Cutting Crew...

Today's blog post comes courtesy of random singing I was doing last night over dinner.  For some reason, I was reminded of Cutting Crew, an English band from the mid 80s that had some success when I was in high school.  This was the song I was singing.

This is a live recording from 2007, but "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" was by far their biggest hit.  I liked this song fine when it first came out, but quickly got sick of it.

For some reason, I liked this song better... but then, I was about 15 at the time.  "I've Been In Love Before" might have appealed because it wasn't as popular.  This was the follow up single in the UK, but in America, they followed up with this...

Supposedly, it wasn't as big of a hit...  I can believe that, since I don't remember this song at all.

To my middle aged ears, Cutting Crew doesn't sound too bad at all.  I'm surprised I didn't like them more.  I never bought their album, though, mainly because I distinctly remember getting tired of "I Just Died In Your Arms" when it was popular.  I also never liked the title much.  Singer and songwriter Nick Van Eede has been with the band since the beginning and, in fact, appears to be the only original band member left.  I'm not sure how popular this band is today, but it's still existing...  they even have an official Web site.  God, I miss the 80s.

"Everything But My Pride".... a 1989 release.

The Outfield...

Yes, another mid 80s band I had long forgotten about.  They had a gem of a hit in their song "Your Love".  People loved it.

More edgy rock.  I think it's good, but it's totally 80s.

Unlike The Hooters, The Outfield comes from Britain.  Unlike most British bands, they experienced success in the United States, but not in their homeland.  Interestingly enough, though they are Brits, their band is named after baseball.  They initially called themselves The Baseball Boys, kind of as a joke, but fan response was favorable.  Given that they sounded very American, it seems fitting that they'd call themselves The Outfield.  However, despite their baseball inspired name, they didn't actually know much about baseball until they came to the States.

Here's another hit by The Outfield, "Since You've Been Gone".

"Say It Isn't So" reminds me a little of Big Country, another band that was popular in the mid 80s.

Hell, they are still kind of appealing thirty years later, even though I'm probably only saying this because I'm older than hell now.  I see that songwriter and bassist John Spinks, died of liver cancer the same day my dad died, on July 9, 2014.  That's too bad.  He was just 60 years old.

853-5937 and a few other songs by Squeeze...

This old song by Squeeze popped into my head today.  I haven't heard it since the 80s.

I can think of other Squeeze songs I liked better...

Squeeze was one of those adult contemporary/progressive bands of the 80s whose songs were catchy and infectious.  I wasn't a big aficionado of their music, but I do remember a few decent songs.  The one I liked the best was this song.

This song doesn't age, even though it's from 1981.  Love the organ.  I see it was produced by Elvis Costello and I believe it.  It kind of has his stamp on it.

This one is probably #2 for me, if only because I remember it well from my high school years.  Listening to it now, it sounds a bit cheesy.

"Black Coffee in Bed" is another big Squeeze hit.

Squeeze was founded by Brits in the late 1970s and performed well into the 90s.  Despite my music nerdiness, I only know a few of their tunes.  I probably ought to explore them more, especially since the legendary Paul Carrack was a member at one time.  I had friends who loved Squeeze, but I guess I was just out to lunch.

For now, I'll just watch these old videos and remember being a kid.  I can't believe how old I am.

Samantha Fox...

Back in the 1980s, a vapid model turned blonde pop star named Samantha Fox was burning up the airwaves with her dance hits.  Her first hit was by far the best of the songs she released…

"Touch Me" made Samantha sound like a bitch in heat, but it was probably the best of her songs…

Then she did "Naughty Girls Need Love Too", which was sort of a frisky dance hit.

Following up with "I Want To Have Some Fun", which sounds suspiciously like "Naughty Girls Need Love Too."

Then she sang a cover version of "I Only Want to Be With You"… clearly selling the sexy bimbo image to the hilt.

As of 2013, she was still around, making music…

I have to admit, her songs are just ridiculous enough to be entertaining, though I don't know that I think she's the greatest singer.  In the 80s, she was about being sexy and promoting a party image.  She was popular for several years… and frankly, I'm not so sure she would be if she did the same thing today.  Her songs are kind of a guilty pleasure for me, though.  

According to Wikipedia, Samantha Fox fancies women rather than men… and at one time, people said she was a born again Christian.  I dunno.  I don't think these are the greatest songs, but I do admit they're fun to listen to.