Late Night Music The Saints Suck Again Edition Part 146......."80's R & B"

Since the Saints have broken heart yet again, I'll just include some of the most fun songs from a great decade of music and from a genre that didn't get as much hype as it deserved in the 80's.

Don't get mad that I didn't include Prince. Good luck finding any of his videos. All other songs receiving votes were included.

"Dancing On The Ceiling"- Lionel Richie. I always laugh when I think of the classic line from "Rush Hour 2" where Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter claims that "Lionel Richie ain't been black since the Commodores man!". I think I'd have to agree. Lionel shows dance moves that are about on par with me in this cheesy, yet always catchy video. This title track from Richie's 1986 smash album shot to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 behind this (at the time at least) very complex video, which at the time, was the most expensive short form music video ever made with a budget of around $450,000. Lionel Richie has always been one of my favorite R & B singers, but I swear he had one of the worst hairdos ever, even for the 80's. If you ever forget what this song sounds like, just come and see me at Pan Asia, as it's on constant rotation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQDXs75Ulo

"Rhythm Of The Night"- DeBarge. Speaking of bad hairdos. I hate that I love this band and this song so much, because nothing in the 80's screamed more cheeseballs than El DeBarge and his freaking family. Man they were so cheesy! This Diane Warren written smash hit and title track of DeBarge's 1985 album put them at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave Motown Records some much needed life as the label was on the verge of collapse in the mid 80's. As I watch this video, I can't help but think I can't say much about El DeBarge as the dude was married to Janet Jackson- still can't wrap my head around that one. Bonus points for the calypso on this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQSZhazYk8

"Cherish"- Kool And The Gang. Bonus points for Deon Richmond! This then 6 year old makes a cameo in this video before he was known as "Bud" or Kenny on the Cosby Show where he made my all time favorite quote in the history of the show. "It doesn't matter what culture a woman comes from, as long as she can cook and has money". My thoughts exactly. Anyway, in 1985 Kool and The Gang released their album Emergency which included this song that peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 along with another super cheesy video that seemed to start the trend of R & B videos including children for no reason other than to have kids in the video, even if there were no parents around. Anyway, I remember my dad having this cassette tape (for those of you who can remember what those were) and playing it to death. This was actually a benchmark album for Kool and the Gang, as they had to change with the trend of soul ballads, as their funk sound was being phased out by the mid 80's. They'll always be one of my favorite bands, and this will always be one of my favorite R & B songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s09LuDYX12g

"Part Time Lover"- Stevie Wonder. Before Stevie Wonder had the worst hair in the history of music, Stevie Wonder had this last #1 hit as a solo artist on his 1985 album In Square Circle. I remember being in a trance looking at Stevie Wonder's big glasses and hair beads and wondering how in the world he could play the piano blind. To be honest, I'm still amazed. If you listen closely you'll hear Luther Vandross singing the hook on this song and Earth, Wind, and Fire's Phillip Bailey singing background vocals. This song was also surprisingly the first song in the history of the Billboard charts to be #1 on on FOUR charts at the same time, as it was #1 on the Hot 100, Dance, R & B, and the always nasty sounding Adult Contemporary charts all at once. Never has infidelity sounded so fun to dance to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6LLGePYwM

"Love's Train"- Con Funk Shun. I never understood why Con Funk Shun wasn't bigger. This awesome track from their 1982 album To The Max was actually never released as a single, despite being probably their best known song. I'd also like to point out that during this "Soul Train" performance, the band must have forgotten that they were now in the 1980's because they look like a really bad disco group. I also love how Michael Cooper acts like we don't know that he's lip synching- I could have never been on "Soul Train" because some secrets are just too hard to keep with a straight face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf86HkUZoyU

"Billie Jean"- Michael Jackson. This one really needs no introduction. Riding the wave of popularity of his mega smash album Thriller, Michael Jackson was easily the biggest act in the world in 1982. This accompanying video helped the single shoot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1983, and was noted for being instrumental for getting more black artists in rotation on the newly formed MTV when it actually showed music videos. According to MJ, this song was written from experiences him and his brothers had with groupies as members of the Jackson 5. Is there something they need to tell us? I like how Michael always did this song no matter where he was or where in his career he was. He included this song in his famous "Motown 25" performance as well as during the halftime show of Super Bowl 28. Some songs are just that good. Thriller would go on to win Best Album at the Grammys. Probably the biggest slam dunk since Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

"I Miss You"- Klymaxx. Again, another song that I hate that I love. By all observations, Klymaxx was not that good of a band, they were just a gimmick act of the 80's. Then again, this song is just so dang good and catchy. I always LOL thought when I realize that their biggest hit was sung by someone other than their normal lead singer as Joyce Irby sings the lead vocals on this song, when she usually was the bass player. She switched places with normal lead singer Linda Malsby on this song. This single from their 1984 album Meeting In The Ladies Room peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was easily their biggest hit, as they only cracked the top 20 two other times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvlhHJNppQg

"Your Love Is King"- Sade. Man! This song and band are so awesome! Let me start by saying that Sade is actually the name of the BAND. Yes, the lead singer is named Sade Adu, but the name refers to the band as a whole. This debut single from Sade's 1984 debut album Diamond Life shot the band to international prominence out of the gate as it shot to #6 in the United Kingdom while peaking at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the chart position, the song remains popular to this day, as the album was certified quadruple platinum in the United States and won the Brit Award for Best Album in 1984. Surprisingly, despite a super successful career, this song would be the highest charting song Sade would achieve in their native United Kingdom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ljpLQ1V6Y

"Miss You Much"- Janet Jackson. Again, I still can't believe she was married to El Debarge. Anyway, Janet Jackson closed out the 80's with this single from her 1989 smash album Rhythm Nation 1814 which shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. I remember in first grade that basically every girl would sing this song along with her other song "Escapade" and do dances to them on the playground. Janet kept a lot of her brother's style in this video, but I think this album, song, and video were instrumental in transitioning R & B music into the 90's where it became more of a raw style, with a few shades of bubble gum still evident at the beginning of the decade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVF0zcqr9Dg

"Sexual Healing"- Marvin Gaye. This was the memorable performance Marvin Gaye gave at the 1983 Grammy Awards where he won his first ever Grammy for his 1982 hit from his final album Midnight Love. Marvin Gaye would be killed just a few months later, but he proved he was ready to make a comeback, at this was his first real hit in over 5 years when it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. For my money, few male singers were ever able to even come close to sounding as good as Marvin Gaye. I just hate he was such a tragic figure and despite his comeback, will always be remembered be looked at in that way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHhxxrH6pU

"Love TKO"- Teddy Pendergrass. If I could have the animal magnetism of Teddy Pendergrass, I'd be a baller- I'm just sayin that dude made women love him. This song from his 1980 album TP peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at #2 on the Billboard R & B Chart. I'd like to think that if Teddy Pendergrass hadn't had his accident, he would have had an even more successful career. It's still amazing that he was able to perform and record despite being a quadriplegic. Ok, I smell a bonus video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGT4ca2fxtw

"Where Do Broken Hearts Go?"- Whitney Houston. In 1988, Whitney Houston was on top of the world with her 1987 album Whitney being such a worldwide success, this single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her fourth in a row, being only the third artist ever to achieve such a feat on the same album. This video was super controversial in 1988 due to the interracial love interest in the video, which drew criticism from her black and white fans alike. I always loved Whitney's breaking of the norm, even if it was just in a music video. I miss this woman's music so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvsU4SNWPA

"Piano In The Dark"- Brenda Russell. I always wanna put Brenda Russell in the Pointer Sisters.....don't you? Someone also please tell me why there are two versions of this video! This single from Russell's 1988 album Get Here peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was her first major hit since 1979. I still don't know why no one is playing the piano in the dark in this video. Seems to defeat the purpose if you ask me. Seriously though, I really like this song, and Brenda Russell has always had the cougar look that makes her seductive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7u5GtSIC5k

"Let's Groove"- Earth, Wind, and Fire. This awesome song from Earth, Wind, and Fire's 1981 album Raise! is famous for being the first ever music video to be played on BET. It also proved to be Earth, Wind, and Fire's last major hit even though they continue to record and perform today. I don't think there's any doubting that Earth, Wind, and Fire will always be one of the greatest bands in the history music. I love this song and video, but why did all funk videos have to have the same theme? Abunch of rainbow colors with the pictures running together and neon lights of people dancing. I guess they didn't know any better. I absolutely love this song, and if you ever wanna hear a good cover of it check out Time To Move Band in Jackson- best cover version I've ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XOY7lsBVpo

"Cameo"- Candy. I never really cared for Cameo, but I have to include this song because I can't listen to it without thinking about the movie "The Best Man". If you don't know why, watch the movie and see why. This single from their 1986 album Word Up! reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, but remains a popular sample track for hip-hop artists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn8KYD1Vco0

"Cool It Now"- New Edition. This original boy band released this lead single from their first major label self-titled album in 1984. This song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought New Edition to the front of the mainstream as well as Tiger Beat Magazine. Bonus points for Ralph Tresvant's rap which was included on Michael Biven's Another Bad Creation's Coolin' At The Playground album about 30000 times. I only know this because Another Bad Creation was the first CD I ever bought. Ok, I know most of you stopped reading now. Was anyone else blinded by Bobby Brown's necklace? I can't hate too bad on New Edition, as they really were pioneers in the boy band genre, as their producer and founder Maurice Starr not only started them, but a little group also from Boston called New Kids on the Block.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZUq6N7Gx1c

"Fire and Desire"- Rick James and Teena Marie. I never realized that this song was never released as a single. This classic duet was included on Rick James 1981 hit album Street Songs, and always remained one of his most famous songs with the late Teena Marie, one of their many collaborations together. I hate that Rick James became such a junkie because the guy seriously had an amazing voice and had such a soulful sound to his music. He just had awful hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPikYsi6_zU

"Treat Her Like A Lady"- The Temptations. In 1984, The Temptations were running on fumes after the ill-fated "Reunion" Tour and accompanying album. They had parted ways with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin for the last time, and most recently had released Dennis Edwards. Otis Williams recruited Ali-Ollie Woodson as the new lead singer, and he makes his debut in this lead single from their 1985 album Truly For You. Despite only peaking at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard R & B Chart, and would be the last major splash the Temptations would make with an original song, and would be the last music video they made as a group. The Temptations will always be one of my favorite bands of all time, and if you have never seen the mini-series on them, you should seriously check it out. It comes on VH1 like twice a day, so just have a lazy day and check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPUsQDm-HQY

"You Got It All"- The Jets. I had to do it. It's at this point, I have to say that in the 1980's, the Jet's mother wanted to prove to the world that her uterus was actually a clown car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe5rg05ZQNs

BONUS VIDEOS- "Piano In The Dark"- Brenda Russell. The "other version".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNeyF1khFA8

"Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand"- Teddy Pendergrass with Ashford and Simpson. Teddy Pendergrass's emotional comeback live at Live Aid in Philadelphia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYpJYU2cpCk

Kool And The Gang

DeBarge

Lionel Richie