Katrina And The Waves
In honor of the hurricane heading towards New Orleans, this week's 80's Song Of The Week is "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina and The Waves. Frequently appearing in commercials and awful romantic comedies (specifically in montages where people try on 'crazy' hats), "Walking On Sunshine" endures as one of the most memorable songs of the decade. The infectious hook, enthusiastic singing and instrumentals do seem to indicate that Katrina and company truly are walking on sunshine (or doing some especially powerful drugs). The song reached the Billboard top ten in 1985 eventually peaking at number nine. Like so many 80's groups, they faded into oblivion although their website boasts continued successes in Germany.
Because I didn't do an 80's Song Of The Week last week, I submit yet another title for your listening consideration. In (belated) honor of Madonna's birthday on August 16th, I choose "Dress You Up," the fourth and final single to be released off of Like A Virgin, one of the 80's greatest pop albums. "Dress You Up" reached number five in July of 1985. Much like "Material Girl," this single espouses 80's materialism: "All your suits are custom made in London. Satin sheets and luxuries so fine." I remember vividly the video for this track which consisted of exciting concert footage and an excellent dance break during the mandatory guitar break. The perky "Dress You Up" remains a lesser known Madonna single but like so many of her hits is a high energy dance tune and highly recommended for the gym. Interestingly, "Dress You Up" was included in Tipper Gore's Filthy Fifteen.
Yesterday, Brett and I boarded a ferry and paid a visit to Governor's Island located a few minutes away from the southern tip of Manhattan. Governor's Island was formerly used as a military installment from 1800 to 1960, and later as the headquarters for the U.S. Coast Guard until financial woes closed the island in 1996. Today, the government does not know what to do with the island but happily for us, it becomes a public park on summer Saturdays. The island is home to huge expanses of grass, beautiful trees, two early 19th century forts, stately officer's homes, barracks, churches, a hospital and an old Super 8 motel! A majority of the buildings are abandoned and falling into disrepair. Sadly you can not legally enter the shuttered buildings and not all of the island is open to the public. Still, it remains relatively undiscovered and Governor's Island is an excellent way to escape the city.
Because I didn't do an 80's Song Of The Week last week, I submit yet another title for your listening consideration. In (belated) honor of Madonna's birthday on August 16th, I choose "Dress You Up," the fourth and final single to be released off of Like A Virgin, one of the 80's greatest pop albums. "Dress You Up" reached number five in July of 1985. Much like "Material Girl," this single espouses 80's materialism: "All your suits are custom made in London. Satin sheets and luxuries so fine." I remember vividly the video for this track which consisted of exciting concert footage and an excellent dance break during the mandatory guitar break. The perky "Dress You Up" remains a lesser known Madonna single but like so many of her hits is a high energy dance tune and highly recommended for the gym. Interestingly, "Dress You Up" was included in Tipper Gore's Filthy Fifteen.
Yesterday, Brett and I boarded a ferry and paid a visit to Governor's Island located a few minutes away from the southern tip of Manhattan. Governor's Island was formerly used as a military installment from 1800 to 1960, and later as the headquarters for the U.S. Coast Guard until financial woes closed the island in 1996. Today, the government does not know what to do with the island but happily for us, it becomes a public park on summer Saturdays. The island is home to huge expanses of grass, beautiful trees, two early 19th century forts, stately officer's homes, barracks, churches, a hospital and an old Super 8 motel! A majority of the buildings are abandoned and falling into disrepair. Sadly you can not legally enter the shuttered buildings and not all of the island is open to the public. Still, it remains relatively undiscovered and Governor's Island is an excellent way to escape the city.
posted by Kurt at 8:30 PM
2 Comments:
I give up. Which movie featured "Walking on Sunshine" playing over a montage of trying on crazy hats?
is that a PBY Catalina flying overhead in that picture? i didn't know the war effort in the Pacific was so active in New York Harbor.
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