February may be the month of love, but it’s not champagne and roses for everyone. Today we take a few minutes to celebrate drama, heartache and a bit of obsession with this gorgeous music video from ABC. “The Night You Murdered Love” comes from the group’s 1987 album Alphabet City. To describe the plot of today’s piece, I defer to this concise Wikipedia one-liner: “The music video shows a homicidal fashion model carrying a slingshot and a skateboard stalking the band across the city of Paris.” Interested?
Friday Video Pick: “Shy Boy” by Bananarama
Today we travel back to 1982, when Bananarama belted out the lyrics to “Shy Boy” while making over a nerdy office worker. That’s right–the video features a man makeover, as well as some pretty interesting tropical backdrops. The “shy boy” in today’s Friday Video Pick is vocalist Terry Sharpe, who went on to form the group The Adventures. At the time, he was dating Bananarama vocalist Sara Dallin. Watch as this fashionable girl band cleans up his look, forces him to work out, then loses him to an office secretary. But not before throwing buckets of water on the happy couple…
Friday Video Pick: “All Cried Out” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
Today’s video pick is a 1986 hit by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. With Full Force. And Bow-Legged Lou. Now see if you can identify all of them while you watch the video… Also be on the lookout for more dreamy pastel pink accents than you’ve ever seen in a grown woman’s room. But it was the ’80s…
Friday Video Pick: “It’s a Very Deep Sea” by The Style Council
As New Year’s Eve approaches, it’s not uncommon to reflect on the year that has passed, as well as the year ahead. Which is why this reflective piece is our Friday Video Pick! I’ve made no secret of my love for The Style Council, today’s featured group. Fronted by Paul Weller (formerly of The Jam), The Style Council also included the talented Mick Talbot on piano/keyboard and Weller’s then-wife Dee C. Lee on vocals. And what soulful vocals they were…
Friday Video Pick: “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode
Today the beauty of Anton Corbijn’s imagery reigns in his 1987 video for “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode. In fact, this renowned Dutch photographer, film director and music video director has crafted many a stunning visual for Depeche Mode over the years, and “Never Let Me Down Again” showcases his striking use of dark and light. Which works well for a song on the darker side…
Friday Video Pick: “Burning Up” by Madonna
Today’s video pick comes from Madonna–a track that isn’t the first to come to mind when you think of this style icon. Why not? Perhaps because “Burning Up” was only her second single, or maybe because it received mixed reviews at the time of its release. But let’s face it: this stripped-down song with the pounding sounds of a drum machine, guitar and bass has got something. And even though the video is from early in Madonna’s career, she is true to form, using it as a vehicle to stand her ground and make a bold statement.
Friday Video Picks: Saturday Night Live Skits Showcase ’80s Design
So what are we looking at here?… It’s a skit from a mid-’80s episode of Saturday Night Live, a spoof of those bizarro 1980s Calvin Klein “Obsession” commercials that featured stark white interiors, models clad in black, and verse that was both obscure and meaningless at the same time. And the occasional slap in the face. In our first video pick, the SNL gang takes a stab at it with their commercial parody titled “Compulsion.” Watch it below:
Friday Video Pick: “Some Like It Hot” by The Power Station
In honor of the recent release of Duran Duran bassist John Taylor’s new book In the Pleasure Groove, today we take a look at one of the musician’s side projects: The Power Station. This supergroup included Taylor on the bass, Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor on guitar, former Chic drummer Tony Thompson, and singer Robert Palmer. And a super group it was! The video for “Some Like It Hot” features an assortment of crazy ’80s visuals, from shots of supermodel Tula in fluorescent makeup to images of a roaming tiger. Yes, there are enough fashion-forward pics to fill the front page of a Tumblr. Check it out:
Friday Video Pick: “Something in My House” by Dead or Alive
For this special “Halloween Edition” of our Friday Video Pick series, we present a piece by British New Wave act Dead or Alive, fronted by the ever-energetic Pete Burns. “Something in My House” comes from the band’s third album. In fact, this track from 1987 has a dance-heavy sound with a bit of goth mixed in for good measure. And the video does not disappoint. From strobe light-style flashes that juxtapose Burns’ face with the head of a wolf to scenes of the singer walking through the forest in dramatic black outerwear, the visuals in this piece are the epitome of ’80s-style spooky.
Friday Video Pick: “To Cut a Long Story Short” by Spandau Ballet
Since Halloween is on its way, what better way to celebrate than with this spooky video by Spandau Ballet? Candelabras, fog and a dungeon-like setting are highlights, as are the well-dressed members of the band, who appear to have wandered from the runway show for the Burberry fall/winter collection. A gorgeous vision in plaid, New Romantic blouses and wool sweaters! And an amazing song that has been wrongfully buried under Spandau Ballet’s portfolio of soul/pop tracks. “To Cut a Long Story Short” is jolty synthpop at its best!
