michael B. free. As I peruse my iTunes playlist, I realize I have little to be ashamed of. Maybe it's worse for guys.
I think we can all agree that Sean Daly probably has one of the most testosterone free playlists E V E R!
Posted by: Marissa | March 16, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Three words: Men at Work. The whole silly video thing hooked me (wasnt that the intention?) and sent me on a years long hunt to alternative food stores (in New Port Richey, mind you) to find something called vegemite.
Finally found it in North Carolina of all places.
The verdict: Yuck! Thanks a lot you aussie nitwits.
Posted by: Eric62 | March 16, 2008 at 02:51 PM
::gasp:: Ashamed of liking Men At Work? Again, I gasp.
Eric62: Beware of angry Aussies.
Posted by: Marissa | March 16, 2008 at 02:56 PM
These days, we don't say we like Men at Work. We say we like Colin Hay. It sounds so much more sophisticated. (Same thing as Wham vs. George Michael, Police vs. Sting, 10,000 Maniacs vs. Natalie Merchant, etc).
Posted by: Spears | March 16, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Back then Enya, Everything But The Girl, Anita Baker and Basia were my dirty little secrets.
Today, an unfortunate few at the gym know of my preoccupation with Lime. No doubt due to the fact that I've belted out "Your love, your love is never changing" while sprinting on the treadmill.
My two-decade long appreciation for the Beastie Boys, however, I keep to myself.
Posted by: Tonianne | March 16, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Tonianne, when I bust out with "Brass Monkey" or "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" I always thought I was revered as cool. Perhaps I was wrong.
...and sprinting on a treadmill? Get out! I'm lucky to stroll.
Posted by: Marissa | March 16, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Be proud of the Beasties, Tonianne! I totally dig their latest instrumental CD -- it cooks. Saw them at the Virgin Music Festival last summer (they were on right before the Police) and they were hot. And that wasn't just the 100 degree temp at Pimlico, either.
And I don't care -- I will always say I like the Police and not just Sting. Although I have referred to them as Stewart and the Other Guys before.
Posted by: jane | March 16, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Belinda Carlisle. Still a Go-Go's fan I love the solo stuff.
(Even if the recent Go-go's version of "Mad about you" kicks butt.)
Posted by: denvermatt | March 16, 2008 at 04:14 PM
why no love for the outfield, steve, i love that band, have every one of their cds, even recent ones. i love tony lewis' voice. classic songs, your love, all the love, voices of babylon, everytime you cry, since you been gone, and from the 90s(oops) for you
Posted by: chad | March 16, 2008 at 05:31 PM
My guilty pleasures: Bruce Wooley and the Camera Club, Spandau Ballet, Haircut 100, ELO (Xanadu and Time), After the Fire, Rick Springfield, Sergio Mendes (Never Gonna Let You Go!), The Manhattan Transfer, and I'll join Jane and say Al Jarreau
Posted by: Big Tex | March 16, 2008 at 08:03 PM
I almost forgot: The Footloose soundtrack!
Posted by: Big Tex | March 16, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Most 80s metal hair bands, I really didn't like too much. But now I enjoy the Crue, Poison, GnR, etc.
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 16, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Okay, here goes:
Air Supply, Barry Manilow, Alabama, Billy Ocean, Charlie Daniels Band, Christopher Cross, Corey Hart, Crash Test Dummies, Don Johnson, Jeffrey Osborne, Julian Lennon, Kajagoogoo, Kansas, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Madonna (first two albums), Nena, Richard Marx, Rod Stewart,
Sheena Easton, The Style Council
Posted by: Bassnote | March 16, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Okay.... I have a lot that you all have... Air Supply, Bee Gees, Barry Manilow.. And the one I mentioned earlier, Michael Bolton. But here's one that no one has mentioned yet...
Jack Wagner ... All I need! Yep, I even went searching for that one! lol
Posted by: Carla | March 16, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Foreigner! Only the ballads, of course. Well, actually I'm not ashamed, but people always give me that 'you should' look.
Posted by: Menni | March 17, 2008 at 04:55 AM
I had a secret love of Def Leppard (I was a huge Duran Duran fan and listened to more New Wave music than anything so this was a far cry from my "usual" choice) and all hair metal. I loved Poison back then but certainly didn't announce it to anyone. Hmmm... another secret love: Erasure. Yes they fit in with my choice of music but it wasn't a band that you announced you loved at my school....
Posted by: specialkness | March 17, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Stuck in the 80's resident angry Aussie here. Eric62, Vegemite Yuck??? Coming from someone who lives in Funion Land, I'll take that as a compliment. It is one of the world's richest sources of vitamin B. And as it is made from brewers yeast, it can't be all bad. I'll bring some jars of it when I come over in May, can't live without it. So if you want some, let me know. I will be proud to give you guys something better than Funions.
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Good to see you finally turning around to George Michael, Stepen Q. I think that Kissing a Fool was by far GM's biggest triumph. Should I also mention that I was a huge fan of the Gypsy Kings. Didn't understand a word of it, but who could resist My Way in Spanish. Also, is it just testosterone speaking when I add Debbie Gibson and also Tiffany. Can't believe I just outed myself on those two. By the way Q. you don't like Colin Hay as much as I do. otherwise a podcast would have already been done.
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I am not shamed to like Devo. Others feel that shame for me. Actually, among Devo fans, It is not cool to like Shout or Total Devo, but I do. Though I will never go so far as to say I like Smoothnoodlemaps, which, fortunately for this discussion came out in 1990.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 17, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Combing through the cringers in my iTunes library, I'll mention
El Debarge- Someone
Julio Iglesias w/Diana Ross- All of You
Kenny G - Songbird
Boy George- Crying Game
There, off my chest and I feel much better.
Posted by: Tom | March 17, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Douglas, I'm building a playlist that is all about spelling out words in the song. Guess who makes the cut? Eh? You know who.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I was a rocker in the 80's and I was never ashamed for my love of Steve Perry/Journey.
However I did have a lot of albums that I did have to hide from my friends: Christopher Cross, Laura Branigan, Ray Parker Jr., Animotion, Olivia Newton-John, Sheen Easton,Nu Shooz, Lionel Richie....and I loved Pet Shop Boys as well.
Posted by: tev | March 17, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Back in the 80s I was not too keen on "The Police". In the mid 90s I saw that movie "Leaving Las Vegas", fell in love with the soundtrack and rediscovered Sting. Some people say he's a bore but I really like his songs these days.
Having said that, I my all time fav is George Michael: he's talented, he's got the best voice in the industry and he's exciting! I've seen him like 20 times since September 2006 in Barcelona and I can't wait to see him again!
Posted by: Dora | March 17, 2008 at 10:43 AM
M.C. Hammer - enough said!
Posted by: LockBull | March 17, 2008 at 12:00 PM
LockBull... I saw in concert (cringing over here!)
Posted by: specialkness | March 17, 2008 at 03:36 PM
For whatever reason, I somehow developed an affinity for "Freedom" by Wham. There, I said it.
Posted by: Walter Cox | March 17, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Spears, what's wrong with saying "Sting" rather than "The Police"? Sting solo is quite good (as I own all of them), but The Police is never something to be ashamed of.
My embarrassment would have to be liking Culture Club. I stopped listening for w while until The Wedding Singer brought it all back.
...and to Marissa, you are so correct about how testosterone free Spears' playlist is!
Posted by: cheezstake | March 19, 2008 at 04:05 AM
Cheezstake, you mean Daly's playlist? At least that's what I said. No harm, no foul.
Posted by: Marissa | March 19, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Oh yeah. Sorry about that!
Posted by: cheezstake | March 19, 2008 at 11:40 PM
im a huge fan from denver co. im actually writting an artical on you right now
Posted by: easha | April 11, 2008 at 04:02 PM