Mightytum Yum Yum – Volume 15
What a cover! Bringing Pac Man into the OOs, like the eyes of the ghosts seeing into the future before they are chased down and swallowed. But, couldn’t you just hop over the dividers? “We all thought about nuclear war, girls, science fiction, high school, and MTV.” - Very true. We all were captivated by MTV, and I for one can clearly remember laying in bed in the middle of the living room, the sounds of cooler people partying across the street, immobilized by a body cast, my bed pan emptied and clean and ready to go thanks to mom, my legs itching with deflated balloons hanging out my ankle openings, my towel refreshed and allowing easy access, and my fingers feverishly pushing “8” over and over and over again, filling the green led display of a prize calculator, thinking hard about nuclear war. Why “8”? Eight supplied the maximum amount of nuclear green color to help illuminate my horrors.
“Time to put the calculator away Tom,” the mom would order from the nearby bedroom.
Dang, she must be able to detect the greenish glow he thought, “OK, just a second,” Tom replied, and then muttered, “She’ll be seeing more than a greenish glow once the missiles launch.”
And then I would continue to punch in “8” over and over again. Worried. Very worried. Horrified. Could I be Buck? Can’t I please be Buck? Won’t somebody send me into the future, after the horror? I would occasionally pause; look away from the green, towards the little round window in our door, looking at the bright, pure light of the stars, tears streaming down my face. Why can’t I be Buck?
And as for girls and science fiction, well they were one and the same. Buck had that figured out too.
I was a Pac-Man freak for awhile. My famous Pac-Man Birthday – Pac-Man Single, cake, Atari 2600 game cartridge, T-Shirt, remember the cartoon?
Clever name Cory – “Pac-Man’s iPod” – very nice idea! There is no doubt that music from the Eighties will be forever impressed upon the brains of the CMC club.
Question: Cory, you mentioned that you like to whip out some cardboard and bust out some dance moves, would you be interested in doing that in the nude someday?
1-Cheers Theme Song
A short little theme to a TV show. A TV show that I never got into. The episodes I did watch always seemed funny enough, but it never hooked me deep. I remember being blown away whenever Dan mentioned who wrote and sang the song, Woody, right? Still kind of blows me away. Is it true? I ask for different reasons now than I did back then. Back then I was not fully aware that an actor might sing without being seen singing.
This song reminds me of the Simpson’s episode and it reminds me of Cory. I know Cory has long-loved this song and when I hear it, it reminds me of him. The man loves this song.
Look for further discussion under Song #12.
2-You Make Loving Fun
A fine song. Sounds real good. Tape used at its best. Drums, bass, guitars and of course the vocals. Very nice. I see what you mean about the guitar at 1:25, in fact that whole guitar solo is pretty darn good.
Fleetwood Mac, for me falls into a category of bands including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I like much of their music and in fact have some of their music. I can dig some of their music, but not quite to the point of certain Rolling Stone songs, which is a band right above this tier, and only because SOME Rolling Stone songs I really really love. Mac and Petty are far above the Grateful Dead who are easily 3 or 4 tiers below.
Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: fine musicians, some good song writing, some unique characteristics, definitely needed in order to fill the gap between the really great music and the really bad music, does it make them boring, sometimes. Would the world miss them if they were absent from existence, yes.
3-Bette Davis Eyes
Only Cory. Wow! Bette Davis Eyes. You know that Kim Carens is Rod Stewart before his second sex change, right? “Pure as New York Snow” – good line and she really holds onto the eyes…. It is an exotic voice – but mostly makes me think of someone who smokes too much. Is it “all the boys think she’s a spaz”? Not a bad song.
I used to say “he got Benji Davis Eyes.” To protect the innocent I will not go any further. Bette Davis, like Angela Lansbury were HOT HOT HOT in their day – wonder if they ever got into a fight. I definitely remember hearing this song in Waterloo and as it was a hit, remember being somewhat “into it” at the time. I have heard it from time to time, enough to hold on to some of the memories while riding along near Crossroads and Byrnes Park, thinking “yes, this song is great.” The memory continues thanks to Vol. 15 and Cory Levendusky. Interesting info supplied by Cory – I knew nothing about her, in fact I did not even know who sang the song - I seriously thought it was Rene Stewart.
4-99 Luft Balloons
This is an interesting pick. I credit this song for my first headphone stereo experience. Around the holidays in the same room where the body-casted boy lay, I received a lipstick red personal stereo complete with black headphones. I plugged in the phones and tuned into Nena. At about half a minute the stereo effect rocked my world. The adjective that I have long associated with this first listen to stereo was “sparkly.” Wondrous, encompassing, and very personal; it was simultaneously warm and cold, probably due to the very nature of the driving synths. With its syncopated funky guitar and exotic accent, my imagination was sparked. At 1:46 we have the great Captain Kirk mention. My first listen was likely the English version, but the accent was still clearly evident. So on a cold winter night this alien woman was singing intimately across great distances about air balloons and Captain Kirk – wow – for a moment I could forget about nuclear war and abandon myself to Nena’s world.
Thank you for the information Cory. I chose to address the Cold War in my intro; however, I am pretty sure I did not understand the true meaning of the song back then with my lipstick red personal stereo system.
There is a standard of what the 1980s were all about in terms of pop music, it is rather unfortunate that often the most unique are held up as symbols of the 80s music scene– along with “99 Luft Balloons” I am also thinking “Sweet Dreams” – both unique but more than a novelty. Novelty music from the 80s can be quite bad and I know it can be argued that “99 Luft Balloons” is nothing but a novelty, but I think that is only based on the fact that it is a work from another country, a form of Pop Music Racism. Really, Americans cannot accept that there is good pop music from other countries besides England and the US. Now “99 Luft Balloons” may be the only example, but…
On a radio mix tape that I still have, I recorded “99 Luft Balloons” and at the end the local DJ cut in with, “there it goes,” referring to the video and the release of the balloon. At the time I was disappointed, but it is quite funny now and that remark lives on – the famous DJ and his excellent timing and wit.
Speaking of Captain Kirk; it could have just as easily been Buck. In interviews Nena confessed she found Buck irresistible, but Captain Kirk fit in with the flow of the lyrics better, plus Buck had plenty of girls, Kirk had only one lady that he could ever really care about and her name was “Enterprise.” Nena was quick to add that Kirk was quite yummy as well.” OK Nena, I think you had better leave it at that.
Do they refer to balloons as “air balloons” in Germany?
Let them Fly Nena, Let them Fly.
And always, Fleugen Flein.
5-Walk of Life
You mentioned Mixdorf. And I will mention Mixdorf. “Brothers in Arms” was an album that Mixdorf, in his own way, would promote, and for good reason – good stuff. Dr Mark Freuder Knopfler is a fantastic guitarist. Beautiful songs such as “Why Worry” and the song from “The Princess Bride” – beautiful – really nice. I have “Why Worry” on my “Green Peace” compilation and the PB song from the DVD – I do not often use this word, but the guitar playing is “gorgeous.” Mixdorf had the tape, with that shiny silver guitar on the cover – did you buy it at Target in Waterloo, and was I present? I do not want to say too much about the band or Mark as I am much more interested in reading what Mixdorf has to say about the subject.
Great beginning and build up, a classic beginning to a very good song. Very Rock’n’Roll, allusions to oldies, Johnnies, heroes, finding your own way. The musical structures themselves, more complex perhaps, but very rooted in good ole Rock’n’Roll.
1:12, 1:57, 2:52 “the boy can play” – I have wondered, if on some level, Mark is asking the world to notice. Many of his songs have lines about “playing guitar.” The Knop CAN play, no doubt, but only his peers really know it – the people do not necessarily know it, except for “I want my MTV, which is associated with Sting anyway. Not a huge deal, he is great, if never attaining Pop Star Status as a guitarist. I just wonder if underneath it all (No Doubt) Mark wanted a little more than validation by his peers.
6-Magic
Love the spooky beginning and the song as a whole. Summer love spells at work.
“I see you under the midnight,” nice evidence of Ric’s fangless Vampire, exiled by the Goths, and embraced by the middle-class.
Mechanical Pop – interesting tag, makes sense. The songs have very clean arrangements, many hooks, and often are extremely catchy. I always thought it odd, their song “Drive,” an obvious, literal connection to Cars, but the one song that was the most un-Cars like. Anyway, I owned the Cars greatest hits and had “Hello Again” taped from the radio – anybody else remember that video – that cleavage. Hughes liked “Shake it Up” and so I thought the hardcore party good at basketball crowd really dug Ric, which IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
It is possible that the song had something to do with us naming our dog, but I am not sure. I remember loving the video too – Ric walking on water, dressed in black, that hair, the Adam’s apple, the shades – reminds me of Summer stuff for several reasons – some obvious, some not so, some nutso.
You are most welcome for any musical memories; I do remember listening to that song down in Elliot. Great song!
7-Small Town
I appreciate you sharing your experiences of family in small towns. I LOVE your “instant aid” comment – hilarious! The best of both worlds is elusive. John was a classic presence on MTV and the radio. There were songs that I liked and songs that I didn’t like. Around 2000 or 2001 I “acknowledged” John and confessed that I did in fact like him and actually LOVED some of his songs. He wasn’t as up there with Prince, U2, or Peter Gabriel, but I really did love many of his songs. I have one album and will likely purchase a compilation at some point, or at least gather about those songs I really dig. In ’95 the tree climbing Tupa referred to “that fuckin’ beat” as he tapped some ciggy ash into a yellow McDonald’s wrapper. The song blaring out of the dash in a truck with six wheels, interestingly, “Magic” was also cranked. I was there with my cooler full of red pepper slices and a corn-cob pipe with tobacco spilling out all over in a lame attempt at fitting in. The smell and sound is very memorable.
“Small Town” is not necessarily my favorite John song, but I do like it, I used to hate it. “I cannot forget the people who love me,” part of that excellent bridge around a minute and a half. Dan and I often would comment on the chord structures used by Mellencamp, D-A-E, or slight variations – I do not know if a pop artist has been more successful. He isn’t bashful about using them, part of his greatness. There’s the guitar – solid, recognizable and let me give the Tupa some credit – Mellencamp’s drum arrangements are really really solid with a strong driving beat. Mellencamp’s words are fairly simple but they usually incorporate a deceptively clever twist which I think is lost on most listeners. He is exciting and passionate and like other greats from the time period, did it his way, from the ground up.
“People let me be just what I wanna be” – interesting line that is a bit loaded. I will return to this with another Buck comparison, but later. For now, in what way do “people LET you be?” And that will be OK if you are a certain type of person, but much of being let alone depends on the persons handling of the perception of the others letting you be. Letting you be hungry, poor, ill? Are there limits imposed on what you can aspire to be?
Not to pick on Mellencamp, (because he only uses it for a tiny portion of the song) but there is a harmonica thing that I have never liked and it happens here, in this song at 2:47. Any acoustic arrangement in any size town in any part of the country you will here these trios of notes. I believe it is a cop out, a simple thing to do, and for some harmonica players – the only thing they know how to do. I do not know if Mellencamp did this intentionally to highlight what he thought was a small town musical device – maybe, in which case it was effective, but it is a musical pet peeve of mine
Good to hear Mellencamp in the CMC. When you put all the pieces together you come up with quite a little bundle of greatness. The act of listening to Mellencamp is enjoyable – I say that because when you read the words on paper or think about him as a vocalist or visualize the man dancing – ok – but the sum of his parts….often excellent.
8-Every Breath You Take
I think, with “Every Breath You Take” and Mixdorf’s Police compilation that all of the Police albums have been represented by CMC. And why not - Great band and great songs, including EBYT. Congratulations then, to The Police, and did you guys know – they are getting back together for a tour, not sure if they’ll be recording or not.
This song has been played many many times. Sting once said he was sick of it. You can hear remakes of it, samples, and on multiple radio stations offering a diverse range of formats. The song is popular, possibly the most popular song on this compilation. One reason, despite all the play, it really is a great song. I LOVE Every Breath You Take. The drums are excellent, and Andy’s guitar seems to be the culmination of his style – excellent excellent guitar complete with squeaks and squawks, Sting’s bass perfect and underrated (especially live) and a great Sting vocal. The synthy orchestra arrangement is a nice touch as well as the use of other keyboard elements.
“How my poor heart aches” is my favorite line both in terms of delivery and the words themselves. Great bridge, lyrics and the pling plings leading into the transition at 1:44 is masterful – wonderful song. I’ve gotten sprinkles from this one. The 3:56 "I’ll Be Watching You” is especially nice – very Stingy (ooh isn’t that funny).
Great great song – all elements working really well together. I thought the video for the song was quite nice – possibly informing future U2 videos. I think I must have been listening to Every Breath You Take – The Singles and Sting’s Nothing Like the Sun quite a bit, maybe eighth grade, while reading The Lord of the Rings – Sting’s voice always takes me back to our living room on Easton, comforting and terribly exciting.
9-Against the Wind
I am really glad that this song has a positive affect on you and the life that you have had so far and I appreciate you sharing.
That said, I am not a fan of this song or Bob Seager. I know that many real men like Seager, but I have never been a real man. Too many clichés. Too much cheese. He can ride his Night Trains Against The Wind only so many times. At 2:26 though, it is funny, “A little something against the wind” like he farted or something. Hee Hee. Sorry dude, just not into this one.
10-I Won’t Back Down
Great song. This album made quite a splash in college. I can remember listening to it with Mixdorf on that famous CD player of his – he had the CD and I made a copy onto tape.
“I Won’t Back Down” is a great idea – stand your ground, believe in yourself and your abilities – all good stuff.
Buck epitomized these sentiments. If he felt it better to operate the ships manually then he would disengage the auto-pilot no matter what the directive was. And you know what – he saved lives, he didn’t back down. Buck believed in himself, had a spine, and did what he felt was right.
11-Take On Me
This guy had to be a heartthrob in the Netherlands, which is north of Belgium and west of Germany with a huge border on the North Sea and is indeed part of Europe. Wonder if he ever broke it in the movie or soap opera business. I like the song and the associated video.
One of my favorite Cory lines, from his comments : “Early MTV was good programming.” Great!
And speaking of Great Programming…Buck Rogers, astronaut from this very era – 1987, blasted into the 25th century to mingle with Col. Wilma Deering. We all know how good looking Gil Gerard and Erin Gray are – VERY VERY SMOKING!! But there was also Pamela Hensley who played Princess Ardala, (by the way I love the way Dan talks about the Princess, something about the way he pronounces Ardala) -there are scenes that even today, will take your breath away. She was unbelievable! And tan!
To go back to what Cory mentioned, The 80's is a time when we all thought about nuclear war, girls, science fiction” – well that’s Buck. He left us in High School in the 80s, went to the future after the nuclear that we feared had actually happened, to hang out with beautiful women – that is science fiction in a nutshell.
12-Cheers Theme Song (Extended Version)
Classic piano opening.
What is that weird sound at two seconds?
I like this version of the song better than the version presented as number one, an edit for the show. The extended version seems to be a more fully developed song. Woody again? Alarming horn towards the end and a very abrupt ending. I like the line, “Mr. Coffee’s dead” a nice touch – as if Mr. Coffee WAS one of the people that he hung out with or knew his name. Ultimately very sad – your life having to revolve around the people that know you at a bar, in a bar scene. I know there is probably more to it than that and for some, circumstances may necessitate such an existence in order to have human contact, but sad nonetheless.
Lessons from William Buck Rogers
Buck was unique and loved for being simply himself, a benefit of being propelled out of time, a variation of the Crocodile Dundee Syndrome. If I find that prize calculator, I will bury it, forever. Buck was found both amusing and talented by his future peers- but he was always himself. What was he like in the 80s? Was the space accident the greatest thing to happen to him?
Thanks Cory for Vol. 15 and the trip down memory corridor!!
BS: Every Breath You Take
SIWHI: “Suspension” sung by Kip Lennon written by Larson/Phillips. Not sung very well, but sweeping emotional effect. Look for it in your e-mail accounts.
