Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I don’t think I know this one. Dirty Mind from ‘80 is where I start with Prince. I’ll have to check it out.
Fixed.47. Prince “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (from Prince)
https://youtu.be/Rp8WL621uGM
1979 was a falsetto paradise!
Prince was actually his second album, but this song was his breakout hit. I must have been aware of it at the time because it’s always been very recognizable to me, but I was not aware of the artist until “Little Red Corvette” exploded on MTV a few years later.
As always, this funk gem was written and produced by the same guy who also manages to play all of the instruments. One of the very greatest musical geniuses ofourall time.
I was thought this song had hints of Astronomy Domine from Pink Floyd. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJh9OLlXenMtimschochet said:52. The B-52s “Rock Lobster” (from The B-52’s)
https://youtu.be/n4QSYx4wVQg
Somehow I’ve never watched that video before and it’s awesome. Fred looks totally different as befits the 70s, the two girls are absolutely gorgeous, and we get a good look at just how strong the rhythm section for this band is.
Big fan46. Nick Lowe “Cruel to Be Kind” (released as single)
https://youtu.be/b0l3QWUXVho
The song was originally released as a single but, upon its surprise success, was added to his second solo album Labour of Love.
The scenes from the wedding on the video are real; Lowe actually did get married to Carlene Carter (of the legendary Carter family) at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas; however, Dave Edmunds as the chauffeur was staged.
Whenever I hear the phrase “power pop” this is the first song that comes to mind.
You're chopping away at my list of 'The Next 100 Songs of 1979.46. Nick Lowe “Cruel to Be Kind” (released as single) https://youtu.be/b0l3QWUXVho
The song was originally released as a single but, upon its surprise success, was added to his second solo album Labour of Love.
The scenes from the wedding on the video are real; Lowe actually did get married to Carlene Carter (of the legendary Carter family) at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas; however, Dave Edmunds as the chauffeur was staged.
Whenever I hear the phrase “power pop” this is the first song that comes to mind.
It’s not a very good sign.You're chopping away at my list of 'The Next 100 Songs of 1979.
'
Its one of the songs I distinctly remember from 1979 since it was on a jukebox in the bar next to the restaurant I worked as a busboy and it got played a lot. I really liked it and still do.45. The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me Girl” (released as a single)
https://youtu.be/XV_KkNhnitI
The Spinners are one of the most underrated soul groups out there, between this classic medley cover (of a Four Seasons song and a Michael Zager song) and “Rubber Band Man” this is quite as good as soul music gets. But this tune also sounds more like an early 70s song than almost anything else on this list. It doesn’t seem to belong in 1979. Even so, sublime.
Benmont Tench, on the Hammond organ, makes this song. Tom Petty & crew were awesome at bringing forward old-school rock sounds and making them sound fresh.44. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers “Don’t Do Me Like That” (from Damn the Torpedoes).
Great song. On a list of songs I knew you'd take.44. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers “Don’t Do Me Like That” (from Damn the Torpedoes)
You had to know this would be on there. Tim had it on his top New Wave song list and is a fan.You're chopping away at my list of 'The Next 100 Songs of 1979.
'
I have enough to get to 100 and I only started coming to this board around the time Covid hit so I haven't seen every thread so my list/perspective won't' be tainted by previous lists. Its a challenge to do a list after someone else has taken the first 100 songs off but its a fun challenge.You had to know this would be on there. Tim had it on his top New Wave song list and is a fan.
Not that I remember this stuff or anything...
Oh, your second 1971 list was a blast. I expect great things here, too.I have enough to get to 100 and I only started coming to this board around the time Covid hit so I haven't seen every thread so my list/perspective won't' be tainted by previous lists. Its a challenge to do a list after someone else has taken the first 100 songs off but its a fun challenge.
Also I'm old enough to remember 79. So old my social security number is 8. Baa daa bing rimshot
10 nationally, 7 locally/doesn't fare well for that girl's personality41. Graham Parker “Local Girls” (from Squeezing Out Sparks)
https://youtu.be/taXvBivGcMo
Snide, bitter woman hating song set to a happy power pop melody. What’s not to love about this tune? And I always have.
Solid song, solid pick. This was otb's favorite year for music. Where is that guy? Figured he'd be in here, romper stomper style.40. Michael Jackson “Off the Wall” (from Off the Wall)
@Damone @Mike Damone39. Cheap Trick “Dream Police” (from Dream Police)
https://youtu.be/OPemyipJzAM
Rick Neilson was a very good power pop songwriter and this was one of his best efforts. The song has a soaring bass line which helps; the rhythm section and overall musicianship of this band was underrated at the time.
One of my first concerts was Cheap Trick on their Dream Police tour.39. Cheap Trick “Dream Police” (from Dream Police)
https://youtu.be/OPemyipJzAM
Rick Neilson was a very good power pop songwriter and this was one of his best efforts. The song has a soaring bass line which helps; the rhythm section and overall musicianship of this band was underrated at the time.
whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IVBinky The Doormat said:
I am a big Pink Floyd fan, and I'm not sure if it is a top 10 song on The Wall for me, it's close. But I still agree that this song has to be in the top 100 list for 1979. Of course, my top 100 would have more Pink Floyd songs in it than I anticipate this one to have.38. Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” (from The Wall)
https://youtu.be/34ZmKbe5oG4
It always surprises me when I hear this fantastic song get dissed by Pink Floyd fans. Perhaps it’s the disco beat? More likely it’s that old snobbery where some fans of these “serious” bands are always contemptuous of any song that is a hit. I was even asked, earlier in this thread, not to include this tune among my selections from this album. To which I can only respond: if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?
You think that's bad? I had KISS fans - KISS FANS! - get mad at me because I made the stupid comment that I thought "I Was Made For Loving You" was a pretty good record.38. Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” (from The Wall)
https://youtu.be/34ZmKbe5oG4
It always surprises me when I hear this fantastic song get dissed by Pink Floyd fans. Perhaps it’s the disco beat? More likely it’s that old snobbery where some fans of these “serious” bands are always contemptuous of any song that is a hit. I was even asked, earlier in this thread, not to include this tune among my selections from this album. To which I can only respond: if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?
In all fairness , calling any Kiss song or album good is worthy of derision.You think that's bad? I had KISS fans - KISS FANS! - get mad at me because I made the stupid comment that I thought "I Was Made For Loving You" was a pretty good record.
KISS fans said that.
KISS fans, tim.
The worst are Deadheads or Prog snobs, though.
Tenth-grade rockaction thinks this is the bossest pick. Still does, actually.timschochet said:39. Cheap Trick “Dream Police” (from Dream Police)
https://youtu.be/OPemyipJzAM
Rick Neilson was a very good power pop songwriter and this was one of his best efforts. The song has a soaring bass line which helps; the rhythm section and overall musicianship of this band was underrated at the time.
I stand by my review of the KISS song.In all fairness , calling any Kiss song or album good is worthy of derision.
I remember some hardcore Metallica fans at the restaurant where I bussed tables in '90 and '91 getting all pissy when they gained tons of news fans thanks to the Black Album, and I get that it can be a little annoying to have these newbie fans gushing all of a sudden, when you just knew for years how great they were, but get past that petty crap and enjoy the tunes! Good music is good music, and sometimes that good music is very mainstream and accessible, and sometimes it isn't.I stand by my review of the KISS song.
But you make my point for me anyway. These were two brothers who called "I Was Made For Loving You" a name I will not utter here. They LOVED KISS before that. They also hated Rush after they started having radio hits.
I've seen this play out over and over - Metallica fans, REMs, U2 guys, etc..... It's like there's something lacking in these fans' own lives that make them want to have something to themselves so they feel hip. It's also amusing to me that the vast majority of these folks are white, middle-or-upper-class people.
I knew intuitively that 71 was a great and deep year for music, so many debut albums by groups and solo artists breaking out.timschochet said:I’ve decided to do two more of these (not immediately- I need some time off between each one!)
The first will be 1975 to look at how music evolved halfway between the two key years of 71 amd 79. The second will be 1985 to examine the results of the changes that 1979 helped to begin. After that I think I’m done; maybe @Bracie Smathers , who is a better writer than I am, can continue the analysis.
I like this one.In all fairness , calling any Kiss song or album good is worthy of derision.
First 'record' I got that wasn't a hand-me-down was the single ABC by the Jackson Five. I was 10 and a friend of the family was going to throw out ALL of his records and told me to grab what I wanted. I only wanted that 45 because I was a big Michael Jackson fan.t can be a little annoying to have these newbie fans gushing all of a sudden, when you just knew for years how great they were
Yep, be happy that a band or artist you love is getting more fans and recognition.First 'record' I got that wasn't a hand-me-down was the single ABC by the Jackson Five. I was 10 and a friend of the family was going to throw out ALL of his records and told me to grab what I wanted. I only wanted that 45 because I was a big Michael Jackson fan.
I followed him long before Thriller and could feel the break out starting in 79 with Off the Wall. When he blew up it was more of a validation. I wasn't looking down on people who got swept up in the mania. I took satisfaction recalling the friends who scoffed at me as a kid.
There isn’t a bad song on The Wall. Instead, it is filled with incredible songs that never seem to get old.Run Like Hell and Another Brick II both featured since I last posted. Both great songs, and ones that slayed live when done by the band in the late 80's and 1994. Run Like Hell live is almost too good to believe, with that extended intro and middle section. I actually love the short edit of it in the film as well, as it sounds so furious, and moving the synth solo to underneath the second verse was a stroke of genius (Roger Waters, duh).
I only know Cheap Trick's hits, but I love me some Dream Police, as well as Surrender. I listen to both of those songs somewhat regularly.
I will concede that many of them only really work within the context of the album, but I love them all. I can't imagine cutting anything from it.There isn’t a bad song on The Wall. Instead, it is filled with incredible songs that never seem to get old.
If it’s that other song most are familiar with, isn’t that 1980?36. “Good Times” Chic (from Risqué)
https://youtu.be/Er9xGRolrT4
Edwards and Rogers again. I love the first comment from YouTube: “I’m a man, but this bass made me pregnant.” So true.
Actually, remember the instrumentation for this song. We will be hearing from it again.
This is at least 30 spots too low for 1979 according to my taste, but at least you included it.36. “Good Times” Chic (from Risqué)
https://youtu.be/Er9xGRolrT4
Edwards and Rogers again. I love the first comment from YouTube: “I’m a man, but this bass made me pregnant.” So true.
Actually, remember the instrumentation for this song. We will be hearing from it again.