“Hungry Like The Wolf” was the first time many of us in America heard of Duran Duran. Perhaps more importantly, “Hungry Like The Wolf” marked the first time many Americans saw Duran Duran. And while there was certainly a contingent of people who saw the Fab Five as major eye candy (like my cousin Antoinette… Read More “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran (1982)
It was late June 1996. I’d just attended my second ever Pride celebration. I feel like it was still mid day, and I was at a Chelsea bar called King. They were having a post-Pride underwear party and, having never attended an underwear party before, was curious to see what it was all about. I… Read More “Here Comes The Rain Again” by Eurythmics (1983)
I’m pretty sure we’ve already had a “Prince’s B-sides were better than most people’s A-sides” discussion somewhere before, right? So no need for me to go that route again. As Prince was on the verge of breaking through in the UK with the Dirty Mind LP, Warner Brothers released “Gotta Stop” in that territory. It… Read More “Gotta Stop (Messin’ About)” by Prince (1981)
Duran Duran are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet, which is a fucking travesty. Although they are still derided (by some?) as a “video band”, the fact of the matter is that they’ve lasted for nearly forty years, and beauty fades over four decades. Underneath the perfect hair, pouty expressions and… Read More “Girls On Film” by Duran Duran (1981)
Speaking In Tongues takes David Byrne’s weirdness, tosses it in a blender with the avant garde funk sounds that Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz developed during their time as the Tom Tom Club, and what comes out is pretty damn glorious. It’s accessible without feeling like a sellout move. And it’s a perfect album for 1983,… Read More “Girlfriend Is Better” by Talking Heads (1983)
My introduction to Kenna was auspicious, indeed. I saw him on the red carpet before the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002. The “artist”¹ accompanying him to the ceremony? Fred Durst. I didn’t think much of Kenna until the following summer, when I saw the “Freetime” video on MTV2. Holy shit. He was far from… Read More “Freetime” by Kenna (2003)
“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” was the song that introduced me (and a lot of America) to Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, the dudes that made up Tears for Fears. It’s got an instantly memorable intro. It’s got a bright, insistent, shuffling groove and a gigantic chorus that seems like it’s sung by 100… Read More “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears (1985)
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” signaled something of a change in the sound of The Police’s music. It was more polished, more pop sounding, than anything previously existing in their catalog. It’s the damn piano! The 88-keyed monster made its Police debut on “Every Little Thing…” and the song is all the better… Read More “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police (1981)
“Every Breath You Take” was a career single for The Police, who were already one of the hottest rock bands around at the time of the song’s release in summer ’83. “Breath” was the #1 single of 1983, which was not a shabby year for pop records. It topped the pop charts for eight years,… Read More “Every Breath You Take” by The Police (1983)
Two nights ago, I was coming from a work-related team building event (it involved karaoke, so it was fine), walking towards the 23rd Street subway in Chelsea. As I was walking, I met the eyes of a tall, older gentleman. Grey hair, glasses. He looked very familiar, and my face must have done the “are… Read More “Driven To Tears” by The Police (1980)
Five Star Jamz 