You must understand Though the touch of your hand Makes my pulse react That it's only the thrill Of boy meeting girl Opposites attract
This week is pretty much the start of summer in my house and if you live on the East coast like I do then you were probably more than happy to see the sun shining for real. I was in the car doing the last day of school drop off thing when I heard Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" and boy did it take me back. As my soon-to-be high school freshman got out of the car to get on her bus it clicked that I was exactly her age when this song was popular.
In fact, way back in 1984, Tina topped Billboard's charts and boy was she in great company. The rest of the top ten was rounded out by the likes of Prince, Huey Lewis & the News, John Waite and Corey Hart. Back in 1984, we used to do the math to figure out when our favorite videos would be on. Admit it, you did it too. New videos were at the top of every hour and they repeated every four hours. If you watched in the morning before school then you likely knew that the same exact videos would be on the next day, just 12 minutes later because the schedule barely changed at all.
Do you remember the summer of Tina strutting in those fishnets with her bitty jean jacket and pretty epic wig? Of course, you do because it was the year of Jackson'sVictory tour which we all fantasized about going to see. My friends and I all took turns leaving for the Jersey Shore and mailing each other postcards from Wildwood as if we'd not actually see each other again in a matter of days. Then there were those white clunky shell necklaces and bracelets. I think I wore three at a time because they were so cool and seemed to somehow prove that I had a life outside of Smalltown, USA. Ghostbusterswas an absolute phenomenon and Beverly Hills Copwas a huge deal. Oh and my hair reeked ofSalon Selectives. The smell is like a mash-up of strawberry, cherry and god knows what else and if you're REALLY lucky you can find it to this day!
My dad was thrilled the year that Tina reinvented herself and came back. He had been a DJ for years and had an in-home studio that I would kill for now and he knew what a powerhouse she actually was. While my local DJ's focused on how great she sounded after mentioning her great legs on the 45 of "What's Love Got to Do With It", dad always had a way of making me connect with the stripped down music, lyrics and the voice presenting it all to me. I'm also pretty sure that he appreciated Tina's fishnets too.
31 years ago, as Tina walked those legs right to the top of Billboard's Hot 100, where she stayed for three weeks, I was walking my little legs into 8th-grade classes just like my daughter now. It makes me wonder, when she is my age and looks back on the summer before 8th grade, what will stand out in her mind?
When I mention the name John Schneider I'm going to bet that the first image that comes to mind is a flash of the 70's breakout television hit, The Dukes of Hazzard, right? If you're a little younger than me then maybe you're brain races to that dad you wished you had on Smallville. Schneider has made a name for himself by breathing life into characters that are uniquely embedded in our own personal history. He is also a well-established country music veteran that has spent this entire year manifesting a trio of projects that complement each other beautifully.
I caught up with John earlier this week and learned that he is standing in exactly the spot he intended to be in as the holidays roll around.
John Schneider on manifesting a book, a movie and new music all at once:
"A whole lot of work and a whole lot of planning went into this year because things don't just happen by themself. We've sown a lot of seeds this year. I think the last time that we spoke I was thinking about doing a book. I'd put little potential chapter titles in my phone as people would ask me different things, and then I would fill in some details. I made sure to write about the bad stuff, like losing the property, because you have to put the bad in the recipe too. Alicia (Allain, Schneider's business partner, and wife) and I were talking and she said that it needed to be a movie. I didn't want to do a documentary, and so she suggested putting all of these things into a movie that celebrates the 40th anniversary of Dukes of Hazzard while weaving our lives into it. That became not only the book, "My Life, My Way" but it also became Christmas Cars, which is already the top-selling movie that we've made thus far."
John on the importance of Christmas Cars:
"The great thing about being independent filmmakers is that Alicia and I can make what we want and say what we want to. When the world sees this movie and hears things like the war of northern aggression, rather than the term Civil War, hopefully, some people will hear that and google it. We want to make people curious about the details of the people and events that they think they're already familiar with. I'm not beating them over the head, I'm just throwing things out there to make them think. We try and do that in a really fun way in Christmas Cars. There's heart in it, there's obviously Christmas in it and there's the community in it and I think that is really the salt in the recipe that was The Dukes of Hazzard. You need community and you just can't get anything done without the help, support, and appreciation of your friends and family. You can try and you can wear yourself out. All kinds of things happen in life to try and keep you from your goals, but you persevere because you have made a promise to do so.
I think that Christmas Cars is going to speak to a lot of people, about a half-hour after they've seen it. The message hits you a little bit later on and to me, that's the mark of a good film. It shouldn't end just because the end credits roll. It's like gumbo and it needs to marinate for a while because it tastes better later. Hopefully, people will want to watch it again because of that."
John on challenging the assumed narrative:
"The (inaccurately called) Confederate flag, which is really the Union Jack, has become like a universal sign of racism and intolerance. So, anyone who has that on their car, as if I put it on the General Lee myself, must also be racist. They don't even give you the benefit of the doubt, if I have that car then I must be racist. So now wait a minute, just because I have a bedsheet in my chest of drawers, am I accused of being a Klansman? No, I'm not. So why not actually ask what I think about it before just jumping to such a conclusion? Is it because I might have an intelligent answer that might diffuse some of the fear that's being sold out there? I bet that's exactly it."
(John Schneider Promo Shot- Official Facebook)
John on reaping the rewards of what he has sown:
"People are buying the book, people are buying the movie, and people are buying our music that's in the movie and so all of that is just incredible. I can't say that it's completely unexpected because like I said, these are seeds we have sown and they are plans that we've had. People will say, 'Well, it's great when a plan comes together', and yes, it really is (laughing). Our plan was to do the music and the book and then to put both of those into the movie. Then finally, our plan was to successfully release everything out into the world. Had we not planned it and had we not decided to go for it then none of it would have happened. I believe firmly in just going for it, make a plan and go for what you want. You have to have a target so that you know when you hit it. Plan your work and work your plan. The worst thing that can happen is that you're just breathing air and taking up space."
John on challenging others' to do what they love:
"I realize that there are people that think they're supposed to be miserable and so they just do what they have to in order to get by, rather than doing what they love. They do whatever to pay the mortgage and the car note and somehow they've been told that they're supposed to be miserable and they've believed it. A lot of people have grown complacent with that and they're okay with it. If you think you're okay with that then I dare you to question whether or not you really are. See if when you question yourself quietly you don't come to a realization that you're here for a purpose.
We're all here for some reason and we all play some part in this game. What's your part? What position do you play and what position are you supposed to play? I think that a lot of people have bought into the idea that they're supposed to be spectators when it's not necessarily true. Chances are that you knew why you were here when you were a little kid and then life and loved ones talked you out of it. See if that idea still makes you smile and if it does, move towards it. Read books about it, just do something and see where it leads you."
(John Schneider Promo Shot- Official Facebook)
John on writing another book:
"Those who have read the book seem to be loving it, at least that's the feedback that I'm getting. I feel great about it but I have to say, writing these chapters made me start thinking of other things to talk about. I can't help but think of how to peel the artichoke back even further so that I can get into some more stuff for the next book. In the first book you're in a position of having to come up with the right recipe to make it all work. The second time around it's not exactly going to write itself, but it is going to categorize itself and that's really terrific. So once 2019 is squared away that is definitely something that I'll be working on."
"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!
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!
"Through the night...through the dawn, Behind you another runner is born. Don't look back, you've been there. Feel the mist as your breath hits the air. And it's underneath the moonlight, passing some; Still your heart beats in the moonlight like a drum."
This, was one of those songs that I never knew the name of, until recently. I'm talking about Manfred Mann's "The Runner". It was released in the spring of 1984 and ended up being used for the Summer Olympics. If I had remembered that little detail then I could have easily figured out what this song was, but I was thirteen in 84' and completely forgot that detail.
Anyway, "The Runner" is really a fantastic example of what a great classic rock sound is made up of. Great vocals and a really solid band that just knows how to jam. I could gush about this as it quickly shot into my tom ten classic rock songs of all time but instead, I'll just let you listen.
Do you ever want to vent your feelings and feel empowered? The K-12 Tour lets its audience do just that, with songs that are relatable to all humans ages 10-110. The newest album from Melanie Martinez birthed a bunch of plush punk fans at The Fillmore in Philadelphia for a sold-out show. earlier this week and I was thrilled to be a part of the fun.
A strong feminist opener, Lauren Ruth Ward, first pumped up the crowd and made the stage her own with a stripped-down set that included just a guitarist, and a drummer. Fans traveled from as far as Ohio just to see her perform and with a huge voice that has the grit of Stevie Nicks and the stage presence of Janis Joplin, this Philly native is one to watch.
Once Lauren bowed to adoring old and new fans alike, the crew started cleaning up the stage in preparation for the main attraction. The age spanning attendees applauded as they swept and moved props. It was reminiscent of that classic episode of SpongebobSquarepantswhere he, to great applause, cleaned tomatoes from the talent show stage.
Finally, the lights went up and the energy was electric as the featured femme hit the stage to deafening cheers from the audience. Melanie has arrived and K-12 class is now in session. Wheels started rolling as ‘Wheels On The Bus’ opened the evening, followed by ‘Class Fight’ and ‘The Principal’, before a lesson for all plays on the screen. It was the first of seven taught during the night, with my favorite being, “Don’t dim another’s light in order to shine. We all shall shine together.”
In between each extravagantly creative set, a heavenly harpist played to raise the anticipation of the audience in the most soothing of ways. Several more songs follow,each one including unique choreography until the album is finished, Then Melanie's gorgeous voice asks, “Who’s ready for some throwbacks?!” Four encores echo, ‘Sippy Cup’, ‘Alphabet Boy’, ‘Mad Hatter’, and ‘Fire Drill’.
If everything was like K-12, then I would go back to “school” anytime!
She's so fly, she'll drive you right out of your mind
Steal your heart when you're blind
Beware she's schemin', she'll make you think you're dreamin'
You'll fall in love and you'll be screamin' dreamin'
One of my favorite groups from the New Jack Swing era is Bell Biv DeVoe, If you remember, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe decided to branch off from their success as members of New Edition and BBD was born. Their debut album Poison made a pretty big splash back in 1990 and had a few singles that landed in the top ten on Billboard's Hot 100. The first track, also titled "Poison" was a huge hit thanks to MTV showing heavy rotation favor on the video. Check it out below. I'm pretty sure that you'll remember this one!
I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar That much is true But even then I knew I'd find a much better place Either with or without you The five years we have had have been such good at times I still love you But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own I guess it's just what I must do Don't. Don't you want me? You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me Don't. Don't you want me? You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me
I have to admit, I don't really remember a ton about being 11-years-old but there is one thing that does stick in my head and that's that 1982 was the year of The Human League in my house. I'm not sure if my dad was still working in radio at the time but he certainly still had his radio buddies and the ability to get his hands on any new music from just about anywhere. In late 1981 The Human League released Dare, their third studio album which didn't really strike too much of a cord here in the states, until they dropped "Don't You Want Me" and it's unforgettable video.
I'm really not sure what it was about the video that made it become so iconic but for whatever reason, the visuals really stuck and somehow felt way ahead of their time. My dad didn't just love "Don't You Want Me" but he had to get his hands on a special German (I think) extended mix import that featured machine guns on the track during the chorus. Dad had a stereo that rivaled whatever you'd find in any radio station and he always cranked things up as loud as he could get away with. This version of this song, drove my mother completely out of her mind. It was the heavy artillery fire mixed in with those synth beats that drove her out of her mind and caused some serious fights. She would complain and it seemed for awhile there like The Human League was in some serious heavy rotation.
"Don't You Want Me" is one of those songs that I seriously connect to grade school and it seemed to pop up on a regular basis for several years of my life. I talked to my dad recently to try and convince him to come for a visit. Some health issues prevented that from happening but he recently made a point of telling me that he was listening to The Human League, making it pretty clear that I'm not the only one that remembers the drama that their song caused.
Ironically enough, my sister visited this past weekend and while we game planned how to get dad to travel a bit, "Don't You Want Me" was on in the car no less than four times out of sheer coincidence. I'm pretty sure dad's presence was indeed here in some way.
Love if you're there come save me From all this cold despair I can hang when you're around But I'll surely die if you're not there Love come quick, love come in a hurry There are thieves in the temple tonight I feel like I'm looking for my soul (Soul) Like a poor man looking for gold (Gold) There are thieves in the temple tonight
Do you remember Graffiti Bridge, the Prince film from 1990? Honestly, neither do I but the soundtrack to it is pretty great. It was also our official introduction to his then-new backing band, The New Power Generation. "Thieves In The Temple" was one of the best songs off of it and it charted very well as a single, hitting number 6 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the summer of 1990.
The song lyrically featured Prince reflecting on a dishonest relationship with a nugget of spirituality thrown in for good measure. As for the beat, well the remixes of "Thieves In The Temple" still are fire. I remember the video debuting on MTV and it being a really big deal because it represented a brand new Prince. New look, new sound and a new band to help pull the full package together. The choreography in the video was pretty tight too. Check it out for yourself below!
There are very few things that I remember about the beginning of eleventh grade. It was 1987 and I was coming off my very first summer of working full time, which meant a lot of extra cash in my pocket. A lot of that cash was spent on music, of course. Richard Marx was getting airplay with "Don't Mean Nothing" which I really didn't love. But the follow-up single I couldn't get enough of. "Should've Known Better". And the video that went with it. Marx wasn't exactly my type at the time. I preferred men with bigger hair, lipstick, and spandex, but I played his debut album into the ground.
Many years later I'll readily admit to listening to Marx quite often and "Should've Known Better" is still my favorite. He has also aged like a fine wine and is far more handsome to me now than in 1987. Daisy Fuentes (his wife since Dec. 2015) is a lucky woman. Plus it's nice to see a celeb couple that genuinely seems happy together. Check out "Should've Known Better". below.
Way back in 1986 Samantha Fox REALLY shook the music industry. It was a point in time when women were thought to be best at ballads or bubblegum pop tunes. Taking any stage and blatantly singing about sex was not just unheard of but it was also pretty unacceptable. The double standards were still in effect and so if a male rocker mentioned sex it was cool but women still knew better than to go there. At least until a catchy little tune called "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" landed in DJ's hands.
I'm sure the fact that Sam was hot and a topless model didn't hurt because she looked like a poster child for sex. And this song worked. It went to number 1 all over the world and much of the music-buying public really latched on to this song. She was playful, provocative and in control- something that appealed to men and women alike.
"Touch Me" was also a great club banger so if it wasn't on your radio or MTV you could count on hearing it at the club. It literally was everywhere. Sam enjoyed a few years of success in the U.S. and she had a string of Billboard hits thanks to the impact of "Touch Me". Check out the video below!
"It's too late to stop Won't the heavens save me? My daddy said the devil looks a lot like you Take me to the edge of heaven Tell me that my soul's forgiven Hide you baby's eyes and we can... Take me to the edge of heaven"
This morning MTV Classic reminded me of one of my very favorite songs
by Wham! "The Edge of Heaven" was originally touted as the duo's farewell single and in many ways, it may have really been one of their best. During the summer of 1986 when it was released, George Michael was already enjoying a super-successful solo career and he was totally ready to move on.
When asked about the obviously sexual lyrics Michael had said that he believed that he and Andrew Ridgeley had gotten away with them because at that point in time no one paid much attention to what they were saying anyway. "The Edge of Heaven" is one of the first black and white videos that I really remember and the guys looked like they had a blast making it, or at the very least they pulled off faking the fun vibe.
"Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire
Through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you
I'd take it all the way
Right down to the wire
Even through the fire"
I remember the music of 1984 very well. I was in 7th grade and had the radio, really any radio either by my side or in my ear. Chaka Khan came out with "I Feel For You" and the song found some heavy duty radio play in between the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince and more. In gym class (which I hated) we got to listen to a few songs that were on one of the teacher's mixtapes. Chaka made the cut so gym class was just one more place where I heard her voice.
I Feel For You is her sixth solo album and as it turns out, one of the most popular ballads, "Through The Fire" was actually written for Chaka by David Foster. He was so positive that she would sing the song that he originally called it "Chaka". I think it took me a long time to really grow into the soul legend's music. As an adult, I now really get the appeal and talent of this woman.
"I have to say goodbye to you This pain I have inside just makes me want to die for you All these lonely nights they just don't feel so right for you Sending all my Sending all my love Sending all my love to you" I completely forgot about Linear and their song, "Sending All My Love" until they randomly popped up on YouTube earlier this year. Then the song came rushing back. It was towards the end of the Latin freestyle craze that this trio hit with the synth heavy dance hit. I can remember Dance Party USA getting tons of mileage out of the guys. I also remember them performing it live at a local venue and loving them. "Sending All My Love" did make it to number 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1990 and it really was a huge song in its' prime. Here's the original video and I kinda think it's a nice freestyle Friday throwback to kick off your weekend. Enjoy!
This has been an exhausting week and music is one of the ways that I take my own version of a mental health break. I've learned over the years that, while my taste is eclectic, nothing puts me in a better mood than dance music. Today I turned to Earth, Wind & Fire for a bit of inspiration and thankfully, it worked. When I was ten "Let's Groove" came out and I remember buying the 45 and playing it into the ground- and that was just in the first few weeks that I had it. Disco was technically dead so I clung to anything even remotely resembling it. I danced my ass off in the privacy of my own room and even back then I understood that this was one of those groups that did extra.
They were the whole package, with a whole section of horns and choreographed moves, Earth, Wind & Fire was a force to be reckoned with. In many ways, they still are If you're lucky enough to catch one of their gigs now you'll quickly understand why they are still thriving. Check out "Let's Groove" below. I'm betting it makes you wanna get down too.
"(Let me) Show you how I feel (Be the one) That I need so much (Let me) Give you what is real (Be the one) That I long to touch
Only you can make me feel this way I'll give you all, come on, let's get away This love I feel will never ever fade I'll give you more and more so
(Let me be the one) Hold onto the dream (Let me be the one) You can trust me at anytime (Let me be the one) Give you all the love (Let me be the one) To feel your tender touch."
Expose` released "Let Me Be The One" the week after my sixteenth birthday and it instantly became my very favorite song. It was the third single in a row off of their debut album, Exposure to crack Billboard's top ten. It was one of the biggest songs of the summer and to this day I associate "Let Me Be The One" with laying in the sun, baby oil scorching my skin, Sun In turning my hair only slightly lighter.
Gioia Bruno handles the lead vocals and did I mention the stunning video to go with it? Filmed in London, the ladies are all glammed up for what looks like a (now vintage) couture modeling shoot. This is one of those songs that you know two seconds after it begins and to this day, audiences respond like it's an old favorite. Check out the video below!
I'll never forget getting in a cab a few years ago. The driver was in his 40's and had big curly headbanger hair, still frosted as if it was 1988. He was wearing an old RATT concert tee that blended in with his sleeves of tattoos. He was on the phone at first trying to figure out who was going to get the Motley Crue tickets for him and his friends once they went on sale the next day and Instantly liked him. He was like a fossil left over from the 80's but the thing was, he was the real deal. He stayed true to the music that he was raised on and had no desire to change any of that. Or it least that was my first impression. I've since learned never to think for certain that I have someone all figured out in a quick glance or three.
As the cab finally started to move he asked if I minded the radio and of course I didn't. Then he told me he didn't like what was on so he was switching over to a CD. The CD was Tevin Campbell and my jaw hit the floor. As "Can We Talk" started to play I told him I never expected to hear that in any cab, because years later most people don't seem to remember him let alone play his stuff. The driver loved him as much as I always have and we totally bonded over 3.5 songs before I got out of the cab.
Tevin first broke through in 1991 with his album T.E.V.I.N. but I wasn't hooked until he dropped I'm Ready in 1993. I think he was the artist that really convinced me to pay more attention to some of the slow jams peppering the charts, in between my Hole and Nirvana listening parties. The video for "Can We Talk" was shot in NYC's Central Park and I love it to this day. Check it out below.
