RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Let's re-visit songs from the past...

 

"B.A.B.Y." - Rachel Sweet

Her career began when she was only 15. Among her hits was this single from the 1970s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HynmY4injZo

 

 

"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" - Patsy Cline

Here's a country classic where Patsy Cline shows today's wanna-bes how it's done!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb2oXxvvfMw&feature=related

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Free" - Deniece Williams

Great vocals from the woman who scored a major pop/ R&B hit with "Let's Hear it for the Boy".
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvaNbmBbVA&feature=related

RETRO CLASSICS

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

 

"Cherry Bomb" - The Runaways

This female rock group gave us Joan Jett among other rock chicks.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqEh8OBQfmY

 

"I Just Want to be Your Everything" - Andy Gibb

The Bee Gees' younger brother scored many Top 40 hits in his own right- with lots of help from his brothers Gibb. This one reached #1 in Australia.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJRNO16dFos

 
And they don't get much wackier than this one... "Star Trekkin'" - The Firm

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZS2-4-iUJ4

  R&B

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Superfly" - Curtis Mayfield

The very cool Curtis with a song from the blaxploitation 70s iconic film, 'Superfly'.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAh_4s_-tas

RETRO CLASSICS

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

 

"Follow You, Follow Me" - Genesis

Phil Collins stepped out from behind the drums when his group's lead singer Peter Gabriel quit to pursue a solo career. This was from their album 'And Then There Were Three', featuring the remaining members poised for greater commercial success as a trio.

 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRD49AFxJVI

 

"Suspicious Minds" - The Sports

The Sports were a great Australian pop/rock group during the late 70s-80s. This was one of their hit songs (not to be confused with the Elvis Presley song with the same title).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUqd8vAM8PU

Here's a fun retro hit from Telex: "Twist a St Tropez"-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J49XpGTHExk

 R&B

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Rebirth of Slick (Cool like That)" - Digable Planets

Early rap/ hip hop/ R&B group with an underrated song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4kqL13jGM

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

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-

• Here's a great 70s classic, as performed on TV pop music show 'Solid Gold' featuring Marilyn McCoo asking the singer / songwriter about the inspiration behind the song-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-GMX2m8TUY&feature=fvwrel

"Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooi8Cnb1fx0

"'Take the L" by The Motels

The Motels were a great rock band that gave us many hit singles in the 1980s, featuring lead vocals from Martha Davis.

 
 R&B

• Here's a great R&B classic to enjoy again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Wwxeq9sQI

"I Kinda Miss You" by The Manhattans

• This vocal group reached #1 with their worldwide hit "Kiss and Say Goodbye", but this similar sounding song features some moving lyrics.

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-

• Here's a great 70s classic from Dragon, originally from New Zealand, but based in Australias at the time-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qqq7N6td4&feature=fvst

"Still in Love with You" by Dragon. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4WrPpoDjI

"'39" by Queen and George Michael

• A live performance taken from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert featuring George taking lead on this Brian May classic from the group.

• Here's a camp song that sees Shirley Bassey belt out a song for Chris Rea. The title track from the Film 'La Passione':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVrKS5oIIX4

 
 R&B

• Here's a great R&B classic to enjoy again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmjaTY9cQU4&feature=related

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by The Chimes

• The U2 hit gets a soulful interpretation, with Pauline Henry singing lead for the Chimes.