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.
The first time I saw Skid Row perform live was at a skating rink in the late '80s. Yes, a skating rink. Looking back, it seems like such an unlikely place for a hard-rock band that would soon become one of the biggest names of the hair metal era, but that's part of what makes the memory so special. The place was packed with excited fans, the energy was off the charts, and from the moment the band hit the stage, you could feel that they were destined for bigger things.
And then they launched into "Youth Gone Wild."
What made the song stand out wasn't just the big guitars or the rebellious attitude. Plenty of bands were doing that at the time. Skid Row brought a rawness and authenticity that connected with young fans. The song felt like an anthem for anyone who ever felt misunderstood, underestimated, or ready to break free from expectations. It wasn't polished perfection—it was loud, scrappy, and full of attitude.
Of course, a huge part of that appeal was Sebastian Bach. His voice was absolutely massive, soaring over the band's crunching guitars while still sounding dangerous and unpredictable. He had the charisma of a rock star and the vocal chops to back it up. Watching him command a stage back then, it was impossible to imagine him doing anything else.
Which is why it was so fascinating years later when he took his talents to Broadway. Not every rock singer can make that transition successfully, but Bach proved he had the range and presence to thrive in musical theater before eventually returning to his rock roots. It's a testament to just how talented he really is.
But whenever I think of Sebastian Bach, I still picture that young frontman tearing through "Youth Gone Wild" in front of a crowd that was ready to explode.
More than 35 years later, the song still holds up. It's a perfect snapshot of late-'80s rock, full of energy, rebellion, and youthful confidence. Every time it comes on, I'm right back at that skating rink, surrounded by fellow rock fans, singing along at the top of my lungs and having an absolute blast.
Some songs age. "Youth Gone Wild" remains forever young.
There are certain songs that instantly transport me back to being a teenage girl in the 1980s, and Spandau Ballet's "Only When You Leave" is at the top of that list.
Released in 1984, the song felt different from so much of what was on the radio at the time. While American pop was dominated by big hooks and flashy production, "Only When You Leave" had that unmistakable British sophistication. It was emotional without being over-the-top, stylish without trying too hard, and carried a sense of longing that spoke directly to my teenage heart.
Back then, I was completely fascinated by British music. Long before anyone was using the term Britpop, I was obsessed with the incredible wave of bands coming out of the UK. There was something about their sound, their fashion, and even their attitude that seemed far more interesting than anything else. Spandau Ballet was one of those groups that embodied everything I loved about that era.
"Only When You Leave" opens with one of the most recognizable horn lines of the decade, instantly pulling you in before Tony Hadley's powerful vocals take over. The song tells the story of realizing someone's importance only after they're gone, a feeling that seemed incredibly dramatic and relatable when you're a teenager. Every crush, every friendship, every disappointment somehow felt larger than life when this song played through my bedroom speakers.
Of course, it didn't hurt that the members of Spandau Ballet were incredibly easy on the eyes. Like many teen girls in the 80s, I had my fair share of posters on the wall and spent hours watching music videos on MTV whenever I could. But beyond the good looks was a band with genuine musical talent and a sound that has aged remarkably well.
More than 40 years later, "Only When You Leave" still holds up. Hearing it today brings back memories of cassette tapes, magazine clippings, and afternoons spent dreaming about someday visiting London. It's a reminder of a time when discovering a favorite song felt like uncovering a secret treasure.
Some songs become hits. Others become time machines. For me, "Only When You Leave" will always be both.
Back in 1992, alternative rock was exploding, but even in a sea of incredible new music, Alice In Chains' "Would?" sounded like it came from another planet.
I still remember hearing it on underground and college radio for the first time. The song didn't sound like the glam metal that had dominated the late '80s, and it wasn't quite like the punk-inspired grunge that was beginning to break through either. It was darker, heavier, more haunting. There was something hypnotic about it that immediately grabbed your attention.
The opening bass line from Mike Starr pulled you in before Layne Staley delivered one of the most distinctive vocal performances of the era. His voice carried pain, defiance, vulnerability, and power all at the same time. Then came those incredible harmonies with Jerry Cantrell, creating a sound that was unmistakably Alice In Chains.
"Would?" first appeared on the soundtrack to the film Singles before becoming one of the standout tracks on the band's breakthrough album Dirt. The song was written by Cantrell as a tribute to his friend Andrew Wood, who passed away in 1990, and that emotional weight can be felt throughout every note.
What made "Would?" so special was that it refused to fit neatly into any category. It had metal riffs, alternative rock attitude, and an almost psychedelic atmosphere. The quiet verses and explosive chorus created tension that kept listeners hanging on every word. It was heavy without being over-the-top and emotional without feeling sentimental.
More than three decades later, the song remains one of the defining tracks of the Seattle movement and one of the greatest songs of the 1990s. It still sounds fresh, still sounds powerful, and still gives me chills when that bass line kicks in.
For those of us who discovered it on underground radio in 1992, "Would?" wasn't just another song. It was a signal that rock music was changing, and Alice In Chains were leading the charge into something entirely new.
There are yacht rock songs, and then there are yacht rock songs. Player's "Baby Come Back" firmly falls into the second category.
Released in 1977, "Baby Come Back" is one of those tracks that somehow manages to sound both heartbreakingly sincere and impossibly smooth at the same time. The second those opening notes hit, I'm transported to a world of sunset cruises, mirrored sunglasses, and the kind of soft rock perfection that yacht rock fans live for.
What makes the song so special is its simplicity. It's a guy admitting he made a mistake and wants another chance. That's it. No complicated metaphors. No over-the-top drama. Just pure regret wrapped up in one of the catchiest melodies ever recorded. The chorus is so infectious that even people who swear they don't know the song somehow end up singing along by the second "Baby come back..."
Player consisted of Peter Beckett, J.C. Crowley, John Friesen, and guitarist Ronn Moss, and together they created one of the defining hits of the late '70s. The harmonies are flawless, the production is silky smooth, and the song perfectly captures the laid-back sophistication that would later become synonymous with yacht rock.
Of course, for soap opera fans, Ronn Moss is a familiar face for a completely different reason. Long before social media turned actors into household names, Moss became a daytime television icon as Ridge Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. He spent an incredible 25 years starring on the CBS soap, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in daytime television history. It's always fun to remind people that before all the fashion shows, love triangles, and Forrester family drama, he was helping create one of the greatest soft rock classics ever recorded.
Part of the magic of "Baby Come Back" is that it has never really gone away. The song continues to pop up in movies, television shows, commercials, and playlists dedicated to the golden age of soft rock. New generations discover it every year, and longtime fans never seem to get tired of hearing it.
Maybe that's because great songs don't age. They simply find new listeners.
For me, "Baby Come Back" remains one of the crown jewels of yacht rock, a perfect blend of smooth vocals, impeccable musicianship, and just enough heartbreak to make you hit repeat. If you're building the ultimate yacht rock playlist, this song isn't optional. It's required listening.
Twenty-eight years ago today, Sex and the City premiered and changed television forever.
Back in 1998, I was firmly Team Carrie Bradshaw. As a writer navigating life, love, friendships, and career ambitions, Carrie felt like the character who understood me. Her endless observations, complicated relationships, and habit of turning life's chaos into stories felt very familiar.
But something funny happens as the years go by.
While I still see a little Carrie in myself, I've discovered pieces of all four women along the way.
I've come to appreciate Charlotte's deep love of family, tradition, and believing that happy endings are worth pursuing. I've definitely embraced Miranda's sharp wit, sarcasm, and ability to tell it like it is—even when people don't necessarily want to hear it. And Samantha? The older I get, the more I admire her unapologetic freedom. She lived life on her own terms, refused to let others define her, and never felt the need to explain herself.
Maybe that's one of the reasons Sex and the City has endured for nearly three decades. At different stages of life, we find ourselves relating to different characters. What felt relatable at 25 isn't always what resonates at 50.
The older I get, the more I realize that the goal isn't to be Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, or Samantha. It's to embrace the parts of ourselves that connect with each of them.
And honestly, that's a pretty fabulous lesson.
Who did you identify with when the show first aired, and has that changed over the years?
Friday has always felt exciting, right? It’s the beginning of the weekend. Back when we were kids, Friday meant freedom, cartoons, the mall, hanging out with friends, staying outside until the streetlights came on. Friday was the start of the party.
So to me, there’s nothing more perfect than Freestyle Friday here at DailyBOOM.
Back in the 1980s, Latin freestyle exploded out of New York City and spread through places like Miami and Philadelphia before catching fire across the country. But honestly, the East Coast will always feel like the true home of freestyle music.
One of the very first songs to really break through was Please Don't Go by Nayobe in 1984. It’s considered one of the songs that introduced Latin freestyle to a wider audience.
To me, Nayobe was the ultimate boardwalk artist. If you grew up on the East Coast and spent summers “down the shore” at the Jersey Shore, you know exactly what I mean. Music blasted from every little shop along the boardwalk, and in the summer of 1984, “Please Don’t Go” was everywhere. The beat, the energy, the feeling, it instantly made you want to dance.
So for this Freestyle Friday, we’re throwing it back to Nayobe. And if you don’t remember this one, turn it up loud, because you’re probably about to love it.
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!
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".
(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?
For many of us, life just seems a whole lot better when we're surrounded by sun, sand, and of course a great big ocean. Salt life is a real thing, and it has been featured in music videos almost since the very start of MTV. Some of the most memorable visuals by music artists have featured the ocean as a backdrop. Since it's the unofficial start of summer, I thought it would be fun to revisit some old MTV favorites. Each of these videos has a beach theme and really stands out in my memory (hopefully yours too). So here we go and in NO particular order...
Belinda Carlisle- "Circle In The Sand"
Sundown all around
Walking thru the summer's end
Waves crash baby, don't look back
I won't walk away again
Oh, baby, anywhere you go,
We are bound together
I begin, baby, where you end
Some things are forever!
This was released in May of 1988 with Carlisle singing as various layered beach scenes flashed behind her. This song came at a time when the former Go Go's frontwoman could do no wrong musically. She had a string of solo hits, including "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and "Mad About You" that all charted well.
The Fat Boys- "Wipe Out"
For three years straight we toured the nation
When we get through we needed a vacation
We wanted to party and get a little rest
So we packed our things and headed out west
We got our surfboards took the beach ball out
Jumped in a limousine ready to "Wipeout"
The Fat Boys were a hip-hop trio from Brooklyn that first emerged in the early 80's. Their 1987 cover of "Wipe Out" was one of the biggest songs of the summer and this video was in heavy rotation on MTV.
Huey Lewis And The News- "Stuck With You"
Yes, it's true, (yes it's true) I am happy to be stuck with you
Yes, it's true, (yes it's true) I'm so happy to be stuck with you Cause I can see, (I can see) that you're happy to be stuck with me (yes it's true) I'm so happy to be stuck with you
I'm happy to be stuck with you
Happy to be stuck with you.
What guy wouldn't want to be stuck on a deserted island with Keely Shaye Smith circa 1986? Huey Lewis was probably thrilled to get to play in the sun and sand with the then-model for hours while filming "Stuck With You". The song itself spent 3 weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 and the video was one of the biggest of the year. The desert island in this is actually about ten miles from Paradise Island in Nassau.
Duran Duran- "Rio"
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines she really shows you all she can Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
While Duran Duran was picking up momentum in the early 80's their second studio album, Rio didn't really click here in the states- until their flashy video for the title song. "Rio" eventually became a visual example of all of the excesses that the decade became synonymous for. This features the band is slick suits speeding through the Caribbean on a yacht surrounded by beautiful women. Once the video was picked up by MTV then people realized what a great song this really was.
Bon Jovi- "In And Out Of Love"
Young and wired
Set to explode in the heat you won't tire Cause baby was born with the beat
Do you guys even remember this video from 1985? I had actually forgotten it but it has to be included here because it features the original Jersey boys playing on the boardwalk and in the sands of Seaside Heights!
David Lee Roth- "California Girls"
Well, East coast girls are hip,
I really dig those styles they wear; And the Southern girls with the way they talk, They knock me out when I'm down there, The mid-west farmers daughters Real-ly make you feel alright, And the northern girls with the way they kiss They keep their boyfriends warm at night.
Not long after leaving Van Halen in 1984 David Lee Roth returned to the airwaves with 1985's Crazy From The Heat. All four songs on the EP were covers of already established hits from the past. "California Girls" was kind of a no-brainer and the video loaded with chicks in bikinis became a summer staple.
Expose`- "Seasons Change"
Seasons change feelings change
It's been so long since I found you
Yet it seems like yesterday
Seasons change people change I'll sacrifice tomorrow Just to have you here today
In 1987 Expose` took their Miami freestyle sound and delivered it to the masses, with great success. Hits like "Come Go With Me" and "Let Me Be The One" landed in Billboard's top ten and solidified their run as a great dance band but that wasn't all that they were capable of. Their ballad "Seasons Change" earned the girl group their first number-one single and just as the song was a bit of a departure, so was the video. Instead of being a flashy, fun live performance, "Seasons Change" was set in a beach house. The girls are seen packing up their summer house while singing and eventually a run on the beach is of course in order.
Chris Isaak- "Wicked Game"
What a wicked game you played to make me feel this way
what a wicked thing to do to let me dream of you what a wicked thing to say you never felt this way what a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you
Take a sultry, haunting song, a topless Helena Christensen in Isaak's arms, and film it in black and white. The result? Perfection, the kind that even 27 years after its' original release still makes you stop to watch.
Wreckx-N-Effect- "Rump Shaker"
All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom
And a poom-poom - Just shake ya rump! The year was 1992 and Teddy Riley's production and guest vocals made "Rump Shaker" a club classic for Wreckz-N-Effect. The visual of a hot chick walking in the sand playing the saxophone is probably still cemented in the minds of many men out there.
Madonna- "Cherish"
Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side (Oh baby I) cherish the joy You keep bringing it into my life (I'm always singing it) Cherish the strength You got the power to make me feel good (And baby I) perish the thought Of ever leaving I never would
This was the third single off of Madonna's 1989 Like A Prayer release. After two controversial songs in a row, it was nice to see Madonna take on something as simple as love. Watching her play in the surf in "Cherish" was a nice reminder that while the diva was certainly issues-oriented, she still had a fun side.
Don Henley- "Boys Of Summer"
I can see you,
Your brown skin shining in the sun.
You got that top pulled down,
And that radio on, baby.
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong,
After the boys of summer have gone
Can you believe that this song is 32 years old? Well, it is and I think that "Boys Of Summer" might be one of the most timeless videos around. The black and white imagery flashes through the different stages of a man's life, from boyhood to middle age adulthood and you can feel the major flashback unfolding in front of your eyes. This is undoubtedly one of Henley's best songs, don't you think?
There is just a sampling of some of the best beach videos in old-school pop culture history. What are your favorites?
There are great Stars on Ice casts... and then there was 1995.
For figure skating fans, this tour felt like the Avengers assembling before anyone knew what an Avengers movie was.
Just look at the lineup: Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rosalynn Sumners, Christine Hough & Doug Ladret, Ekaterina Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov, Paul Wylie, Kurt Browning, plus Katarina Witt, Elena Bechke & Denis Petrov, and Natalia Annenko & Genrikh Sretenski. It was a collection of Olympic champions, World champions, artists, entertainers, and personalities who all happened to be on the same ice.
What made the mid-'90s Stars on Ice tours so special wasn't just the names on the poster. Every show felt like an event. The production numbers were theatrical, the choreography by Sandra Bezic was miles ahead of its time, and the skaters weren't simply recycling competitive programs—they were performers telling stories. It was the closest thing figure skating ever had to a Broadway production on blades.
I still think this was the era when professional skating was at its absolute peak. Scott Hamilton brought the humor and heart, Kristi Yamaguchi made everything look effortless, Paul Wylie could draw you into a story with a single edge, and Kurt Browning somehow blended elite athleticism with comedy in ways no one else could. Then there was Gordeeva and Grinkov, whose skating together remains one of the most beautiful partnerships the sport has ever seen. Every glide looked effortless, every lift looked weightless.
And can we talk about Christine Hough and Doug Ladret? They were always crowd favorites, bringing personality and chemistry that fit perfectly into the show's lighter moments.
One of the signature group numbers from the 1995 tour, "Five Minutes for Icing," perfectly captured what made Stars on Ice unique. Hamilton, Browning, and company turned hockey sounds, skate blades, and comedy into an unforgettable performance that fans still talk about three decades later. The grand finale, set to the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," had the entire cast celebrating together in a way that sent audiences home smiling.
Looking back now, the 1995 tour also carries an added emotional weight. It was one of the final opportunities fans had to watch Gordeeva and Grinkov perform together before Sergei's heartbreaking passing later that year. Their appearances on that tour have become treasured memories for everyone fortunate enough to see them live.
For me, Hough and Ladret, and Annenko and Sretenski stole the show. Tuffy and Doug broke from their usual rock performances to share a sensual skate to Sade's "Is It A Crime." Then, Natalia and Genrikh's stunning edge quality was glorious in Seal's "Prayer For The Dying."
If you were lucky enough to catch the 1995 Stars on Ice tour, you didn't just see an ice show—you witnessed one of the greatest collections of skating talent ever assembled. It's a reminder of a time when professional figure skating filled arenas, television specials were must-see events, and for a couple of magical hours, the world's biggest skating stars shared one sheet of ice.
The 2026 cast is currently on tour, grab some last minute tickets if you can!
