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The Lost Boys Soundtrack and all it's awesomeness

When I was 16 I won tickets on a radio contest to The Lost Boys movie. I was extremely excited because I had tried forever to win by calling into radio contests and I really wanted to see this movie. Unfortunately, I was unable to use those free tickets! But, when the movie came out on VHS I rented it and LOVED it immediately. I rented that VHS more times than I can remember. The cast was excellent – Keifer, Jason, Dianne, The Corey’s, etc and MY FAV Billy Wirth! The vampires were sexy and made you want to move to Santa Carla and join them. But, the thing that impressed me most was the soundtrack. I still listen to it today. It is such a diverse selection of songs and artists.

When Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, I bet they never imagined it would eventually be covered by Roger Daltrey, of the Who, for a movie about vampires. This version is amazing. Roger’s voice is strong and powerful giving this song an awesome edge.

What 80s girls didn’t LOVE Michael Hutchence from INXS? Those eyes and that hair!! Good Times is as awesome meld of two great Australian singers, Michael and Jimmy Barnes. The controlled screams, the up-beat tempo make this song a fun one to jam out in car karaoke!

Who can forget I Still Believe by Tom Cappello? Who knew that sweaty, oily, ball of muscles was really singing that song? Back in the day Tom played sax for Tina Turner among other notable musical accomplishments! Including this memorable gig on the Lost Boys soundtrack. At age 62,he still dresses the part, purple spandex included and performs that song for Lost Boys fans.

Did you get a Foreigner vibe on this soundtrack!? Of course you did! Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner, sings Lost in the Shadows. This is probably one of the favorites on this soundtrack. Powerful vocals, amazing instruments, a dark sexy feel, how can it not be a fav!?

                                                               

Echo and the Bunnymen do an excellent job of covering People are Strange by the Doors. Their version has a little more bounce to it than the original and goes well with the scene in the movie showing all the diversity Santa Carla has to offer.
I loved the homage to Jim Morrison in the vampire abode.

We get another taste of INXS w/ Jimmy Barnes with Laying Down the Law.

Mummy Calls, singing Beauty Has her Way gets me with the lyrics:  Sometimes she shines, and i know Beauty has her way.

Thomas Newman's The Shock of Miss Louise is a great carousel song to start out the movie. The Lost Boys are harassing the Surf Nazi's on the boardwalk carousel and the song just fits. It is also reintroduced later in the movie when Michael confronts the Boys and they reveal their true identity.

(below is a shameless plug for my favorite Billy Wirth...just look at him!! SWOON!!)

I imagine Cry Little Sister, performed by Gerard McMann, is the all-time favorite for most fans. The powerful vocals, the eerie chorus of children, the goth feel of it all lends itself to this movie and the darkness that surrounds the movie.

I can honestly say this is one of my favorite soundtracks ever! What’s not to like?? If you haven’t given it a listen but sure to check it out. If you haven’t watch the movie SHAME ON YOU! Go do it now!

Don't call 80s Hair Bands Classic Rock

I hear it all the time...80's is now class rock. NO, it isn't. Classic Rock is a specific sound from the late 60's and 70's that is set apart from the 80's sound. People will argue this with me and I will fight you!

Classic rock was a new sound that originated in the late 60's and continues on through the 70's and even in to the 80's. This sound was heavy in guitar and vocals that were belted out like never before. Guitar Gods were formed with this sound. You can hear these sounds in bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Who, to name only a few.

The 80's hair bands or Glam Rock emerged in the late 70's and early 80's. This sound was still heavy but with the addition of the shred guitar solo and a somewhat pop feel set this genre apart from the 1970's classic rock. These sounds were best diplayed by bands like Van Halen, Poison, Motley Crue and Quiet Riot.

When you listen to say Led Zeppelin you can feel this underlying heaviness that you can feel in your soul. It touches you on a deeper lever. It pulls you in with the driving guitar and those vocals. The vocals are loud, rich, and belting. There is a raw quality to the sound. It isn't the over edited music of today.

Bands like Van Halen have a much different sound. You still get that heavy feel but there is a touch of of pop that keeps it a bit lighter. The vocals still have that amazing range but with the addition of melodies gives it a new sound. Guitar solos were another thing that set these 80's bands apart. Jimi Hendricks and other before have made the guitar solo an amazing spectacle to watch but 80's hair bands made it a staple to their existence. 

You can argue it is all rock 'n roll and I will agree. But, when I am on a road trip listening to my playlist I hear these bands playing and you can definitely tell a difference in the areas of rock 'n roll. You can hear a Queen song and know that it is a 70's sound whereas Poison has a distinct 80's sound. I am not going to argue which genre is better because in my opinion they are both amazing sounds. 

This is a piece I wrote for the website wearyourmusic.com.https://www.wearyourmusic.com/

It can be found here: 

https://www.wearyourmusic.com/blogs/whose-strings-are-you-wearing/don-t-call-80s-hair-bands-classic-rock