"Bittersweet" is a great, atmospheric song about a failed love affair, from the Gurus awesomely named 1985 album, Mars Needs Guitars. The album barely broke the top 200 in the U.S., but was the second of four consecutive Gurus albums to top the U.S. college charts. The video received some airplay on MTV, but it did not go into heavy rotation. (To be fair to MTV, we do not think the video is as strong as the song.)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Hoodoo Gurus - Bittersweet
Although they were major stars in their native Australia, Hoodoo Gurus were seen as more of an indy or college band by American audiences. That is not totally unfair, as their music has a college radio vibe, and is eclectic enough to be hard to categorize.
"Bittersweet" is a great, atmospheric song about a failed love affair, from the Gurus awesomely named 1985 album, Mars Needs Guitars. The album barely broke the top 200 in the U.S., but was the second of four consecutive Gurus albums to top the U.S. college charts. The video received some airplay on MTV, but it did not go into heavy rotation. (To be fair to MTV, we do not think the video is as strong as the song.)
By the way, is it me, or is the intro strongly reminiscent of the intro to Robert Plant's 1983 hit "In the Mood?"
"Bittersweet" is a great, atmospheric song about a failed love affair, from the Gurus awesomely named 1985 album, Mars Needs Guitars. The album barely broke the top 200 in the U.S., but was the second of four consecutive Gurus albums to top the U.S. college charts. The video received some airplay on MTV, but it did not go into heavy rotation. (To be fair to MTV, we do not think the video is as strong as the song.)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Romeo Void - Never Say Never
Romeo Void was one of the more unlikely bands to have a hit song, and they actually had two, as 1984's "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" rose to #35 on the charts.
Their first hit, "Never Say Never," was actually released twice -- first on the 1982 Never Say Never EP and then on the Benefactor album of the same year. It does not appear to have been released as a single, but the video was placed into heavy rotation on MTV, and was even used in some early promos for the station, if memory serves.
As for the band, Romeo Void was formed at San Francisco Art Institute in 1979. While they had obvious punk and new wave influences, there is also an art rock feel to many of their songs. Lead singer Deborah Iyall (Cowlitz Native American, if you were wondering about the last name) penned unusually poetic and dark lyrics that did not follow typical (simple) rock song structure.
The video reflects the artistic and dark punk vibe of the band. Shot in black and white, it has a film noir-ish intro that is captivating, even if it is hard to tell what it has to do with the band or the song. It is easy to see why the folks at MTV liked it, however -- it looked like nothing else on the station at the time.
Their first hit, "Never Say Never," was actually released twice -- first on the 1982 Never Say Never EP and then on the Benefactor album of the same year. It does not appear to have been released as a single, but the video was placed into heavy rotation on MTV, and was even used in some early promos for the station, if memory serves.
As for the band, Romeo Void was formed at San Francisco Art Institute in 1979. While they had obvious punk and new wave influences, there is also an art rock feel to many of their songs. Lead singer Deborah Iyall (Cowlitz Native American, if you were wondering about the last name) penned unusually poetic and dark lyrics that did not follow typical (simple) rock song structure.
The video reflects the artistic and dark punk vibe of the band. Shot in black and white, it has a film noir-ish intro that is captivating, even if it is hard to tell what it has to do with the band or the song. It is easy to see why the folks at MTV liked it, however -- it looked like nothing else on the station at the time.
Queen - Hammer to Fall
The first video for today is Queen's "Hammer to Fall," and is posted on what would have been Freddy Mercury's 65th birthday. (Special shout out to Google Doodles and my friend Liz for pointing this out to me.)
We will point out that it was not easy finding a suitable 80s video for Queen -- most of their best work was recorded in the 1970s. And much of their work in the 1980s was ... well, not great.
"Hammer to Fall" was the final single released from Queen's 1984 album, The Works. The song did not chart in the U.S., and the video received limited airplay on MTV. It some ways, the song is a throwback for Queen -- it reminds us of their earlier work, with a strong guitar riff, and of course, the wonderful overdubbed vocals. For readers who have not explored Queen, they recorded some truly great songs. Aside from "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You," we particularly recommend "Tie Your Mother Down," "You're My Best Friend," "Fat Bottomed Girls," and "Don't Stop Me Now."
But we digress. The video for "Hammer to Fall" was shot on The Works tour in Brussels and features Freddy Mercury in his typical understated outfit (yes, we are kidding).
Cool trivia fact: Queen's guitarist, Brian May, does not use a pick to play guitar -- he uses a sixpence coin.
We will point out that it was not easy finding a suitable 80s video for Queen -- most of their best work was recorded in the 1970s. And much of their work in the 1980s was ... well, not great.
"Hammer to Fall" was the final single released from Queen's 1984 album, The Works. The song did not chart in the U.S., and the video received limited airplay on MTV. It some ways, the song is a throwback for Queen -- it reminds us of their earlier work, with a strong guitar riff, and of course, the wonderful overdubbed vocals. For readers who have not explored Queen, they recorded some truly great songs. Aside from "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You," we particularly recommend "Tie Your Mother Down," "You're My Best Friend," "Fat Bottomed Girls," and "Don't Stop Me Now."
But we digress. The video for "Hammer to Fall" was shot on The Works tour in Brussels and features Freddy Mercury in his typical understated outfit (yes, we are kidding).
Cool trivia fact: Queen's guitarist, Brian May, does not use a pick to play guitar -- he uses a sixpence coin.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Ric Ocasek - Something to Grab For
By the early 1980s, The Cars had become one of the most successful rock bands in the world, due to Ric Ocasek's ability to write songs that seamlessly blended new wave and rock elements. However, in spite of their success, or more likely, because of it, Ocasek began to feel stifled. He decided to release a solo album as a way to experiment with songwriting, while maintaining The Cars as the more commercial vehicle.
His first solo album, 1982's Beatitude, was an interesting and inconsistent album that produced the minor hit "Something to Grab For." This mostly forgotten song hit #47 on the Billboard charts in 1983, helped out by heavy airplay on MTV.
Cool trivia fact: the woman in the video is 1983 Playmate of the Year Marianne Gravatte.
His first solo album, 1982's Beatitude, was an interesting and inconsistent album that produced the minor hit "Something to Grab For." This mostly forgotten song hit #47 on the Billboard charts in 1983, helped out by heavy airplay on MTV.
Cool trivia fact: the woman in the video is 1983 Playmate of the Year Marianne Gravatte.
Ocasek's only top 40 solo single "Emotion in Motion" was posted on ERV in June 2015.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Devo - Girl U Want
Devo was one of the most interesting, creative and visual bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band was formed in 1973 in Ohio and gradually evolved into a something resembling a new wave art rock band. With their matching uniforms, planter headgear, and campy attitudes, they seemed unlikely rock stars. However, they were also great and under-appreciated songwriters. Nowhere is this more evident than on their 1980 album, Freedom of Choice.
The big hit from the album was "Whip It," which reached #14 on the singles chart. The strange western/new wave video of that song also received a ton of airplay on MTV. However, many critics, including your humble author, favored "Girl U Want" -- a song that is somehow both mechanical and rocking.
"Girl U Want" was inspired by the Knack's "My Sharona," although in typical Devo style, it is about unrequited love; the lyrics contrasting with the uptempo melody. As to the video ... we still have no idea what it means. But it is definitely interesting.
More interesting stuff: Devo created a mellowish alternate version of this song around 1982 that is worth checking out. Additionally, both Robert Palmer and Soundgarden covered the song, and had (unsurprisingly) really different interpretations. All three of the above covers are on YouTube, and we highly recommend a listen.
The big hit from the album was "Whip It," which reached #14 on the singles chart. The strange western/new wave video of that song also received a ton of airplay on MTV. However, many critics, including your humble author, favored "Girl U Want" -- a song that is somehow both mechanical and rocking.
"Girl U Want" was inspired by the Knack's "My Sharona," although in typical Devo style, it is about unrequited love; the lyrics contrasting with the uptempo melody. As to the video ... we still have no idea what it means. But it is definitely interesting.
More interesting stuff: Devo created a mellowish alternate version of this song around 1982 that is worth checking out. Additionally, both Robert Palmer and Soundgarden covered the song, and had (unsurprisingly) really different interpretations. All three of the above covers are on YouTube, and we highly recommend a listen.
Monday, August 29, 2011
George Benson - Give Me the Night
And now for something completely different.
George Benson got his musical start playing ukulele at age 7, and later became an successful jazz guitarist. By the late 1970s, he was an established star, and his music had evolved into something new -- not jazz, not quite disco, but something that fit in well with the emerging R&B movement.
In 1980, Benson had the smarts or good fortune (or both) to collaborate with Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones went on to become one of the biggest record producers in the world. Tempeton co-wrote the Michael Jackson songs "Off the Wall," "Rock with You" and "Thriller" (all produced by Jones), along with "Stomp" by The Brothers Johnson.
The resulting song, "Give Me the Night," became Benson's biggest hit, and rose to #4 on the charts. It also hit #1 on the R&B charts. The video received little airplay, partly due to the fact that it predated MTV by a good year or so, and partly because MTV was not very friendly to R&B acts in its early days. It also may have something to do with the roller skates. Just sayin'.
Cool trivia fact: supposedly, Quincy Jones suggested the echo on Benson's guitar that drives the sound.
George Benson got his musical start playing ukulele at age 7, and later became an successful jazz guitarist. By the late 1970s, he was an established star, and his music had evolved into something new -- not jazz, not quite disco, but something that fit in well with the emerging R&B movement.
In 1980, Benson had the smarts or good fortune (or both) to collaborate with Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones went on to become one of the biggest record producers in the world. Tempeton co-wrote the Michael Jackson songs "Off the Wall," "Rock with You" and "Thriller" (all produced by Jones), along with "Stomp" by The Brothers Johnson.
The resulting song, "Give Me the Night," became Benson's biggest hit, and rose to #4 on the charts. It also hit #1 on the R&B charts. The video received little airplay, partly due to the fact that it predated MTV by a good year or so, and partly because MTV was not very friendly to R&B acts in its early days. It also may have something to do with the roller skates. Just sayin'.
Cool trivia fact: supposedly, Quincy Jones suggested the echo on Benson's guitar that drives the sound.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Re-Flex - The Politics of Dancing
Wonderful synth-dance song, and a great video to boot from the one hit wonder Re-Flex. "The Politics of Dancing" was the lead single from the 1983 album of the same name and hit #24 on the charts, with some help from a ton of airplay on MTV. Cool trivia fact: the 12" version of this song was the first extended version of a song by a British band to top the U.S. dance charts.
The band recorded their follow up album, Humanication, in 1984 as a planned 1985 release. The first single was "How Much Longer," which had an environmentalist message and featured Sting on backing vocals. The song was released in Germany, but the record label did not like the political nature of the song/album and killed the project. To this day, the album has never been released, although there are apparently bootleg copies in existence. Re-Flex released two songs for the Superman IV soundtrack in 1987, but did not release another album (in the 1980s, at least).
Cool trivia fact #2: An early version of Re-Flex featured Phil Gould and Mark King who would go on to form ... Level 42. Gould, by the way, also played with M ("Pop Muzik").
The band recorded their follow up album, Humanication, in 1984 as a planned 1985 release. The first single was "How Much Longer," which had an environmentalist message and featured Sting on backing vocals. The song was released in Germany, but the record label did not like the political nature of the song/album and killed the project. To this day, the album has never been released, although there are apparently bootleg copies in existence. Re-Flex released two songs for the Superman IV soundtrack in 1987, but did not release another album (in the 1980s, at least).
Cool trivia fact #2: An early version of Re-Flex featured Phil Gould and Mark King who would go on to form ... Level 42. Gould, by the way, also played with M ("Pop Muzik").
Update [May 2021], it turns out that Re-Flex made a prior (and rarer) video for "The Politics of Dancing," so we've added it (below):
Whitesnake - Slow An' Easy
Make no mistake -- Whitesnake was lead singer David Coverdale's band, and he hired and fired musicians to suit his tastes. By 1984, the then 33 year old Coverdale was becoming increasingly focused on commercial success, and when the Slide It In album peaked at #40 in the U.S., he made his move. Coverdale fired guitarist Micky Moody and replaced him with John Sykes. The 1987 follow up album, simply titled Whitesnake, went on to sell 8 million copies and rose to the #2 position on the Billboard chart. Ironically, Coverdale and Sykes didn't get on either, and Sykes was fired just as that album was released.
While Slide It In was a commercial disappointment to Coverdale, it did introduce American audiences (including your humble author) to the band. In our opinion, this is one of the best hard rock albums of the 1980s, and we are particularly partial to the blusey "Slow An' Easy." Yes, the video is dated and the story makes little sense, but the song rocks.
While Slide It In was a commercial disappointment to Coverdale, it did introduce American audiences (including your humble author) to the band. In our opinion, this is one of the best hard rock albums of the 1980s, and we are particularly partial to the blusey "Slow An' Easy." Yes, the video is dated and the story makes little sense, but the song rocks.
Note that Whitesnake's "Love Ain't No Stranger" was posted on ERV in June 2014.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
New wave's answer to AC/DC, The Cult's LPs were maddeningly inconsistent, but their best work (and there tended to be one or two songs per album) was incredibly strong. "She Sells Sanctuary" was the song that really launched them, from the 1985 album Love. The song actually predates the album, and there are at least 8 versions/mixes of the song that have been released to date.
The sound of the song came about quite by accident, as guitarist Billy Duffy was goofing off with a violin bow in the recording studio, hitting lots of pedals, when the producer (Steve Brown) started yelling through the intercom, "Hold it, hold it, that's great!" The band re-worked some of the riffs, and the result is below.
We have always had a soft spot for "She Sells Sanctuary," as it is a real oddity -- an atmospheric hard rock song. The video captures some of the quirky nature of the band, with lead singer Ian Astbury channeling his inner Mick Jagger/Stevie Nicks as the band rocks out.
The sound of the song came about quite by accident, as guitarist Billy Duffy was goofing off with a violin bow in the recording studio, hitting lots of pedals, when the producer (Steve Brown) started yelling through the intercom, "Hold it, hold it, that's great!" The band re-worked some of the riffs, and the result is below.
We have always had a soft spot for "She Sells Sanctuary," as it is a real oddity -- an atmospheric hard rock song. The video captures some of the quirky nature of the band, with lead singer Ian Astbury channeling his inner Mick Jagger/Stevie Nicks as the band rocks out.
The Cult's video for "Rain" was posted on ERV in September, 2015, and "Lil' Devil" was posted in May, 2021.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
John Waite - Change
In 1982, John Waite released Ignition, his first solo album after he left The Babys (who did some really solid work in the mid to late 70s). Produced by Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar's guitarist/husband, the album peaked at #68 in the US charts. It also yielded one great video -- "Change," an early story video, and a good one at that.
Waite would go on to have huge success with his next album, 1984's No Brakes, which would include the #1 hit "Missing You" and the solid but underrated "Restless Heart." Cool trivia fact: In the music video for "Missing You," there is a scene where a group of people are pointing to a building (around 1:17), a clear reference to the "Change" video.
"Change" was written by star songwriter Holly Knight. Never heard of her? She wrote: Aerosmith's "Rag Doll," Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield," Lou Gramm's "Just Between You and Me" (love that song), Scandal's "The Warrior," Animotion's "Obsession," and Tina Turner's "Better Be Good to Me," among others. Impressive, yo.
Cool trivia fact #2: The song "Change" charted, but not in 1982. In spite of a bunch of airplay on MTV, the song did not break the top 200. However, it was included on the soundtrack of Vision Quest in 1985, re-released as a single, and peaked at #50.
Cool trivia fact #3: Tina Gullickson is the actress featured in "Change." Although she never became a huge star, she has had a successful career as a model/actress/singer. She is currently a singer in the Coral Reefer Band (Jimmy Buffet's backup band).
Waite would go on to have huge success with his next album, 1984's No Brakes, which would include the #1 hit "Missing You" and the solid but underrated "Restless Heart." Cool trivia fact: In the music video for "Missing You," there is a scene where a group of people are pointing to a building (around 1:17), a clear reference to the "Change" video.
"Change" was written by star songwriter Holly Knight. Never heard of her? She wrote: Aerosmith's "Rag Doll," Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield," Lou Gramm's "Just Between You and Me" (love that song), Scandal's "The Warrior," Animotion's "Obsession," and Tina Turner's "Better Be Good to Me," among others. Impressive, yo.
Cool trivia fact #2: The song "Change" charted, but not in 1982. In spite of a bunch of airplay on MTV, the song did not break the top 200. However, it was included on the soundtrack of Vision Quest in 1985, re-released as a single, and peaked at #50.
Cool trivia fact #3: Tina Gullickson is the actress featured in "Change." Although she never became a huge star, she has had a successful career as a model/actress/singer. She is currently a singer in the Coral Reefer Band (Jimmy Buffet's backup band).
[March 2015 update]. So it turns out that Holly Knight wrote this song for her band, Spider and it came out on their 1981 LP, Between the Lines. For those keeping score at home, that makes "Change" a cover, and of course we tracked down the original (below).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)