An '80s Moment with Alan: Ladies of the '80s
My '80s obsession is pretty well documented--I find myself falling further and further down the rabbit hole of (hopefully) endless '80s obscurities, and I'm loving every minute of it. In this post, I've chosen to focus on some of the ladies of the '80s. I'm not talking about Madonna, or Cyndi, or Cher, though I'm tempted to go there (hey that rhymed!), I'm gonna take you some places you may have never been before. Follow me...
Bardeux, "When We Kiss"
I'm putting this one first because you have to watch it. Now, I know I've posted a Bardeux video before ("Magic Carpet Ride"), but that was before I re-discovered/remembered this gem, and I would be remiss if I didn't share it with you. "When We Kiss" makes "Magic Carpet Ride," both from the magnificent but totally out-of-print album Bold As Love, seem kitschy and quaint by comparison, not that there's anything wrong with that. "Kiss" is a straight up slow jam with some cheesy-ish raps and a vibe that someone needs to resurrect, because this track is on fire. I would totally cruise down the street with this blasting out of my stereo anytime, any day. Make special note of the use of what may be the cheesiest fake sax/trumpet/trombone synth sound in the whole wide world. It's very presence in this song elevates it to a higher plain. Plus, I want to live in the fantastical soap opera world where this video was shot--a world where these girls are my best friends and I can borrow those sunglasses.
Kim Wilde, "The Touch"
You may know Ms. Wilde for her hits "Kids In America" and her truly stellar remake of the Supremes' '60s hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On," but today I'll shine the spotlight on a lesser-known track--"The Touch" from her all-but-forgotten and totally out-of-print '84 album Teases and Dares. Not only is the song totally great in that way that only the '80s can conjure, but the video is a complete WTF mashup of Cinderella and the frog prince, complete with scary drag queen evil step-sisters. Don't miss the incredible dance she does with her arms at the end, which begs to be replicated on dance floors and in bedroom mirrors across the world.
Frida, "I Know There's Something Going On"
Oh Frida, you were always the overlooked lady in ABBA, but once you went solo, you kind of completely totally ruled. In this Phil Collins produced track (and album--his signature drums are all over this one), Frida reveals a side of herself absent from any of her previous musical efforts, the side of her that rocks. She teases with her verses, then eventually lets loose into a paranoid robo-chorus for the ages. I think the whole album is about her split from former husband and bandmate Benny Andersson--it has a real jilted lover vibe to it, and this song is pure magic.
Jane Weidlin, "Rush Hour"
Before she was the hot/cute/sweet dominatrix lady on that one VH1 show, Jane Weidlin was a member of and main songwriter for '80s staples the Go-Go's, but in the years between the two, she was a pretty rad solo artist. If I were ever to make a list of the greatest songs to drive to, "Rush Hour" would have to take my number one spot--it's loads of fun, but really kicks in with it's catchier-than-a-cold chorus. Here's proof of its greatness in video form (bowties! everywhere! dolphins!):
Jane Child, "Don't Wanna Fall In Love"
From one lady named Jane, to another. This Jane, Jane Child, is a lot different from the last one. In this era of "Don't Wanna Fall In Love," she has what may be the most extreme mullet ever worn by a human, or any other form of life (or is it some sort of hair cape?), not to mention her, at the time, totally frightening earring-connected-to-nosering-chain-thing, that just seems kind of dated and cute now. Note the fantastic scene near the end where she rocks out facing the wall of a surprisingly well-lit NYC street.
Pebbles, "Girlfriend"
While this a great pre-pills Paula Abdul knockoff, fast forward to around 2:20 and again around 2:50 for the really good part--one of the greatest shout bits in an '80s pop song ever: "To believe, or not to believe, that is the qwes-tee-yawn. It just takes a street degree. You've lied your last lie, and I've cried my last cry, I'm out the door baaaby! There's other fish in the sea." Do they think pronouncing the word "question" like that makes it more high class? Perhaps in a world where one earns a street degree, it does.
Did I miss your favorite super obscure '80s lady? Got any other ideas for nooks and crannies of '80s music I can uncover? Let me know in the comments. See you next time!
--Alan Wiley
Kurt on March 02, 2009 at 02:55 PM
I enjoyed hearing and seeing some of these again. I had forgotten about many of them. The first two were completely unfamiliar to me. (I remember Kim Wilde, but not that song.) Still, I did have one correction. Although Pebbles sounds like a Paula Abdul clone, "Girlfriend" actually came out in 1987, whereas Abdul's first album wasn't released until 1988, and it didn't make its way to the top of the charts until about a year later. I looked up the dates because I remember the Pebbles song being popular during my senior year in college (1987-1988); I don't think I knew who Paula Abdul was until at least 1989.
Mitch G. on March 02, 2009 at 11:16 AM
another lover-gone-ambiguous song from the '80s is a song by Canadian band Honeymoon Suite called "I've Got a New Girl Now", nice attitude to it.
Timothy Sandefur on March 02, 2009 at 07:56 AM
This is getting away from music, but it has to be said: the most desirable woman of the 1980s, by a mile, was Claire Huxtable.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on March 02, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I've always loved "I Know There's Something Going On"--it's 80s pop, but with real emotion and a nice dark edge to it. The guitar licks over Phil Collins' drums between the lines are what make it work.
rastajenk on March 02, 2009 at 04:52 AM
Bananarama?
Slartibartfast on March 02, 2009 at 04:05 AM
My ladies of the eighties would be:
Marie Fredrikssen of Roxette
Teri Nunn of Berlin
Lene Lovich
Cindi Lauper
Toni Childs
But there's not as much cheese there, unless you consider Lene Lovich's quirkiness. The eighties yielded rich deposits of crap, but also lots of really good music.
Wonderduck on March 01, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I'll second Lone Justice or Maria McKee, whichever you choose. But how could you have not put Stacey Q on this list?
*snicker*
on March 01, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Bardeaux reminds of this
T'pau - Heart and Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJK7dMSd31k
thebronze on March 01, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Now THAT was funny, Brendon!
Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) on March 01, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Oh, I don't know. Hearing Phil Collins' signature drums all over Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On" -- and immediately recognizing them -- reminded me how overpowering that man's creativity was in the 80s through the early 90s. He was quite a talent.
Jim on March 01, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Listening to this music again was like being forced to relive some kind of stomach flu where you threw up a bunch of times.
Musically, I'd rather listen to the rhythmic tapping of a wire coat hanger against a pipe than these songs.
On the other hand, seeing Jane Weidlin like this did make my heart beat a little faster...she was easy to fall in love with, wasn't she?
Rich Cox on March 01, 2009 at 08:21 PM
What about Kate Bush?
Mmmm yes Sensual World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJc64xncBt4
or This Woman's Work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1fqgg42vo
and Love and Anger (some awesome lyrics!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ipM__nt8fM
She became less experimental I think in the mid to late '80s and a little more safe.
Lee on March 01, 2009 at 07:59 PM
i loooooved peebles.... she was hooouttt. brings back good memories of innocent days gone by.
Bryan Frymire on March 01, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Martha Davis - Hell yeah! "Only the Lonely" was a great song. She does a duet with Fee Waybill on the Tubes "Outside Looking In" album. It's "Do the Monkeytime" and it's pretty dang good. Earth Wind & Fire horns are all over that album. Get it now.
That "Bardeaux" song was dreadful! Dude - if that song is one that you want to blast from your car stereo at high volumes then you must drive a Miata. I did like the Fiat 124 Spyder in the video though. Owned two of those. They were great cars. Wrecked 'em both.
The "Frida" song is pretty good. A little sparse for me but there ya go.
Jane Child - if one can get over her "Spawn of Predator" look she's a great performer and musician. A serious talent. I believe that she played all instruments in that song - synth will let you do that stuff. I have always loved that tune. A radio talker used to use it as her intro every day. No vocals, of course. Killer single.
The rest of the songs in this list suck. That's my professional opinion. Sorry. No accounting for taste, I guess.
"Flock of Seagulls - now THAT was a concert!" - (Overheard by a friend of mine at a Return to Forever concert.
Darren on March 01, 2009 at 06:47 PM
I have Frida's album--on cassette! There were some *awesome* songs on there. That woman can sing.
Tombo on March 01, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Wow, that music was just terrible.
Trouble on March 01, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Remember Martha Davis of The Motels - she of the smoky contralto voice and statuesque figure?
Xmas on March 01, 2009 at 04:50 PM
I like this early Tori Amos work...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D43vgHLRiUU
kevin on March 01, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Lone Justice - Maria Mckee was awesome Never made it big but had a big voice
anonymous on March 01, 2009 at 04:38 PM
...and as Joan of Arc in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) on March 01, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Jane Child was awesome in Battlefield Earth.