MADONNA'S FULL LIVE AID SET FROM 1985. INTRO'D BY BETTE MIDLER

Madonna was still pretty new on the scene when Live Aid happened in 1985, but there she was with Tina, Mick, David, and every big name on the planet, commanding the stage and having a great time for a good cause. Bette Midler comes out to introduce Madonna and makes some jokes at her expense, but it's all in good fun. Madonna takes the stage, fresh from the recently released nude pics that she never consented to, FULLY covered up despite the 95 degree temperature and declares at one point, "I ain't taking shit off today! You might hold it against me ten years from now." Ha. Oh, Madge!! We'd see a lot more of you after that, girl. She then takes the crowd on a rousing romp with Holiday and her then-latest single Into the Groove followed by future True Blue track Love Makes the World Go Round, where she is joined by Nile Rodgers and Thompson Twins.  Work, Queen! You can see that, even early in her career, she was perfectly comfortable in front of the crowd of 100,000 people. The rest is history. Watch an early live 22-minute performance by the Queen of Pop and have a great Madonna Friday!

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985: DECEMBER 15th

Well, it's been a fun journey back in time this year, but this is the last post of my 1985 series. Why, you ask? Because I am at the end of my discovered archive of charts that I made back when I was ** years old. Yes, this is the end of an era. For me. You probably didn't even know I was doing this. HA! Anyhoozers, December 15th had some debuts from one of the sweetest jazz/pop singers in history, a rock group and Stevie Wonder. Stevie Nicks shot up the charts this week with Talk To Me and Sheila E. held fast to the top spot. It's been such a weird ride going back over these charts almost 30 years after I made them. What a joy to see what my mind worked like then and how much I loved pop music as a kid. Most of these artists still have a place on my various playlists from time to time as they helped form who I was then and who I am now. Madonna, Prince, Tina Turner, Sade; all 80s icons for sure, but not just the 80s. So many artists from the 80s made a huge mark on the pop landscape because, unlike most decades, pop music in the 80s was not confined to one specific sound. Hip Hop was coming into its own, dance music, jazz, rock and roll, doo-wop, folk,  and even big band music charted on the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 Albums Chart in the 1980s. Hopefully we'll get back to that time in music when more people weren't afraid to sound different and look different and take even bigger risks. 1985 was great year in music. Enjoy! OH, and just to recap, all the #1 song this year were: Like a Virgin (Madonna), I Would Die 4 U (Prince & The Revolution), Neutron Dance (Pointer Sisters), California Girls (David Lee Roth), Material Girl (Madonna), Crazy For You (Madonna), Everything She Wants (Wham!), Angel (Madonna), A View To A Kill (Duran Duran), Raspberry Beret (Prince & The Revolution), You Give Good Love (Whitney Houston), You Spin Me Round (Dead or Alive), Man In Motion (John Parr), Dress You Up (Madonna), Saving All My Love For You (Whitney Houston), Lay Your Hands on Me (Thompson Twins), Never (Heart), Sister Fate (Sheila E.) So there it was, 1985.
30. Tonight She Comes - The Cars
29. Sweetest Taboo - Sade

28. Go Home - Stevie Wonder 
27. When The Going Gets Tough - Billy Ocean
26. Everybody Dance - Tamara & The Scene
25. Digital Display - Ready For The World
24. Everything Must Change - Paul Young
23. Tears Are Falling - KISS
22. Everything In My Heart - Corey Hart
21. How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
20. It's Only Love - Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
19. Talk to Me - Stevie Nicks
18. Love Is The Seventh Wave - Sting
17. That's What Friends Are For - Dionne and Friends
16. Holly Rock - Sheila E.
15. Sidewalk Talk - Jellybean
14. Conga - Miami Sound Machine
13. Small Town - John Cougar Mellencamp
12. Do It For Love - Sheena Easton
11. I'm Your Man - Wham!
10. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
09. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
08. Emergency - Kool & The Gang
07. Election Day - Arcadia
06. Walk of Life - Dire Straits
05. Alive and Kicking - Simple Minds

04. America - Prince & The Revolution
03. Love Bizarre - Sheila E. and Prince
02. Say You Say Me - Lionel Richie
01. Sister Fate - Sheila E.

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC 1985 - DECEMBER 1st

Lots of new stuff popped into my countdown this week in 1985. Whitney Houston's third single, and arguably her best ever, How Will I Know peeks around the corner at #30 and then some strictly 80s fellas jump in front of her. MEN!! Am I right, ladies? Ready for the World had their follow up Digital Display and Corey Hart and Paul Young have some lesser known songs debut as well. Dire Straits somehow were on my chart in the top 10. Go figure. BUT the newest thing is a new #1 song by someone who has three hits on the chart this week. I still love that woman too. Most of the countdown just shuffled around this week, but one song....WOW, did it fall. Separate Lives by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin was sitting pretty at #2 last week and this week it is GONE! I guess I separated those lives pretty quickly, bitch! See what I did there? Okay, so just click on some links and enjoy some 80s realness. Until next week, whatever.

30. How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
29. Digital Display - Ready for the World
28. Everything Must Change - Paul Young
27. Everything In My Heart - Corey Hart
26. Tears are Falling - KISS
25. That's What Friends Are For - Dionne and Friends
24. Wrap Her Up - Elton John
23. It's Only Love - Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
22. Love Is the Seventh Wave - Sting
21. Sidewalk Talk - Jellybean
20. Conga - Miami Sound Machine
19. I'm Your Man - Wham!
18. Holly Rock - Sheila E.
17. Small Town - John Cougar Mellencamp
16. Do It For Love - Sheena Easton
15. Alive and Kicking - Simple Minds
14. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
13. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
12. Emergency - Kool & The Gang
11. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
10. Walk of Life - Dire Straits
09. America - Prince & The Revolution
08. Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
07. Election Day - Arcadia
06. Love Bizarre - Sheila E. and Prince
05. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
04. Say You Say Me - Lionel Richie
03. Oak Tree - Morris Day
02. Never - Heart
01. Sister Fate - Sheila E.

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IS 1985 - NOVEMBER 24TH

Well, I finally made up my mind! There is one and only one #1 song this week and the world can again be at peace. Oh, look over there! It's Dionne Warwick before she became a grouchy old lady and Elton John.......before he became a grouchy old lady. Lots of men and groups are clogging up the countdown, but the rise of the women would be coming soon, so let's enjoy them while they're here. KISS had a hit in 1985? Yes, they did. A good one. Prince and Sheila E. each show up twice in the top 10, Elton appears twice in the top 30 (he is a "friend" in Dionne and Friends) and George Michael is here with Wham! and singing backup for Elton on Wrap Her Up. Miami Sound Machine didn't think Gloria Estefan was important enough yet to call themselves Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Take that, Gloria. Remember to click the links below for some 80s wonderfulness. Laters.
30. That's What Friends Are For - Dionne and Friends
29. Object of My Desire - Starpoint
28 Tears Are Falling - KISS
27. Wrap Her Up - Elton John
26. Walk of Life - Dire Straits
25. It's Only Love - Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
24. Love is the Seventh Wave - Sting
23. Sidewalk Talk - Jellybean
22. Conga - Miami Sound Machine
21. I'm Your Man - Wham!
20. Holly Rock - Sheila E.
19. Small Town - John Cougar Mellancamp
18. Do It For Love - Sheena Easton
17. Alive and Kicking - Simple Minds
16. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
15. Emergency - Kool & The Gang
14. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
13. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
12. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
11. Say You Say Me - Lionel Richie
10. America - Prince & The Revolution
09. Party All The Time - Eddie Murphy
08. Love Bizarre - Sheila E. and Prince
07. Election Day - Arcadia
06. Who's Zoomin' Who - Aretha Franklin
05. Oak Tree - Morris Day
04. Lay Your Hands On Me - Thompson Twins
03. Sister Fate - Sheila E.
02. Separate Lives - Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
01. Never - Heart

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985 - NOVEMBER 17th

Wow! I was really indecisive in 1985. I guess this whole chart was a big enough deal that I thought Heart or the Thompson Twins were going to find out I like one of the more than the other, so I gave them both #1 for the second week in a row. C'mon, little Wendell! Make up your mind! Ha. Well, I'm sure they would have appreciated the devotion. So this week we get the old school version of John Mellencamp when he still used "Cougar" in his name. Did you even know that when he hit with Hurts So Good and Jack and Diane that he went only by John Cougar? If you were old you would. See, being old has its perks. (Just go with me on this one) Madonna appears back on the chart, though disguised and uncredited for her friend John "Jellybean" Benitez on Sidewalk Talk. While a woman named Catherine Buchanan does the rapping on the song, Madonna's distinct vocals take over the choruses. It was also written by Madonna and given to Jellybean as a gift for all the help he gave her in her early career. See, she's sweet, y'all! Sheila E. is on the verge of having two songs in the top 10 at the same time, as is Prince and Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin wait patiently behind the dueling #1s for their shot at the top spot. Will they make it? What of Olivia Newton John? How big do you think my hair was that week? Stay tuned for the answer to these and many other meaningless question. Until next week, have a totally tubular time!!! Let's switch things up and start off with a video. Go!


30. Small Town - John Cougar Mellencamp
29. Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston
28. Side Walk Talk - John "Jellybean" Benitez
27. Conga - Miami Sound Machine
26. It's Only Love - Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
25. Love is the Seventh Wave - Sting
24. I'm Your Man - Wham!
23. Object of My Desire - Starpoint
22. Holly Rock - Sheila E.
21. Do It For Love - Sheena Easton
20. I Miss You - Klymaxx
19. Alive & Kicking - Simple Minds
18. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
17. Emergency - Kool & The Gang
16. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
15. Party All The Time - Eddie Murphy
14. Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves - Eurythmics w/ Aretha Franklin
13. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
12. America - Prince & The Revolution
11. Love Bizarre - Sheila E. w/ Prince
10. Who's Zoomin' Who - Aretha Franklin
09. Election Day - Arcadia
08. Soul Kiss - Olivia Newton John
07. One of the Living - Tina Turner
06. Oak Tree - Morris Day
05. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
04. Sister Fate - Sheila E.
03. Separate Lives - Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
1B. Never - Heart
1A. Lay Your Hands On Me - Thompson Twins

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985 - NOVEMBER 3RD

Sorry for the day delay in posting, just pretend daylight savings time made this happen yesterday. So November 3rd saw a lot of 80s realness happening in my world. I mean, Eurythmics were saying sayonara to the chart, a group of grown men had the testicular fortitude to call themselves The Hooters, and Morris Day had a solo hit!! You're welcome, world. Thompson Twins were holding strong to the #1 spot again this week, refusing to let it go to Heart or ABC.
And look! Over there! It's Bryan Adams. Anyhoozers, click on the links below and party like it 1985.

30. There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart) - Eurythmics
29. One Night Love Affair - Bryan Adams
28. You Belong to the City - Glenn Frey
27. And We Danced - The Hooters
26. Object of My Desire - Starpoint
25. Emergency - Kool & The Gang
24. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
23. Soul Kiss - Olivia Newton John
22. Election Day - Arcadia
21. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
20. Boy In The Box - Corey Hart
19. Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
18. Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
17. Screams of Passion - The Family
16. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
15. America - Prince & The Revolution
14. A Love Bizarre - Sheila E. ft. Prince
13. Who's Zoomin' Who - Aretha Franklin
12. We Built This City - Starship
11. One of the Living - Tina Turner
10. Oak Tree - Morris Day
09. Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire - David Foster
08. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
07. Sister Fate - Sheila E.
06. Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston
05. Separate Lives - Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
04. Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
03. Be Near Me - ABC
02. Never - Heart
01. Lay Your Hands On Me - Thompson Twins

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985; OCTOBER 27, 1985

Well, October 27, 1985 was quite a week in pop music for little ol' me. Living legends of pop music Scritti Politti and Arcadia debut on my top 30. I mean, they are a veritable Who's That of the 80s, right? Ha. But seriously folks, I'm here all week. Arcadia is actually a side project for three members of Duran Duran (Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor) who made the record while DD was on a break.  My Madonna-before-Madonna, Olivia Newton John, was creeping her way onto the pop music charts for the last time with the under-appreciated Soul Kiss. Love that song and she is like 300 months pregnant in the video. Nice granny panties, girl. Aretha Franklin jumps up the chart 8 spots with Who's Zooming Who. That is the only time I have ever heard the words "jumps" and "Aretha Franklin" in the same sentence. Try to picture THAT! There are some great 80s throwbacks showing up though. Classic rockers ZZ Top pops on at #18. Tina Turner was gunning for the top 10 with her mostly-forgotten (unfortunately) track One of the Living. This was also from Tina's movie Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and the follow up to her #2 song We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome). ROCK ON, TINA! Former Eagle Glenn Frey was riding high with one of two songs from the Miami Vice Sountrack, and we have a brand new #1 song from a seminal 80s New Wave band. Needless to say, my little world was all aflutter. Hunker down and enjoy the links posted below, peeps.

30. Pop Life - Prince & The Revolution
29. Perfect Way - Scritti Politti
28. Election Day - Arcadia
27. Soul Kiss - Olivia Newton John
26. Oh Sheila - Ready for the World
25. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
24. And We Danced - The Hooters
23. Boy In the Box - Corey Hart
22. There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart) - Eurythmics
21. Part All the Time - Eddie Murphy
20. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
19. Screams of Passion - The Family
18. Sleeping Bag - ZZ Top
17. A Love Bizarre - Sheila E. and Prince
16. America - Prince & The Revolution
15. Who's Zoomin' Who - Aretha Franklin
14. One of the Living - Tina Turner
13. Separate Lives - Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
12. Oak Tree - Morris Day
11. Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire - David Foster
10. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
09. Sister Fate - Sheila E.
08. You Belong to the City - Glenn Frey
07. Be Near Me - ABC
06. Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
05. Never - Heart
04. Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston
03. We Built This City - Starship
02. Head Over Heals - Tears for Fears
01. Lay Your Hands On Me - Thompson Twins

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985: OCTOBER 20, 1985

I stopped doing these posts when I took a break from my blog back in February, but fortunately my 1985 self kept right on going with his (my) own personal Top 30 list of songs that made my tiny(er) ass shake. Here we are on October 20, 1985, which was also a Sunday. Prince and his proteges (Morris Day, Sheila E, The Family) are cramming into the top 30 like there's no tomorrow.....and for some of them there kind of wasn't. Tears for Fears and Thompson Twins made a giant leap into the top 5. How 80s is that? Not one but TWO instrumentals, though very different in tone, were wedged in there: the smooth jazzy Theme from St. Elmo's Fire and the hard hitting synths of Miami Vice Theme. And yes, that IS Eddie Murphy at #24. Go figure. Lots of familiar 80s names make the list, Aretha Franklin appears twice, as do Eurythmics, and THE VOICE tops it off. Okay, grab a Tab cola, put on your leg warmers and dive into some of the links I put on the songs below. How cute was Corey Hart, y'all!!?? Enjoy, nerds!!

30. You Are My Lady - Freddie Jackson
29. Lover Come Back To Me - Dead or Alive
28. Pop Life - Prince & The Revolution
27. And We Danced - The Hooters
26. Boy In the Box - Corey Hart
25. Dress You Up - Madonna
24. Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
23. Who's Zoomin' Who - Aretha Franklin
22. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
21. Screams of Passion - The Family
20. One of the Living - Tina Turner
19. A Love Bizarre - Sheila E. ft. Prince
18. America - Prince & The Revolution
17. Separate Lives - Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
16. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
15. Oh Sheila - Ready for the World
14. Oak Tree - Morris Day
13. Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire - David Foster
12. Sister Fate - Sheila E.
11. There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart) - Eurythmics
10. I Wonder If I Take You Home - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
09. You Belong to the City - Glenn Frey
08. Never - Heart
07. Be Near Me - ABC
06. Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
05. Lay Your Hands On Me - Thompson Twins
04. I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down - Paul Young
03. We Built This City - Starship
02. Head Over Heals - Tears for Fears
01. Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985: FEBRUARY 10th

Oh, boy. This was towards the start of a beautiful relationship. Madonna debuts big on my top 30 with her then new single, Material Girl, placing two singles in the top 10 at the same time for the first of many times to come. That girl's got something. Mark my word. Lots of big drops this week too, including Stevie Wonder just missing the top 10 by dropping from 11 to 28. You can't win 'em all, Stevie. Foreigner, Ray Parker, Jr. and Hall and Oates all drop significantly as well. Also debuting is one of my favorite 80s chanteuses as well, Ms. Sheena Easton. LOVE HER! I am sure I had no idea what "sugar walls" she was referencing, but I do now and since Prince wrote it, it's no surprise at all. Oh, the innocence and naiveté of the 80s. If we could all have just a touch of that back again, the world would be so full of wonder. But I digress. 1985 me was okay not knowing. Okay, here ya go with my top 30 on the week of February 10, 1985. Click the links for fun!

30. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
29. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
28. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder
27. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates
26. Keepin' the Faith - Billy Joel
25. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr.
24. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
23. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
22. Sugar Walls - Sheena Easton 
21. Misled - Kool & The Gang
20. I Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
19. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood 
18. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
17. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
16. Take Me With U - Prince & The Revolution (duet with Apollonia)
15. California Girls - David Lee Roth
14. Operator - Midnight STar
13. Solid - Ashford & Simpson
12. Call to the Heart - Giuffria
11. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry
10. The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey
09. Mistake #3 - Culture Club
08. Material Girl - Madonna
07. Like a Virgin - Madonna
06. Jungle Love - The Time
05. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper
04. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters
03. Loverboy - Billy Ocean
02. Careless Whisper - Wham!
01. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution (4th Week)

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985: FEBRUARY 3RD

Oh, 1985. You were so good to me. I remember your winter Sundays, alone in my room dancing to the radio and wishing I was a grown up gay in NYC. Now look at me! I'm here, I'm queer, get used to it, whores!!! But, I jump forward. In 1985 my biggest escape was Duran Duran, Madonna and new guy Billy Ocean who was going to be a star FOREVER! It's called optimism, I once heard. On february 3, 1985 the music was as hot as the temperatures in Texas were... well.... probably not that cold. Billy Joel had a new song on my chart and Band Aid was making it's last appearance ever. Who knew what the future held? Not this little guy, that's for sure. All I could do was hunker down, dance and pray for Madonna. So here was the result of my prayers on February 3, 1985. Click those links for some more recent performances of these songs by their singers and relive your glory.

30. Wild Boys - Duran Duran
29. Cool It Now - New Edition
28. Keeping the Faith - Billy Joel
27. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
26. I Can't Fight This Feelin' - REO Speedwagon
25. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
24. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
23. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
22. Misled - Kool & The Gang
21. Take Me With U - Prince & The Revolution (duet with Apollonia)
20. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
19. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
18. The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey
17. Operator - Midnight Star
16. California Girls - David Lee Roth
15. Solid - Ashford and Simpson
14. Call To The Heart - Giuffria
13. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry
12. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates
11. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder
10. Mistake #3 - Culture Club
09. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr.
08. Jungle Love - The Time
07. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters
06. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper
05. Like a Virgin - Madonna
04. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
03. Loverboy - Billy Ocean
02. Careless Whisper - Wham!
01. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution

FLASHBACK: MY MUSIC IN 1985 - JANUARY 27TH

This week sees some significant movement by a few songs on the chart and some notable debuts. Prince & The Revolution bookend the chart with two of my fave songs they have ever done that contain the letter "U". Duran Duran has one song on the way out and another classic song debuting. Band Aid and Chicago take some pretty big plummets while Foreigner starts off high in the top 30.  Will Stevie Wonder or New Edition make it into the top 10 finally this week? I mean, it's only been three weeks into the year, so maybe I shouldn't be so dramatic yet. Oh well. Take a gander at who was rockin' the charts this week in my world of 1985. A couple of the video links, by the way, may NOT be the original video but a live clip from that time. Check it.

30. Take Me With U - Prince & The Revolution (with Apollonia)
29. I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore - REO Speedwagon
28. Wild Boys - Duran Duran
27. Cool It Now - New Edition
26. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
25. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
24. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
23. California Girls - David Lee Roth
22. Misled - Kool & The Gang
21. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
20. The Heat is On - Glenn Frey
19. Operator - Midnight Starr
18. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
17. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
16. Solid - Ashford & Simpson
15. Call To The Heart - Giuffria
14. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry
13. Mistake #3 - Culture Club
12. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates
11. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder
10. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr.
09. Jungle Love - The Time
08. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters
07. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper
06. Boys of Summer - Don Henley
05. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
04. Like a Virgin - Madonna 
03. Loverboy - Billy Ocean
02. Careless Whisper - Wham!
01. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution

FLASHBACK SPECIAL: MY MUSIC IN 1985 - JANUARY 20TH

Heading into the third week of 1985 a few things come to my attention. Isn't it interesting how your feelings about certain songs change over the years? For example, I had NO idea what the song Relax was about in 1985. That shiz is D-I-R-T-Y!! Ha. I linked to the original, ÜBER GAY, banned version of the video below. I apparently loved the song You're the Inspiration in 1985. I can't stand to listen to it now. Interesting indeed.... Also so many songs stood the test of time like Boys of Summer and I Would Die 4 U while others, like Careless Whisper and Jamie, did not. At least not for me. Prince & The Revolution kept the top spot this week while his protégés, The Time, sneak into the top 10 for the first time with Jungle Love. Another Prince discovery, Sheila E., is also still on the charts at #16. This was THE Prince era, after all. Also, I'm sure I had a crush on Glenn Frey in 1985. Just sayin'. Okay, check out the links on the songs below and relive your childhood...or discover a different era if you're too young...bitch. Enjoy! Here is my top 30 the week of January 20, 1985.

30. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
29. Do What You Do - Jermaine Jackson
28. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
27. Wild Boys - Duran Duran
26. Cool It Now - New Edition
25. California Girls - David Lee Roth
24. Operator - Midnight Star
23. Misled - Kool & The Gang
22. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
21. The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey
20. Call to the Heart - Giuffria
19. Solid - Ashford & Simpson
18. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry
17. Easy Lover - Phil Collins and Philip Bailey
16. Belle of St. Mark - Sheila E.
15. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
14. Mistake #3 - Culture Club
13. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates
12. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder
11. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr.
10. Jungle Love - The Time
09. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters
08. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper
07. Boys of Summer - Don Henley
06. Careless Whisper - Wham!
05. Do They Know It's Christmas Time - Band Aid
04. Loverboy - Billy Ocean
03. Like a Virgin - Madonna
02. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
01. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution

FLASHBACK SPECIAL: MY MUSIC IN 1985 - JANUARY 13TH

Wow. Memory lane is a weird street to walk down sometimes. To actually see these songs that I apparently knew so well in 1985 and can't even remember now is super strange. For instance, I can't sing one word of Call to the Heart or Jamie now, but I guess I was dancing around in my parachute pants to them in the mid-80s. Who knew? This week sees the debut of the first solo single by Van Halen's former/future/former/future lead singer David Lee Roth. Huge crush on him then! AND Tina Turner's first appearance of 1985 on my little chart. I also reluctantly, after 7 weeks at #1, gave someone else Madonna's spot, but even now I have to admit it was time for this week's song at the pinnacle to have it's "purple reign". See what I did there? Another thing that strikes me is that now music seems to be ruled by exclusively women, but on these old lists I used to keep men, women and groups seemed to be more even in my estimation. I miss those days. Okay. So here is the Top 30 songs for the week of January 13, 1985. Enjoy, nerds.


30. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
29. Centipede - Rebbie Jackson
28. California Girls - David Lee Roth
27. Operator - Midnight Star
26. Misled - Kool & The Gang
25. Call to the Heart - Giuffria
24. Solid - Ashford & Simpson
23. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition
22. Cool It Now - New Edition
21. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry
20. Bruce - Rick Springfield
19. Wild Boys - Duran Duran
18. Mistake #3 - Culture Club
17. Do What You Do - Jermaine Jackson
16. Belle of St. Mark - Sheila E.
15. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates
14. Jungle Love - The Time
13. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder
12. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr.
11. Easy Lover - Phil Collins & Philip Bailey
10. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters
09. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper
08. Careless Whisper - Wham!
07. Boys of Summer - Don Henley
06. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
05. Loverboy - Billy Ocean
04. Born in the USA - Bruce Sprinsteen
03. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
02. Like a Virgin - Madonna
01. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & The Revolution

FLASHBACK SPECIAL: MY MUSIC IN 1985

I recently stumbled upon something of a personal treasure while visiting my mother back home. (Yes, I'm aware that sentence was very formal, but I'm in the middle of a Downton Abbey marathon.) When I was a boy I used to keep my own personal list of my favorite top 30 songs every single week. I had a lot of time on my hands and I LOVED pop music then as much as I do now. I thought for the next few months I would share with you the musings of a young gay boy from Texas in 1985. Madonna was just starting, Duran Duran was starting to cool. Two Jacksons that were neither Michael nor Janet were on the charts!! Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen were the most tubular things around and George Michael was straight. Well.... Some of the songs will bring back memories and some I barely remember, but here we go. My top 30 songs for January 6, 1985, which, like January 6, 2013, was a Sunday. Take THAT coincidence!! We start with our #1 song in its 7th week at the top. Go.... OH! I won't put in a link to all videos, just some rare ones to please myself and hopefully you. Feel free to comment on memories you have. I'd love to know if you remember these gems too. AND yes, that's what I looked like in 1985. AWKWARD!

30. Operator - Midnight Star 
29. Tender Years - John Cafferty 
28. Call of the Heart - Giuffria 
27. Misled - Kool & The Gang 
26. Solid - Ashford and Simpson
25. Mr. Telephone Man - New Edition 
24. Foolish Heart - Steve Perry 
23. Bruce - Rick Springfield 
22. Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates 
21. Cool It Now - New Edition 
20. Mistake #3 - Culture Club 
19. Jungle Love - The Time 
18. Love Light In Flight - Stevie Wonder 
17. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters 
16. Wild Boys - Duran Duran 
15. Centipede - Rebbie Jackson 
14. Belle of St. Mark - Sheila E. 
13. Jamie - Ray Parker, Jr. 
12. Easy Lover - Phil Collins & Philip Bailey
11. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper 
10. Careless Whisper - Wham! 
09. Boys of Summer - Don Henley 
08. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid 
07. Loverboy - Billy Ocean 
06. Do What You Do - Jermaine Jackson 
05. Run To You - Bryan Adams 
04. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 
03. You're the Inspiration - Chicago 
02. I Would Die 4 U - Prince & the Revolution 
01. Like a Virgin - Madonna (7th week at #1)