It was totally awesome to grow up in the 80s. Totally.
A reader named Michael sent me to a list of The 10 Most Terrifyingly Inspirational 80s Songs, and hell yeah! Over-the-top, cheesetastic awesomeness.
And guess what #1 is? Just GUESS.
I never have confessed publicly why exactly I love “Eye of the Tiger” so goddamn much. Check it out: When I was in 6th grade, we all had to do some sort of entertaining thing for an parents’ assembly. Not a talent show so much as “kids performing like monkeys for the pleasure of adults who hate them”.
I had these two friends named Christy and Diana, and we were stone-cold AWESOME at double-dutch jump rope, so we did that for the assembly. Diana and I turned the ropes while Christy jumped. We did tricks and moves like nobody’s business, and we kicked so much ass that there was no ass left to kick by the end of our demonstration.
Which of course had to be set to music. Which, OH SHIT YEAH BABY, was “Eye of the Tiger”.
You cannot possibly imagine how very, very, very, very, very, very cool we thought we were. Unless you were also about 11 years old in 1983. Then, yeah. You know. It was all about legwarmers and parachute pants and mullets. It was a harmonic convergence of cheesy pop culture and prepubescent hubris. Plus, did I mention the mullets? Because we all had them. All of us. All. Seriously, get out your old yearbook from those days and find a mullet-less kid. You cannot do it.
Maybe I’ll post a pic later, of my own mullet circa 1983. Maybe I won’t. You’ll find out when it happens.
And how about #9 on the list, “Wanted (Dead or Alive)” by Bon Jovi? BWAA HAHAHA. See, the late 80s sucked. They sucked balls. I was in high school then and Jesus Christ, times were bad. All the boys had long fluffy hair, and it was not attractive. They wore ripped-up faded jeans through which you could see detailed anatomy of their peckers, and it was not attractive. I blame Bon Jovi for all of this.
I was going to provide further insightful commentary on the 80s and terrifying rock songs and hairdo’s but I just realized I’m hungry. Blogging while hungry is always a mistake. You’re feeling a little punchy, a little disoriented, and you say things you might regret. Like that the other night, you were so hungry when you opened a can of “chicken niblets in gravy” for your old dog as a special treat that you actually paused for a full 15 seconds with a spoonful of “chicken niblets in gravy” about an inch from your mouth, thinking about how it smells So. Fucking. Delicious. Maybe just a little taste? But you got yourself under control, because what do they make that shit out of, anyway?
a friend and I were in charge of the sound system at the rink for a hockey tournament in high school a few years back. he was supposed to bring all the CDs. but the morning of the tournament, he doesn’t show. so there i am, running the sound for a day-long tourney, four or five games, with only the one CD i happened to have in my player at the time. on that CD, there was only one suitable arena sports song, and you know which one it was. oh, yeah. every intermission, every stop in the action, every face-off: eye of the tiger, baby. i was having the time of my life. the players loved it, too!
as a guy named adrian, let’s just say i have a few problems with the rocky franchise, but this song sure ain’t one of ‘em.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 2:40 pmI like the selection of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” — that’s such an awesome song. Nobody could growl like Bonnie, and that song could really get my blood pumping!
I do, however, thoroughly despise her song “Total Eclipse of The Heart”, especially its “Turn around bright eyes. Turn around bright eyes … turnaround” refrain. I probablt also hate that song b/c it was playing on my car’s radio when I had my first car accident. It was raining, and I braked too hard. Next thing I know I’m doing a 180 on the Edens Expressway! My ”76 Olds Cutlass was the equivalent of a Sherman Tank, and the Mack truck that hit my car had to be towed, while I drove home.
Good times!
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pmYeah, so I went to Cracked before I came here…. but then I come here to find out that the ladies DIDN’T LIKE my ’shredded’ 501s?!!! And the hair? Oh, c’mon now… you know you loved the hair.
But CRACKED hit it on the head re: Kenny Loggins and ‘Danger Zone’. He recorded two? great songs, then returned his ‘temp’ masculinity. And I hated his spiked hair.
But the song has accounted for two of my speeding tickets… really. Listening to it ought to count as an affirmative defense.
But I’m really sad you didn’t like the jeans. Class of 1992
Posted by Steve Ronin on October 25th, 2007 at 3:13 pmOh I do miss the 80s. Big hair people, it was all about the big hair. And oh yeah, greed was good too. I got married in 1983 - sweet time to be a yuppie dual income no kids couple. Hell yeah baby - I loved the 80s.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 3:31 pmWow. Hair that can be measured with a ruler, not a yardstick. Singing while standing in one spot in front of a microphone, instead of while dancing around the stage like an epileptic 10 year old on a sugar high. Yes, so much better than the late 80s.
My sister, who was born in 1979, LOVED “Total Eclipse of the Heart” when she was 4.
And don’t forget: Abra, Abra cadabra, I want to reach out and grab ya! That was the theme song of my homeroom’s homecoming float. Chicken wire and colored tissue paper turned into a black magic hat. Boy, those were the days.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 3:47 pmJeebus I hated that stuff. I was so deep in the dark side back then, listening to Slayer, Exodus, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Overkill, pre-Black album Metallica, Megadeth, all the stuff that scared the wussy Hair Band crowd.
Ah, the good old days. No mullet for me, just long hair, totally product free.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 4:05 pmOhhhhhhhhhhhhh the eighties.
Oh legwarmers.
Long foppy fringes (is that what you guys call bangs?)
All mention of trousers (jeans etc ) that had elastic around the ankles - effectively making who ever wore them look like dump trucks.
Oh shoulder pads.
Yes, the single worst decade for fashion ….ever. The stone age doesn’t have anything on the eighties.
Mental note to self : next time I visit my parents I must set fire to their photo albums ‘83- ‘90.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 4:08 pmI was a metal girl myself, not a single picture of me during the 80s where my entire head + hair actually fit in the picture. Then there was that whole shoulderpad thing.
I wonder what we’re all doing and wearing now that will put us to shame in a few years.
Posted by rebecca on October 25th, 2007 at 4:35 pmGood grief, the first thing that I thought of when I saw bad 80’s music mentioned was Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It’ with a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. I almost burned my Van Halen albums after Eddie disgraced himself by appearing with Michael. I have to laugh at memories of the big tough jocks in their bitchin’ Camaro’s blasting “Beat It” thru their Alpine stereo’s in the parking lot. And they thought they were cool! Ha! Class of 1984.
Posted by Chris H on October 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pmRachel said to guess, so here goes, top three songs for craptacular ’80’s music:
Your Kiss Is On My Lips–Hall & Oates
Muscrat Love–Captain & Tenille
Lovin’ You–Minnie Whatsherface with that screechy oooooooooooooh.
O.K., gonna go check the link now to see how I scored. Then I’m gonna blow an airhorn in my ear canal to clear my head.
Posted by MargeinMI on October 25th, 2007 at 5:09 pmClass of 1985 here, so I was all about that decade. If you could’ve seen me back then–you would’ve laughed at me even more than if you saw me now. Yep, I had a keyboard tie. And zipper pants. And a closet full of OP shirts. And Vans–can’t forget the Vans.
But 1983–the Summer of Rocky III and Eye of the Tiger… Man, it’s been a long time since them days. Didn’t every high school dance team do a routine to that song that year?
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 5:13 pmThe 80’s will always be walking to the movie theatre in the warm summer evening, big hair, bright clothes, buying a ticket for “Back to the Future.” That movie was pure distilled 80’s all the way — action, fast cars, great science, leg warmers, mullets, big hair and roaring American happiness all the way to the final credits.
If I could get in the Delorean today, that’s where I’d dial the numbers: July 4th, 1985.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 5:22 pmI agree you can’t get better than Eye of the Tiger for inspiration. But the rest of that list sucks!
Where is Night Ranger? You can’t make a list like that without Sister Christian.
MOTORIN’!
MOTORIN’!!!
And what about Hungry Like the Wolf?
I do enjoy The Final Countdown, but more so out of nostalgia (mostly courtesy of “Arrested Development”). But for inspiration, wouldn’t Rock You Like Hurricane be better?
Oh, and don’t even get me started on his choice from Queen… Can you make a more inspirational song than WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS? Another One Bites the Dust, well, bites.
Definitely not a good list.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 5:45 pmOK, thinking about it…
Here are my 10 inspirational songs from the 80’s in no particular order:
Eye of the Tiger
Hungry Like the Wolf
We Are the Champions
Rock You Like a Hurricane
Sister Christian
Bad to the Bone
Biko
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Jump
…that should work!
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 5:50 pmMan, so glad I was a teen in the 70s, when we had good music.
I did however, wear those stupid tight cropped pants with the zippers by the ankles in the early to mid 80s. And had assymetrical hair. Oy. I mean, it’s one thing to wear stupid stuff as a teen, but to look back at pictures and realized I dressed like that as an adult is just embarrassing.
Posted by Bad Penny on October 25th, 2007 at 5:58 pmThe Innocent 80’s. Sigh.
My best friend and I danced to Lucretia McEvil for our high school talent contest.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 6:02 pmOne final comment for now… this is not exactly rock/pop music, but it was in the 1980’s and it is DAMN inspirational:
That’s Leonard Bernstein conducting Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, with the words changed from “Ode to Joy” to “Ode to Freedom,” performed in East Berlin, next to the open Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall, on Christmas Day, 1989 - weeks after the Wall was broken. A crowd of many tens of thousands gathered outside the hall where the orchestra played, listening to the live performace and watching on stadium-type outdoor screens, erupting into applause when they heard the word “FREIHEIT!”
I honestly have never in my life been more inspired by ANY musical performance of any kind, and doubt I ever will again. Even watching Congress sing God Bless America on the Capitol Steps the day after 9/11 pales in comparison to the pure power and emotion of this moment in musical history.
Damn I got choked up watching that on TV!
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 6:05 pmFor those who were born in the 90s or the late 80s, they’ll probably only know the song from .
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 6:09 pmThe hairdresser failed miserably trying to create a mullet with my hair…it was awful and I could not wait for my hair to grow back.
And hell yeah! The 80s RAWKED! Everything about it except for nursing school and a couple of asshole men that I fell in love with.
Posted by Doanli on October 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pmAnd I love the movies from the 80s as well.
Music?
I remember Taylor Dane and the Milli Vanilli scandal.
Posted by Doanli on October 25th, 2007 at 6:37 pmI’m not sure if I would have had the mullet if I could have, but if you wanted to play sports at my high school, you went down to Ed’s Barber Shop and told him you wanted the Coach K special. Coach Kindred was a former USMC drill instructor. Enough said. After graduating in ‘85, I went off to the Naval Academy. The last class to enroll before Top Gun. So the hair stayed short. I have to agree, though, that Danger Zone really was “terrifyingly inspirational.”
Posted by cknight on October 25th, 2007 at 6:43 pmDoanli: Ha! Taylor Dayne. I did buy that tape. And during the summer of ‘88, while I was assigned for training to USS Eisenhower before returning for my last year at the Academy, I saw her during a port call as the opening act for Michael Jackson in a stadium in Nice, France. Despite what he later became, that guy put on a great concert back then.
Posted by cknight on October 25th, 2007 at 6:49 pmI’ve been thankful since..well since I can remember that I was too young to really experience the 80’s..neon clothes..mullets and the music makes me cringe..not that all music made in the 80’s sucks..just most..the movies too…and yes I’ve seen soooo many 80’s movies and listened to the music and try as I might I cant drink enough to erase the memories:(
BUT there was Macgyver and a few other fun shows..but I woulda been born in the 70’s if I coulda cause the 90’s sucked too…even more neon clothes..and since I wore my sisters hand me downs..I know what its like to wear shoulder pads:(
Of course if anyone has any good examples of why I’m wrong..please steer me in the right direction:)
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 7:01 pmFirst of all, the Milli Vanilli scandal happened in the early 90’s didn’t it? I mean, they were popular in the late 80s… So that doesn’t count.
But there were some great things about the 80s–
Moonlighting
The Sure Thing
U2
The Breakfast Club
But the most craptacular song ever to come out of the 80’s had to be Poison’s ‘Unskinny Bop’. Good lord, that video has got to be the cheesiest thing since Journey’s ‘Separate Ways’ video with the invisible instruments.
What a dork I was, jealous of these guys because this totally hot girl I was in love with was in love with them…
Oh, and here’s the journey video…
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 7:21 pmNo, the 70’s sucked pretty hard too.
Disco and Terrry Jacks on the stereo. Pink Lady and Jeff, Hudson Brothers on the tube not to mention Shields and Yarnell. Although I got to say that Lorene Yarnell had a major league rack.
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, ain’t going back.
Posted by Tolbert on October 25th, 2007 at 7:22 pmYeah, I grew up in the 70’s, and the people I hung out with were all nostalgic for the 60’s.
In hindsight, a lot of crap happened during the 60’s, but the music has been mostly downhill since then.
Except for Bob Dylan. He went downhill for awhile too, but his last three or four albums are among his best ever. Go figure.
Posted by rickl on October 25th, 2007 at 8:37 pmRachel, dear lady, that was a truly painful exercise in nostalgia. Quite frankly, it sucked. All of it. The few brain cells I have still functioning from the early ’70’s remind me that rock ‘n roll peaked around 1972-74 with the Who, the Stones, the Dead, and other worthies of the genre. I would even throw into the mix Zappa, Dylan, and Bowie over what came later. The rest is best forgotten. All the hair and make-up was really just compensation for a lack of talent. *Gack*
Posted by BasilRiverdale on October 25th, 2007 at 8:52 pmUh, guys, Seventy’s music sucked???…let’s see now…Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, ZZ Top, Cream, ALLMAN BROTHERS. Joe Cocker, Lynrd Skynrd, Leon Russell, Joe Walsh, Traffic, I turned on in the summer of 1970, so I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few. Well, I’m off to drag out the old albums.
Posted by Janna on October 25th, 2007 at 9:02 pmSo close, Mikey.
I just associate them with the 80s (technically, 1988-89 to be exact) because that is when they had their (actually, someone else’s) biggest hits.
Posted by doanli on October 25th, 2007 at 9:12 pmTolbert,
Don’t forget the Captain & Tenille either! LOL!
Posted by doanli on October 25th, 2007 at 9:14 pmLOL! This is an awesome post. I can visualize you with your mullet flopping from the wind created by rope turning.
This reminds me of my sister’s contribution to the Elementary school talent show when she was 11 and I was 12. She and her 2 friends did a dance to one of the popular songs of the time, Little Sheba by Elvis Presley.
I guess I just dated myself with this comment.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 9:34 pmHey guys, there was some good music in the ’80s, too. Think about early Van Halen, U2 and REM. Or Prince. The Police and Pretenders. George Strait, and Willie and Waylon. I could keep going. It wasn’t all parachute pants or big hair. While my little sister unfortunately loved Poison and Ratt (I still think those 2 bands should have merged), some of my friends were into Grandmaster Flash. And you still can’t tell me there’s any better way to psyche you up before a track meet than Foreigner on the boombox in the back of the bus.
Posted by cknight on October 25th, 2007 at 9:39 pmthe 1980’s, A time of awkward adolescence, chicks started looking good.
the stories I could tell… but shant.
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 10:27 pmThe really cool thing about being a parent is….I can watch all the cheesy 80’s movies that I absolutely LOVED with my now 13 (almost 14) year old daughter. Most favorite–16 Candles. We have watched Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Top Gun, Lost Boys, Gremlins, Say Anything (not 80’s but still AWESOME), Weird Science….The good thing is that now that she has seen these movies she understands what it means when I say “Bueller, Bueller…”
Posted by hi_desertgirl on October 25th, 2007 at 10:49 pmIs that Curtis Swila singing lead?
Oh, by the way, Rachel,
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 10:57 pmIf yer still still looking for a sexy Halloween costume click on my name. I’m sure that Girls’s Warehouse Costumes will have something you’d like.
Swila = Sliwa
But you knew that already…
Posted by on October 25th, 2007 at 10:58 pmNo offense, but 80’s music sucked ass—with a hose.
All flash and polyester.
Sappy sentimentality.
“Somethin happened along the way
What used to be happy was sad
Somethin happened along the way
And yesterday was all we had
And oh after the love has gone
How could you lead me on.”
Oh, stuff a sock in it, you big titty baby.
Males were already well into embracing their “feminine side.”
Prancing and mincing on stage—caricatures of fops, dandies, and poofters.
Sickening.
It was the era of the castrato.
Aside from a few real women—Tina Turner—most female singers were beginning to perfect that squeaky vodel that today makes them all sound like chipmunks on nitrous oxide.
In summary, 80s music sucked ass.
Big ass.
Except for Nancy Griffith.
Johnny Cash.
Bob Seger.
Led Zep.
Ray Charles.
George Thorogood.
John Prine
Ass-sucking 80’s music.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 12:02 amI graduated from high school in 1988. I had a mullet, wore Kaepas, never wore parachute pants, though. Jeans and a concert T for me. Jean jacket with Iron Maiden patch on the back. Around that time I started playing guitar. The 80’s were a great time to learn guitar because EVERYONE shredded. Even on the ballads, they shredded. And the 80’s were when Metallica was GOOD.
Somewhere over-exposure did most of those bands in. I mean, remember how flat out cool Night Ranger were? I do.
I still like watching all those teen movies from the 80’s with John Cusack. Man he was cool.
Posted by otcconan on October 26th, 2007 at 4:00 amBTW, Night Ranger is *still* cool.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 5:27 amrebecca:
That would be a great thread discussion, wouldn’t it?
My nomination: boots with flat heels. Saw a woman buying a pair at the Cole Haan store last night. I wanted to take her aside and say “You know, you’ll be hating those this time next year!”
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 8:08 amI’m late to the party but wanted to THANK YOU for a riot of a post. This cracked me up and so did the entire Top Ten List. I’m sitting here this morning with my coffee and still laughing out loud. What a fun morning.
I have to tell you that Cracked rocked that list. As a child of the 80’s, I totally get it. The things that brought tears (of laughter) to my eyes:
1) the fluffy hair. Oh, how I wish my hair would’ve fluffed like that back in high school!
2) the skin tight jeans lovingly cupping the meager anatomy of some very scrawny men.
3) the blow up juke box in “Jukebox Hero” - made me cry.
4) Pat Benatar’s boob-menacing. The choreographers of that video must still be in hiding. I’m pretty sure I did a cheer routine in high school that used that same “jazz-hands” move.
5) Kenny Loggins’ facial hair. And what’s with lyin’ around in bed while you’re supposed to be on a highway to a very Dangerous Zone?
Now what we need is a list of the Sexiest 80s songs. I’ll contribute two songs that could turn me into a wanton whore within the first few chords:
* Whitesnake “”
* Def Leppard “”
Pure cream. Gawd, I cringe to think of the gyrations my body would go through during those songs. No actually, makes me grin - good times…good times. Young and horny in the 80s - now there’s a Top Ten list in there somewhere.
Posted by Redhead Infidel on October 26th, 2007 at 8:45 amTo which I’ll merely add: The Ramones, The Damned, The Sex Pistols (well, almost), The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, Elvis Costello, The Cure, Nick Lowe, Television, The Buzzcocks, the Jam, Joe jackson…
I was the guy with the spiked hair in 1978.
Posted by Zarba on October 26th, 2007 at 8:51 amIn the 80s I was a junior officer (flight officer) in the Navy, shaking my head that you guys would actually wear/do/dance/listen to that stuff. Thank God I was overseas most of it.
I also threw things at the movie screen when I saw Top Gun the first time - there was so much wrong about it (wearing your leather flight jacket offbase - with civilian clothes? Riding a motorcycle without a helmet? who did he think he was, a movie star?? not to mention the total BS stuff about operating a carrier battle group in an insane way and getting in an elevator in a one-story building at Miramar)
It’s just a good thing that I didnt see little Rachel dancing to “Eye of the You Know What” or I wouldnt have the deep respect for her that I have now.
Posted by mhuete on October 26th, 2007 at 8:56 amI CANNOT BELIEVE none of you talking about 70’s music have mentioned Pink Floyd.
I think I need to be alone for a while now, away from you nutburgers.
Hey cknight! I just barely missed ya in Annapolis. In 1991, I moved out there to be with my boyfriend at the time, who started at the Academy in 1988. The main thing I remember about the experience is the TINY FUCKING ROADS throughout Annapolis, and my vehicle was the boyfriend’s gigantic Ford F-250 (4-speed). Let’s just say I learned how to drive that monster VERY carefully. Jesus.
Also, the football, since my boyfriend was a starting offensive guard. That was the season they were something like 0-12. (Sorry to bring that up Carl!)
I love this thread by the way. I should start more like this one, and yeah, I’ll post pics next time. Because you WILL laugh. And then will probably stop reading my blog. Hey maybe I’ll enable pic posting in comments so you can all suffer with me.
Posted by Rachel Lucas on October 26th, 2007 at 9:01 amRachel, I just finished reading through the thread and was coming back to mention Pink Floyd. I’m proud to say that my 13 year old son is a huge Pink Floyd (and Lynryd Skynyrd) fan - could he get any cooler? I think not.
And Metallica. I still have ALL of Metallica’s old stuff. My husband says I’m the only woman he knows who thinks “” is the most romantic song evah. Listen to it - it’s that awesome. And of course, my son loves ‘em. It’s fun being his mom. He completely Rocks.
PS: One last thing. If any of you haven’t played Guitar Hero yet - YOU NEED TO. I’m not a gamer in the last, but this is one game I can’t stay away from. It’s that fun. My son is teaching me how to kick Guitar Hero ass, and there’s nothing cooler than popping into his room after school and asking, “Wanna JAM?”. Hell yeah, I said “JAM”. I crack him up. heh
Posted by Redhead Infidel on October 26th, 2007 at 9:16 amHa, ha. I LOVE Guitar Hero, I just wish I was decent at it. My 15 year old son is so good.
I didn’t hear a mention for AC/DC - anyone?
Posted by Sunflower on October 26th, 2007 at 10:37 amMy look in 1985 (Senior Year of H.S.)? Short hair (my Catholic mother was convinced I’d never have sex if my hair was short, so she kept it that way) with blonde fringe/bangs a la Duran Duran. I had the white flat jazz shoes they wore in all their videos, and and a black leather jacket with a huge asymmetrical collar. Sweet Mother of C***st, I was such a dork!
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 10:52 amPatti Smyth and Scandle, pretty cheezzy sh*t (the videos) hard rocki’n band fer sure.
Posted by mikeore on October 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pmBorn in…gulp….1953 still like good R&R
Ditto Zarba on the great 70s punk bands and the spiked hair. Mine was usually orange or green, which was practically a hanging offense in Texas in those days.
Posted by Bad Penny on October 26th, 2007 at 1:30 pmYou guys who still believe that the 70’s was awash in great music are just indulging in nostalgia. Take another hit off your bong, close your eyes and pretend that you’re at a concert, Molly Hatchet has just left the stage and the Outlaws (no, not Waylon and Willie) are on the opening chords of “Green Grass and High Tides”.
Meanwhile here is what was really playing on the radio.
That’s right that’s Pat Boones daughter Debby at the top.. For every “Freebird” or “Wish You Were Here” there were 10,000 “Muskrat Love” and “Afternoon Delight” oozing out over the ether.
Chew on that Suckas.
1. You Light Up My Life Debby Boone
Posted by Tolbert on October 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pm2. Night Fever Bee Gees midi
3. Tonight’s the Night Rod Stewart
4. Shadow Dancing Andy Gibb
5. Le Freak Chic
6. My Sharona Knack
7. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Roberta Flack
8. Alone Again Gilbert O’Sullivan
9. Joy to the World Three Dog Night
10. Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Simon and Garfunnkle
11. Best of my Love Emotions
12. I’ll Be There Jackson 5
13. Silly Love Songs Wings
14. Maggie May Rod Stewart
15. Bad Girls Donna Summer
16. It’s Too Late Carole King
17. Killing Me Softly With His Song
Roberta Flack
18. One Bad Apple Osmonds
19. I Just Want To Be Your Everything
Andy Gibb
20. Stayin’ Alive Bee Gees
21. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head
B. J. Thomas
22. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? Rod Stewart
23. Kiss You All Over Exile
24. Tie A Yellow Ribbon Dawn
25. American Pie Don McLean
26. Close To You Carpenters
27. Reunited Peaches and Herb
28. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
Bee Gees
29. My Sweet Lord George Harrison
30. My Love Paul McCartney and Wings
31. Without You Nilsson
32. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Elton John and Kiki Dee
33. I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash
34. Disco Lady Johnnie Taylor
35. Love Will Keep Us Together
Captain and Tennille
36. How Deep Is Your Love Bee Gees
37. Hot Stuff Donna Summer
38. Evergreen Barbra Streisand
39. I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor
40. Boogie Oogie Oogie Taste of Honey
41. I Think I Love You
Partridge Family
42. Knock Three Times Dawn
43. You’re So Vain Carly Simon
44. Play That Funky Music Wild Cherry
45. Baby Come Back Player
46. Pina Colada Song Rupert Holmes
47. Brand New Key Melanie
48. Horse With No Name America
49. The Way We Were Barbra Streisand
50. MacArthur Park Donna Summer
51. Crocodile Rock Elton John
52. Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me
Mac Davis
53. Go Away Little Girl Donny Osmond
54. Family Affair Sly & Family Stone
55. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Diana Ross
56. Seasons in the Sun Terry Jacks
57. Me and Mrs. Jones Billy Paul
58. American Woman Guess Who
59. Sir Duke Stevie Wonder
60. War Edwin Starr
61. Streak Ray Stevens
62. Candy Man Sammy Davis Jr
63. Lean On Me Bill Withers
64. Fly Robin Fly Silver Convention
65. Island Girl Elton John
66. December 1963 Four Seasons
67. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Paul Simon
68. Having My Baby Paul Anka
69. He Don’t Love You Dawn
70. Bad Blood Neil Sedaka
71. Let’s Get It On Marvin Gaye
72. Thicker Than Water Andy Gibb
73. Three Times A Lady Commodores
74. Ring My Bell Anita Ward
75. Babe Styx
76. Let It Be Beatles
77. Torn Between Two Lovers
Mary MacGregor
78. Keep On Truckin’ Eddie Kendricks
79. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond
80. Tears of a Clown Miracles
81. Rhinestone Cowboy Glen Campbell
82. Kiss And Say Goodbye Manhattans
83. Philadephia Freedon Elton John
84. If You Leave Me Now Chicago
85. Too Much Heaven Bee Gees
86. Rise Herb Alpert
87. Gypsys Tramps and Thieves Cher
88. Tragedy Bee Gees
89. Love Hangover Diana Ross
90. That’s the Way (I Like It)
KC and Sunshine Band
91. Just My Imagination Temptations
92. Mama Told Me Three Dog Night
93. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer
94. ABC Jackson 5
95. Love You Save Jackson 5
96. Shaft Isaac Hayes
97. Bad Bad Leroy Brown Jim Croce
98. Top of the World Carpenters
99. Midnight Train To Georgia
Gladys Knight and Pips
100. Grease Frankie Valli
Black Oak Arkansas, Credence Clearwater Revival, Three Dog Night, Kansas, Foghat, Chicago, Boston, Foreigner, America, Yes, Supertramp, Don McLean, Carly Simon, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles and so on and so forth.
The 70s! Sin, sex, wine and booze, we’re the class of seventy-twooze!
Strange but I can’t remember what our official motto was. Hmmm.
Posted by NevadaDailySteve on October 26th, 2007 at 2:06 pmThe best Pink Floyd was 60’s Pink Floyd.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 2:16 pmUmmm, it tastes a bit like Chunky Beef Stew.
Well, not that good (not that CBS is good), but close. Kinda.
With less salt.
(Hmmm, mebbe if I put a bunch of salt in it next time….?)
yeah, like that.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 2:26 pmAlso, keep in mind that food prepared for animals is not checked by the FDA and has a totally different set of rules for quality control (read: none). See for example, Chinese Whey Protein imports for dog food chunks of gravy embedded meat.
May I interject Mellencamp? ala “Authority Song” and “Hurts so Good”. Ya know, JC pre-freakshow.
Posted by Heather Jean Cochran on October 26th, 2007 at 2:33 pmRocks. Out loud.
Oh, and for AC/DC — 70s, “Jailbreak”, and 80s — “Givin’ the Dog a Bone.”
Yep, I know. I embrace it.
Oh, and Tolbert, excellent list.
Posted by Heather Jean Cochran on October 26th, 2007 at 2:50 pmHowever, those of us who were children in the 70s learned to filter.
Extensively.
Yes, and the 80s also gave us Texas Flood, Couldn’t Stand the Weather, Soul to Soul, and In Step. And the performance of songs from those albums on Austin City Limits and Live at El Mocambo (including a 9 1/2 minute version of Texas Flood that has to rank as one of the best live blues performances of all time: ). God Bless Stevie Ray and God Bless Texas!
Posted by gdvanc on October 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pmNow Heather Jean,
Jest climb in the back of the station wagon with the other kids and I’ll pop the Partridge Family in the 8-track and you young gals can get all silly over David Cassidy singin “I Think I Love You”.
Posted by Tolbert on October 26th, 2007 at 3:08 pmFinally the mentioning of some great bands!
Metallica,Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,The Ramones,AC/DC,CCR,Joe Walsh,Joe Cocker,Lynard Skynard, the list goes on.
But I’m surprised no mention Jimi Hendrix..c’mon people..oh and Rush..I wasnt even alive in the 70’s and some of the 80’s but music back then is a hell of a lot better than now..partly because there was no “emo”..though I’ve been known to listen to emo..I’m a chick so I can get away with that ahem..anyway I’m glad no one mentioned Queen..unless it was on the bad list..yikes.
Oh and I dont know about “Nothing Else Matters” being THE most romantic song ever but its on the list.
And someone could have mentioned Bad Company:) and BOC for those that are into them..oh and no one mentioned Black Sabbath(not my favorite band but I figured someone woulda mentioned Ozzy in one way or another)
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 4:54 pmTolbert.
Posted by Heather Jean Cochran on October 26th, 2007 at 5:25 pmNope.
“Hey Jude”
Anything else raised the gorge factor.
Seriously.
Teenage chick hair flip …. aaannnnddddd…..
“I think I’ll kill you,
If you come anywhere near me
And you should be afraid of
this hate there is no cure for”
Not you, T.
DAVID FREEKIN CASSIDY
AARRGGGH
Just remembering it makes me want to rip out my medulla oblingota and sacrifice it to the godess of Farrah hair …
Wait….wait…someone just pointed to “Green Grass and High Tides” as a bad example of ’70’s music?
….you sire are WRONG.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 5:45 pmOtcconan,
That would be me and no, “Green Grass and High Tides” is in fact a fine tune and I cop to the fact that I actually attended a concert in downtown Miami at the 2,000 seat Gusman theatter that had Molly Hatchet, the Allman Brothers and guest appearances by most of the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd with Ted Nugent and Pat Trowers thrown in for good measure. Let me tell you that 15 guitarists on stage at the same time is not necessarily a good thing, interesting, but a cacophony none the less.
I was using it as a counterpoint that while there was indeed some good tunesmithing going on in that era, most of what we think to be great 70’s music was not to be found on the radio of that era and that while they might have been accessible on the AOR stations, most of america was not tuned in. Pablum and disco ruled the airwaves of the 70’s.
Posted by Tolbert on October 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pmoh, i remember that one. the air guitar, air keys, air bass, air drums, and air mike. i just can’t figure out why they’re singing to the lead singer from flock of seagulls. just another reason to rue the day they added jonathan cain to replace the great rolie.
Posted by gdvanc on October 26th, 2007 at 7:19 pmI didn’t want to be the only person to comment on the dog food element of this post, but since Jon has broken the ice…
The “dog food with gravy” items are usually pretty awful. The gravy is almost always made with wheat gluten from foreign countries whose idea of a joke is to add melamine, and quality control is, as Jon, noted, completely non-existent. Don’t feed that stuff, even as a “treat”.
If you really want to give your dog a treat on his (or her) dried food, here are some suggestions:
01. Canned dog food from Evo/Innova. Guaranteed to be healthy.
02. Actual chicken or turkey. When it’s on sale, this stuff is cheap. Buy, freeze it, and then thaw and bake it in the oven. Dogs don’t need Marsala sauce to feel special. Just the meat with a little salt will throw them into paroxysms of ecstasy.
03. Ditto cheap steak. London Broil and top or bottom round are guaranteed to please. Just roast, dice, and serve as a garnish.
There is, of course, the BARF diet option (bones and raw food). You can Google it to see what “they” say about all of the advantages. However, having tried it once, I found it just too disgusting to serve. Even if the dog was the one eating it, and showed every sign of satisfaction.
Also, for dried food, try Flint River Ranch. It’s made from all FDA-grade components, they ship to your door, and it’s “low residue” (you’ll figure it out). We’ve had our dogs on it for years, and have been very happy with the results.
Posted by on October 26th, 2007 at 9:51 pmRachel,
Posted by Heather Jean Cochran on October 27th, 2007 at 8:55 pmOnce I reread your post, I feel compelled to disagree with the Bon Jovi-originated anatomy issue of your post.
Please see;
Robert Plant’s video “Big Log”
Billy Squier’s video “Rock Me Tonight”.
I received my first male anatomy lesson from these MTV-originated videos.
Shudder, and run. Read my dick — all male hardness!
From high school freshman to college graduate, the 80’s was when I grew up. Whatever anyone wants to say about the music, it was, mostly, fun. Just like the views about the unsexiness of certain women, it’s all about taste. When I’m online and not listening to R. Limbaugh, I’m probably listening to an HD 80’s radio station. Sure, I hit mute when a song I hate comes on, but for me it’s all about the nostalgia. Early 80’s was better, and not much good music happened after ‘87.
One more thing: Does anyone seriously prefer Roy Orbison’s version of Pretty Woman over Van Halen’s? And if so ,why?
Posted by on October 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pmI don’t know if I’d say I like it more, but I probably like it as much. The vocals on it are much better (when I sing along to the VH version, I can’t help trying to sound more like Roy than like Diamond Dave). It is certainly a classic in its own right and was a song I liked quite a lot long before Van Halen made their version. Mom was a Roy Orbison fan, you see, so I heard it often enough as a young ‘un. Probably some sentimentality points there.
Posted by gdvanc on October 29th, 2007 at 12:49 am