Phil Collins - "We Said Hello Goodbye"

Phil Collins turns 64 years old today. As a lad, I was pretty familiar with his Grammy-winning 1985 album No Jacket Required. (I still remember the typically awful joke Mad made about its hit single "Sussudio," which, the magazine mentioned, he recorded in his stu-, stu-, studio.) But since my family only had the album on cassette, I never heard "We Said Hello Goodbye," which was a B-side that was added to the end of the compact disc. (I still recall a time when people didn't automatically call them CDs -- or a time when people actually owned CDs.) Anyway, only recently becoming familiar with "We Said Hello Goodbye," I have a certain fondness for its mannered orchestral elegance. Or maybe I just outright love it. I'm not even sure anymore.

Tears for Fears - "Head Over Heels"

This video for "Head Over Heels" features...

1) a really cross librarian.
2) a dude in a gas mask.
3) a monkey wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey.
4) a Jew and an African-American putting aside their differences. (A message!)
5) flying index cards.
6) the worst attempt at faking a keyboard solo ever.
7) a really stupid canted-angle framing gimmick.
8) terrible permed hair.
9) a lead singer who can apparently float through the air.
10) animated four-leaf clovers. (They mention them in the song!)
11) leather jackets.
12) inexplicable flashbacks to childhood.
13) all of the above.

(Have a safe Labor Day, everyone.)

Little River Band - "Reminiscing"

My wife was singing this song the other day, which made me curious if there was a video on YouTube. And then I found this, which is all sorts of amazing....

Bee Gees - "How Deep Is Your Love"

Easy to mock, much harder to resist, the Bee Gees' music isn't something I seek out. But when it pops up on the radio ... well, I'm only human.

Bananarama - "Cruel Summer"

A buddy and I used to kick off every summer by playing this song. We did it ironically but, deep down, I think we both kinda dug the impeccable craft of this cheesy hit.

I've never seen this video before. Kids, in case you're wondering, yes, the 1980s were exactly like this.

Huey Lewis and the News - "Heart and Soul"

As you may have heard, Huey Lewis is going to be touring to support the 30th anniversary of Sports. This news item made me immediately think of "Heart and Soul." I hadn't seen the video in forever. Watch it now and you really do see the 1980s personified. The video has something of a narrative, but it's also meant to be "funny" in a "Hey, we don't take ourselves too seriously" kind of way -- a real staple with these guys. As for the song, it's a perfect amalgam of '80s keyboards (pleasant and insistent) and '80s guitars (processed within an inch of their lives). That I like the song regardless is a clear indication that nostalgia is an evil, evil narcotic.

Daryl Hall & John Oates - "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"

My growing fondness for '80s cheese is criminal and should be brought up on charges as soon as possible.

Cathy Dennis - "Too Many Walls"

As I continue to digest Sleigh Bells' Reign of Terror, I saw that Spin talked to the band about their musical inspirations for the album. The magazine put together a virtual mixtape of the songs the duo mentioned, including Belinda Carlisle's "Mad About You," Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love" and George Michael's "Father Figure," which, you may remember, I quite love.

Also on their mix: "Too Many Walls" from Cathy Dennis. "Wore this cassingle out when I was maybe 11 or so," Sleigh Bells guitarist Derek Miller told Spin about the song. "Hands down one of my favorite songs. Great snare and string arrangement." I haven't heard the song in forever. I bet you haven't either -- so here it is.