The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats

"We can dance if we want to

We can leave your friends behind

'Cause your friends don’t dance

And if they don’t dance

Well they’re are no friends of mine."

I have to say, this is just one of the coolest songs every written. And after discussing it last night at the bar with some friends, I just had to add it here for you to listen to.

"The Safety Dance" is a fantastic new wave song released by Men Without Hats in March of 1982. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

The song's writer has explained that "The Safety Dance" is a protest against bouncers stopping dancers pogoing to 1980s New Wave music in clubs when Disco was dying and New Wave was up and coming. New Wave dancing, especially pogoing, was different from Disco dancing, because it was done individually instead of with partners and involved holding the torso rigid and thrashing about. To uninformed bystanders this could look dangerous, especially if pogoers accidentally bounced into one another.

So, kids, it's safe to dance. Check out the medieval music video below, and enjoy the song!

Michael Jackson - The Anniversary

On the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, I need to make my cousin aware of the most incredible, talented, controversial and influential artist of all time.

Through all the controversy and scandal, Michael Jackson's talent rose above it all to be the greatest artist of all time. So, Alyssa, in case you don't believe me, here is a list of his accomplishments:

• Thriller, Michael's 1982 album, is the best-selling album of all time. OF ALL TIME.
• Michael Jackson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice
• Received multiple Guinness World Records
• Won 13 Grammy awards
• Won 26 American Music Awards, which is more than any other artist, ever
• Had 13 number one singles in the United States
• Sold over 800 million albums worldwide

If there was ever any doubt about his talent and awesomeness, it has been put to shame.

And just because I love this music video - one of the most played music videos EVER - here is Thriller :)

Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice

"Alright stop, collaborate and listen!"

Raise your hand if you still know all the lyrics to "Ice Ice Baby" Yeah.... thought so.

My poor cousin wasn't even a thought in her mom's head when Vanilla Ice debuted this song in 1990. "Ice Ice Baby" was the first hip-hop single to reach the top of the Billboard charts.

Sampling the well-known and popular bassline of Queen and David Bowie's song "Under Pressure", "Ice Ice Baby" helped diversify hip-hop by introducing it to the mainstream audience.

See Alyssa, hip-hop is good!

Faithfully - Journey

"Oh girl, you stand by me.

I'm forever yours, faithfully."

Raise your hand if you saw Glee perform this song on their finale last week - I did too!!!

"Faithfully" by Journey is one of my favorite songs ever written. It's one of those great power ballads that came out at the perfect time in music history, and will live on for, hopefully, much longer than it's been around so far.

Released in 1983, "Faithfully" reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and describes the relationship of a man on the road and how difficult it can be to maintain a family while traveling so much.

It's also one of Journey's (and the world's) most recognized songs, and will forever maintain its popularity.

Step By Step - New Kids On The Block

"Hey girl in your eyes
I see a picture of me all the time
And girl when you smile

You got to know that you drive me wild"

I'm not sure what inspired me to write this post on NKOTB, but darn it, I still love them, and following @DonnieWahlberg on Twitter just makes me ridiculously happy every day :)

I remember this song as being one of my favorites when I was about 6 or 7 - I was on the tail end of the New Kids On The Block bandwagon, but we listened to my friend's older sister's cassette tapes of the band, and it was spectacular.

Looking at their songs and lyrics, you'll be surprised by how often they refer to females as "Girl" but hey, I guess that is just how it was done in the early 1990's :)

"Step By Step" was released in 1990 on the album of the same name, and quickly shot up to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. It became their biggest selling single, and a song they still perform in concert to this day (as I saw them in concert last year on their reunion tour - be jealous)

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for NKOTB and especially this song, as I can still sing all the lyrics by heart.....

Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi

I ain't got a fever got a permanent disease
It'll take more than a doctor to prescribe a remedy
I got lots of money but it isn't what I need
Gonna take more than a shot to get this poison out of me
I got all the symptoms count 'em 1,2,3

Another song from the best band to come out of New Jersey, "Bad Medicine" by Bon Jovi is a killer rockin' song that uses a LOT of medical metaphors and analogies to discuss how his love for this woman is like a drug addiction.

Released in 1988, "Bad Medicine" made it to Number 1 for the band, and was included first on their incredibly successful New Jersey album (along with one of my favorite songs of all time "I'll Be There For You")

This song completely kicks ass, of course, and is still a staple at all Bon Jovi concerts. I've even seen the band include a minute-long musical rendition of the classic song "Shout" in the middle of there live concert version of "Bad Medicine"

Enjoy the rock behind the song, and have a good giggle at some of these lyrics. You'll love it!

Our Wedding Song and a Bridal Call For Action

Alright you guys, I am using this post on my blog to share my engagement buddy's poor experience with a wedding photographer, and then I'll share what will most likely be my wedding song when my fiance and I get married in October :)

Recently, Jared Lee Photography, based in LaCrosse, WI, opened up a photo voting contest for wedding photography. My friends, Beth and Joel who are recently engaged, entered the competition, and over a few weeks, gained 100 votes more than the couple that was declared the winner today.

Beth, Joel and I would like to shed light on this unfair competition, and while my friends are upset, they do not wish to be vindictive - they only want their story told.

So, Minnesota and Wisconsin Brides - please do NOT choose shady photographer Jared Lee Photography as your wedding photographer after running his unprofessional and unfair competition.

Now, on to something nicer :)

My fiance has been completely surprising me in wedding planning the last couple weeks, and recently he mentioned that he liked the idea of having the song "Keeper Of The Stars" by Tracy Byrd as our wedding song. I have to admit, it's a fantastic choice, full of love and sweet, romantic meaning. And, it recently won the K102 Top 10 Wedding Song's number 1 spot, as voted on by the radio station's listeners.

So, just wanted to share what will potentially be our wedding song. Give it a listen!

Desperado - The Eagles

"Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy

She'll beat you if she's able.

You know, the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet.

Now it seems to me some fine things

Have been laid upon your table

But you only want the ones that you can't get."

I've said it before and I'll say it again - The Eagles are a fucking awesome band. Sorry for my use of the F-word here, but it's totally justifiable when talking about The Eagles. 'Nuff said.

The song Desperado - well, I can't help it - gives me chills. Written by The Great Don Henley and Glenn Frey and first appearing on their 1973 album of the same name, Desperado was never released as a single. Nevertheless, this song is one of The Eagles' signature songs, has appeared on a number of compilation albums since 1973 and was palced as #494 on the Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Times.

Covered by countless bands and artists including Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Tori Amos, George Michael, Carrie Underwood, The Carpenters and even (gag) The Jonas Brothers. This song is amazing, and just one of the many that will help solidify The Eagles as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.

The Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band

Charlie Daniels, in case you aren't aware, is one of the best fiddlers in the entire world. His talent for the violin's beats and speed is incredible.

That said, one of The Charlie Daniels Band's most well-known songs is The Devil Went Down To Georgia. The story about a young man who meets up with the devil and engages in a fiddle-off. If the Devil wins, he takes Johnny's soul. If Johnny wins, he gets the Devil's beautiful golden fiddle.

Pretty basic premise to the song, but the music, the beat and the lyrics drag you in and make you nod your head and sing along.

The song was the greatest pop hit for The Charlie Daniels Band, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been featured in many movies since it was released in 1979. THe song will also be played well into this century, as no one will be able to play the fiddle as fast as Mr. Charlie Daniels.

Dream On - Aerosmith

Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laugh, sing for the tears
Sing with me, if it's just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good lord will take you away

Sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boy From Boston" Aerosmith has been rocking us all since 1970. With their classic rock music and a slew of hit albums, Aerosmith was already one of the greatest rock bands of all time by the end of the 1970s.

"Dream On" was Aerosmith's first single off their debut album in 1973. While the song only reached #56 on the charts when it was released, it was huge in their hometown of Boston. And when it was rereleased in 1976, the single went to #6 on the charts.

What the song is missing is Steven Tyler's scratchy voice. Back in the day his voice was a bit smoother than it has been the last 20 years, but the song oozes the essence of Aerosmith. "Dream On" was listed as #151 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Amid breakups, reunions and more breakup rumors, Aerosmith has a huge fan following, and will go down in history as the greatest rock and roll band of all time.

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

Everyone probably knows this, but when Whitney Houston belted out "I Will Always Love You" she is not the original singer of the song.

The Great Ms. Dolly Parton is. And her version is astounding.

Written in 1973 by Dolly Parton, and released as a single a year later, the song went to #1 on theBillboard Hot Country songs chart. Later in 1982 Dolly Parton released a new version of the song for the soundtrack of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. That version also went to #1, marking the first time the same song has gone to #1 twice on the Country charts by the same artist.

Then, in 1992, Whitney Houston recorded the song for the soundtrack to the movie The Bodyguard. The song reached #1 again, and was a huge success worldwide for Whitney Houston.

I guess when a song is good, keep working at it to make it an even greater success.

It's one of the most well-known songs of all time, and has been as #68 on Billboard's 100 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Another artist that could possibly have recorded the song to make it another success - Elvis Presley. In the mid-1970s, Elvis was interested in recording the song, but required shared writing credits. Since Ms. Parton was not willing to share, Elvis did not record the song. image how awesome that would have been though....

Here's Dolly's version

And here's Whitney's version. Enjoy!

You're My Best Friend - Queen

"You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love
The things that you do
You're my best friend"

Yes, I'm posting another Queen song. Why? Because they are my favorite. So there.

My love affair with Freddie Mercury goes way beyond his wide range of musical styles and sung lyrics. This song is one of those ones that spans across the entire world - everyone who hears it loves it. It's just true.

"You're My Best Friend" by Queen was released in 1976, originally from the band's A Night At The Opera album. The song was written by John Deacon for his wife Veronica, to whom he is still married. Such a sweet song. Sigh.

The Night The Lights Went out In Georgia - Vicki Lawrence and later Reba McEntire

"His cheatin' wife never left town.

That's one body that'll never be found.

You see, little sister don't miss when she aims her gun."

Ms. Reba McEntire needs no introduction. She is a wonderfully Ginger Country Queen. We love her.

We also love her 1991 version of the 1972 classic "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence.

The first time I heard this song I was very little riding in the car with my mom and Aunt Jane, and they were talking about how haunting the lyrics were. In fact, I remember getting a little scared by the lyrics, but then again I was probably 4 or 5 at the time, and Ms. Lawrence has a haunting voice.

Now that I'm older, I do prefer Reba's version. It's just amazing.

This classic Southern Gothic song tells the tail of a man who just found out his wife had cheated on him. He stalks over to her lover's house, wanting to kill him, only to find him already dead. He is hung for the murder anyhow, because no one believed him when he said he didn't kill his wife's lover. Turns out his little sister killed the cheating wife and her lover for what they did to her brother.

It's one of those stories that stays with you.

The song became a Number 1 hit for Vicki Lawrence, who recorded the song herself after other artists like Char turned it down. Reba's version reached #12, but her music video for the song got a lot more airplay, and implied a lot more about the story than just the lyrics themselves.

Down Under - Men At Work

No lie, this song was in my elementary school music class book. We would beg our music teacher to listen to it on CD (when CDs first came out) and when we did we thought it was SO funny!

Now that I am about 20 years older, it is still funny - and one of the coolest songs ever recorded.

"Down Under" by Men At Work was released in 1982 and went to #1 on the Australian, American and UK rock charts. Because of the great success of this song, Men At Work are the only Australian band to simultaneously hold the #1 album and #1 song in the United States.

The song is about an Australian man traveling the world. He is very proud of his heritage and tries to entice people to come visit Australia.

And because of the great lyrics to this song, it has become an anthem of sorts for Australia.

So, grab up a Vegimite sandwich, make friends with a Kangaroo, and listen to this awesome song.

Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles

"All the cops in the donut shop say
Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh"

One of their most famous songs, "Walk Like An Egyptian" by the 1980s girl band The Bangles just rocks. Not many people don't know this song, and a few even remember the hilarious music video with random people on the street walking like Egyptians.

Though I don't think Egyptians really walked like that - right?

"Walk Like An Egyptian" reached $3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the UK, and #1 in the States. I guess that just goes to show that people in the United States like to walk funny.

With the hug success of this song, The Bangles propelled from the underground punk girl music scene to mainstream radio in the later half of the 1980s.

Note From My Cousin Alyssa

So, after trying to explain to a 12 year old that rap music - while good in it's own right - is just one kind of music to listen to, she decided to contribute a bit to this blog on which I am sharing some of my favorite Classic Rock music for her education.

Below is Alyssa's Note - Enjoy :)

Dear whoever goes on this website and looks at this,

I am the famous Alyssa, the reason this site is on the internet, well not entirely! My cousin Dana thought that I need to learn to like "old music" but i only listen to rap (it's the best... TRUST ME!) Anyways, when she told me that she made a website for me, I was soooooooo happy, but when I heard the name...Alyssa's Music Education, i knew it was going to be all old music i will never listen to EVER! But still I love Dana for making me this website, she rocks! Thanks for reading this and going on the website full of music I will never listen to lol jk Dana!!

PEACE OUT PEEPS!! @LY$$@

(thats alyssa in getto)

Oh Lordy........ *head shake*

Whip It Good - Devo

So, are they saying "Tattoed Detective"? Or "Try to Detect It"?

This question plagued my college roommate and I for months when we became obsessed with this song. Granted it was over 20 years after it was released, but one can discover and appreciate awesome 80's music during any decade, right?

Devo was formed in 1973 in Ohio, and has developed somewhat of a cult following since then. Their band name comes from the concept of "de-evolution" meaning that instead of evolving, human kind has regressed. But wherever their name comes from, their song "Whip It" is freaking amazing.

"Whip It" was released in 1980 and was Devo's most successful song. Reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, "Whip It" was also named #63 on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s.

But it's the music video and the red hats that make this song the best. Just watch and find out.

Hotel California - The Eagles

Like I said before - The Eagles are a fucking amazing band. And despite what my future uncle-in-law says, "Hotel California" is one of their greatest songs, and one of the greatest songs in Rock and Roll.

Released in early 1977 off their album of the same name, "Hotel California" topped the Billboard Hot 100 List for one week in May, and The Eagles also won the Grammy for Record Of The Year in 1978 for this song.

And in case you think I forgot about your digital music, "Hotel California" was certified Platinum in 2009 after achieving more than 1,000,000 digital downloads on sites like iTunes.

On the surface, this song is about a weary traveler who became trapped in a horrible hotel after first finding it inviting. However, the song is an allegory of the hedonism and self-destruction of the California music industry in the late 1970s (not Satan-worshiping). Henley says this about "Hotel California" - "It's basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America, which is something we knew a lot about."

So pick up and Eagles album or download "Hotel California" and rock out like there's no tomorrow.

Pink Houses - John Mellencamp

"There's a black man with a black cat livin' in a black neighborhood
He's got an interstate runnin' through his front yard
You know he thinks that he's got it so good
And there's a woman in the kitchen cleanin' up the evenin' slop
And he looks at her and says, "Hey darlin', I can remember when
You could stop a clock."

Back before Cougars were horny moms, John Cougar Mellencamp rocked the stage with great music such as "Jack and Diane" and "Hurt So Good".

One of his songs from the early 1980s "Pink Houses" is one of those songs that is written about the heart of America, and the people in it. Telling stories about an old African-American couple, a young hard working man and everyone else that make up our country.

The song made it to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and was ranked #439 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

This song also makes my mom and her sisters sing and dance in bars. It's that good.

Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

I have to admit, I first fell in love with this song when Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora played it at the 2001 My VH1 Awards right after George Harrison died. but listening to the song played by anyone else other than George Harrison and The Beatles is a shameful event.

"Here Comes The Sun" is one of the most widely known contribution George made to The Beatles, singing and playing acoustic guitar on the track. It originated from a collaboration session with friend and artist Eric Clapton.

After it was released in 1969, this song was covered by a variety of artists, including Bon Jovi, Paul Simon, U2, James Taylor and Sheryl Crow.

Here is a version of the song being played by the fantastic George Harrison, along with fellow Beatle Ring Starr and Elton John, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins.

Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi

"I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all"

That line is my favorite line in any song every written.

Bon Jovi's 1987 single "Wanted Dead Or Alive" is one of those iconic songs that will live forever. The third single off of their Slippery When Wet album, Bon Jovi wrote "Wanted Dead Or Alive" with a title to pay homage to the classic Old West heroes. It combines classic Old West themes with the rock band scene. The song was influenced by Bob Seger's classic song "Turn The Page" which is another great song in rock history.

"Wanted Dead Or Alive" peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart when it was released and is a must-play song at all of their live shows. I am looking forward to seeing Bon Jovi perform again in April!

I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty

"Well I won't back down, no I won't back down
You could stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down"

Incredibly well-known and acclaimed as the front man of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty has also released a few very successful solo albums, including 1989's Full Moon Fever. From this album came two of Petty's signature songs, "Free Fallin'" and "I Won't Back Down"

"I Won't Back Down" was the first single from the album Full Moon Fever, and reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and topped the Album Rock Tracks chart for five weeks.

This song has attracted many iconic musicians with it's awesomeness, including George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles (in the music video) and Johnny Cash and Pearl Jam (who had covered this song on albums and live performances).

Southern Voice - Tim McGraw

"Hank Aaron smacked it
Michael Jordan dunked it
Pocahantas tracked it
Jack Daniels drunk it
Tom Petty rocked it
Dr. King paved it
Bear Bryant won it
Billy Graham saved it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Appalachicola*
It's hi ya'll did ya eat well
Come on in I'm
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With a southern voice"

Okay okay okay - I know this isn't a classic song by any means - in fact it is brand spankin' new!

But I wake up with this song stuck in my head every morning, and it references a lot of GREAT classic rock in it, so I thought I'd change it up for once.

Singing about the likes of Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, The Allman Brothers, Crimson Tide and Charlie Daniels, "Southern Voice" by Tim McGraw is a pretty cool new song that pays homage to the greats of the South.

Not only do you get to learn a bit about classic rock music here, but you also get a history lesson as well.