Project 40: Billboard’s Hot 100 from 1985
The assignment, cover a song that was on the Billboard Hot 100 list 40 years ago.
Bill Fricke
Things Can (L)onely Get Better- Howard Jones
I still have the 12-inch single of this song that I bought in 1985 when living in the Bay Area. In the day, I loved it and thought the synths were cool.
I started learning the song and noticed the chord progression sounded a lot like another top hit from earlier in the 80’s, and sure enough, I was right. Could these songs co-exist in the same space? I tested my theory. It pleased me no end, so this is the result. I’m quite pleased with how the music turned out. I did get to learn another semi-iconic guitar solo for this one. And play the cool synth lines too!
Shout – Tears for Fears
This song was so overplayed on MTV that I became very sick of it. I preferred earlier Tears for Fears (The Hurting and Mad World) before they got super popular. However, I put aside my prejudice and thought about what I could do. It started out as an homage to David Sylvian’s spare style, but it kept morphing.
My natural inclination is to keep adding and, despite trying not to, I gave in and let it start small and then build to a bombast. Again, quite pleased with the music. There are couple of very, very small, (almost minuscule) nods to David Gilmour in the guitar solos.
Lay Your Hands on Me - Thompson Twins
This was a last minute addition with the submission extension. Always loved this song Wish I could sing higher, but alas. Also, Tom Bailey has some of the coolest hair in the 80’s.
One Night In Bangkok - Murray Head Cover
by Mike Bettison
This one came together in fits and starts. I remember hearing it for the first time in 1985 and just loving it!
I worked hardest trying to create the mysterious Thailand vibe with mixed success. I ended up using a flute that was Balinese so your mileage may vary. :-)
I once again collaborated with my favorite Fiverr vocalist Felicia H! She was amazing as always giving me an outstanding performance on the chorus and call and response in vs 2. Ultimately, I'd like to get someone else to do "The American" voice. I put it on as a scratch track and ran out of time to find another person. Any volunteers? :-)
Geek Stuff: Put together in Ableton with liberal use of the Native Instruments library including Rise and Hit, Damage, Icon Bass, and keyboard sounds from Bouquet.
The Dirtpops
Tina Turner "We Don't Need Another Hero"
The lyrics seem appropriate to the current climate we find ourselves in.
Tom Stromsodt covers Glen Fry’s “The Heat Is On”
Step 1 in my commitment to doing every project for the rest of the year.
David Cox covers “I’m on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen
This one came together really quickly. Big thanks to my partner in crime, with whom I recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. I’m still on fire.
BONUS SONG:
Kelly, Neil, Tom, and I played this at the Music space for Dan Ibarra’s 50th birthday party. Thanks to the crew for making it sound good.
Grant Eull
“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears
Simply put, I have always loved this Tears For Fears… however I wanted to try and idea. What if evil AI wanted to rule the world? These lyrics seem to translate to this idea. Could I put an OMIEM spin on the sound of this classic? I question how it turned out, but I have decided to submit it anyway. Let me know what you think. Excited to hear everyone else's submissions celebrating the Billboard top 100 hundred songs from 40 years ago
Pete Foss
”Take Me On” by A-ha
When I was a kid, my mom was a teacher and had summers off, and we took a lot of cross-country road trips to visit family and see stuff. I have 3 older sisters, and for whatever reason the only music they and my mom could agree on was the album "hunting high and low" by A-ha, so I spent countless hours riding in the back of a car listening to that album on repeat. When I looked at the 1985 hot 100 list and saw that "take on me" was on it, there was no other choice.
I originally had an idea to do a very different almost alt-country version, but figured I should try to do a "straight" version first to get a feel for it, and then went down a rabbit hole and never made it out. The hardest part was mixing, but I think I'm happy with how it turned out. Anyway, here's my version of the song.
