It’s amazing sometimes to see how music brings the world together.

I was food shopping with my wife last week and “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone was playing in the store. Even though I’m not a big fan of most of the larger hits of the ’80s, it was the only song that caught my ear the entire time I was there. After the song ended, I found myself whistling it through the next few aisles. About five minutes later, this goth-looking dude with a ton of tattoos passed me and was singing the chorus. Not long after that I passed a couple that had to be in their 70s, and the old man was repeating the famous phone number to his wife. So, at least five minutes after “867-5309″ was over, there was me, a goth kid, and an old man all still being entertained by it. Somewhere the guys from Tommy Tutone are smiling.

NEW SOUNDS FOR THE COLLECTION:
Riot, Restless Breed
Accept, Metal Heart
Europe, Wings of Tomorrow
Johnny Gill, Johnny Gill
Axe, Offering

This week we look at the final nine artists whose names begin with the letter C as we give you 15 more Bottom Feeders from the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the ’80s.

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DOWNLOAD THE FULL MIX HERE

A big hello to you fans of ye olde Mix Six. As you know, I was away on some R&R. Pinch hitter Jack Feerick took over the mixing duties so I wouldn’t have one of those “Oh shit!” moments on my vacation where I completely forgot my deadline and flaked on posting. Thanks again, Jack!

Okay, on with today’s mix. I remembered that my wife liked the Outfield back in the day, and I downloaded “Play Deep” so she could sing along to those somewhat long forgotten ’80s gems. After listening to that album a few times this weekend, I started thinking back to my salad days in radio when I was just starting out on the air. It was the mid-’80s and, let’s be frank, it was a rather amusing time in music. I was working weekends at a Top 40 station, and these songs were played over and over and over and over and over in any given shift. It got to the point where I couldn’t really listen to these songs for years after I left that gig. But time heals all wounds, right? So here we go with a trip down memory lane for yours truly.

“Your Love,” the Outfield

How could I not start the mix with this top of the hour cooker! Since I’ve been listening to this album for a few days now (and how many of you out there actually do that these days?), I started to think of ways of weaving “Josie” into everyone of their songs. Try it! It’s not as hard as you think. (more…)

The most interesting thing about British pop band Curiosity Killed the Cat is that Andy Warhol appeared and co-directed the video for their biggest hit. Okay, maybe that’s not entirely fair, but Curiosity Killed The Cat was one of those mostly faceless Brit bands like Danny Wilson, China Crisis or Johnny Hates Jazz that traded in watered down blue-eyed soul with a touch of synthpop.

Actually, “Misfit” (download) is a bit more memorable than “Mary’s Prayer” or “Shattered Dreams,” yet didn’t fare nearly as well on the charts, at least in the U.S. Not even a cameo by the Pop Art prince couldn’t help the Cats crack the Top 40:

And seriously, just what was Warhol doing in this video, much less co-directing? Did he know someone in the band or connected to them? Did someone in the group have incriminating pictures (like Andy would care)? In any case, the band tried for two more albums, squeaking out a few hits in the U.K., but never charting stateside again. Lead singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot (there’s a name for ya) continues to tour under the Curiosity brand.

“Misfit” peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.

Get Curiosity Killed the Cat music at Amazon.