themusicaddict's Presidential Pick: Bruce Springsteen For President: A Man That Really Speaks For The People

Hello,

This has been an even more tumultuous Presidential campaign season than usual. Donald Trump claims he speaks for the little guy, even mimicking the downtrodden in some of his speeches- like he understands us. Let's be honest here, the only person Trump speaks for is himself. He has no clue where I, or others like me, come from. My Daddy didn't leave me $1,000,000- also I'm not a huckster or fraud like The Donald. There's no way he can understand me or that I can understand him- I'm grateful that I don't understand his mindset.

I understand that people like to be swept up in a movement that makes it feel like they are part of something bigger. But the fact that people believe that Trump is actually going to force Mexico to build a wall to halt immigration. Come on people, think about that. If you do your research and still come to the conclusion that's feasible- then fine. But I think many people take Trump at his word. Remember to be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.

Anyway that's not what this blog is about. If we really want a Presidential candidate that actually represents the working man, I nominate The Boss, Mr. Bruce Springsteen. I hear you when you say how does a very rich rock star understand those of us who live from check to check- well he doesn't understand that struggle. But he has blue collar roots- he's faced trials, he's been divorced, he's had to fight his way to where he is now. He wasn't given anything, he fought long and hard for everything he has now.

Springsteen understanding the working man isn't an original thought on my part and I didn't think it was. I did some Googling and I stumbled across this great blog entry: http://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-best-of-the-boss-bruce-springsteens-10-greatest-songs.html/?a=viewall

I recommend you read the whole blog, there's a lot of insightful information in it. I like especially what Jacqueline Sahagian writes about the song "The River"- which is one of The Boss' best and most honest songs. These ten songs are the ten songs mentioned in the blog above, just to give you a capsule view. But again I suggest you read the whole blog- great work and writing. She also includes all the videos.

10) "Born To Run"

9) "Born In The USA"

8) "The Rising"

7) "Badlands"

6) Thunder Road

5) Racing In The Street

4) "The River"

3) "Backstreets"

2) "Atlantic City"

1) "Darkness On The Edge of Town"- immediately in my head I hear Bruce stretches out "edge".

I'm going to think about some of these ideas and flesh them out and add a bunch videos for songs that support my thesis that Bruce Springsteen is a better Presidential candidate than many we sadly have running for us. After all Bruce is "Born To Run"- just ignore the fact that the song is nothing about running for political office.

The Top 10 list above is great and I have no arguments with it at all. I don't think I'm going to make a Top Ten list, just some songs that fit my theme. My only question about the above Top Ten is how did this song not make the list? "Shackled and Drawn":

"Shackled and Drawn": (live)

This song so perfectly captures why Bruce is a perfect spokesman for the working man, after hearing this it made me fall in love with this amazing song. "The River":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Bands Part 11: # 86 Neil Diamond (Finished July 26th, 2016)

Hello,

Before starting on this project I didn't consider Neil Diamond to really be an 80's musician, but he had some of this biggest hits and best songs in the 80s. For Diamond, the 80s featured "The Jazz Singer" and all the hits on that, "Heartlight" and "Yesterday's Songs". It also featured the overlooked, but very solid, "The Best Years Of Our Lives". This is only a partial blog and I'll be adding a lot of other videos later, but for now I'm going to be highlighting Diamond's unjustifiably forgotten "The Best Years Of Our Lives" CD.

I don't even remember this CD or any songs from it, but I quite like this CD. How did I miss this CD? That's one thing I've loved about this whole 80's musicians countdown blog is discovering all this great music I missed the first time through. The man knows how to write a ballad.

With this CD you could tell that Neil had been listening to the radio. Diamond rocked up his sound and did I hear synthesizer on a couple of tracks and many other 80s flourishes. Did I hear a guitar solo on the title song? Here's the entire CD:

"The Best Years of Our Lives":

"This Time":

"Everything's Gonna Be Fine":

"Hooked On The Memory of You":

"Take Care of Me" (This song actually rocks!):

"Carmelita's Eyes":

"Courtin' Disaster":

"If I Couldn't See You Again":

This CD also features his version of Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You"- which he does a perfectly good version of. However his version is nowhere as good as Chapman's classic. I've decided not to add it here though.

Other 80's highlights:

"Heartlight":

"I'm Alive":

"Yesterday's Songs":

"Only You":

"Be Mine Tonight":

themusicaddict

Billy Idol Live At House of Blues March 26th, 2016 Review: Hey Billy If You Want A Long Concert, Just Play More Songs (Partial Blog)

Hello,

Here's the setlist for Saturday night's concert of Billy Idol and his band at the Las Vegas House of Blues on Saturday, March 26th, 2016. Idol and his very solid band played about 100 bands. His band is his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, bassist Stephen McGrath, guitarist Billy Morrison, drummer Erik Eldenius and keyboardist Paul Trudeau. Morrison wore a Sigue Sigue Sputnik shirt at Saturday's concert as he does here in the publicity shot at http://billyidol.net/band/ I hadn't thought of that band for years. I listened to some of their music last night on Youtube and none of their songs rang a bell. But it was still a nice old school touch.

The House of Blues is a nice, intimate place to see a concert. However we had general admission tix- read standing. We stood about 45 minutes before the show even started and then 100 minutes during the show. My old body isn't built for that. I know it isn't very rock and roll, but it is what it is.

First here are some of the songs that Idol and his band didn't play: "Catch My Fall", "Cradle of Love", "Endless Sleep", "Flesh For Fantasy", "Romeo's Waiting" and "Daytime Drama".

Setlist:

1) "Shock To The System":

2) "Dancing With Myself"- in which he invited Las Vegas to dance with them.

3) "Pumping On Steel":

4) "Can't Break Me Down":

5) "The Untouchables":

6) "Sweet Sixteen" which Billy Idol introduced with this story:

I was always under the impression that Sweet Sixteen was just another lust song by Idol, until a recent replay of AT40 featured the story origins of the song that hit No. 20 in 1987. The story of Sweet Sixteenwas inspired by the tale of Edward Leedskalnin and his Coral Castle in Florida. Besides Casey Kasem's account, the Coral Castle was also featured on the syndicated program "In Search Of" hosted by Leonard Nimoy and it was that episode in 1981 that fascinated Idol and inspired Sweet Sixteen. 

Edward Leedskalnin was a Latvian millionaire who was jilted by his 16-year fiancée one day before their wedding day in 1913. After his rejection, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and moved to the warmer climate of Florida City, Florida and decided to build a castle for his lost love. He pronounced himself cured from disease after discovering the secret properties of magnets and over the next 28 years he constructed his castle, made mostly of corral reef, in secret. The marvel is how Leedskalnin, a meek man who was five foot tall and weighed only 100 lbs, was able build by himself The Coral Castle with of over 1,000 tons of stone/reef (some stones weighed 30 tons individually). The nine-ton gate to the castle was so precisely calibrated that even a child could open the gate with the touch of a finger.

The partially built castle was moved from Florida City to Homestead in 1931 and is still a popular tourist attraction in south Florida. Leedskalnin took his secret to his grave in 1951 and made claims he knew the secrets of how the pyramids were built and the secrets of Atlantis. (Thanks to Kevin Wuench at the Tampa Bay Times.)

7) Steve Stevens solo

8) "Eyes Without A Face"- which obviously mentions Las Vegas

9) "LA Woman"

10) Another Steve Stevens solo- he includes snippets from The Moody Blues and a couple of Zeppelin songs.

11) "Don't Need A Gun" (Extended)

12) "Whiskey and Pills":

13) "Blue Highway"- which featured yet another Stevens solo. Someone please stop the madness.

14) "Rebel Yell" (Extended- yet again) Idol lead the crowd on chants of "Do you feel alright? I feel all right" and then we would repeat the "I feel alright" - or something similar to that. Thankfully the sound was much better than the video shows below.

Encore

15) "White Wedding"- which starts out acoustic:

16) Drum solo- please no more solos!

17) "Mony Mony"- yet another song extended, and not for the better:

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Bands Part 10: # 87a ABC and Seven of Their Best Early 80's Songs (Finished July 24th, 2016)

Hello,

I started working on this blog originally on March 27, 2016. It's been so long since I've worked on it that I just have decided to break it into two blogs. Part 2 will be found on July 24th, 2016. It's a shame that ABC seems to be a mostly forgotten band, they had a lot of amazing songs.

themusicaddict's #87 of the Top 106 80's bands is simple as ABC. According to Wikipedia, over the years ABC has featured these people:

Current members Martin Fry – vocals (1980–1991 & 1997-Present) Current touring members Matt Backer – guitars (1999-present) Andy Carr – bass guitar (2008-present) Lily Gonzalez – percussion (2008-present) Rob Hughes – alto and tenor saxophones (2008-present) Steve Kelly – keyboards (2008-present) Richard Brook – drums, percussion (2009-present) Former members Mark White – guitars, keyboards, programming (1980–1992) Stephen Singleton – alto and tenor saxophones (1980–1984) Mark Lickley – bass guitar (1981–1982) David Robinson – drums, percussion (1981) David Palmer – drums, percussion (1981–1983, 2004–2009) Fiona Russell Powell – vocals (1984–1985) David Yarritu – vocals (1984–1985)

From 1982's "The Lexicon of Love" (10 songs): 

"Poison Arrow":

"Tears Are Not Enough":

"The Look of Love":

From 1983's "Beauty Stab" (12 songs):

"That Was Then, But This Is Now":

This song only has 15, 205 views, that's a shame. "By Default, By Design":



This is a funky little song. "Unzip":



"S.O.S.":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Bands Part 9b: # 88 Whitesnake "Whitesnake" & "Slip of The Tongue" Finished April 7th, 2016)

Hello,

"Whitesnake" is Whitesnake's 7th CD and obviously the biggest CD of their career. The CD is highlighted by the remade "Here I Go Again" and the best non-Zeppelin Zeppelin song ever "In The Still of The Night". Obviously no band will ever match the overall impact of the mighty Zep. Many knocked Whitesnake as being a Zeppelin knock off band, but I never considered them that. Vocalist David Coverdale has an amazing voice and is a great singer, he has also surrounded himself with some amazing musicians. But then again I just love rock music and don't care if they steal or borrow from other bands. That's because there's no such thing as a completely original band. In other words carry on Whitesnake.

"Whitesnake" peaked as the #2 CD on Billboard's Top 200 CDs and went on to sell over 8 million copies. This was during the end of the peak era of the hair metal movement, an era that I still can't believe how successful ended up being. When Quiet Riot started receiving notice and having some fo their songs chart that was pretty amazing. But for hair metal to get as big as it did would have completely surprised me when Quiet Riot first began receiving notice. Of course hair metal was just one of the many great music genre break outs of the 80s. I still love hair metal as much today as I did as back in the day. "Whitesnake" still has the same kick as it did in 1987. I've been cranking their Greatest Hits for my drive music the last day or so.

The ever changing band's lineup continued to change for this CD. Drummer Cozy Powell left the band after 1985's Rock In Rio concert. The line up of the band at the time of this CD: the one constant, David Coverdale, on vocals, John Sykes, guitars and vocals, Neil Murray on bass and Aynsley Dunbar was on drums and percussion. (Thanks to Wikipedia for much of the biographical info.)

1) "Crying In The Rain":



"Crying In The Rain" (live):

2) "Bad Boys":

If you've ever wondered why they call it hair metal, watch this video. Look at all that hair! I think this might be my favorite Whitesnake song.
3) "Still of the Night":

4) "Here I Go Again" (1987):

5) "Give Me All Your Love":

6) "Is This Love":

7) "Children of the Night":

8) "Straight For The Heart":

9) "Don't Turn Away":

Whitesnake's final CD of the 80's was "Slip of the Tongue" It was a perfectly fine CD, but nowhere as good as "Whitesnake". Here's the highlights of "Slip Of The Tongue":

"Fool For Your Loving" (1989):

"Now You're Gone":

"Wings of the Storm":

"The Deeper The Love":

"Judgement Day":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Bands Part 9a: # 88 Whitesnake (Finished April 7th, 2016)

Hello,

My thoughts are with the victims of the latest cowardly ISIS attack that happened in Belgium today. This attack is more personal to me as my brother, sister-in-law and nephew lived in Belgium just a couple of years ago.

I can't think of any thing more cowardly than attacking a group of innocents. Best wishes to the three Mormon missionaries, all Americans, that were injured in the attack. #saddaysindeed

themusicaddict's 88th greatest band of the 80s is Whitesnake. Whitesnake is said to be named after David Coverdale's manhood. I didn't feel the need to go on a fact finding mission to confirm that. I've posted all the songs I like for each CD below. The band at the time of 1980's "Ready An' Willing" were: David Coverdale, duh, Micky Moody, guitars and vocals, Bernie Marsden, guitars and vocals, Jon Lord, keyboards, Neil Murray, bass, and Ian Paice, drums. Is there a more rocker name that Jon Lord?

1980's "Ready An' Willing" had 9 songs.

A perfectly fine version of this song here, but it was the right decision to increase the rock quotient later on "Fool For Your Loving":

"Ready An' Willing (Sweet Satisfaction)":

"Love Man":

Whitesnake is known for constant band lineup changes, at the time of 1981's "Come An' Get It" the band was the same as their previous record. David Coverdale, duh, Micky Moody, guitars and vocals, Bernie Marsden, guitars and vocals, Jon Lord, keyboards, Neil Murray, bass, and Ian Paice, drums. 

1981's "Come An' Get It" has 10 songs.

"Come An' Get It":

"Don't Break My Heart Again":

"Lonely Days, Lonely Nights':



"Wine, Women An' Song":



"Child of Babylon":

At the time of 1982's "Saints & Sinners" the band was the same as on their previous record. David Coverdale, duh, Micky Moody, guitars and vocals, Bernie Marsden, guitars and vocals, Jon Lord, keyboards, Neil Murray, bass, and Ian Paice, drums. This change was a minor one as Mel Gallery was added on backup vocals.

1982's "Saints & Sinners" has 10 songs.
"Bloody Luxury":



"Crying In The Rain" (1982):



"Here I Go Again" (1982):

For 1984's "Slide It In" there were a few more changes in personnel. Still David Coverdale of course, Micky Moody, guitars and vocals, Bernie Marsden, guitars and vocals, Jon Lord, keyboards, Colin Hodgkinson, bass, and Cozy Powell, drums. Mel Gallery took on a bigger role as he played guitars and backup vocals. (John Sykes and Neil Murray played guitars on the US release- which makes no sense to me.)

1984's "Slide It In" has 10 songs.
"Slow An' Easy":



"Love Ain't No Stranger":



"Gambler":



"Guilty of Love":



"Hungry For Love":



"Give Me More Time":



"Standing In The Shadow":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Lost Gems of the 80s: Survivor's "When Seconds Count"

Hello,

Survivor hits that perfect spot between pop and rock, taking the best of both genres to make tasty audio ear candy. Survivor is one of those bands that were almost primarily an 80's band. They've released other music since the 80s, but when one thinks of Survivor one thinks of their 80's output. In no way are they close to being the best band of the 80s, but they had a great stretch in the 80s. They have about 20 solid songs, no shame in that. I saw Survivor in concert when they opened for REO Speedwagon back in the day. This was when "Eye of the Tiger" was still a very popular song. Survivor was great, but they only played 5 songs. I wished Survivor would've played more songs and REO Speedwagon played less songs. The Speedwagon was meh, even though at the time they were one of the biggest bands in the world.

At the time of "When Seconds Count" Survivor consisted of Jimi Jamison, vocals, Frankie Sullivan, guitar and backing vocals, Jim Peterik, keyboards and backing vocals, Stephan Ellis, bass guitar and Marc Droubay played drums. Sadly Jamison died at a too young age on August 31st, 2014, eight days after his 63rd birthday.

"When Seconds Count" was in no way a hit, only reaching #49 on Billboard's album chart. It only had one "hit", "Is This Love" reached #9. However on Google Play I've given all 10 of the songs the thumbs up. It's a very solid CD, especially if one likes that sweet spot in between pop and rock music. I've included "Burning Heart", although it wasn't added until Rock Candy's reissue in 2011. Rock candy is also a perfect description of Survivor's music. (Thanks to wikipedia for most of the biographical information in this blog.)

Here's the full "When Seconds Count":

1) "How Much Love":

2) "Keep It Right Here":

3) "Is This Love":

4) "Man Against The World":

5) "Rebel Son":

6) "Oceans":

7) "When Seconds Count":

8) "Backstreet Love Affair":

9) "In Good Faith":

10) "Can't Let You Go":

11) "Burning Heart":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Musicians Addendum Linda Ronstadt (Part 2) (Complete)

Hello,

This part of my Linda Ronstadt addendum will focus on Miss Ronstadt's non 80s greatest hits and seven of my favorite songs from her amazing 1989 CD "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind":

"Still Within The Sound of My Voice":

"All My Life":

"Adios":

"So Right So Wrong":

"Don't Know Much":

"Trouble Again":

"Goodbye My Friend":

"You're No Good" (With some love for her touring band at the time.) :

"It's So Easy":

"Love Is A Rose":

"Back In The USA":

"Poor, Poor Pitiful Me":

"When Will I Be Loved":

"Different Drum" (with the Stone Poneys):

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Musicians: Addendum 2: Linda Ronstadt (Part 1) (Finished July 23rd, 2016)

Hello,

I worked several hours on this series of blogs so that I wouldn't miss anyone. Then a few days ago I realized I had forgotten Sade. Then in the last 24 hours I realized I had forgotten Linda Ronstadt. Again I don't have the time or desire to go back and reconfigure these rankings so that's why I have these addendums.

1980's "Mad Love", CD 10 songs.

"Party Girl":

"How Do I Make You":

"I Can't Let Go":

"Hurt So Bad":

"Costs of Love":

"Girl Talk":

1982's "Get Closer" has 12 songs.

"Get Closer":

"Easy For You To Say":

"I Think It's Gonna Work Out" (featuring James Taylor):

"Lies":

"Tell Him":

Ronstadt made 3 CDs in the mid 80s with Nelson Riddle, some of the CDs were betters than others. In order 1) 1984's "Lush Life" (12 Songs) 2) 1986's "For Sentimental Reasons" (11 Songs) and last and least 1983's "Lush Life" (9 Songs).

"Skylark":

"You Took Advantage of Me":

"Can't We Be Friends":

"Falling In Love Again":

"When I Fall In Love Again":

"When You Wish Upon A Star":

"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered":

"I Love You For Sentimental Reasons":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 80's Bands Part 8: # 90 Cheap Trick and # 89 Survivor (Finished March 21st, 2016)

Hello,

The 90th ranked band on my list is Cheap Trick:

1980's "All Shook Up":

"Stop This Game":

"Baby Loves To Rock":

1982's "One On One":

"One On One":

"If You Want My Love":

"She's Tight":

Greatest Hits:



themusicaddict's 89th Greatest 80s band is Survivor:
"Broken Promises":



"Popular Girl":



"It's The Singer Not The Song":



"I See You In Everyone":



"American Heartbeat":



Oh yeah, you knew this one was coming sooner or later: "Eye of the Tiger":



"The Moment of Truth":



"High On You":



"I Can't Hold Back":



"Poor Man's Son":



My favorite Survivor song, I hope this song comes true for me someday. "The Search Is Over":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands: Part 7: 92-91: Jackson Browne & Rod Stewart (Finished July 23rd, 2016)

Hello,

After listening to music from both Rod Stewart and Jackson Browne, I've decided to swap them in my rankings. Stewart has several more great songs and also more 80's hits. Clyde Jackson Browne was born October 9th, 1948. Here's my favorite of his 80's songs and a few other classics.

From 1980's "Hold Out":

"That Girl Could Sing":

"Boulevard":

From 1982's "Fast Times At Ridgemont High":

"Somebody's Baby":

From 1983's "Lawyers In Love":

"Lawyers In Love":

"Downtown":

Just a great, great song featuring the great line "You win, I win, we lose". I'm not sure that relationships are worth the effort. "Tender Is The Night":

"For A Rocker":

From 1986's "Lives In The Balance", the title track:

"For America":

"In The Shape Of A Heart":

"Lawless Avenues":

Classics:

"Doctor My Eyes":

"The Pretender":

"Running On Empty":

"Stay/The Load Out":

"The Rebel Jesus":

Rod Stewart had most of his biggest hits in the 70's, but he also had a lot of great songs in the 80's as well. The ageless Rod Stewart is now 71, may he have a few more hits in him. First up his songs that were big hits or became very popular in the 80's, then a selection of some of my other favorites of his songs.

"Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)":

"Just Like A Woman":

"Young Turks":

"Passion":

"Infatuation":

"Some Guys Have All The Luck":

"Love Touch":

"Forever Young":

"Downtown Train":

"Lost In You":

"My Heart Can't Tell Me No":

This song is pure joy: "Almost Illegal":



 The mostly pre-80s Stewart discography: "Reason To Believe":



"Maggie May":



"Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)":



"You're In My Heart":



"Hot Legs":



"Do Ya Think I'm Sexy":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands: Addendum: Sade

Hello,

One thing I hate about these comprehensive lists and countdowns is that no matter how much effort I put into it I always forget someone. I've already stumbled over a few I've forgotten and I'd hope that I had caught them all. But out on my walk I realized I'd forgotten the lovely and incomparable Sade and her band. However I did not want to completely rejigger these rankings- I've already spent way too much time doing that. I honestly have no idea where I'd put her. Whenever I listen to a band's songs I inevitably thinking to myself that band should be much higher. Since I think that for mostly every band I've decided to lock my rankings.

Their music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I love a lot of their songs. Sade both refers to the singer and the band. I wouldn't want to see her in concert- think that would be a tad bit boring. However I've enjoyed getting reacquainted with a lot of her songs the last few days. Most of these songs, but not all of them are from the 80s. Enjoy.

Watching these videos I had never realized how incredibly sexy Sade is. And of course she has that amazingly beautiful voice.

"Your Love Is King":

"Hang On To Your Love":

"Smooth Operator":

"The Sweetest Taboo":

"Is It A Crime":

"Never As Good As The First Time":

"Paradise":

"Cherry Pie":

"I Will Be Your Friend":

"Nothing Can Come Between Us":

"No Ordinary Love":

"Kiss of Life":

"Cherish The Day":

"Soldier of Love":

"Love Is Stronger Than Pride":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict Recommends The Heroic Enthusiasts

Hello,

This is the second blog I've written in the recent past requested of me by a commercial entity. The first was for car sharing company Turo. I had never heard of that company and had no interest in doing any advertising for them. However they approached it so wisely and asked me for my road trip playlist. That was a task that I absolutely loved, it kept me distracted at work for the entire day. It was also good as I'll be going to see Billy Idol- two weeks from today!

Then on Friday I received a request about a band called The Heroic Enthusiasts. I was skeptical and even more skeptical when I read this line: "Numbers and emotion may not seem related, but when you listen to the band's new EP Memory Wheel, you'll hear why the connection makes sense." I thought oh boy. But I'm a sucker for finding new music, especially when they said it was "new wave inspired" music. New wave music, although it took me a few years to get it, takes me back to my awesome childhood days.

Thus I gave their 4 song ep "Memory Wheel" a shot and I'm glad I did. I like all 4 songs and am so happy to share their music with the few readers of this blog. Although I do wonder will they be as good when they make a traditional 10ish song CD? Enjoy!

Here's a song not on the "Memory Wheel" ep, "Suicide Angel":

This is probably my favorite song on that ep, "Broken Liquid":

"Falling Of The Drop":

"Love In The Time of Algorithms":

"The Object, Jealousy":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Best of Queensryche's "Operation: Mindcrime"

Hello,

Breaking practically out of nowhere Queensryche roared into summer 1988 with "Operation: Mind- crime". This is one of those CDs I knew about and liked a couple of songs, but that's about it. As I go through this process of counting down the Top 106 80's bands of all-time I keep on remembering all these great songs. "Operation: Mindcrime" has been my drive music for 3 solid days now. What a great CD! The lyrics are from

http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/queensryche/operationmindcrime.html

The band at the time:

• Geoff Tate – lead vocals, keyboard, whistles and blurbs
• Chris DeGarmo – guitar (lead guitar on tracks 2, 7, 8, 13, 15; six- and twelve-string acoustic guitars, lap steel guitar), guitar synthesizer
• Michael Wilton – guitar (lead guitar on tracks 3, 5, 6; twelve-string acoustic guitar)
• Eddie Jackson – bass
• Scott Rockenfield – drums, percussion, keyboard (10)

1) "Revolution Calling":

The CD is 28 years old, but these lyrics fit with today's political situation too well:

Got no love for politicians
Or that crazy scene in D.C.
It's just a power mad town
But the time is ripe for changes
There's a growing feeling
That taking a chance on a new kind of vision is due

2) "Operation: Mindcrime":

"Speak the word, the word is all of us". 3) "Speak":

4) "Spreading The Disease":

She always brings me what I need
Without I beg and sweat and bleed
When we're alone at night
Waiting for the call
She feeds my skin

Fighting fire with empty words
While the banks get fat
And the poor stay poor
And the rich get rich
And the cops get paid
To look away
As the one percent rules America

5) "The Mission":

6) "Suite Sister Mary":

Midnite, she sings praises in the Hall
To saintly faces hallowed be their names she can't recall
Sister Mary, virgin Mary, silent with her sin
( [Mary:] "What are you doing out in the rain?" )
She feels me, I can taste her breath when she speaks
( [Mary:] "I've been waiting for you. Come in." )

7) "The Needle Lies":

Don't ever trust
Don't ever trust the needle, it lies
Don't ever trust
Don't ever trust the needle when it cries...
Cries your name
Don't ever trust
Don't ever trust the needle, it lies
Don't ever trust
Don't ever trust the needle when it cries...
Cries your name

8) "Breaking The Silence":

Breaking the silence of the night
Through the streets I'm screaming
Looking for you in the neon light
Why don't you answer me?
Breaking the silence with my cries
Can't you hear me screaming?
We could make all this wrong seem right
But you never answer me

9) "I Don't Believe In Love":

I don't believe in love
I never have, I never will
I don't believe in love
I'll just pretend she never was real
I don't believe in lovev I need to forget her face, I see
it still
I don't believe in love
It's never worth the pain that you feel

10) "Eyes of A Stranger":



All alone now
Except for the memories
Of what we had and what we knew
Everytime I try to leave it behind me
I see something that reminds me of you
Every night the dreams return to haunt me
Your rosary wrapped around your throat
I lie awake and sweat, afraid to fall asleep
I see your face looking back at me

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Top 106 Greatest 80's Bands: Part 6: 94-93: Eurythmics & Tracy Chapman (Finished March 10th, 2016)

Hello,

Here are several of my favorite songs by the Eurythmics. Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox are themusicaddict's 94th Greatest Band of the 80's.

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)":

"There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)":

"Would I Lie To You":

"Here Comes The Rain Again":

"Missionary Man":

"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (featuring the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin):



"Who's That Girl":



"Love Is A Stranger":



"Power To The Meek":



I listened to a lot of the Eurythmics CDs. For their first 7 CDs they have a lot of great songs, but not a lot of great albums. However with their 8th CD "We Too Are One", the Eurythmics struck gold. Usually when most bands careers are winding down, the Eurythmics released their best CD.
The "We Two Are One" section:

"We Two Are One":



"(My My) Baby's Gonna Cry":



"Angel":



"Revival":



"King and Queen of America":



"Don't Ask Me Why":



"Precious":



"You Hurt Me (And I Hate You)":

And I know this is a solo Annie Lennox song, but I love me some "Walking On Broken Glass":

93) The folkie troubadour, Miss Tracy Chapman:

"Give Me One Reason":



"Smokes and Ashes":



"Bang Bang Bang":



"I Used To Be A Sailor":



"Telling Stories":



Now for the best songs from her amazing self-titled CD. She had a few good songs later, see above, but her debut CD is a classic. One of the 80's best CDs.

"Fast Car":



"Behind The Wall":



"Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution":



"Across The Lines":



I love this song so much. "Baby Can I Hold You":



"Why?":



"For My Lover":



"If Not Now":



"For You":

themusicaddict