90's Nostalgia: Janet Jackson- 'If'

The early ’90s were pretty damn emo.

If you weren’t walking around in some state of chronic melancholy, you almost didn’t fit in. Not that any of us really felt like we fit in anyway.

Douglas Coupland’s Gen X novels seemed to remind us that we had been born into confusion, uncertainty and a general sense of What the hell are we doing here? Feeling like a misfit was practically part of the uniform. And, for a while, I was absolutely leaning into it.

I had traded in my hair bands for Bush, Pearl Jam, the Afghan Whigs and pretty much anyone else who sounded like they were closer to Seattle or Portland than the East Coast. Flannel? Absolutely. Questioning the meaning of everything? Obviously.

Then Janet Jackson came along and completely changed the mood.

Her 1993 self-titled album, janet., stayed in my CD player for what seemed like months. I was obsessed with everything about it. The music. The videos. The attitude. The choreography. And, yes, Janet's abs. Let’s not pretend we weren't all staring at those too.

This wasn't the same Janet Jackson who had given us Control and Rhythm Nation. She had grown up, thrown open the doors and completely reinvented herself. The music was sexier, funkier and more confident, while still having that unmistakable Janet sound. And somehow, it was exactly what I needed.

Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was the music. Maybe it was the fact that Janet seemed to have figured out something the rest of us were still struggling with: you didn't have to fit in. You could create your own damn world.

The entire era was so ridiculously well-packaged that it was impossible not to get sucked into it. Even the fashion worked. Yes, I am talking about the flannel shirts. Janet somehow made them look infinitely cooler than the ones the rest of us were wearing.

MTV was still a thing in those days, and Janet's videos were events. The behind-the-scenes footage featuring her dancers made me desperately wish I was one of her "kids." Seriously. Those dancers were awesome. And then came If. That video remains one of my absolute favorites. The song itself was fantastic, but the choreography? Holy hell.

Three-plus decades later, I can still remember pieces of it.

If was released as the second single from janet. and became another massive Janet moment. The video was visually stunning, incredibly sensual, and packed with choreography that seemed almost impossibly precise. It was one of those videos that made you stop whatever you were doing and watch.

Looking back, it's kind of funny to think about how much music could affect your mood back then. There were no playlists customized by an algorithm to tell you what you should be listening to. You bought a CD, put it in the player and lived with it. And I lived with janet for months.

It was the perfect antidote to my early ’90s existential crisis. While everyone else was busy being miserable in flannel, Janet was reminding us that there was nothing wrong with being confident, sexy, ambitious and completely in control of your own identity. Maybe that's why the album still hits differently for me. It wasn't just a great record it was a mood changer.

90's Nostalgia: Pearl Jam - 'Jeremy'

"At home

Drawing pictures
Of mountain tops
With him on top
Lemon yellow sun
Arms raised in a V
And the dead lay in pools of maroon below"

I don't think anyone really expected "Jeremy" to break through quite the way that it did. Released as the third single from Pearl Jam's landmark 1991 debut album Ten, the song wasn't initially treated like an obvious blockbuster. It never received a standard commercial single release in the United States, which meant it wasn't eligible to climb the Billboard Hot 100 in the traditional way at the time. Yet somehow, it became one of the defining songs of the entire grunge era.

The reason? MTV.

Back when music television still had the power to launch songs into another stratosphere, the video for "Jeremy" arrived like a punch to the gut. Even if you only saw it once, you remembered it. The striking imagery, rapid-fire editing, and emotionally charged performance by Eddie Vedder made it impossible to ignore. It wasn't just another rock video, it felt like a short film that demanded your attention.

Vedder wrote the lyrics after reading a newspaper story about a Texas high school student who died by suicide in front of his classmates. He blended that real-life tragedy with another difficult childhood memory, creating a song that explored isolation, bullying, neglect, and the devastating consequences that can follow when someone feels invisible. Those themes were unsettling then, and sadly, they remain just as relevant today.

What made "Jeremy" so powerful wasn't simply the subject matter. It was the way Pearl Jam refused to sugarcoat it. The band paired haunting lyrics with one of the most unforgettable music videos of the '90s. Rather than relying on shock value alone, the video created an atmosphere that stayed with you long after it ended. It sparked conversations at school, around the dinner table, and among music fans who suddenly realized that rock songs could tackle subjects this heavy.

By the time the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards rolled around, "Jeremy" had become a cultural phenomenon. The video earned four Moon Person awards, including Video of the Year, cementing Pearl Jam as one of the biggest bands in the world and proving just how influential MTV could be during that era.

Looking back, "Jeremy" wasn't just another hit from Ten. It became a defining moment for an entire generation of music fans. It's one of those rare songs where the music and the visuals became inseparable. Mention "Jeremy," and chances are people immediately picture the video.

More than 30 years later, it remains one of the most powerful,  haunting songs of the decade. Not because it was everywhere on the radio, but because it made people stop, watch, and think. That's a rare accomplishment, and it's a big reason why "Jeremy" still stands as one of Pearl Jam's greatest achievements.

80s Throwback: RUN-DMC - 'It's Tricky'

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

I was cruising through the DailyBOOM archives yesterday and realized something that honestly surprised me, there hasn't been nearly enough old-school rap featured here. That's a mistake I plan on correcting immediately, and there really isn't a better place to start than RUN-DMC.

While just about everyone else seemed completely obsessed with the group's legendary collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way," I was over in my own lane blasting "It's Tricky." It was the third track from their groundbreaking Raising Hell album, and for me, it was every bit as memorable as their biggest crossover hit.

Released in late 1986, "It's Tricky" was everywhere. It received constant airplay on local radio, and MTV had the video in heavy rotation. Back then, MTV still had the power to turn a great song into a cultural event, and RUN-DMC knew exactly how to make an impression. The video was packed with personality, humor, and one of those unexpected celebrity cameos that made you do a double take - magic duo Penn & Teller showed up to add even more fun to the chaos.

What I always loved about "It's Tricky" was that it perfectly captured the energy of RUN-DMC. The beat was infectious, the lyrics were playful, and the chemistry between Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay was undeniable. It wasn't trying to be overly serious—it was simply cool, confident, and impossible not to sing along with. Even now, it's hard to hear that opening without wanting to shout, "It's Tricky to rock a rhyme..."

Looking back, Raising Hell was one of those albums that helped redefine what hip-hop could be. It introduced countless listeners to rap music while proving that the genre belonged right alongside rock, pop, and everything else dominating the charts in the mid-'80s. RUN-DMC weren't just making hit records, they were changing the landscape of popular music.

Nearly four decades later, "It's Tricky" still has all the energy it did back in 1986. It instantly transports me to afternoons spent watching MTV, waiting for my favorite videos to come on, and reminds me why this era of music continues to hold such a special place in my heart.

Boom Radio: MTV's First 24 Hours Playlist

90's Nostalgia: SWV - 'I'm So Into You'

"Boy, there you go 
You're telling me that you love me 
But boy you know 
That you belong to another girl who loves you 
You are so fine, (so fine, so fine) 
You blow my mind 
(Things you do) with the things you do to me 
(She sees) She's not blind, she's not blind 
Things you do for me, but I know 
[Chorus]
I'm so into you 
I don't know what I'm gonna do 
Boy, you got me so confused 
I don't know what I'm gonna do.

It's been a while since I've featured some classic '90s R&B, so I figured it was time to give SWV the spotlight.

Originally formed in the late 1980s as a gospel group, Sisters With Voices eventually shortened their name to SWV and embraced the exploding R&B scene of the early '90s. It turned out to be the perfect move. By 1992, smooth harmonies, slow jams, and heartfelt love songs were dominating both radio and MTV, and SWV quickly became one of the defining groups of the era.

It seemed like you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing "Weak," "Right Here," or "I'm So Into You." Flip over to MTV, and there they were again. Every couple of hours it felt like another SWV video was making its way into rotation. Along with groups like Jade, Xscape, En Vogue, and TLC, they helped define what R&B sounded like during one of the genre's strongest periods.

I'll admit something, though. Back then, I didn't always appreciate just how good we had it. I'd be watching MTV and think, "Ugh... there's SWV again." Funny how time changes your perspective.

Now? I'd love nothing more than to turn on MTV and have one of their videos randomly pop up. Those songs instantly transport me back to a simpler time when my biggest concern was getting through school, heading to work, or figuring out what music video was coming on next. Life moved a little slower, and somehow these songs became part of the soundtrack to all of it.

I think that's one of the reasons '90s R&B has aged so gracefully. The production still sounds smooth, the harmonies remain incredible, and the songs were built around melodies instead of trends. They're timeless in a way that so much modern music struggles to be.

I'm not even sure I can pick a favorite SWV song. "Weak" is a classic. "Right Here" is impossible not to sing along with. But today I'm going with "I'm So Into You." There's just something about its laid-back groove and effortless vocals that still sounds as fresh today as it did over 30 years ago.

If it's been a while since you've heard it, do yourself a favor. Press play, close your eyes, and let it take you back to the golden age of slow jams. I have a feeling you'll appreciate it even more now than you did back then.

80s Throwback: Metallica - 'One'

"Darkness
Imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell
Landmine
Has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul
Left me with life in hell "

By 1988, hard rock and heavy metal were absolutely everywhere. Hair bands ruled MTV, rock radio, and the walls of every teenage bedroom plastered with posters. If you weren't an actual fan of the genre, chances are you probably couldn't tell Whitesnake from Europe or Skid Row. Every band seemed to consist of impossibly good-looking guys with teased hair, leather pants, and enough Aqua Net to single-handedly destroy the ozone layer. They all had power ballads, flashy guitar solos, and videos that were in constant rotation.

Then there was Metallica. They didn't fit the mold at all.

While the glam bands were busy singing about love, parties, and fast cars, Metallica had spent years building a loyal following in the underground thrash metal scene. They were heavier, darker, and far less interested in looking like rock stars than they were in making uncompromising music. To be honest, they weren't really on my radar.

That changed one cold morning while I was standing outside waiting for the school bus.

I remember hearing "One" for the first time, and it completely changed my opinion of Metallica. This wasn't just another loud metal song. It was haunting, emotional, and unlike anything else that was getting airplay at the time. Even before I understood the full story behind the lyrics, I knew I was hearing something different.

Released as the third and final single from ...And Justice for All, "One" became Metallica's breakthrough into the mainstream. More importantly, it introduced a whole new audience to a band that had already spent years earning respect from metal fans around the world.

The song itself is devastating.

Inspired by Dalton Trumbo's anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun, "One" tells the story of a soldier who has lost his arms, legs, sight, hearing, and ability to speak after being critically wounded in combat. Trapped inside his own body, he's fully aware of what's happened to him but has no way to communicate with the outside world. It's one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever written, not because it preaches, but because it forces you to imagine the unimaginable.

The music video only intensified that message.

MTV put "One" into heavy rotation almost immediately, and it was impossible to look away. Alternating between Metallica performing in stark black-and-white and unforgettable scenes from the 1971 film Johnny Got His Gun, the video felt more like a short film than a typical rock video. There were no glamorous sets or pyrotechnics—just raw emotion, heartbreaking imagery, and a story that stayed with you long after the song ended.

For a band that had resisted making videos for years, Metallica couldn't have chosen a more impactful debut.

The song also earned Metallica their very first Grammy Award, taking home Best Metal Performance in 1989. It was a landmark moment not just for the band but for heavy music as a whole. Metal had finally received recognition on one of music's biggest stages, and "One" was the perfect song to do it.

Musically, it's a masterpiece.

It begins almost like a ballad, with clean guitars and a slow, haunting build before gradually exploding into one of the most intense finales in rock history. James Hetfield's vocals perfectly capture fear, anger, and despair, while Kirk Hammett delivers one of the greatest guitar solos of the era. By the time Lars Ulrich's machine-gun-like double bass kicks in during the final section, the song has transformed into something unforgettable.

Even after all these years, "One" still gives me chills every time I hear it.

I've been fortunate enough to experience it live, and it's one of those songs that somehow becomes even more powerful in concert. The opening notes are enough to send a wave of anticipation through the crowd, and by the explosive finale, thousands of fans are singing every word together. It's one of those rare live performances that you don't just watch, you feel.

Looking back, it's funny that a few minutes spent waiting for a school bus could completely change the way I looked at a band. "One" opened the door for me to appreciate Metallica's songwriting, musicianship, and willingness to tackle subjects far deeper than what most of their contemporaries were doing.

Nearly four decades later, it remains one of the greatest metal songs ever recorded and, in my opinion, one of the most powerful anti-war songs in rock history.

90's Nostalgia: Jade - 'Don't Walk Away'

"I've got all this love, waiting just for you
I just gotta know that your love is true
Can't keep running boy in and out my life
Wanna be your girl, not 'cause the mood is right"

When people look back at the '90s, the conversation usually centers around grunge, alternative rock, and the Seattle explosion. And while I definitely appreciated some of that music, a huge part of my soundtrack during the decade came from somewhere completely different. For me, the '90s belonged just as much to R&B, New Jack Swing, freestyle, and those unforgettable slow jams that filled radio stations and dance clubs alike.

While alternative music was dominating MTV headlines, there was another world thriving alongside it. Artists like SWV, En Vogue, Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and Jade were creating some of the smoothest, catchiest music of the decade. It was impossible to escape it if you listened to urban radio or spent your weekends at the clubs.

One of my absolute favorites from that era was Jade.

The trio- Tonya Kelly, Di Reed, and Joi Marshall- arrived on the scene in 1991, but it was 1992 that changed everything. Their breakout success helped launch their debut album, Jade to the Max, introducing audiences to a group that blended gorgeous harmonies with an undeniable pop appeal. They could deliver heartfelt ballads just as easily as upbeat club tracks, making them one of the more versatile female groups of the era.

The album's signature hit, "Don't Walk Away," quickly became their calling card.

Released as one of the album's lead singles, "Don't Walk Away" exploded throughout 1992 before becoming one of the hottest dance records of 1993. It climbed into the Billboard Top 10, crossed over onto multiple charts, and became a staple in dance clubs across the country. Even today, the opening beat instantly transports me back to that time.

What made the song so memorable was its perfect balance of polished production and emotion. The lyrics tell the story of someone desperately trying to save a relationship before it's too late, but instead of sounding melancholy, the song wraps that vulnerability inside an irresistible groove. It's emotional enough to sing along with while still making you want to get up and dance.

That combination was something early-'90s R&B seemed to do better than almost any other genre.

The production still holds up remarkably well. The crisp percussion, layered keyboards, and infectious hook capture everything that made New Jack Swing and contemporary R&B so exciting during that period. It sounds sophisticated without ever feeling overproduced, and Jade's harmonies elevate every chorus.

Following "Don't Walk Away," the group continued to find success with singles like "Looking for Mr. Do Right," "One Woman," and "Every Day of the Week." While they never quite reached the same commercial heights as some of their contemporaries, they carved out a loyal fanbase and left behind a catalog that's still worth revisiting today.

Like many groups from the era, Jade eventually went their separate ways by the late '90s as musical trends shifted. Thankfully, they've reunited on occasion over the years for reunion shows and special performances, giving longtime fans another chance to hear those incredible harmonies live.

For me, though, nothing tops "Don't Walk Away."

Every time I hear it, I'm reminded why I loved '90s R&B so much. It represents an era when dance music had soul, vocal groups ruled the charts, and radio playlists effortlessly mixed emotion with infectious grooves. It's one of those songs that instantly takes me back, and nearly three decades later, it still sounds just as fresh.

If you've forgotten about Jade or if you've somehow never heard them before, then do yourself a favor and revisit "Don't Walk Away." It's one of those songs that deserves far more recognition whenever we talk about the best R&B hits of the early '90s.

80's Throwback: Madonna - 'Papa Don't Preach'

"Papa I know you're going to be upset

'Cause I was always your little girl

But you should know by now

I'm not a baby

You always taught me right from wrong

I need your help, daddy please be strong

I may be young at heart

But I know what I'm saying"

By 1986, Madonna wasn't just ruling the charts, she was defining an entire era. In just a few short years, she had reinvented herself once again, trading the lace gloves and "Like a Virgin" look for a stronger, more mature image. Gone was the wild-haired club kid. In her place stood a toned, confident woman with a cropped hairstyle that perfectly matched the powerful message behind "Papa Don't Preach."

When the song was released, it immediately sparked controversy. The music video follows a young woman as she tells her father that she's pregnant and intends to keep the baby. Today, it might not seem quite as shocking, but forty years ago it ignited debates everywhere.

Some groups accused Madonna of glamorizing teenage pregnancy, while others claimed the song was taking an anti-abortion stance. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Ironically, Madonna's own position almost became secondary to the conversation itself. What she really accomplished was getting people to talk openly about a subject that had often been considered off-limits in mainstream pop music.

Of course, none of the controversy hurt the song's success. If anything, it fueled it. "Papa Don't Preach" became Madonna's fourth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, further cementing her status as the biggest female pop star of the decade.

Looking back, it's easy to see why the song has endured. Beyond the headlines and the debates, it's simply a well-crafted pop record with an unforgettable melody and one of Madonna's strongest vocal performances of the '80s.

Whether you remember the controversy firsthand or are discovering it for the first time, "Papa Don't Preach" remains one of the defining pop moments of 1986.

80's Throwback: Tina Turner- 'Private Dancer'

"Well the men come in these places

and the men are all the same

You don't look at their faces

and you don't ask their names

You don't think of them as human

You don't think of them at all

You keep your mind on the money

keeping your eyes on the wall

I'm your private dancer

a dancer for money

do what you want me to do

I'm your private dancer

a dancer for money

and any old music will do."

In 1984, I was completely hooked on Tina Turner.

Like a lot of people my age, Private Dancer was my introduction to Tina. At the time, I knew nothing about her incredible journey with Ike Turner or the years she spent fighting to rebuild her career as a solo artist. All I knew was that the second the video for "What's Love Got to Do with It" came on MTV, I couldn't look away.

Back then, my dad had a pretty great system. He'd buy the latest 45s, record them onto one of his mixtapes, and then I'd inherit the singles. I still remember bringing those records home and playing them over and over again. Like just about every radio DJ at the time, my dad couldn't stop talking about Tina's iconic fishnet look on the Private Dancer cover. Me? I just thought she was the coolest woman I'd ever seen.

By the time the album's title track, "Private Dancer," was released as a single, I was already a full-fledged fan. Ironically, I wasn't crazy about the song the first time I heard it. It felt slower than the other hits from the album, and I didn't immediately connect with it. But sometimes the songs that take the longest to grow on us become the ones we treasure most.

Now, all these years later, "Private Dancer" is one of my favorite Tina Turner recordings. I also love the different videos that have been released for it, but this live performance from Wembley Arena has always been my favorite. It captures Tina at the height of her powers, commanding an arena packed with fans who hung on every word.

Watching it today is a reminder of why she became such a legend. The performance is understated, elegant, and completely captivating. It's proof that great songs—and great artists—never really age. They just find new generations of fans to fall in love with them.

80's Throwback: Pet Shop Boys - 'Love Comes Quickly'

You can live your life lonely
heavy as stone
Live your life learning
and working alone
Say this is all you want
but I don't believe that it's true
'cause when you least expect it
waiting round the corner for you
Love comes quickly
whatever you do
you can't stop falling
Love comes quickly
whatever you do
you can't stop falling

When the Pet Shop Boys arrived in America in 1986, they did so in a big way. "West End Girls" became an undeniable smash, climbing all the way to No. 1 and helping usher synth-pop into the mainstream at a time when the genre was absolutely everywhere. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe suddenly found themselves among the biggest names in pop music.

Their follow-up single, "Love Comes Quickly," didn't enjoy the same chart success in the United States, but for many fans, it's one of the duo's finest moments. In fact, it's long been considered one of the Pet Shop Boys' own favorite songs, and it's always been one of mine too.

There's something wonderfully understated about "Love Comes Quickly." Instead of delivering an over-the-top love song, it captures that quiet realization that you've already fallen for someone before you even had a chance to stop it. Love doesn't ask permission. It doesn't wait until the timing is perfect. One day you're going about your life, and the next, those feelings have completely taken over.

The song's shimmering synths, elegant melody, and Neil Tennant's cool, understated vocals make the message even more powerful. It's romantic without being overly sentimental, proving that sometimes the strongest emotions are expressed with the fewest words.

Looking back, "Love Comes Quickly" may have been overshadowed by the massive success of "West End Girls," but it has aged beautifully. It's one of those songs that reveals something new every time you hear it, reminding us why the Pet Shop Boys became one of the most respected and enduring acts of the synth-pop era.

Not every great song becomes a blockbuster hit. Sometimes the ones that leave the deepest impression are the quieter follow-ups that loyal fans continue to treasure decades later. "Love Comes Quickly" is one of those songs for me, and forty years later, it still sounds just as elegant and heartfelt as it did in 1986.

Currently Booming: 1983 Wildwood Tram Car Ride (Watch)

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: The System- 'Don't Disturb This Groove'

Pay attention, are you listening? You're my favorite girl
Excuse me for the moment, I'm in another world
On a mountain, by a fountain, flowers blooming everywhere
With Venus and cupid, the picture's very clear

It's strange how I can hear a song and easily remember the time of year that it first became popular. The summer of 1987 was loaded with great music and there was one little song that seemed to follow me everywhere that I went. The System's "Don't Disturb This Groove" eventually became know as the official song of that summer but that was after it followed me to the Jersey Shore, to Six Flags and it played in the background no matter what store I shopped in at the time. I affiliate "Don't Disturb This Groove" with car windows rolled down and sunshine. And maybe a bit of Sun In and my big boom box as well. 

I love when songs are kind of timeless in that you really can't tell by listening what era that are from. This is one of those so check it out below!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Lisa Fisher- 'How Can I Ease the Pain'

All alone, on my knees I pray

For the strength to stay away

In and out, out and in you go

I feel your fire

Then I lose my self control

How can I ease the pain

When I know your coming back again

And how can I ease the pain in my heart

I have to admit, I had completely forgotten about Lisa Fisher's "How Can I Ease The Pain" until MTV Classic played it's stunning video the other day. Whatever I was doing at the time, I stopped to watch every second of it. This is easily one of the very best ballads of the '90s. When it was released back in 1991 Fisher kind of skyrocketed to success. She was the IT girl and was expected to follow "How Can I Ease The Pain" with years of equally gut-wrenching ballads. Her Grammy win for the track only reinforced that notion.

So where has Fisher been for the last 25 years? The answer is everywhere. She has toured, dueted, and provided backing vocals for Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan... you get the idea. She also does tour on her own and sounds even better live. Few songs from the '90s connect with heartbreak quite like "How Can I Ease The Pain".

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 creeping up on us, and it 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?

Daily Boom Lost Hits: A'Me Lorain- 'Whole Wide World'

"I always love a little mystery
But now the tensions killing me
No place left for words to hide
I never thought it could be quite so tough
Lips once sealed are splitting up
There ain't no secrets to outshine, father time."

I can remember walking into a Listening Booth store in the middle of my local mall and flipping through their one rack of 12" dance mixes of freestyle/house music and finding a copy of A'Me Lorain's "Whole Wide World". I bought that and a copy of Lisette Melendez's "Together Forever" and felt like I hit the music lottery. Back in 1990, in the middle of suburban Pennsylvania, club music was a novelty rather than a standard. I was 90 minutes from Philly, two hours from NYC and basically just far enough out for stores not to carry a whole lot of dance stuff. 

I was still glued to Dance Party USA and my friends from the series so I knew what was popping in the clubs. I found a way to get my hands on Judy Torres and Coro even if I had to order it. But A'Me Lorain was an unexpected find and I played this record into the ground. She is still around, in case you were wondering. She dropped a dance track last spring that didn't do much chart-wise, in spite of getting a bit of club play. You can check it out here.

In the meantime, revisit "Whole Wide World"!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Kiss - 'Tears Are Falling'

"Something is wrong as I hold you near
Somebody else holds your heart, yeah
You look at me with your eyes in tears
And then it's raining, feels like it's raining
Oh no, tears are falling
Oh no, tears are falling, whoo oh
Oh no, tears are falling, whoo oh
I saw you cry
And now it's raining (yeah)
Looks like it's raining (someone stole your heart)
And now it's raining, feels like it's raining."

1984 was a monstorous year for KISS. Their album Animalize spawned the hit "Heaven's On Fire" and for the first time the hard rock icons were performing and shooting videos without their infamous makeup. It was almost strange to see them all glammed up. Big hair, lipstick and colored spandex replaced their old painted face look and the MTV crowd kind of ate it up. 

By the fall of 1985 the boys were back with their 13th studio album, Asylum, which didn't do as well as its' predecessor. However, it brought with it one of my all-time favorite KISS tracks, "Tears Are Falling".  The video was filmed earlier in the year in London and for whatever reason I was kind of obsessed with it. My uber religious mother believed that anything connected to KISS was leading fans down a path of imminent destruction, so I really had to keep my love for the band on the low. 

Instead of watching MTV after school and out in the open like my friends I'd get up super early to watch it before mom crawled out of bed. There was a point in time when the  "Tears Are Falling" video played at 6:40am for about a week straight and I was up and out of bed to see it. 

Thirty-plus years later, I still love it so check out the video below!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Sweet Sensation - 'Sincerely Yours'

"Dear I write you this letter

To show you how much your love means to me

I wish we could be together

I need you in my life oh can't you see

You promised we would be together

But you still haven't answered my letter

Oh, oh, I'm sincerely yours

The one my heart beats for, the one I adore

Oh, oh, I'm sincerely yours

The love that you gave I've never felt before."

Latin freestyle seems to go hand in hand with Friday, at least in my mind. If Friday is really the day to celebrate the weekend ahead then that means club songs, freestyle and old school house music are the very best way to kick it all off. Let me take you back to 1988 when Betty Dee and her girls stepped out from the shadow of Expose` and The Cover Girls and made their own mark in the dance world. 

Sweet Sensation had the hair, the clothes, and all the moves. But they seemed like the chicks down the street. This was the girl group that you really could have gone to school with or partied with. And their music rivaled other dance floor anthems. Songs like "Take It While It's Hot" and "Hooked On You" were featured on Open House Party and Dance Party USA, making the ladies a pretty hot commodity leading up to their number one single, "If Wishes Came True". 

Betty Dee, Jenae Colon, and Belle Ritter reunited a few years ago and on any given weekend you're likely to find Sweet Sensation hitting the stage somewhere on the east coast. "Sincerely Yours" remains one of their most popular hits. Check out the video below.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Dino- 'I Like It'

 

"Take me by surprise
Look into my eyes
And show me that
Your love is real"

Remember back in the day when a great club song would get stuck in your head from the first spin? Dino (AKA Dean Esposito) had one of those in 1989. "I Like It" was that track. You could dance to it and whenever it came on you ended up in a better mood by the time it ended. Dino's career as a performer only last for a few years but he has remained active in the music business by writing and producing for other artists, such as Sheena Easton.

Dino is also connected to the music industry via his wife, Caroline Jackson. If her name doesn't ring a bell the fact that she's one of the original Cover Girls should help jog your memory. She currently performs at various freestyle shows across the country with the rest of the OCG.

Anyway, back to Dino. How much do you still love this song?

Daily Boom 80's Lost Hit: Bardeux - 'When We Kiss'

"There`s a real fine line
Between love and hate
And I`m not the type
To just sit and wait
I`ve made up my mind
I can`t wait for you anymore"

Ya know that one song that you remember so well years (okay decades) later that no one else can recall? Bardeux's "When We Kiss' fits that bill for me. I have never mentioned it to another soul that has any idea what I'm talking about and if I play it for them, they still don't remember it. Bardeux was actually a dance duo from OC, Stacy "Acacia" Smith and Lisa "Jaz" Teaney (at least on this song), who released their first album, Bold As Love in 1988.

While Bardeux is often described as a one-hit-wonder, they actually had a few singles that charted on Billboard's Hot 100 and they did really well on the dance charts during their short time together. I've always loved "When We Kiss' because it's almost more of a spoken word song than anything else and that really made it stand out back in 1988. Check it out below. Do you guys remember Bardeux?

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Shai - 'If I Ever Fall In Love'

"The very first time
That I saw your brown eyes
Your lips said hello and I said hi
I knew right then you were the one
But I was caught up
In physical attraction
But to my satisfaction
Baby you were more than just a face"

Shai is one of those groups that I expected to go so much further than they actually did. The quartet first got together in the early 90's and by 1992 the title song, "If I Ever Fall In Love" , from their first album shot to number 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Their first three albums produced songs that at least charted and after 1996 they dropped off the radar. If you google the group now you'll see that they do still pop up and perform here and there, but it's none of the original members. 

It's strange how sometimes a group with so much potential just kind of fizzles out with no real explanation. The original Shai was super talented, hot and marketable. Check out their video for "If I Ever Fall In Love" below!