Stuck in the '80s

Pet Shop Boys: Worst ... earworm ... ever

2008-12-02T13:04:45-05:00

It's going on six days now, and I still can't get this song out of my head. Maybe when Vegas Girlfriend leaves for the Great White Mitten later today, I'll force her to undo whatever voodoo magic she used to get this tune permanently embedded deep in my brain.

Truth be told, nearly every great Pet Shop Boys song is an earworm. If I'm not singing Go West softly to myself, then I'm humming It's a Sin or Suburbia. NOW I know why we haven't done a podcast on these guys yet. If I had to immerse myself in their music for a solid week, my brain would turn to mush.

If there's another band out there with more earworms for hits, I'd like to know about it ... so I can avoid them.

'We'd like to play a little tune for you'

2008-12-01T12:35:48-05:00

Hey gang. Now that the holiday weekend is over, how about helping out SIT80s fan Jeremy with his humble request:

Steve, I wanted to compile a list of musical movie moments (or television moments from 80s television shows available on DVD) for an 80s Christmas party. For example the Tom Cruise dancing scene in Risky Business, "Banana Boat" from Beetlejuice, "She's Lost That Lovin' Feelin" from Top Gun, or "You're the Best Around" from the finale of Karate Kid. I know your readers and listeners are a wealth of 80s knowledge and wonder if they may be able to help compile a list of these great moments from 80s television and film. Thanks! Jeremy

Okay, here are a few more for Jeremy...

TWIST AND SHOUT (Ferris Bueller): Perhaps the crowning music-movie moment of all time. (Watch)

TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS (Duckie in Pretty in Pink): Jon Cryer, renaissance man. (Watch)

SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER (Ray Charles in The Blues Brothers): Heck, anything from that movie works, but Rays rules. (Watch)

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN (The Bus Boys in 48 Hours): Why don't we talk about this movie more often? (Listen)

GREATEST LOVE OF ALL (Eddie Murphy as Sexual Chocolate in Coming to America): Still Eddie's best movie of the '80s. (Watch)

WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS (Caddyshack): Ah yes, don't forget the water ballet scene at Bushwood Country Club.

TV PARTY (Repo Man): The vastly underrated Black Flag ... or Otto's version. You pick.

TEQUILA (Pee Wee's Big Adventure): Paul Reubens, come back soon! (Watch)

Keep them coming, gang.

Can't gimme no satisfaction with cover songs

2008-11-30T06:52:07-05:00

Strange and random but true: I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning and uttered this question:

"Is 'Go West' by the Pet Shop Boys a cover of the Village Peoples' tune?"

"Yes. Yes, it is," was the response. And that is no help at all in getting that tune out of my head, where it's been swimming for the last 48 hours. But it does prompt the follow-up query:

What were the best cover songs done by '80s artists?

Yes, list time again, mateys. Here are the first five that pop into my mind.

BORN TO RUN (Frankie Goes To Hollywood): I know people in the frozen Northeast will disagree, but I prefer this version to Springsteen's original. (Listen)

SATISFACTION (Devo): Another really hard-to-erase earworm. So don't click on the video link unless you can handle hearing it over and over again. (And no, not superior to the Rolling Stones - just different.)

BALL OF CONFUSION (Love and Rockets): Originally by The Temptations. (Video)

CAN'T GET USED THE LOSING YOU (The Beat): Andy Williams never imagined his classic redone with a ska beat. (Live performance)

GET IT ON (Power Station): Truth be told, I like neither the Power Station version nor the T-Rex classic. But it's an impossible cover song to forget. (Video)

Start naming all the biggies, and we'll get them in list form eventually.

Another big '80s birthday

2008-11-29T12:40:25-05:00

We could celebrate the 53rd birthday of Howie Mandel today. (Forget St. Elsewhere! Did you know he also provided the voice for "Gizmo" in 1984's Gremlins?) Or we could celebrate the upcoming 31st birthday of our favorite fan over across the pond -- Miguel Duarte.

Here's the e-mail from Miguel:

"Hey, Spears! My birthday is this Tuesday, December 2nd. I'll be 31 years old and looking good! It made me think about 80s birthday songs. I obviously remember 'Happy Birthday' by Altered Images but not too many more. Are there good birthday tunes out there from the 80s? Oh by the way you're invited to my birthday party this Tuesday. It's going to be really ... lame! I'm working that day I believe."

Here you go, Miguel. A special birthday list for you.

TOP FIVE 80s-ISH BIRTHDAY SONGS:

5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (New Kids on the Block): Listen

4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Stevie Wonder): Listen

3. TEARS AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY (Elvis Costello): Live performance

2. THE BIRTHDAY (Electric Light Orchestra)

1. BIRTHDAY SONG (Kim Wilde)

'You are always on my mind'

2008-11-28T09:25:35-05:00

A little tradition back at Stuck in the '80s headquarters, from which I'm absent today. Here's one for the gang at work. Enjoy your Friday morning dance dedication...

Happy Wild Turkey day to all

2008-11-27T15:30:23-05:00

It's a tradition that dates back to -- yes! -- those glorious '80s. A Thanksgiving feast with the family, followed by a Wild Turkey feast with friends and loved ones. Back then, while I was still in college, it took me a couple months to set aside the money for this adult-flavored indulgence. And now, thanks to our current economy, it takes me twice as long!

But the Vegas Girlfriend is in town for the holiday and will definitely need some sort of luxury later this evening after meeting Momma Spearsy for the first time. So beware of odd, late night IMs from the Spears Lair, along with cries for help, stumbling onto the floor and loud '80s karaoke.

For now, VGF and I are psyching ourselves up for the trip to the "others" Spears Lair in sunny Clearwater, Florida, by watching her DVD collection of Pet Shop Boys videos. So here's your obligatory list, courtesy of my guest.

TOP 5 PET SHOP BOYS VIDEOS:
(And VGF's arguments verbatim)

5. SO HARD: "I like it because it has normal people in it. Gritty, industrial London."

4. GO WEST: "Highly computerized Soviet imagery. Half-naked guys. What's not to like?"

3. IT'S A SIN: "Directed Derek Jarman, with manifestations of the seven deadly sins."

2. WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS: "Las Vegas showgirls -- one with glasses -- and Dusty Springfield!"

1. NEW YORK CITY BOY: "Studio 54 on Halloween night. Amazingly fabulous."

Steve Perry would LOVE to sing Manilow

2008-11-27T09:24:17-05:00

Together, Stuck in the '80s co-host Sean Daly and I weigh a Thanksgiving Day combined 780 pounds, give or take a bag of Munchos or yesterday's "Sexy Suzy." You don't want to mess with us in a barfight. And yet, we aren't afraid to show off our sensitive sides. Or our silky skinned, hairless man-backs.

As Barry Manilow releases a tribute to the hits of our fave decade, we daydreamed about '80s stars turning the tables and covering Barry's greatest hits. Here's how we see it playing out.

MANDY - Phil Collins: No one knows bitter love better than the Philster.

COPACABANA (At the Copa), Culture Club: His name was Boy George, he was a showgirl...

WEEKEND IN NEW ENGLAND, Journey: When will Steve Perry's strong yearning end?

CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU, the Smiths: This song is way too happy. Take it away, Morrissey.

I WRITE THE SONGS, George Michael: He makes the young girls cry. And cops. And Andrew Ridgeley.

LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT, Air Supply: Uplifting lyrics, soaring vocals. Admit it, you thought this WAS an Air Supply song.

TRYIN' THE GET THAT FEELING AGAIN, Ozzy Osbourne: No punch line necessary.

DAYBREAK, the Cure: "Let it shine, shine, shine, all around the world!" After singing this perkfest, even gloom merchant Robert Smith would ride off on his unicorn into a rainbow sunset.

[Columbia photo]

Eight movies that go great with turkey

2008-11-26T08:20:27-05:00

What will you do Thursday when you recover from that tryptophan-fueled coma on the couch? Try popping a classic Thanksgiving flick into the DVD player.

I'll confess that only two of these took place in our beloved '80s, but are you really gonna hold my feet to the fire on that? (My personal fave is 1995's Home for the Holidays anyway.)

And if you think Christmas has the monopoly on traditional holiday movies, you're just talking turkey. Here are the great eight Thanksgiving movies to stuff yourself with this weekend:

HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (1986)
The players: Woody Allen, Barbara Hershey, Michael Caine
The plot: Between two Thanksgivings, the love lives of a Manhattan family go in dramatically different directions.
One memorable line: "I had a great evening; it was like the Nuremberg Trials."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987)
The players: Steve Martin, John Candy
The plot: Saddled with an obnoxious slob as a travel mate, a family man fights bad weather and even worse luck to get home for Thanksgiving.
Memorable line: "You know, when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea — have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!"

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1995)
The players: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr.
The plot: A single mom is fired, makes out with her boss, finds out her daughter plans to lose her virginity -- and now faces spending the holiday with her aging parents.
Memorable line: "Nobody means what they say on Thanksgiving, Mom. You know that. That's what the day's supposed to be all about, right? Torture."

THE ICE STORM (1997)
The players: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen
The plot: A family finds their lives spinning out of control as Thanksgiving -- and a nasty storm -- approaches.
Memorable line: "Dear Lord, thank you for this Thanksgiving holiday. And for all the material possessions we have and enjoy. And for letting us white people kill all the Indians and steal their tribal lands. And stuff ourselves like pigs, even though children in Asia are being napalmed."

PIECES OF APRIL (2003)
The players: Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt
The plot: A daughter and her boyfriend invite her estranged family, including her dying mother, to their tiny apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.
Memorable line: "Please give me my stupid #&%*& turkey!"

DUTCH (1991)
The players: Ed O’Neill, Ethan Embry
The plot: A man volunteers to pick up his girlfriend's son from prep school and drive him home for the holiday, only to find out he's a stuck-up brat.
Memorable line: "You might be the toughest little whacker at the junior high but in my world, you’re about as worrisome as a cloudy day."

SON-IN-LAW (1993)
The players: Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino
The plot: A once-reserved college freshman brings her party-animal best friend back to her South Dakota town for the holidays.
Memorable line: "Mr. Morgan if you’re edged 'cuz I'm weezing on your grindage just chill 'cuz if I had the whole Brady Bunch thing going over at my pad I'd go grind over there so don't tax my gig so hard-core cruster."

SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992)
The players: Al Pacino, Chris O’Donnell
The plot: A poor prep school student spends the holiday with a blind man, who drags him on an unplanned trip to New York.
Memorable line: "You’ve got integrity Charlie. I don't know whether to shoot you or adopt ya."

Barry Manilow sings (gasp) the '80s!

2008-11-25T11:38:52-05:00

There are certain things in the '80s world that don't belong together. Madonna and marriage. George Michael and public restrooms. Morrissey and a hot dog-eating contest. And as of today, Barry Manilow and the music from our beloved decade.

Manilow has made a fortune with his recent discs featuring the hits of the '50s, '60s and '70s. But there's something fundamentally evil in his attempt to capture the sounds of the '80s. It's a Rocky vs. Ivan Drago kind of thing. A clash of cultures. Surely Manilow really can't appreciate the decade's signature sounds -- New Wave, Electronica, Rap and American Punk. And certainly the fans of those genres have no use for the soft-FM showmanship of Mr. Manilow.

Still, in his brand-new The Greatest Songs of the Eighties, Manilow smartly avoids the edgier hits of the decade and wraps his elfin-E.T. physique around only those songs he can adapt to his sound. It's a shrewd, businesslike approach: Nobody I know wants to hear Barry wail out Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf, but his devoted Fanilows will be titillated to hear his takes on Kenny Rogers' Islands in the Stream and Chicago's Hard To Say I'm Sorry.

For the record, no way did I actually go and buy this CD in public. Rather, I downloaded the album from iTunes. Some dignity is saved after all. Click here to hear some highlights of the disc. And here we go, song by song...

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM: Hey, I don't want to die ... just yet. Reba McEntire takes over the duet duties from Dolly Parton, but Barry is no Kenny Rogers. He just sounds sleepy, and Reba just drowns him out. When the song swells toward the end, we're tortured with a "Stars on 45" clap-along.

OPEN ARMS: Somewhere, former Journey frontman Steve Perry is grasping his chest in horror. But truth be told, this rendition works. Sure, the orchestration is fully cheesed-out Vegas style, but Barry aims for and hits the notes.

NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP: Thanks to the undefinable appeal of Rick Astley and the Internet phenomenon of "Rick-rolling," his signature hit is quickly becoming a contender for most overplayed song of the decade. But I can say this with a straight face: Manilow's version is just as entertaining. Take that for what it's worth. See? Good song picks make ALL the difference. Can you imagine Barry picking Spandau Ballet's True here instead? (VIDEO)

HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY: Maybe it's the lack of animal protein in my diet lately, but I'm starting to buy in here. Granted, Van Morrison's 1989 song is no Brown-Eyed Girl or Gloria, so Barry just takes it for a nice, gentle spin around the block.

I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU: Ack! I spoke too soon. This wasn't a good song when Stevie Wonder wrote it back in '84. But backed by what can only be described as the "Austin Powers Orchestra," Manilow drags it to near comic depths.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: "Oh, take a look at me. There's just an empty space." Oh, we hear you, Barry. It's like someone ripped one of our favorite songs right out of our chests. "I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry." Yes, I may never smile again.

CARELESS WHISPER: The original 1984 ballad from Wham! rightfully deserves to be ridiculed. And yet, aside from the opening sax notes -- straight from your favorite porn flick -- Manilow shows mercy here and plays it straight. (An aside: I've finally stopped crying at my desk.)

RIGHT HERE WAITING: A very honorable and nearly identical version of the 1989 No. 1 hit by Richard Marx, thankfully bare of unnecessary orchestration. You did good, Barry.

ARTHUR'S THEME: Let's be fair -- few people can naturally channel the ghostly, surreal voice of Christopher Cross. The benefit of having Barry perform it? We can finally understand the lyrics. "I know it's crazy, but it's true."

HARD TO SAY I'M SORRY: No, it's not that hard, Barry. Start with, "I'm really, really sorry, Peter Cetera and Chicago, for attempting to cover your classic tune from 1982." And now apologize for overusing your backup singers on your rendition. I'd swear Barry also was changing the words here and there, except -- again -- I never really knew what Peter was singing anyway.

TIME AFTER TIME: Oh, I've got chills. Just not the good chills -- the kind you get after eating rancid potato salad. I'd love to hear Cyndi Lauper's reaction after hearing her '84 song redone (perhaps using a Casio keyboard bought for $45 on eBay), but right now I just need a warm blanket, some Gatorade and a very dark place to nap.

(I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE: Always beware of the last song on new CDs these days. I'm convinced artists hide their biggest sins here. This tune, originally performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes for 1987's Dirty Dancing soundtrack, falls shortest of all on this disc. The upside? If Barry holds true to his word and makes this his last album of hits from past decades, we won't have to worry about his rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit and Nuthin' but a "G" Thang.

[Getty Images photo]

These guys are 'band-wreckers'? Hardly!

2008-11-25T07:02:37-05:00

A new list about some of our favorite bands just popped up on the Web, but you're probably not going to like where it's going. One retro-music blogger has named his top 5 singers who wrecked the bands they joined.

"Band wreckers are the worst kind of singers," writes Shawn Amos, who pens the Get Back music blog (just profiled on Yahoo.) "They are those dudes who take advantage of an unstable group relationship and insert themselves in the middle. They break into a band and destroy their happy home."

Of course, a few '80s bands made his list. Here's his take on...

VAN HALEN (with Sammy Hagar)
Shawn's take: "Van Halen are serial cheaters. First they broke up with David Lee Roth for Sammy Hagar. Then they cheated on Sammy for Gary Cherone. THEN they bring back Diamond Dave but boot bassist Michael Anthony."
My take: Bad first pick. I thought Van Halen did fine with Sammy -- they certainly didn't stop cranking out the hits. If anything "wrecked" this band, it was the feud between Dave and Eddie.

INXS (with JD Fortune)
Shawn's take: "The best they can do is some Vegas wannabe Lizard King named JD Fortune? ...A shameless disrespect to Michael Hutchence's memory."
My take: Agreed. They should have gone after Jimmy Barnes, who was brilliant with them on Good Times from The Lost Boys soundtrack.

QUEEN (with Paul Rodgers)
Shawn's take: "The remaining members of Queen think that keeping Paul Rodgers’ name separate from the band name on the marquee will cause people to forget that he's not a band wrecker."
My take: Sorry, but nobody was going to be able to replace the late, great Freddie Mercury (though George Michael sounded great during the Concert for Life tribute). Give the remaining Queen members credit for just trying to carry on.

JOURNEY (with every other singer in the world)
Shawn's take: "This band has gone through three different lead singers all trying to replace the signature man-chick wail of original vocalist Steve Perry. Each one had been a bigger embarrassment than the last."
My take: Current singer Arnel Pineda isn't a band-wrecker. Unless Perry feels like picking up a microphone again, consider Arnel the band's savior.

Click here to see more band-wreckers from Getback.com.

[AP and Getty Images photos]

Have time for a holiday podcast?

2008-11-24T08:42:24-05:00

The holidays are finally on our doorstep again. And while Stuck in the '80s has no particular holiday show in mind for this Thanksgiving week, rest easy knowing we've covered most of the bases in the past.

Here's a quick rundown of our holiday shows to dates, with links included.

Holiday songs of the '80s: Our first holiday show, featuring the original podcast lineup of hosts and songs from The Waitresses, Run DMC and more.
Drinking in the '80s: Our first on-location show, taped at the Green Iguana Pub in St. Petersburg.
Planes Trains and Automobiles: Perhaps the ONLY Thanksgiving movie of the '80s, featuring former co-host Cathy Wos.
A Christmas Story: Sean's favorite holiday movie. Stay tuned for a special slideshow from the Christmas Story house and museum later this week.
New Year's music playlists: Featuring guest host Stephanie Hayes and music picks from all three hosts.

Travel safely this week. I'm not going anywhere - per usual - so I'll be updating the blog throughout the holidays. And stay tuned for a more new shows this weekend.

Live chat: A drink for all my friends!

2008-11-23T19:52:37-05:00

Ah yes, a Sunday night and things just feel right for a chat. There's a Rocky marathon on TV (Rocky 3 starts promptly at 8) on AMC. Or you can watch The Wedding Singer on VH1. Or you can be lame like me and just listen to old podcasts while you chat.

So here's how it works: We just use the blog for our chat. Just read the comments for the ongoing dialog. And write a comment when you're ready to jump in. Just keep refreshing your page to read the latest conversation. I'll be here, sitting in the Spears Lair, glass of fermented beverage firmly in hand.

I'm open to any topics of conversation, but I really want future podcast ideas -- especially ones for the holiday season. So welcome and enjoy. I'll be here 'til I run out of ice cubes.

Gotta fly now ... 'Rocky' marathon starting!

2008-11-23T15:00:06-05:00

Yo, the holidays the starting early for '80s fans. Cable's AMC channel is showing a Rocky marathon beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Be ready for Rocky 1 through 5 over the next 10 hours.

Is this a culturally significant event? You bet. It's a rare chance of seeing the only Sly Stallone films that don't make you want to claw out your eyeballs. And I know everyone's a big fan of the first two flicks, but I still love Rocky III the best. Why? Clubber Lang, my friends. Clubber Lang.

TOP 5 CLUBBER LANG LINES FROM ROCKY III:

5. "What did you say, Paper Champion? I'll beat you like a dog, a dog, you fool!"

4. "Hey, Woman! Listen here. Since your old man ain't got no heart, maybe you like to see a real man. I bet you stay up late every night dreamin' you had a real man, don't ya?"

3. "I don't hate Balboa. I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got!"

2. "Hey fool! You ready for another beating? You shoulda never came back!"

1. "My prediction? ... Pain."

Online chat tonight: We need your help!

2008-11-23T07:49:59-05:00

There's a crisis here in Stuck in the '80s land, so tonight's online chat comes at the perfect time.

With the holidays upon us, Sean Daly and I have struggled to find time and inspiration for podcast topics. I tried to cram all The Young Ones DVDs through my brain, but I'm just not feeling it. And it's too late to pull off any obvious Thanksgiving-themed show, right?

So things we can discuss tonight:

Podcast ideas for this week's episode (featuring guest-host Vegas Girlfriend);
Rolling Stone's list of 100 greatest sings of all time;
Show ideas for New Year's Eve.

So come back about 8 p.m. Eastern tonight and help us out! Hopefully, VGF, Daly and maybe even Stephanie Hayes will drop by.