Nostalgia Video-Walk through '83

So I've been sitting here enjoying this video collection from 1983 and it inspired me to share some of this bounty with you, thanks to the modern majesty that is You Tube. Of course I won't be hitting everything of note but what the hell. We'll peg some of the highlights and lowlights together and take a walk down Memory Lane as all good children of the 80s should do now and then.

In no particular order, here we go, gang:

Often imitated, never duplicated. Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" Sure, you'll hear it at gay karaoke but I haven't heard a guy yet who sounds as good as Boy George in his prime on this number.





Who else remembers The Kinks coming back with this one? "Come Dancin'." Anyone? Anyone else besides me? (Apparently, since it's on You Tube, LOL.)



David Bowie kicking it with third world peoples and a paunchy man in the bar who does something that looks vaguely like the German chicken dance. "Let's Dance." Tremble like a flowaaaah.



Downtown, uptown. Get your kicks at the Ritz. Taco, baby. "Puttin' on the Ritz"



H&O. "Family Man." Weird homage to the 50s in a way but a cool song nonetheless. I'm sure at some level it captures the angst of tied-down married dudes everywhere.



One of my personal faves even to this day: "She's a Beauty" by The Tubes. "Step right up and don't be shy 'cause you WILL NOT believe your eyes." Hell yeah!



"Maniac" by Michael Sembello. And to think-- this was originally written about a serial killer. Guess it's for the best he revamped it for Flashdance.



"Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks. Lots of flouncy dresses, lace, weird lighting. But hey, you already know what you're getting. (I believe an alternate version of this was made that actually has some type of plotline.)



"In a Big Country" by, of course, Big Country. Lead singer died. No more tunes from him, unfortunately.



Kajagoogoo "Too Shy," featuring Limahl with one hell of a platinum punkish 80s mullet.



Stray Cats with "Stray Cat Strut." Young Setzer rockin' out here.



"Hey, hey, hey, hey." "Fascination" by Human League. Wicked synthesizer action.



"Faithfully" the way God and Steve Perry intended, not the way Kristy Lee Cook on AI butchered it. Gotta love the climactic shaving of the 'stache.

This one you have to click on, damn it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKorl7Ouht0

"Der Kommissar" by After the Fire. Falco wrote this song and recorded it in German. ATF performed the English language version with the chick who does the taking the make-up off in reverse thing. I always thought this song had a James Bond flair to it. Like Der Kommissar could be an East German working for SMERSH. I know, I have an overactive imagination.



Gay dudes in body paint. Tiiiiight swimwear. Hot car. Bad dancing. "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John. Hellz yes. I jam to this freely and I admit it.



Another Bowie appearance. "Modern Love." This is somewhat of a summation of how I feel about marriage and why I'm not shackled down. I laugh when the woman hands him flowers and he throws them back into the crowd. Umm, thanks.



Lastly for now, Dexy's Midnight Runners with "Come on Eileen." Gotta love the overalls and Eileen's apparent lack of a shirt.