music friday: 1988

Phil Collins, "A Groovy Kind of Love". I learned a few things about this recording ... nothing earth-shaking, I just didn't notice it in 1988 for some reason (perhaps because it sux). I remember it as a hit in the 60s for The Mindbenders ... what I didn't know in the 60s, or in 1988 for that matter, is that the song was co-written by the soon-to-be ubiquitous Carole Bayer Sager. Collins recorded it for the 1988 film Buster ... again, I must have slept through 1988, I don't remember that movie, which actually starred Collins in the title role!

Bobby McFerrin, "Don't Worry, Be Happy". But wait, it gets worse. This insipid piece of junk might work as a novelty, with McFerrin using his specialty (all of the sounds on the track are made by McFerrin without instruments). This leads to one of the most remarkable bits of trivia I've ever heard, and once again, I can't believe I didn't know this before. McFerrin affects a Jamaican-sounding accent for no apparent reason, but according to Wikipedia, McFerrin was influenced by a Mexican restaurant next to the recording studio (the famous Fantasy Studios, aka the House that Creedence Built). I can't say I recognize the Mexican influence in his stupid vocals, but let me get to the trivia. Fantasy Studios, which is about half-a-mile from my house, is across the street from Juan's Place, where we have been eating for close to 50 years. My wife and I even have our pictures on the wall. Here is a picture of me with the late Juan:

Belinda Carlisle, "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". A bit of a cheat, here, as this one came out in 1987. The video is directed by Diane Keaton. Carlisle is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She's not there as a solo artist.

Bonus: The Proclaimers, "Oh Jean". I'm no expert, but if I had to guess, I'd say Americans think of The Proclaimers as one-hit wonders, that hit being "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". That song came from their 1988 album Sunshine on Leith. It's a great song, but I've also always loved "Oh Jean" from the same album. Here's a lo-fi live recording of that one:

One-hit wonders in the USA, perhaps, but not necessarily in their native Scotland. In fact, Sunshine on Leith became the basis for an award-winning musical in 2007. In 2013 came a film version:

And yes, "500 Miles" was in the film, as well: