Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Ratt - 'Round And Round'

I knew right from the beginning

That you would end up winnin'

I knew right from the start

You'd put an arrow through my heart

Round and round

With love we'll find a way just give it time

Round and round

What comes around goes around

I'll tell you why, dig

My kids have a really hard time imagining what life was like back in the 80's, when patience and waiting were both the order of the day. We're all so used to YouTubing whatever video clip that we want to see when we want it that's it's almost hard to think of life before the internet. Back in 1984 our lives revolved around MTV and the fact that they seemed to repeat popular videos every 4 hours or so. Believe me when I say that my friends and I did the math and would come running inside when we thought that a favorite video was going to air.

One of the first ones that I can really remember planning my life around was Ratt's "Round and Round".  It was before hair bands and glam metal had really hit the mainstream so they were really different. Plus they weren't just playing their song onstage somewhere, there was actually a freaky storyline that included an attic dinner with real rats and Milton Berle. It was really just a taste of what was to come because a few years later hair bands like Ratt were ruling the charts.

"Round and Round", off of Ratt's debut Out of the Cellar album ended up being their most popular song. It climbed to #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1984.

Grab your own copy of Out of the Cellar on vinyl!

Currently Booming: Whitesnake Slays on 'Greatest Hits' Tour

ICYMI:

A fifteen song set played to perfection was what Whitesnake delivered up to this electric Silver Spring audience. “Bad Boys” kicked things off and really set the tone for the rest of the show. Coverdale, Reb Beach (guitars), Joel Hoeskstra (guitars) Michael Devin (bass), Tommy Aldridge (drums) and Michele Luppi (keys) were ready to rock and the crowd responded immediately. The mixed demographic for this show was pretty interesting. The college kids behind me sang along just as loudly as the forty-something's beside me. Up ahead was a seventy-year-old in a vintage Whitesnake concert tee that played convincing air guitar right along with Joel.

Speaking of Joel, his solo featured him working magic on both his electric and acoustic guitar's with equal finesse and ease. He is certainly a legend in the making and his ear to ear grin is as genuine as it is infectious. Continue reading...

Are These the Top 10 Hard Rock Bands of the 1980's?

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: 'Til Tuesday - 'Voices Carry'

I try so hard not to get upset
Because I know all the trouble I'll get
Oh, he tells me tears are something to hide
And something to fear-eh-eh
And I try so hard to keep it inside
So no one can hear
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry

You guys remember "Voices Carry", right?  The song by 'Til Tuesday barreled up Billboard's charts to number 8 back in 1985 and the video really did help the group to become one of MTV's early favorites. Aimee Mann's vocals about a doomed love affair are haunting and ring true for anyone that has been in a relationship with the wrong person. You feel like you can't do anything right and everything that the other person does is just plain wrong as well. At one point in time Cyndi Lauper was hoping to record "Voices Carry" herself and ya know what, it probably would have been a hit for her too.

Instead, 'Til Tuesday did the honors and it cemented their place in new wave history.  Rather than going with the original video I thought I'd instead post this live performance. Do the math- it's about ten days short of being 30 years old!

Currently Booming: 2 For Tuesday Playlist

Currently Booming: Freestyle Explosion in Philly- Expose'

The 2016 edition of Freestyle Explosion made a stop in Philadelphia last Saturday night and the result was a 4 hour show with many memorable moments. Expose' headlined and most definitely had the strongest set of the evening. The ladies were completely on point and they were clearly having a lot of fun doing their thing. How do they sound? Well, click the videos to hear for yourself but I have to say, I've never heard them sound better.

Currently Booming: Freestyle Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Starpoint- 'Object Of My Desire'

When I go to sleep at night

Visions of you here by my side

Fireworks explode deep inside of me

I pinch myself as you're lying there

We kiss each other now I'm really scared

Too much to ask, even for a fantasy

Even if the name Starpoint doesn't exactly ring a bell I'm going to bet that if you're an 80's music fan then at least one song by the funk band will be familiar. "Object Of My Desire" first cracked the charts back in 1985 and it enjoyed tons of radio play as well. Starpoint was originally from Maryland and gradually shifted a funk sound in the early 80's to more of an R&B vibe by the time they released their 1985 album Restless.

Starpoint's Renee Diggs might just be one of the most underrated female voices of the decade that focused on the likes of Whitney Houston and Madonna.  Sadly, Diggs died in 2005 at the age of 50 due to a heart problem and complications from her long-running battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Check out the video below to catch Starpoint at their very best!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Spandau Ballet- 'True'

With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue

Dissolve the nerves that have just begun

Listening to Marvin (All night long)

This is the sound of my soul

This is the sound

Always slipping from my hands

Sand's a time of its own

Take your seaside arms and write the next line

Oh, I want the truth to be known

I love those songs that serve as an instant vehicle to take me back in time. Spandau Ballet's "True" is most certainly one of those. Every time I hear it (which is actually pretty often) I'm instantly reliving 1983 all over again. To say that this song got a lot of air play would be a real understatement, especially since even now, more than 30 years later it's still in heavy rotation on some stations. "True" is the kind of song that you just kind of know all of the words to, even if you don't like it. I remember it always being on in the car and so nearly every time I hear those opening notes, then at least for a second I'm back in my dad's old Buick driving to god knows where.

"True" was Spandau Ballet's biggest hit in the U.S. and while they aren't often seen here they do often still perform in the UK. You guys remember this song, right? I'm betting that you start singing along (even if it's just in your head) almost immediately!

Currently Booming: 80's Love Songs

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Whitesnake- 'Still of the Night'

In the still of the night
I hear the wolf howl, honey
Sniffing around your door
In the still of the night
I feel my heart beating heavy
Telling me I gotta have more

See that guy up there? Well my teenage self was pretty obsessed with him. David Coverdale first formed Whitesnake in the late 70's after fronting Deep Purple for several years. They released a handful of albums but it was Whitesnake's 1987 self titled release that ultimately turned them into a household name. Songs like "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love" soared to the top of Billboard's charts and Whitesnake was considered to be one of the best bands to come out of the 80's hair band era, mainly because they could really play.

I still remember the first time I saw this group on Headbanger's Ball  (don't lie, you watched that show too). "Still of the Night" was the very first single off of Whitesnake's self titled effort and it was like nothing else from that era. The first two minutes absolutely kicked ass but when it slowed down I was totally sucked in. I also realized that Coverdale only had to mumble the words "ohhh baby" and I was a goner. 

Has anyone else ever played their bass onstage with a bow? Not that I can remember but that effect helped to propel "Still of the Night" onto the list of top rock songs of all time. The video introduced us to the hotness of Coverdale and also one of the most popular video chicks of all time, Tawny Kitaen. Truly something for everyone in today's throwback clip so enjoy it!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Falco - 'Rock Me Amadeus'

He was Superstar
He was popular
He was so exalted
Because he had flair
He was a virtuose
Was a rock idol
And everyone shouted:
Come on and rock me Amadeus

Back in 1985 Falco became the very first German artist to score a number one hit in the U.S., thanks to the popularity of "Rock Me Amadeus". He was already incredibly popular is Germany, Austria and all of the U.K. but it took this song to make him a household name state side. He never managed to repeat that initial success with any of his follow up albums. In 1998 Falco was reportedly working on a comeback when the sport utility vehicle that he was driving collided with a bus in the Dominican Republic. Falco died of his injuries and an autopsy later showed that he had a mix of alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of the accident. 

Check out Falco's fun tribute to legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart below!

Currently Booming: 90's Music Mix

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Pet Shop Boys - 'West End Girls'

Sometimes you’re better off dead
There’s a gun in your hand and it’s pointing at your head
You think you’re mad, too unstable
kicking in chairs and knocking down tables
in a restaurant in a West End town
Call the police! There’s a madman around
Running down underground
to a dive bar in a West End town

"West End Girls" was one of the first songs by the Pet Shop Boys to do really well on the charts and to this day, more than 30 years later it's still considered one of their best. It's also timeless. The first time that you hear it you're really not sure if it's old or brand new. The fact is, "West End Girls" debuted back in 1985 at a time when Brit pop and synth music was exploding. Thompson Twins, Bananarama, The Human League... were all sitting at the top of the charts and there was plenty of room for Pet Shop Boys to join the party.Check out "West End Girls" below. Is it one of your favorites by the duo?

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Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Naked Eyes- 'Promises Promises'

Second time around
I'm still believing words that you said
You said you'd always be here
"In love forever"
Still repeats in my head
You can't finish what you start
If this is love it breaks my heart

Sometimes there's a particular reason behind the 80's throwback each day and other times, there really is not. Today I can thank Spotify's Discover Weekly for making the choice for me. If you have Spotify then check out your own personalized Discover Weekly. Basically they curate a special playlist for you each week based on your musical taste and I have to say, I usually love what they put together for me. 

Anyway, Naked Eyes "Promises, Promises" is on my current list and it's a song that I've always loved, It was the second release back in 1983 off of their Burning Bridges album. Ironically, Naked Eyes was actually one of the very first groups to make full use of synthesizers in their music. If you were around in the early 80's then I don't have to explain just how popular the synth sound was and how it really ruled Billboard's Hot 100. 

Currently Booming: 90's Pop Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Dokken- 'In My Dreams'

What can I say or do
You won't come back, we're through
I've realized too late
That, baby, your love has turned away
In my dreams--it's still the same
Your love is strong, it still remains
In my dreams--you're still by me
Just the way it used to be

I think that one of the most underrated hard rock bands of the 80's is Dokken. While Guns N' Roses, Skid Row and Motley Crue were steamrolling their way to worldwide music domination Dokken was always there too. In their 37 years of performing they have sold over 10 million records and have had several singles chart well, including "In My Dreams".

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: America- 'The Border'

A burning bridge, a lonely highway

Another dark night thinking alone

What could've happened, am I just dreaming

It doesn't matter but there's one thing that I know

If I could make it to the border

If I could make it to the coast

If I could make it to the border

I'd be in the arms of the girl I love the most

Currently Booming: Daily Boom Dance Playlist

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Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Bananarama - 'Cruel Summer'

The city is crowded 

My friends are away 

And I'm on my own

It's too hot to handle

So I got to get up and go 

It's a cruel, cruel summer 

Leaving me here on my own 

It's a cruel, 

It's a cruel cruel summer 

Now you're gone

You're not the only one

(Revisiting this one) Since Memorial Day weekend is like the unofficial start to summer it only seems right to take a look at one of the most popular summer songs of the 1980's. I'm talking about Bananarama's "Cruel Summer".  Not only is this a popular summer track but it's also probably one of the most easily identified songs to come out of the 80's. I say "Cruel Summer" and you instantly hear the music don't you? It instantly brings me back to the Jersey shore in the early 80's. I remember scorching sun, the smell of Coppertone and this song playing from someone's boom box on the beach.

That's the sign of a great song- when it transports you back in time. Where does "Cruel Summer" take you back to?

Currently Booming: TGIF Playlist

Currently Booming: Dunkin Donuts Coupon for Coffee Lovers!

Where are my coffee lovers at? Here's a special coupon just for Daily Boom readers!

Take 20% Off Your First Dunkin' Donuts Regular Refills Subscription with Code REFILL. Expires 8/31/2016. Click HERE to get yours!

Currently Booming: 90's Smooth Grooves Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Kix- 'Don't Close Your Eyes'

I recently saw a show by a band that does a bunch of 80's throwback songs and about 30 seconds into their set I said to my husband, "No one bangs their head anymore" because these guys in fact were. It reminded me of how the term "headbanger" was born from the fact that everyone that hit the stage used to do just that. Today's throwback is to a song by Kix, a group that surely knows a thing or two about banging their heads.

Kix first got together in the late 70's and after being a local staple on the Baltimore music scene they finally broke through nationally several years later. While they have had a slew of albums that have spawned several hard-rocking singles, "Don't Close Your Eyes" is what cemented them in the minds of many. It became a song about suicide prevention, one that resonated with many, unfortunately.

Hold on, hold on tight
I'll make everything all right
Wake up don't go to sleep
I'll pray the Lord your soul to keep

Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes
Don't sing your last lullaby

Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes
Don't sing your last lullaby

The lyrics really clicked and "Don't Close Your Eyes" became a great example of a hard rocking band putting their talents to use for a greater good in an effort to provide support and hope.

Currently Booming: SiriusXM's Hair Nation Festival is Coming!

Click here for details!

Currently Booming: 80's Power Ballad Playlist

Currently Booming: Party In Punta Cana with 80's In The Sand!

Nu Shooz, Animotion, Winger, Howard Jones and more have been added to this fun event! Click HERE for all of the details!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Neneh Cherry - 'Buffalo Stance'

No money man can win my love
It's sweetness that I'm thinking of.
We always hang in a Buffalo Stance
We do the dive every time we dance
I'll give you love baby not romance
I'll make a move nothing left to chance
So don't you get fresh with me

Neneh Cherry first hit on MTV at a time when other ladies like Queen Latifah and Monie Love were blowing up. Girl groups like JJ Fad and Salt N' Pepa had already proved that women were good for a lot more than just syrupy ballads and viewers really seemed to dig this new wave of ladies. Cherry was born in the states but raised in Sweden beside an incredibly musical family. That probably explains why her talent has spanned singing, rapping and even spoken word. She's an artist that has been far more motivated by creativity than the all mighty dollar since first appearing in 1988.

"Buffalo Stance" was the first single by Cherry to find itself in heavy rotation on MTV. It was written about the group of friends that she ran with back in the day and a former boyfriend, Che' is heavily referenced. In the end she dumped him because she thought that he was too materialistic. One interesting nugget is that the spoken word portion of this song is actually ripped from a love letter that Che' wrote to Cherry before their split!

Check out "Buffalo Stance" below. Do you remember it?

Currently Booming: 80's Hip Hop Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Katrina & The Waves - 'Walking On Sunshine'

I used to think maybe you loved me, now, baby, I'm sure
And I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now every time I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down
'Cause I just can't wait till you write me you're coming around

If there was an official song of summer to roll out of the 80's it might just be Katrina & the Waves "Walking on Sunshine". The single reached number nine on Billboard's Hot 100 and was easily one of the top songs during the summer of 1985. What's interesting is the fact that this was originally intended to be a ballad. Lead singer Katrina Leskanich decided to belt out the lyrics and well, the rest has been musical history.

Currently Booming: 80's Afterglow at Sea Caribbean Cruise

A small deposit will save your spot on what is sure to be a good time next February! Click here for more info

Daily Boom Poolside Playlist

90's Nostalgia Debelah Morgan- 'Dance With Me'

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Tori Amos - 'Crucify'

I've been looking for a savior in these dirty streets

Looking for a savior beneath these dirty sheets

I've been raising up my hands, drive another nail in

Got enough guilt to start my own religion

Why do we crucify ourselves?

Every day I crucify myself

And nothing I do is good enough for you

Crucify myself

Tori Amos has always been the kind of woman that leaves a lasting impression. Her song "Crucify" was the break out song from Tori's Little Earthquakes album back in 1992 and it also served as a bit of a calling card. In a sea of grunge bands and flannel, this redhead armed with a unique voice and piano really stood out. She became the alternative to what we already had established as, alternative music. Over the years Amos has always remained true to the style that brought her to our attention in the first place. 

I remember "Crucify" being played like crazy on college radio and wondering if everyone would ever catch on to how great of an artist Tori was. Then one Saturday morning after an episode of Dance Party USA a teen interview show featured a whole segment on her. I don't remember details of the interview but it made me like her even more. Check out the video that kicked off Tori's career below!

Currently Booming: Memorable 80's Glam Rock Lyrics

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: White Lion - 'Tell Me'

Tell me baby all through the night
That you'll never let me go
Tell me baby cause I want the world to know
Together we were one
We found the place where dreams are made
And hearts never broken
We said we'd never leave
You know we couldn't turn around
And face that we had left behind

I remember when White Lion first broke through way back in 1987. I was a junior in high school and Mike Tramp was a hit from the moment my friends and I laid eyes on him. Being almost too pretty in the late 80's equaled major hotness. While that always helps a little, White Lion's Pride album was a solid effort with several truly great tracks. "Tell Me" has always been one of my favorites. Check out the video below, do you remember it?

Currently Booming: Classic Rock Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Van Stephenson- 'Modern Day Delilah'

She's a modern day Delilah
Keeps her scissors laser sharp
Once she finds your weakness
She'll cut you to the quick
Stab you in the heart
She'll love you like a lion
Leave you like a lamb
She's a modern day Delilah
She'll cut you if she can

Do you guys remember Van Stephenson?  I actually had forgotten about him completely, in spite of loving a few of his songs. It was actually a post by The 80's Man earlier today that reminded me just how much I like some of his stuff. Stephenson wrote several songs for country greats such as Crystal Gayle and Kenny Rogers before finding his own success on Billboard's charts. 

"Modern Day Delilah" was his biggest hit and the video was thought to be a bit risky way back in 1984. Check it out below!

Currently Booming: Two For Tuesday Playlist

Currently Booming: Manic Monday Playlist