Bee Gees, "Stayin' Alive"

I have to hand it to the Bee Gees: They each look very serious in a doorway and/or window pane.  Together, they're a disco-fueled force to be reckoned with.  

This awesome song is, of course, from "Saturday Night Fever."  But you're probably thinking to yourself, Shouldn't this be from the critically-acclaimed movie, "Stayin' Alive?"  Well, we're both right.  "Stayin' Alive" the movie could very well be on my top 5 list of the most ironically awesome movies.  How John Travolta ever bounced back from that is anyone's guess; I suppose you could say his career is quite simply... stayin' alive.

And on that note, enjoy the very serious window pane singing:

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, "Over You"

The Gary Puckett and the Union Gap greatest hits CD that I bought a few years ago is truly one of the finest albums of my collection.  I don't know what it is about these guys that just sounds awesome to me.  "Over You" could easily my favorite GPATUG song.  I have record after record down in my collection; maybe I'll have to break those out this weekend...

This video is classic late '60s, which makes it all the better (And for all my Portugese readers, you'll be happy to know that there are subtitles on this one):

Marty Robbins, "El Paso"

I don't know much about El Paso, but I haven't heard great things.  I know it's close to Mexico, and it's pretty dusty.  My wife based her entire first impression of Texas based a trip to El Paso several years ago, so I had to take her to San Antonio to straighten that out.

But when El Paso comes up, I always think about Marty Robbins.  And now, after seeing this video, I'll always see him wearing that outstanding white suit:

Ace, "How Long"

I heard this song on the radio for years, never really knowing who it is.  I know only barely know.  It's Ace.  Apparently they had only one hit, but lead singer Paul Carrack went on to sing for "Squeeze," where they pretty much had one hit, too ("Tempted").

And still, the only reason I looked any of this up is because the video is so awesome.  Don't get me wrong, it's a great song... but the video is priceless.  I want random fog wherever I go, and I want the scarf that the guitarist is wearing.  Also, I want Paul Carrack's facial hair (I'm working on it; the Justache continues to thrive).

Ladies and germs, Ace.

The Monkees, "I'm A Believer"

When I think of "I'm A Believer," I think of The Monkees.  But I should think of Neil Diamond, since he wrote it.

But here's The Monkees version anyway:

FUN TIMES TWO: Starlight Vocal Band, "Afternoon Delight"

A buddy of ours recently visited us here in Portland, and we continued our tradition of going out for karaoke.  For some reason--and these reasons haven't yet been sorted out--he and I chose to sing "Afternoon Delight."  He wasn't familiar with the song's lyrics; I wasn't familiar with singing falsetto.  It was a brutal combination.  Between laughing and grimacing, we mustered maybe a few of the sentences.  The rest was simply gibberish.

So I wonder what it must have been like for the members of Starlight Vocal Band to keep a straight face while they were singing the song three decades ago.  Did anyone at the time really know what they were singing about?  Look at some of the faces in the crowd in this video... they all look really confused.  Maybe they're daydreaming about Afternoon Delight.  

Whatever the case may be, the video is truly a delight.  And in case you don't pick up on the meaning of the original lyrics, I've posted Ron Burgundy and the Channel 4 News Team's take on the whole thing:

"Everything's Alright" from "Jesus Christ Superstar"

The first time I saw the movie "Jesus Christ Superstar" was in a high school history class.  I was instantly hooked.  People probably think the musical is just about Jesus--and it mostly is--but to me, it's also about how awesome the '70s were.  When I ask people if they've ever seen this and they say no, it's hard to explain just how '70s it really is.  All the facial hair, all the slo-mo shots... it's all fantastic.  Carl Anderson (Judas) died a few years ago, but Ted Neely (Jesus) is still kickin' it.  I saw him in a traveling version of the show, and he's still rocking it.  

So here's "Everything's Alright," in all of its 1973 glory:

Quarterflash, "Harden My Heart"

My parents were in town recently, and my dad was telling me about all the concerts he's been to.  This drove me nuts because he recalled them casually, as if everyone went to The Eagles' "Hotel California" tour or AC/DC's "Back in Black" tour... not realizing that I would consider selling a limb to go back in time to see those concerts.  Regardless, amongst the names was Quarterflash.  Again, he casually said that as if everyone knows who or what Quarterflash is.  I did not.  So when we got home, we perused the internet and found out that the band, low and behold, is from right here in Portland.  I could shop in the same grocery store as these people and not know it.  Or maybe I would know it.  Maybe lead singer Rindy Ross would be like "It's going to 'Harden My Heart' to think that you don't know where to find Wheat Thins here at Safeway."  I'd be like, "Thanks for patronizing me with a classic rock song title, mysterious stranger."

I have to say, though, Rindy playing the saxophone & doing lead vocals is pretty hot.  Not as hot as Karen Carpenter playing the drums & singing, but still pretty sax-y!

Elvis, "In The Ghetto"

I discovered Elvis' "Sun Sessions" recordings last year, and they're fascinating.  It's not one of the Elvises that everyone knows: The young, arm-swinging Elvis that made girls swoon--or the fat, sweaty Elvis that made women swoon.  It's a third Elvis: sitting on a Memphis porch, smoothly belting out a classic Southern sound.  That's how it sounds anyway; I haven't actually seen video of him sitting on a porch.  So if you get a chance, do yourself a favor and listen to a copy of these recordings.

But this video isn't about the third Elvis.  It's about the fat, sweaty Elvis.  Here's "In The Ghetto":

Burt Bacharach & Vikki Carr, "The Look of Love"

Here's another guy who grew up in KC, Burt Bacharach.  I would like to think that without him the following things couldn't be possible: The Carpenters, "Austin Powers," and anything else ever done anywhere.  He's just that awesome.

You've also gotta love this bit they have going on.  She springs this "surprise" song on him, but he just starts playing it without her ever saying, "By the way, it's 'The Look of Love.'"  Classic Bacharach.  

And the whole clip starts off, "Incidentally, your friend wasn't too bad, either."  Burt, you sly dog!

American Idol Special: Bill Withers, "Ain't No Sunshine"

Bill Withers is the man.  There's no disputing that.  But equally groovy is drummer James Gadson.  I never knew who that was until I watched this video, and it turns out that James and I grew up in the same town: Kansas City.  And it's a bummer that I never ran into him, since he seems like a pretty cool cat.  Not that I would be worthy of his friendship, but I envision us drinking PBR and talking about the humidity.

Also, Bill Withers in a turtleneck?  Good stuff.  He's svelte.

So when all the kids start talking soon about how they love newly-minted American Idol Kris Allen's song "Ain't No Sunshine," just remember that Bill Withers & James Gadson are here, doing it the way it was meant to be done:

American Idol Special: Paula Abdul (Medley)

Before Paula Abdul became an incoherent, mumbling mess on American Idol, she could do anything: sing, dance, choreograph.  She was even a well-known French pastry chef.  No, no she wasn't.  But you get my point: She was versatile.

She excited people so much that Arsenio Hall even introduced her in this video while shaking his fist in the air, and he NEVER did that with anyone else.   So enjoy this medley before you watch the American Idol finale, and remember: No matter who wins all of our votes, Paula will always have all of our hearts and be forever our girl...

 

American Idol Special: Journey, "Girl Can't Help It"

A few years ago, I saw Journey in Kansas City, joined with thousands of middle-aged drunken fans.  Honestly, it's the only way to see a concert.  But I didn't know how Journey would sound without Steve Perry.  When they came out, so did the then-lead singer, Steve Augeri.  Maybe it was the beer, maybe I was distracted by the inebriated crowd... but I could have sworn Steve Perry was singing dressed as Kenny G.  The new guy sounded EXACTLY like Steve Perry.

Anyway, just when I thought Journey couldn't get any more rad, I found out that a fellow named Randy Jackson of "American Idol" fame had rocked out with the group for a little while in the 80s.  So, here's to you, Randy, and to your awesome jacket:

Electric Light Orchestra, "Showdown"

This song always reminds me of Bill Murray in the movie "Kingpin," with the crazy hair and the rose in the bowling ball and him flailing himself all over the bowling alley. ELO has a ton of great stuff, and I'll probably post many of their songs, but for now here's "Showdown":

The Carpenters, "Close To You"

I swear, the cast of a Fellini film has assembled to star in this music video: Karen with the German-restaurant waitress outfit, Richard with the prom tux, and the woodwind player with the Mutton chops.   I love many things about "The Carpenters"--but nothing more than their sense of style:

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, "The Lonely Bull"

It doesn't get any better than this.  Anything Herb Alpert plays is like listening to angels.  Angels with trumpets.

Side note: Did you know that Herb Alpert helped discover "The Carpenters"?  Man, that guy is just the cat's pajamas.

Here's "The Lonely Bull":

The Guess Who, "American Woman"

Here's one everyone knows and loves, "American Woman."  Notice lead singer Burton Cummings wearing a sweet white suit and, more importantly, an even sweeter 'stache to match it.   And I love the guitarist, who looks like he just woke up after drinking paint thinner all night in his basement.

America, "Ventura Highway"

Here's another band that I've seen live, "America."  Did you know many of their albums were produced by Beatles producer George Martin?  I found that on Wikipedia, so it MUST be true.  Not sure why I was ever on Wikipedia looking up "America."  But George Martin?  Crazy.

Okay, so this is a crowd favorite, "Ventura Highway."  Notice how woolly everyone was in the 70s; you'll see that a lot in these videos.  Enjoy.

First Post

Justin here.  Thanks for visiting my blog.  

Each day, I'll be posting a link to a really rad music video.  Hence Justin's List.  Feel free to watch, comment, whatnot.  But that's all it is: Just a list of awesome, sometimes ironically awesome, music videos. 

The first video on Justin's List is from a band I've seen live several times.  And I figured that given the nature of blogging, it was a good way to start out: 

"Too Much Time On My Hands" from Styx:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQiJdf-ebIs