Happy New Year!!

An '80s New Years memory: Dick Clark rings in 1982 during his long-running New Years Rockin Eve program.

Happy New Year to all my readers, and may 2016 be blessed for us all.


And here's the countdown to 1989.

As you can see, the New York ball drop featured a "big apple" for a number of years in the '80s, before reverting back to the classic ball in the late '80s.

Holiday Hope: Merry Christmas to All

It's around this time of year that we remember the ideals so many of us believe in, and the hopes for peace and a better world that are at thr root of the holiday. Here's a clip that I post almost every year: a 1977 Coke commercial I remember fondly from growing up.  All types of people, each a candle in the darkness, forming a Christmas tree. 

And here's a memorable duet from two unlikely singers: Bing Crosby and David Bowie.   Peace on Earth. A beautiful hope.  

Merry Christmas everyone.

Band Aid "Do They Know Its Christmas"

Here's a classic '80s Christmas song that I just have to post every year.  In 1984, Band Aid put together a large number of '80s era British musicians for a charity single to help African famine relief.

Paul McCartney "Wonderful Christmas Time"

Nice holiday song from Paul McCartney and Wings

Bob Dylan "Must Be Santa"

Here's the great Bob Dylan with his wackadoo version of this Christmas song. 

This came out just a few years ago.

Very fun, just like the season should be.

Repost: A Christmas Story

This is a re-post of a post originally appearing on December 17, 2011.  This is one that I've re-posted a few times around the holiday season, kind of like bringing out an old Christmas decoration that youve enjoyed many times before.

One of my recently acquired Christmas obsessions is the fun and enjoyable 1983 movie A Christmas Story. Based upon writer Jean Shepherd's semi-fictionalized account of a young boy, Ralphie, experiencing the Christmas holidays in 1940s Indiana with his parents, his younger brother, and his neighborhood friends. I love movies that convey a time period with great detail, and A Christmas Story clearly fits into this category. 

This movie contains one of the funniest scenes ever, where one of the young protagonist's friends gets his tongue stuck to metal pole in the cold of winter. The main story line, however, also full of funny moments, concerns Ralphie's ongoing quest to obtain a BB gun for Christmas, despite the objections ("you'll shoot your eye out, kid") of various adult figures, including his mother, his teacher, and a store Santa Claus.   

But I think the main reason I find this movie so enjoyable is that its a rather realistic, yet fun, holiday movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. It involves a rather average family doing their best to enjoy the holidays amidst
dealing with everyday life. Ultimately, this movie is about having a Merry Christmas with what you have, and with those you have around you.

'70s Christmas Songs

I posted several '80s-era Christmas songs. Here's some from the '70s.

Elton John "Step Into Christmas"  This one's a well-remembered classic. Very catchy and inviting. It really does make one want to step into the holidays.

John Denver and The Muppets "The Twelve Days of Christmas"  This one is so wonderfully '70s, and always puts a smile on my face.

The Carpenters "Merry Christmas Darling"   A happy memory from a classic '70s duo.  Very traditional and homey, and Karen with her wonderful voice.

Slade "Merry Xmas Everyone"  A fun Christmas song from the Glam part of the '70s. This is more well known in the UK than in the US.

Greg Lake "I Believe In Father Christmas"  And from the Prog side of the '70s, this song which is an interesting combination of Christmas song and protest song. One does not have to agree with all of the lyrics to find it compelling. 

'80s Christmas Songs

Every year I always celebrate the holidays by blogging about Christmas songs, especially from the '80s. So let's start this holiday season with my latest Christmas song post.  All of these were posted before on my blog, but its become a holiday tradition on this blog, so here they are to enjoy. To all my readers:

Merry Christmas

Happy Hannukah

Happy Holidays

Billy Squire, "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You."  This song is so cheerful, it just picks you up for the holidays.

Wham, "This Christmas." I always say that this is the most 80s-esque song and video of the season, from '80s faves Wham. Check it out and imagine youre in 1985.

U2, "Baby Please Come Home."  From '80s rockers U2, a classy yet very rock n' roll Christmas song.

John Mellencamp, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." From the same guy who gave us "Hurts So Good," and "Pink Houses." Mellencamp gets all family for Christmas.