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The 100 Greatest Songs of 1981 #1 Super Freak (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
FairWarning
Footballguy
zamboni
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
82. April Wine “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” (from The Nature of the Beast)
https://youtu.be/4ohq2xImvUU
Another band that I was introduced to during the early days of MTV, when this video was played often. They had two radio hits off of this album (we’ll get to the other one a little later) and then disappeared for me. I now read that they continued to produce albums for many years afterwards.
The guitar solo in this tune is quite good.
https://youtu.be/4ohq2xImvUU
Another band that I was introduced to during the early days of MTV, when this video was played often. They had two radio hits off of this album (we’ll get to the other one a little later) and then disappeared for me. I now read that they continued to produce albums for many years afterwards.
The guitar solo in this tune is quite good.
zamboni
Footballguy
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Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
Three days after turning 19 I moved to Colorado to work at a ski resort.
I remember this song playing many times the first month, a magical time. I would find myself looking around in awe at the mountains and snow being so thankful so this tune is special for me.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
It may not sound like much, but it's a brilliant drum track. Copeland is just putting the bass drum on 2 and 4 most of the song (with his signature hi hat work over the top), but due to where all other the notes are being played, and the fill he leads into the song with not starting on 1, it ends up sounding like some crazy time signature polyrhythm thing. Then the chorus kicks in and it sounds like a regular old 4/4 rocker - but Stewart's been playing in 4/4 the entire time. It's the genius of Copeland, making simplicity and space sound interesting.
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timschochet
Footballguy
Yeah that was a mistake of mine. I should have just written that Summers isn’t doing much- at least, the guitar is drowned out by the synthesizer.
It may not sound like much, but it's a brilliant drum track. Copeland is just putting the bass drum on 2 and 4 most of the song (with his signature hi hat work over the top), but due to where all other the notes are being played, and the fill he leads into the song with not starting on 1, it ends up sounding like some crazy time signature polyrhythm thing. Then the chorus kicks in and it sounds like a regular old 4/4 rocker - but Stewart's been playing in 4/4 the entire time. It's the genius of Copeland, making simplicity and space sound interesting.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
I've read Sting didn't want Andy to play on the song at all. He wanted it to be all synthesizer - it pretty much ended up that way. The demo tapes Sting created for his songs for this album are available on the internet, you can see how little change happened from those to the finished tracks - except for the drum tracks.
This album (and its recording sessions) was the beginning of the end of The Police - Sting wanted total, uncompromising control over the music, Stewart and Andy weren't interested in being just his backing band or the direction Sting wanted to go with the sound of the band. I've also read the record company wanted to release Andy's only songwriting contribution to the album as the first single, Sting refused to allow it. As Sting clearly wrote the best songs, the record company had to capitulate to his wishes. Sting also rewrote the lyrics to Stewart's only songwriting contribution to this album.
The Police are one of the bands that fell apart pretty much completely due to creative differences, as opposed to money or who was more famous.
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They had many hits up here in Canada. This is one of their best.
It's certainly aged the best, I'd say. One of my first concerts was April Wine. 
Fun band. 3 guitar players plus a bass player, you don't see that every day.
zamboni
Footballguy
Funny - you could substitute Roger Waters for Sting, David Gilmour for Stewart, and Richard Wright for Andy (obviously different instruments for the latter two, but similar relationship-wise) and it wouldn't be too far off from Pink Floyd.
The egos on these guys...
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I went to see Oysterhead on their first tour just because I wanted to see Stewart Copeland play drums. The participation of Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool was a bonus.
It may not sound like much, but it's a brilliant drum track. Copeland is just putting the bass drum on 2 and 4 most of the song (with his signature hi hat work over the top), but due to where all other the notes are being played, and the fill he leads into the song with not starting on 1, it ends up sounding like some crazy time signature polyrhythm thing. Then the chorus kicks in and it sounds like a regular old 4/4 rocker - but Stewart's been playing in 4/4 the entire time. It's the genius of Copeland, making simplicity and space sound interesting.
timschochet
Footballguy
But it’s also a fascinating thing that so often when bands are having their biggest fights, when the egos are clashing and they’re about to break up- THATS when their best music is produced. This is true in rock history again and again.
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Gr00vus
Footballguy
Ego is part of it. I know in Sting's case, he got to a point where he wanted to hear the songs played as he had envisioned/written them and wasn't really interested in any large scale collaboration. I can understand that. He was transitioning into jazzy pop and ez listening - Stewart and Andy wanted none of it. It's a shame that it destroyed the band, as I think their output was better than Sting's solo work, but I can still understand it.
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timschochet
Footballguy
I love Oysterhead. I had no idea Copeland was involved.
Their cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is sublime.
zamboni
Footballguy
There's a great live version of the tune from back in 1981 here. The three guitar attack really shines.They had many hits up here in Canada. This is one of their best.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
I was BarMitzvahed in late '81. Shortly thereafter I took some of my ill gotten gains to The Warehouse in the mall and made my first ever independent album purchases (adults had purchased albums for me occasionally). I bought 5 albums. I'm pretty sure entries from 4 of them will appear (entries from 2 of them already have). I'm really curious to see if the 5th gets represented (I'm leaning toward no). Guess the albums (PM if worried about spotlighting) - I will give you one fabulous heart emoji on some random post of yours for each correct guess 
.
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rockaction
Footballguy
Three axe attack?! I started a thread on three axe attacks about three years ago. I'd seen Spoon in concert and they went with that instrument set up. Would have been nice if you'd posted in it. (I'm sure you just missed it. It's by way of making conversation, this three-guitar thread history. I happen to love double drums and three axes.)
zamboni
Footballguy
zamboni
Footballguy
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timschochet
Footballguy
81. J Geils Band “Freeze Frame” (from Freeze Frame)
https://youtu.be/wHo43B6nu60
Another band that had been around for years with some pretty good songs along the way, but with MTV they exploded. Peter Wolf continues to make some very good music; I have several of his most recent songs on my playlist.
https://youtu.be/wHo43B6nu60
Another band that had been around for years with some pretty good songs along the way, but with MTV they exploded. Peter Wolf continues to make some very good music; I have several of his most recent songs on my playlist.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Now 3 of my 5 albums represented. 13 year old me is loving this countdown - except for the painful/awkward slow dance memories.
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wikkidpissah
Footballguy
late '81? gotta be Amy Grant Live, Vol 2I was BarMitzvahed in late '81. Shortly thereafter I took some of my ill gotten gains to The Warehouse in the mall and made my first ever independent album purchases (adults had purchased albums for me occasionally). I bought 5 albums. I'm pretty sure entries from 4 of them will appear (entries from 2 of them already have). I'm really curious to see if the 5th gets represented (I'm leaning toward no). Guess the albums (PM if worried about spotlighting) - I will give you one fabulous heart emoji on some random post of yours for each correct guess
Gr00vus
Footballguy
northern exposure
Footballguy
Poor choice of words. Don't post late at night kids!wikkidpissah said:
northern exposure
Footballguy
I also enjoyed the two albums Animal Logic (Copeland,Stanley Clarke, Deborah Holland) released.Pip's Invitation said:
I have to say I never really noticed Copeland's drumming at the height of The Police fame. I had to go back to the records after they had split up to really appreciate what he did.
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHSNZK4Je-Ywikkidpissah said:late '81? gotta be Amy Grant Live, Vol 22 hours ago, Gr00vus said:
I was BarMitzvahed in late '81. Shortly thereafter I took some of my ill gotten gains to The Warehouse in the mall and made my first ever independent album purchases (adults had purchased albums for me occasionally). I bought 5 albums. I'm pretty sure entries from 4 of them will appear (entries from 2 of them already have). I'm really curious to see if the 5th gets represented (I'm leaning toward no). Guess the albums (PM if worried about spotlighting) - I will give you one fabulous heart emoji on some random post of yours for each correct guess
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Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I liked this and the other J Geils big hit when I was a kid, but I can’t say I ever listen to them on purpose now.
Big fan of Spirits in the Material World. Love the vibe and the melodies.
April Wine was a solid band with some good tunes.
Big fan of Spirits in the Material World. Love the vibe and the melodies.
April Wine was a solid band with some good tunes.
timschochet
Footballguy
80. Olivia Newton-John “Physical” (from Physical)
https://youtu.be/vWz9VN40nCA
This was the biggest hit of 1981 and it’s a pretty good song actually. It changed hwe career for sure. Also one of the most famous videos ever.
https://youtu.be/vWz9VN40nCA
This was the biggest hit of 1981 and it’s a pretty good song actually. It changed hwe career for sure. Also one of the most famous videos ever.
zamboni
Footballguy
Another guitar solo by Steve Lukather here. Has that guy ever not worked?
Fellow Toto band mate David Hungate on bass.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Gr00vus
Footballguy
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
zamboni
Footballguy
Gr00vus
Footballguy
How can you be the biggest hit of 1981 if you're not played before the opening kickoff of every NFL game?!?!?
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
damn ...really expected this to be a lot higher ranked (lower numbertimschochet said:
)
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
i was told there would be no math...damn ...really expected this to be a lot higher ranked (lower number
Mister CIA
Footballguy
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Doug B
Footballguy
“Physical” was indeed one of the songs that kept Foreigner at #2 for nine of those ten weeks.
...
I agree with zamboni here — “Physical” might be 80s cheese, but it’s 80s cheese with great instrumentation.
timschochet
Footballguy
79. Loverboy “Working for the Weekend” (from Get Lucky)
https://youtu.be/cxhj1Is7HpY
Yet another Canadian rock band that made it big in 1981. Yeah this is a guilty pleasure but a pleasure nonetheless, with some of my favorite cheesy 80s lyrics of all time:
You want a piece of my heart?
You better start from the start!
You want to be in the show?
Come on baby let’s GO!!!
https://youtu.be/cxhj1Is7HpY
Yet another Canadian rock band that made it big in 1981. Yeah this is a guilty pleasure but a pleasure nonetheless, with some of my favorite cheesy 80s lyrics of all time:
You want a piece of my heart?
You better start from the start!
You want to be in the show?
Come on baby let’s GO!!!
Gr00vus
Footballguy
All their hits are guilty pleasures in my book. As an aside, their drummer is the drummer I never want to look like when I play.
zamboni
Footballguy
zamboni
Footballguy
Sad story about Loverboy is that back in 2000, the bass player (Scott Smith) was lost at sea and never found.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/loverboy-bassist-scott-smith-missing-presumed-dead-255063/
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/loverboy-bassist-scott-smith-missing-presumed-dead-255063/
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Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Freeze Frame was released in January of '82. But whatever...it jams.
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