5 (more) 80’s Songs You Have Forgotten, Like Totally!

You may recall from past nj101.5 music articles, that I have a rather extensive personal library of 70's and 80's music...and that means that I am never at a loss for music!

I'll grab a few CDs off the shelf, and play them in the car...download some "random" collection songs to my iPhone, and listen while walking...and, recently I found a whole batch of "MIX CDs" that I made 10 years ago. I'm enjoying a treasure trove of "lost" songs with these...treasures!

Which puts me in the mood for another round of 1980's songs that were HITS...which you have (probably) forgotten!

Prince "Take Me With U' (#25/1985)

As we continue to morn the all-too-soon loss of Prince...a number of his biggest hits have reappeared on the Hot 100 Charts!

This is one of his hits that I HAD forgotten...until I played it, as we saluted Prince on New Jersey 101.5!

From the "Purple Rain" soundtrack, Apollonia sings backup on this song that I think, in hindsight, should have been a BIGGER hit...and should get some renewed radio airplay!

For a few of my Prince memories, from our weekend of remembrance, click here.

Eric Clapton "I've Got A Rock N' Roll Heart" (#18/1983)

With the passing of Prince, Eric Clapton has been back in the news, thanks to one of his quotes (and I'll paraphrase) "How does it feel to be the world's greatest guitarist? I don't know, ask Prince."

"Old Slow Hand" was born in Ripley, England on March 30, 1945.

Eric Clapton joined his first band, "The Roosters" in 1963...but he didn't stay long, joining the "Yardbirds" (later) in 1963!

Before going solo, Clapton's resume is a "Who's Who" of rock bands: John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie, Derek & The Dominoes. He also worked with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band!

70's and 80's solo hits include: "Layla," "I Shot The Sheriff," "Lay Down Sally," "Wonderful Tonight," "Cocaine," "Promises," "I Can't Stand It" and "Forever Man," plus the "lost hit" that I bring to your attention!

"I get off on" vintage cars and screamin' guitars! How about YOU?

Kinks "Don't Forget To Dance" (#29/1983)

Brothers Ray and Dave Davies formed this influential rock band in London in 1963. They landed the now-classic hits "You Really Got Me," "All Day And All Of The Night" and "Tired Of Waiting For You" in the top-10 in the 60's.

70's Kinks hits included "Lola," and "(I Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman."

And...the Davies brothers came roaring back in the early 1980's with "Come Dancing" and their followup hit:

Just like "Come Dancing," the similarly-titled "Don't Forget To Dance" got a lot of airplay on MTV! And it, and many other Kinks hits, sounded GREAT...

...when I got to see the band live in concert...

...at the Mann in Philly a few years later!

Lionel Richie "Se La" (#20/1987)

The former lead singer of the "Commodores" was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on June 20, 1949. Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr., grew up on the campus of the Tuskegee Institute, where his grandfather was on staff!

A tennis star in high school, Richie accepted a scholarship to Tuskegee...but dropped out after his sophomore year. For a while, he considered studying divinity. After realizing that he wasn't necessarily Episcopal church material, Lionel decided to (again) pursue his music career.

Throughout the mid 1960's (while still a student), Lionel had formed a succession of R&B bands...ultimately signing on as a singer and saxophonist with the "Commodores."

The band signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1968. That deal lasted for one album...before they signed with Motown Records.

Initially, the Commodores were considered a supporting act for the Jackson 5...before they found their own sound...and mega stardom...with 1970's hits including; "Easy," "Brick House," "Three Times A Lady," "Sail on," and "Still" (to name a few).

Lionel Richie would start working on solo material in 1981...his #1 duet with Diana Ross, "Endless Love," would be a precursor of things to come. Ultimately, Lionel would part ways with the  Commodores in 1982.

His solo hits would include memorable 1980's songs including "Truly," "You Are, " "My Love," "All Night Long (All Night)," "Hello," "Stuck On You," "Say You, Say Me," "Dancing On The Ceiling" and :

Sadly, "Se La" would be Lionel Richie's last major hit on the Hot 100 (He would have a few "Adult Contemporary" chart hits in the early to mid '90s).

I "slip cued" this song (as a vinyl 45 rpm record) on a New Jersey AM station, as a "brand new baby DJ." After hearing all the great Commodores tunes, and Lionel's previous up-tempo hits...I have to admit that I was lukewarm on this mid-tempo single at the time.

Since then, it has all but disappeared.

Cranking it up, in the car, I've found a new respect for "Se La."

I like it much more as a song now...maybe "nostalgia" plays a part??

Plus, I am fortunate to have met Lionel Richie in the late 1990's, while I was on Philadelphia radio. I wish that I could remember what we talked about...but, I do recall that Lionel  (I can call him that, right? I mean, we are "buds") gave me 100 percent of his attention while we were chatting...that he was easy to engage (but he was soft-spoken)...kind...and very happy to pose for the prized photo that you see at the top of this article!

Good times!

Eddie Murphy "Party All The Time" (#2/1985)

Yes, that Eddie Murphy had a BIG hit record...that has been all but forgotten!

Eddie was born in Hempstead, New York, on April 3, 1961.

He burst on to the national scene, as a member of "Saturday Night Live."

As a matter of fact, during his tenure, many "critics" and viewers alike called SNL "The Eddie Murphy Show."

Who could forget his portrayal of stop-action, kiddie show character "Gumby"...with the recurring line: "I'm Gumby, dammit!" Plus, his wacky impersonation of Buckwheat ("I'm Buh-wee..uhmember me?") of "Our Gang/The Little Rascals" kid flicks...

And "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood" (spoofing Mr. Rogers) is another standout.

Soon, Hollywood would come calling...and "Beverly Hills Cop I, II & III" would fill theater seats...

...along with other 1980's celluloid standouts including: "Trading Places." "48 Hours," "Coming To America" and "Another 48 Hours."

When you've conquered TV and film...what's left?

SINGING.

And, a new vocal artist can't go wrong when their debut effort is written, produced and arranged by Rick James!

A few years ago, during one of our "All 80's" Weekends...I brought in my copy of "Party All The Time." It sounded great on a "party" weekend on New Jersey 101.5!

Watch the video, and listen to the words...it represents the 1980's attitude...perfectly!

As do the rest of these "Lost" 1980's tunes!

"Uh-member?"