The Chronic Curmudgeon

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July 28, 2006

Mudge's Favorite 134 Songs of the 80s: Power Chords and Mood Music

Here we go, further into the countdown... this fivesome is full of power chords, rock and roll, and the best 'get it on' singer in the history of getting it on.

90. Heat Of The Moment, Asia Okay, I admit that I hate prog rock, and Asia are a supergroup made up of prog rock refugees. But for proggers, they did all right. "Heat Of The Moment" is pure power pop -- and I love it. Anyone else remember that contest on MTV, one of the first they ever had? "Asia in Asia." Two albums and four chart hits was all Asia had in them... until their apparent reunion in 2006. While I do admit that "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" is a guilty pleasure of mine, only "Heat" makes my top 134 list. Check the video here.

89. Mr. Brownstone, Guns N Roses The immortal GnR make their first appearance of many on my countdown with this album track from one of the three greatest albums of all time (IMHO). A rollicking, rocking pounder about heroin addiction, Mr. Brownstone simply kicked the ass out of everything else that was out in 1987 .. and it wasn't even released as a single. For the record, I will never, ever forgive Axl Rose for wrecking what might have ended up as the greatest rock band of all time. He can never be forgiven -- he is rock's Steve Bartman -- only Bartman didn't deserve his banishment, and Axl does. Since there's no official video for Brownstone, and in protest of Axl's selfish behavior, I'm linking instead to Velvet Revolver's version (since VR are just GnR with Scott Weiland singing anyway)... the song doesn't actually start until around the 1:12 point of the video though...

88. Summertime Girls, Y&T I always thought Y&T was underated... they were one of the early power metal bands and might thus have come along just a little too soon to catch the full wave. But they did leave us this gem, which is one of my favorite pieces of power pop. Oh yeah - and it features what our friend Tim has referred to as "the greatest video in the history of videos... ever." I mean, they had no choice; when you've got a song that's all about appreciating the female form, especially in the summer when those forms are more on display.... what else can you put in the video but said summetime girls? Good power pop, and fun video.

"I'm in love... yeah yeah... at least every minute or two... until the next little girl walks by... yeah yeah... I think I love you too."

Yeah, it's like that. God bless all you summertime girls.

87. Dude (Looks Like A Lady), Aerosmith The song that completed the comeback that Aerosmith began with their collaboration with Run DMC... and put the boys back on track for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, I might not have picked a song about a transvestite... but I think this is the best song on the subject (sorry, Lola and the Kinks). I love Joe Perry's look in this video -- that duster's pretty cool. Anyway... Aerosmith had crashed and burned by the early 80s, their tanks emptied by drug abuse and infighting. They were giving the dice one last roll -- and they came up big. Check out the video here.

86. Sexual Healing, Marvin Gaye Marvin was the master, man. Never anyone better. The man had one of the most amazing voices in musical history. And while he had a social conscience bigger than most artists who'd ever reached his level and status, he saved his best for the songs that didn't make you want to fight and make the world better; his best songs were the ones that made you want to do something else that starts with F. "Sexual Healing" was one of his best -- and tragically, his last. But... if you click "play" on the video below, make sure you've got someone near you to play with... you know, just in case. This song is velvet, chocolate, candlelight, heat, champagne and strawberries... it's silk sheets, a light touch behind the ear, a soft kiss on the neck, a knowing glance, a do not disturb sign, that jump in the stomach, that jump a little lower, it's rope and leather and satin and lace. Click play on the video below... but I warn you, afterward, you're gonna want a cigarette.

Posted by Christopher on July 28, 2006 09:56 PM

Comments

Posted by: Jill at July 29, 2006 08:10 AM