Music Monday - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by The Eurythmics (1983)

If I ever make a list of favorite 1980's songs, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by the Eurythmics will certainly be high on the list.  First, Annie Lennox has the most amazing voice!  Her voice is multitracked in harmony on this song.  Second, this song just captures a time in the 1980's so perfectly for me.

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" was released in 1983 as the title track of The Eurythmics' second album.  I had this album and played it again and again - it's a great one!

Here's the original video - it's very 1980's!
Do you remember this song? Do you have other favorites by The Eurythmics? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

Music Monday - "I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles" by The Proclaimers (1988)

When I was in college, I used to make mixtapes.  They often had a theme - happy songs, songs for a rainy day, songs that make me want to dance ...  If I was making a mixtape today of happy songs, "I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles" by The Proclaimers would definitely be on that tape.

This song is by the Scottish band The Proclaimers.  This band features twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid.  Charlie Reid wrote "I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles" in 45 minutes while waiting to travel.  

Although this song was released in 1988, it became a big hit in the U.S. in 1993 after it was featured in the movie Benny & Joon.  (That is where I first heard the song.)

I love the infectious happiness and energy of this song.   The singer is so in love that he declares:

"But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door"

How can you not love that?!   Do you remember "I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles"?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman (1983)

I loved this song from first listen.  It came out during my college years, and I bought the 45.  (I'm sure I stll have it here!)   I really like the nostalgic, 1960's sound of this 1980's song.  

"They Don't Know" was written and recorded in 1979 by Kirsty MacColl.  In 1983, Tracey Ullman recorded a cover of the song that became very popular in the U.K., and later in the U.S. as well.  (It reached #8 on the Billboard chart.)  The video is lots of fun, with bowling, home movies, some 1970's disco dancing, and a cameo by Paul McCartney.  Later it was a theme song for Tracey Ullman's comedy show, Tracey Takes On.

This song always makes me happy, and I hope you enjoy it too.  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - David Bowie - "Absolute Beginners" (1986)

I woke up at 4:00 this morning and, of course, reached for my phone.  When I went to Facebook I found out that David Bowie passed away yesterday.  I am both shocked and saddened by his death.

David Bowie was such an iconic singer and songwriter.  His style was so unique and ever changing, and his voice!  I loved the distinct sound.  And - he even loved dachshunds.

I grew up hearing Bowie music on the radio, but especially found I loved his music in the 1980's when the album Let's Dance was released.  (Earlier blog post about "Let's Dance" here.)  It is easily one of my top 10 all time albums.  Over the years I have gone back to his early music as well, and found songs I really love, like "Young Americans," "Heroes," and "Life on Mars."

And then there is "Absolute Beginners."  I love this song.  I love it so much I have to stop what I am doing and just listen to it anytime I hear it on the radio.  It was also the title song of the 1986 movie Absolute Beginners, set in 1950's London as jazz transitioned to rock, and young people started to rebel.  This unusual musical movie is pretty amazing ... and if you haven't seen it, one I recommend.   David Bowie's performance in the movie is a standout. 

The "Absolute Beginners" music video is so striking.  It starts out like a film noir, with David Bowie walking down a late night street.  The video, directed by Julien Temple, was inspired by the Strand cigarette tagline: "You're never alone with a Strand." 

Do you remember this song?  And what are your favorite David Bowie songs?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below. 

An '80's Mixtape List, in Honor of Eleanor and Park

Here's what you need to know about Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.  It's a young adult novel set in the 1980's.  You will meet two bright, creative high school kids who find each other:  the bold and defiant Eleanor, who comes from a deeply troubled family, and the sweet and sensitive Park, who comes from a loving Korean-American family.  You will glimpse first love again from this book, with all the messy feelings and complications that come with it.  You will remember the 1980's.  You will think of mixtapes and the music of your own youth.

With all of this said, I made a mixtape list from my 1980's years: 

1. "Someday, Someway" (Marshall Crenshaw)
2. "Every Day I Write the Book" (Elvis Costello)
3. "Swan Swan H" (REM)
4. "Hounds of Love" (Kate Bush) 
5. Behind the Wall of Sleep" (The Smithereens)
6. "Tenderness" (General Public)
7. "True" (Spandau Ballet)
8. "Raspberry Beret" (Prince)
9. "You Spin Me Round" (Dead or Alive)
10. "Bizarre Love Triangle" (New Order)
11. "Tainted Love" (Soft Cell)
12. "Tempted" (Squeeze)
13. "Oh L'Amour" (Erasure)
14. "Here Comes the Rain Again" (Eurythmics)
15. "When U Were Mine" (Cyndi Lauper)
16. "Desperate But Not Serious" (Adam Ant)
17. "Let's Dance" (David Bowie)
18. "Under the Milky Way" (The Church)
19. "Time Clock of the Heart" (Culture Club)
20. "I Melt With You" (Modern English)

I would love to hear from you in the comments - thoughts on Eleanor and Park, thoughts about '80's music, about mixtapes ...

Music Monday - "Manic Monday" by the Bangles (1986)

Happy Monday!  I'm back in Music Monday mode here.  I've missed talking music with you.

Today's song is "Manic Monday" by the Bangles.  This song, written by Prince, was a hit in 1986.  I always thought the lyrics were perfect for the day:


"It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday."

I was in college when this song was popular, and I remember dancing to this song at clubs and parties.  Where were you in 1986?  And what is your memory of this song?

Music Monday - "Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order

My Music Monday song this week is "Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order.   This is a fun New Wave dance song that was released in 1986.  It was popular on the radio and in dance clubs during my college years, and brings back lots of fun memories.  This song was also featured in the movie Married to the Mob (love that movie!). I've always loved the chorus:

"Every time I see you falling
I get down on my knees and pray
I'm waiting for that final moment
You say the words that I can't say."

Music Monday: Marshall Crenshaw "Someday, Someway" (Merv Griffin Show 1982)

For whatever reason (I don't know), this song has been in my head for about a week.   "Someday, Someway" is the first Marshall Crenshaw song I ever heard.  His music was part of the soundtrack of my college and grad school years.  Hearing it again takes me back to that other time.  "Someday, Someway" was released in 1982.  Marshall Crenshaw is from Detroit, and at different points in his career he played two famous musicians.  He portrayed John Lennon in the touring company of Beatlemania, and later played Buddy Holly in the movie La Bamba.  I think his voice has a real Buddy Holly quality.  I love his first five albums especially, and still enjoy hearing them:

• Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
• Field Day (1983)
• Downtown (1985)
• Mary Jean & 9 Others (1987)
• Good Evening (1989)