Continuing up the list of the Top Ten Albums, as determined by a very unscientific study (n=1) by yours truly.... #7. Dire Straits, Making Movies (1980) In a post I wrote in the early days of this blog about the song "Skateaway," I indicated that I wasn't sure where to put this album in terms … Continue reading Ten Albums: Dire Straits, Making Movies (1980)
1980s
Ten Albums: R.E.M., Document (1987)
(Above: File under "fire.") We're continuing the Facebook-inspired meme of "post ten albums that mean something to you but don't say anything about them," except that I'm saying something about each of them. Born to be wild. #9 - R.E.M., Document (1987) By now it's probably very clear to readers of this blog that the … Continue reading Ten Albums: R.E.M., Document (1987)
Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
(Above: You really shouldn't store your cassettes in the middle like that, especially not for almost thirty years.) I was digging through a box of cassettes at home this week and found a cassette that I have alluded to in the past, said that "I should write about," and never did - until now. … Continue reading Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
Stuck inside of Mobil, or How I Missed Live Aid: Katrina and the Waves, “Walking on Sunshine” (1985)
(Above: Had I seen Live Aid, I would have no doubt seen this image.) I didn't watch Live Aid. Every year around this time - July 13 - someone brings up the anniversary of Live Aid, the benefit concert that took place in London and Philadelphia on that date in 1985. It was a huge … Continue reading Stuck inside of Mobil, or How I Missed Live Aid: Katrina and the Waves, “Walking on Sunshine” (1985)
A letter from camp: WLS Top Forty-Fives, June 27, 1981
(Above: The author at Student Council camp, June 1981. This does not look like camping.) "Is the baseball strike over?" That was the first question I had for my parents when I saw them on June 27, 1981. They had come to pick me up from a week away at camp - the only such … Continue reading A letter from camp: WLS Top Forty-Fives, June 27, 1981
Congratulations to Johnny B! Johnny and the Leisure Suits, “Just Havin’ Fun” (1981)
(Above: In the early 90s, in Chicago, you had this CD. It was the law.) The Hyper Rooster is in the Hall. For the second year in a row a local Chicago radio legend has gotten the call for the Radio Hall of Fame. Jonathon Brandmeier, who held down mornings at WLUP in Chicago through … Continue reading Congratulations to Johnny B! Johnny and the Leisure Suits, “Just Havin’ Fun” (1981)
Great lost hit: Billy and the Beaters, “I Can Take Care Of Myself” (1981)
(Above: The Rhino re-release had a picture sleeve. I don't think the original did.) Early summer of 1981 wasn't a whole lot of fun for me. I was in-between seventh and eighth grades, and - I keep threatening to write about this - junior high school was probably my least favorite time in life. Major … Continue reading Great lost hit: Billy and the Beaters, “I Can Take Care Of Myself” (1981)
Great lost hit: Fred Knoblock, “Why Not Me” (1980)
(Above: Picture sleeve from "Why Not Me.") If I asked you to name as many Top 20 hits as you could think of from the summer of 1980, I'd wager what's in my wallet that the name Fred Knoblock would have escaped you. I've been digging into the early 80s charts lately and finding some … Continue reading Great lost hit: Fred Knoblock, “Why Not Me” (1980)
A summer vacation soundtrack: The Billboard Hot 100, June 9, 1984
(Above: The end of sophomore year. Someone please get this kid a haircut.) The first full week of June 1984 would have meant the start of summer vacation. I had just completed my sophomore year at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park. The bulk of my daytime activity that summer involved something that … Continue reading A summer vacation soundtrack: The Billboard Hot 100, June 9, 1984
Going to the jack-o-lantern: Lyrics misheard by children, young and old
(Above: The lack of a pumpkin on the sleeve should have been my first clue.) I've always been one to judge a song by its lyrics. I should clarify that: if the song has lyrics, I want them to be great. (I'm a sucker for a terrific instrumental, but even then I probably start making … Continue reading Going to the jack-o-lantern: Lyrics misheard by children, young and old
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 