Wayne brings us The Smithereens from June of 1986 with their debut hit album, “Especially for You.” (Mr. Eliminator / Groovy Tuesday / Behind a Wall of Sleep / Blood & Roses). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Oh Yeah!” by Yellow. STAFF PICKS: “Hyperactive” by Robert Palmer — Rob. “Suzanne” by Journey— Brian. “Something About You” by Level 42 — Bruce. “Locked In” by Judas Priest — FRIEND OF THE SHOW, Doug Aiken. “Home” Public Image Limited — Wayne. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Chase the Ace” by AC/DC.
Especially for You is the debut full-length album from “The Smithereens.” This platinum-selling album was almost a "greatest hits" because the New Jersey band had been playing for 5 years before releasing this album. The Smithereens filled a void in the mid-80's pop scene that would become categorized as Alternative Rock or College Rock, and there are a number of hits from the group that hold up well today. In retrospect, the album is just solid, straightforward rock-and-roll.
Friend of the show Doug Aiken joins us for this, Episode 57 of our What the Riff podcast as we musically travel back to the mid-80's.
Mr. Eliminator
This instrumental song wasn't on the album, but was a bonus track on the CD and was on the B-side to "Blood and Roses." It was completed in one take.
Groovy Tuesday
This co-written song was inspired by "The Who Sell Out." The initial title of the album was going to be "Groovy Tuesday."
Behind a Wall of Sleep
This track is a "crush song," about a girl in another band in the area.
Blood & Roses
This is one of the big hits from the album. The bass line was inspired from a riff heard while passing by the club. The lyrics are a poetic tribute to a woman who committed suicide.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Oh Yeah!” by Yellow
Bueller? Bueller? This became a classic after appearing on the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
STAFF PICKS:
“Hyperactive” by Robert Palmer
This was the follow-up to "Addicted to Love" and remained in the charts for about 12 weeks. Rob shares that shortly after this album Palmer formed The Power Station with members of Duran Duran.
“Suzanne” by Journey
Brian brings one of the hits off "Raised on Radio." It was one of three to hit the top 40 from the album. The follow-up to "Frontiers" would be the last Journey album with Steve Perry. Randy Jackson played bass on the tour.
“Something About You” by Level 42
Bruce's staff pick is the only top 10 hit by the group in the US. There are surprisingly complex lyrics for a pop song "drawn into the stream of undefined illusion, those diamond dreams, they can't disguise the truth that there was something about you."
“Locked In” by Judas Priest
Doug Aiken's pick takes the intensity up a notch...or three. The album "Turbo" from which the track comes was promoted using spoofs of commercials from the day.
“Home” Public Image Limited
Wayne's pick keeps the intensity up, but from a more punk genre than heavy metal. Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols is the lead singer of this group, Ginger Baker from Cream is the drummer, and Steve Vai is on guitar.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Chase the Ace” by AC/DC
We exit the podcast with this instrumental from the heavy metal stars from down under.