Growing Up With MTV: Forgotten Gems of 1981 Part One
April 25th, 2008 | by Scott |I need to move on to 1982 but before I do I want to do a fast look at some songs that I still enjoy but did not remain in our collective consciousness.
Their was no way to top the masterpiece that was Meat Loaf’s Bat out of Hell. Even with the operatic stylings of Jim Steinman’s lyrics the follow-up, Dead Ringer, was a disappointment. I still enjoy I’m Gonna Love Her For Both of Us, however. It peaked at #84 and the video comes from the concert that gave us much more memorable footage but here it is:
He would never be Keith Moon but Kenney Jones tried just the same. Although Face Dances was nowhere near the stellar discs that they would churn out during the Moon era it did give us “You Better You Bet” and this song “Don’t Let Go the Coat” which also peaked at #84:
This could have been in last week’s entry on videos that predated MTV. It is the classic Dire Straits riff “Skateaway.” It hit #58.
And the incomparable Rush with Tom Sawyer which hit #44.:
And does it get any better than the Blue Oyster Cult chestnut Burnin’ For You which rose to #40?
Next week, I will finish up 1981.
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Now playing: Darden Smith - First Day Of The Sun
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9 Responses to “Growing Up With MTV: Forgotten Gems of 1981 Part One”
By Jeff Slater on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
I’m loving your “Growing Up With MTV” series. Bringing back lots of memories.
I saw Rush in concert on the Moving Pictures tour. Cobo Arena in Detroit.
By Scott on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
Jeff, thanks. I wasn’t sure if anyone was enjoying it other than me. I like being able to go back and relive those videos. I’m glad someone else in enjoying it.
I saw Rush in ‘91. I believe it was the Roll the Bones tour. I think you got the better deal.
By Jim MacKenzie on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the Rush shout out… My homeboys are playing Red Rocks in June and yours truly will be attending his 11th Rush concert since 1978… I know… I’m old.
By Jim MacKenzie on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
Also… playing Skateaway as we speak. Good stuff.
By Steve on Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
You mentioned one of my all time favorites. The only time I ever had anything close to a mystical or numinous experience was in the fall of 81, or thereabouts, and I was in Los Alamos, NM on business. The town is on a plateau and there is a long ascending road on the east side. Just before one gets to the top is a lookout that has a wonderful view of the mountains that are to the east. This particular morning I resolved to get up and watch the sunrise, something I had never done before and have not since. I waited and waited. Was getting impatient. Finally it appeared right where the downward slopes of two neighboring mountains intersect. And as I’m starring at the source of life as it is rising, the radio was playing “I’m Burnin For You”!
By matt elliott on Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
Subject change —
I see you’re reading “Blindness.” Would LOVE to know what you think about that one! I read it several years ago and remember it in vivid detail. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not…
By terri on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
We’re so great
We’re so fun
We’re the class of ‘81!!!!
Burnin’ For You is a classic! (Well, it should be!)
By Scott on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Burnin’ For You is most definitely a classic. Whether people realize it or not
Matt, I’m only a few pages in but I love it so far. I picked it up because I notice the movie is coming out in September.
By matt elliott on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
There’s a movie coming out? I’m not sure I want to see that much feces on the screen.