90s songs: Paula Abdul, Rush Rush

I always quite liked Paula Abdul. Firstly, she married Emilio Estevez and secondly she cast Keanu Reeves in one of her videos. The girl can't be all bad.

She had a few good pop songs but I will always love Rush Rush for the video. It's so badly modelled on Rebel Without A Cause. Paula, you are no Natalie Wood darling, and much as I love Keanu, he is no James Dean.  It astounds me how young Keanu looks in this and why we ever thought that was a good haircut on him!

Power ballad - Bon Jovi, Wanted Dead or Alive

Sometimes all you need in your life is a bit of 80s Bon Jovi. From the mighty Slippery When Wet album comes Wanted Dead or Alive. I adore this song. It's a proper punch the air and sing along loudly power ballad.

It has a tremendous opening. I could watch the video all day long as it has every single poodle rock cliche in it: hotel rooms, big hair, stage shots, glitzy jacket, earnest emoting, the band looking tired, close ups of guitar strings. It has a great guitar solo. It's a proper American road trip song too. Love, love love. Sing it Jon...

 

Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walking

Mad Men is back next week. If you live in a cave, you may be unaware. This is cause for much celebration chez Teen household as we're big Mad Men fans. Who isn't? It's the most wonderful TV show.

What has this to do with Nancy Sinatra you ask? Well, this season is 1966 and this was a huge hit in 1966 and I reckon it's the sort of song they'd have Peggy dancing round her bedroom too. This is a great song. Nancy Sinatra was the Cyndi Lauper of her day. Cool and slightly wacky. I love this video.

Opening credits - Rentaghost

I was just putting a file back in a cupboard today and out of nowhere came the theme to Rentaghost (in my head I mean, not literally playing although that woud have been super cool). I've not thought about this programme for years but I used to love it.

Claypole and Miss Popov were my favourites. I am sure this is why I like Audrey so much in Coronation Street because she once played Miss Popov! I am devastated to learn that the actor who played Claypole died in 1984, nearly 30 years he's been gone and I've only just realised. RIP Mr Claypole.

Top line in credits here; very low-key but perfect for the programme and I love the little ghost logo. Coming soon... a trip down memory lane with some classic children's tv. I know, I am excited too!

Meanwhile, wallow with me...

Tears for Fears

Songs From The Big Chair is a seminal 80s album. Every teenager in the 80s owned this I am sure. I certainly did and I loved it. I rarely listen to it now but I could tell you every song on it and the order too.

Tears For Fears were a great band held back by Roland's totally bizarre teeth and singing style. He was very off-putting. But they had some cracking tunes. Let's revisit a few shall we?

Shout. Look at the freeze frame! See what I mean about Roland? A great pop song.

Head Over Heels - this song is my desert island TFF song. I love it so much.

A close second for me is Everyone Wants to Rule The World. This is a perfect summer song.

I am aware they had other hits - Pale Shelter, Mad World, Sowing The Seeds of Love to name a few (all excellent) but this was their big album and these are the songs I will remember them for.  Songs from the big chair indeed. Thanks boys.

Fat Larry's Band - Zoom

I never knew this was Fat Larry's Band, I thought it was Fat Larry Band which makes much less sense. I shamelessly adore this song and it was another Late Night Love Affair special. It has some spectacular lyrics mentioning moonbeams, church bells and rainbows. This should be everyone's wedding song, I'm wishing I'd made it mine.

I don't think I've ever seen the video before and now, if possible, I love the song even more. Look how many were in Fat Larry's band! I'm thinking Larry is the drummer as he's the only one who is fat. They really don't make them like this anymore. Enjoy!

Power ballads - Enrique, Hero

Believe me, I am as embarrassed about this as you are. I wish I didn't like this song but we can't always choose the songs that crawl into our hearts. Some enter without invitation.

My head knows this is cheesy, sentimental nonsense but whenever it comes on Magic (which is often) then I admit, I turn the volume up and sing along. To be clear, I don't own this song, things aren't that bad but I think we can safely say it comes under the title of a Bad Song I Love and Am A Bit Ashamed Of.

Much of my love comes down to the video. Have you ever seen such craziness? Jennifer Love Hewitt looking tackily sexy, Enrique's tongue making me feel nauseous, the money! And just when it can't get any better, along comes Mickey Rourke! The whole film seems to be based on Desperado with the saturation of yellow and bad, nasty guys. It even has rain at the end to underline the tragedy of it all. Needless to say I love it.

It's a slice of sunday afternoon cheese. Enjoy! I know secretly you like it too.