Bruce riffs on the second studio album by Howard Jones entitled “Dream Into Action” from March of 1985 (Like to Get to Know You Well / Assault and Battery / Life In One Day / Things Can Only Get Better). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Moonlighting" by Al Jarreau (theme to the television series "Moonlighting" STAFF PICKS: “Don't Come Around Here No More” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers — Rob. “We Are the World” by U.S.A. for Africa — Lynch. “White Lies” by Jason & the Scorchers — Wayne. “One Night in Bangkok” by Murray Head — Bruce. COMEDY TRACK: “I'm Kissin' You Goodbye” - Ray Stevens. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Welcome to the middle of the second British Invasion! John Howard Jones was born in Southampton, in southern England to Welsh parents. He grew up in Wales, moved to Canada when he was a teenager, and returned to the UK in the mid 70's where he attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The was the oldest of four boys, all of which became musicians, and started piano at the age of 7.
Dream Into Action is Howard Jones' second studio album, and was released in this month. It went to number 10 on the Billboard 200, and number 2 on the UK albums chart. Rupert Hine was the producer, who also produced albums for Rush. Howard's brother Martin Jones plays bass on this album, and he has the group Afrodiziak as backing vocals on a number of tracks. Jones had a successful debut release in 1984 called "Human Lib," and "Dream Into Action" would be an even bigger hit.
Howard Jones has a piano and keyboards-driven sound, and his lyrics are quite positive. Jones believes that his positivity and depth tends to create a negative perception in the media, stating that "what's 'cool' is often very shallow and transient."
Jones is still putting out albums today. He released an album called Transform in 2019, and one called Dialogue in 20222.
Bruce brings this synth-heavy 80's album to the podcast.
Like to Get to Know You Well
This track preceded the album by over six months. It came out as a single in August of 1984 as the Summer Olympics were kicking off in Los Angeles, and was dedicated to "the original spirit of the Olympic Games." It was included in a remix album called "the 12" Album" in November 1984 before being included in this studio album.
Assault and Battery
This is a deeper cut which was played on an episode of Miami Vice. The lyrics are about the horrors of eating meat - Jones was a vegetarian at the time, and is a vegan today. This songs reminds us of Styx and Elton John with the keyboard work.
Life In One Day
The third single from the album (or fourth, depending upon how you count "Like to Get to Know You Well") went to number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics are about not rushing through life, but taking time to enjoy the place where you are. The British vocal group Afrodiziak can be heard contributing backing vocals to this song.
Things Can Only Get Better
The first single from the album is the big hit. It went to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Afrodiziak contributes backing vocals to this track as well. It is a very deliberately positive song, encouraging the listener who is down on his luck to keep going, and to keep looking for better days ahead.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme to the from the television series "Moonlighting" by Al Jarreau
Bruce Willis launched his career in this detective romance comedy that starred Willis and Cybill Shepherd.
STAFF PICKS:
Don't Come Around Here No More by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Rob features a song written by Tom Petty and Dave Stewart (from the Eurythmics). This was the main hit from the sixth studio album "Southern Accents." It is a break-up song partially inspired by a conversation Stewart overheard between Joe Walsh and Stevie Nicks. The Alice In Wonderland-themed video is a must-see.
We Are the World by U.S.A. for Africa
Lynch brings us the ultimate supergroup. This was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa, and raised over $60 million. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and Quincey Jones produced it. Musicians appearing in the band were a veritable "who's who" in the music world, including performers as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry, and Ray Charles.
White Lies by Jason & the Scorchers
Wayne's staff pick is off the group's first full length album, "Lost and Found." Jason & the Scorchers' high energy and country twang led them to be described as "cowpunk." The lyrics describe a couple in a bad relationship. "Take these chains and set me free, release me from this misery. Now, don't you waste my time with your alibis 'cause your heart can't hide what I see in your eyes."
One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head
Bruce goes to the theater for his staff pick. This song is from a concept album and musical called "Chess," written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (formerly of ABBA). The musical is about a Cold War-era chess tournament between two grandmasters, one American and one Soviet. Murray Head performs the spoken verse and Anders Glenmark sings the chorus.
COMEDY TRACK:
I'm Kissin' You Goodbye by Ray Stevens
We finish up this week's podcast with a break-up song in a style only Ray Stevens can deliver.