Two From ZZ Top

In the '70s, ZZTop were a blues based rock band led by three bearded rebel guys. In the '80s, they revved up the guitar, added some synth, and put out some high octane rock, such as "Legs," off of their 1983 album, Eliminator.

Here's another: "Rough Boy" off of 1984's Afterburner album. Check out the space age car wash, and the very '80s shuttle.

Abracadabra

Need to get back to posting. How about some great '80s songs and memories. Here's one from the early '80s... 

Steve Miller Band, "Abracadabra"

I heat up, I can't cool down

You got me spinnin' 'round and 'round

'Round and 'round and 'round it goes

Where it stops, nobody knows

Every time you call my name

I heat up like a burnin' flame

Burnin' flame, full of desire

Kiss me, baby, let the fire get higher

Abra-abracadabra

I want to reach out and grab ya

Abra-abracadabra, abracadabra

'80s Commercials . . . and Memories

I've had some '80s fast food memories coming to mind, and the commercials that came with them.

Here's one of the most memorable commercials from the early '80s.  McDonald's "Little Sister" commercial appealed to me because, as an '80s teen, I always had a love of nostalgia from the past eras. This commercial seems to recall past eras, from perhaps the early '60s, to what looks like the '70s, finally concluding in the early '80s when it came out.  I couldn't help but feel sentimental when I saw this.

I remember this Long John Silvers commercial too, also from the early '80s. Back then, people were not so self conscious, and eating fried foods was not viewed so negatively. There was a while, around the time this commercial came out, when Friday night out with my family always meant going out to Long John Silvers for some fried seafood goodies.

Again, getting past the health-consciousness of the present day, that stuff was pretty yummy.  At least I thought it was. This commercial captures how I remember it: the coleslaw in particular was tasty, and the fried fish and fries.

Here's another '80s fast food flashback. You don't see Rax roast beef too many places anymore, but in the '80s, it was a frequent target for a family night out. There was a sandwich there called the "BBC" I used to love, with the initials standing for beef, bacon and cheddar. I'm getting a hankering for one now, as I sit here writing. 

'80s Olympic Memories

I must admit that I'm not the greatest follower of sports, but I feel compelled to have a look back at some of the more memorable '80s Olympic moments, both sports and non-sports related. Just in time before the 2014 Winter Olympics draws to a close!!  This is not comprehensive by any means, but here goes. 

For many, the most memorable '80s Olympic moment occurred early on, during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, with the much acclaimed "miracle on ice": the last minute victory of the U.S. Hockey team over their very formidable Soviet opponents. I remember the moment vividly, even as a not-very-sports-oriented individual. At a time when the morale of the United States was quite low, with hostages being held in Iran, the economy not doing very well, and foreign policy setbacks, the hockey team's miracle raised spirits and created optimism. The U.S. Hockey team would go on to beat Finland, to grab the gold.

The '80s was an era when politics intruded upon the Olympics. In 1980, in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Carter organized a worldwide boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.  The boycott was only partially followed, and many nations went to Moscow anyway, but the boycott marred the event.

In response, the U.S.S.R. boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, bringing with them most of the Eastern Bloc countries, who also refused to attend.

One of the most memorable moments of the 1984 Summer Games was the "perfect 10" achieved by Mary Lou Retton in the gymnastic competition.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band created the song "Runner" in tribute to the Summer Olympics, becoming a hit and being played often in the course of those games.

Other '80s Olympics were held in Sarajevo (Winter, 1984), Seoul (Summer, 1988), and Calgary (Winter, 1988).

Hello by Lionel Richie

Here's a great '80s song suited for Valentine's Day weekend: "Hello" by Lionel Richie. I remember well this video from my teen years, and the song is lovely.

80s Radio Shack Commercial

Hey, check out the new '80s retro Radio Shack commercial..

Fellow blogger Rediscover the '80s has a post on it, too.

Never Surrender

I heard this 1985 song being played at a public place a few days ago. It brought me back. The present time has sometimes been difficult for many people, with the economy and other problems. It sometimes causes you to look back at more positive times. 

This song is for anyone going through tough times now, of any type. As Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up!"