RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Each week, rediscover some songs from the past...

 

"Baby It's You" - Promises

A one-hit wonder from Canadian family act Promises: great power pop from the 70s.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqM3P7LziIc

 

"The Lies in Your Eyes" - The Sweet

The Sweet charted with hits that included "Action", "Fox on the Run", "Love is like Oxygen" and "Ballroom Blitz". They were pop and glam and rock fused into one.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bCb3GUHRd8

The smooth Robert Palmer released some interesting singles in the early 80s before those iconic videos for "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible". Check out this hit, "Looking for Clues":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dNRNjDhFqk

 R&B

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Float On" - The Floaters

Smooth R&B with a twist of disco: very sexy and airy 70s soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZklwTGZutc

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
As Kylie Minogue sang, let's step back in time with some songs that represent the good, bad & ugly in music from the past...

 

"The Other Side of the Sun" - Janis Ian

Singer/ songwriter Janis Ian is best known for her hit "At 17" as well as the disco track "Fly Too High" with Giorgio Moroder. Check out too "Society's Child" and "Jesse". Here's a track from 'Night Rains' in the 80s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsCNgMOJEcA

 

"Sweet Talkin' Woman" - Electric Light Orchestra

ELO were a unique group with a sound that was the result of what its members believed would have been the natural progression in musical direction for the Beatles. They scored several hits in the mid 70s to mid 80s; including "Rockaria", "Strange Magic", "Shine A Little Love", "Xanadu" (with Olivia Newton-John and "Don't Bring Me Down".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_4q08F1ipE

And now something absolutely ridiculous, but catchy!  This became a chart hit in Australia in 1980...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLy1xWJQ4ic

 R&B

• Here are 2 great R&B classics:

"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" - Diana Ross & Stevie Wonder

Originally sung by Diana & her Supremes with The Temptations in the 1960s, this features the former girl group lead singer with rising Motown star Stevie Wonder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxs2nRekH2w&feature=player_detailpage

 

After Diana Ross left the Supremes to go solo, Jean Terrell took over on lead vvocals, One of the trio's hits in the post-Diana years was "Stoned Love":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ce7FWOAM8&feature=related

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
If you are experiencing withdrawals now that the Olympics are over, here are some songs to help you cope and fondly look back on past Games:

 

"Moscow" - Genghis Khan

This German group came from the Eurovision Song Contest and went on to reach #1 on the Australian chart with a double A-sided single, featuring the hit in both German and English versions at around the time of the Games in Russia back in 1980.

  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDnLIYd0hZY&feature=related

 

"One Moment in Time" - Whitney Houston

Los Angeles hosted the Olympics in 1984 and this was the official song for that Olympiad, performed by the amazing Whitney Houston. This clip is her rendition at the Grammy Awards. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LPmeV3omHQ&feature=related

 R&B

• Here's a great R&B classic:

"All Night Long (All Night)" - Lionel Richie

A great party song performed live at the 1984 Olympics in L.A. by Lionel Richie.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuLDqT47rkA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRj5P0q-tVA

The link above features the late & definitely great Etta James at the LA Games injecting the Opening Ceremony with some powerhouse gospel.

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
They don't come much camper than this one: A Swedish group from which mastermind Alexander Bard later went on to dominate that country's charts as a pivotal member of BWO and Gravitonas.

 

"Crucified" - Army of Lovers

  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdooYar_A6g&feature=related

"Romeo's Tune" - Steve Forbert

American singer songwriter who was hailed as the "new Bob Dylan" when he emerged, but went on to be a one hit wonder. A catchy debut hit nonetheless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE79UxDu7Xc

 R&B

• Here's a great R&B classic:

"Leviticus: Faggot" - Me'shell NdegeOcello

Bisexual German-born, American rapper pleads the case for same sex equality with this underrated gay anthem. This singer helped pioneer the neo-soul movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0N83NvSfk4&feature=related

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Former Beatle George Harrison writes a song inspired by his copyright infringement for writing "My Sweet Lord", which was too close to The Chiffons' hit "He's So Fine":

"This Song" - George Harrison.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnC01GAvIT8&feature=related

"Painted Desert" - Pat Benatar

Though known better for her rock/ pop songs, the former student of opera shows her softer side on this ballad. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRENrqE1HAc

 R&B

• Here's a great R&B classic:

"I Just Had to Hear Your Voice" - Oleta Adams

This is a live recording of a great love song from one of the most underrated singers in soul music. She is perhaps best known for her great rendition of "Get Here". 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlj7sfJoKAA&feature=related