Posts Tagged ‘Erasure’

Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 29

We’re going to jump right into the songs this week as we have an extended post in order to finish up the letter E in just two weeks. Enjoy the 26 tracks below as we continue digging through the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Dave Edmunds
“Almost Saturday Night” — 1981, #54 (download)
“High School Nights” — 1985, #91 (download)

I’d love to hear a remastered version of “Almost Saturday Night.” It’s a good song written by John Fogerty, but it would be nice to see how great it would be with better production. “Almost Saturday Night” was off Twangin …, which would be Edmunds’s final album with his group Rockpile. In 1985 Edmunds put together the Porky’s Revenge soundtrack, which included the theme song “High School Nights.”

Dennis Edwards
“Don’t Look Any Further” — 1984, #72 (download)

This is an absolute classic R&B song from Edwards — one the lead singers of the Temptations. This is another one of those ‘80s R&B tracks that I feel has been used in a billion samples in the past few decades. The only one I can pick out off hand is 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” but I know there must be more. It was actually covered unnecessarily in 1988 by the Kane Gang. The female voice in this is an artist we will get to very shortly – Siedah Garrett.

Walter Egan
“Fool Moon Fire” — 1983, #46 (download)

Walter Egan is pretty much known for one song, 1978’s “Magnet and Steel” but this cool track was his fourth and final charting single. According to the ”official” Walter Egan website this song charted in the Top 40. Who am I to call bullshit on that? Wait, I guess by posting this I’m doing just that.

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Exit Music (For a Film): Erasure, “Stop!”

Heat PosterMost people are familiar with the concept of the alpha male. Aggressive and dominating, he exists in our society as a result of our evolution as primates, when relatively small social groups were typically led by the healthiest specimen. However, alpha males are leaders by virtue of more than just physical superiority. They tend to be at least moderately intelligent, they socialize well, and they see themselves as providers not just for themselves, but for their mates and the members of their social group. A true alpha is capable of being an excellent host, a persuasive salesman, a successful coach, a masterful storyteller, and a confident and charismatic leader.

The beta male, who is subservient to the alpha, tends to get far less attention; he is generally more relaxed and less achievement-oriented. The ideal beta is, above all else, loyal, and he makes an excellent soldier. Although there’s a substantial amount of understated competition between beta males to establish their position within a social hierarchy, and though many daydream about obtaining the top spot, few are prepared for the genuine demands and responsibilities that the position of alpha male requires. An alpha who isn’t up to the task, or a beta male who has somehow ascended to the alpha position, is appropriately referred to as a “failed alpha.”

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