Category: 80’s Sunday Rewind

this will not stand!

People, I can only take so much.  I am thisclose to what they used to call a nervous breakdown and I can't take much more.  Believe me, it won't be pretty when they commit me, because I'm sure my iPhone will be taken away and let's not even discuss life without my accessories.  Seriously.

As much as it hurts to type these words, I have to talk about it.  This is not news I would want you to hear from anyone else or even worse, on the street.  Twentieth Century Fox is remaking Girls Just Want to Have Fun, the 1985 classic starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Shannen Doherty.  For the love of leg warmers, I don't think I can take it.  You do remember the movie, don't you? 

Janey (SJP) is the new girl in her Chicago Catholic school and her dream is to be on DanceTV, an 80's American Bandstand, if you will.  She becomes BFFs with Lynne (Helen Hunt) and they audtion for spots on the show.  Janey is paired with boy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks, Jeff, and they practice their dance at night when Janey sneaks out of her house.  When her Army dad finds out about her auditioning, he loses it and goes down to DanceTV to put his foot down.  Of course, when he sees Janey dance he realizes she is a star and Janey and Jeff win spots on the show.  But really, the description is nothing compared to the first-rate acting, costumes, Helen Hunt's accessories (come to think of it, this movie may have been my introduction to accessories), and –hello– a pre-teen Shannen Doherty!

Here's your refresher course:


Sweet mother of Ogilvie Home Perms, that is pure 80's.  It doesn't get more cheesetastic that that, my friends.  GJWTHF is a period piece.  It cannot be remade!  Please, as if that movie could be made in this decade.  It cannot be done.  And who, pray tell will play Janey?  So help me, if they cast Miley Cyrus I will go Crazy White Girl on Twentieth Century Fox.  I'm not kidding.  I would not kid about something like this.  I'm sure one of the Disney tweens or teens will be cast and no one can hold a candle to SJP or Helen Hunt's character, Lynne the class clown who breaks out with "Day-o" in the middle of choir practice.  I haven't even mentioned some of the best lines from an movie of the 80's. 

When Helen Hunt does and outfit quick-change, "Velcro. Next to the Walkman and Tab it is the coolest invention of the 20th century!" 

The DanceTV guy on the dance costumes, "Oh, I like this. Sort of Rebel Without a Cause meets Sound of Music… you're taking a fashion risk. I like that."

Anywalkman, I have little faith in the filmmakers attempting this remake.  No good can come of this.  I expect the new version to pimp out every Disney Channel kid wannabe in Hollywood to try to make GJWTHF into some High School Musical clone.  And I promise, if they cast Zac Efron as Jeff — no, I can't imagine it.  I don't have to tell you that makes me ill.  My other thought is that they might try to make it a serious film.  It's not a musical, it's not trying to be West Side Story, it's a fun movie for fun times.  Speaking of fun — here's the best fun scene of the movie, when the girls make copies of the rich girl's sweet sixteen party invitation and give invites to some trannies, punks, female body-builders, and hot messes in general.  Love that.  Sure, the Cyndi Lauper song is bastardized, but I forgive. 

Sunday Rewind: Psychedelic Furs edition

Ah, one of my first loves, The Psychedelic Furs. 

The Furs came out of post-punk England in the late '70s and had some success in the US with 1981's Talk Talk Talk and the songs "Dumbwaiters" and "Pretty in Pink," but it wasn't until the 1986 movie of the same name that the Furs were a household name.  Well, the song was anyway.  They are an easy band to love with songs like "Heaven," "Until She Comes," and "Heartbreak Beat" and Richard Butler's hoarse voice is just lovely. 

Without further delay, here are the videos.  Lots of videos today because the Furs make me happy and I love that voice.  I'm giving you a the gift that is the original version of "Pretty in Pink," which is the stripped-down, moodier version.  Also in today's line-up are "Heartbreak Beat," "Ghost in You," "Love My Way," and the 1991 Letterman show performance of "Until She Comes" — one of my faves, just for you because you're special.  Do yourself a solid and go get their Greatest Hits, put it on and quote Iona  from Pretty in Pink, "applause, applause, APPLAUSE."  Now that I think of it, we may be due for an 80's movie review (as if I don't talk about PIP enough).  Enjoy the Furs.

Sunday Rewind: Howard Jones

1985 was a great year for music.  Shut up, it was when Howard Jones broke on the scene with his second album Dream Into Action  and hit "No One is to Blame."  And that song was the jam, yo.  The song was everywhere in '85 and so was Howard — huge tour, Live Aid, and it seemed like he was The Next Big Thing, but he never reached the level of success he had with that album and the songs "Things Can Only Get Better" and "Life in One Day."  The video for the latter is pretty fun, Howard was mixing it up a little.  The last video is "Everlasting Love" from 1989's Cross That Line  and I thought I'd show you the video for the happy mummy couple in it as well as the lyric "back in the world of disposable emotion"  — always thought that was a brilliant line.  By the way, here's a little fact for you: Howard Jones' back-up singers were known as Afrodiziak (love that).   Enjoy. 

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k28o0A7PNX4kXu7hhZ&related=1

Howard Jones – NO ONE IS TO BLAME – Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Sunday Rewind: Julian Lennon

It's Sunday and I thought we'd spend it with an old crush of mine, Julian Lennon, circa 1984.  Did it get any better than Julian's "Much Too Late For Goodbyes?"  No, it did not.  I still love that song, it's such a fun, catchy song and Julian's voice is perfect.  "Valotte" is just a wonderful song.  I rediscovered it when I was in college when I picked up Volume 10 of the  "Rock of the 80's" tape set in a discount bin (that tape also included "Something About You" by Level 42, "Breakout" by Swing Out Sister, and "Veronica" by the one and only Elvis Costello).  After finding that diamond in the rough, I set out to collect all 15 tapes — and man, that was a quest that rivaled finding the Holy Grail (oh, yes, I found them all, by the way).  Of course now it's available on Amazon, but I found a listing for you of all the tracks to build up your 80's iPod playlist.  You do have an 80's playlist, right?  Good.  Oh, and shut up — Volume 7 features "Girl in Trouble (it's a temporary thing)" by Romeo Void, which is just about the best song title ever and I intend on stealing for the title of my yet to be written memoirs. 

What was I writing about before that ADHD moment?  Julian Lennon.  Rumor is he has finished an album, Everything Changes, to be released this year and his website is currently under construction, so maybe an older Julian will return to the music scene with some good stuff soon.  I certainly hope so.  

Here is the video for "Much Too Late For Goodbyes," with Julian sporting some bad hair and because YouTube doesn't have the "Valotte" video we'll have to make due with the mp3.  How are y'all liking the Goear clips?  I think the quality is nice and I'm impressed with the variety of music I've found there.  On with the tunes…

http://www.goear.com/files/external.swf?file=14a558f

Sunday Rewind: Squeeze

Now, y’all didn’t think I’d let Sunday go by without a little 80’s, did you? 

Today (or tonight, since it’s 11 o’clock) it’s one of the great post-punk English bands, Squeeze.  They’re still around, but Squeeze will always be the 80’s to me.  I was the only one of my friends to have any of their albums back in the day (unless I had any closeted Squeeze fan friends), but I was used to being out on a limb with bands I liked back in the day.  You know the song “Tempted,” and you’ve heard “893-5937” (which is oddly one number off from my home phone number, weird) but I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite Squeeze tunes.  Here are “Black Coffee in Bed” and “Annie Get Your Gun.”  Okay, and because it’s one of the best songs in the history of ever and was produced by the fab Elvis Costello, “Tempted.”  It’s still on my list of best songs of all time.  And I could so be a back-up singer in that video.  Oh, and here’s  a little useless Kerry Fact: singer Glenn Tilbrook is one of the only blonds I’ve ever crushed on.  Ever.  Come on, total cutie. 



Sunday rewind: INXS

Ready to rewind?  As a girl who discovered music in the 80's, I'm always ready for the rewind.  That being said, I thought we'd take a look at a band I fell in love with back around 1985 and that love was cemented with their contribution to my favorite 80's movie, Pretty in Pink.

It's INXS.  As we do here on the Sunday rewind, we'll overdose on nostalgia and watch some primo videos from back in the day.  Today it's mainly from INXS' 1985 album, Listen Like Thieves, as this was my introduction to the band.   The album still holds up, it's great rock and roll fun and I think most of the songs could be released today to great fanfare.  And can I tell you how much I'm looking forward to the new album the band is recording as a tribute to their late lead singer, Michael Hutchence?  Brandon Flowers of The Killers is singing on one track.  I just hope they tackle some of their early stuff, it's just fab.

Anyway, here are a few great songs for your Sunday.  First up is "The One Thing," followed by "Shine Like it Does," and "Do Wot U Do" from Pretty in Pink.  You didn't think I would leave that one out, now did you?  Lastly is my favorite INXS song, "What You Need."  Enjoy. 




Sunday rewind: Tears For Fears and mixed tapes

Welcome to Sunday.  In running down my iTunes 80’s playlist I’m thinking who to rewind to this week.  We’ve seen The Go-Go’s, Human League, Thompson Twins, and ABC — some of my 80’s faves and after a couple of weeks off, I’m back with another superfantastic band: Tears For Fears. 

Who didn’t love Tears For Fears back in the day?  I wore out my Songs From the Big Chair tape and I don’t care who knows it.  That tape was the jam, yo.  I’m pretty sure that was the first album I appreciated as a whole, as opposed to all the mixed tapes I had. 

Can we talk about the mix tape for a second?  Is there nothing better than the mix tape?  It was the precursor to the iTunes playlist.  It was the prescursor to all those “Now, that’s what I call music” and “Rock of the 80’s” and “Soulful Hits of the 70’s” tapes and cds.   I doubt I’m the first one to say that, but isn’t it true?  I loved a good mix tape and now I get so much pleasure out of making playlists — I could be a professional playlist maker.  The best thing about it is you can make your playlist reflect whatever you want and call it whatever awesomeness you can think of.  By far my best playlist is “Kerry’s 80’s.”  And it’s my 80’s because you will not find hair bands or Michael Bolton or Tiffany.  Absolutely no (cough) Richard Marks or (gag) New Kids on the Block.   I rather enjoy titling things as well.  I remember once having a mixed tape titled Just Awesome and making a tape for a friend called Music You Need.  Those were the days. 

Back to Tears for Fears.  First up is the video that made me go for a minor in Library Science and started my love of the preppy guy look, “Head Over Heels.”  Love a cute guy in a collared sweater.  Oh, the 80’s!   And more preppiness in “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”  I just want to go to put on some leggings, an Outback Red sweater, my Swatch watch, some Eastlands and watch Real Genius.  Lastly, enjoy “Shout” and have a great Sunday afternoon. 



Sunday rewind: ABC

It's Sunday and time to rewind.  You know how it goes, I'll tell you a little about a band from the 80's playlist on my iPod and hopefully find the original videos from YouTube.

Today it's ABC!  I love me some ABC.  Martin Fry and company are still fab in my opinion.  They're another one of my British synth bands and yes, Martin has the floppy hair I love, even if he is blond (can't hold that against him).  Martin gave singing and dancing lessons to Hugh Grant for the film Music and Lyrics, and if you watch the videos you'll see why.  And my guy could rock a tux back in the day, y'all.  And the gold tux — shut up.  So fabulous. 

Here are "When Smokey Sings," "Poison Arrow," and "The Look of Love."  Enjoy.  Next week I'll dig up something equally amazing, although I doubt the band will be as well dressed as ABC.  ABC gets my Snazzy Dressers of the 80's Award that I just made up. 



Sunday rewind: Human League

Last week we took at trip back to the 80's with Thompson Twins, this week it's another great synth band, Human League.  I was quite disheartened that my favorite Human League video on You Tube has embedded disabled, so you'll have to go there to see "(Keep Feeling) Fascination".  I can't imagine there is a great demand for Human League vids, but whatevs. 

Human League are a fab British new wave band who made some great tunes back in the day and are still recording, still touring, still going strong.  The three must-have tracks for you 80's iPod playlist are "(Keep Feeling) Fascination," "Human," and of course "Don't You Want Me."  The first is a video is a live version of the song (definitely not as good as the original) and the other two videos are the oridinal 80's goodness.  I must say I'm disappointed that the lead singer doesn't wear makeup anymore and he's shaved his head, no more sexy floppy hair that I love.  Someone has to bring back the floppy hair.  Since Hugh Grant's gone shorter all the other guys have too and it's just not right.  Throw me a bone here, I don't ask for much. 

Enjoy the Sunday rewind!  Next week: the floppy-haired Brit band ABC.  Lead singer, Martin Fry gave my boy Hugh Grant singing and dancing lessons for Music and Lyrics, so you know he's got street cred.  Okay, maybe not street cred — oh shut up, this daylight savings has me all messed up and I need a vacation. 



Sunday rewind: The Thompson Twins

The Thompson Twins are an must-have on your 80's iPod playlist.  As I've told you, on Sunday's we'll be running down my 80's playlist for songs you need to have and it would be a travesty to omit Thompson Twins.  You know the Twins.  They were part of our life soundtrack, Molly Ringwald kissed Jake Ryan (I still heart Jake Ryan) to "If You Were Here" sitting on the dining room table over her birthday cake in Sixteen Candles and we all sighed.  I think I need a moment.  Let's all take a moment and watch the ending of Sixteen Candles when Jake is waiting outside the church for Sam.  And yes, this video is in Spanish because I couldn't find a You Tube video  in English.  Whatev.


Divine.  Even in Spanish.  Okay, so Thompson Twins were a great synth New Wave band who were neither comprised of members who were twins, nor had the surname Thompson.  Confused yet?  Anyway, they were a great band.  Here's a few more songs, this time just their videos, in English no less. 

The first is "King For a Day," and I'm going to get my hair done like the singer's. That's freakin' awesome 80's. And I want a robot like they have too.

Here is "Lay Your Hands on Me," which includes lyrics I still love,

This old life seemed much too long

With little point in going on

I couldn't think of what to say

Words just vanished in the haze

I was feeling cold and tired

Yeah kinda sad and uninspired

But when it almost seemed too much

I see your face

And sense the grace

And feel the magic in your touch


And lastly, "Hold Me Now." This song is pretty perfect. Not just as an 80's song, not just because the lead singer has the floppy hair I love, not just because the video features almost everything great about 80's videos (including cowbell) and bad dancing, it's just a good pop song. Britney and Xtina and Beyonce couldn't make a song as good and simple as this if they tried. Not even if they got mowhawks and cowbells. Plus, if you notice, no one's half-naked in their videos. Hmm, interesting. It's just music. How old-fashioned.