THROWBACK THURSDAY: IN CELEBRATION OF DURAN DURAN'S NEW ALBUM, ALL THE BEST SINGLES FROM EACH ALBUM

Super-band Duran Duran is releasing their 14th studio album, Paper Gods, tomorrow!!! I am so fucking excited!!!!!!! In celebration of this I have decided to give you the best single from each of their previous albums, from '81's Duran Duran to 2010's All You Need Is Now, here in one giant post! EAT IT!!! These are some classic pop songs right here, folks. 13 albums and 39 singles over the course of 34 years. WERQ! You don't get much better than this. Here we go, folks!! Some may disagree with my choices and to them I say GET YOUR OWN FUCKING BLOG! :)
Girls On Film (Duran Duran - 1981)

Hungry Like The Wolf (Rio - 1982)
The Relfex (Seven and the Ragged Tiger - 1983)
Notorious (Notorious - 1986)
I Don't Want Your Love (Big Thing - 1988)
Serious (Liberty - 1990)
Ordinary World (Duran Duran (The Wedding Album) - 1993)
White Lines (Thank You - 1995)
Electric Barbarella (Medazzaland - 1997)
Someone Else Not Me (Pop Trash - 2000)
What Happens Tomorrow (Astronaut - 2004)
Falling Down (Red Carpet Massacre - 2007)
All You Need Is Now (All You Need Is Now - 2010)

THROWBACK THURSDAY: STING

Oh, Sting, ye of the tantric sex legend. Can you imagine, hours upon hours of sex with Sting? WAIT! Hold up. That is not what this is about. This is about the music. Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner) was, of course, the lead singer of the pioneering new wave band The Police. The Police had a fairly short but hugely successful career, spanning five albums and several classic singles. After the band disbanded, Sting took his sexy ass solo in 1985 with his debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles (#3 UK, #2 US) and hit the top 10 with If You Love Somebody Set Them Free and Fortress Around Your Heart. That was just the start as Sting's solo career soon overtook any success The Police had on the pop charts. Subsequent albums like Nothing Like The Sun, The Soul Cages, Ten Summoner's Tales, Mercury Falling and Brand New Day kept him on the charts all over the world. His ageless sexiness certainly didn't hurt either. Hits like We'll Be Together, All This Time, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Fields of Gold and Desert Rose have kept Sting in our hearts and ear-holes since the late 70s and he is still touring and a force to be reckoned with to this day. Here are some of the sexy Police-man's greatest hits and videos to warm you up today. Enjoy.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: TAYLOR DAYNE

There were many, many 80s ladies of pop music. Some have stayed with us, some have faded away, but few had the powerful voice to stick in our brains as Taylor Dayne. This bitch could S-A-N-G, y'all!! The native New Yorker started singing professionally straight out of high school and never looked back and released two singles under the name Les Lee (A version of her real name, Leslie Wunderman) on an indie label in 1986 before signing a major record deal in 1987 with Arista and releasing her debut album, Tell It To My Heart in 1988. That album produced four top 10 hits in the US and made Dayne an international recording superstar. It didn't stop there, queen. Taylor released Can't Fight Fate in 1989 which yielded three more top 10 hits, including the #1 Diane Warren-penned ballad Love Will Lead You Back, and a fourth top 20 single. 1993 saw the release of the critically acclaimed album Soul Dancing and a top 20 hit with the Barry White cover Can't Get Enough of Your Love. Even though this album contained, IMO, her best song ever (Send Me A Lover) it failed to connect with and audience on the same level as her two previous records. Taylor took a break for a few years and came back with Naked Without You and, even though she failed to make an impact on the pop charts, she scored two top 10 hits on the US Dance chart. From that point on Taylor Dayne was mostly a  dance music artist, but still maintains a presence on that chart to this day and putting a couple of top 40 hits on the US Adult Contemporary chart along the way. There is still a big place in the hearts of those who have heard and enjoyed her music, especially the late 80s/early 90s output. Listen to this voice and try not to ruin your panties. Here are some of Taylor Dayne's best and brightest, including an amazing live version of Send Me A Lover. Enjoy.

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: LITA FORD

Lita Ford is a hot rocking mama. She began as a member of the all-girl seminal rock band The Runaways, along with Joan Jett, in the 70s and had solo success in the 80s with her glam-metal music and her pinup girl looks. Lita is no femme fatale. She is a very well respected guitarist, garnering recognition from many guitar and music magazines, and had a no-holds-barred attitude toward having it her way in the music biz. I'd say she's a pretty good example for all these younger chicks out there now. Anyway, here are Lita's sexy Humpday Sexy Song, Kiss Me Deadly. Try not to get too excited and hump a guitar in public. Rock!

Lita Ford - Kiss Me Deadly by soulsurvivor25

THE #1 SONG 35 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS.....

....Magic by Olivia Newton John. After making a big splash with her film debut, Grease, Hollywood was anxious to get ONJ back in a big budget musical. Xanadu seemed like the perfect vehicle: it has modern elements, nostalgic elements, Gene Fucking Kelly and a great soundtrack. Well, all did not go well with the film, which, despite now being a cult classic, was one of the biggest flops of all time and considered one of the worst films in modern movie history, BUT the soundtrack was a huge success. Olivia hit #1 on the US Hot 100 with the song Magic from the motion picture soundtrack. It is one of her biggest, most recognizable hits and stayed at the top spot for four weeks in August of 1980. Even all those roller-skating freakshows couldn't tarnish a genuine hit, girl!!! It went on to be the third biggest hit of 1980 and Olivia's biggest hit until the release of Physical the following year. Magic is a great pop tune and a classic 80s cut and one of my favorite songs of all time. Here is the #1 song from 35 years ago today, Magic.

MADONNA FRIDAY: GAMBLER

The oft forgotten OTHER song from the Vision Quest Soundtrack, Gambler, was the second single released from the movie by Madonna after Crazy for You. The song was never released as a single in the US (BASTARDS!!), but the video was released to MTV to promote the film and Madonna performed it on her Virgin Tour, which is the first video I included in this post. Gambler was written by Madonna herself and produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, her frequent collaborator and off-and-on boyfriend at that time. The song WAS released in other countries and became a top 10 hit in the UK (#4), Australia (#10), Ireland (#3) and Italy (#3) and other territories. Why wasn't Gambler released in the US at the height of the Madonna mania you ask? Well, Madonna was under contract with Warner's Sire label and the soundtrack was under Geffen records. While Crazy for You was allowed to be released by Sire, they asked that Gambler be held back in the US so as not to interfere with singles from her then-current Like a Virgin album. And that, my friends, is how the music industry works sometimes. I know I listened to the shiz out of this song on my little cassette player. Anyway, here is a forgotten classic by the one and only Madonna, Gambler. Enjoy your Madonna Friday!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: WHEN LEAD SINGERS GO SOLO, 80s EDITION

There were so many successful bands in the 80s that hinged on that one, charismatic person standing behind the microphone, the lead singer. While not every lead singer was able to spin off into a super solo career (sorry, Susanna Hoffs) some of the biggest hitmakers of the 80s started off fronting a band. There were the SUPER successful, like George Michael, Gloria Estefan, Phil Collins, Lionel Richie and Sting, the successful, like Belinda Carlisle and Bobby Brown, and the one hit solo wonders, like Boy George and Steve Perry. Some went back to their bands, some did not. Some are still kicking today. Here are just a few blasts from the past (and present) who started off as a face in the crowd behind the mic. Enjoy!!

KYLIE COVERS '99 RED BALLOONS' AT GERMANY'S MELT! FESTIVAL

Kylie Minogue remembers well the Summer of '83 when the German group Nena made 99 Red Balloons  a massive world-wide hit, so it's no wonder the Aussie superstar would pull out all the stops for her German fans at the Melt! Festival at Ferropolis in Germany. Kylie and her band learned the English version of the song, which hit #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1983, especially for the crowd, and they ate it up!! Watch below. Kylie loves her fans and we love her.

THE #1 SONG 30 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS....

......A View To A Kill by Duran Duran. Already a bona fide phenomenon in the US by 1985, Duran Duran were a no-brainer to ask when it came to composing the theme to the James Bond film A View To A Kill. Their flare for the dramatic and intense popularity certainly qualified them. Together with composer John Barry, who was the composer of 11 Bond soundtracks, the band set out on the path to build one of the most successful Bond themes of all time and the ONLY Bond theme to ever reach #1 in the United States!!! Can you believe that? Well, it's true, so believe it. The song hit #1 on the US Hot 100 on July 13, 1985 and stayed for two weeks. The great thing about A View To A Kill is that it retained so much of Duran Duran's signature sound while incorporating the unmistakable feel of a Bond theme, thanks to the input of John Barry. Anyway, here is the classic Bond theme and #1 song from 30 years ago today, A View To A Kill. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEBBIE HARRY.

Rock goddess Deborah Harry turns 70 today!! The legend started off as a go-go girl, a folk singer, a Playboy Bunny, a pixie-punk in the 70s, became a movie star in the 80s and has kept on rocking it with her band Blondie through today. Her voice got us hooked on classics like Hangin' On The Telephone, Heart of Glass, Call Me and Maria and her unique sense of fashion has influenced every generation since she first shook her blond tresses for the masses. There is nothing quite like her. Here are some of her and Blondie's biggest and best. Enjoy!!!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: BETTE MIDLER IN THE 80s

I'M SEEING BETTE MIDLER IN CONCERT TONIGHT!!!! It's my first time seeing her live. ANYHOOO....Bette Midler won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1973, but many would argue her greatest success didn't come until the 1980s when she was an untouchable film and recording superstar. Starting with The Rose, which hit #3 on the Hot 100 in 1980, Bette's recording career took off. It was her first top 10 hit since 1973's Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and her performance in the film as a hard living rock icon earned her her first Oscar nomination. She followed up with a concert film, Divine Madness, which kept her in the public eye and on the charts. Bette's 1983 No Frills album had her in a more new wave/rock format featured her excellent cover of The Rolling Stone's Beast of Burden. Of course her biggest successes were yet to come. Her star continued to rise in films like Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune and Big Business. With the release of the film and soundtrack to Beaches, Bette was on top of the world. Her rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings hit #1 on the Hot 100, earned a Grammy for Song of the Year and the album sold over 3 million copies in the US alone. Her continued success proves there is no doubt Bette is a Hollywood, entertainment legend and her work during the 80s is a big part of that. Here are some of The Divine Ms. M's best from the era.

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: RIO - DURAN DURAN

One of the sexiest videos/songs to come out of the 80s, Duran Duran were video superstars already by the time Rio came out. In a very short time, the Brits were able to establish themselves in the medium with striking videos like Girls On Film, Planet Earth and Hungry Like the Wolf. Rio upped the ante by taking it to the beach, adding models and putting frontman Simon Le Bon in a teenie-weenie speedo. YAAAAS, QUEEN!! The result is slick, sleek and sexy as hell and epitomized 80s glamour. Enjoy the even objectification of women and Simon's package with today's Humpaday Sexy Song, Rio.

THE #1 SONG 31 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS....

...The Reflex by Duran Duran. Seems appropriate that the boys from DD would have out one of the hottest new songs in the world RIGHT NOW with Pressure Off (see HERE) featuring production by Nile Rodgers and as we take a look back in history we see they were already funky AF with their 1984 #1 single The Reflex, which became most popular in its remix form done by Nile Rodgers. It marked the first time the band had worked with Rodgers. The third and final single from their moster 1983 album Seven and The Ragged Tiger, The Reflex became Duran Duran's most successful single ever, topping the charts in both the US and the UK and hitting #1 in many other territories. The song is just like the band: sleek, sexy and timeless. Enjoy the #1 song from 31 years ago today, The Reflex.

HAPPY MONDAY SONG: I'LL TUMBLE 4 YA - CULTURE CLUB

It's the final week of Pride 2015, and Pride Week here in NYC so get ready for some out and proud pop this week on the blog. To kick things off on this Happy Monday is Boy George and Culture Club with I'll Tumble 4 Ya. Released in the summer of 1982 and reaching #9 on the US Hot 100, I'll Tumble 4 Ya is one of the happiest, energetic songs from Boy and the band ever. The video is a hoot too!! Set on a stage, the band does some fancy footwork and look for a young Naomi Campbell in the line up of tap dancing little girls. Anyhoo, here is the song to put some pep in your step this Monday, I'll Tumble 4 Ya!

MADONNA FRIDAY: LUCKY STAR

"You may be my lucky star, but I'm the luckiest by far" So go the lyrics to the song that initially made me fall head-over-heels in love with Queen Madonna. Although Madonna had already charted with Holiday (#16) and Borderline (#10) in late '83 and early '84 respectively, Lucky Star, the fifth and final single from her debut album, became her first top 5 hit (#4) on the Billboard Hot 100 and showed her sexier, funkier side even more than the two previous tracks. The song was a dance club smash and worldwide hit. Lucky Star has proven to be a fave with Madonna fans (duh!), showing up in most of her concerts to date. The video is also a classic, with Madonna and her two backup dancers (friend Erica Bell and on-again-off-again-evil brother Christopher Ciccone) dressed in black, tattered clothing and dancing against a white backdrop. Simple, but VERY effective in furthering Madonna's image with the public. It's def on of my top Madge tracks of all time. Check out the video for Lucky Star below and "shine your heavenly body tonight".

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ABBA GOLD - FULL ALBUM

ABBA are one of the biggest selling groups of all time. Did you know that? Worldwide they have sold somewhere (depending on reports) 100 and 200 million albums. DAYUM!!! There is zero denying that their songs are some of the catchiest, ear-wormiest (that's not a word) tunes in the history of pop music. ABBA Gold puts together a collection of songs that you will be singing along to for the rest of your life, whether you like it or not. But HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE IT!!!!???? I mean.....With sales in excess of 29 million copies, ABBA Gold is one of the best selling albums ever and it continues to sell every year, y'all!! From the #1 worldwide hit Dancing Queen to the melancholy of The Name of the Game, the disco of Voulez Vous and the camp of Mamma Mia, every song tells a story, sets a mood and draws you into the world of these four kids from Sweden who took the world by storm. So hit play below and feel the world of ABBA today. If it's good enough for Meryl, it's good enough for you. Enjoy!!!

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: EURYTHMICS - I NEED A MAN

Damn, Annie Lennox can sing!! Back in 1988 Eurythmics were going through their rock and roll resurgence and I Need A Man, from their album Savage, allowed Annie to prowl, growl and tell it like it is....to VERY sexy effect. One of the most recognizable and favorite videos by Eurythmics, directed by the great Sophie Muller, finds Lennox in full sex mode; blond wig, tight dress and tipsy dancing. HOT!! Now, I don't need a man, cuz I'm married, you pervert!! But you might, so here is your Humpday sexy song to dance around to this afternoon. Drink some wine and slur along, sluts! Enjoy and you're welcome, sexy people!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVIE NICKS!!

You may or may not know it, but Stevie Nicks is an official goddess on earth. I have thus declared. Deal with it. The White Witch of Rock and Roll turns 67 today and I can think of no better reason to celebrate. Stevie has been nailing since the early '70s when she formed a duo with her then boyfriend/musical partner Lindsey Buckingham called Buckingham Nicks (how did they come up with that?) and were quickly snatched up to be a part of Fleetwood Mac. They did all right with them, if I recall correctly. Stevie stepped out on her own in the '80s and charted some classic pop rock tracks that blew my mind and made me want to do pivot turns and wear scarves for L-I-F-E! She's battled drugs, overcome great sadness in her life and put it all down on paper and vinyl to help us through the same things, so you better PRAISE her, y'all!!! Happy birthday, Stevie. Here is some of the Goddess' greatest. Enjoy!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: DURAN DURAN

I hesitated to post a Throwback Thursday about Duran Duran because they are still rocking it out to this very day, but with such a long and rich history, I figured it's okay to do a little looking back. Duran Duran formed in the late 70s in Birmingham, England. Initially considered part of the British New Wave of the early 80s, Duran Duran quickly shed that name and outgrew most of the groups associated with that moniker in both sound and style. To say that they caused a stir when hitting US shores is a gross understatement. Panties were flying and boners were popping up where ever these boys went and their hits flooded the charts. The boys are the ONLY artists to chart at #1 in the US with a Bond theme, 1985's A View To A Kill, and were pioneers in the art of the music video, practically taking over MTV during its formative years. From Rio to I Don't Want Your Love, Come Undone to Reach Up For The Sunrise, Duran Duran assaulted the charts all over the world and inspired musicians ever since their arrival. This fall the men have a new album coming out produced by Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers. Can't fucking wait!!! Until then, here are some of DD's greatest VIDEOS of all time, up to their excellent 2010 single produced by Mark Ronson All You Need Is Now. Some may be slightly NSFW, so beware, whore!!! Enjoy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY/HUMPDAY: CHER IS 69 TODAY!

Is it possible? Is Cher really 69....and on a Humpday? Ha!!! Priceless. All of us gay boys have surely made out or at least sexy danced in a club to our fair share of Cher tunes, so it's fitting that the iconic goddess turns 69 today, letting us celebrate Humpday with some of her sexiest hits. Cher is not only one of the most successful and legendary performers in music, film and television, she helped many a young man, both gay and straight, come to terms with their own sexuality. Whether through her low cut Bob Mackie gowns and barely-there costumes or living vicariously through her penchant for younger men, Cher has given us all a little taste of the sexual revolution she lived through. Here are some of Cher's sexiest hits from across her remarkable SIX DECADE career. This bitch is still kicking it, y'all. All hail Cher!!!! Happy Humpday!!