80's Rock Songs That Deserved Better: Journey, Faster Pussycat, LA Guns, Twisted Sister

"STONE IN LOVE"     JOURNEY

"Those crazy nights I do remember in my youth, those were the best times".  When you think of Journey, the Escape album and their three massive hits, Don't Stop Believin', Open Arms, and Who's Crying Now, are probably the first songs that come to your mind.   Escape (actually titled E5C4P3) sold close to 10 million copies, heck, they even made an Atari video game based on the album.    The fourth single was "Still They Ride", a song that didn't fare as well.   For me, I would have released "Stone In Love", one of my favorite tracks on the album.  Never released as a single although mainstream rock radio stations would often play it, Neil Schon's guitar solo and Steve Perry really shined here.

"YOU'RE SO VAIN"    FASTER PUSSYCAT

One of the more creative but fitting cover songs of the 80's, Carly Simon's #1 classic from the 1972 gets roughed up by Faster Pussycat.  You can just feel the grime of the Sunset Strip  and the sleaze of the Whiskey A Go Go with this glammed up cover.   Faster Pussycat are best known for their power ballad "House Of Pain" and their sexual romp, "Bathroom Wall".   "You're So Vain" was released on a tribute to Elektra Records compilation disc called Rubaiyat (The Cure covers the Doors on it too) and the band followed up by re-releasing the song on an EP.  "You're So Vain" never became a hit, another lost opportunity for an underrated 80's glam band.  Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp took a stab at the Carly Simon tune, you may also want to check it out on my site.

"CRYSTAL EYES"       L.A. GUNS

Oh what could have been!   Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Slash got their start with L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose, when disagreements over the band's direction and in-fighting among the guys took over, a breakup was inevitable.   Most of the guys formed Guns N Roses, perhaps the greatest glam band of all-time, while Tracii Guns reformed L.A. Guns, a group that always seemed like a little brother on the scene.   "Never Enough" and "The Ballad of Jayne" hit big before Tracii changed up the band's lineup again.   In 1991, Seattle grunge bands were taking over and 80's hair bands lost their appeal.   During this time, a new version of the L.A. Guns released Hollywood Vampire, a great album released at the wrong time.  Crystal Eyes was chosen as the second single, it crashed and burned, yet remains one of the best unknown power ballads of all-time. 

"THE PRICE"      TWISTED SISTER

Back when I first started my website, I added my choice as the greatest 80's rock song to never make the charts.  Dee Snider and the boys lost the makeup, discarded any gimmicks, and showed the world that they had substance.   Check out my earlier post.

Fifty Shades Of Grey, Animal House Meets Twisted Sister: Enigma, Alabama 3, Rebelution

"PRINCIPLES OF LUST" (Full)  ENIGMA

Summer 2012, women have had their share of stimulation with the book release of "Fifty Shades Of Grey" and Magic Mike on film.  Fifty Shades has been a phenomena igniting massive book sales.  The story of a literature student named Anastacia interviewing a successful business entrepreneur with erotic interests that capture her fascination.  The couple embarks on a tantalizing, daring affair, that challenges their desires and hidden secrets.  In one scene, Mr Grey gives Anastacia an iPad with this sensual 90's song by Enigma.  

  
"WE'RE NOT GOING TAKE IT"   TWISTED SISTER

School starts back in a week, oh no!   To get you in the mood, here's Niedermeyer (from Animal House) as the scariest new teacher you'd ever want to see:  "Hello students, school has begun, the summer is over.  I am in command. Awwww... What was that?  For that little outburst, each and every one of you will spend three hours of detention TODAY immediately after school in the basement.   What do you think you're doing?   Twisted Sister?  What kind of a man desecrated a defenseless textbook?  I've got a good mind to slap your fat face.  You are destroying your life with that garbage.  Alright Mr Sister, I want you to tell me, no, better yet, Stand Up and tell the class,  what do you want to do with your life?"  

"WOKE UP THIS MORNING"  ALABAMA 3

Want to feel like a badass, crank up The Sopranos theme song and let the music take over.   Like the theme to HBO's True Blood, Alabama 3 create a deep Louisiana blues jam that oozes with Tony Soprano attitude.  "Woke up this mornin' got yourself a gun.  Mama always said you'd be the chosen one.  She said, 'you're one in million, you to to burn to shine', you were born under a bad sign with a blue moon in your eyes."   Alabama 3 goes by A3 if you're looking for more music by the  British band.   I've read their live shows are incredible with the way they mix rock, country, blues, and gospel plus a little humor mixed in.

Daily Music Trivia:  What song is played during the last two minutes of The Sopranos finale?  Yesterday:  The Smashing Pumpkins appeared on Homerpalooza.

"HEART LIKE A LION"  REBELUTION

Following in the footsteps of Sublime, many surfer reggae bands picked up their slack since Brad's death.   Bands like Pepper, 311, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, and Iration blend their California and Hawaiian roots into a mix of rock, ska, and reggae.   Rebelution has released four CD's in the last six years.  "Heart Like A Lion" has always inspired me, the song comes from their 2007 CD, Courage To Grow.   Rebelution's reggae vibe is perfect chillout music to kick back, unwind, relieve some stress, and put some positive energy back into your life.   Last Saturday before school starts back, so I'm heading to the Gulf beach this weekend and you know I've got my iTunes beach playlist with some Marley, Pepper, RHCP, Rebelution, ska, and reggae, ready to play!

Vampire Version Of INXS Classic : Halestorm, Twisted Sister, Kazy

"I GET OFF"                        HALESTORM

A seductive, sexy, hard-driving song with an amazing female singer named Lizzy Hale.  Halestorm's debut CD in 2009 kicked off with this single.   This Pennsylvania band led by Lizzy and her brother opened for Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace in Tampa last year.   Another great track is a killer duet version of "Breaking Inside" with Shinedown where Lizzy added vocals.

"NEED YOU TONIGHT"                       KAZY

Here is a song just waiting to get put into a vampire film and I'm not talking one where the emo vampires sparkle.     This is obviously a cover of INXS but here the tempo is slowed, the vocals are creepy, and the seductive pauses build up the passion.      The feedback over "I'm lonely" really works well!

"THE PRICE"                                TWISTED SISTER

Dee Snider's hair metal band is famous for their rockers, "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" but this power ballad from 1984's Stay Hungry is a forgotten treasure.    MTV loved the over the top videos and the make-up but this gem features Twisted Sister without makeup (a much better look in my opinion) and it's my all-time favorite song by the band.