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Five Guilty Pleasure Tracks #1

Posted on by Frizzo

There are many, many songs that get produced in the span of a year. Many of them are forgettable junk, of course, then there are those that become our favorites. But there is also a third, strange category of guilty pleasure songs: songs that are not the best, but we love them anyway just because.

Maybe they conjure an emotion or a memory from a better time, they are a great tune to jam out to, or were just to popular at the time to truly engage with properly. Whatever the reason, these beasties do exist and I have my own guilty pleasure playlist like most other music fans of the New Wave era. Here are some from my playlist in no particular order.

1. The Tubes “Talk To Ya Later” (1981)

Never was a very big fan of The Tubes or their major hit “She’s a Beauty” (which now sounds much better in comparison to modern ‘music’), but this one is just fun. Crank it up to 11 and enjoy the politically incorrectness of it all!

2. Sammy Hagar “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” (1983)

More of a synth pop and New Wave guy, I came onto the Sammy Hagar scene much later than most. That is a shame. Some of his songs like “I Can’t Drive 55” and “There’s Only One Way To Rock” have grown on me a LOT since the 80s ended and we won’t even get started on “Heavy Metal”. Great stuff!

3. Chaka Khan “I Feel For You” (1984)

On a completely different vibe, there was the effervescent and all-too-familiar “I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan (featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel on the rapping duties, if memory serves). From the album of the same name, I hated this track when it came out because it was played to death. But, I have grown to like it a lot more in recent years. Just good fun!

4. R.E.M. “Stand” (1989)

From the pumping organ intro to the nonsensical and repetitive lyrics, this one is an earworm that begs to be sung along to… loudly! Off their album Green, this track was played on the radio A LOT during the end of the 80s decade. Still fun today. Enjoy!

1. Limahl “Never Ending Story” (1984)

Now here is a song that only had limited popularity during the 80s, but has become a much more prominent tune in recent years (oddly enough). From Limahl’s solo album Don’t Suppose, this featured great vocals (of course!) and an unforgettable synth pop arrangement from the legendary Giorgio Moroder. I was always a fan of this one, but now I can sing it out loud and not get goofy looks from people. Well… I might still get goofy looks.

Disclaimer of Upfrontness

The links in the above article are indeed Amazon affiliate links. If you click on them to purchase any of this awesome music, the channel will receive a tiny bit of moolah to keep the lights on (i.e., we get paid a little bit). Just so you know! If you decide to support Frizzo’s Electric Café by doing this, though, it will not cost you anything extra and you will have our undying gratitude, so thanks in advance!

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Sounds of West Germany

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Five Essential Songs of the 80s

For all the youth who read this, there was a time when Germany was divided in to two countries: East Germany, which was part of the Eastern Bloc and West Germany, which was part of NATO. Many of the iconic German bands of the 80s were from West Berlin (the line between the countries ran through the center of the city) or other parts of West Germany. Here are five of my favorite songs by 80s German bands. Enjoy!

Alphaville “Dance With Me”

A band that became known for the international mega-hit “Forever Young”, Alphaville has a very strong early catalog of material from the 80s (and the band is still active today)! This upbeat number is from their sublime second album, Afternoons in Utopia. If you get a chance, give the whole album a listen. It’s a masterpiece! Anyway, here is the track:

Propaganda “Duel”

Claudia Brucken and company came to prominence with this catchy and quirky song about a relationship gone very wrong. Synthesizers, syncopation, and sorrow. What could possibly be better? This one is required listening for fans of 80s music.

Peter Schilling “The Different Story (World of Lust & Crime)”

Best known for his international hit “Major Tom (Coming Home)”, this lesser-known synth pop masterpiece is from the album The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) from 1988. Great song + strange video = 80s magic!

Swimming With Sharks “Careless Love”

Sisters Annette and Inga Humpe released this glossy, dreamy piece of pop perfection in 1987 under the name Swimming with Sharks. The arrangement is amazing and the sisters’ voices are spot-on for the material. Very hard record to find these days, but very worth tracking down. There are several other good songs on the album, as well.

Nena “99 Luftballons”

No list of 80s music acts would be complete without mentioning Nena from the album Nena. Released in 1983 in both German and English versions, this song was a massive chart hit on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world. Great energy and groove for a song about the end of the world. Just a little ahead of its time?

Shameless Plug

If you like these songs and want to support the artists and this channel, consider purchasing their works via the links below (just click on the album titles). Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you on the flip side!

Alphaville Afternoons in Utopia

Propaganda Secret Wish

Peter Schilling The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime)

Swimming with Sharks Swimming with Sharks (out of print)

Nena Nena

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Land of Oz

Posted on by Frizzo

Five Great 80s Songs from Down Under

This is the first in a series of blog posts where I will feature some of my all time favorite 80s songs. I still remember the first time I heard these tracks. Some, I fell in love with immediately. Others took a few listens to get into, but they are all personal favorites of mine. What are some of your favorite 80s songs from Australian artists? Anyway, here are some great songs to check out in no particular order:

1. Icehouse “No Promises”

This is a great song that always takes me away to a dream like state. It is wistful, longing, and hopeful and a fantastic sing along. From their Measure for Measure album (1986).

2. Pseudo Echo “Listening”

Of course, most know this Aussie New Wave band from their cover of “Funkytown” off their second album, Love an Adventure in 1985. “Listening” is an original tune and the first single (1983) for the band off their debut album Autumnal Park, which was released in (1984). The North American and European releases of Love an Adventure also feature this track in a slightly different version.

3. INXS “Don’t Change”

I have never been the biggest INXS fan, but some of their songs are real bangers. That especially holds true for “Don’t Change” from their 1982 album Shabooh Shoobah. Produced by the legendary Mark Opitz. Pure gold!

4. Eurogliders “Another Day in the Big World”

This was one of those “love at first hearing” songs for me. Effervescent and lively, with serious lyrics lurking just below the surface. This is off their album This Island, released in 1984. ALSO produced by the legendary Mark Opitz, but with a very different feel than “Don’t Change”, above. Give it a go!

5. Kids in the Kitchen “Change in Mood”

Released in 1985 from their debut album Shine, this is an infectious and brilliantly arranged track that features soaring vocals by the inimitable Scott Carne. It starts slow, but builds to a frenetic pace very quickly. Truly a standout from the album and a very fun song to sing along to. In fact, I prefer it to the big hit off the album, “Current Stand” (but it’s also a great song). Listening to this song might change your mood… I can sense it!

Shameless Plug

If you like these songs and want to support the artists and this channel, consider purchasing their works via the links below (just click on the album titles). Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you on the flip side!

Icehouse Measure for Measure
(may be out of print or out of print soon!)

Pseudo Echo Autumnal Park
(self-titled in North America, currently out of print in USA)

INXS Shabooh Shoobah

Eurogliders This Island

Kids in the Kitchen Shine
(self-titled in North America, currently out of print)

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My First Cassette Ever

Posted on by Frizzo
Time To Make a Mix Tape!

Every music fanatic has to start somewhere… a record, an eight track, or (in my case) a cassette tape. I first became truly aware of my local record shop in 1983 or so. That’s the year I had my grandmother drive me there so I could purchase my first ever album on cassette. That album? Men Without Hats’ Rhythm of Youth (sometimes referred to as Folk of the 80s Part II).

The Safety Dance & Beyond

Having heard their classic synth pop / dance floor anthem “The Safety Dance” on my local FM station, I was transfixed by the sounds and the amazing newness of the sound. So, with the few dollars of allowance I had (and my grandmother’s permission), I snagged up a copy and headed home, where I played it to death. I’m pretty sure my entire family knew all the songs on that album as well as Ivan Doroschuk (the lead singer and main composer for Men Without Hats) did by the time the tape wore out. Marvelous, heady days, indeed!

My Obsession

To be certain, this initial experience sent me into a life-long quest to find all the coolest music I could (IMHO, of course). I would often frequent my local record shop and grab up whatever I heard playing that caught my interest. Sometimes, it was just an album cover that would do it. Other times, the band’s name would sell me on the music. During this time, I collected as many songs as I could, which only made me hungry for more.

Spirit of Radio

Whenever I would hear a great song on the radio, I would seek out everything I could find by the artist. Many of their lesser-known tracks and albums have become my favorites. This led me to seek out lesser-and-lesser known artists, as well, many of whom have become very popular on my personal playlists. The 1980s was a great time for music and I was like a kid in a candy store every time I would discover a new song or artist.

Fuel for the Fire

Once I obtained gainful employment as an adult, I ramped up my collection significantly, moving from cassettes to Compact Discs (CDs) and eventually to mp3s. But nothing comes close to that first cassette. I still listen to those songs to this day and they always take me back to my very happy first encounters with music. Hopefully, this blog will spark a little of that old magic in you, too.

Rhythm of Youth

The Rhythm of Youth wasn’t all Safety Dance (although that song is absolute genius). Many of the other tracks also caught my ear and have become favorites, as well. “I Like”, “Living in China”, “I Got the Message”, and “Ideas for Walls” are great, fun, upbeat songs. I also enjoyed the opening short song “Ban the Game” and “The Great Ones Remember”. If you like the album, which is your favorite deeper cut from the LP? I’d love to know! So that brings us to why we’re here….

Are Friends ‘Electric’?

Welcome, friends, to Frizzo’s Electric Café! It’s my tribute to the 1980s and its influence in music, movies, and pop culture. From old familiar Top 100 songs, to forgotten favorites, one hit wonders, and outright obscurities, you will find a little bit of everything here. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/AjPau5QYtYs

Shameless Plug!

Treat yourself to some great music and support the site by checking out Men Without Hats’ Rhythm of Youth here. Full disclaimer: it’s an affiliate link to Amazon.com and there are some others sprinkled throughout the post – I’ve got to keep my collection going somehow! Anyway, it costs you nothing extra and it helps support the site. Thanks for stopping by (and double thanks if you decided to support me!) and we’ll catch you on the flip side!

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