Popdose: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 58
bama
· 4 months ago
Thank you as always for your hard work, Davus M'Cool
Steve
· 4 months ago
So I went to listen to the M'Cool song and I got Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." Are you trying to tell us something?
David_E
· 4 months ago
But ... but ... "Rock And Roll Mercenaries" was on Blind Before I Stop. With John Parr and everything! Surely that counts for something ...?
Also – sooooo not m'cool, dude. So not m'cool. (Pulls hook from lip, spits blood and storms off.)
JMiller
· 4 months ago
Gee, Shamus sounds an awful lot like Rick Astley
steed
· 4 months ago
Maybe he was an impressionist.
DwDunphy
· 4 months ago
Bwaahhh haaahhh haaahhhh!!!
Awesomeness in digital form, Mr. Steed. I laughed, I cried, I schvitzed.
But the saddest part of it was when I finally heard the real "American Memories" and prayed it would revert to the RickRoll.
steed
· 4 months ago
Ha. Last week my buddy said to me that the Rickroll was so old and played out at this point that it just may sound fresh again. And it did. I'm happy. Though I still think quite a few people haven't figured out the real song is in the post!!!
thefxc
· 4 months ago
If I didn't know better, I'd think that Shamus M'Cool song was from around 1987 or so. It sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it...
If Shamus was getting airplay in a major area like LA I could see how it made it to #80, but I call BS on the "only 10 copies pressed" thing. The Hot 100 was still weighted towards single sales back in the day.
Even worse thing about the mid-80s Meat Loaf records: John Parr wrote some stuff for him, they even did a horrid duet, "Rock and Roll Mercenaries." <<shudder>>
Gerard McMahon is the "Cry Little Sister" guy? He lives in a world of awesome. (Jim Steinman resides there too.) I wonder how he feels about a generation growing up thinking it's a Sisters of Mercy song (check any filesharing service to see!)
I used to mistake Mel and Kim for Pepsi and Shirlie. We'll meet them later, I guess..
steed
· 4 months ago
Pepsi and Shirlie/Mel and Kim - might as well just be the same group really.
McMahon wrote some really good tunes. It's a shame he never caught on. I've never searched for "Cry Little Sister" before but I believe I've even seen McMahon comment on the Sisters of Mercy thing himself somewhere.
thefxc
· 4 months ago
I don't know if you're aware of this, but a lot of backissues of Billboard magazine are available for viewing via Google Books. The July 25, 1981 issue has a full-page ad for Mr. M'Cool, picture and everything:
http://tinyurl.com/lvqfhx (Please don't hurt me if the link doesn't quite work--Google books is odd.)
My guess it was released to cash in on the 4th of July?
There's also an ad in the December 12 issue thanking him for "the success of his two records, 'American Memories' and 'American Humor'". I think "American Humor" was the LP?
steed
· 4 months ago
Holy crap. I was not aware of this. The link worked - I've never seen this before. Thanks for passing it along. Looks like I have to dig up the issue and buy it now.
American Humor was the B-side to the 45 actually.
ElCartero
· 4 months ago
More Billboard from Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=JiQEAAAAMBAJ This is the 7/4/81 issue: the week "American Memories" hit the chart. Check out pages 18-26, which give a partial overview of playlist activity from Hot 100 reporting stations. The record was getting played (or at least listed) in some major markets - Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland, Portland OR - and was one of the top "Breakouts" in the Southwest region. So it wasn't just El Ay. Gads, what a MOR-ridden landscape, though: Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Joey Scarbury. This song fit in there better than one might expect.
Jeff
· 4 months ago
I hate "American Pie", too. Maybe we should start a club.
Pete
· 4 months ago
Best RickRoll EVER.
arensb
· 4 months ago
Gotta give it to Steed. 58 posts just to set that up. That's some dedication. But a lot of music, both good and bad, so it's worth it.
jabartlett
· 4 months ago
I always learn stuff from these posts. For example, today I learned that I'm NOT the only person in the world who has never seen one Star Wars movie.
jabartlett
· 4 months ago
Another thing I learned: After listening to "American Memories," I can understand why, when M'Cool is praising various things American, he doesn't praise English teachers. "I remember . . . from back when we were a child" is especially awful because "back when I was a child" would scan just as well.
Another thing M'Cool missed that makes America great is the way we can get people to part with large amounts of money for things that probably aren't worth it. Like $3600 for this dreck.
rockymtranger
· 4 months ago
You are a god amongst men, and I bow in your general direction.
Nice Rickroll, btw. Good thing I hung in there until the end.
steed
· 4 months ago
Kiss the ring, please.
Thanks. Seems like some people didn't hang in...
kingofgrief
· 4 months ago
Is it just wrong that I now get up extra early before work on Wednesday to geek out on the latest BF post? I'll still probably find myself running late. That's devotion, I suppose.
"It's Just the Sun": spun along many other lesser-known McLean recordings on our easy-listening (for lack of proper format description) station in the 80s...a station I miss.
"Just Like Paradise" skips at 1:17. FYI.
"Never Gonna Give You Up": I will still love this record long after its easy-punchline status has expired. I'm glad I can say that here and not be thought of as ironic. (You Loggins fans know what it's like.)
"Ewok Celebration": YAY! Been looking for this, as it never pops up on any of the Meco comps I see. As for the film franchise that made it possible, I fell asleep in the middle of the first one (I was 7, it was late) and didn't bother with the other original two until about ten years ago. They were good, particularly Empire, but I don't harbor any desire to watch them repeatedly, and I'm pretty sick of seeing them referenced everywhere. (For the record, I saw Episode I and decided, "Yeah, here's where I get off".)
From my copy of 1000 UK Number One Hits, in the entry for "Respectable": "Kim explained, 'Showing out is when you go out and kiss frogs, seeing if they turn into princes.'" What it means to get fresh at the weekend remains a mystery.
"Everything I Need": how could this chart and not wind up on the US best-of? I hope to track down the Two Hearts CD in a clearance bin someday. I saw Colin Hay last summer, as strong a vocalist and writer (and wit) as he was in Men at Work's prime.
"Olympia": Confetti was my best friend's favorite album in high school. I believe he's still trying to find a CD copy for less than $20. I never heard this beyond his cassette (or his 45) but "Alibis" (also featuring Joe Pizzulo) got some lite-rock airplay.
"American Memories": First, thank you. Should I ever defy the odds and find a physical copy that doesn't break the bank, you have first dibs. Second, his voice reminds me of astrology balladeer Harvey Sid Fisher, and I could easily see him writing a song like this. Judge for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_VAiznSTc
steed
· 4 months ago
I'll take those dibs with pleasure sir.
"Ewok Celebration" followed by "Yay". Does Not Compute.
I'm glad I know what showing out means now. I'll ask one of my single lady friends to try this over the holiday and see if they also get fresh at anything.
Tell me you had that link stored up for years and this was the first time it was appropriate to use?
kingofgrief
· 4 months ago
I was actually reminded of Mr. Fisher's gifts by the folks at Rifftrax a few months ago; I used to see clips on The Daily Show in the Craig Kilborn era. I've been threatening to order both his CD and DVD since April, but other temptations have gotten in the way.
Seriously, "Ewok Celebration" 12"? Me wanty. I'm just wired that way.
Stay fresh!
Brian
· 4 months ago
Absolutely fantastic bait and switch. Because really, how could the song be even half as interesting as the hype and mystique? Good move, Steed.
tdolbyfan
· 4 months ago
wow the RickRoll in audio format? I've never heard it done that way. I bet even Rick Astley him self would be surprised. Are you going to post the real song someday?
steed
· 4 months ago
You didn't like the bonus track?
tdolbyfan
· 4 months ago
sorry steed didn't see it there. this song somehow has grown on me a lot. I had no clue Shamus was white. weird.
Ron
· 4 months ago
The Kim from Mel & Kim is Kim Wilde who went on to a very successful solo career, mainly in Europe, although most North Americans probably recognize her song Kids in America.
rockymtranger
· 4 months ago
Wrong Kim...Kim and Mel were sisters, last name Appleby.
steed
· 4 months ago
Thanks John - I kept looking at the record cover wondering how much plastic surgery Ms. Wilde had done.
Brett Alan
· 4 months ago
Kim Wilde did a Christmas single with Mel Smith, the British comedian (he's the albino with the wheelbarrow in The Princess Bride) that was billed as "Mel & Kim", hence Ron's confusion. But that of course was after this (and kind of a reference to this).
"Showing Out" is one of my fave dance singles. BTW. Larry John McNally recorded "The Motown Song" for the soundtrack of Quicksilver before Rod Stewart did it (rather than writing it just for Stewart). His version was more slow and mellow.
Bryan
· 4 months ago
I admit, you Rickrolled me good there!
I've been reading this column for a while now, and I'd been waiting to see you cover the Shamus M'Cool song, as it had been known for its obscurity... then I went to listen to the song, and got Rickrolled!
Then I scrolled down and found the REAL Shamus M'Cool song... and I gotta admit, it was actually pretty good. Wasn't really sure what to expect there!
steed
· 4 months ago
At this point, I kind of like the song. In context of this series, it's nowhere near the bottom.
DavidMedsker
· 4 months ago
Laughed out loud when Sir Rick came up. Nice one, Steed.
While I don't think I ever need to hear "American Memories" again, I downloaded it anyway. You just never know when it will come in handy.
steed
· 4 months ago
Thanks. Glad people got some enjoyment out of it.
Rock Court Shamus M'Cool?
tdolbyfan
· 4 months ago
The bonus track is awesome. I might of liked it better somewhere else. As a matter of fact it made me laugh at first. Do you have an mp3 of American Memories? (if not it'll be pretty funny when all this collectors looking for this song find Rick Astley)
steed
· 4 months ago
I'm sure it's tough to find for that collector who's only here to take that song.
rwcass
· 4 months ago
Is the bonus track by Thomas Dolby?
JonCummings
· 4 months ago
I bet if every person who reads this column chips in $10 ... Steed could someday have a physical copy of "American Memories" to hold in his hands. Tell ya what! I'll collect the money and pass it on to him! Send your checks to Jon Cummings, 1279 Willowgr.........
steed
· 4 months ago
Holy crap - how come I never thought of this technique before?
But then do I owe something to everyone that chipped in $10? I can only be a wingman so many times.
Bob
· 4 months ago
You hate “American Pie" and have never seen one "Star Wars" movie? I don't know how old you are, Dave, but there might be only 10 or 20 people in this country over the age of 40 that can make that claim!
kingofgrief
· 4 months ago
"Next week we..take a look at the artist with the biggest drop-off from good to total crap."
Having finally read your Bottom 80s anti-chart, I have a sneaking suspicion about the identity of the culprit. I can feel it in my pompatus.
Chris X
· 4 months ago
I didnt chime in on last week's list, for some reason (lots of preparation for a new DJ gig, too much downloading and burning, not enough browsing last week) so I feel the need to speak on a couple things.
Gerard McMann- not digging this song here, but "Cry Little Sister" is one of the greatest pieces of music of all time (so much so apparently, that McMann is releasing a book about the song, just put out a new remix of it, and is touring on the recognition of that song alone(and dressing goth(yes, even at his age) and playing creepy dark industrial stuff to hook all the vampire kids that still worship Lost Boys) Questionable life choices aside, I open every single DJ set of mine with it. And could watch Lost Boys once a day every day for the rest of my miserable life.
Meco - this stuff is campy and downright near-awful, but I have it in my collection simply because I'm one of those horrible obsessed Star Wars fans. also HOW THE FUCK HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN ANY OF THEM? DUDE.
And I love a good Rickroll. The best/worst was the day after Michael Jackson's death, a "Rick Astley found dead" headline started making its way around. Man...
All Comments
Also – sooooo not m'cool, dude. So not m'cool. (Pulls hook from lip, spits blood and storms off.)
Awesomeness in digital form, Mr. Steed. I laughed, I cried, I schvitzed.
But the saddest part of it was when I finally heard the real "American Memories" and prayed it would revert to the RickRoll.
If Shamus was getting airplay in a major area like LA I could see how it made it to #80, but I call BS on the "only 10 copies pressed" thing. The Hot 100 was still weighted towards single sales back in the day.
Even worse thing about the mid-80s Meat Loaf records: John Parr wrote some stuff for him, they even did a horrid duet, "Rock and Roll Mercenaries." <<shudder>>
Gerard McMahon is the "Cry Little Sister" guy? He lives in a world of awesome. (Jim Steinman resides there too.) I wonder how he feels about a generation growing up thinking it's a Sisters of Mercy song (check any filesharing service to see!)
I used to mistake Mel and Kim for Pepsi and Shirlie. We'll meet them later, I guess..
McMahon wrote some really good tunes. It's a shame he never caught on. I've never searched for "Cry Little Sister" before but I believe I've even seen McMahon comment on the Sisters of Mercy thing himself somewhere.
http://tinyurl.com/lvqfhx (Please don't hurt me if the link doesn't quite work--Google books is odd.)
My guess it was released to cash in on the 4th of July?
There's also an ad in the December 12 issue thanking him for "the success of his two records, 'American Memories' and 'American Humor'". I think "American Humor" was the LP?
American Humor was the B-side to the 45 actually.
http://books.google.com/books?id=JiQEAAAAMBAJ
This is the 7/4/81 issue: the week "American Memories" hit the chart. Check out pages 18-26, which give a partial overview of playlist activity from Hot 100 reporting stations. The record was getting played (or at least listed) in some major markets - Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland, Portland OR - and was one of the top "Breakouts" in the Southwest region. So it wasn't just El Ay. Gads, what a MOR-ridden landscape, though: Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Joey Scarbury. This song fit in there better than one might expect.
Another thing M'Cool missed that makes America great is the way we can get people to part with large amounts of money for things that probably aren't worth it. Like $3600 for this dreck.
Nice Rickroll, btw. Good thing I hung in there until the end.
Thanks. Seems like some people didn't hang in...
"It's Just the Sun": spun along many other lesser-known McLean recordings on our easy-listening (for lack of proper format description) station in the 80s...a station I miss.
"Just Like Paradise" skips at 1:17. FYI.
"Never Gonna Give You Up": I will still love this record long after its easy-punchline status has expired. I'm glad I can say that here and not be thought of as ironic. (You Loggins fans know what it's like.)
"Ewok Celebration": YAY! Been looking for this, as it never pops up on any of the Meco comps I see. As for the film franchise that made it possible, I fell asleep in the middle of the first one (I was 7, it was late) and didn't bother with the other original two until about ten years ago. They were good, particularly Empire, but I don't harbor any desire to watch them repeatedly, and I'm pretty sick of seeing them referenced everywhere. (For the record, I saw Episode I and decided, "Yeah, here's where I get off".)
From my copy of 1000 UK Number One Hits, in the entry for "Respectable": "Kim explained, 'Showing out is when you go out and kiss frogs, seeing if they turn into princes.'" What it means to get fresh at the weekend remains a mystery.
"Everything I Need": how could this chart and not wind up on the US best-of? I hope to track down the Two Hearts CD in a clearance bin someday. I saw Colin Hay last summer, as strong a vocalist and writer (and wit) as he was in Men at Work's prime.
"Olympia": Confetti was my best friend's favorite album in high school. I believe he's still trying to find a CD copy for less than $20. I never heard this beyond his cassette (or his 45) but "Alibis" (also featuring Joe Pizzulo) got some lite-rock airplay.
"American Memories": First, thank you. Should I ever defy the odds and find a physical copy that doesn't break the bank, you have first dibs. Second, his voice reminds me of astrology balladeer Harvey Sid Fisher, and I could easily see him writing a song like this. Judge for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_VAiznSTc
"Ewok Celebration" followed by "Yay". Does Not Compute.
I'm glad I know what showing out means now. I'll ask one of my single lady friends to try this over the holiday and see if they also get fresh at anything.
Tell me you had that link stored up for years and this was the first time it was appropriate to use?
Seriously, "Ewok Celebration" 12"? Me wanty. I'm just wired that way.
Stay fresh!
"Showing Out" is one of my fave dance singles. BTW. Larry John McNally recorded "The Motown Song" for the soundtrack of Quicksilver before Rod Stewart did it (rather than writing it just for Stewart). His version was more slow and mellow.
I've been reading this column for a while now, and I'd been waiting to see you cover the Shamus M'Cool song, as it had been known for its obscurity... then I went to listen to the song, and got Rickrolled!
Then I scrolled down and found the REAL Shamus M'Cool song... and I gotta admit, it was actually pretty good. Wasn't really sure what to expect there!
While I don't think I ever need to hear "American Memories" again, I downloaded it anyway. You just never know when it will come in handy.
Rock Court Shamus M'Cool?
But then do I owe something to everyone that chipped in $10? I can only be a wingman so many times.
Having finally read your Bottom 80s anti-chart, I have a sneaking suspicion about the identity of the culprit. I can feel it in my pompatus.
Gerard McMann- not digging this song here, but "Cry Little Sister" is one of the greatest pieces of music of all time (so much so apparently, that McMann is releasing a book about the song, just put out a new remix of it, and is touring on the recognition of that song alone(and dressing goth(yes, even at his age) and playing creepy dark industrial stuff to hook all the vampire kids that still worship Lost Boys) Questionable life choices aside, I open every single DJ set of mine with it. And could watch Lost Boys once a day every day for the rest of my miserable life.
Meco - this stuff is campy and downright near-awful, but I have it in my collection simply because I'm one of those horrible obsessed Star Wars fans. also HOW THE FUCK HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN ANY OF THEM? DUDE.
And I love a good Rickroll. The best/worst was the day after Michael Jackson's death, a "Rick Astley found dead" headline started making its way around. Man...