Post by benster72 on Jan 6, 2013 17:19:35 GMT -5
OK, I have enjoyed reading these critiques for several months, and figured I would take a crack at this weeks show, just for the fun of it.
Special: Top 100 of 1987, Part 2 (#50-1)
#50 “WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME” – Chicago. Great tune, and pretty unexpected at the time that this band sans Peter Cetera could still produce a Top 5 tune.
#49 “HIP TO BE SQUARE” – Huey Lewis & The News - Not one of my favorites by HLN and pretty funny that Casey quotes "working out most every day and watching what I eat" then plays an edited version that cuts that line out...Not very hip editing.
#48 “LET’S WAIT AWHILE” – Janet Jackson- pretty forgetable song if you ask me. You never hear this one much anymore.
#47 “IN TOO DEEP” – Genesis - Great ballad from the time and still sounds fresh today. These guys were at their "peak powers" creatively back in 86-87.
#46 “CAUSING A COMMOTION” – Madonna - Great dance song from Who's That Girl. Stands up well after 25 years.
#45 “I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU” – Michael Jackson w/Siedah Garrett - what's more forgotten...this one or The Girl is Mine? Both released first but about 10 singles are better from Thriller/Bad.
#44 “TOUCH ME (I WANT YOUR BODY)” – Samantha Fox - pretty raunchy song, but she made a career at it. You never hear this one much anymore.
#43 “YOU GOT IT ALL” – The Jets - written by Rupert Holmes...I prefer Escape (Pina Colata) or Him to this composition.
#42 “WHO’S THAT GIRL” – Madonna - pretty decent dance song from a pretty poor feature film. All over radio in late August 1987 and then pretty much forgotten after Labor Day.
#41 “JACOB’S LADDER” – Huey Lewis & The News - Speaking of forgotten #1s. I am impressed with Bruce Hornsby's songwriting talents and HLNs interpretation.
#40 “LAND OF CONFUSION” – Genesis - Phil, Mike and Tony were in their prime with this one as well, great rock song.
#39 “SOMEWHERE OUT THERE” – Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram - pretty solid duet and a sign of things to come that Linda and James would be back in the Top 3 in the next few years to come. Decent song lyrically.
#38 “U GOT THE LOOK” – Prince (with Sheena Easton) - I prefer Sign O the Times. Never impressed with this one, then or now.
#37 “CONTROL” – Janet Jackson - Much better tune than Let's Wait Awhile. Still sounds fresh for a dance song a generation later.
#36 “I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)” – Aretha Franklin & George Michael - good to hear Aretha back at the top of the chart, still sounds good to my hears, well written and produced pop hit.
#35 “KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF” – The Georgia Satellites - not one of my favorites, but Southern Rock from the Late 80s isn't really my thing.
#34 “YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON” – Kim Wilde - I really enjoyed listening to this remake, HDH sure could write a hit song. Kim sings this one with some feeling.
#33 “HEART AND SOUL” – T’Pau - this one still gets airplay, and I have always liked this pop song.
#32 “(I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS” – Cutting Crew - I really didn't care for any of their Top 40 songs, this included.
#31 “LOST IN EMOTION” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Hit the beat now, great dance song. I was really impressed these guys had two #1 songs in them.
#30 “OPEN YOUR HEART” – Madonna - Iconic and legendary for the time. Mid 80s Madonna at it's best.
#29 “LEAN ON ME” – Club Nouveau - great cover, still sounds fresh today and a timeless, positive message.
#28 “THE NEXT TIME I FALL” – Peter Cetera & Amy Grant - another forgotten #1, but very well written and performed. I always enjoy listening to this ballad.
#27 “(I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE” – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - I was impressed this guy hit #1 after 20 plus years - thanks to dance fever of the dirty variety.
#26 “ONLY IN MY DREAMS” – Debbie Gibson - pretty impressive this was written by a 13 year old and recorded by a 16 year old, and it still sounds fresh today. Nice job Deborah!
#25 “NOTORIOUS” – Duran Duran - Not very impressed with this one, and for that matter I did not really like their work as a Trio.
#24 “I WANT YOUR SEX” – George Michael - I am not impressed, and I'm not sure why the folks who put together the BHC 2 Soundtrack were. Ban something and it becomes a hit, just ask Manfred Mann and his revved up deuce.
#23 “I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR” – U2 - this is the kind of song you write and record if you want to make it to the Rock and Roll HOF. Legendary.
#22 “DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL” – Whitney Houston - what a talent and a performance. This song can put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye when you realize it's being sung by a 24 year old who lived to be 48.
#21 “THE LADY IN RED” – Chris DeBurgh - I was always impressed this guy squeezed out a 2nd hit, this is much better than Don't Pay the Ferryman.
#20 “AT THIS MOMENT (LIVE)” – Billy Vera & The Beaters - Thank goodness for Family Ties and Alex P Keaton's taste in women...this is an awesome song that nobody would have heard if not for an NBC Sitcom.
#19 “MONY MONY (LIVE)” – Billy Idol - Another great cover, much better than the Tommy James original and great energy with the live cut from Vital Idol.
#18 “I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW” – Tiffany - this one sounds great still too, again much better than the Tommy James original, and good enough to get to #1.
#17 “HEAD TO TOE” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - I prefer Lost in Emotion personally, but there probably would not have been a 2nd number 1 without this first number 1. Full Force would be proud.
#16 “LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE” – Jody Watley - I was always impressed with this one, considering Shalimar couldn't compose a top 2 hit.
#15 “WITH OR WITHOUT YOU” – U2 - Hall of Fame, legendary, iconic single. So good.
#14 “ALWAYS” – Atlantic Starr - I like the message, but it is really not my cup of tea.
#13 “DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER” – Crowded House - really well written and still sounds good today. Kudos to these guys for writing a great tune.
#12 “EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT” – Wang Chung - I like this tune, almost as much as the gang at Cheers likes it. Pure 80s.
#11 “LA BAMBA” – Los Lobos - this cover song and the move were awesome. I like that Rick Dees was in the movie, too.
#10 “LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER” – Bon Jovi - Iconic song, really put these guys on the map, even if they are slightly past their prime now.
#9 “SHAKEDOWN” – Bob Seger - I really like this song, probably more than Bob likes it. He never plays it in concert, which is a shame.
#8 “THE WAY IT IS” – Bruce Hornsby & The Range - pretty incredible composition and the piano work is very impressive. What a talent.
#7 “HERE I GO AGAIN” – Whitesnake - the song is a power pop/hair metal masterpiece. Just wonderful.
#6 “C’EST LA VIE” – Robbie Nevil - great pop tune, love the play on words...just one more thing to say...CEST La Vie....killer tune.
#5 “NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW” – Starship - oh how the mighty have fallen. White Rabbit, Somebody to Love...to this? I liked it as a kid though.
#4 “I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)” – Whitney Houston - great dance song, well produced by NMW. Timeless.
#3 “SHAKE YOU DOWN” – Gregory Abbott - this song stuck around forever at the time, now you can't find it played anywhere. Average at best.
#2 “ALONE” – Heart - Really great song, without this one, they don't get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame this year, still sounds great today.
#1 “WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN” – The Bangles - They get an A for creativity and songwriting. I still like hearing this one.
Thank you all for reading my critiques, and have a great day.
Ben
Special: Top 100 of 1987, Part 2 (#50-1)
#50 “WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME” – Chicago. Great tune, and pretty unexpected at the time that this band sans Peter Cetera could still produce a Top 5 tune.
#49 “HIP TO BE SQUARE” – Huey Lewis & The News - Not one of my favorites by HLN and pretty funny that Casey quotes "working out most every day and watching what I eat" then plays an edited version that cuts that line out...Not very hip editing.
#48 “LET’S WAIT AWHILE” – Janet Jackson- pretty forgetable song if you ask me. You never hear this one much anymore.
#47 “IN TOO DEEP” – Genesis - Great ballad from the time and still sounds fresh today. These guys were at their "peak powers" creatively back in 86-87.
#46 “CAUSING A COMMOTION” – Madonna - Great dance song from Who's That Girl. Stands up well after 25 years.
#45 “I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU” – Michael Jackson w/Siedah Garrett - what's more forgotten...this one or The Girl is Mine? Both released first but about 10 singles are better from Thriller/Bad.
#44 “TOUCH ME (I WANT YOUR BODY)” – Samantha Fox - pretty raunchy song, but she made a career at it. You never hear this one much anymore.
#43 “YOU GOT IT ALL” – The Jets - written by Rupert Holmes...I prefer Escape (Pina Colata) or Him to this composition.
#42 “WHO’S THAT GIRL” – Madonna - pretty decent dance song from a pretty poor feature film. All over radio in late August 1987 and then pretty much forgotten after Labor Day.
#41 “JACOB’S LADDER” – Huey Lewis & The News - Speaking of forgotten #1s. I am impressed with Bruce Hornsby's songwriting talents and HLNs interpretation.
#40 “LAND OF CONFUSION” – Genesis - Phil, Mike and Tony were in their prime with this one as well, great rock song.
#39 “SOMEWHERE OUT THERE” – Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram - pretty solid duet and a sign of things to come that Linda and James would be back in the Top 3 in the next few years to come. Decent song lyrically.
#38 “U GOT THE LOOK” – Prince (with Sheena Easton) - I prefer Sign O the Times. Never impressed with this one, then or now.
#37 “CONTROL” – Janet Jackson - Much better tune than Let's Wait Awhile. Still sounds fresh for a dance song a generation later.
#36 “I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)” – Aretha Franklin & George Michael - good to hear Aretha back at the top of the chart, still sounds good to my hears, well written and produced pop hit.
#35 “KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF” – The Georgia Satellites - not one of my favorites, but Southern Rock from the Late 80s isn't really my thing.
#34 “YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON” – Kim Wilde - I really enjoyed listening to this remake, HDH sure could write a hit song. Kim sings this one with some feeling.
#33 “HEART AND SOUL” – T’Pau - this one still gets airplay, and I have always liked this pop song.
#32 “(I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS” – Cutting Crew - I really didn't care for any of their Top 40 songs, this included.
#31 “LOST IN EMOTION” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Hit the beat now, great dance song. I was really impressed these guys had two #1 songs in them.
#30 “OPEN YOUR HEART” – Madonna - Iconic and legendary for the time. Mid 80s Madonna at it's best.
#29 “LEAN ON ME” – Club Nouveau - great cover, still sounds fresh today and a timeless, positive message.
#28 “THE NEXT TIME I FALL” – Peter Cetera & Amy Grant - another forgotten #1, but very well written and performed. I always enjoy listening to this ballad.
#27 “(I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE” – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - I was impressed this guy hit #1 after 20 plus years - thanks to dance fever of the dirty variety.
#26 “ONLY IN MY DREAMS” – Debbie Gibson - pretty impressive this was written by a 13 year old and recorded by a 16 year old, and it still sounds fresh today. Nice job Deborah!
#25 “NOTORIOUS” – Duran Duran - Not very impressed with this one, and for that matter I did not really like their work as a Trio.
#24 “I WANT YOUR SEX” – George Michael - I am not impressed, and I'm not sure why the folks who put together the BHC 2 Soundtrack were. Ban something and it becomes a hit, just ask Manfred Mann and his revved up deuce.
#23 “I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR” – U2 - this is the kind of song you write and record if you want to make it to the Rock and Roll HOF. Legendary.
#22 “DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL” – Whitney Houston - what a talent and a performance. This song can put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye when you realize it's being sung by a 24 year old who lived to be 48.
#21 “THE LADY IN RED” – Chris DeBurgh - I was always impressed this guy squeezed out a 2nd hit, this is much better than Don't Pay the Ferryman.
#20 “AT THIS MOMENT (LIVE)” – Billy Vera & The Beaters - Thank goodness for Family Ties and Alex P Keaton's taste in women...this is an awesome song that nobody would have heard if not for an NBC Sitcom.
#19 “MONY MONY (LIVE)” – Billy Idol - Another great cover, much better than the Tommy James original and great energy with the live cut from Vital Idol.
#18 “I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW” – Tiffany - this one sounds great still too, again much better than the Tommy James original, and good enough to get to #1.
#17 “HEAD TO TOE” – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - I prefer Lost in Emotion personally, but there probably would not have been a 2nd number 1 without this first number 1. Full Force would be proud.
#16 “LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE” – Jody Watley - I was always impressed with this one, considering Shalimar couldn't compose a top 2 hit.
#15 “WITH OR WITHOUT YOU” – U2 - Hall of Fame, legendary, iconic single. So good.
#14 “ALWAYS” – Atlantic Starr - I like the message, but it is really not my cup of tea.
#13 “DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER” – Crowded House - really well written and still sounds good today. Kudos to these guys for writing a great tune.
#12 “EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT” – Wang Chung - I like this tune, almost as much as the gang at Cheers likes it. Pure 80s.
#11 “LA BAMBA” – Los Lobos - this cover song and the move were awesome. I like that Rick Dees was in the movie, too.
#10 “LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER” – Bon Jovi - Iconic song, really put these guys on the map, even if they are slightly past their prime now.
#9 “SHAKEDOWN” – Bob Seger - I really like this song, probably more than Bob likes it. He never plays it in concert, which is a shame.
#8 “THE WAY IT IS” – Bruce Hornsby & The Range - pretty incredible composition and the piano work is very impressive. What a talent.
#7 “HERE I GO AGAIN” – Whitesnake - the song is a power pop/hair metal masterpiece. Just wonderful.
#6 “C’EST LA VIE” – Robbie Nevil - great pop tune, love the play on words...just one more thing to say...CEST La Vie....killer tune.
#5 “NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW” – Starship - oh how the mighty have fallen. White Rabbit, Somebody to Love...to this? I liked it as a kid though.
#4 “I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)” – Whitney Houston - great dance song, well produced by NMW. Timeless.
#3 “SHAKE YOU DOWN” – Gregory Abbott - this song stuck around forever at the time, now you can't find it played anywhere. Average at best.
#2 “ALONE” – Heart - Really great song, without this one, they don't get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame this year, still sounds great today.
#1 “WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN” – The Bangles - They get an A for creativity and songwriting. I still like hearing this one.
Thank you all for reading my critiques, and have a great day.
Ben