A to Z of the 80s - L is for Love And...

...Also Lovin' And Loved And Luv

by Jo Michelmore

So some fashion recently may have had you thinking otherwise, but things have changed since the 80s. I was reading something the other day about common words that make up song titles (yes, I realise this makes me both a word nerd and a music nerd, I don't care) and it was talking about the lack of a certain word in current popular song titles and that word is 'love'. Songs with the word 'love, lovin', loves, loved' in the name have apparently declined in recent years. Even the fun spelling of love as in 'luv' peaked in the 90s and (thankfully) hasn't appeared much since. It got me thinking, what's that about? Do we hate each other more now or are we just not declaring our love/loves/luv anymore? Are we  heartbroken more, or less? We know the heartbroken are still around, or Taylor Swift wouldn't have a career, but why isn't she and everyone else for that matter, saying the word love anymore?


The year Taylor was born, New Kids On The Block were still declaring love in very high pitched voices, by boys wearing denim and tees. Yes, One Direction fans, boy bands had been doing this for a long time before Zayn left.

Which makes me think, maybe TayTay could do a duet with Zayn, like Lionel and Diana in 81. After all, dating his ex-bandmate and declaring your endless love is probably much better revenge than writing a song titled with your ex's last name, isn't it?

If she knows what love is, maybe T Swift should just declare it, like Alanah Miles did in 89. After all, I think she may have got some of her awkward dance moves from her.

But thinking about it, maybe T-Swizz needs to forget about it all together. She doesn't seem to have much luck, so maybe like Eddie Rabbitt did in 1980 (damn, pop slash country names were good in the 80s), she should just declare her affections for things other than boys. It may not be the greatest career move, but a rainy night won't leave her with a broken heart.

Then again, she hasn't had much luck. Maybe it will.

A to Z of the 80s - H is for Hairy, Huey and...

...Hello

by Jo Michelmore

We're up to week eight in this alphabet already and I feel I should let you, dear readers, know that I can't take entire credit for the A to Z of the 80s. Every week, I chat to certain friends and family who are well versed in all things 80s and ask them; who needs to appear in this A to Z, who can I not possibly miss and what do you think (insert letter here) should stand for? This week, I've had a couple of suggestions, so I dedicate H to those who help me every week and of course, you dear reader, which  could be one and the same.


The first suggestion for H was hairy. The 80s had a thing for hair and not just on top of ones head like I discussed in A, but in various other places too. The king of 80s hair though, is a tough call between this guy...

Prince, who didn't have a lot of chest hair, but really liked to accentuate it with frills and low cut shirts and I have to appreciate someone who makes fashion work like that...

...or this guy, Paul Stanley, the front man of KISS, who had enough chest hair for three or four big hair bands. Whatta babe. If you're into that. Me not so.


Someone who wasn't so well known for his hirsute appearance, but did sport an impressive bouffant (i have possibly just used two of my all time favourite words in one sentence), was Huey Lewis. He had band called The News. And a whole career before Gwyneth Paltrow.

That song was from Back To The Future, which was one of the biggest films of the 80s and also featured a line I have been known to repeat at inopportune times, which can be particularly annoying repeated in the car on long road trips.

Like this song, which also has a line I like to repeat and is slightly annoying, because it means I can't say the word "hello" to anyone without hearing those other six words that follow. The friend who suggested this song can attest to that.

As annoying as that is, I can't hate it too much. After all, it's responsible for one of the greatest street posters, of all time.

No Lionel, I'm not, but thanks for asking.

The A to Z of Pop - L is for Likes

It's all done with mirrors. Right?

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Social media has provided us with such a simple little way of approval. It's all there, in one quick click of a button you can tell the world (your friends, or the internet world I guess, depending on your privacy settings) exactly (well, not quite exactly, I mean, nothing in depth) what you think of certain things. I post a photo of myself and only got 45 likes? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? I post photo the next month and got 57 likes. Must have been a good hair day. I post a photo of my cup of tea and get 83 likes. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? WHY DO YOU LIKE MY TEA AND NOT ME? (I do make good tea, by the way). Anyway, the point is, the world (at least the social media world) revolves all around the 'like'. So of my social media world, when it comes to pop, who likes who?

Lady Gaga has an impressive amount of likes. 66,751,491. A tiny bit more than the population of France, actually. "J'veux ton amour, et je veux ton revanche, j'veux ton amour" indeed. Of that population of likers, twenty-six of them are my facebook friends. Make of that what you will. Like.

Lily Allen has 3,868,186 likes on the books. That's only slightly more than the entire population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Why do I always say that name with an accent? Of all those Balkans, nine of them are my facebook friends. Lily Allen fans that is, not Balkans. I wish I knew a Balkan. Anyway, I actually liked 'Air Balloon'. As in really liked. Not just thumbs up-ed 'like'. I don't care what you think. Like.

La Roux have had a bazillion (not exact number) more views on their youtube clips than they have facebook likes, of which they have 974,231, which is more than there are people in Cyprus, but not as many as there are in Mauritius. This is something a marketing person somewhere should look at. Of all of them, only two are my facebook friends. Oh well, I can't help everyone I know. At least I like the two that like La Roux. Like.

Here's one that intrigued me, because on one hand I was expecting this, on another not so. Lionel Richie has 2,975,220 facebook likes. That's not the bit I was surprised about. After all, that's more than the amount of Lithuanians in Lithuania and Lionel Richie is a popular man, that's no surprise. What is a surprise? Only one of my facebook friends 'likes' him, which is interesting, because I know of at least three that actually like him, not just facebook style and that I genuinely like. Like. 

Lindsay Lohan. She has 2,975,220 fbook likes. It upsets me slightly that she has more likes than people live in Uruguay. Something makes me happy though. None of them are my facebook friends. I knew I chose my social media friends wisely. What I like even more is that I know one of them is bound to go and 'like' on her facebook page after reading this just to spite me. Social media is funny. (Mostly). Like.

Stop, Collaborate and Listen, #15 - 11

#20 - 16

#15. CRAWL HOME

by PJ Harvey and Josh Homme

When rock is dark, powerful and thick like molasses, yet composed, taught and direct like a cross bow I’m drawn in. I’m gripped by fear and that messy emotional ball of spiteful anguish that I’ve been pushing deep down inside for endless years is pierced. A forceful stream of aggressive motion is forced through my blood, injected into my muscles and releases as a furious flailing of limbs, pointing, clenching and thrusting the air with vigorous bile. This is the effect that the mastery of the entire Desert Sessions Vol 9/10 has on me, and one of my fave tracks is one of the several duets by a couple of insanely talented musicians.

‘Crawl Home’ is quite simply an amazing piece of rock gold that has been birthed from the brains, fingers and mouths of two of the most respected denizens of the rockosphere, PJ Harvey and Josh Homme. That bass line is a long rough road and the rhythm guitar is driving with purpose over the top through the gravel while PJ lays a sharp, howling tongue lashing on JH and JH whimpers like a cowering child. It’s epic. It’s amazing. I must be excused as I can feel a bout of flailing about to bubble out. (Nayt Housman)

#14. ENDLESS LOVE

by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

And your eyes (your eyes, your eyes), they tell me how much you caaaaare. You think you're totally cool for not liking this duet, don't cha? Well, buddy... old pal... I'm here to tell you that you ain't cool unless you like 'Endless Love'. And if liking 'Endless Love' makes you cool, consider me Miles Davis! Alright, so my (endless) love for one of the most successful duets of all time comes back to the movie Happy Gilmore. If you've seen it, you probably mouth along to both Lionel Richie and Diana Ross' vocals, just like the poor old zamboni driver standing in the darkness. In all seriousness though, there's a reason why 'Endless Love' came in at #1 on US Billboard's list of greatest duets. Actually, there's plenty of reasons why. Two superstars combining their talents and silky smooth voices to create one super fine love ballad that still gets busted out at weddings and karoke (there's a rumour that our own Lou partakes in this) to this day. Yes, it comes served with extra cheese, but Ross and Richie sell that cheese like there's no tomorrow. It speaks to the romantic side in all of us, no matter how cool we think we might be.


Considering her past as the front for The Supremes, it comes as a surprise that 'Endless Love' was the most successful song of her illustrious career... and her 18th #1 single to boot! Richie wrote the song. Which means he's responsible for lyrics like, "two hearts, two hearts that beat as one, our lives have just begun," that can both warm your heart and leave a little scunched up look on your face. At the same time. The track would spend nine weeks at #1 in the USA, kicking off a decade of hits for a man that would go on to be known as Nicole's dad or that dude that sings inside your fridge. Despite my digs, you can't take away from Richie's voice, which harmonises so well with Ross that your heart could actually start melting from the heat their chemistry generates. Something that I didn't know, was that 'Endless Love' was the theme to the film of the same name, which starred Brooke Shields. If you ever get a chance, I strongly encourage you to read the Wikipedia plot section and attempt to explain how 'Endless Love' the song could possibly work with Endless Love the movie. (Matt Bond)

#13. I'LL BE MISSING YOU

by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans

Look, I need to be honest here - I’ve never really been a big fan of Puff Daddy, P Diddy, or whatever it is he’s calling himself these days, but this song is the exception to the rule. The sampling used from The Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ may have something to do with it. Faith Evans super smooth vocals may have something to do with it. Watching ole mate Diddy/Daddy/whatever writhe around on the floor during the film clip in one of the worst attempts at acting ever may have something to do with it. All of these things and more make it a song I love and would happily belt out at karaoke. And as a fan of all things daggy, it just so appeals to me. This song makes me want to teleport back to 1997 wearing a furry white hat. Or puffy pants. Or both. This song is a totally worthy contender on our duets countdown. Don’t just take my word for it though (like you ever would). Worldwide sales show that many peeps have a soft spot in their hearts for it. The fact that it was a tribute for Notorious B.I.G. may have been an influencing factor (if you need the 411, here it is – Notorious B.I.G. was an American rapper shot dead in a drive-by). But hey, it even won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. (Katie Langley)

#12. LEATHER AND LACE

by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley

Let's start with my most recent reason for loving 'Leather and Lace'. I was talking to my sister Sam about this little duets countdown we've got going and how Stevie Nicks and Don Henley would be making an appearance. In turn, Sam told me that if she ever renews her vows, has a second wedding to her husband or whatever you'd call it... anyway, she would wear lace, her husband would wear leather and this song would get played on repeat. I practically begged her to make this happen as soon as possible. It's like some sort of magical Stevie Nicks themed wedding. It's just too much. Sam, if you're reading, you really need to do this!


Moving right along, let's talk about 'Leather and Lace'. The breakout star of Fleetwood Mac teaming with her counterpart from The Eagles. Sparks flew when two of rock music's most celebrated performers joined up for Nicks' second solo single. Its released followed another of Nicks' duets, 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around', which featured Tom Petty. While the latter climbed higher on the charts, it's the more complex 'Leather and Lace' I'd give the nod to as the favoured Nicks collaboration. Which is why you're reading about it here. Duh. Nicks has always been a fantastic storyteller, one of the greatest the music industry has ever seen, and 'Leather and Lace' treads in the bittersweet territory that so many of her other great works have. Presented as an honest conversation between two lovers (urgh, just pretend that word was preceded by meat and followed by pizza), we witness the ups and downs of a relationship expected to stand the test of time.


"Lovers forever, face to face, my city or mountain, stay with me stay, I need you to love me, I need you to today, give to me your leather, take from me my lace."


I think the lines, "I need you to love me, I need you today," hold a reserved desperation from Nicks that can make you rethink the entire relationship between her and Henley's 'characters'. But given Nicks' relationship to Henley (read, more than friends), it could be more than just playing roles, particularly given that Henley offered a lot of input into the writing. And since Nicks likes to throw much of her own private life into her music, it's believed that the song is about two rock stars. So it could be her and Henley. Or it could be about former Fleetwood Mac flame, Lindsey Buckingham. Whoever it's about, it makes for good drama and even better music. Nicks' voice is perfect, as always, and Henley matches her every step of the way. This is a duet packed full of real tension, a healthy dose of rock and roll charm and, at the end of the day, it's got Stevie Nicks in it. That's more than enough for it to get some love from me. (Matt Bond)

#11. I’VE SEEN IT ALL 

by Bjork and Thom Yorke

Bjork has for a very long time been a mainstay in my musiverse and when it was announced she was to star in a movie called Dancer In The Dark, a great amount of excitement filled my teenage brain that was overcome with a bilious wave of joy and anticipation. The movie and soundtrack were given to me on my 18th birthday from my mumma and the love affair with its lead single ‘I've Seen It All’ was quite instant.


"I've seen it all, I've seen the trees, I've seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze." Such simple sentiments fill this song with a rebellious longing against an inevitable tragedy of the films main character dealing with losing her sight. It's the too and fro of her convincing her loved one that everything is going to be okay while also giving herself the kind of pep talk we as humans give when coming to terms with the heavy weight of our own fragility and mortality. Adding to the gravity of the track is the call and response between Bjork's projected innocence and Thom Yorke's effortless ethereal sensitivity, both dripping with heart, mourning and deviance.


It remains a song that is simultaneously uplifting and completely devastating. I ache completely at the force created by the combination of Bjork and Thom Yorke and fall helplessly at the feet of ‘I've Seen It All’. Helpless in its divine power and humanity. (Nayt Housman)



And that's it for part two... we'll be back with five more fantastic duets each Friday in May. Whoever could be next....?

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - I'd Rather Have a Root Canal, Thanks

James Blunt, looking as attractive as ever. No wonder I'd rather visit the dentist.

Nah, I'd Rather Have A Root Canal, Thanks

by Jo Michelmore

As a person who writes on a music blog, I can tell you, inspriation comes in all sorts of strange ways. Sometimes it can be a youtube clip you've stumbled across, sometimes it can be a conversation, sometimes it can be what you overhear on public transport or in a queue and sometimes, every now and then, inspiration arrives in even stanger places.


Recently, I found myself at the dentist. Just a routine checkup, thanks. This resulted in a procedure I wasn't expecting....the root canal. Now, to some people those two words are incredibly scary, but let me put your mind at ease. It's alright, you know? Just a dental procedure, none of them are that pleasant so you just do what you gotta do and get these things done. Luckily, my dentist is a lovely guy and while working on my teeth had a one sided (are they any other way when the dentist has his fingers in your mouth?) conversation with me about Abba. It was rivetting, let me tell you.


After he'd finished, I noticed the 'soothing' music playing in the surgery; Macy Gray followed by Kelly Clarkson. Neither too offensive, but it did get me thinking about this - while Kelly and Macy are ok, there are some songs I hate. Songs that drive me crazy. So that brings me to the inspiration for this week, which struck me in the dentists chair....


Sometimes, I'd rather have a root canal than have to listen to...

...anything by Blink 182. Just saying. But also...


Something not too old, but completely hate worthy. Since 2004, people have played this at weddings, which has always confused me, because it's actually kind of creepy, about a guy stalking a girl on a train and to make it even better, they never get together. 'You're Beautiful'? More like wedding song for the future divorcee. How romantic.


James Blunt? I'd rather have a root canal than listen to this...

 

While James Blunt has that annoyingly high voice, I'll take us to the other end of the spectrum, those crazy Canadians with the deep voiced singer, the Crash Test Dummies, from 1993. I don't know if they're crazy, in fact, I know nothing about them, other than to say that twenty years ago they performed one of the most annoying songs of all time. Even the name is annoying; 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm'. It just made radio announcers and music TV hosts sound like they had a speech impediment. 

Crash Test Dummies? I'd rather have a root canal than listen to this...

 

While we're in the 90's let's talk one of the most annoying songs I think has ever been recorded. I don't know why, but there's just something, something incredibly irritating about those first notes and then those first words "I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes". What? Somekind of fungal infection? Love Is All Around? Nope. There's no love anywhere with this song. This is so incredibly average, so middle of the road it makes me ill. I just can't stand it.  It was also played a bazillion times in 1994, which probably doesn't help it's cause. To top it all of, it was recorded by a band called Wet Wet Wet. There's nothing to like here.


Wet Wet Wet? I'd rather have a root canal than listen to this...

Just because I'm actually a nice blogger, and I don't want you to have to suffer much more, I'll leave you with just one more. Let's give the 80's some credit for awful-ness-ness. Lionel Richie just seemed to have this way of being....creepy, but in 1985, I think he was the creepiest. Not only does 'Say You, Say Me' have an incredibly weird bridge, where a ballad suddenly turns into an 80's dance number, but it also contains the lyrics;

"I had a dream I had an awesome dream, 
people in the park playing games in the dark 
and what they played was a masquerade
and from behind walls of doubt a voice was crying out" 

Well Lionel, you can say 'you' all you want, but don't ever say 'me' as well, 'cause that's a park I don't want to find myself in after dark. Creep.

Lionel Richie? I'd rather have a root canal than listen to this...

 

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - More Mo, Mo, Mo

Who doesn't love a vintage moustache?

More Mo, Mo, Mo

by Jo Michelmore

Since Katie started us off this week, let’s continue the theme, vintage style. Some people love them, some people hate them. Some people think they’re creepy; some people love the fact that they’re creepy. Some people can hold their own with one; some people look like something crawled out of their mouth and took up residence just below their nose. Some people grow them once a year for a charity event and some people actually raise money for said charity, which is nice. Some people like them right now because it seems to be a thing, a trend, a fashion one might say, some people like them right now because they always have, since the first time they were in, which was….sometime, I’m sure. Me? Take it or leave it, really, depends on the person sporting it, doesn’t it? I probably prefer one in conjunction with other facial hair, as in, not a lone outcrop of hair on ones lip, but as part of a forest of hair around one’s chin and cheeks and other parts of one’s face. Of course, it’s the moustache we speak of and many a musician has sported a moustache, some good, some not so good. Let’s start with…

Ace Of Spades

by Motorhead, 1980

Lemmy, king of metal to so many. Lemmy, King of facial hair to so many others. I dare not say anything bad about Lemmy, people love him and the people who love him REALLY love him and his moustache. I wouldn’t dare offend them, or him. That, and I just wanted an excuse to post the Ace Of Spades. Don’t tell me you haven’t found the opportunity to scream “THE ACE OF SPADES, THE ACE OF SPADES” at someone once in your life? No? Shame. You should work on that. Work on your moustache too. It’s probably not anywhere near as manly as Lemmy’s, who sports what I think is one of the man-liest moustaches in music. Whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you.

When Doves Cry

by Prince, 1984

I’m not going to say I don’t like Prince, because I do. I think he’s an incredibly talented man, with music, but one talent he doesn’t have? The ability to grow facial hair. You’re a funny little guy, aren’t you Prince? On one hand, such a musician, on the other, such a creep. That strange little line above your lip, it took until 1:57 in this clip to even tell if that was a moustache and not just the casting of shadow from your nose. “Dig if you will the picture, of you and I engaged in a kiss, the sweat of your body covers me, can you my darling, can you picture this?” No, Prince, no! I can’t picture that because it’s horrible and weird and creepy, like that thing on your face. Stop it.

I Want To Break Free

 by Freddie Mercury's Mo/Queen, 1984

This is one of my favourite clips of all time*. (*Not an exaggeration) There is possibly nothing** I love more than a man, dressed in a leather skirt with one dirty great big moustache on his face, doing household chores. (**Possibly an exaggeration.) My favourite Queen clip? This one, obviously. It’s got one of my favourite openings for a clip, ever, then Freddie gets his shirt off and his leather pants and double belt on and his hairy chest out, then, just when I think it can’t get any better, the interpretative dancing kicks in. All of this and Freddie sports one of the most famous moustaches in rock history. Love.

Hello

 by Lionel Richie, 1984

I know, three moustaches from 1984? Perhaps this was the height of moustache-ism. Perhaps this was when the moustache was the hottest. Who knows? Lionel knows. Hello Lionel, hello Lionel’s moustache. You can’t have one without the other. When you think of Lionel Richie, what first comes to mind? I know, me too; “hello, is it me you’re looking for?” No, not really Lionel, I’m not looking for you. I am looking for your stylist though, because they really need a slapping. Someone should have told you by now. The mo has got to go.

Learn To Fly

by Foo Fighters, 1999

Dave Grohl has sported facial hair of all descriptions in his time. Full beard, part beard, goatee, part goatee, part moustache, nude face. Never was his facial hair more moustache-y than in this clip, which is classic Foo. There’s the midi version of the song at the start, Dave getting hot for…himself, straight men in drag, a funny little story to go with it all and some of the finest moustaches of the late 90’s. This is one of the reasons I unashamedly love Dave Grohl and his Foos.

TKO

 by Le Tigre, 2004

JD Samson, you have the best moustache any woman in music has ever sported.

Dani California 

by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2006

I’m going to admit something here. There have been times when I have thought of Anthony Keidis as one of the sexiest men in music. Sometimes. Covered in silver paint in Give It Away, all pensive like in My Friends, some of your various sock incidents, even with the blonde hair and looking a little worn in Otherside; you’ve been a hot man at times Anthony, even with your long face. I’d have gone there. But the moustache? What? What are you doing with your life? I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. I don’t like it. I still like you, but that hairy upperlip has got to go or there’s no chance for us Anthony. I’m sorry.

Johnny Depp...

...anytime, ever.

So, he’s not technically a musician, but he does play instruments. So he’s probably not that good at them, but neither are you. What? It’s Johnny Depp ok, and he’s sported the hottest moustache ever known to humanity*** (***not an exaggeration, whatsoever, at all). Anyway, this is what I’m writing, if I want to include Johnny Depp, I will. You love it, deal with it. You don’t love it? You can stop reading now. You’re not welcome here. For those still reading, Johnny is friends with one of my favourite musicians, Eddie Vedder. This makes me happy. Sometimes they appear on stage together. This makes me happy. Sometimes, Johnny is sporting a moustache when he does this. Oh stop it. Life doesn’t get better than this. Enjoy.