Showing posts with label 80s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 80s. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

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.


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

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!

Friday, December 18, 2009

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

Sometimes regarded as an incredibly goofy song, I have always thought it would be a fun one to have playing in the background while being proposed to.

When I wake up, well I know i'm gonna be,
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next you
When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver up, Yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

The Proclaimers' hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was released in the UK in 1989, and in the United States in 1993. The song reached #11 in the UK and #1 in Australia in 1989, and then #3 in the US 5 years later. The music video for this song features the four-eyed band members, who also happen to be twins from Scotland.

Enjoy the music video here and see just how goofy the singers are - and make sure to listen to all the goofy lyrics!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Under Pressure - Freddie Mercury and David Bowie

Much better than Lil Wayne and Kevin Rudolph.

Better than Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill

And maybe better than Billy Joel and Elton John. Maybe.

When Freddie Mercury of Queen and David Bowie collaborated on 1981's "Under Pressure" it was the joining of the 2 most distinguishable voices of all time.

Featured on Queen's album Hot Space, "Under Pressure" earned the top spot on the UK charts, and was also named as song #31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s.

Even though "Under Pressure" was a joint effort from Queen and David Bowie, Queen were the only performers to incorporate it regularly into their live shows. Bowie did not perform the song before a live audience until after Freddie Mercury's passing, and has since performed the song at almost every concert, with his bass player taking Mercury's part.

The opening bass line is one of the most recognized in the world - unless you let Vanilla Ice mess up your music awesomeness with "Ice Ice Baby"

Below is a video so you can hear Freddie and David singing together, as well as the video of David Bowie and Annie Lennox singing "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992. Feel the power behind the song and fall in love.




Friday, December 4, 2009

Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi


The famous story of Tommy and Gina - struggling to make ends meet, and still working at their relationship to keep it going - is a fantastic story behind the killer beats and amazing guitar playing of Bon Jovi's song "Livin' On A Prayer"

The second single by the incredibly popular band, "Livin' On A Prayer" almost didn't make it on Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet". Imaging if it hadn't - what a sad world it would be.

Named by VH1 as the #1 Rock Song of the 80's, "Livin' On A Prayer" has rocked the faces of millions of people since its debut in 1987.

Alyssa, be sure to crank this song up the next time you hear it, belt out the lyrics, and become a part of one of the greatest songs of all time.

Watch the Video on YouTube, and be sure to turn up the speakers :)

Monday, November 9, 2009

One of the Best Karaoke Songs of All Time

Alyssa, no matter what anyone tells you, the band Journey ROCKS!

And their most popular song has got to be "Don't Stop Believin'"

Being played everywhere from karaoke bars, sporting events and dance clubs, "Don't Stop Believin'" is amazing. The chorused piano introduction has been described as one of the best opening keyboard riffs of all time.

In 2006, VH1 ranked this song as the 11th greatest song of the 1980s, but no one needed VH1 to rank it for us to know that it is awesome.

Recently covered on the 2009 hit show Glee, "Don't Stop Believin'" has reached a few new listeners lately. But we can't forget where it came from...




Okay, and here you can hear the Glee version, because I really like that show too.


Friday, November 6, 2009

Keep On Loving You

"And I meant every word I said. When I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever"

Reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1981, "Keep On Loving You" is a fantastic power ballad performed by REO Speedwagon.

Fun Fact: According to Wikipedia, the music video for "Keep On Loving You" was the 17th video played on MTV's first day on the air. You know, back when MTV still played music videos.

REO Speedwagon still rocks in concert (after having seen them perform at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009), and the frontman is a pretty sexy old dude.

So listen to this song, love it, and enjoy how it gets stuck in your head for hours. It will rock your face off!