Category Archives: Music

Song of the Day: We Are One By Lydia

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

When the infamous epic Caligula was first released back in 1979, a disco version of Caligula’s love theme — We Are One — was also released as a promotional gimmick.

This song is so over-the-top, so blatantly exploitive, so insidiously catchy, and so totally inappropriate for so many reasons that become clear after you watch the film it was written for that it simply cannot be ignored.  To me, this song represents everything that makes the Grindhouse great.

(As well, I hope whoever was playing bass got paid extra…)

Song of the Day: Diamonds Are Forever, performed by Shirley Bassey

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, on Sean Connery’s birthday, our song of the day is the theme for one of my favorite Bond films.  I know that some people claim that Diamonds are Forever is a lesser Bond film but personally, I think it’s just silly enough to be effective.  James Bond and Las Vegas are a match made in heaven.

Music Video of the Day: Everything Counts by Depeche Mode (1983, directed by Clive Richardson)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

The video for this fan favorite was shot around what was then West Berlin.  (This was before the wall came down.)  Clive Richardson had also directed the video for Just Can’t Get Enough and the band turned to him, after previously working with Julian Temple, because they felt that Richardson could visually toughen up their image and help the band move away from the more self-consciously artsy style that Julian Temple had attempted to go with.  The end result was a video that quickly went into regular rotation on MTV and a song that proved to be one of Depeche Mode’s most enduring hits.

Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Little People Blues by Vincent & Pesci

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s song of the day is an instrumental that was recorded and released in 1972.  Frank Vincent is playing the drums.  Joe Pesci is on guitar.  Even if not for the celebrity connection, I would love this song.  It’s really good!

 

Music Video of the Day: Spirit of 76 by The Alarm (1985, directed by Nick Morris)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Today, we give a shoutout to Wales with the music video for Spirit of 76, which was written and performed by the Welsh band, The Alarm.  In the 80s, The Alarm earned an international fanbase by opening for U2 and, later, Bob Dylan.  Just as U2 will always be associated with Ireland, The Alarm will always be associated with Wales.  The band is still together and still proudly Wlesh.

This video was directed by Nick Morris, who was one of the busiest music directors of the 80s and the 90s.  He also did music videos for Cinderalla, Toto, The Rainmakers, Jennifer Rush, Europe, Eddie Money, Cliff Richard, Warren, and Radiohead among others.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Lightning Strikes by Aerosmith (1982, directed by Arnold Levine)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Lightning Strikes was one of Aerosmith’s first videos to be created for MTV.  (It was also their only single to chart during the Jimmy Crespo years.)  The video switches back and forth from Aerosmith performing in a club and Aerosmith in a hallway, about to go to battle with a bunch melons.

Director Arnold Levine also directed the video for Aerosmith’s Chiquita, as well as videos for Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon.

Enjoy!