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15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 9 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Columbia, Don Henley and Past Masters Holdings, LLC, Mercury, Motown, Parlophone, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Gerd Altmann, Kiddkos from Pixabay]15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 9 features music courtesy of The 5th Dimension, Carl Carlton, Don Henley, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Tina Turner.

Ilove older music – I’m an old soul despite being a millennial.  My parents are baby boomers, so, they love music from the 1960s and 70s.  Their great taste, which encompasses various styles, with soul topping the list, rubbed off on me.  With Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 in full swing, and multiple soul/pop/rock oldies lists under my belt 🎧 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8 – I proudly present 🎧 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 9. Gracing this list are contributions from 🎙 The 5th Dimension, 🎙 Carl Carlton, 🎙 Don Henley, 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire, and 🎙 Tina Turner among others. All songs featured on this list had to be released prior to 1990.  Future compendiums will expand into the 90s but for now, everything you see or hear in this series predates it.  So, without further ado, let’s take it back 30-plus years and enjoy these throwback vibez of various styles!

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1. The Trammps, “Disco Inferno”

💿 Disco Inferno 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1976 

The Trammps, Disco Inferno [📷: Atlantic]“(Burn, baby, burn) Disco inferno / (Burn, baby, burn) Burn the mother down.” One of the great gems of the disco era arrives courtesy of 🎙 The Trammps🎵 “Disco Inferno” is by far the crowning achievement of the collective, eventually earning success on the Billboard Hot 100.  Originally released on The Trammps’ 1976 album, 💿 Disco Inferno, “Disco Inferno” was merely a moderate success, peaking at an unimpressive no. 53 on the Hot 100 (it charted higher on genre charts).  Thanks to the gargantuan success of the film 🎦 Saturday Night Fever (1977) and its disco-driven soundtrack, which included “Disco Inferno,” the single ultimately peaked at no. 11.

The first thing that comes to mind when listening to this single are the burning lines.  “Disco Inferno” was inspired by the 🏆 Academy Award winning, 1974 film, 🎦 The Towering Inferno. “To my surprise… one hundred stories high / People getting loose y’all, getting down on the roof, do ya hear?” Ah, those are the famed lyrics from the first verse, which do seem to match the fun happening on the top flow of the skyscraper from the film.  The verse continues with, “The funk was flaming, out of control / It was so entertaining, when the boogie started to explode.”  The power of dance – the disco – atop the roof, doesn’t end there: “I couldn’t get enough, ‘til I had to self-destruct / The heat was on, rising to the top.” Woo! It’s safe to say, “When my spark gets hot / Just can’t stop!” Indeed, indeed – BURN BABY, BURN!

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2. The 5th Dimension, “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”

💿 The Age of Aquarius 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1969

The 5th Dimension, The Age of Aquarius [📷: Sony Music Entertainment]“This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius!” Two-part songs are commonplace in the 2020s, particularly in hip-hop/rap.  They are not brand-new, however.  In 1969, 🏆 Grammy-winning soul collective, 🎙 The 5th Dimension, impressed with two-parter for the ages: 🎵 “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”.  Neither parts of the song were original to the group; both are covers.  Where do these songs originate? A controversial and explicit 1960s musical called Hair, which was a BIG DEAL.  The 5th Dimension took these two songs from this musical and turned them into one of the biggest hits of all time.  “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, spending a total of 17 weeks on the chart.  Furthermore, the record won the collective two Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Group.  Their album, 💿 The Age of Aquarius, was also nominated for the most highly coveted Grammy, Album of the Year.

“Harmony and understanding

Sympathy and trust abounding

No more falsehoods or derisions

Golden living dreams of visions.”

“Aquarius” arrives first, in all its lush, hippie, and psychedelic glory.  Take one listen and this record is like NOTHING you’ve ever heard (at least, at the time), from a soul collective.  The production and orchestration – horns, strings, and the rhythm section – are stunning.  The voices are picturesque in timbre – electrifying, and playful.  The harmonies are angelic; utterly celestial.  Arguably, “Let The Sunshine In” is the crème de la crème with its repetitive lyrics, and even livelier vibe. “Sunshine” is more driving, energy, and soulful, running slightly longer than “Aquarius.” Even with the repetitive lyrics, “Let The Sunshine In” is a song that you don’t want to end in the least.  Even well into the 2020s, 🎵 “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” is a truly refreshing listen. 

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3. Tina Turner, “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)”

💿 Simply the Best🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 1991

Tina Turner, Simply The Best [📷: Parlophone]“Out of the ruins / Out from the wreckage / Can’t make the same mistake this time.” For sure, 🎙 Tina Turner, for sure! By the time 🎵 “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” arrived, Turner had firmly secured her makeover as a pop/rock artist in her solo career.  💿 Private Dancer had arrived in 1984, a year ahead of the 💿 Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack.  Notably, Turner was an actor in the movie (Aunty Entity) in addition to singing on the soundtrack. Of course, the song trumps everything else on the soundtrack, earning Turner another huge hit (it peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100).

“We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” was written by 🎼 ✍ Graham Lyle and Terry Britten.  The backdrop is energetic, with ample rhythm, an impressive groove, and colorful instrumental cues (keys, guitars, bass, saxophone solo by 🎷 Tim Cappello). From start to finish, Tina Turner delivers her signature tone.  She is a bit more poised during portions of the verses, picking up steam on the gargantuan, anthemic chorus in all its glory.

“We don’t need another hero

We don’t need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond

Thunderdome.”

Another memorable moment precedes the chorus, as Turner sings, in both verses, “And I wonder when we are ever gonna change / Living under the fear, until nothing else remains.” Also, shout out the totally turned up bridge – WOO! Adding to the distinct, memorable nature of “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” is when a truly spirited Turner invites the children to sing.  The timbre of children’s voices just adds something extra special to so many songs, with “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” being no exception.

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4. James Taylor, “Shower the People”

💿 In The Pocket 🏷 Warner • 📅 1976 

James Taylor, In The Pocket [📷: Warner]“You can play the game and you can act out the part / Though you know it wasn’t written for you.” Hmm, now that is prudent and thought provoking, 🎙 James Taylor!  Taylor has showered us with hits throughout his career including his gem, 🎵 “Shower the People.” “Shower the People” appears on Taylor’s 1976 album, 💿 In The Pocket.  The song earned success on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at a respectable no. 22.

So, what makes “Shower the People” so awesome? If you are a James Taylor fan, you’ll appreciate the chill, mellow sound – it’s typical James Taylor. I love the warm timbre of the guitars and electric keys. Furthermore, James sings beautifully, never getting too high (this man never breaks a sweat). The chorus, specifically, is absolutely delightful with the warm vocal harmonies.  Furthermore, it marks the most tuneful section of the record:

“Shower the people you love with love

Show them the way that you feel

Things are gonna work out fine if you only will…”

You know what – James has a point! “Shower the People” also benefits from a nice harmonic progression, which is  most notable during the chorus section.  Of course, the crème de la crème is the thoughtful lyricism and songwriting. This, of course, is the expectation with a singer/songwriter as talented as Mr. Taylor is.  “Better to shower the people you love with love / Yes and show them the way that you feel / I know things are gonna be just fine if you only will…”

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5. Don Henley, “Dirty Laundry”

💿 I Can’t Stand Still🏷 Don Henley and Past Masters Holdings, LLC • 🗓 1982

Don Henley, I Can’t Stand Still [📷: Don Henley and Past Masters Holdings, LLC]“People love it when you lose / They love dirty laundry.” 🏆 Grammy winning rock musician 🎙 Don Henley has a legitimate point. “It’s interesting when people die / Give us dirty laundry.” Woo!  On 🎵 “Dirty Laundry”, Henley drops a song for the ages about, well, people honestly.  A standout from his 1982 debut album,  💿 I Can’t Stand Still, “Dirty Laundry” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Furthermore, it was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards.  So, who and what song did “Dirty Laundry” lose the Grammy to? Oh, one 🎙 John Mellencamp🎵 “Hurts So Good”.

“Can we film the operation? Is the head dead yet?

You know, the boys in the newsroom got a running bet

Get the window on the set!

We need dirty laundry.”

The theme and lyrics are just one of the things that make “Dirty Laundry” awesome.  The production and sound are 1980s to the core, which is incredibly sweet, to be honest. Not only do you get some great guitar riffs, but you also get the boxy drums and rich keys/synths.  Throw in the gang vocals on the chorus, and “Dirty Laundry” is a whole vibe: “Kick ‘em when they’re up / Kick ’em when they’re down / Kick ‘em when they’re up / Kick ‘em when they’re down.” The laundry may be filth but dis song right here – a surefire bop! Can anybody sing 🎵 “Dirty Laundry” other than Don Henley?

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6. Ohio Players, “Skin Tight”

💿 Skin Tight🏷 Mercury • 🗓 1974

Ohio Players, Skin Tight [📷: Mercury]“You are a bad, bad missus /In them skin tight britches,” 🎙 Ohio Players front man, 🎙 Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner, sings in the first verse of the funk/soul classic, 🎵 “Skin Tight”. He continues singing on the highlight from the band’s 1974 LP, also named 💿 Skin Tight, “Runnin’ folks into ditches / Baby you’re about to bust the stitches, yeah.” Woo! This surefire throwback vibe performed well on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at no. 13.

Lyrically, “Skin Tight” is limited. Even so, the few, often repetitive lyrics served up by Bonner are sufficient.“You are a real fine lady / Though your walk’s a little shady,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “Step on the strip on time / There’s money you’re bound to find, yeah.” Day-um! Besides being risqué (though tame by today’s standards), the music is absolutely electrifying. The bass line kicks serious butt – one of those must-hear, must-learn lines if you’re a bassist. Furthermore, the groove is lit, while those horns are the sugar honey iced tea. Beyond Bonner’s lead vocals, those backing vocals on the titular lyrics are also utterly sublime. Amazingly, this nearly 50-year-old joint remains relevant today – quite the VIBE!

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7. Ray, Goodman & Brown, “Special Lady”

💿 The Best of Ray, Goodman & Brown🏷 Universal / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1996

Ray, Goodman & Brown, The Best of Ray, Goodman & Brown [📷: Universal / UMG Recordings, Inc]“You must be a special lady / And a very exciting girl / You gotta be a special lady / ‘Cause you got me sittin’ on top of the world / Sittin’ on top of the world.” Woo! What special lady she must be indeed! 🎙 Ray, Goodman & Brown (formerly 🎙 The Moments)  – 🎙 Harry Ray (1946 – 1992), 🎙 Al Goodman (1943 – 2010), and 🎙 Billy Brown (1946 –) – scored a big time hit with their song, 🎵 “Special Lady”. “Special Lady,” which graced the trio’s 1979 album, 💿 Ray, Goodman & Brown, peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, charting for 18 weeks.

“Somehow I knew it would be you / To change my gray skies to blue.” Ah – that special lady has truly changed their worlds! The song celebrates love and finding ‘the one.’ There are a number of poetic lyrics, all relating back to her specialness.  Beyond the first verse, Ray, Goodman & Brown assert, “I was like a song so out of key / Then you came and gave my soul a melody.” Now that is sweet! Beyond the dedicated lyrics, the music is a vibe itself.  The backdrop is bright and sunny, matching the feel-good, lovey-dovey vibes conveyed by the lyrics.  Whether you have found your special girl or special guy, 🎵 “Special Lady” is a song that touts the goodness and the sheer beauty of love.

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8. Earth, Wind & Fire, “Reasons”

💿 That’s The Way Of The World🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1975 

Earth, Wind & Fire, That’s The Way Of The World [📷: Columbia]“Now, I’m craving your body, is this real / Temperature’s rising, I don’t want to feel.”  Ooh-la-la, 🎙 Philip Bailey! The 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire lead vocalist truly elevates the temperature on 🎵 “Reasons”, the sixth track on the collective’s 1975 album, 💿 That’s The Way Of The World.  “Reasons” is a renowned song by the iconic band, yet, it did NOT chart on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s also worth noting that the triple platinum That’s The Way Of The World is best known for Earth, Wind & Fire’s no. 1, gold-certified hit, 🎵 “Shining Star”. Regardless, “Reasons” is a marvelous ballad that shows off Bailey’s premier falsetto.

The sexual references on “Reasons” earn plenty of attention – “Kissing and hugging and holding you tight.” Furthermore, in the second verse, Bailey begs, “I’m longing to love you for one night / Please let me love you with all of my might.” Woo! Still, it is the chorus, the centerpiece, that earns the most hype from this joint: “After all  our reasons why / All our reasons lie / After all our reasons, love / Love was left aside.” My, my! Beyond the verses and chorus, there are other notable sections, including the pre-chorus (or refrain) as well as the outro, where those reasons continue to flow.  That said, you can’t fail to mention the music – the instrumental backdrop – when it comes to Earth, Wind & Fire.  The music is top-notch, in all the funky, lush, and soulful glory of the 1970s.  Horns, strings, keys, a tight rhythm section – such a vibe!

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9. Dionne Warwick, “You’re Gonna Need Me”

💿 Just Being Myself🏷 Warner • 🗓 1973

Dionne Warwick, Just Being Myself [📷: Warner]“Aww, baby, what you say now? Mm, you’re gonna want me back.” 🎵 “Throwback” is one of many stellar songs from 💿 Confessions, the 2004 contemporary R&B tour de force by 🎙 Usher.  One of the reasons why “Throwback” stands out is the soulful backdrop produced by 🎛 Just Blaze.  Of course, Just Blaze gets a huge boost courtesy of a colorful, dynamic soul sample: 🎵 “You’re Gonna Need Me” by the legendary and versatile 🎙 Dionne Warwick.  Likely, many millennials and younger missed out on this highlight from Warwick’s 1973 album, 💿 Just Being Myself.  Usher, likely, served as the introduction and reason for hearing “You’re Gonna Need Me.”  Even so, “You’re Gonna Need Me” is a fantastic, standalone record from the Dionne Warwick collection.

“Mm, you’re gonna want me back in your arms

You’re gonna need me, one day

You’re gonna want me back in your arms.”

“You’re Gonna Need Me” was written and produced by the iconic 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Holland-Dozier-Holland team – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland.  Additionally, 🎼 ✍ Richard “Popcorn” Wylie co-wrote this sensational opener from Just Being Myself.  From a production standpoint, it is epic, with its keys, guitar, memorable bass line, strings, and potent groove.  From a vocal perspective, Warwick impresses with her instrument, coming off commanding yet never over-singing in the least.  Lyrically and thematically, Warwick warns this guy he is making a mistake leaving her – “You’ll taste the bitterness of being alone / There’s no splendor in the darkness of night / When there’s no loving arms to hold you tight.” Woo! She has a point! Putting a cap on things, she asserts, “You better prepare yourself for that rainy day / You better throw a little tenderness and affection.” YES! 🎵 “You’re Gonna Need Me” is nothing short of a marvelous record in the illustrious Dionne Warwick collection!

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10. The O’Jays, “For The Love of Money”

💿 Ship Ahoy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1973

The O'Jays, Ship Ahoy [📷: Sony Music Entertainment]“Money, money, money, money, money!” Woo! 🎙 The O’Jays waste little time at the beginning of their top-10 soul classic, 🎵 “For The Love of Money”. Following a groovy, instrumental intro, they repeat the subject of “For The Love of Money” 30 times before dropping the first verse! The repetition sets the tone for this money-centric gem that appears on the soul collective’s 1973 album, 💿 Ship Ahoy. This record marks another marvelous example of the pen and production of Philly soul proponents 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (Anthony Jackson also contributes his pen).

“Some people got to have it, some people really need it / Listen to me y’all, do things, do things, do things, bad things with it.” Facts, O’Jays! A long time before 🎙 Wu-Tang Clan rapped about 🎵 “C.R.E.A.M.”, not to mention more than a decade after 🎙 Barrett Strong wanted money, The O’Jays were singing about how corrupt that “mean green” can be.  “For the love of money, people will steal from their mother,” goes the chorus, continuing, “For the love of money, people will rob their own brother / … For that mean, mean, mean, mean, mean green.” Even though this “Almighty dollar” song is 50 years old as of 2023, the message, theme, nor song is the least bit anachronistic.  Money continues to be the root of all evil, and there may not be a better song to illustrate that point than this exceptional O’Jays gem. Also, it goes without singing that The O’Jays are those guys – the vocals are magnificent!

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11. The Supremes, “I Hear A Symphony”

💿 I Hear A Symphony🏷 Motown • 🗓 1966

The Supremes, I Hear A Symphony [📷: Motown]“You’ve given me a true love / And every day, I thank you, love.” Oh, how sweet! 🎙 The Supremes delivered a surefire, soul classic with 🎵 “I Hear A Symphony” (💿 I Hear A Symphony, 1966).  “I Hear A Symphony” was sweet music to the ears of pop and soul enthusiasts alike in the mid-1960s.  The exuberant, 1965 record about true love spent two weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The iconic Motown girl group, consisting of 🎙 Diana Ross, 🎙 Florence Ballard, and 🎙 Mary Wilson, continues singing, in the opening section, “For a feeling that’s so new / So inviting, so exciting.” Oh, love, in all its splendor!

Of course, the hook line is that legendary titular lyric: “Whenever you’re near, I hear a symphony.” The Supremes follow it up with numerous poetic lines, such as “A tender melody / Pulling me closer, closer to your arms / Then suddenly (I hear a symphony) / Ooh, your lips are touching mine…”  and later, “I hear a tender rhapsody of love now, baby, baby.” This Motown classic was not only performed by icons but written by the iconic collective, 🎼 ✍ Holland-Dozier-Holland (Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland).  Brian and Dozier also produced this catchy gem.  Sure, songs don’t sound like 🎵 “I Hear A Symphony” anymore but the nostalgia and the innocence of this love-driven number is refreshing in much more blunt and explicit times. It’s sad that Diana Ross and The Supremes have failed to ever win a 🏆 Grammy.

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12. Carl Carlton, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”

💿 Carl Carlton 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1981

Carl Carlton, Carl Carlton [📷: UMG Recordings, Inc.]“She’s a bad mama jama / Just as fine as she can be.” Woo! Basically, what 🎙 Carl Carlton saying is, this girl is FINE! She a 10! Sista got it going on! Honestly, the chorus of his no. 22 Billboard Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”, says it all. “She’s A Bad Mama Jama” graces Carlton’s 💿 self-titled, 1981 album, where he’s easy on the eyes on the cover art 😍.  Anyways, the record is one big load of 1980s female objectification, period.

“Her body measurements are perfect in every dimension / She’s got a figure,” Carlton asserts in the first verse. Da-yum! He adds, “I get so excited viewing her anatomy.” Hmm, I wonder just how excited Carl gets 🍆… It is a safe bet on this funky joint that the rocket 🚀 is ready for takeoff: “She’s built, oh, she’s stacked / Got all the curves that men like / Look at her.” Yes indeed! Ultimately, this 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Leon Haywood-helmed joint describes male horniness in expert fashion.  It is a fun song that is far less explicit than the female objectifying songs of the 2020s but still has the same effect.  After all, on 🎵 “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”, Carl Carlton is thinking with his pants.

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13. Eddie Kendricks, “Intimate Friends”

💿 Slick🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1977

Eddie Kendricks, Slick [📷: UMG Recordings, Inc.]“Your love, takes me higher / My life, you inspire / Fill me with love and desire / Your love takes me higher.” For legendary soul singer, 🎙 Eddie Kendricks, his relationship with his lover is lit 🔥.  Clearly, the former Temptations standout is I-N-F-A-T-U-A-T-E-D on 🎵 “Intimate Friends”, which graces his 1977 album, 💿 Slick. ‘Slick’ “Intimate Friends” is in numerous ways.  For one, the production by 🎛 Leonard Caston and David Van dePitte is soulful to the nth degree.  It is worth noting, in 2005, 🎙 Alicia Keys reminded us how awesome the instrumental from this song is, sampling it in her 🏆 Grammy-nominated hit, 🎵 “Unbreakable”.  “Intimate Friends” is also slick considering the theme and lyrics.  🎼 ✍ Gary Glenn composed a gem which Kendricks does a fabulous job of bring to life.  Intimate friends feels like something more than platonic friends.

To his credit, Kendrick never mentions the word sex. That said, does he need to? Intimacy can mean different things, but it is easy to infer that making love is part of the script.  In the second verse, Eddie sings, “Our love shines brighter, than the morning sun / Two hearts together becoming as one.” Yes, they are in a long-term, committed relationship.  Also, they seem to be, ‘making to do’ as well. The big takeaway, however, is that this is terrific soul classic, one that doesn’t earn the same acclaim as the bigger, better known hits, including his own no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Keep On Truckin’”.

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14. Bonnie Tyler, “Holding Out For a Hero”

💿 Secret Drams and Forbidden Fire 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited • 📅 1986 

Bonnie Tyler, Secret Drams and Forbidden Fire [📷: Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited]“Somewhere after midnight in my wildest fantasy / Somewhere just beyond my reach, there’s someone reaching back for me.” Who, 🎙 Bonnie Tyler, who?  Well, back in 1984, the Welsh singer was 🎵 “Holding Out For a Hero”, WOO! Originally, the 🎼 ✍ Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford penned record graced the Footloose soundtrack. The hit appeared on her own 1986 LP, 💿 Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire. So much about “Holding Out For a Hero” is one of a kind.

One of the biggest things that stands out on this cut is how ornate it is. The backdrop was carefully arranged and produced, still sounding impressive to this day, nearly four decades later.  The quick pace helps to make “Holding Out For a Hero” incredibly exhilarating. There is a plenteous amount of energy, courtesy of the busy backdrop as well as Tyler’s distinct and powerful lead vocals. Beyond the colorful verses, the chorus is infectious to the nth degree:

“I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.”

Support for Bonnie during the centerpiece, the chorus, includes harmonized background vocalists, pummeling drum runs, dizzying keys, and biting horn riffs. Yes, yes, yes! Surprisingly, “Holding Out For a Hero” was only a moderate success on the pop charts, peaking at no. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.  Oh well! We all know 🎵 “Holding Out For a Hero” deserved better!

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15. Surface, “Shower Me With Your Love”

💿 2nd Wave 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1988 

Surface, 2nd Wave [📷: Sony Music Entertainment]“My heart is filled with so much love / And I need someone I can call my own.” Oh, the nostalgia, 🎙 Surface.  Perhaps not the first 1980s-90s music collective that comes to mind, the R&B trio – 🎙 Bernard Jackson, 🎙 David Conley, and 🎙 David Townsend – had a successful run.  That run included the top-five, Billboard Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “Shower Me With Your Love”. “Shower Me With Your Love” graces their platinum-certified, 1988 album, 💿 2nd Wave. Clearly, matters of the heart shape this classic ballad that sounds idiomatic of the late 80s, yet remains potent in the 2020s.

Love is the superpower on this record.  Bernard Jackson asserts, “Life is too short to live alone / Without Someone to call my own / I will care for you, you will care for me / Our love will live forever.” Ah – sounds utterly perfect.  Perhaps love isn’t that easy, but in the hands of Surface, it sure sounds that way. Keeping things simple and hopeful, Jackson “Pray(s) all my wishes come true” and believes that “Fairy tales, they do sometimes come true / If you believe, it could happen to you.” Well, as they say, if you want something, you’ve got to speak it into existence.  Honestly, listening to how sincere Surface sounds on the gorgeous 🎵 “Shower Me With Your Love”, the hope is that they are indeed showered in love (“Shower me with your love / Shower me with the love that I long for”).  A super sweet R&B record, period.

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15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 9 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Columbia, Don Henley and Past Masters Holdings, LLC, Mercury, Motown, Parlophone, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner; Gerd AltmannKiddkos from Pixabay]

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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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