90's Nostalgia: Saigon Kick- 'Love is on the Way'

"Time of season
Wipes the tears
No rhyme or reason
No more fears
All the dreamin'
Is far behind
You are here now
Everything's alright"

Is Saigon Kick one of the most underrated bands of the late '80s and early '90s? Their fans would probably say, absolutely.

Formed in 1988, Saigon Kick spent a few years building their following before finally breaking through in a big way with their 1992 ballad "Love Is on the Way." The song climbed all the way to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the chart position almost doesn't tell the whole story. "Love Is on the Way" was everywhere. Radio stations played it constantly, MTV gave it plenty of love, and suddenly this hard-rocking band had a gorgeous acoustic ballad that seemed to connect with just about everybody.

You probably know the song within the first few seconds. That guitar comes in and, before the vocals even start, there's a good chance your brain has already gone, Oh yeah… THIS song. Technically, Saigon Kick gets tossed into that giant musical filing cabinet labeled "One-Hit Wonders." And I suppose that's fair if we're talking strictly about major Billboard hits. But there's a problem with that label. It can make you forget that there was an actual band behind the song.

Recently, I realized something kind of embarrassing: despite knowing "Love Is on the Way" for decades, I had never actually sat down and listened to an entire Saigon Kick album. So I fixed that and I gave The Lizard a shot, and honestly? There's a lot more going on there than the one song most of us remember. It's a reminder that sometimes we hear one massive song from a band, file them away in our musical memory and never bother to dig any deeper.

And every once in a while, when we finally do, we discover that we missed something pretty damn good. Saigon Kick may forever be associated with "Love Is on the Way," but that doesn't mean they only had one song worth hearing. Thirty-plus years later, the band is still part of the conversation, and that alone says something.

80s Throwback: Madonna - 'Causing A Commotion (Who's That Girl Soundtrack)'

"You met your match when you met me
I know that you will disagree, it's crazy
But opposites attract, you'll see
And I won't let you get away so easy

The love you save may be your own
Can't fight this feeling, aren't you tired of being alone
You won't admit it, but you know it's true
It's not a secret how I feel when I stand next to you"

In August of 1987, Madonna crashed and burned onscreen in a little movie called Who's That Girl. And yet, somehow, the movie's soundtrack managed to come out of the whole mess smelling like a rose.

The movie was originally supposed to be called Slammer, and I can still remember the buildup all summer long. There was a certain inevitability to it: Madonna was everywhere, so naturally we were all going to see her new movie. Casting Madonna, however, wasn't quite enough to save Who's That Girl from becoming a critical and box-office disappointment.

But that soundtrack? Now we're talking.

The title track, Who's That Girl, arrived first and promptly went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was catchy, bright, and completely unavoidable that summer. Then came Causing a Commotion.

I remember that song almost feeling like it appeared out of nowhere. One minute you weren't thinking about it, and the next minute it was lodged permanently in your head. That beat, that attitude, that unmistakable Madonna energy—it was exactly the kind of song that made you want to own the soundtrack even if you had absolutely no intention of defending the movie. Because let's be honest: every soundtrack has that one song. The song that makes you think, Well, I guess I have to buy this now.

For me, Causing a Commotion was that song. It went all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the dance chart, becoming one of those quintessential late-'80s Madonna floor-fillers that still sounds ridiculously good decades later. And then there's the backstory.

The song was written during the final, increasingly turbulent period of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn. Their relationship was already a regular fixture in the entertainment press, with stories about Penn's violent outbursts, battles with paparazzi and the general chaos surrounding the couple.

Remember, there was no internet to immediately fact-check everything we read. We had MTV, Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Tonight and whatever magazine happened to be sitting at the supermarket checkout. So much of what we knew about celebrities came filtered through those sources.

And from that perspective, Madonna and Sean Penn's marriage seemed every bit as complicated and combustible as the title of this song suggested. Causing a Commotion may have been attached to a movie that didn't exactly set the world on fire, but the song had a life of its own.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Regina- 'Baby Love'

"Boy, there's no one home tonight
The timing could be right
To forget the rules
We're out of school until tomorrow
Now, if only you would stay
There's so many games we'd play
Why should we pretend to be just friends
When we could be so much more"

I love when I'm reminded of a song that I've completely forgotten about. Regina's "Baby Love" was one of those. I was watching Totally 80's on Classic MTV the other day when this track came on and I instantly remembered it. "Baby Love" made me think of summer and when I looked it up my memory was right. It was a super popular track in the summer of 1986. One of those songs that were on the radio every couple of hours and you knew all of the lyrics to it even if you didn't like it.

This song peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 and paved the way for Regina to have a string of hits on the dance charts in the mid-'80s.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Al B. Sure!- 'Night and Day'

"I can tell you how I feel about you night and day

How I feel about you

I'll love you more in the rain or shine

And making love in the rain is fine

A love so good and I call it mine

Love is blind"

Al B. Sure! is one of the very first soul singers that I can remember actually being my own age when he first broke through. In the late 80's I thought of Motown when I thought of soul and just about every R&B artist out there in my age group was headed in a real New Jack Swing kind of direction. Al B. Sure! kind of made me stop dead and really listen. His song "Night and Day" hit Billboard's top ten and it was one of those end of the night request countdown favorites. The perfect song to dedicate to your boyfriend or girlfriend before going to sleep.

I know Al B. Sure! was popular but I hadn't realized just how many awards he was nominated for. We're talking Grammy's, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards... In other words, he had the music industry's respect as well as the fan's love. Al B. Sure! is still rooted firmly in the music biz and so are his three grown sons. 

Check out the video for "Night and Day" below. It's one of those songs that I always recognize 3 notes in!

Daily Boom Freestyle Flashback: Noel - 'Silent Morning'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Madonna - 'Causing A Commotion (Who's That Girl Soundtrack)'

"You met your match when you met me
I know that you will disagree it's crazy
But opposites attract you'll see
And I won't let you get away so easy

The love you save may be your own
Can't fight this feeling, aren't you tired of being alone
You won't admit it but you know it's true
It's not a secret how I feel when I stand next to you"

In August of 1987, Madonna crashed and burned onscreen in a little gem called "Who's That Girl". The film originally was supposed to be titled Slammer and I can remember there was a lot of build up all summer long because well, it was Madonna.  Casting her wasn't enough to save the movie but the soundtrack?  Well, that handed us a few classic dance songs that still sound pretty great.

"Who's That Girl" was the first single, dropped in advance of the movie and went to number one on Billboard's Hot 100. It was followed by one of my very favorite Madonna dance floor classics, "Causing a Commotion".  I remember the song just kind of appearing out of nowhere and it was super catchy. Every soundtrack is ultimately bought because of that one song that makes you have to have it and this was that song. It topped the dance charts and went to number two on Billboard's Hot 100.

The song itself was written towards the end of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn, a union plagued by his violent outbursts and clashes with the paparazzi. Based on what MTV and magazine articles said (no internet yet, remember?) their relationship seemed chaotic and complicated, kind of like this song. Check it out!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Meredith Brooks- 'What Would Happen'

"Electricity, eye to eye
Hey don't I know you
I can't speak
Stripped my senses
On the spot
I've never been defenseless
I can't even make sense of this
You speak and I don't hear a word
What would happen if we kissed
Would your tongue slip past my lips
Would you run away, would you stay
Or would I melt into you"

I was definetly a fan of the Lilith Fair artists back in the mid-90's. I didn't love every single song by everyone though. In fact, I usually preferred their music that never got radio play. Meredith Brooks was in with that roster of chicks with guitars and her first song, "Bitch" left me ice cold.

Maybe that makes me an actual bitch?

Everyone was crazy over this song and it did nothing for me. But Brooks' follow up? THAT, is one of the steamiest songs to come out of the decade and I think most people forgot it even existed. "What Would Happen"  is about two people that have no business hooking up and whether or not they actually do is left to your own imagination. 

What I know is that the slinkiness moves me and Brooks' voice is just perfect. A little raspy, a little gritty and subdued. This is one of those songs that was almost destined not to be appreciated enough. It came on the heels of an anthem of sorts and it was a total departure from that. But it really is Brooks at her best, I think. Check it out below.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Howard Jones - 'Everlasting Love'

She wasn't looking for a cuddle in the back seat
He wasn't looking for a five minute thrill
She wasn't thinking of tomorrow or of next week
This vacancy he meant to permanently fill
I need an everlasting love
I need a friend and a lover divine
An everlasting precious love
Wait for it, wait for it, give it some time.

Howard Jones is an interesting 80's icon. Despite having 15 songs to hit the top 40 from 1983-1992, he was hardly a media darling. Jones is to this day widely considered to be one of the most defining figures from the syth pop era but back then he was a bit of a misfit. There were always guys that looked cooler and acts that were splashier and in the end Jones actually admitted that it was just fine with him. He never necessarily was taking aim at fitting in anyway.

Instead of being known for his look, it's his music that has lasted for decades. Catchy songs like "What Is Love" and "No One Is To Blame" still get plenty of blame. I happen to still love "Everlasting Love"- a nifty little tune about a guy looking for a whole lot more than just a quick fling. Check out the video below!

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Babyface - 'It's No Crime'

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Bulletboys 'Smooth Up In Ya'

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Vixen - 'Cryin'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Regina- 'Baby Love'

"Boy, there's no one home tonight
The timing could be right
To forget the rules
We're out of school until tomorrow
Now, if only you would stay
There's so many games we'd play
Why should we pretend to be just friends
When we could be so much more"

I love when I'm reminded of a song that I've completely forgotten about. Regina's "Baby Love" was one of those. I was watching Totally 80's on Classic MTV the other day when this track came on and I instantly remembered it. "Baby Love" made me think of summer and when I looked it up my memory was right. It was a super popular track in the summer of 1986. One of those songs that were on the radio every couple of hours and you knew all of the lyrics to it even if you didn't like it.

This song peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 and paved the way for Regina to have a string of hits on the dance charts in the mid-'80s.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Saigon Kick- 'Love is on the Way'

"Time of season
Wipes the tears
No rhyme or reason
No more fears
All the dreamin'
Is far behind
You are here now
Everything's alright"

Is Saigon Kick one of the most underrated bands around? Their fans like to think so. After forming back in 1988 the band finally made a huge breakthrough with their 1992 hit ballad, "Love is on the Way". It made it to number 12 on Billboard's Hot 100 but more importantly, the song got tons of airplay across the country.

Technically, "Love is on the Way" is considered a one-hit-wonder but the band is still around, thirty years after the fact. I realized that I had never listened to a full album of Saigon Kick's and so I gave The Lizard a shot. You should too,  it's definitely worth a spin. In the meantime, here's "Love is on the Way".

Are you like me? Do you recognize this song a few seconds in, whenever you do hear it?

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Jermaine ft. Michael Jackson - 'Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin'

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Don Johnson - 'Heartbeat'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Howard Jones - 'Everlasting Love'

She wasn't looking for a cuddle in the back seat
He wasn't looking for a five minute thrill
She wasn't thinking of tomorrow or of next week
This vacancy he meant to permanently fill
I need an everlasting love
I need a friend and a lover divine
An everlasting precious love
Wait for it, wait for it, give it some time.

Howard Jones is an interesting 80's icon. Despite having 15 songs to hit the top 40 from 1983-1992, he was hardly a media darling. Jones is to this day widely considered to be one of the most defining figures from the syth pop era but back then he was a bit of a misfit. There were always guys that looked cooler and acts that were splashier and in the end Jones actually admitted that it was just fine with him. He never necessarily was taking aim at fitting in anyway.

Instead of being known for his look, it's his music that has lasted for decades. Catchy songs like "What Is Love" and "No One Is To Blame" still get plenty of blame. I happen to still love "Everlasting Love"- a nifty little tune about a guy looking for a whole lot more than just a quick fling. Check out the video below!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Howard Jones - 'Everlasting Love'

She wasn't looking for a cuddle in the back seat
He wasn't looking for a five minute thrill
She wasn't thinking of tomorrow or of next week
This vacancy he meant to permanently fill
I need an everlasting love
I need a friend and a lover divine
An everlasting precious love
Wait for it, wait for it, give it some time.

Howard Jones is an interesting 80's icon. Despite having 15 songs to hit the top 40 from 1983-1992, he was hardly a media darling. Jones is to this day widely considered to be one of the most defining figures from the syth pop era but back then he was a bit of a misfit. There were always guys that looked cooler and acts that were splashier and in the end Jones actually admitted that it was just fine with him. He never necessarily was taking aim at fitting in anyway.

Instead of being known for his look, it's his music that has lasted for decades. Catchy songs like "What Is Love" and "No One Is To Blame" still get plenty of blame. I happen to still love "Everlasting Love"- a nifty little tune about a guy looking for a whole lot more than just a quick fling. Check out the video below!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Al B. Sure!- 'Night and Day'

"I can tell you how I feel about you night and day

How I feel about you

I'll love you more in the rain or shine

And making love in the rain is fine

A love so good and I call it mine

Love is blind"

Al B. Sure! is one of the very first soul singers that I can remember actually being my own age when he first broke through. In the late 80's I thought of Motown when I thought of soul and just about every R&B artist out there in my age group was headed in a real New Jack Swing kind of direction. Al B. Sure! kind of made me stop dead and really listen. His song "Night and Day" hit Billboard's top ten and it was one of those end of the night request countdown favorites. Perfect song to dedicate to your boyfriend or girlfriend before going to sleep.

I know Al B. Sure! was popular but I hadn't realized just how many awards he was nominated for. We're talking Grammy's, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards... In other words, he had the music industries respect as well as the fans love. Al B. Sure! is still rooted firmly in the music biz and so are his three grown sons. 

Check out the video for "Night and Day" below. It's one of those songs that I always recognize 3 notes in!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: John Lennon- 'Starting Over'

Our life together is so precious together,
We have grown - we have grown,
Although our love is still special,
Let's take our chance and fly away somewhere alone

I was nine years old when John Lennon's "(Just Like) Starting Over" was first released and it's actually one of those songs that really does stick in my head. It was really popular for several weeks leading up to Lennon being gunned down outside of The Dakota in NYC, but it shot to number one and stayed there after his death. I was a really young Beatles fan so of course, Double Fantasy was on my turntable and after Lennon's death, I think it was all that I listened to for a long time.

You have to remember, back in 1981 the only way that we got our info was via the news or newspaper so at that time, people really clung to what little they had. In this case, it was Lennon's new songs that he would never get to perform live and the next phase of his love affair with Yoko Ono that would never happen. So many people criticized their relationship but obviously, there was something about this woman that made Lennon decide to completely change his life for the better.

Since the end of the calendar year is for most of us about resolving to change pieces of our life for the better, the hope found in the lyrics to "(Just Like) Starting Over" really struck me as pretty appropriate. Lennon wrote of the future that he anticipated and even planned for, just like many of us have done while jotting down those resolutions. The only difference is that most of us will get to live long enough to see them come to fruition (or not), unlike Lennon.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Al B. Sure!- 'Night and Day'

"I can tell you how I feel about you night and day

How I feel about you

I'll love you more in the rain or shine

And making love in the rain is fine

A love so good and I call it mine

Love is blind"

Al B. Sure! is one of the very first soul singers that I can remember actually being my own age when he first broke through. In the late 80's I thought of Motown when I thought of soul and just about every R&B artist out there in my age group was headed in a real New Jack Swing kind of direction. Al B. Sure! kind of made me stop dead and really listen. His song "Night and Day" hit Billboard's top ten and it was one of those end of the night request countdown favorites. Perfect song to dedicate to your boyfriend or girlfriend before going to sleep.

I know Al B. Sure! was popular but I hadn't realized just how many awards he was nominated for. We're talking Grammy's, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards... In other words, he had the music industries respect as well as the fans love. Al B. Sure! is still rooted firmly in the music biz and so are his three grown sons. 

Check out the video for "Night and Day" below. It's one of those songs that I always recognize 3 notes in!