ABC-TV's "Wide World of Sports" began: "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport."🌐Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of music! It's a transatlantic Tune Tag!🌎
Thanks, Mark! I hadn't heard Jody's Heart cover before, either. I was familiar with her, generally, and could never have guessed she had appeared (in different years) in the same international music festival as Matia Bazar! THAT was a mind-blower, and a huge Tune Tag move by Pe! I think I actually let out with an audible "WHAT?!?" when I noticed Pe had found that!
Lucky I stumbled on that, I'd never have guessed the brilliant connection you made, Brad. My Genoese vernacular is a bit rusty 😂😂 But I can totally picture you going, "No way..." when you saw the San Remo link. This is what makes TT so much fun!
You're right....some spot-on links can be genuinely found, and there may be a thoroughly remarkable link (or two) still to be found that was never considered or discovered by the other player!
I know little about the San Remo Fest, and certainly not previous attendees....even if I had, it would never occur to me (as you mentioned) an American country artist would be anywhere in the vicinity!
More fun, frankly, than either of us should be having!!😁
I saw a picture of that Gabriel album during my research....I imagine it's a fun listen! I remember, clearly, when Kate's debut dropped in '78. I was at Cactus Records in Houston (at 23), and I remember the full-page "Billboard" ads, and the Capitol rep coming into store proudly touting their newest artist (Harvest was a Capitol subsidiary at the time)! I'm glad Pe brought in Kate's songs.....I've heard very little by her, as I simply wasn't a fan of her voice on that debut. Thanks, Kristin!
This was amazing, guys! So much new-to-me stuff, or familiar names but tracks I didn’t know. Lots to dive into!
I loved Pe’s opening statement — that’s how you make an entrance! I also enjoyed reading about his times at uni and what this song represented at the time. There are some tunes that become embedded in our memory and never truly leave us.
What I loved the most was the dynamic between you two. All the unexpected tags (Sanremo… and Gabriel’s German version… come on!) and how you kept each other and us, readers, on our toes!
Thanks, Andy! A lot of newness to me, too! Pe was so much fun to work with on this! And, as you say, he set a great example of how to write an intro! I even read it again this morning....it's so cool: I get to play it, as you know, in real time....3 or 4 weeks go by before I put it all together the week before that Tag's pub date. A couple of pass-throughs for editing, then I like reading it like my fabulous readers will...both in the e-mail and on the site!
It's one thing to play it, and another to compose it, and give it the certain Tune Tag feel and "vibe." As I'm getting better at wrapping it all up, now, 3, and sometimes, 4 days ahead of a Tuesday pub date, it's fun to read the final product away from the 'Stack post form (where I edit), and take it in "like eveyone else" a few days later!
One thing I may do, Andy, for the 100th ep (or, the week of that ep...it's all ready for composition in about 3 weeks), is give readers (and, maybe just Paid subbies) a peek at the inner workings of putting a Tune Tag on its fancy-dancin' feet!
If you've got some questions you'd like to put to Mr. Kyle about how some of the details come together, and/or how the format emerged, I'd be honoured....gimme a holler/DM, and it'll help give it more of an interview feel, which would be cool! No hurry....#100 drops July 8, so by the end of June would be a good deadline for Qs. Thanks in advance, if it sounds workable for you!
I'm not biggest fan of disco and I *cannot abide* Heart (and a few seconds of the linked video reminded me why - no offense intended, just pushes all my 'bad '80s' buttons) - but y'all brought me back in with a reminder of how brilliant Gabriel and Kate Bush were/are, and then it was fun to see you issue those wild goose chase challenges to each other. I was not familiar with Marilyn and now also know why I didn't stay with the Grass Roots after their '60s hits - though Rob Grill was an interesting character for sure.
Love live the Tune Tag! Always love the introductory animal gifs too, Brad.
Thanks, Nick! I felt the same about "Ti Sento"....I watched it again today, and it's amazing to see "how different" pop/disco music in/from another country can look "from over here"! I'm sure that perspective is reversed for some in Europe and other countries. Certainly the language, but the dancing and the type of music.....I wonder if U.S. record companies at the time ever considered translating that song, as an example, and bringing it over to the U.S. with a selected artist.
Neither Sobule nor Cohen are artists I spent much time listening to, so those "Partisan" songs are great choices!
I've probably linked to this before, but that reminds me of the time an Italian pop star wrote a song which was a sound-alike to the popular (American) songs on the radio at the time. So it sounds like English lyrics, but it isn't actual words --
And, there's Sanremo again! Well, that was mesmerizingly odd! But, there again, even without the language issue, the colors, the dancing, the bizarre rhythm and melody make me imagine U.S./N. American labels turning singular and collective noses up at it (and, that's not meant as a criticism of song or artist)!
I've heard (read) so many quotes by record moguls (however ultimately rightly or wrongly)...."Nah, that'd never fly in the American market," or "I don't see it doing anything in N. America (implied...."they're too into this or that)."
Sometimes they're right (if we catch a glimpse or listen to the song in question). There HAVE been times where a turned down single somehow popped up to be a hit in an unlikely place, and then the headline becomes, "This one was turned down by every American label, until blah blah....and, now it's in the Top Ten!" I wish I had immediate examples, but, I think you'll agree that scenario sounds even vaguely familiar! Certainly plausible!
I believe Petula Clark started really young singing in French (for the French market), long before breaking in UK and U.S. in the '60s. Plus, Vikki Carr was big in Latin countries, singing in Spanish, before breaking big in the States on Columbia. Now, those are strictly language issues, granted, but there are many artists (Carr, I believe being one) where recording songs/albums to pitch to certain markets (mainly language-based) has been done a lot by many!
I absolutely believe that record labels have turned down potential hits because they seemed too unfamiliar.
Also, this is a weird tangent, but I was recently talking to my mother who remembered that one of the songs that she remembered singing as a family, when she was growing up, was the Hut Sut song -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hut-Sut_Song
I was very surprised to look it up and learn that there was a hit song containing fake Swedish. The world is a strange place sometimes.
I remember that song! Heard it as a kid...Dad had to have it on a record! Probably this Torme arrangement! I'm guessing more recorded it! Completely uninquisitive kid that I was (especially concerning lyrics!), it never occurred to me to question what was being sung....I just figured it was a nonsense or novelty song, of which there were plenty in the '50s and '60s!
Despite REALLY looking forward to Pe’s installment of TT, I’m just getting to this now. “Ti Sento” is just the sort of song I expected to be introduced to. What a great opening song and I loved that memory of the track getting you through the exam period. It’s amazing how specific songs and memories/times can be so intimately connected. As I was reading Pe’s reaction to “Crazy On You” I was wowed by the connection Brad made (despite that ending up NOT being the link). What an impressive cover of a fantastic song!
That Heart track is one I’ve always enjoyed, it’s the last song I relegate liking from them. I’m very intrigued now Pe to see this hair band playlist! Maybe that can be a bonus post that wanders outside the disco lines?!? I didn’t know the Gabriel track well enough to make that “if looks could kill” connection but I love the song, one of my favorites from an artist I haven’t explored enough.
“Don’t Give Up” may actually be my favorite Gabriel track so I love that link through to the Kate Bush track despite not knowing the song.
What a sharp left turn with the Bush connection via Dave Parsons and the Partisans! And the link to Marilyn is next level tagging Pe! Oh, and Gavin definitely was a looker!
This was another great episode guys, really enjoyed it!!
Thanks Mark. Such great comments and you may look forward to the playlist post. Great idea! Thanks for reading & sharing your thoughts. Have a great (tropical) weekend) 😁
I laughed out loud when Pe described his Wuthering Heights dance moves. Would love to see a video of that, but the red-dressed Kate Nash lookalikes in a field video will just have to suffice.
Big Hair Metal in the 80s does have dangerous side effects, like driving too fast or making a rock song sound like the music for a wise-cracking action movie starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. And omg those Heart outfits! (I loved the haircare comment. Was it sartorial bravery? I don't know what we were thinking in the 80s. Best not to show today's kids or the mocking will never stop.)
Have to agree, Pe. My entry in the dance Hall of Shame was impersonating the Supremes in "Stop in the Name of Love." What's done in the disco should stay in the disco...
Thanks, Ellen! 'Twas fun pairing with Pe on this one.....he's fun, funny, and with his background, you know he's gonna be pulling music we 'Mericans ain't ne'er heard!
I just couldn't believe those Heart pix! I mean, I know it was '85, and hits and major labels were in their rear view, and they had to keep up with the competition! But, I always thought of Heart as being all denim and corduroy....down to earth John Melon Cougarcamp-type "real" rockers! And, they look preposterous....please tell me SOMEBODY barked at management or label suits, and said, "Ohhhh, no! You're not gonna put THAT on me, are ya?"
But, I was no longer plugged into the scene by mid-'80s, so if you're keepin' up with the Durans, Madonnas, Princes, and Michaels, the game, I get it, is ratcheted up a notch! And, I couldn't resist the AquaNet jab...my mom used to use that, and I seem to recall seeing it on at least a couple dressing room tables along the way (looking at you, NY Dolls)!
I loved 70s Heart -- real rockers as you say -- but they went what I would call pop in the mid-80s and you're right, were chasing the same audience as Madonna etc. It's not my own personal cup of tea, but they did well on the charts and kept their career going so I can't fault them, but they weren't even recognizable with their new look. AquaNet is exactly right! (Poor you. That chemical hairspray smell is awful.)
Very interesting topic. There seemed to be a gap for Americans between when Ed Sullivan went off the air in 1971 -- because every rock and pop act appeared on there -- and when MTV appeared, in terms of actually seeing singers and bands. I remember hearing pop and rock on the radio through the 70s but not knowing what the artist looked like except from the album cover or magazines like People. But perhaps I'm misremembering.
I remember hearing Pamela Stanley's version of "If Looks Could Kill" in the clubs prior to Heart's cover. The song kind of works in both genres: rock and dance. I think I preferred Stanley's at the time though.
This was a blast, thanks again for the invite, Brad. I really enjoyed it!
Great picks guys! I'd never heard that country version of "Crazy On You" before.
Thanks, Mark! I hadn't heard Jody's Heart cover before, either. I was familiar with her, generally, and could never have guessed she had appeared (in different years) in the same international music festival as Matia Bazar! THAT was a mind-blower, and a huge Tune Tag move by Pe! I think I actually let out with an audible "WHAT?!?" when I noticed Pe had found that!
Lucky I stumbled on that, I'd never have guessed the brilliant connection you made, Brad. My Genoese vernacular is a bit rusty 😂😂 But I can totally picture you going, "No way..." when you saw the San Remo link. This is what makes TT so much fun!
You're right....some spot-on links can be genuinely found, and there may be a thoroughly remarkable link (or two) still to be found that was never considered or discovered by the other player!
I know little about the San Remo Fest, and certainly not previous attendees....even if I had, it would never occur to me (as you mentioned) an American country artist would be anywhere in the vicinity!
More fun, frankly, than either of us should be having!!😁
I actually have the German version of this Peter Gabriel album!
This was a fun Tune Tag! Always love seeing Kate Bush pop up!
I saw a picture of that Gabriel album during my research....I imagine it's a fun listen! I remember, clearly, when Kate's debut dropped in '78. I was at Cactus Records in Houston (at 23), and I remember the full-page "Billboard" ads, and the Capitol rep coming into store proudly touting their newest artist (Harvest was a Capitol subsidiary at the time)! I'm glad Pe brought in Kate's songs.....I've heard very little by her, as I simply wasn't a fan of her voice on that debut. Thanks, Kristin!
You can never have enough Kate Bush! 😃 Thanks Kristin
This was amazing, guys! So much new-to-me stuff, or familiar names but tracks I didn’t know. Lots to dive into!
I loved Pe’s opening statement — that’s how you make an entrance! I also enjoyed reading about his times at uni and what this song represented at the time. There are some tunes that become embedded in our memory and never truly leave us.
What I loved the most was the dynamic between you two. All the unexpected tags (Sanremo… and Gabriel’s German version… come on!) and how you kept each other and us, readers, on our toes!
Amazing work!
Thanks, Andy! A lot of newness to me, too! Pe was so much fun to work with on this! And, as you say, he set a great example of how to write an intro! I even read it again this morning....it's so cool: I get to play it, as you know, in real time....3 or 4 weeks go by before I put it all together the week before that Tag's pub date. A couple of pass-throughs for editing, then I like reading it like my fabulous readers will...both in the e-mail and on the site!
That’s fantastic—you get to experience it at least twice!
It's one thing to play it, and another to compose it, and give it the certain Tune Tag feel and "vibe." As I'm getting better at wrapping it all up, now, 3, and sometimes, 4 days ahead of a Tuesday pub date, it's fun to read the final product away from the 'Stack post form (where I edit), and take it in "like eveyone else" a few days later!
One thing I may do, Andy, for the 100th ep (or, the week of that ep...it's all ready for composition in about 3 weeks), is give readers (and, maybe just Paid subbies) a peek at the inner workings of putting a Tune Tag on its fancy-dancin' feet!
If you've got some questions you'd like to put to Mr. Kyle about how some of the details come together, and/or how the format emerged, I'd be honoured....gimme a holler/DM, and it'll help give it more of an interview feel, which would be cool! No hurry....#100 drops July 8, so by the end of June would be a good deadline for Qs. Thanks in advance, if it sounds workable for you!
That’s a great idea! I’ll DM you
That was fun, took me out of my wheelhouse!
I'm not biggest fan of disco and I *cannot abide* Heart (and a few seconds of the linked video reminded me why - no offense intended, just pushes all my 'bad '80s' buttons) - but y'all brought me back in with a reminder of how brilliant Gabriel and Kate Bush were/are, and then it was fun to see you issue those wild goose chase challenges to each other. I was not familiar with Marilyn and now also know why I didn't stay with the Grass Roots after their '60s hits - though Rob Grill was an interesting character for sure.
Love live the Tune Tag! Always love the introductory animal gifs too, Brad.
Whoa, that starts off strong.
I wasn't sure what to expect from "Ti Sento"; that isn't my standard taste but that's really good. I will definitely remember that one.
I will also remember that cover of "Crazy On You." I hadn't heard of her either and very nice (and impressive work by Pe Dupre finding the connection.
The Heart and Peter Gabriel songs are both great.
I admit, Kate Bush is an artist that I admire more than I enjoy -- which is to say that it's very much me, not her.
Given the recent passing of Jill Sobule I immediately thought of her "Resistance Song" when I saw "Partisans" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyUk1tv6CUU
(though, I admit, Leonard Cohen's song "The Partisan" would be a more direct link; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Partisan )
Thanks, Nick! I felt the same about "Ti Sento"....I watched it again today, and it's amazing to see "how different" pop/disco music in/from another country can look "from over here"! I'm sure that perspective is reversed for some in Europe and other countries. Certainly the language, but the dancing and the type of music.....I wonder if U.S. record companies at the time ever considered translating that song, as an example, and bringing it over to the U.S. with a selected artist.
Neither Sobule nor Cohen are artists I spent much time listening to, so those "Partisan" songs are great choices!
I've probably linked to this before, but that reminds me of the time an Italian pop star wrote a song which was a sound-alike to the popular (American) songs on the radio at the time. So it sounds like English lyrics, but it isn't actual words --
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisencolinensinainciusol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-wH8SrFro&list=RDfU-wH8SrFro&start_radio=1
It's a lot of fun and confusing to listen to as an English speaker.
And, there's Sanremo again! Well, that was mesmerizingly odd! But, there again, even without the language issue, the colors, the dancing, the bizarre rhythm and melody make me imagine U.S./N. American labels turning singular and collective noses up at it (and, that's not meant as a criticism of song or artist)!
I've heard (read) so many quotes by record moguls (however ultimately rightly or wrongly)...."Nah, that'd never fly in the American market," or "I don't see it doing anything in N. America (implied...."they're too into this or that)."
Sometimes they're right (if we catch a glimpse or listen to the song in question). There HAVE been times where a turned down single somehow popped up to be a hit in an unlikely place, and then the headline becomes, "This one was turned down by every American label, until blah blah....and, now it's in the Top Ten!" I wish I had immediate examples, but, I think you'll agree that scenario sounds even vaguely familiar! Certainly plausible!
I believe Petula Clark started really young singing in French (for the French market), long before breaking in UK and U.S. in the '60s. Plus, Vikki Carr was big in Latin countries, singing in Spanish, before breaking big in the States on Columbia. Now, those are strictly language issues, granted, but there are many artists (Carr, I believe being one) where recording songs/albums to pitch to certain markets (mainly language-based) has been done a lot by many!
I absolutely believe that record labels have turned down potential hits because they seemed too unfamiliar.
Also, this is a weird tangent, but I was recently talking to my mother who remembered that one of the songs that she remembered singing as a family, when she was growing up, was the Hut Sut song -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hut-Sut_Song
I was very surprised to look it up and learn that there was a hit song containing fake Swedish. The world is a strange place sometimes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3cCbqKU7pE&list=RDJ3cCbqKU7pE&start_radio=1
I remember that song! Heard it as a kid...Dad had to have it on a record! Probably this Torme arrangement! I'm guessing more recorded it! Completely uninquisitive kid that I was (especially concerning lyrics!), it never occurred to me to question what was being sung....I just figured it was a nonsense or novelty song, of which there were plenty in the '50s and '60s!
Two titans toe to toe on Tune Tag! Buckle up!
Brad is the "uber titan" of this platform! Thanks Steve!
Thanks so much, Steve! Pe is definitely a force to be *record* with😊, and this one was really fun!
Despite REALLY looking forward to Pe’s installment of TT, I’m just getting to this now. “Ti Sento” is just the sort of song I expected to be introduced to. What a great opening song and I loved that memory of the track getting you through the exam period. It’s amazing how specific songs and memories/times can be so intimately connected. As I was reading Pe’s reaction to “Crazy On You” I was wowed by the connection Brad made (despite that ending up NOT being the link). What an impressive cover of a fantastic song!
That Heart track is one I’ve always enjoyed, it’s the last song I relegate liking from them. I’m very intrigued now Pe to see this hair band playlist! Maybe that can be a bonus post that wanders outside the disco lines?!? I didn’t know the Gabriel track well enough to make that “if looks could kill” connection but I love the song, one of my favorites from an artist I haven’t explored enough.
“Don’t Give Up” may actually be my favorite Gabriel track so I love that link through to the Kate Bush track despite not knowing the song.
What a sharp left turn with the Bush connection via Dave Parsons and the Partisans! And the link to Marilyn is next level tagging Pe! Oh, and Gavin definitely was a looker!
This was another great episode guys, really enjoyed it!!
Thanks Mark. Such great comments and you may look forward to the playlist post. Great idea! Thanks for reading & sharing your thoughts. Have a great (tropical) weekend) 😁
I laughed out loud when Pe described his Wuthering Heights dance moves. Would love to see a video of that, but the red-dressed Kate Nash lookalikes in a field video will just have to suffice.
Big Hair Metal in the 80s does have dangerous side effects, like driving too fast or making a rock song sound like the music for a wise-cracking action movie starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. And omg those Heart outfits! (I loved the haircare comment. Was it sartorial bravery? I don't know what we were thinking in the 80s. Best not to show today's kids or the mocking will never stop.)
About the video, Ellen, you’re definitely not alone.
We all have moments we’d rather not see immortalized on film 😂😂
I’m just glad I quit doing those impersonations before everyone had a smartphone camera 😁
Have to agree, Pe. My entry in the dance Hall of Shame was impersonating the Supremes in "Stop in the Name of Love." What's done in the disco should stay in the disco...
Thanks, Ellen! 'Twas fun pairing with Pe on this one.....he's fun, funny, and with his background, you know he's gonna be pulling music we 'Mericans ain't ne'er heard!
I just couldn't believe those Heart pix! I mean, I know it was '85, and hits and major labels were in their rear view, and they had to keep up with the competition! But, I always thought of Heart as being all denim and corduroy....down to earth John Melon Cougarcamp-type "real" rockers! And, they look preposterous....please tell me SOMEBODY barked at management or label suits, and said, "Ohhhh, no! You're not gonna put THAT on me, are ya?"
But, I was no longer plugged into the scene by mid-'80s, so if you're keepin' up with the Durans, Madonnas, Princes, and Michaels, the game, I get it, is ratcheted up a notch! And, I couldn't resist the AquaNet jab...my mom used to use that, and I seem to recall seeing it on at least a couple dressing room tables along the way (looking at you, NY Dolls)!
I loved 70s Heart -- real rockers as you say -- but they went what I would call pop in the mid-80s and you're right, were chasing the same audience as Madonna etc. It's not my own personal cup of tea, but they did well on the charts and kept their career going so I can't fault them, but they weren't even recognizable with their new look. AquaNet is exactly right! (Poor you. That chemical hairspray smell is awful.)
It’s a perfect example of just how powerful MTV’s influence was.
We often think the way DSPs shape music today is a new thing, but back in the ’80s, MTV had a similar grip.
I’ll explore that more in my next post about Cyndi Lauper.
Very interesting topic. There seemed to be a gap for Americans between when Ed Sullivan went off the air in 1971 -- because every rock and pop act appeared on there -- and when MTV appeared, in terms of actually seeing singers and bands. I remember hearing pop and rock on the radio through the 70s but not knowing what the artist looked like except from the album cover or magazines like People. But perhaps I'm misremembering.
Looking forward to your post on Cyndi.
I remember hearing Pamela Stanley's version of "If Looks Could Kill" in the clubs prior to Heart's cover. The song kind of works in both genres: rock and dance. I think I preferred Stanley's at the time though.
Wonderful choices and suggestions Brad!
Thanks, Charlotte! Mad props to the mighty Pe, too!
🤗