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| The cast of the Netflix series "Stanger Things" does justice to the era which it takes place in, the Summer of 1985 |
Myself, like many Baby Boomers have experienced many changes in pop culture, stemming from the late 1950's, all the way thru what is the final year of the 2010's. Events, in particular the 1960's, seventies and eighties are forever etched in our mind, and most of us know when a particular song or movie came out, and when it was a hit (contrast that to myself not even remembering what I had for lunch two days ago, much less having to look at my iPod or iTunes to see what song on my "Currents" playlist and who is singing it).
With many "period" pieces taking place years or decades before, it is customary to have a soundtrack that is stocked with songs that were popular at that time (or before, as, as you well know, we cherished out oldies). Examples would be the 1985 move Stand By Me, which is set in the summer of 1959, although the title song by Ben E. King wasn't a hit until 1961. Another is the 1980's series The Wonder Years, in which the first season takes place in the fall of 1968. The song "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was featured in the pilot episode, even though the song wasn't a hit until the following summer.
Which brings us to Stranger Things. Season three takes place in latet June and early July of 1985, and much of the music featured in the series was time appropriate; none of the music that took place was released after that time. The last episode of season 3, in particular, was awesome. Without providing any spoilers, the character of Dustin (played by Gaten Matarazzo) is trying to remember a secret code, and contacts his long distance girlfriend Suzie (Gabriella Pizzolo), who he had met in summer camp (presumably in mid-to-late June), so see if she has the code, so he can "save the world". Suzie tells Dustin that, since they haven't talked in a week, that they need to sing this particular song. After being prodded (and Suzie saying 'goodbye'), Dustin relents and both of them duet on the song "Never Ending Story", before she gives him the essential code.
To be honest, I haven't heard that song in a very long time, and though I knew it was from 1985 (or at least a hit in that year---it came out in the UK, along with a movie of the same name, one year earlier). Upon looking up the Billboard Hot 100 archive, I found out that the song, sung by Limahl who previously had a hit with "Too Shy" in the summer of 1983 when he was the lead singer of the British synth-pop band Kajagoogoo, peaked at #17 the week of June 15, 1985, making it a perfect song to have picked up while at summer camp. The song became a viral sensation, with the original version hitting the iTunes top 100 song of the week at #94. It probably would have re-entered the Hot 100 if it wasn't for a chart rule that old songs must be in the top 50 to debut. Still, 34 years later, people are again listening to it.
Here is the version of the song featured in episode 8, of season three of Stranger Things (Caution in that the initial dialog might give some spoilers.
And then there's the movies that were playing at the Starcourt Mall's cinema complex. Most of the season's final episodes took place at the mall the day before July 4th. The big movie featured happens to be one of my favorites of all time, Back To the Future, which in reality did premiere on July 3, 1985, hence it was the movie to see. Other movies featured in the marquee of the complex included Cocoon (directed by Ron Howard), Return to Oz, Fletch (starring Chevy Chase), D.A.R.Y.L, and The Stuff. All of those movies were released in June, except for Fletch, which came out on May 31.
And finally, there was "New Coke". If you were around back in the summer of '85, you'll know that Coca-Cola, in an effort to combat its dwindling market share against Pepsi, which had the time featured blind taste tests in its commercials, and was very relative, having latched onto the Michael Jackson phenomenon of a year earlier. By introducing a new formula, one which tasted "sweeter" as did Pepsi, Coca-Cola would regain its share in the market. New Coke was introduced on April 23, 1985, so it did prevail during the time period of the show. In fact, the beverage was prominently featured in many scenes; as it turned out, Coke reintroduced New Coke for a limited time this summer.
I always love period films, especially ones in which they were set in my lifetime. Of course, I seem to make notice of any movies playing on marquees, music in the soundtrack and things like the models of cars used.
While the show itself can be pretty gory at times, it's a must-watch, if only for the relationships and interactions between the kids, older teens, and the adults on the show.
WOODSTOCK 50 MESS (CONTINUED): Since I've unwittingly been covering what is supposed to be fiftieth anniversary celebration of what is probably the most cherished and memorable rock festival of all time (which, for whatever reason was supposed to be held at a racetrack which was more noted for another rock festival four years later), and even devoted a blog to analyzing the artists scheduled to appear, I may as well update you on what the latest news is.
You may remember that Watkins Glen International Speedway, where the three day event was to be held, revoked the permit to hold the concert there. Despite a 1973 festival drawing 600,000 (a little over a hundred thousand more than the original Woodstock festival at Bethel), the permit was for 150,000 people. Tickets had not yet been sold, and several promoters backed out of the festival. Despite the a court order for one of them to return to the festival, others withdrew their sponsorship and promotion. The biggest blow was when Watkins Glen International, withdrew themselves as the site when the promoters, headed by Michael Lang, failed to deliver a $150,000 payment.
Undaunted, Lang then searched frantically for another venue, and came up with Vernon Downs, a horse racetrack in Vernon, NY. While the venue could only hold half as much, with just a little over a month away, a permit was applied for. However, the town of Vernon denied their request, citing that this came in too late, as it would take much time to prepare for an event just weeks away. Despite the rejection, the organizers (Lang and Richard Peck) held a town-hall meeting in Vernon on July 16th, hoping that the permit will finally be approved.
Just four weeks away, it seems very doubtful that this concert will go off without a hitch. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, having the festival (or any celebration) other than on the original site (which will host a few concerts that weekend), does a disservice to the spirit of the original festival. There are other "mega-festivals", such as Coachella, that happen every year and feature multiple days with several stages and many artists performing.
Let's be honest here. We are celebrating the spirit of the original festival, which is why we are noting it, fifty years later. But the homage should be to those artists that did perform at the original. Woodstock is NOT Miley Cyrus, Jay Z, or Halsey. It's not even The Lumineers, Leon Bridges, Greta Van Fleet, Young the Giant or Cage the Elephant. And while the country may be divided (as it was back in the late 60's), that's a different time, for a different, newer festival to be about.
If Woodstock 50 falls though, then all of the slated performers at that concert should play a special concert at the original site (or at least perhaps nearby, such as Hunter Mountain or the town of Woodstock). Santana and John Fogerty are already slated to play at Bethel Woods that weekend; perhaps Melanie, David Crosby, John Sebastian, Canned Heat, Dead and Co., and Hot Tuna can schedule something.
Let me clarify that many of the bands and artists slated to play are current favorites of mine; many of them are listed this week on my SNS 100. I just think that them playing at something called "Woodstock" (and not on the original site), doesn't make sense. Besides, if Woodstock 50 is a no go, they'll have to find another place to play.
LOOKING AT THIS WEEK'S SNS 100, Winnetka Bowling League's "Kombucha" holds a slim lead over Telekinesis' "Like Nothin'", with The Big Takover's "Shy" not too far behind, as the top 3 hold in place. It's the second week at the top for the Matthew Koma-led band. They are on tour and will be making two appearances at Brooklyn's Zone One at Elsewhere on July 31. Any of the top three could grab the brass ring next week, although none of these songs are getting any buzz or airplay...too bad.
The Driver Era's "Low", Meg Myers' "Running Up That Hill", and Pageants' "Will-O-the-Wisp" are bulleted at 5 thru 7, with Myers' song charting on Billboard's Alternative songs chart. The lone new entry into the top 20 belongs to "Gloria" by The Lumineers, which has been #1 on Alternative Songs for its fifth week.
This week's debuts are headed by the latest standalone single by Foster the People, with "Imagination", the third single in a row not from an album. While perhaps people are getting tired of the band whose big hit "Pumped Up Kicks" was eight years ago, "Imagination" takes them to a new level. While I was perhaps getting tired of the band, this one puts the interest right back. Too melodic, retro and soulful to be a pop hit, although it does have vintage pop influences, this was an immediate like upon first listen. The song debuts at #57 this week.
Also debuting is the fourth single from The Revivalists' album, Take Good Care, "Oh No". The first three singles topped my chart and set a couple of records in the process. The latest song, unlike the others is a more straight-ahead rock song that might take a few listens to get used to, but should ultimately do so. New Jerseyan Donna Missal is back with a song from her debut album This Time. "Transformer", originally released as a single in 2017, returns her to the bluesy style of her big SNS hit "Keep Lying".....I've always been a fan of the Zac Brown Band, and their latest, "Someone I Used to Love" is no exception. I'm not really a big follower of the country music chart, but look to it every one in a while. They are arguable my favorite country band of the 2010's. Katy Perry, coming off her first #1 song from this past holiday season, "Cozy Little Christmas", is back with a new single, "Never Really Over". Unfortunately, it's not in the same style (nor were we expecting it to be so, but one can dream), but it's probably a typical pop song for 2019 and does warrant at least a few spins. Rounding out the debuts is "Psycho" by Another Day Dawns, a band from Lehighton, Pennsylvania; their SNS debut. It's pretty much a straight-ahead hard rock song which seems a bit rare for 2019, but welcome. My Facebook friend Janet Batchelder, who lives near Jim Thorpe, not far from Leighton, had posted about this band whose debut album. A Different Life, hit Billboards "Heatseekers" album of up-and-coming artists. Janet joins many other friends who have recommended artists; Christina Taylor, and Phoebe Ryan are two others on the SNS 100 this week.
THE 'ROAD' GOES ON: Meanwhile on the Billboard Hot 100, "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, stays at #1 for a 15th week at the top; the song is just one of three all-time to have been at the top this long. It staved off another top debut this week "Goodbyes" by Post Malone, which debuted at #3. Billie Elish's "Bad Guy", which dropped off the SNS 100 after one week, holds at #2 on the Hot 100. On the SNS 100, "Old Town Road" rises from 41 to 32. The one song that I predicted would unseat "Old Town Road", the also country hip-hop song "The Git Up" by Blanco Brown, had a setback this week, dropping from 16 to 19 on the Hot 100. The song still is rising here from 34-24 and should enter my top 20 next week.
THANK YOU, SHANNON: Speaking of up-and-coming artists from the Keystone State, The two Shannon Marsyada tracks from her new Oceans set, spotlighted in last week's blog, make some impressive moves. "Caught Falling" takes Mover of the Week honors in going from 60-36, while the title track which re-entered last week, moves 81-60. I want to give out a big "thank you" to Shannon for sharing my blog on her timeline last week; that issue had 68 views, the most on my blog since last October. The last few weeks, I was struggling to event get into double digits with views. This proves that Ms. Marsyada has a great fan base and they love her music. I am hoping that her CD release party on July 28 is a big success. Once again, Thank you, Shannon!!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100
July 14, 2019
| This Week | Last Week | ARTIST-Title | Weeks on List |
| 1 | 1 |
NUMBER ONE:
Album: Cloudy With a Chance of Sun Stream (EP)
(2 weeks at #1)
|
6 |
| 2 | 2 | Telekinesis - Like Nothin' | 7 |
| 3 | 3 | The Big Takeover - Shy | 8 |
| 4 | 9 | The Driver Era - Low | 7 |
| 5 | 7 | Meg Myers - Running Up That Hill | 10 |
| 6 | 10 | Pageants - Will-O'-the-Wisp | 8 |
| 7 | 12 | Elton John and Taron Egerton - I'm Gonna Love Me Again | 9 |
| 8 | 4 | The Black Keys - Lo/Hi● | 16 |
| 9 | 5 | Jonas Brothers - Sucker | 14 |
| 10 | 8 | Lil Peep and IloveMakonnen f Fall Out Boy - I've Been Waiting● | 15 |
| 11 | 14 | Lana Del Rey - Doin' Time | 6 |
| 12 | 13 | The Blue Stones - Be My Fire | 10 |
| 13 | 15 | Ava Max - Sweet But Psycho | 9 |
| 14 | 20 | The Black Keys - Go | 5 |
| 15 | 6 | Beck - Saw Lightning | 10 |
| 16 | 19 | Jade Bird - I Get No Joy | 15 |
| 17 | 11 | Nick Waterhouse - I Feel An Urge Coming On | 13 |
| 18 | 16 | Thomas Rhett - Look What God Gave Her | 10 |
| 19 | 17 | The Holiday Band - Yours | 10 |
| 20 | 28 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
Album: III
|
10 |
|
|
Songs with the greatest increase in
favorite points over the prior week.
● Songs
with 25 or more plays on my iPod.
▲ Songs with 50 or more
plays on my iPod.
¨ Songs with 100 or more
plays on my iPod.
The “Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100” is a list
of current and recent song playlist which I am listening to.
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