28 posts tagged “pop”

Here's a little something to get you inspired for your New Year's weight loss resolution:

I'm a couple of days late with this, but since it's still within the 12 days, here's a Christmas video:

So many 80's British pop icons in one room - my head may explode! (In case you didn't recognize them, I caught at least the following: Sting, Bono, Simon Le Bon and John Taylor of Duran Duran, Phil Collins, Bryan Ferry, Boy George, Paul Young, George Michael, and of course, Bob Geldoff. And a cameo by Nick Rhodes and Andy Taylor there at the end.  And is that Bananarama??)

Also, here's one of my favorite Christmas songs for which, alas, there is no official video:

This is the kind of video that makes one glad that the singer knows how to wear a loin cloth, otherwise there could be a costuming incident.  And although I always appreciate reddish-orangey hair, the doofy smile isn't exactly a turn-on.  Still, it's an upbeat and enjoyable song.

I just watched the movie "Less Than Zero" for the first time since it same out in 1987.  I didn't like it then, but I was much more impressed by it this time, probably because it was a little too mature for me when I was 16.  And I don't generally hate Andrew McCarthy as much as I used to, although he still strikes me as a smarmy slime-ball.  *ahem* Anyways...

I'd forgotten about this version of this song, but it was featured prominently in the opening credits:

Summer is a busy time of year for Heather and I, so we haven't been posting as much lately.  I had planned to post this on June 20th, which was Duran Duran bassist (and hottie) John Taylor's 47th birthday.  Alas, and alack!  My Duranie devotion is marred. :(

In any case, I hope it was a good one for him, and to celebrate I'm posting his first solo hit, "I Do What I Do...",  which was for the soundtrack to 9 1/2 Weeks.  I remember reading in some article at the time that John was supposed to produce this song, but couldn't find an artist who could sing it the way he wanted to, so he sang it himself.  I have no idea if that's really valid or my own muddled remembrance.

Year: 1986
Posted by: Celeste

When this song came out, everyone was all like "Whoa, she's Prince only prettier!" and "Wow, a chick who plays drums!"  Well, watching this now, it's a lot lamer than I remembered, and one of my college roommates played drums a lot better than Ms. E.  But I still like the song for some reason.  Plus, it was going through my head.

Here's her other major hit, which was equally catchy:

I heard this song on the radio a couple of days ago, and realized yet again how much I love it.  It's sultry and full of longing, with lyrics that provoke some very blatant images, but are couched in poetic enough terms that there doesn't seem to be anything lewd about them. 

The wavering synth in the song is an interesting thing - sometimes it seems like the tape is warped.  But to me it adds something to the tune, something about blurred lines and fuzzy edges, wavering willpower.  In the end, though, Bruce does the right thing in the video, and walks away.  Just because he didn't succumb doesn't mean he wasn't sorely tempted.

My only complaint with this song is that it's far too short and leaves me wanting more.  Maybe that's the point of it.

Year:  1985
Posted by:  Celeste
Credit:  sonybmg

It's always worthwhile to watch the VH1 "We Are The Eighties" show once in a while, because it can bring up some videos that you've locked away in the vault of your memory.  Of course, sometimes those videos are better left locked away.  I'm not certain how I feel about this one.

Apparently, Sir Paul was in a movie called "Give My Regards to Broad Street", which I vaguely remember but have never seen.  In any case, it produced this rather freaky video for a nice if somewhat boring ballad in 1984:

David Gilmour did the lead guitar for this song, and that's probably the strongest part of the song.

Tracey Ullman was also in this movie, which immediately brought to mind her most famous video which includes a cameo by Sir Paul:

Years:  1984, 1983
Posted by:  Celeste
Credits:  alPkts, rjpoole

Also off of "The Nylon Curtain", the video for Pressure is probably the best video Billy Joel ever released:

Alas, the timing of this post right after the events at Virginia Tech yesterday is unfortunate. :(

             But you will come to a place
             Where the only thing you feel
             Are loaded guns in your face
             And you'll have to deal with
             Pressure

This is the first good video that Billy Joel did, in my estimation.  I remember my 6th grade Social Studies teacher playing this in class and asking us questions about what the song was about.  Good old Mr. Crispiano.