"Rock the Boat" by The Hughes Corporation

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Sunday, November 28, 2020: “Rock the Boat” by The Hughes Corporation

https://youtu.be/iKr9wZpjBqE

Today’s song was a number one hit in 1974. It didn’t gain popularity on the radio until discos started playing it then it raced up the radio charts. According to Wikipedia, it is considered to be one of the first disco songs. I found a WSJ article online that might explain more, but it was behind a paywall. form the little I could find online it seems the song was different than other songs of the time. Perhaps the thought production value or the lush arrangement is why.

"Against All Odds" by Phil Collins

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Friday, November 27, 2020: “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins

Music video of 1984From the Against All Odds Soundtrackhttp://www.philcollins-fr.comhttp://philcollins-fr.forumactif.comhttp://www.landofgenesis.fr

I am a big Phil Collins and Genesis fan. “Against All Odds” wouldn’t make it into my top 20 Phil Collins songs list. But there it was, the featured song in my head this morning. The song was inescapable in 1984. It was on the radio, played at the skating rink, and the video on TV all the time. It was Phil’s first US number one as a solo artist. Even though I’m not a fan, Phil does sell the song vocally. I give him credit for that.

"Sometimes" by Erasure

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Thursday, November 26 2020: “Sometimes” by Erasure

Official HD music video for "Sometimes" by Erasure. The breakthrough single from Erasure (Vince Clarke & Andy Bell) was released in October 1986. The first r...

Erasure’s first hit, “Sometimes” was released in October, 1986. It charted at number two in the UK. The band did phenomenally well in the UK with 13 top 10 and 8 top 20 songs. In the US, three of their songs ended up in the top 20 including 1988’s “Chains of Love” and “A Little Respect,” and 1994’s “Always.”

The video features some of the most sincere rooftop dancing among hanging laundry you’ll ever see.

"Raspberry Beret" by Prince

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020: “Raspberry Beret” by Prince.

"Raspberry Beret" from 'Around the World in a Day' (1985) ☔️ Listen to more Prince here https://lnk.to/PrinceStream 📺 Watch all the official Prince videos he...

When it was #2 in 1985, Raspberry Beret wasn’t one of my favorite Prince songs. Since then, I’ve grown to like it. I think one of the reasons is Raspberry Beret contains one of my favorite lyrics ever:

“Seems to me I was dong something close to nothing, but different than the day before.”

It cracks me up there could be many forms of doing nothing, indistinguishable to the untrained eye, but to a person that is a pro at doing nothing, there are many shades of nothing.

Another favorite lyric:

“She walked in through the out door”

The lyrical picture Prince paints of the woman who came into the five and dime that day is very colorful.

Random thoughts about the video

The cool dancing and the funky finger cymbal introduction.

Prince coughs. Why? To be sick and do something no one else would do, according to a Rolling Stone interview.

The woman in the yellow that gets a brief dance solo is Kimberly B. Delfin.

Pat Smear from the Foo Fighters was in the video just hanging out.

"Saved by Zero" by the Fixx

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Tuesday, November 24, 2020: “Saved by Zero” by the Fixx

The Fixx - Saved By Zero (Best Audio)

The first single from the 1983 album “Reach the Beach,” the song reached number 20 in the US. Earlier in my life, I was more familiar with their next song, “One Thing Leads to Another.” Since then, I’ve come to appreciate many of their other songs which did fairly well on US rock charts.

According to Wikipedia, the song is about a reset back to zero:

"The song was written from the point of view of the release you get when you have nothing left to lose. It’s sort of a meditation. It clears your head of all fears and panics and illusions and you get back to the basics, which is a Buddhist mantra, which I practiced back then, and which I still do. The idea of the song is how great it is to get back to zero."

I wanted to post the actual video, but at this time, the only version I could find had some funky things going on with the audio.

“I’m Your Man” by Wham!

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Monday, November 23, 2020: “‘I’m Your Man” by Wham!

The release of this song marked the beginning of the end for the duo. Six months later, George went solo. This was the last song the duo performed together live. George went on to become a major artist in the 80s and 90s selling over 80 million albums. Andrew Ridgley’s post-Wham music career wasn’t as successful, but he’s doing ok. He co-wrote “Careless Whisper” and has amassed 10 million pounds as a result.

"Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" by The Icicle Works

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Sunday, November 22, 2020: “Whisper to a Scream” by The Icicle Works.

Gary Numan 'Music For Chameleons' TOTP (1982) https://bit.ly/2IQQLCN The Charlatans 'Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over' TOTP (1995) https://bit.ly/35Na3S...

What you call this song depends on where you live. In 1984 it charted in the UK at #89, by the name “Birds Fly.” In the US, where it charted #37 on the Hot 100 and broke the top 20 on a couple of the rock charts, it was called “Whisper to a Scream.”

"Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Saturday, November 21, 2020: “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol

REMASTERED IN HD! Official video of Billy Idol performing Rebel Yell from the album Rebel Yell. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/seyqyn Like Billy Idol on Fac...

Why is this one in my head today? Because I listened to it about 10 times last night.

When you listen, put on a good pair of headphones.

If I had it to do over again, I would like to learn more about music production. I can pick out some stuff. Here’s a pretty cool breakdown of the production used in Rebel Yell.

Things to listen for:

• The intro that sounds like a combination of guitar and synth? Both parts = Steve Stevens on guitar.

• Steve Stevens on guitar.

• The mix of all the elements is amazingly balanced.

• The drums are bigger than life.

• The production choices on Idol’s voice throughout, reverb, panning, etc. (Although listening to the isolation track, maybe they aren’t all that interesting.)

• The use of guitar and synth in a rock song.

"Running with the Night" Lionel Richie

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Friday, November 20, 2020: “Running with the Night” by Lionel Richie.

1983) Solo career. He released his self-titled debut in 1982, which contained three hit singles: the huge U.S. #1 song "Truly" that launched his career as on...

As with many of the songs I wake up with, I am not sure where this one came from. I literally haven’t heard it in ages.

Things about this song I didn’t realize at the time but appreciate now:

• The blistering guitar solo from Toto’s Steve Lukather. Story below.

• I think other members of Toto might have been involved too. Since the 80s, I better appreciate their contribution to so many songs.

• Richard Marx, at that time a session singer, sang backing vocals.

• Sheila E. is the woman in the red, off the shoulder dress.

• The cinematography is fantastic.

• The choreography felt a lot like Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” That’s because Bob Giraldi directed both videos.

Steve Lukather was listening to the track for the first time and messing around, warming up for the recording of his guitar solo. After he was done, he told the producer he was ready to record. The producer, who was recording the whole time, told him he got what he wanted.

Solid choice, head. Solid choice.

"I Want it That Way" Backstreet Boys

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Thursday, November 19, 2020: “I Want it That Way” by Backstreet Boys

Official music video for "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys Listen to the Backstreet Boys: https://BackstreetBoys.lnk.to/listenYD Subscribe to the B...

I was working at Z100 in Portland in 1999 when “I Want it That Way” was released. We got a copy a couple of days before, and I played it on the air. It wasn’t the version that became popular though. I think we played the alternate version over the weekend. The next week, we were playing the version that became popular.

Lyrically, the two versions are nothing alike. They seem to tell two different stories.

Musically, similar but the beat is a little different. And there’s an annoying snare drum.

I always wondered why we played one version for a few days and then it changed to the other. Apparently, the band liked the second version better.

Below is the alternate version I played for a couple days.

Alternate version of the song unreleased. I do not own the rights to this song.

"First Time" by Robin Beck

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Wednesday, November 18, 2020': “First Time” by Robin Beck.

Robin Beck - The Very First Time (HQ) 80's

Here’s a song that spent three weeks at number one you likely never heard. Even though it was a smash all around Europe, it never even charted in the United States. Until recently, I had never heard it either.

The hook (1:13) was playing on repeat in my head this morning.

Beck sang backup and worked with some pretty big names early on in her career. After this song, she sang backup on a couple of Cher’s hits.

This is one of those puzzling songs. I don’t understand how it could do so well everywhere else but not even get on the charts here.

Two videos were made for this song. Here’s the other one with more of a rock edge.

Versión americana (la otra que está colgada es la europea) del archiconocido tema de la cantante americana y que pertenecía a la campaña publicitaria de Coca...

"Would I Lie to You" Eurythmics

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Tuesday, November 17, 2020: “Would I Lie to You” by Eurythmics.

Eurythmics - Would I Lie to You? (Official Video) Preorder Eurythmics vinyl released in 2018 -http://smarturl.it/EU_multi Listen on Spotify -http://smarturl....

The year was 1985. The Eurythmics changed from a synth-pop sound to a more rocking sound with their new album. This was the first release from “Be Yourself Tonight”, and it peaked at number five in the US. Like many other Eurythmics songs, Annie Lenox and Dave Stewart wrote this one.

A whole lotta’ brass, a motorcycle revving, and big, powerful vocals. That’s how I would describe “Would I Lie to You.”

"Born to Be My Baby" by Bon Jovi

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Monday, November 16, 2020; “Born to Be My Baby” by Bon Jovi

New album '2020' out now https://BonJovi.lnk.to/2020-TheAlbum Follow Bon Jovi: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonJovi Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...

Not sure where this one came from. Not one that I particularly liked at the time or now. It was released almost 32 years ago, November 24, 1988, and peaked at number 3 in 1989. Fun fact, the hug at the end of the video is when the band discovered the album “New Jersey” was the number one album in the nation.

To me, this song felt like “Livin on a Prayer” part 2.

"Don't Tell Me" by Blancmange

Woke Up with it in My Head song for Sunday, November 15, 2020: “Don’t Tell Me” by Blancmange.

Blancmange - Don't Tell Me (Official Music Video) Released 1984 From the album 'Mange Tout' UK Chart Position #8 https://smarturl.it/MangeToutDeluxe

You wanted to book the Talking Heads at your birthday party, but all you could afford was Blancmange. Not really true but funny. When I first heard them, I thought they were the Talking Heads. They’re actually a synth-pop group from the UK. They had a few hits there, including this one which peaked at number eight in the UK.

"Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Saturday, November 14, 2020: “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses.

AppetiteForDestruction: The Debut Album, Remastered and Expanded. Available now as Box Set, Super Deluxe, Double LP, and Double CD here: https://lnk.to/Appe...

Appetite for Destruction was released in 1987, but "Paradise City” wasn’t released as a single until 1989. It was a worldwide hit reaching number 5 in the US and #6 in the UK.

The first time I heard Paradise City was in either 88 or 89. It was either at Boys State or Youth Business Academy. For the week-long event, we stayed in dorm rooms. My roommate played the album nonstop for that week. I had heard “Welcome to the Jungle” on the radio, but this was my first time exposed to other GN'R songs. My roommates favorite one was “Paradise City,” When he wasn’t listening to it in the dorm room, he was singing the line “Take me down to the paradise city, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.”

This is one of the few songs that features a sports whistle. And after that whistle blows, the rocking begins.

I’m bummed this video is a mix of old footage and newer footage. I wanted more images of these guys as young punks. But I don’t know they made a video for it at the time.

"Everything Counts" by Depeche Mode

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Friday, November 13, 2020: “Everything Counts” by Depeche Mode.

Depeche Mode - "Everything Counts" (Official Video) directed by Clive RichardsonOriginal song from the 'Construction Time Again' album (Sire/Mute Records - 1...

Maybe the relevance of the line, “The grabbing hands, they grab all they can” caused this song to embed in my brain and greet me when I opened my eyes.” Maybe it was the xylophone, the melodica, or the shawm. Gotta’ give Depeche Mode extra points for using unique instruments.

Released in 1983, the song made it to number six in the UK and number 17 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

"Somewhere in My Heart" by Aztec Camera

The Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Thursday, November 12, 2020: “Somewhere in My Heart” by Aztec Camera.

Watch the official music video for "Somewhere In My Heart" by Aztec Camera. "Somewhere in My Heart" is the twelfth single and biggest hit by the Scottish ban...

I thought this was Duran Duran. So, when I woke up this morning with “Somewhere in My Heart” in my head, I was surprised to find out it was the Scottish band Aztec Camera.

This was their biggest hit making it to number three in the UK in 1988.

"House of Fun" by Madness

Woke Up With it in My Head Song for Wednesday, November 11, 2020: "House of Fun" by Madness. They had 15 songs in the UK top 10. This made it to #1.

Their songs were unique, their videos were unique, and their names were unique. Band members included Suggs, Woody, Bedders, Monsieur Barso, Chrissy Boy, and Chas Smash.

I wish I better understood how they fit in culturally in England during the 80s, but reading through the comments on their Youtube videos, I think they were influential in many people's lives.

I encourage you to read the comments as you listen/watch. And if you are so inclined, check out their song "Baggy Trousers." It is the most British song by the most British band I've ever heard.

"Who's That Girl?" by Eurythmics

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Tuesday, November 10, 2020: “Who’s That Girl?” Eurythmics.

Eurythmics - Who's That Girl? (Official Video) Preorder Eurythmics vinyl released in 2018 -http://smarturl.it/EU_multi Listen on Spotify -http://smarturl.it/...

In 1983, between “Sweet Dreams” and “Here Come the Rain Again,” The Eurythmics released this song. Although I don’t remember it from the 80s, it did ok in the US peaking at number 21, it make it to number three in the UK.

I have to thank Absolute 80s for opening my ears to this and other Eurythmics songs I didn’t know until recently. I always liked their hits, but have come to appreciate more of their music by getting exposed to their UK hits.

Favorite part of this video, Dave Stewart’s hair.

"Early in the Morning" by Robert Palmer

Woke Up with it in My Head Song for Monday, November 9, 2020: “Early in the Morning” by Robert Palmer.

Early in the morning featured in the album "Heavy Nova" (1988) by Robert Palmer

Not one of my Robert Palmer favorites, but ended up in my head this morning anyway. Palmer’s version peaked at #19 in 1988. As far as covers go, he did a respectable job.

The Gap Band did it originally in 1982. I like their version better. And on this blog, my conscious mind makes the decisions.

Music video by The Gap Band performing Early In The Morning. (C) 1982 The Island Def Jam Music Group #TheGapBand #EarlyInTheMorning #Vevo