I love you guys. Seriously.
The emails I have received after my last two columns have been nothing short of totally radical, dude. One was merely rounded out with the track list of a couple ’80s mixes I made for my car, and the other was hair band happiness. Both of them sparked quite a bit of happy conversation. Not only that, but I was also sparked to make a four disc mix of ’80s obscurities. They served me well on my recent Minneapolis road trip (even after getting rear-ended on my return to Iowa), so I figured I would share.
I need to make some hair band mixes, too. The problem is that most of the bands I loved really didn’t age well. Once 2009 hits, it will be proper nostalgia; for now, it just sounds goofy and dated. As much as I would love to be cranking “Madalaine” and “Youth Gone Wild,” I just can’t think of many moments where it would feel like the proper music to fit my mood.
The weirdo ’80s crap though… get a load of this stuff. I didn’t give the individual discs a theme or anything, but the whole set has been christened the bland title of “Recommended ’80s.” I had to comb through TONS of ’80s comps I own to find a lot of this stuff — note that I have no real Internet right now, so I had to go with what I already have. There are a good 12 songs on my list to snag when I’m able to be a pirate on the high seas though.
I’ve got some stories to share for a few of these songs. Enjoy!
DISC ONE:
1. Berlin, “The Metro”
Anything by Berlin that isn’t on the soundtrack to a Tom Cruise film is pretty damn good. Never mind the video, which I’m sure nurtured many a boy’s puberty.
2. Mike + the Mechanics, “Silent Running”
Anyone remember the video for this song? It creeped the hell out of me when I was a kid. I loved it to pieces. Besides, how could I not love a song from a band made up of Genesis members? And Paul Carrack? COME ON!
3. The Icicle Works, “Birds Fly (Whisper To a Scream)”
How did I leave this one out before??
4. Ultravox, “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”
I have put this song on so many mixes for people, it’s not even funny anymore. It’s become a standard, nearly as much as me putting Buckethead’s remix of “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” on damn near every disc.
5. Blondie, “Hanging On the Telephone”
I decided months ago that I wanted to do this song on karaoke. Now I can practice in the car.
6. The Gap Band, “You Dropped a Bomb On Me”
I realized too late that this was the only funk song on the entire set. George Clinton and Afrika Bambaataa, you will get your dues soon enough, I promise.
7. Real Life, “Catch Me I’m Falling”
I was really only familiar with “Send Me An Angel,” so it’s nice to hear something different. Different and good. Yay recommendations!
8. Scritti Politti, “Perfect Way”
Love this song, always have. It just sort of fell off my map the last time I compiled a disc.
9. Go West, “We Close Our Eyes”
Ever completely forget about a song’s existence? When one (no, two) people wrote to recommend this one, I drew a blank. Then I played it and that synth line hit, and my brain was all, “YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!” I still remembered most of the words, too.
10. Icehouse, “Hey Little Girl”
I love Icehouse. I didn’t know that I loved Icehouse but apparently I do.
11. The Smiths, “How Soon Is Now?”
I am not a fan of The Smiths but I’m a sucker for this song. I will take any shit that comes with me saying that.
12. Tom Tom Club, “Genius of Love”
At one point in my life I was completely obsessed with this song and would play a 12 minute version on repeat for anyone around to hear. And I wonder why nobody calls me up and wants to hang out.
13. Cocteau Twins, “Crushed”
Although a lot of their songs kind of sound similar, this one and “Pearly Dewdrops’ Drops” make me a happy girl.
14. When In Rome, “The Promise”
No clue how I left this one out before. I’ve always loved this song.
15. Love and Rockets, “Mirror People”
Recommended, okay? I’m not goth.
16. Bananarama, “Cruel Summer”
This song evokes one and only one memory for me: watching The Karate Kid about 800 times during my youth. It was the first (and only) movie we had when we got our brand spankin’ new VCR.
17. The Mobiles, “Drowning in Berlin”
Not-so-interesting story on this one: I randomly acquired some ’80s disc of oddball stuff and tossed into my Winamp playlist. This one caught my ear like crazy. Much like “I’m In Love With a German Film Star,” I have no clue why it doesn’t have more of an underground appreciation.
18. Siouxsie & the Banshees, “Peek-A-Boo”
One of my favorite songs when I was a kid. Didn’t I just say I’m not goth?
19. Boys Don’t Cry, “I Wanna Be a Cowboy”
If you don’t like this song, you’re a Nazi.
DISC TWO:
1. Scandal, “Goodbye To You”
Not sure why I threw this one on there because I like “The Warrior” much better, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
2. Intaferon, “Out of London”
Just snagged this one at random because it’s pleasing to the ears.
3. General Public, “Tenderness”
I didn’t use this one before because it was just a smidgen overplayed in its day. I can only reaffirm that by the fact that after it played in my car, I was in Kohl’s and it came on over the Muzak.
4. Bow Wow Wow, “C30, C60, C90, Go!”
This song is so adorable. Vinyl is too expensive, so we’re going to tape the songs off of the radio! OH NOES RECORD COMPANIES WILL SUUUUUUE! Seriously, revive the shit out of this song. It should be the mp3 anthem.
5. Missing Persons, “Words”
I wanted “Destination Unknown” but came across this one first. All of their stuff makes me happy as it’s so ’80s that you can feel the Members Only jackets oozing from your speakers.
6. Wide Boy Awake, “Slang Teacher”
Recommended. Never heard it before, it’s a bucket of fun.
7. Talking Heads, “Road To Nowhere”
Another band you just have to love. I burned myself out on “Once In a Lifetime” a long time ago but that’s okay, there’s plenty more where that came from.
8. Polecats, “Make a Circuit With Me”
Another recommendation that I didn’t recognize. And don’t go asking me why I have all of these songs but never heard them before. I’m a collector, dammit.
9. Sly Fox, “Let’s Go All The Way”
Amusingly enough, I forgot all about this song’s existence until ICP covered it and the video played nonstop on The Box. I would hate to give any Juggalos credit for something good in the world so I’ll just stop right there.
10. XTC, “Senses Working Overtime”
I hated XTC when I was younger. I’m not sure that I like them at all now, but I do really like this song. It’s so silly and happy. ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE!
11. Arcadia, “Election Day”
It’s Duran Duran! NO IT’S NOT! EEEEP NAPSTER INCORRECTLY NAMED SONGS!
12. John Parr, “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)”
This was my favorite Brat Pack movie by a landslide. You know what else is so great about this song? It makes no sense. It’s like a random song with random lines created to have a spot where you can yell the title of the film. I love that.
13. Heaven 17, “Fascist Groove Thing”
Not much to say about this really, just a fun song that has been covered quite a bit.
14. Jules Shear, “Steady”
A recommendation I hadn’t heard before. Hooray!
15. Heart, “Never”
I miss this era of Heart. Oh sure, I loved ’70s Heart. Early ’80s Heart was completely horrifying and terrible, but then they came back with gigantic hair and floofy outfits to rock the house. Quick, dress Ann in black so nobody can tell she’s bulked up!
16. Talk Talk, “It’s My Life”
Eat me, Gwen Stefani. The original is full of New Romantic goodness that deserves credit.
17. Re-Flex, “The Politics of Dancing”
How did I miss this one?
18. Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark, “Enola Gay”
Ditto above. Although if you think you’re going to see some Spandau Ballet before the list is through, you’re sorely mistaken.
19. Devo, “Jocko Homo”
Are we not men? We are sick of “Whip It”!
20. T’Pau, “Heart and Soul”
I was kindly reminded of this one by one of the wrestling stalwarts. I had it on another ’80s mix at one point, but being as it was one of my favorites growing up, it deserved a repeat.
DISC THREE
1. The Fixx, “One Thing Leads To Another”
Fantastic song. Don’t know what else to say about it.
2. Josie Cotton, “Johnny Are You Queer?”
I just got this one for karaoke. It’s so very ’80s, so very awesome. Anyone ever mention before that a lot of weird shit came out during that decade? This is just the tip of the iceberg.
3. China Crisis, “King In a Catholic Style (Wake Up)”
A recommended song that I did not know. It’s now stuck in my head all the time. THANKS.
4. Expose, “Point of No Return”
By the time I finish my illustrious career of creating ’80s mix CDs, I guarantee I will have included every Expose single. They were one of my favorite groups. And they only had one hit album — what the hell happened there?
5. The Monroes, “What Do All the People Know”
Oh this is a cute one! Another neat recommendation.
6. Greg Kihn Band, “Jeopardy”
This was actually my second favorite song that I ever remember having. My first was Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” when I was 4 years old. Greg Kihn has quite a catalog of goodness, by the way. Just ignore his puntastic album titles.
7. Haircut 100, “Favorite Shirt (Boy Meets Girl)”
FANTASTIC overlooked song. Well, I like Haircut 100 in general, but damn. Why have I not heard this song more often? What is wrong with people?
8. Climie Fisher, “Love Changes (Everything)”
Yet another song on the list of tunes I completely forgot existed until I started making this compilation. Yeah, it’s dippy pop. I don’t care, it was like rediscovering a Tonka truck that you buried in the yard years back and forgot about. Like, whoopee, a Tonka truck. But you still play with it anyway.
9. Living In a Box, “Living In a Box”
From the album, Living In a Box. I got the biggest kick out of that.
10. Stone Roses, “I Wanna Be Adored”
A recommendation — I was very familiar with a lot of Stone Roses stuff but always just glossed past this one. I figured I would give it another shot.
11. Timex Social Club, “Rumors”
Hello, I forgot you existed, too! And what a fantastic song it is.
12. Ebn-Ozn, “AEIOU Sometimes Y”
Arguably the shittiest song of the entire decade. Yet, somehow, it’s ridiculously endearing. The video for this song was almost, almost as bad as the one for Donnie Iris’ “Ah! Leah!”
13. Heaven 17, “Temptation”
Should’ve been included ages ago. I’m filling in the gaps slowly.
14. Plimsouls, “A Million Miles Away”
Another song recommended by TWO people. Funny that I wasn’t familiar with it at all, but somehow it’s just that good. Well now I know!
15. Talking Heads, “Wild Wild Life”
One of my favorite videos of all time. This was a pick chosen totally on a whim, like, “oh I haven’t heard this in forever!”
16. New Model Army, “51st State”
I like this band in general, and this particular song was recommended, so in it went.
17. After The Fire, “Der Kommissar”
It’s the English version. Hey, it’s easier to sing along with, just like Nena and her luftballons. Never mind that it’s completely an ’80s classic.
18. Department S, “Is Vic There”
Bwahahahah the ’80s were weird. I don’t know how many times I can say that considering it’s damn near redundant at this point. This song just puts a smile on my face. ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE, VIC
19. The Cure, “Love Cats”
I like dark and broody Cure the best, so it seemed like a requirement that I switch over to something different. Plus, it says cats! Cats are awesome, just like warez and mp3s. 2515049.
20. The Stranglers, “Golden Brown”
A recommendation ahoy! Totally new discovery for me, I’m almost embarrassed to admit, mostly because it’s so good.
21. Yes, “Owner of a Lonely Heart”
Those who know me know that I hate Yes. Well, that’s true except for this song. Then again, most Yes fans hate it because it’s all poppy and sell-out fodder. Up yours, Yes fans. And you can take your Clash fans who hate “Rock the Casbah” with you.
DISC FOUR
1. Thomas Dolby, “Hyperactive”
Rrrrrrecommended! Which is great considering I had never really listened to any of his stuff outside of “She Blinded Me With Science,” just like the majority of the universe. I almost feel dumb because I found it on three separate ’80s discs.
2. Tones On Tail, “Go”
More recommendations. Yes, before this list ends, we’ll have pretty much every Daniel Ash project.
3. Public Image Limited, “Rise”
This song is fantastic! I’ve seen the video for it approximately eight billion times on VH1 Classic but never gave it a second thought outside of that. I have to say I’m glad a reader reminded me.
4. Berlin, “Sex (I’m A…)”
Meredith Brooks owes some royalties on this one.
5. Joe Jackson, “Steppin’ Out”
I’m a big sucker for Joe Jackson and I’m not entirely sure why. He makes some catchy shit, that’s for sure. This one is total brain glue, too.
6. Bauhaus, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”
Come on, this has to be included. I’ve got Ziggy on another disc, we need to round out the cliche Bauhaus that all the tourists recognize.
7. Strawberry Switchblade, “Since Yesterday”
Another recommendation which was a complete stranger to me, so I’ll have to just sit back and smile and say thanks.
8. Heart, “Nothin’ At All”
You know, everyone remembers “What About Love” and “These Dreams” and “Never,” but nobody ever brings up this single from the same album. I’m just showin’ love.
9. The Style Council, “You’re the Best Thing”
Much like Haircut 100, I just plain dig everything I hear from these guys. It’s magical.
10. Adam Ant, “Desperate But Not Serious”
Certainly one of Captain Ant’s better songs. And somewhat included just to make DP Wieland hiss and squeal.
11. Kraftwerk, “The Model”
This one just snuck its way in so I could pretend I’m all electrosnob.
12. The Sisters of Mercy, “Lucretia My Reflection”
HEY HEY HEY… don’t point black-gloved fingers in my direction. RECOMMENDATION.
13. Total Coelo, “I Eat Cannibals”
Recommended, but totally coincidentally as I just acquired it for karaoke and wanted to brush up on it anyway. ’80s, weird, yadda yadda yadda. Music needs to be this nuts again someday.
14. Talk Talk, “Life’s What You Make It”
I actually first heard this song as a cover by one of my favorite bands, The Gathering. The original is much more subtle. I like both.
15. Ultravox, “Vienna”
We can’t always be dancing with tears in our eyes. Besides, it’s another one of those kind-of-standards that should have made an appearance ages ago.
16. Love and Rockets, “Waiting For the Flood”
Yet another recommendation, and a wonderful one at that. I really don’t revisit L&R very often so it’s refreshing.
17. Mr. Mister, “Kyrie”
And finishing it off with something a bit more mainstream, we’ve got Mr. Mister! What the hell happened to them, too? One big album, then poof. I would research this if I could.
Songs that didn’t fit, but may live on in future mixes:
Go West, “Goodbye Girl”
Device, “Hanging On a Heart Attack”
Gene Loves Jezebel, “Jealous”
Mental reminder to include next time:
Eddie Murphy, “Party All the Time”
Thompson Twins, “In the Name of Love”
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “Do You Wanna Touch Me”
New Order, “Confusion”
Samantha Fox, “Touch Me (I Wanna Feel Your Body)”
Jody Watley, “Don’t You Want Me”
Wham, “Everything She Wants”
Peter Gabriel, “Shock the Monkey”
Information Society, “Where Would I Be (Without IBM)”
Red Rider, “Lunatic Fringe”
Joy Division, “Warsaw”
Swing Out Sister, “Breakout”
Erasure, “Chains”
Gary Numan, “We Are So Fragile”
and something from Human League that isn’t “Human” or “Don’t You Want Me”
I could keep going forever — it’s quittin’ time fo’ sho’.
Karen liked to tie me up and left me hanging by a strap,
–gloomchen
