I've been working on organizing my music library, after my unfortunate technology disaster last month, and discovered that I have quite a few extended versions and remixes of Phil Collins and Phil Collins-era Genesis tracks. One is a version of "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" that clocks in at 11:34.
Matt
· 7 months ago
Man, how did I not know that Michael did a cover of "I Knew You Were Waiting" ???? Fan-frikkin-tastic.
Love the long version of Tonight Tonight Tonight, and actually pretty much the whole record.....it still holds up.
jasonhare
· 7 months ago
Agreed all the way, Matt. There's not a bad song on that record.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
"The Brazillian" - If there was any doubt that, at the very least, Genesis had the chops, this put them to rest.
Matt
· 7 months ago
PS - I've got that Invisible Touch tour DVD....great stuff.
RoyBatty
· 7 months ago
Yep. The Satanic Triad of Suckiness:
-Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - We Built this City - Sara-
And if I'm not mistaken, didn't all these go #1? Oh, Beezlebub, what did my ears ever do to you?
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
Bum, buh, dum-duh - "Hai!"
jack
· 7 months ago
I'll give Micky Thomas one--and only one--pass for "Fooled Around And Fell In Love." If he had quit singing in 1977 and become an electrician all would have been fine.
All of Starship's hits from that era are unlistenable today (and then, but especially now).
Elaine
· 7 months ago
"Fooled Around" was Mickey? Was Elvin Bishop real? or a pseudonym? hmm!
jefito
· 7 months ago
Elvin's real -- he just doesn't sing.
Elaine
· 7 months ago
Did he at least play an instrument on the track? *confused*
Hope he made a lot of money off it at least. Thanks for the link.
dslifton
· 7 months ago
I love how Walden heard the demo and decided to replicate Spector...with the drum sounds on his synth.
You want to sound like Spector, hire Hal Blaine, you cheap bastard.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
Why do you name your kid Narada? Or did Michael Walton name himself Narada just so he wouldn't get the Walton Mountain jokes?
Narada. Blagh!
dslifton
· 7 months ago
Maybe he wanted to show the world his Mahavishnu John McLaughlin impression and the name stuck.
drcastrato
· 7 months ago
Awesome "Attack" this week. Last week I pulled out a mix tape I made about 15 years ago that features a bunch of the 45's I had as a kid. "Let's Go" is on there and I found myself really loving that song again. My wife and I both started singing along as the chorus kicked in.
"Lean On Me" and "Rumors" are also on that tape, right next to "Word Up" and the Fat Boys/Beach Boys "Wipeout." That's a hard chunk to listen through these days. At least there are some decent tunes on Side A, like "Africa," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Down Under," and, um, "Axel F."
JonCummings
· 7 months ago
Jason, you're such a child! (Or, at least, you were in 1987.) Here are a couple takes on a couple of these traxxxx, from somebody who had unbelievable college-senioritis (and had no idea what Kids Incorporated was--were you ON that show?) when this chart appeared:
1. Yes, you are TOTALLY missing the point of "Midnight Blue." It's probably the last great AOR hit (before Axl Rose and Kurt Cobain saved/ruined everything), and it's also maybe the last great rock song about car culture, in which what you drove was the key to who you were (mythologically speaking). "Cherry red" (or "candy-apple red," or some variation) cars were what the wild kids (especially girls) drove; midnight blue was the color for the brooders, the dangerous types. Lou laid it out for you in the second verse: "You were the restless one/And you didn't care/That I was the trouble boy/Looking for a double dare." Hearing REM sing this on the "Document" tour was one of my favorite concert moments ever, because it was an alternative band letting us know that they were Taking Over (which they did). It's also just a great song, and it was wonderful to watch Stipe blow a hole in the modern rock-versus-album rock divide.
2. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight," though it's a really good song, was reviled at the time because it was the first track used in Michelob's "The Night Belongs to Michelob" commercials. Steve Winwood would soon feel our wrath (especially Neil Young's) over "Don't You Know What the Night Can Do" (also a really good song).
3. Michael McDonald sounds like he is pinching a particular nasty loaf on that cover.
First off, I think Kids Incorporated was on Disney, and we didn't have Disney when I was a kid. I wasn't on that show, but yes, I totally wanted to be on it.
Amazing comment about "Midnight Blue." I had no idea. Thanks for laying that out to me. It doesn't change the fact that I'd want to punch my father in the face after advice like that, especially since if I had figured out the whole analogy, I'd be confused anyway because my car would have been hot pink.
I LOVE the McD cover! I listened to it again this morning at the gym and am just blown away by how gritty his singing in. He couldn't have possibly done that all in one take. And I bet he coughed up some pretty heavy shit in the middle.
I remember you posting about both Starship songs. Here's the shameful thing about "We Built This City": I don't mind it as a song, no matter how stupid it is. If it comes on, I won't turn it off (whereas if "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" comes on, I'll throw my radio out the window). But the more shameful thing is that Mike and I spent a good month working on "We Built This City" for Acoustic '80s, and we eventually gave up, because the vocals were incredibly high and the synth parts were relatively difficult to move to guitar -- at least for my not-so-nimble fingers.
So yes, I was defeated by "We Built This City." I can't believe I'm admitting this. I was also defeated by "Freedom." Damn you, George Michael, and your upper vocal register.
JonCummings
· 7 months ago
I agree with you on "We Built This City," which I will listen to because it's so goofy (and catchy)--my "worst" prize was more for the video, I think -- whereas "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" gets an immediate station change. Pure dreck.
It makes me sad that you can't sing "Freedom"--though maybe you could beg the audience to sing along and then just leave the end of the chorus for whoever COULD hit the high notes.
As for "Midnight Blue" -- my wife wants to buy a red convertible, and the dealer told me they don't sell well in that color because people still believe red cars are more likely to get speeding tickets. Mostly because the wild girls (like my wife) are driving them.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
Could be worse. What if his dad told him, "Son, you're either sky blue or skidmark brown." That could scar a dude for life.
Ted
· 7 months ago
And you can add the "Oooohs" to the chorus if you used "skidmark brown" in the lyrics.
And I agree with Jon that "Midnight Blue" was one of the last great AOR tunes, but that cover by R.E.M. sucked -- and I loved R.E.M. in '87.
Beau
· 7 months ago
I think most of this chart vindicates Rose/Cobain for destroying Top 40/pop-rock radio.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
Ah, but that gave rise to Gavin Rossdale who, in turn, re-destroyed rock, so it's the snake that eats it's own tale, y'see.
Chris X
· 7 months ago
haha, same thing happened to me with the Wang Chung song. I was thinking I hadn't heard it, then the chorus kicked in and I found myself singing it. Who knew? This hit the top 10? And was WC's 2nd top 10 hit? I'm amazed that this charted higher than "Dance Hall Days" since thats pretty much the only other Wang Chung song I can think of besides, you know, THAT song.
"Don't Dream It's Over" is one of the best songs ever. EVER!
how funny is it that Jennifer Love Hewitt was on Kids, Inc?
jasonhare
· 7 months ago
And Fergie! Don't forget Fergie!
David_E
· 7 months ago
"To Live and Die in L.A."
Don't forget that one. Trés cool.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
First time I heard "Dance Hall Days" was when they pumped it through Giants Stadium during an exhibition game. Was it to intimidate the Steelers by making them think it would be a ballroom challenge? Who's to say? The Giants won anyhow.
Dana
· 7 months ago
Some thoughts...
1. Mannequin is a kick-ass movie (my husband's favorite). Who doesn't want to see a perky Kim Cattrall hang out with a young Andrew McCarthy? And it's now available on DVD - get your copy today! the song still sucks, though. Agreed.
2. Crowded House - one of my favorite Australian bands (trumped by INXS though, sorry). I've always had a preference for Better Be Home Soon as their best song, but I'll take DDIO. Good stuff!
3. Dance Hall Days kicks ass and is so much better than Let's Go! How this made it in the top 10 and the other didn't is beyond me....
4. Phil Collins is so under-rated. We practice "the Phil Collins Rule" in our house. If Phil comes on the radio, you can't change the station. You just can't. He's a force to be reckoned with and the man must be listened to! We've also begun practicing "the Hall & Oates Corollary," but that's an entirely different story...
I somehow feel left out, being a child of this era yet completely missing the whole Kids Incorporated business. But part of me is glad I was spared the trauma. I totally would have died to be on that show, had I know it existed...
A great week on the charts!
tippos
· 7 months ago
Dana, luckily for your unofficial rankings I am pretty sure Crowded House is from New Zealand.
breadalbane
· 7 months ago
Crowded House was formed in Australia by Neil Finn (who was born in NZ, but by that point had been living in Australia for a decade) and Nick Seymour and Paul Hester, both native Aussies.
Gigi
· 7 months ago
There is so much awesomeness in this Chart Attack I dare not even really delve into it, but here's food for thought: Lou Gramm's "Midnight Blue" and Icehouse's "Electric Blue" both came out in '87, and are intertwined in my unconscious, to the point where I might start out singing one of them and end up singing the other.
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
"(Fun fact: one of the fans was Dw. Dunphy. I hate that guy.)"
Yeah, but I love you, L'il Bro and in the end, that's what's important. It's all about me, me, me.
It's not cool to defend Genesis or Phil Collins, but let's just face it. Aside from a handful of pansy-fied ballads, the guy is a good vocalist and great drummer, and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" is a good song. Again, Collins is best when he sings like he's pissed off, though.
I'll give Mickey Thomas a smidgen of credit too, because I'm feeling generous. "Find Your Way Back," "Jane" and a couple other tunes from Freedom At Point Zero and Modern Times are sung very well. He can sing. He chooses not to. It's as if the moment Jefferson left Starship, he said, "Now I'm the singing pants-zipper!" and has been just as useful since.
forwardgirl
· 7 months ago
I always liked this advice better than cherry red/midnight blue... Quote: “Three rules to live by: never get less than 12 hours of sleep, never play cards with a guy that has the same first name as a city, and never go near a lady that has a tattoo of a dagger on her body. You stick with that, everything else is cream cheese.” -Teen Wolf
DwDunphy
· 7 months ago
I will not stand for such lactose tolerance in my philosophies.
forwardgirl
· 7 months ago
Everything else is tofutti?
jasonhare
· 7 months ago
Ah yes, words of wisdom from the coach. He also said "It's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose."
forwardgirl
· 7 months ago
I seem to remember 'Let's Go' being used in a really annoying commercial at some point...
Elaine
· 7 months ago
I might be in the minority here, but I loved the entire Steve Winwood album. My favorite song was Judgement Day. I don't even know why; I just love it.
As for Lou Gramm, he had the best voice in rock & roll, and that song is bitchen for the chord progressions alone. What was Foreigner doing in 1987? "Heart Turn To Stone?"
All Comments
Love the long version of Tonight Tonight Tonight, and actually pretty much the whole record.....it still holds up.
-Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - We Built this City - Sara-
And if I'm not mistaken, didn't all these go #1? Oh, Beezlebub, what did my ears ever do to you?
All of Starship's hits from that era are unlistenable today (and then, but especially now).
You want to sound like Spector, hire Hal Blaine, you cheap bastard.
Narada. Blagh!
"Lean On Me" and "Rumors" are also on that tape, right next to "Word Up" and the Fat Boys/Beach Boys "Wipeout." That's a hard chunk to listen through these days. At least there are some decent tunes on Side A, like "Africa," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Down Under," and, um, "Axel F."
1. Yes, you are TOTALLY missing the point of "Midnight Blue." It's probably the last great AOR hit (before Axl Rose and Kurt Cobain saved/ruined everything), and it's also maybe the last great rock song about car culture, in which what you drove was the key to who you were (mythologically speaking). "Cherry red" (or "candy-apple red," or some variation) cars were what the wild kids (especially girls) drove; midnight blue was the color for the brooders, the dangerous types. Lou laid it out for you in the second verse: "You were the restless one/And you didn't care/That I was the trouble boy/Looking for a double dare." Hearing REM sing this on the "Document" tour was one of my favorite concert moments ever, because it was an alternative band letting us know that they were Taking Over (which they did). It's also just a great song, and it was wonderful to watch Stipe blow a hole in the modern rock-versus-album rock divide.
2. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight," though it's a really good song, was reviled at the time because it was the first track used in Michelob's "The Night Belongs to Michelob" commercials. Steve Winwood would soon feel our wrath (especially Neil Young's) over "Don't You Know What the Night Can Do" (also a really good song).
3. Michael McDonald sounds like he is pinching a particular nasty loaf on that cover.
4. As for Starship: http://popdose.com/jesus-of-cool-the-worst-numb...
First off, I think Kids Incorporated was on Disney, and we didn't have Disney when I was a kid. I wasn't on that show, but yes, I totally wanted to be on it.
Amazing comment about "Midnight Blue." I had no idea. Thanks for laying that out to me. It doesn't change the fact that I'd want to punch my father in the face after advice like that, especially since if I had figured out the whole analogy, I'd be confused anyway because my car would have been hot pink.
I LOVE the McD cover! I listened to it again this morning at the gym and am just blown away by how gritty his singing in. He couldn't have possibly done that all in one take. And I bet he coughed up some pretty heavy shit in the middle.
I remember you posting about both Starship songs. Here's the shameful thing about "We Built This City": I don't mind it as a song, no matter how stupid it is. If it comes on, I won't turn it off (whereas if "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" comes on, I'll throw my radio out the window). But the more shameful thing is that Mike and I spent a good month working on "We Built This City" for Acoustic '80s, and we eventually gave up, because the vocals were incredibly high and the synth parts were relatively difficult to move to guitar -- at least for my not-so-nimble fingers.
So yes, I was defeated by "We Built This City." I can't believe I'm admitting this. I was also defeated by "Freedom." Damn you, George Michael, and your upper vocal register.
It makes me sad that you can't sing "Freedom"--though maybe you could beg the audience to sing along and then just leave the end of the chorus for whoever COULD hit the high notes.
As for "Midnight Blue" -- my wife wants to buy a red convertible, and the dealer told me they don't sell well in that color because people still believe red cars are more likely to get speeding tickets. Mostly because the wild girls (like my wife) are driving them.
And I agree with Jon that "Midnight Blue" was one of the last great AOR tunes, but that cover by R.E.M. sucked -- and I loved R.E.M. in '87.
"Don't Dream It's Over" is one of the best songs ever. EVER!
how funny is it that Jennifer Love Hewitt was on Kids, Inc?
Don't forget that one. Trés cool.
1. Mannequin is a kick-ass movie (my husband's favorite). Who doesn't want to see a perky Kim Cattrall hang out with a young Andrew McCarthy? And it's now available on DVD - get your copy today! the song still sucks, though. Agreed.
2. Crowded House - one of my favorite Australian bands (trumped by INXS though, sorry). I've always had a preference for Better Be Home Soon as their best song, but I'll take DDIO. Good stuff!
3. Dance Hall Days kicks ass and is so much better than Let's Go! How this made it in the top 10 and the other didn't is beyond me....
4. Phil Collins is so under-rated. We practice "the Phil Collins Rule" in our house. If Phil comes on the radio, you can't change the station. You just can't. He's a force to be reckoned with and the man must be listened to! We've also begun practicing "the Hall & Oates Corollary," but that's an entirely different story...
I somehow feel left out, being a child of this era yet completely missing the whole Kids Incorporated business. But part of me is glad I was spared the trauma. I totally would have died to be on that show, had I know it existed...
A great week on the charts!
Yeah, but I love you, L'il Bro and in the end, that's what's important. It's all about me, me, me.
It's not cool to defend Genesis or Phil Collins, but let's just face it. Aside from a handful of pansy-fied ballads, the guy is a good vocalist and great drummer, and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" is a good song. Again, Collins is best when he sings like he's pissed off, though.
I'll give Mickey Thomas a smidgen of credit too, because I'm feeling generous. "Find Your Way Back," "Jane" and a couple other tunes from Freedom At Point Zero and Modern Times are sung very well. He can sing. He chooses not to. It's as if the moment Jefferson left Starship, he said, "Now I'm the singing pants-zipper!" and has been just as useful since.
Quote: “Three rules to live by: never get less than 12 hours of sleep, never play cards with a guy that has the same first name as a city, and never go near a lady that has a tattoo of a dagger on her body. You stick with that, everything else is cream cheese.” -Teen Wolf
As for Lou Gramm, he had the best voice in rock & roll, and that song is bitchen for the chord progressions alone. What was Foreigner doing in 1987? "Heart Turn To Stone?"