21 September 2012 - Michelle Branch - Are You Happy Now? / Santana & Michelle Branch - The Game of Love / Timbaland & Michelle Branch - Getaway

I was wondering the other day, "Whatever happened to Michelle Branch?"  I mean, for a few years there, she was a pretty bit hitmaker.

Well, I did some research and found the answer.  But, before I give that to you, why don't you enjoy this video, a top 20 hit from 2003?  It's both dreamy and angry - a little full of teen angst, but with musical talent to back up the angst.



In 2003, Michelle had a Grammy win for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocal - her song "The Game of Love" with Santana.  Even though I'm not a fan of Santana - most overrated guitarist in history? Maybe. - he chose a fantastic and talented artist - who is pretty good with a guitar in her own right - with whom to collaborate.


After that Grammy win, Michelle formed 1/2 of the country duo The Wreckers, a collaboration which earned her another well-deserved Grammy nomination - and who deserve their own posting (and who Scott wrote about in another one of his blogs here).  After that duo broke up, she has remained busy, recording a couple of albums, touring, and collaborating with Timbaland.  Which I have now discovered.

20 September 2012 - INXS - Original Sin

Let's head Down Under for today's 80s Thursday video. I really wanted to post the video for The One Thing if only so I can say Shabooh Shoobah (hey, look I still worked it in!). Unfortunately I couldn't find a decent version of the video. Original Sin from 1984's The Swing works though.

19 SeptembAAAARRRR 2012 - Relient K - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (with the VeggieTales original)

Normally, I'd save a cover for Totally Covered, but for Talk Like A Pirate Day, I'll make this exception. The young Christian punks cover a Veggie Tales "Silly Songs with Larry" staple.  And do a credible job on it.



And, for those of you not familiar with the Biblical tales spun by those who created VeggieTales - talking Christian vegetables, yes - here is the original. Frankly, it's a classic in and of itself, like several of their Silly Songs.  We'll revisit that topic again in the future, but for today, let's just enjoy this.

18 September 2012 - Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna

Something tells me Tony's going to kill me for posting this video. I'm sure there will be a message or comment to me about "stealing another one." And then I'll reply with something like, "and you would have ACTUALLY done a god job." Oh well, ya snooze, ya lose. Right?

I jumped on the Marina and the Diamonds bandwagon after the release of her second and most recent record -- Electra Heart. She was described to me as the Welsh Katy Perry, which of course piqued my interest. And while I agree with that comparison, it doesn't take long to see that she's so much more (and y'all know I likes my Katy Perry). There's a certain indie smartness (and ironic smartassness) to her lyrics (which she writes, along with the music). Think Lana Del Rey doing high energy electro-pop. Here's a video for one of my favorite tracks off Electra Heart.

17 September 2012 - Whale - Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe

I don't think any video has ever screamed Wicked Guilty Pleasure more than this one.  Young woman with braces and a lollypop in a short dress jumping up in the air to show off her underpants? Check. Angry looking man in a dress?  Check. Gratuitous shirtless men?  Check. Seemingly random video location - in a quarry? Check. Lyrics that exhibit only a passing fluency in English?  Check.

Swedish band Whale released this song a whole year ahead of their debut album, and the video was a doozy.  The sound was both poppy and grungy, making for an infectious combination and an unforgettable song, even without the video.

By the way, Cia Berg, the lead vocalist/young woman in question, was in her early 30s when this video was filmed.  She just looked young, thanks to good genes.  And braces.

14 September 2012 - Kishore Kumar - Bachna Ae Haseeno

The title song from arguably the greatest Bollywood movie of all time, 2008's Bachna Ae Haseeno is an exciting, energetic affair that you can't help but dance to. Well, I can't, but I'm a sucker for a trumpet.  This video is from the opening title sequence of the movie.

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The biggest trick? Kishore Kumar died in 1987.  This version of the song was a remix of an old song that he did with Asha Bhosle.  Needless to say, this isn't Kishore Kumar in this video. It is Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor.  It is a common practice to have singers do the singing for the screen actors.    Here is a video from the 1977 movie Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, using an older version of Kishore Kumar's vocals.  The irony? The actor that appears to be singing here is Rishi Kapoor - Ranbir's father.   Clearly the same song, with a different mix.


Incidentally, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen was also a big hit move.

This song has even made it to the United States.  Here is a clip from the television show "Outsourced", in which Gupta, played by the talented Parvesh Cheena, is dreaming about being a big Bollywood star. I really miss that show....

Anyway, enjoy!

13 September 2012 - Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy and C30, C60, C90, Go

Because decisions are hard, here's two cool Bow Wow Wow videos for your 80s Thursday viewing pleasure. Let's start with their hit song. I'm sure you all remember this MTV classic video.



And now here's a lesser known, but even cooler tune. Enjoy!