80s Throwback: Dino - 'Summergirls'

If you spent any time in a dance club during the late '80s, chances are you heard Dino's "Summergirls" blasting through the speakers. While songs like "I Like It" and "24/7" helped establish him as one of freestyle's biggest stars, there's something about "Summergirls" that perfectly captures the carefree feeling of summer nights, neon lights, and packed dance floors.

Released in 1989 from his album Swingin', "Summergirls" wasn't one of Dino's biggest chart hits, but for freestyle fans, it became a favorite. It had everything that made the genre so addictive, an irresistible dance beat, shimmering keyboards, smooth vocals, and a chorus that stuck with you long after the song ended. It was the kind of track that made you want to roll the windows down, head to the beach, or spend the night dancing with your friends.

Dino was one of the few freestyle artists who successfully crossed into the pop mainstream. While acts like Exposé, Sweet Sensation, and Stevie B. dominated radio, Dino carved out his own lane with polished production and a voice that was just as comfortable delivering romantic ballads as it was upbeat club anthems.

Listening to "Summergirls" today instantly transports me back to an era when summers felt endless. It reminds me of cruising around with the radio turned up, weekend trips to the mall, and those magical nights when all you needed was great music and good company. That's one of the things I love most about freestyle- it has a way of preserving memories better than almost any other genre.

If you've never given "Summergirls" a listen, now is the perfect time. And if you already know it, turn it up and let it remind you why freestyle music still holds such a special place in so many hearts.

Freestyle Friday Throwback: Shana - 'You Can't Get Away'

 

Happy Freestyle Friday! If you were anywhere near a dance floor in the late '80s, chances are Shana's "You Can't Get Away" found its way into your weekend soundtrack.

There's something about this song that instantly transports me back to the golden age of freestyle music. The beat kicks in, the synths start pulsing, and suddenly it's impossible not to remember the clubs, roller rinks, school dances, and cruising around with friends while the radio blasted our favorite songs.

Shana may not have become a household name like Exposé, Lisa Lisa, or Stevie B, but "You Can't Get Away" remains one of those hidden gems that freestyle fans never forgot. Released in 1988, the song perfectly captured everything that made the genre so addictive. It combined emotional lyrics about trying to escape a love that just won't let go with an irresistible dance beat. That's always been one of freestyle's greatest strengths—it could make you want to dance while simultaneously tugging at your heart.

I always loved how freestyle music embraced big emotions without ever taking itself too seriously. These songs were filled with longing, heartbreak, hope, and determination, all wrapped inside catchy hooks that stayed with you for days. "You Can't Get Away" is a perfect example of that formula working beautifully.

Even today, when I hear the opening notes, I'm immediately reminded of just how vibrant the freestyle scene was. While it may not have received the same mainstream recognition as pop or rock, it created an incredibly loyal fanbase that's still going strong decades later. Just look at the packed Freestyle Explosion concerts happening around the country. Fans continue to show up because these songs aren't just music, they're memories.

That's one of my favorite things about revisiting tracks like this every Freestyle Friday. They remind us of a time when music brought people together on crowded dance floors, when every weekend seemed to have its own soundtrack, and when all you needed was a great beat and a catchy chorus to make the night unforgettable.

So today I'm turning up Shana's "You Can't Get Away" and letting it take me right back to the late '80s. If you're a longtime freestyle fan, I bet you know every word. And if you've never heard it before, give it a listen, you just might discover your next favorite old-school classic.

What's your favorite underrated freestyle song? I'd love to hear which hidden gems still make your playlist.

80s Throwback: Stacey Q - 'Two Of Hearts'

 

Can you believe that Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" is turning 40? Four decades later, that infectious dance-pop anthem still has the power to transport me right back to the mid-'80s.

Released in 1986, "Two of Hearts" became one of those songs that seemed to be everywhere. Whether you heard it blasting from a mall record store, a roller skating rink, the radio, or MTV, it was impossible to escape that catchy chorus. And honestly, why would you want to? The song perfectly captured the colorful, energetic spirit of the decade. Even today, the second those synths kick in, I'm ready to dance.

Stacey Q had such a unique presence. She wasn't trying to be anyone else. With her platinum blonde hair, quirky style, and undeniable charisma, she stood out in a sea of pop stars. While "Two of Hearts" remains her signature hit, she gave us one of the most memorable dance tracks of the era and secured her place in '80s pop culture history.

Of course, my appreciation for Stacey Q goes beyond her music. As a kid, I absolutely loved the short-lived sitcom Double Trouble, which starred twins Liz and Jean Sagal. Stacey Q joined the cast during the show's second season, and I thought she fit right in with the show's fun, offbeat vibe. The series didn't last long, but it remains one of those forgotten '80s gems that still brings back great memories whenever I think about it.

Forty years later, "Two of Hearts" remains a staple at retro dance nights, freestyle events, and '80s-themed playlists. That's the mark of a truly timeless pop song. It may have been born in the neon decade, but its appeal has never faded.

Happy 40th anniversary to "Two of Hearts," a song that continues to make hearts beat just a little faster every time it plays.

Freestyle Friday Throwback: Exposé - 'Exposed To Love'

 

Happy Freestyle Friday!

If you grew up in the '80s like I did, chances are Exposé was a huge part of your soundtrack. This week, I'm throwing it back to one of my favorite tracks from the group's debut album, Exposure, "Exposed to Love."

Before the song climbed the charts in 1987, Exposé had already started making waves with hits like "Point of No Return" and "Come Go with Me." But there was something about "Exposed to Love" that perfectly captured everything that made the group special. The infectious beat, soaring harmonies, and that unmistakable Miami freestyle sound made it impossible not to turn the volume up.

What I always loved about Exposé was that they weren't just another girl group. Jeanette Jurado, Ann Curless, and Gioia Bruno brought powerful vocals and genuine personality to every song they recorded. Their music was danceable, emotional, and endlessly fun. Whether you were hearing them at a club, on the radio, or blasting from a friend's cassette deck, Exposé always delivered.

Their debut album, Exposure, was a massive success and became one of the defining freestyle albums of the decade. It spawned multiple Top 10 hits and helped bring freestyle music into the mainstream at a time when the genre was exploding in popularity. Even today, songs from that album instantly transport me back to cruising around town, hanging out with friends, and living for the weekend.

One of the best things about Exposé is that they never truly disappeared. While many acts from the freestyle era faded away, Exposé continues to perform and connect with fans who have loved their music for decades. If you've never seen them live, you're in luck. They still appear at Freestyle Explosion shows and other retro concert events across the country, bringing all those classic hits back to life for audiences who know every word.

And honestly? That's the magic of great music. Nearly 40 years later, songs like "Exposed to Love" still make people smile, dance, and remember exactly where they were when they first heard them.

So for this Freestyle Friday, crank up "Exposed to Love," sing along, and celebrate one of the greatest girl groups ever to come out of the freestyle era.

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Exposé Brings 35 Years of Girl Power to the Stage as They Dip Back Into the '80s With a Brand New Generation of Fans

Since Covid-19 has changed the industry we are flashing back to some of the best of the best content here at DailyBOOM.

ICYMI

So many great girl groups have come and gone over the years, but long before Fifth Harmony, Destiny's Child and even En Vogue took their turn as Billboard's hottest acts, there was Exposé. While Gioia Bruno, Ann Curless, and Jeanette Jurado may have been first put together by a producer way back in 1985, they cemented their place in the record books pretty quickly. Their debut album Exposure first dropped in 1987, and they became the very first group in history to have four top ten singles from a debut effort, beating out legendary acts like The Supremes and even The Beatles. Exposé also became the first girl group in history to have seven back-to-back top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100. 

If you're sitting trying to figure out exactly who Exposé is, because they were a little before your time, trust us when we tell you, everyone has heard them. "Point of No Return" is one of the biggest dance anthems to roll out of the '80s and "Seasons Change" is arguably one of the best ballads of that decade. Bruno, Curless, and Jurado toured consistently from 1985-1995 and then took a breather to focus on kids and family but those Exposé ties were never broken.  

If anything they've grown stronger through the years, and by 2007, the ladies decided to fight their production company for the trademark name Exposé, insisting that they were the faces and voices of the brand. It took years, but by 2011, a judgment in their favor was permanently affirmed. Today, 30 years after first meeting, Bruno, Curless and Jurado are still recording and touring together. They recently released a remastered deluxe edition of Exposure and they are adding new tour dates regularly. 

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