Tuesday, February 19, 2008

'Cause Your Friends Don't Dance And If They Don't Dance, Well They're No Friends of Mine

OK...if you can name the artist of the song that the title of this post comes from, you will enjoy this list.

Ever since Big posted 80's love songs last week (and stole my 80's thunder), I have been obsessed with finally posting my 80's iPod playlist. How many times can I say 80's in one sentence? Probably 80, if I tried 80 times.

Anyway, it took me a while to compile my list, because I have pieces of the list on different computers. For some reason, the iPod nano that I got for Christmas will not let me link with our PC...only our Mac. But my older iPods used to let me go back and forth. So, I finally gathered my 80's info into one list...and one iPod.

That was a boring paragraph.

I began a playlist a few years ago that I was calling my "40th Birthday Party 80's Jam." And only somebody close to 40 would think that using the word jam was still cool.

I thought if I planned my own 40th party (which is NOT for a LONG time, by the way), I would not experience any unfortunate or unenjoyable surprises. See. I think ahead like that. Of course, the closer I get, the more I think I had rather be lying in a hammock in Maui than grooving to Crowded House with 100 of my closest middle-aged friends on my 40th. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

But I DO love me some 80's music. I am so nostalgic anyway...just start playing "Leave A Tender Moment Alone" and all my senses take me back to the Watauga High School parking lot circa 198somethingorother.

And my poor children. My misguided son thinks Rock With You is cooler than Daughtry.

Wait a minute. It IS.

My tastes in the 80's were very pop. No metal stuff for me. Well, the occasional hair band song that made it to pop radio, I liked. But I won't mention any names, for fear I would, well...I don't know. Just for fear.

I did absorb quite a bit of country music back then too...working in my dad's auto parts store. I still remember being so little and in his store, and hearing "Coward of The County" bellowing through the aisles of oil filters and spark plugs. I couldn't figure out what in the heck Kenny Rogers was talking about. But I liked it anyway.

Remember...these aren't all of my favorites. They are just what I have and listen to when I'm getting my 80's groove on. And I have a few 70's favs in there, too.

Put on your Izod, pop in some Cosby Show, kick back and enjoy my iPod's trip down memory lane...

Against All Odds (my all-time favorite love song)
It Might Be You
Rock With You (my favorite pop song ever)
Separate Lives (my favorite duet...tied with one other I am too embarrassed to mention)
Just Once
Summer of ‘69
You’re the Inspiration (sock hop standard)
I Want a New Drug
Sara Smile
What a Fool Believes
The Reflex
An Innocent Man
Hold Me Now (Thompson Twins. So shocked they didn't last.)
Groovy Kind of Love
Drive
Joanna (You gotta love a trombone solo in a pop song.)
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues (Elton's drug years, but I loved this song.)
Heaven
What About Me (Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, James Ingram...how did that ever happen?)
Kiss On My List
Up Where We Belong
Owner Of A Lonely Heart (this video creeped me out. but I had the sheet music to this. why I ask you. why?)
Human (we didn't know what this song meant)
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (reminds me of riding the Scrambler at Myrtle Beach)
Leave a Tender Moment Alone
You Give Good Love (Whitney's first)
Shake You Down
Here Comes The Rain Again
I Can Dream About You
I Need You (this is America - 70's - but I had to include it)
Celebration
Hard Habit to Break
Time After Time (if you're lost, you can look and you will find MEH)
Baby Come to Me
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Never Gonna Let You Go
Break My Stride
That’s All (Genesis. Yesssssssssss.)
Beat It
Rosanna
Sailing
If This Is It
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Missing You
Shining Star
Caribbean Queen
Every Breath You Take
P.Y.T.
Endless Love
Stuck On You (Lionel...bring it on)
She’s Out of My Life (my favorite male vocal performance ever)
No One Is To Blame
When Doves Cry
Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
Say You, Say Me (ouch. I almost left this one off. Please don't tell anyone.)
Come On Feel The Noise
Take Me Home
Footloose
Billie Jean
Sweet Dreams
What’s Love Got To Do With It
Ghostbusters (Shut up.)
Something So Strong
All Night Long
Uptown Girl

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whew. I can tell you're on vocal rest. That was a chatty post. I can tell you are about to pop that you can't bust out into these songs...much less talk. You're whistling, aren't you?

I'm disappointed you don't have any Journey in the mix. How better does it get awkwardly holdin' your 10th grade crush listening to "Highway run, into the midnight sun..." How about "Don't Stop Believing" or "Seperate Ways." And what 80s highschool dance was complete without Prince's "Let's Go Crazy?"

Can't wait for the party! To make it better would be to make it an 80s YouTube party - cue up the videos on the bigscreen!

Anonymous said...

As a person born in '84, I have to admit that your entire list seemed to be written in a foreign language.

Where are the Backstreet Boys, I ask? And N'Sync? Don't even make me mention 98 Degrees...

Wait. This post was supposed to be about the 80s, wasn't it? Ooops.

Cindy said...

Speaking of Footloose, did ya know they are now remaking that movie....with the one and only Zac Efron?

Fiddle*sticks said...

Yes! The scrambler on Myrtle Beach!! That was so my childhood. I can't believe Glory of Love wasn't on the list. That was one of my first impressions of what "true love" was. Man, that Ralph Machio. How I heart him.

Oh, and the Jets! I've Got A Crush On You! Anyone? No? I roller skated my hiney off to that one.

Good times.

fAiThFuL cHiCk said...

Thanks, FryDaddy. Now I cannot get the 80's goodness out of my head!! How will I be productive today? How?!

Seriously, thanks for the trip down memory lane. Priceless!

Anonymous said...

OH. MY. WORD!

Butch and I were just talking about how we needed to load the iPod up with some good 80's music and THE very first song we mentioned was SAFETY DANCE by Men Without Hats!! Don't ask me why, but we laughed and laughed and laughed at the thought!!! I still remember staying up on Friday nights to watch videos -- before MTV -- Friday Night Videos on Channel 4 in Nashville to be exact! I can tell you all about this video -- sad, but true!!

Anyway, this is a great list and I'm headed over to iTunes RIGHT NOW!!!

And, I'm with Russ -- JOURNEY is ALREADY on the iPod...but then again so is ABBA...

And, well, seeing "P.Y.T." on your blog made me LOL and then I tried to count how many weddings I sang "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" at...too many..lost count!

I'm STILL trying to come up with the embarrassing duet -- you know you will have to own up to it!!

And so I close my comment because I could go on and on...

"My baby takes the morning train...he works from nine til five and then...he takes another home again...to find me waiting for him....He takes me to a movie, to a restaurant (we go) slow dancing, anything I want....."

:)

Dori

P.S. And to think I knew you and Ang in the 80's...oh the music we should have shared!!!

BethAnne said...

I agree with you on all those (with a little Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Lepard). I laughed when you wrote Watauga High School. Hubs and I went by WHS yesterday on our way to Hickory to shop for furniture. Life was much easier back in the 80's -- no big decisions, just how I like it!

Deidre said...

MEN WITHOUT HATS!!!!!!!!

LOVE this list. Graduated in '88, so I can so relate! Some Bon Jovi would have made your list complete, but hey, this is YOUR list, right? :)

'Time after Time' reminds me of my Beta Club dance when my boyfriend broke up with me because I cut my bangs all the way across an inch long - I have GOT to get my hands on that picture before reunion time in October - terrrible!!!

The Scrambler at Myrtle Beach? Yessss!!!! Great memories!

I enjoyed your list, Travis!

Deidre in NC

Big Mama said...

No One is To Blame is one of my all time favorites because you can sit by the pool but you can't have a swim.

Also, I don't know what to say about Ghostbusters. I admire your honesty.

AbbyLane said...

well, i knew about half of those...not bad for an '84 baby :)

sooz said...

Your list is making me feel so nostalgic! I sing this stuff in the car all the time. My kids know them so well, they often sing along, too!

Confess: That embarrassing duet you love...It's Endless Love, isn't it!! I'm guessing it's either that or some country hit that crossed over. Sang one at a wedding during that time, but I can't remember the name. Just promise me it's not Islands in the Stream!

laura said...

We LOVE songs from the 80s! One of our faves is "We Belong to the Night." Great list! Maybe you should add some of those to your sets...praying for you. :)

Tina said...

You KNOW your other favorite duet is Islands in the Stream.... you KNOW it is..... uh huh.

I'm far to young to remember the 80's music...

ha ha!
How's Run for the Roses and anything by Toto or Whitney Houston. OR Russ Taff.

Or worse yet... LL Cool J - "Mama Gonna Knock You Out" or "Ice, Ice Baby'.

ocean mommy said...

Is it bad that I have a very distinct memory associate with most of those songs??? Needless to say, I've had a pretty good laugh.....

And now, I feel old. Thank you very much. :)

stephanie

Anonymous said...

What an awesome list -- thanks for taking me down memory lane -- I def got my "80's groove on" ...

Patty said...

My son and I were just talking about 80's music. He plays the guitar and loves music. He is really into the Blues!
My best friend in high school husband turned 40 last year and she had a HUGE party for him. She compiled all the 80's music they liked and made cd's to play at his party so everyone could dance. If either of us hears 80's music we call each other because we have so many songs back then that remind us of each other. We went to all the high school dances. Her youngest son thought it funny that we danced to Rick James, Super Freak. LOL!! 80's music rocks my face off. Also, don't get me started on the Cosby Show. I almost have the entire series! Ahhh memories!

boomama said...

I have to know the other duet. It has to be something with Sheena Easton.

Hello by Lionel Richie. 'Nuf said.

Fran said...

Being a kid born in 1970 (makes me 38) I was right up in the middle of all that 80's music.....i can't begin to comment on each of these fabulous songs but I swear to you that each song made me smile, laugh, be mad, or bring back some crazy memory that I didn't know I still had. :)

Thanks for sharing Travis. Can we come to your 40th bday bash?! Not that its coming up or anything!

Rock on my friend!

jennyhope said...

I am so disturbed that walking on sunshine is not on your list.

j/k!

say you say me that is hilarious!!

Kelly S. said...

What would we do without iPods???

What about Hall&Oats..."O Oh Here she comes". This song totally reminds me of 8th grade, "Everytime you go away...." And I'm with boomama, your other favorite duet has got to be Kenny and Sheena "We've Got Tonight". (poor Bob Seger) Kenny was king at our house...he was my first live concert. My favorite was "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille".

I can so identify with the scrambler at Myrtle Beach.....it wasn't summer without a trip to the Pavillion and maybe the Magic Attic.

Holly said...

Safety Dance--Men without hats...you can dance if you want to...you can leave your friends behind...

My Sharona
Manic Monday
Loved Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis and the News, Foreigner, Phil Collins, Marillion and Brian Adams
Did NOT love Duran Duran, David Bowie, Madonna, The Cure or anything that was too heavy metal

I have to admit, none of my favs. are on my ipod. Truly, a lot of the faves remind me of a time when I was not in Christ. So I prefer not to go there. However, every once in awhile, Chris and I take a walk down memory lane (he's class of '88 and I'm class of '89).

Loved this post--fun to remember!
holly

Anonymous said...

Reunited..and it feels so good? Is that the duet?

What about WE ARE THE WORLD???? It should be on EVERYONE'S list!

Do you remember the day that every radio station across the country played it at the same time?

Unknown said...

Hey Travis! Okay so you had one song from favorite band for most of the 80s... Duran Duran's "The Reflex" but it was not my fave Duran song. I really like John Taylor... but don't tell anyone! (Oh... OOPS! I think I just did...) Okay - So I did.

Duran Duran kind of got bumped when AHA - the two album wonders from somewhere in Northern Europe - they were from Sweden but claimed Norway or some weird thing like that. "I can still sing the song... 'Take on MEEEE! Take - On - Me! Take MEEEE on.... Take - On- Me! I'll BE Gone... ooooohhhoooohhhooo (don't really know how to make that work) won't you TAKKKKKEEEEE...." And I will now quit while I am ahead.

Definitely some Good Tunes there. My children died of mortification when I bought a Power 80s Ballads CD, but they loved my husbands old 33 1/3 vinyl which was mostly heavy hair bands... I have to say, they love Journey. So... go figure.

I had 45s hanging on my wall along with every guess ad seventeen magazine ever ran! and ROB LOWE... who would have guessed Saint Elmo's Fire would become the future president of the United States married to a woman named Kitty who resembles Calista Flockhart... But then again... I don't even watch Television, my teens do.

Okay... So I have completely digressed... But I guess I am entitled as I am just a few years off the 40 boat myself.... Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Blessings,
MB

Amy Kaylor Photography said...

My best friend of 26 years was just here this weekend and she is THE 80's music queen. She filled up my iTunes library with stuff that brought back SO many memories. What about these...
Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
Bring On The Dancing Horse by Echo & The Bunnymen
Red Skies At Night by The Fixx
Songs by New Order, The Human League, Thompson Twins, The Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, Modern English, The Cure, Til Tuesday I could go on and on! Miss the 80's and what a timely post!!

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Oh my word. I was expecting ten or twelve songs. LOVE your list!

Was your other favorite duet "Almost Paradise" or "Friends and Lovers"??? I sang BOTH of those in cool singing booths at Kings Island and ROCKED. I can't believe I never got a recording contract.

I keep wanting to have an 80s party. You've just given me a soundtrack for the night.

Anonymous said...

I think you just inspired me to spend the rest of my itunes gift card. And then some. I remember when PYT would come on at the skating rink, I felt the need to skate on out whenever Michael said, "Pretty young things, repeat after me..."

Jan said...

The 80's were on the front end of my college days. Yes, they are good. But nothing beats the 70s
...a little disco action...silver ball...Saturday Night Fever playing at the Senior prom...

Oh yeah...got me some fever now...

Jan

Christi New said...

That brings back so many memories of my hair crimping days.... Here's some that I have on my ipod - in addition to most of the ones you mentioned:
When I See You Smile, Walk Like An Egyptian, Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon, Talking In Your Sleep -Romantics, We Built This City and Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Jessie's Girl and Love Somebody - Rick Springfield, Somebody's Watching Me, Jump - Van Halen, and, of course, can't have 80's without mentioning "We Are the World"! :)

Those were some good times... good times.

Joni said...

What?! No Milli Vanilli?

Anonymous said...

Totally off the 80's music, but my Stepping Up Bible Study gals are begging me to find out if the songs from each of the DVD sessions will be compiled into a CD. You cannot believe how much the worship is blessing us. I personally "Bravoed" the song after Beth's Bravo story. I was watching the DVD at home, because I had missed the session and it was just burst out of me!! I laughed and laughed while I praised God for the moment.
Cannot wait for the worship time in Louisville this coming August!!

Holly said...

Oh, I thought of another this morning...Centerfold, which of course the words are not so great...but who could resist singing Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na?

Dionna said...

Great list, Travis! I'm a total 80's girl. I graduated in 89!! Some of my faves are on your list but I will add:

Send Her My Love - Journey
Toy Soldiers - Martika
Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
Flame - Cheap Trick
Love Bites - Def Lepard
Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
Forever - Kenny Loggins
Maneater - Hall & Oates

The 80's was the best... :)

Toknowhim said...

Travis,

I went to quiz my husband about the lyrics of your title... I messed up on the words, but he knew it right away... "The Safety Dance" (I think that is what he said)... I love 80's music too, but he is an 80's geek (in a good way) when it comes to 80's music. I will have him read your list later.

I saw a picture of you and your lovely wife on the LPM blog from Melissa and Colin's wedding. You two looked adorable!!

Anonymous said...

MEN WITHOUT HATS-Safty Dance!! Where was Anything by Rick Springfield? Big Country,Thriller!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am compelled for my first comment ever. One song and a different artist - Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant and Terrance Trent Darby - Wishing Well and the one that started Get Out of That Rocking Chair Grandma.
Ahh, hand me some hairspray and leg warmers to wear OVER my jeans to the skate rink.
Back in the Day. Sweet memories.
AMEN!

connorcolesmom said...

Ok, I just read this post to my hubby who is way older than me by the way (LOL)and a total 80's music kind of guy.
He knew the name of the band and song (Men without Hats - Safety Dance) and then started singing the song and re enacting the music video.

Oh and he has now said he wants a link to your blog so he can add anything to the 80's list that he thinks might be missing - hehe!

You guys are so funny!
HAve a great day!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Footloose is so on my treadmill mix! There are some great 80's songs on your list. One of my favorites is "In Your Eyes". Have you guys seen "Say Anything" where John Cusack holds up the giant boombox? So iconic! If I guy did that for me, replacing the boombox with something like a case of diet coke or a carton of girl scout cookies, I would take that as a sign he was the one.

40 is the new 20 (or something like that ;). I hope you rock it out.

Unknown said...

I just can't stand it anymore! I have had so much fun going back and listening to all of these songs. I have spent the last 2 days on iTunes having a ball! Gotta add my extras...Sunglasses at Night...Working for the Weekend...Escapade...The Way You Make Me Feel...Hold On Loosely...Love Me Tomorrow...and last but not least...Tainted Love.

Thank you so much Travis, "Big", and all your fans for taking me down memory lane and making me laugh more than I have in a long time!

Anonymous said...

Okay....lovin' the safety dance and now that's in my head!!

I have to say I'm surprised I didn't see Total Eclipse of the Heart on there! And no Air Supply? Understand the one that you love....

Wake me up before you go-go...don't leave me hangin' on like a yo-yo!

I'm so glad to see Nobody Loves Me Like You Do--it always seems like people don't know that one. We played it at my wedding when we had a technical problem.

Props to you for the 80's country. That is my all time favorite country music. I played in my basement as a little girl listening to the entire Gambler album--I had no clue about Coward of the County either. It's a little disturbing to hear now. :-) Eddie Rabbit-I Love a Rainy Night. I even had "Urban Chipmunk" where the Chipmunks sing country songs that were hits at the time. Wow....thanks for the trip down memory lane! I can smell my strawberry shortcakes now! :-)

Anonymous said...

I have to say your list brought back tons of memories!!! Great list...I'm sure we could had hundreds more...80's were the best music days. However, I do my best to stay current with all genres!
Melissa
Charlotte NC

Laughing Momma said...

Not like I was in denial or anything, but you know your an 80's music freak when instead of just reading through the list....you fing yourself SINGING it...mind you I can NOT sing...but that does not even matter when I am in the zone.

Only thing I would HAVE to add is Jefferson Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us"

Good times!!!

April

Anonymous said...

Great list, though I would've appreciated the band names with the songs because there was a few I didn't recognize/don't remember. I was born in '75 so I'm on the edge of being old enough to appreciate 80's music. I probably would know them all if I heard them, but I didn't know song titles back then most of the time.

Just a quick suggestion about your new iPod, because I had the same problem when I got my first iPod last year. You need to reset it (backup first!) and then plug it into your PC first. That will have it formatted for Windows, and then it will work on both your PC and your Mac. If it is Mac formatted the PC will not recognize it or talk to it.

God's girl said...

Ha ha ha! That was a fun trip down memory lane! I LOVED most of those songs too. Definately great for getting an 80's groove on!
Thanks for the list.
Angela

Anonymous said...

How about the 'coolness' of being able to punch in any "80's" year at ITunes and it returns all the essential classics for that year?
That will really take you back....

Caroline said...

Wow Travis, thanks so much for the list of songs. I have been making 70's and 80's CD's for the past year and missed a few..I will definitely add to the collection. What about the song Suddenly by Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton John from Xanadu...love that one. Hope you and your family are doing well. Be Blessed.
Caroline (Lilley) Hicks...