http://popdose.disqus.com/Culturally inspired writing.enSat, 05 Oct 2013 12:32:03 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-1071574870<p>Siedah Garrett's first TV appearance was as a contestant on Password PLus in 1980.</p>aaaaSat, 05 Oct 2013 12:32:03 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-38730848<p>I can't decide if I have more tolerance than most or if I don't have refined taste, but I love pretty much everything that David Gates and Crystal Gayle have done. It's hard to be groundbreaking while working a country/AC vein. The best you can do is find melodic songs with non-cliched lyrics and surround them with sympathetic productions and sincere vocals. David and Crystal have done this for pretty much their entire careers. While his music with Bread is pretty mellow, "Aubrey" never fails to make me a little misty for a moment or two. :)</p><p>I know it's easy to pick on Leif Garrett, but keep in mind he was a pretty average teenager surrounded by evil vultures of the music business pushing him in a bunch of "commercial" directions at any given moment. I'm pretty amazed that he managed to chart 10 (!) singles over five years. Shawn Cassidy was a much bigger star and he only managed four chart singles. Just interesting...</p>FrankTue, 09 Mar 2010 16:28:20 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-5138715<p>Interesting, I didn't know that. Hawks only have 1 song that charted in the '80s - so I just have it on 45...no albums...<br>"I'm Alive" is the only song on Gamma1 that wasn't written by R. Montrose - that may say something or nothing at all. </p>steedThu, 15 Jan 2009 09:50:21 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-5068814<p>I knew I'd heard that Gamma song "I'm Alive" somewhere before, but it wasn't by Gamma. Turns out it was by the band Hawks, on "Perfect World Radio," their Not Lame collection of demos and rarities. What I don't know, however, is who's covering who.</p>WHarrisBullzEyeMon, 12 Jan 2009 00:59:43 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-5005664<p>No easy task picking the worst track this week. I don't envy you that job. For me Lief Garrett, the guy from Bread, that Kissing song, and the vile Kenny G all rate about the same...</p><p>But I was happy to see we agree about Peter Gabriel! And I agree with Jeff -- surprising they charted so low...</p>wagsFri, 09 Jan 2009 03:12:47 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-5004329<p>Bless you sir! This is my favorite place on the web. I seen to remember the bottom 60 of the eighties more than the top 40. Because of your post, I finally can prove to friends that these song exist and are not figments of my imagination. Thanks again.</p>chadwicktronFri, 09 Jan 2009 00:56:21 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4974843<p>Oh, and also we got our first, huge, monstrous VCR in 1978 so my dad could record Crystal Gayle performances from the Muppet Show and the like. God forbid we taped over one of those suckers...</p>forwardgirlWed, 07 Jan 2009 22:44:54 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4974800<p>I love those Crystal Gayle songs - my dad was a big fan of hers when I was a kid. He also loved Linda Ronstadt, who similarly had great songs by great songwriters at her disposal. Good solid pop music, well played and well produced, with a country tilt. T'aint no shame in it...</p>forwardgirlWed, 07 Jan 2009 22:40:57 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4973466<p>Wow. Tie that Siedah Garrett song to Rhythm Syndicate's "P.A.S.S.I.O.N.," and throw them both in a lake. </p>DavidMedskerWed, 07 Jan 2009 21:43:44 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4971278<p>"Memorize Your Number" needs more cowbell.</p><p>Is there an "artist" who defines "Bottom Feeder" more than Leif Garrett?</p><p>Rob<br>EightE1</p>EightE1Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:42:58 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4967317<p>Whoa. Gamma's first album (yes, Gamma 1) was one of the most played records in my circle of stoner buddies in 1980. Junior year of high school. That's right - HIGH school.<br>Now I have kids, I haven't smoked the weedus in over 15 years, and I'll be damned if it wasn't fun to hear that again. Sounds a bit cheesy and dated now, but so do I.</p>enoheadWed, 07 Jan 2009 16:06:40 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4966975<p>Wow, hearing those Gamma tracks really blew my mind. Suddenly I was back in high school. Great to have the column back, keep up the good work:)</p>Gary LucyWed, 07 Jan 2009 15:49:39 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4963995<p>Well, I sat on my ass waiting for me to come back at least.</p><p>You know, I didn't really think of "In Your Eyes" that way...that is a curious thing - I mean there was no better promotion of the song than Cusack. And it only went to #26 the first time around - so it's not like going higher was an impossibilty. </p>steedWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:13:00 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4964019<p>What's my payback for the Leif Garrett songs? Those are much worse. </p>steedWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:12:02 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4963840<p>I would love to just take the beep out of the song and see what it sounds like then - I'd bet it would be one of my favorites in their catalog. </p>steedWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:02:24 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4963563<p>Attention Latin Playboys and Crowded House fans: that's late-period Gamma member Mitchell Froom keyboarding away on "Right The First Time". Believe it or not...</p><p>Anyway, welcome back, Steed! (I say that only to annoy you -- consider it payback for posting a Kenny G track.) <br></p>breadalbaneWed, 07 Jan 2009 12:49:20 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4960308<p>Yea! My favorite feature is back! It's been a long 5 weeks.</p><p>Amazing that those Peter Gabriel songs charted so low, since in my parts he was huge on the radio. . .</p>JeffWed, 07 Jan 2009 10:30:05 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4960039<p>Ugh. I forgot about "Beep-a-Freak". It sounds like there's an alarm clock going off over a halfway decent funk track. I wonder who told The Gap Band that would be a good idea.</p>MikeWed, 07 Jan 2009 10:08:21 -0000http://popdose.com/bottom-feeders-the-ass-end-of-the-80s-part-34/#comment-4959658<p>"You didn’t really go anywhere — I did."</p><p>I'll have you know I traveled hundreds of miles over the end of December. I didn't sit here and refresh awaiting your return! So yes, we both left.</p><p>That said, this is my favorite running series on Popdose (no offense to the others) and I am glad we both happen to be here now.</p><p>How could "In Your Eyes" actually chart LOWER its second time up the chart, with John Cusack holding a boom box to promote it?!?</p>jackWed, 07 Jan 2009 09:37:05 -0000