POP GOES THE DECADE- A totally rad look back at the glorious 80's and all the flicks, fashions, tunes, and TV shows that made the decade so cool and memorable in the first place. Like, for sure!
Aaah, the 80's. Although released in 1988 on the band's ninth album, this song is one Siouxsie's best-known singles- their breakthrough hit in the United States, and their first to hit the US Billboard charts. "Peek-A-Boo" received tons of airplay on alternative rock radio, and MTV as well. Siouxsie and the Banshees are just kind of awesome, ya know. And this song is funky and just plain weird, and sounded like no other tune at the time.
What was more exciting in the early 80's than this? When this came on tv, you knew you were about to witness something magical, and you most likely plopped down on the sofa and didn't leave the house. It was probably followed by either "Sixteen Candles", "Valley Girl", or "Mr. Mom". Maybe "Friday the 13th", "The Beastmaster", or some other 80's gem. This is total nostalgia, folks. I still get chills!
JUST ONE OF THE GUYS is classic 80's teen b-movie, kids. This is one funny little flick, as silly as it is. Basically TOOTSIE reversed, it tells the story of Terri Griffith, winningly played by Joyce Hyser. Terri has it all- she's gorgeous, popular, and has the #1 hunk of high school as her guy (Leigh McCloskey).
Terri wants desperately to be a journalist, and submits an article for a summer intern at the local newspaper. Much to her dismay though- her article isn't picked. Convinced sexism is at play here, Terri decides to risk it all and transfer to another school as a guy to prove if she could get her previously unpublished article published as a male.
Somehow, she's able to just slip into another nearby school while her parents are out of town and live as a boy. Of course with that comes all sorts of problems. The high school gym, for one. On top of all that, Terry finds herself falling for quiet Rick, played by Clayton Rohner), who has a crush on Deborah, played by Deborah Goodrich, who's dating school bully Greg, played by William Zabka! Seem complicated? It is. Throw in Toni Hudson as Terri's best friend, Billy Jayne as Terri's horny little brother, and Sherilyn Fenn as a girl in love with Terence, the male version of Terri and you get one zany 80's sex comedy! Gimmicky to be sure, but it works, and has some truly funny moments sprinkled throughout.
JUST ONE OF THE GUYS could have just relied on raunchy innuendos and sex jokes. But it also offers up a cute love story, some character developments, and a great soundtrack. Not to mention that slew of familiar 80's faces! i mean, you've got Clayton Rohner and Deborah Goodrich (APRIL FOOL'S DAY), Sherilyn Fenn (TWIN PEAKS), Stu Charno (CHRISTINE, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2), William Zabka ( BACK TO SCHOOL, THE KARATE KID), Billy Jayne (CUJO), and Toni Hudson (CRIMES OF THE HEART) all help Joyce Hyser make this little movie rise above your typical 80's sex romps.
Now JUST ONE OF THE GUYS is not a perfect comedy. Far from it. But it is a whole helluva lot of fun to watch, and comes across as somewhat witty and inspired. With its cross-dressing theme and the time in which it was released, you would expect some cringe-inducing homophobia portrayed. Surprisingly, it's not. Terri is falling in love with Rick, as a boy though. Obviously, Rick will find out Terri's true identity at some point, and he handles it winningly and refreshingly when he finds out his new "buddy" (Terri) has a crush on him. And even more surprising is that this 80's teen sex comedy has much more male nudity than female. In fact, we only get a brief glimpse of Terri's breasts at the end. We see much more male skin. Once again. Refreshing. JUST ONE OF THE GUYS is a charming little b-movie from the mid-80's that's a hoot and a half to watch.
Dance pop group Bardeux scored a minor hit in 1988 with the smooth and sultry "When We Kiss", which would peak at #36 on Billboard's Top 100 charts. It's a criminally underrated song- it's got a great, jazzy vibe to it, and instantly takes me back to the summer of my junior year. These gals should have had more hits. Good stuff, kids. Good stuff.
"Here Comes Your Man" by The Pixies was the first single off their US debut album, Doolittle. Generally known as one of the quintessential alternative rock albums of the 80's, the album would be hugely influential, and "Here Comes Your Man" became a hit in the summer of 1989. Charting at #3 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, it was the breakthrough single for The Pixies. It's a killer track that's classic 80's Rock and a perfect summer jam.
The breakout hit for British New Wave group Culture Club, "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" hit the radio waves September 1 of 1982. From the smash album Kissing To Be Clever, this was the group's first hit in the US and due to the song's popularity, reached #2 on the US Billboard charts. Only Michael Jackson's " Billie Jean" prevented it from hitting #1.
The song found fame partly due to Culture Club's last-minute appearance on Top Of The Pops, which showcased lead singer Boy George's androgynous persona. It garnered headlines, and before you know it, everybody in the US was crooning the words to the song- even my parents. It would be the first of many hits for the band throughout the decade.
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