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Michael Cook
Jun 23, 20231 min read
Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross (1980) 6/24/23
As the 1980s began, a new artist blew onto the charts with the first of many Great Songs. In late December of '79, Christopher Cross...
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Michael Cook
Jun 22, 20232 min read
I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (1988) 6/23/23
My friends at the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild are presenting the musical "Rock of Ages" this weekend at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire....
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Michael Cook
Jun 21, 20232 min read
Eternal Flame - The Bangles (1989) 6/22/23
In 1988, when Susanna Hoffs, lead singer of the Bangles met songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, they decided to join forces and...
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Michael Cook
Jun 20, 20231 min read
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard (1988) 6/21/23
When Joe Elliott, front man for Def Leppard was asked what his musical influences were, he said, "Everything I've ever listened to!"...
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Michael Cook
Jun 19, 20231 min read
Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac (1987) 6/20/27
The late Christine McVie was a world-class singer, songwriter and Keyboardist--who certainly lived up to her her maiden name: Christine...
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Michael Cook
Jun 19, 20231 min read
The Search is Over - Survivor (1985) 6/19/23
Jim Peterik of the group Survivor was always a sucker for a good title. Take today's Great Song of 1985 for example. "Jim came up with...
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Michael Cook
Jun 17, 20231 min read
Daddy's Hands - Holly Dunn (1986) 6/18/23 (Father's Day)
Happy Father's Day! In the late '80s, I was Operations Manager at WDEZ/WRIG in Wausau, Wisconsin. While I held down a regular air shift...
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Michael Cook
Jun 16, 20232 min read
All Night Long - Lionel Ritchie (1984) 6/17/23
Lionel Ritchie was having no end of trouble trying to finish today's Great Song of the '80s. He knew what he wanted: An...
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Michael Cook
Jun 15, 20231 min read
Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983) 6/16/23
Billboard's #1 song for the year 1983 is one of the most misinterpreted songs of all time. "Every Breath You Take" by the Police is NOT a...
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Michael Cook
Jun 14, 20231 min read
Hurt So Good - John Cougar mellencamp (1981) 6/14/23
John Mellencamp had a title running through his head. He knew it would be a Great Song, but it needed to be written, so he mentioned it...
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Michael Cook
Jun 14, 20231 min read
Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders (1982) 6/15/23
In 1982, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders was going through a tough time. She was pregnant by Ray Davies of the Kinks, and that was...
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Michael Cook
Jun 13, 20232 min read
Morning Train (9 to 5) - Sheena Easton (1981) 6/13/23
In 1980, Sheena Easton was studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama...when the producers of a British TV show called...
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Michael Cook
Jun 11, 20231 min read
Three Times in Love - Tommy James (1979/80) 6/12/23
Today, we're going to dip our toes back into the '70s...but just for a moment. In December of 1979, '60s legend Tommy James (of the...
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Michael Cook
Jun 10, 20231 min read
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (1989) 6/11/23
Early in his career, Richard Marx had written a song so personal, he had no intention of recording it for release. "Right Here Waiting"...
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Michael Cook
Jun 9, 20232 min read
Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison (1987/88) 6/10/23
Here's a little music trivia for you: The first Beatle to have a solo #1 hit after the band broke up, was also the LAST Beatle to have a...
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Michael Cook
Jun 7, 20232 min read
Easy Lover - Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins (1985) 6/8/23
When Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire was putting together his solo album, "Chinese Wall" in 1984, he made two excellent decisions:...
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Michael Cook
Jun 6, 20231 min read
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! -Wham (1984) 6/7/23
Andrew Ridgely shared a home with his parents in the early days before he and George Michael hit the big time with Wham. One day, he...
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Michael Cook
Jun 6, 20231 min read
Jeopardy - Greg Kihn Band (1984) 6/6/23
Plot: A man is about to marry. He gets an extreme case of cold feet, then falls asleep and dreams that his bride and all the guests turn...
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Michael Cook
Jun 4, 20232 min read
Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Chicago (1983) 6/5/23
It may seem hard to believe, but when 1982 rolled around, the group Chicago hadn't had a hit in four years. In fact, nothing they had...
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Michael Cook
Jun 3, 20231 min read
Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield (1981) 6/4/23
First of all, there was never a Jessie. It was Gary. Gary was a guy in Rick Springfield's stained glass art class who had a gorgeous...
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