A longer drive to and from the fishing hole on this trip means an expanded batch of tunes.
10. YMCA – Village People (1978)
Raise your hand if you have ever been to a wedding reception where the DJ played this gem. Better yet, raise both your hands and, well, you know. As an eleven-year-old kid in the fall of 1978, this one was a winner whether on the radio or at Skate Palace. Over forty-five years later, I still get a kick out of hearing this song as it takes me back in time and I even sing (and sometimes dance) along. (Yes, that is my original 45 pictured above but need a record player)
9. So Into You – Atlanta Rhythm Section (1977)
This band always slips through the cracks for me, so it is cool when I hear one of their tunes on the radio. I recommend a listen through their catalog including “Imaginary Lover”, “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight” and “Do It or Die” as well as some other hits. Also toss in their remake of “Spooky”, best known from the Classics IV (featuring members who would later found ARS).
8. Our House – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970)
CSN&Y doing what they did best. Harmonized vocals paired with a bouncy mesh of musical accompaniment, both of which start out basic, move to a peak, and fade to a finish. Sure, there are plenty of more heavy hitting tunes from this bunch, but how many of them were ever catchy enough to sell sausage and appliances?
7. Radioactive – The Firm (1985)
While this tune didn’t make a big splash on the charts (Billboard #28), it got plenty of play on MTV. This supergroup consisted of Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), Jimmie Page (The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin), Chris Slade (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), and bassist, Tony Franklin. Although this tune was their lone Top 40 hit, “Satisfaction Guaranteed” is also a winner and was another MTV staple.
6. 18 and Life – Skid Row (1989)
I like story songs and this one about a troubled, rebellious youth fit perfectly with the booze infused, bad boy persona of hair metal. MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball was chock full of such stuff and provided a much-needed break from the bulk of Top 40 radio of the day. Some may poke fun at the garb, glam, and coiffure, but you can’t deny that many of those singers had some pipes. And Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach could get it done.
Well, that’s five down and five to go. Talk to you later. Troy