Possibly Kate's most widely known single, "Running Up That Hill..." was the first single released from her Hounds of Love album in 1985. It has been covered several times by the likes of Placebo and the gender-bending postmodern cabaret duo Kiki & Herb.
This was Kate's highest charting in the U.S., reaching #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1985 (this was Kate's very first 12" remix) Here is a new mix I recently discovered, breathing a little new life into an old favorite....hope you enjoy!
Coming from Peter Gabriel's 1986 album "SO", this is one of my favorite songs of all time. It is a beautiful duet with the amazing Kate Bush.
I'd like to dedicate this song to My friend Amanda who just learned her mother has breast cancer. Don't give up! My thoughts are with you and your family.
A truly awesome song and hip hop classic from 1989! Remember when hip hop was fun and had a positive message? This song is one of my faves and I cannot believe it's over 20 years old!
"The Magic Number" is a 1990 single by De La Soul, originally recorded in 1988 and first released on their 1989 album, 3 Feet High and Rising, with the chorus based on a segment from the children's show "Schoolhouse Rock!", written by Bob Dorough. In the song, the trio state that the number three is the magic number. The song heavily samples songs and vocal samples originally sampled in "Lesson 3" by Double Dee and Steinski, as well as sampling "Lesson 3" itself. (you'll also notice some other samples from this kick ass funk that were used as samples by several other groups....fun!)
The song reached #18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart,but charted a respectable #7 on the UK singles chart.
One of my favorites from the 80's, Thompson Twins were originally formed in 1977. There were several lineup changes and finally, in early 1982, the trio we know today was finally solidified (founding member Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and former band roadie Joe Leeway) They were awesome! And seriously, who else rocked the xylophone?!!
This song comes off the album Here's To Future Day's from 1985, reaching #5 on the UK album charts and #20 in the US, with "Lay your Hands On Me" reaching #13 & #6 respectively. (sadly, that was the highest they ever managed to chart in the US)
Joe Leeway left the group in 1986 while Tom & Alannah continued on for another 7 yrs.
So, although it's not an official retro as it's a cover of one, I couldn't help but post this fuckery of a "live" performance by tranny trainwreck, Heatherette model & LaChapelle muse Amanda Lepore. I just find her fascinating ! (in a Jocewlyn Wildenstein kind of way) Anyway, she seems to be all the rage at New York left of center fashion shows and underground clubs....so, here you go, a Cover of The Waitresses classic "I Know What Boys Like"
Well, when I first thought to include Doctor & The Medics in the retro line up I thought the obvious choice would be to post their great cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit In The Sky"....but that's just too expected so I opted for the lesser known "Burn" ....and I really love this song from their major label debut for IRS records (coincidentally also the label for yesterdays retro post) titled "Laughing At The Pieces"
While the former was a world wide smash, reaching #1 in 32 countries, the latter only charted as high as #29 on the UK charts. I still love it and it's one of my faves off that album. Gotta love the psychedelic inspired garb, the huge 80's hair and KISS meets kabuki makeup!
I remember the first time I signed up for Columbia House's music club from an ad in Rolling Stone mag in the mid eighties...I had never heard of Fine Young Cannibals, but the name intrigued me and was enough to warrant a spot on my order list. Well, the order arrived (I don't have any clue what else I ordered) and I've been hooked on this album ever since! Debuting in 1985 this song went to #8 on the UK charts but only hit # 76 on the US Hot 100
Although I love this song and the album that spawned it, I HATE, HATE, HATE their follow up "The Raw and the Cooked" with that god awful hit "Good Thing"...BLECH! Trivia: Apparently Jenny Jones (yes, THAT Jenny Jones) sang backing vocals and played drums on this album! More Trivia: Fine Young Cannibals appeared as the house band in a nightclub in the 1987 comedy film "Tin Men"
