BIG Music Recommends

Have you missed my music recommendations? It's cool if you say "no", but I know deep down you want to scream YES!

I have been on an 80s kick for the last month... plus thirty years or so.

There is something about a synthesizer and high male voices that just hit me in my happy place. The other night I went for a run and instead of listening to rock songs with a heavy beat or uber-pop to push my steps along, I had some random music going. The song that made me forget I was pounding the pavement was George Michael's "Heal the Pain"--an underrated classic, in my opinion (which was released in 1991, but that was practically 80s).

"Let me tell you a secret,
Put it in your heart and keep it;
Something that I want you to know
...Be good to yourself, because nobody else
Has the power to make you happy."

Oh, how I love some George Michael. He and Freddie are some of the best singers ever. Can I get an AMEN?

Thank you.

You want some great 80s songs recommendations? Sure.

Freiheit's "Kissed You in the Rain" (if you don't love this, we need to talk about your soul)
oxo "Whirly Girl" (on Solid Gold, even--booyah!)
When in Rome's "The Promise" (I mean, come on)
Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" (Maggie, my 11yo, loves this song)
Erasure's "Yahoo!" (90% of Erasure makes me smile in the most ridiculous way)
Yaz "Don't Go"; The Church's "Under the Milky Way"; Thompson Twins; OMD; Depeche Mode; Cyndi Lauper; Alphaville; a-Ha; I could go on and on.

Is it just me, or are there a lot of recent songs that have that good ol' 80s sound?

Pink (P!nk) is kind of an incredible singer/performer. She just exudes hard work and tenacity. And this new song (Just Give Me a Reason) with Nate Bruess of fun. is totally reminiscent of an 80s ballad to me.



Do you hear it? Do you like it? (it is live, so give it a break, Alan) (side note: when Maggie saw this, she said, "oh, that's the singer of fun.? He's really cute!" oy vey)

Donkeyboy just screams 80s! They are from Norway, though, and I have a feeling that Norway never left the glorious 80s music beats.

Check out their whole album. It's deliriously fantastic. 



One more? Since you insist. Be Mine.


Let's be honest, I am stretching with this Alabama Shakes song; it is pretty much a timeless sound. But I will justify sharing it because she reminds me of Tracy Chapman. If you haven't bought this album yet, you crazy. It is moody and incredible and bluesy and chill and intense. Check it out.

Do you like 80s music? What is your favorite song from the 80s? Have you heard any songs recently that have that 80s vibe?

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