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!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Kenny Loggins - 'I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man )'

"Looking into your eyes

I know I'm right

If there's anything worth my love

It's worth a fight

We only get one chance

And nothing ties our hands

You're what I want, listen to me

Nothing I want's out of my reach

(I'm free)

Heaven helps the man who fights his fear

Love's the only thing that keeps me here"

Seeing Footloose in the movie theater for the very first time was a huge deal. It's one of the very first movies that I remember seeing with just friends (no adults) and back in 1984, we were all a little bit of obsessed with it. It still has one of the strongest soundtracks in music history, I think. Just about every song was worthy of being released as a single. My favorite is Kenny Loggin's "I'm Free".

Yeah I know, I'm supposed to think that the title track is IT, but I just don't. I think "I'm Free" is a better vocal and I've always loved the music. I had the soundtrack album because it was inherited from my dad almost immediately after it was released. For me, the soundtrack came before the movie did and "I'm Free" just; left me with such a great feeling. The kind of feeling that every Monday should contain, so here it is. Enjoy!

Currently Booming: The Jets on American Bandstand (1986)

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Maurice & Da Posse- 'This Is Acid'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Shannon- 'Give Me Tonight'

Walking sadly through the park
I hear crying in the darkness
And though I act like I cannot hear
The situation is very clear
A girl who's trying to tell her guy
The time has come that they say goodbye

I was always a disco kid. My first 45 single was Disco Duck, followed by Chic's "Le Freak" and Regina Ward's "Ring My Bell".  My dad would let me choose the last song that he played on his stereo every night and for years it was disco, until Pat Benatar came along, anyway.  Disco died a pretty fast death but in 1983 along came Shannon to remind us all that dance music was still cool. 

"Let the Music Play" has the coolest syth and drum machine beat and it drives the song all the way through. Decades later, this is considered one of the first freestyle songs ever made. What I know for sure is that when it comes on now, 32-years after first hitting the charts, everyone still gets up to dance. It's legendary. "Give Me Tonight", the follow up single might actually be a tiny bit better. It only reached number 46 on Billboard's Hot 100 but in the clubs it was just as popular as Shannon's breakout smash.

As for Shannon, well, she's still out there doing her thing. She is still performing those songs that made her a household name and a whole new generation of freestyle fans have embraced her. More often than not Shannon is seen performing in a Freestyle Explosion show that features a whole roster of popular 80's acts like Expose`, The Cover Girls, Nu Shooz and more. 

Check out "Give Me Tonight" one of the songs that helped to put Shannon on the map!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Atlantic Starr - 'Always'

"Girl you are to me, all that a woman should be
And I dedicate my life to you always
The love like yours is grand
It must have been sent from up above
And I know you'll stay this way, for always

And we both know, that our love will grow
And forever it will be you and me
Ooh your life is the sun
Chasing all the rain away."

Atlantic Starr had a female singer before they hired Barbara Weathers and singers have followed her, but none enjoyed similar success. Hers is the voice most closely associated with the group and it's her voice that you hear on songs like "Secret Lovers" and "If Your Heart Isn't In It". By the time the group's 1987 release rolled around great things were a foregone conclusion and the ballad "Always" totally delivered.

I was in tenth grade and it was the song for every couple that I knew, especially the ones that only made it three months. Let's face it, in high school a few months seemed like proof that it would last forever, didn't it?  I suspect "Always" still finds its way onto plenty of wedding playlists to this day. 

Boom Radio: Deep Dives with Patrick Hemming (Aired 2-18-22)

Listen to "DeepDives 02 11 22 AOR 1981-1993" on Spreaker.

Daily Boom Lost Hit: The Cover Girls - 'Don't Stop Now'

Daily Boom's Freestyle Friday: Lisette Melendez- 'Together Forever'

"I've seen us come together in my dreams
And felt the kiss that makes me love you
Enough to see us through
It took some time to feel the way I feel
That's why I know I'm here forever
And you will always be there"

If you've been reading DailyBOOM for any length of time then you already know that I consider Freestyle Friday a bit of an institution. I love that Latin freestyle has been kept alive and well since it first broke through in a major way back in the 80's. Then, groups like Expose, The Cover Girls, and Sweet Sensation helped to bring freestyle music to Billboard's Hot 100. They all got serious radio play so even if you didn't know who was singing, you certainly knew the songs and I'll bet that you still do.

The late 80's brought the rise and decline of hair bands and as we rolled into the 90's grunge and alternative music reigned. Freestyle music really took a back seat to the moodier stuff but a few artists did make enough of an impact in spite of that, to do well. Lisette Melendez was one of them. She spent a few years putting together her debut album, Together Forever, and by the time it was released in 1991 people were ready to dance again.

 A few songs off of the album were huge hits in the clubs and the title track cracked the top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100. I can't think of a better way to start your FRiday than to remind you of a song that will make you dance. TGIF indeed. Check out "Together Forever" below!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Kool & the Gang- 'Tonight'

Hey beautiful girl so lovely tonight

Show me the way show me the light

Music playing people swaying

The next thing I knew we started to groove

Dancing and dancing moving so free

A feeling of love had come over me

I held her close and knew it was right

What a perfect surprise I had finally seen the light

Tonight, ooooh

This is the night you'll see the light

Who doesn't love Kool & the Gang? They have been together since 1964 which means that they've influenced four or five generations with the 70 million albums that they've sold. In The Heart was their 15th studio album when it was released back in 1983. It spawned a few hit singles including "Tonight" which landed in Billboard's top 20 in 1984. It was written from the standpoint of a 16-year-old boy about to come of age and the video was in heavy rotation on MTV for quite awhile.

"Tonight" was released at a point in time when Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson had everyone dancing along so this catchy track, with its' dance groove fit right in. Check out the video below? Do you remember this one?

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Wang Chung- 'Dance Hall Days'

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!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Honeymoon Suite 'What Does It Take'

If I could grow wings
I would do anything
Just to keep you with me
Can't you see?

Honeymoon Suite's "What Does It Take" is one of those songs that left a lasting impression on me. Not because it got tons of airplay way back in 1986 or because it was on every time I turned my boom box on. In fact, it didn't even crack the top 50 on Billboard's Hot 100. But it was part of my favorite radio station's Top 10 at 10 countdown for a really long time. It was one of those songs that was goodnight dedication material and had staying power for months.

You guys remember the goodnight dedication shows, right? One of those things that I really miss about good old live radio. I can remember hitting redial repeatedly trying to get through to make a dedication and for a long time, this was THE song of choice. 

Honeymoon Suite found moderate success back in the 80's but in truth they probably should have hit a lot harder than they did because they were really great. Like many of the other great bands to come out of the 80's, Honeymoon Suite still does perform together.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: LL Cool J - 'Around The Way Girl'

"I want a girl with extensions in her hair
Bamboo earrings
At least two pair
A Fendi bag and a bad attitude
That's all I need to get me in a good mood
She can walk with a switch and talk with street slang
I love it when a woman ain't scared to do her thing
Standing at the bus stop sucking on a lollipop
Once she gets pumping its hard to make the hottie stop
She likes to dance to the rap jam
She sweet as brown sugar with the candied yams
Honey coated complexion
Using Camay
Let's hear it for the girl she's from around the way"


There are some songs that are just so catchy that even if they aren't typically your style of music, you can't help but love them. I think LL Cool J's "Around The Way Girl" really falls into that category. I can't remember ever hearing anyone complain when it comes on the radio and even if rap isn't your thing, I'll bet you know at least some of the lyrics. Don't you?

Of course you do. This is one of the first songs that featured some heavy duty sampling (Mary Jane Girls, The Honey Drippers) and it's an example of how sampling another song can add to the value of another artist's work. I've always had a soft spot for LL and this remains one of my favorite songs by him. Nothing wrong with looking for a streetwise chick, right?

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Cutting Crew- 'Big Noise'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Ratt - 'Lay It Down'

"I know you don't really know me
I know you don't really care to see me
I'm into total affection
Not being scared if you never please me
You know you really want to lay it down
Right now
And how"

When I was 16 I started to work at a fast food restaurant and crushed hard on a coworker. He was hilarious, creative and REALLY into Ratt. I was already familiar with Stephen Pearcy and the rest of the group (hello, Round & Round?!) but didn't realize just how much I loved them until Invasion Of Your Privacy came out. It to this day remains a favorite album. Not only do I like every song, but I want to hear it all in order. How often do you actually get to say that about an album?

"Lay It Down" was the first single released and it kind of threw down the proverbial gauntlet for the rest of the album. It was the second-highest ranking top 40 hit for the band and one of their best videos. Check it out below!

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Pat Benatar - 'Invincible'

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: Samantha Fox 'Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)'

I've been told time and time again

That you can't treat love like a game

But I play rough with hearts that never mend

'cause some guys like you do the same

Love was just a four-letter word

Never heard, how absurd, how could it be

But now I can't believe this is real

How I feel, now you steal my heart away from me

"Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)" was one of the best guilty pleasure songs of the late-80's. Samantha Fox  first burst onto the music scene with "Touch Me" back in 1986, raising many eyebrows. Lyrically she was the first chick to sing entire songs about sex in the bluntest way possible and there was something really ballsy about her doing that.

"Naughty Girls" quickly became an anthem of sorts in the summer of 1988 with the message being that everyone needs love, even when they think that they don't. Fox's videos were really slick and this one cut between a sexy bedroom scene and then her and her crew dancing in front of a graffiti wall. The video walked the line without ever going to far and the result kept Fox's music in heave rotation both on the radio and MTV.

In between listening to a bunch of hair bands, I was definitely a big Samantha Fox fan. Even now, when one of her videos comes on I inevitably stop what I'm doing to watch in spite of already having seen it a million times. 

Currently Booming: The Bangles on 'American Bandstand' (1986)

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: XYZ - 'What Keeps Me Loving You'

"Every time I walk away it feels so wrong 

Tell me why I never stay where I belong 

Ohhh - Take me home 

Every time I walk away it feels so wrong 

Tell me why I never stay where I belong 

Ohhh- Take me home 

I dream of the dawn in the blue of your eyes 

Ohhh - Take me home 

What keeps me loving you 

It's easy to know when we touch 

What keeps me loving you 

It's easy to know when it's love." 

XYZ was (and is) one of those 80's hair bands that broke through at the same time as powerhouse acts like GNR and Def Leppard. They were heavy-duty enough to become the official house band for The Whiskey A Go-Go but never ranked quite well enough on the charts. Not that it matters anyway because lead singer Terry Ilous' band was produced by Don Dokken and their debut album was truly great.

It also holds up. I remember listening to "What Keeps Me Loving You" on repeat back in 1989 and I found myself doing it again just now. For me, it's the kind of power ballad the rivals the best. It's right up there with Whitesnake's "Is This Love" or Def Leppard's "Love Bites", in my opinion. Ilous just takes me there. You know, to that place where you just know you're in the wrong relationship with the wrong person? Of course, you know what I mean.

XYZ as a band, still to this day, rivals some of the best that the late '80s brought us. If you're really lucky you might catch them at a hard rock festival or on a rock cruise! In the meantime check them out below!

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Rhythm Syndicate- 'P.A.S.S.I.O.N.'