It’s that time again! Due to the popularity of a post earlier this week called “True” which featured some classic 80’s music, guess what this weeks Four For Friday is? You got it. Here are four random as usual tunes for this week. Big shout out to Mudpuppy, JK and Rindy for their confessions of 80’s music lyric memorization syndrome too!
1. “We are the World” by USA for Africa – Heather asked this the other day and I had to admit to it. Did anyone else do “Hands Across America“? C’mon..you can admit it. I did! I stood by the Burger King in Bedford Heights, Ohio with my prom date (it was prom weekend). Lovely….
2. “Mr. Telephone Man” by New Edition – I was quite possibly the biggest New Edition fan in Bedford! They were my first concert without my parents. It was New Edition, UTFO (Roxanne, Roxanne…yikes) and the Jessie Johnson Review! How’s that for a show? I still buy New Edition CD’s when they drop.
3. “Don’t Change” by INXS – Loved this song! We were in Downtown Cincinnati last summer and some cover band did this song during a street fair. I busted out in a concert all my own. Heather and the kids just walked away. “Don’t change for you…don’t change a thing…for me”
4. “If You Leave” by O.M.D – This is in my ALL TIME five favorite songs. I have no idea why. It always reminds me of the movie “Pretty in Pink”. That was the first date I ever went on without my parents (they dropped us off). I am convinced this world needs more O.M.D!
How about you? Let’s have them. It was the 80’s. The hair was big (even mine), the pants were parachute, MTV showed music videos and the tunes were everlasting. Give me your Four!
Wasn’t Hands Across America on a Friday possibly? I think the family and I were driving from Gary, Indiana to Seattle Washington that day. I think I was 10 if even that old. I remember as a kid singing that song all the time and mimicking the voices of all the burnt out artists. Good times. Thank you Bruce, Kenny, Willie, Lionel, Michael, Sheila, Daryl, Ray, Billy, Cyndi, Huey, Kenny, John, Waylon, Steve, Smokey, Diana, Paul, Tina, Stevie, Bette, Tito, LaToya, Jackie, Marlon and the rest of you no names.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE “If You Leave”
Too young when that thing rolled around for me. At least I was too young to drive out to do it myself. We were an hour away from Little Rock, Arkansas and I was in the 6th grade.
But GREAT list today. I can’t stop lovin’ the 80’s! I watch every VH1 special I come across.
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) – Information Society
Take On Me – A-ha
Forever Young – Alphaville
Word Up – Cameo
Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
Walking Away – Information Society
Rocket 2 U – The Jets
Just Got Paid – Johnny Kemp
Freakazoid – Midnight Star
Blue Monday – New Order
Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order
I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
Jam On It – Old Skool Professors of Funk
If You Leave – OMD
The Rain – Orange “Juice” Jones
Always On My Mind – Pet Shop Boys
Let’s Go All The Way – Sly Fox
Rumors – Timex Social Club
The Promise – When In Rome
Situation – Yaz
(at least it’s divisible by 4)
“I Ran” — Flock of Sea Gulls
Anything by “The Outfield”
“Separate Ways” — Journey
“With or Without You” — U2
I also must admit the 80’s Lyrics disease. My kids think I am a freak. There should be a support group for this.
Ern – We’re you support group. Admitting it is the first step. Living in it is even better. “I’m sorry but I was thinking of the right words to say”.
I noted that “If You Leave” is on two of the three lists so far. Quality!
I also noted that clearly I am a bit older….
The honest truth is that my prom date drove us to Hands Across America because I was only a sophomore and didn’t have my license. She was a Senior.
Many a ride in the Cutlass singing Outfield Ern. We wore that tape OUT! I can still see the change lined up on the speedometer…..
You said tape…
My 80s Four for Friday…
1) Rolling Stones – “Emotional Rescue”
Mick. Singing falsetto.
2) Blasters – “American Music”
I was living in L.A. in the early 80’s, and the Blasters (Dave and Phil Alvin) were friends of the Conners Brothers. California Rockabilly. “Greatest music that you ever knew – American Music!”
3) Falco – “Rock Me Amadeus”
Best part of this tune was the alternate lyrics – “Eat me, I’m a danish”.
4) Devo – “Whip It”
I was working in a record store, and the “Freedom of Choice” was a regular favorite of the folks I worked with. We’d fight over other stuff to play but not this album.
mudpuppy: is that yazz or yazoo at number 10?
Yazoo was Alison Moyet’s early 80s outfit, while Yazz didn’t come along til 88.
I need your early 80s UK new Romantic stories and content at http://www.daveches.co.uk/80s