Friday Jukebox: 1980s Crush Edition
I heard this on the radio driving in this morning. I’m wondering how many thousands of boys/men fell absolutely in love with Susanna Hoffs at the 2:47 mark. I know I did. Girl knew how to work a camera.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5N7RNQUKts]
That got me thinking about other 80s crushes. Three immediately came to mind.
Jane was always my favorite Go-Go:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAsLDf-tYlg]
Debbie was the girl next door:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCtj5pRp8rU&feature=related]
And Lita. She was the bad girl. Being a former member of The Runaways was the tipping point.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sa-4A7RrP8]
So who were your 80s crushes?
I have this specific memory: NPR used to have a children’s radio show on at nights, a show that included a countdown of popular music. I think it was called Kids America. Anyway, we used to listen to it at my house when I was growing up, and I distinctly remember this song getting absolutely lodged on their top-whatever list. I also remember my father melting down after hearing it for the billionth time.Report
Mike, I am truly disappointed at this omission, since you just brought her up on another thread:
http://youtu.be/66aqcOsnP2EReport
Glyph,
Pat never did a whole lot for me. Same with Madonna.
I should have probably added Paula Abdul though. When ‘Straight Up’ hit I was pretty smitten.Report
Also, sorry to nitpick, but I think you meant ‘Edition’, not ‘Addition’ in the title. Unless you are referring to us making our own additions in the comments. 🙂Report
I topped out at 7 in the 80s. I think I remember liking Paula Abdul, though I was probably more into that dancing cat. I had a thing for Kimmie Gibler on “Full House” and a bigger thing for Six on “Blossom”, thought I think that was the 90s. Something about whacky neighbors…Report
Oh… And a very weird thing for Peg Bundy, but I was a bit older and that was because she was the most sexually vivacious person on regular TV at the time. That was important at that time, before the internet.
I should stop talking now. Maybe sit a few plays out.Report
Sidebar, a couple 90’s musical crushes:
Miki Berenyi, yowza;
http://youtu.be/R0HZFmHjjBY
Ditto on Harriet Wheeler:
http://youtu.be/yARVs1ZNLjUReport
If you open this up to TV this thread will explode. For God’s sake that would mean Erin Gray in Buck Rogers is eligible.
Or Erin Gray in Magnum PI.
Or Erin Gray on Silver Spoons.Report
I’ll be in my bunk.Report
And Catherine BachReport
“If you open this up to TV this thread will explode. For God’s sake that would mean Erin Gray in Buck Rogers is eligible.”
Who?
“Or Erin Gray in Magnum PI.”
Who???
“Or Erin Gray on Silver Spoons.”
WHO???????
I didn’t realize we were limiting ourselves to music in part because I didn’t know they made music back in the 80’s. I mean, they didn’t have YouTube or iPods… how’d they have music?Report
In the same way there was a restaurant chain back then called “Kentucky Fried Chicken” there was a cable station named “Music Television”Report
Is that MTV the same as the current one that shares those initials, Miserable and Terrible Voyeurism? I love that channel!Report
Tawny Kitaen (sp?), Whitney Houston (video: “I wanna dance with somebody), that Brock lady from “Weird Science”, The Cosby Show’s ne’er do well daughter, Justine Bateman on “Family Ties”Report
I’m wondering how many thousands of boys/men fell absolutely in love with Susanna Hoffs at the 2:47 mark.
I shouldn’t cop to that on my anniversary, but, oh yeah.
And I’m going to throw Joan Jett in here, too.Report
I go with Joan over Lita, myself.Report
I never had a thing for Joan Jett. A little too butch for me. Although looking back, she looked pretty good here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XELpxApT8KcReport
Happy Anniversary! How many?Report
21, thanks (my marriage is now old enough to drink). And happy birthday to your daughter! Enjoy your dinner with her.Report
We need to add some testosterone to this list. Nick Cave, Peter Murphy and Henry Rollins.Report
Johanna – thanks for jumping in. I was secretly hoping Russell or North would particpate too.Report
Ya know, George Clooney did some Facts of Life appearances before he became…well, George Clooney.Report
I second Johanna and add David Bowie, Billy Idol, Adam Ant, John Cusack
also have to say Joan Jett and Lita Ford were hotReport
I didn’t think about actors, I’ll add Matt Dillon. I would agree with the Joan Jett thing since I kinda emulated her look which I found out quickly guys appeared to appreciate.Report
In college (early 90’s) I took a fairly straight-laced girlfriend to see Peter Murphy. Afterwards, she remarked how attractive she thought he was, and I was initially gobsmacked – in appearance and dress I thought he most closely resembled an anorexic vampire mime (he was wearing high-waisted black pants w/suspenders, Urkel-style, and a b & w striped shirt).
But she said it was his voice (that baritone!) that did it for her. He also really knew how to work a crowd, we were just eating out of his hand.
Consumate showman, just hypnotizing.
Saw him in the last year or so, and he’s still got it.Report
Lita Ford….I was definitely a big fan; well chosen. Not so much Susanna Hoff, though that made me very much the exception rather than the rule. As for my favorite Go-Go, it was definitely Ms. Carlisle.
I’m proud to say that I never fell for the charms of either Debbie Gibson or her nemesis Tiffany. However, I am less proud to say that I had a brief crush on Martika.
Now, if we’re going to open this up to TV, the debate begins and ends with Alyssa Milano on “Who’s the Boss?” There can be no argument on this point.Report
I can’t believe I forgot Milano. +1 to you.Report
I crushed a bit on Tiffany. And sure, we’ve all gotten older and moved into different demographic brackets and phases of life, but she still is quite attractive to this day.Report
I was on Team Debbie in the 80s but Tiffany has definitely aged well. I think she actually looks better now.Report
Holy sh*t. I just remembered I forgot Debbie Harry. The shame…Report
Heart…. either of them or both… oh and another vote for Tawney Kittain (sp) I could watch that White Snake ‘Here I am again on my own’ video over and over.Report
Thanks for reminding me! And kick-a$$ rock to boot. Their Little Queen album belongs in everyone’s collection.Report
Crush? Well… born in 1960, so the ’80s were my primo years from 20 to 30. Chock-ful-o-testosterone and still had my hair. (The ’80s were generally very hairy overall.) But a little old for crushes. Got married, divorced, married again, and ended the decade with my oldest daughter, born exactly 23 years ago today! (Driving down to her school to take her out to dinner tonight 🙂
My last real crush was probably Susan Dey or maybe that chick that married Eddie Van Halen.Report
Valerie Bertinelli. I envied that Duane got to hang out in their apartment…alot.Report
Dusty Springfield.Report
How bad is it if I preferred Jo over Blair on the Facts of Life?Report
I wouldn’t admit to that.Report
How about Kristy McNichol? How will that play in Peoria?Report
I loved Kristy McNichol in The Pirate Movie. When I found out she played for the other team it was sad for me.Report
Me too. Not sure what that says about us.
I just like brunettes, and she had gorgeous eyes.
No idea how recent this pic is, but I see no reason to regret our choice now:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4267225088/nm0001529Report
I thought everyone did. Just like everyone actually preferring Maryanne to Ginger.Report
And Velma over Daphne on Scooby-Doo. Wait…did I just say that out loud?Report
Dude, don’t you know that everything on the internet is FOREVER!Report
But you gotta admit, in every third episode, when she inevitably brought about all sorts of hijinks and mayhem by losing her glasses…she was kinda hot.Report
OT, but since this is a thread about music and females (so far), the Pussy Riot gals just got two years in prison.
While I still think in the long run this will backfire against Putin (these girls will be martyrs) it’s a real shame for these women in the meantime. I doubt a Russian prison is a pleasant place to be. I wouldn’t want to spend two years in a US one.Report
My wife (of 32 years yesterday) sang seriously but not professionally then. Please tell me that that counts.Report
Heck, Ms. Hoff still looks dang goodReport
but back in the day, either Ms Hoffs (sorry) orReport
I remain a Michael Steele partisan.
edit: the bassist, not the RNC guyReport
This comment makes so much more sense now.Report
She was famous first, for the record.Report
So that’s what they mean by “Micheal Steele will fire up the bass”. It made no sense the other way.Report
Wanna hear a great Jimmy Page story?Report
2.5 on the video. When she looks down….hot.
Erin Grey of Buck Roger’s fame. Who wouldn’t want a chick in tight satin pants?
Jane from the Gogo’s natch.
Sheena Easton’s video “strut”. HmmmReport