"Heart And Soul" by The Monkees

In tribute to the recently departed Davy Jones, The Radio Dial is pleased to broadcast an obscure track by The Monkees… 1987’s “Heart and Soul”.

After our boys had long since been relegated to the oldies circuit, MTV and Nickelodeon began re-airing the classic Monkees TV series, spawning an unexpected resurgence of Monkeemania! Their comeback single “That Was Then, This Is Now” hit #20 on the pop charts in ‘86, and three of the original group, Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork, reunited in the studio to produce the follow up album "Pool It". 

Sadly, the revival was short lived, as the LP disappeared quickly, though it produced this yummy little slice of mid 80s pop confectionary, which quite unfairly stalled at #72 on the pop charts.

The video acts as a sequel of sorts to their TV series, as Davy, Micky, and Peter somehow end up frozen solid in an ice house in 1967, while the strains of their hit “Last Train To Clarksville” echo in the background… they then thaw out twenty years later, and wackiness ensues.

“Put your heart and soul where I can see them shine. I wish you'd put your heart and soul, where I can think they're mine.”

"Galaxy 500" by The Reverend Horton Heat

Tonight the Radio Dial, after bouncing all across the broadcast band, finally locks into a frequency hailing from southern Texas to bring to you, The Reverend Horton Heat’s “Galaxy 500”. An amusingly sarcastic rockabilly song about divorce, and how, despite the wife getting most things of value out of the marriage, the singer will be fine as he retains the beloved “Galaxy 500” (I imagine the spelling was altered to avoid trademark issues with the Ford Galaxie 500)

Culled from the 2002 “Lucky 7” LP and featuring Jim Heath on vocals and lead guitar, Jimbo Wallace on bass, and Scott Churilla on drums, The Reverend Horton Heat (Heath’s stage name, and also the name of the band itself) serves up a rockin’ blend of 50’s country & western, 60’s surf guitar, and 70’s punk and hard rock. Not too surprising, then, that this 25 + year veteran band has been known to cover Cash and Motorhead in the same set. 

“You take the fish, I’ll take the bowl… you take the dishes, while you’re at it take my soul…  But things ain’t so bad… cuz I got a Galaxy 500!”

Hello listeners! I decided it's time that the Radio Dial graduate from a Facebook group to a proper blog. *sniff sniff* My Radio Dial is growing up so fast!


My goal remains the same...To share songs from my personal music collection, spotlighting forgotten one-time hits, worthy album tracks from well-known and obscure artists, and the occasional interesting cover tune. I'll touch on multiple genres, but I'll lean heavily toward 70s and 80s rock and pop, and artists inspired by that era of music.


So whenever you're ready to hear something that terrestrial radio doesn't play, tune into the Radio Dial.


It's all about the music... and the memories.

TWO-FER TUESDAY featuring Lindsey Buckingham

Gather ‘round listeners, as we unveil something rather special… the first installment of an occasional interlude we like to call “Two-Fer Tuesday”. Every few weeks, the Radio Dial will serve up a pairing of songs by the same group or artist, and today’s spotlight falls on Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

First up, a tune from the obscure 1973 LP “Buckingham Nicks”. Named for the duo of Lindsey and soon to be famous songstress Stevie Nicks, the LP failed to chart upon release. However, it was the track “Frozen Love” that caught the ear of a certain Mick Fleetwood, who in turn invited the two to join his evolving British blues rock band, the revised lineup of which catapulted “the Mac” into super stardom. At least, that’s the rumour.

“Look down below you… search out above… and cry out to a life, for a frozen love”

Secondly, a song undeservedly abandoned by current terrestrial radio, Lindsey’s solo track “Trouble” off of his ’81 Law and Order LP. Released during the dawn of the MTV age, this was to be Lindsey’s biggest solo success, peaking at US #9 in early 1982. It also features a drum loop of the aforementioned Mick Fleetwood (who also cameos in the music video), and slightly ethereal background harmonies. 

“I really should be saying goodnight… I really shouldn’t stay anymore…. It’s been so long since I held ya… Forgotten what love is for…”

So that draws the first Two-Fer Tuesday to a close. We at the Radio Dial will continue to look for interesting and enlightening song couplings for future installments. It's all done for the music... and the memories.

"You're Only Lonely" by Schuyler Fisk

While searching for a favorite childhood tune earlier this week, I happened across this cover of that very same song… Schuyler Fisk’s “You’re Only Lonely”. Extracted from her 2009 “The Good Stuff” LP, this interpretation of the 1979 soft rock classic by J.D. Souther features a slow tempo arrangement that melds folk, country, and a touch of jazz with Schuyler’s breathy vocals, and an opening rhythm that recalls Ben E. King’s iconic “Stand By Me”. Simply stated, it's a beautiful version of a tender song.

“When you’re feeling lonely and small… you need somebody there to hold you…

You can call out my name… when you’re only lonely.”

"Pilot of the Airwaves" by Charlie Dore

Tonight the Radio Dial reaches back for another record that hasn’t been played on terrestrial radio in wayyyy too long, the sublime “Pilot of the Airwaves” by one-hit wonder Charlie Dore. A loving tribute to disc jockeys from top 40’s heyday, Charlie’s tune peaked at #13 on the hot 100 in the spring of 1980. I’ll always remember singing along to this when getting ready for school during first grade. Even back then, I felt the genuine respect toward the radio personality coming through in her lovely lyrics, and as I got older, I came to fully understand how a great deejay can truly connect with you in a way only a friend can.

“Pilot of the airwaves… here is my request… you don’t have to play it, but I hope you’ll do your best… I’ve been listening to your show on the radio… and you seem like a friend to me.”

"One Foot In Front of the Other" by Bone Symphony

Taken from the soundtrack to the 1984 cinema masterpiece “Revenge of the Nerds”, Bone Symphony’s tasty new wave jam plays over the sequence in which the Tri-Lambs renovate their house… look out for that vacuuming robot, Poindexter!

A trio composed of vocalist Scott Wilk, bass synthesist and drummer Marc Levinthal, and Icelandic keyboardist Jacob Magnusson, Bone Symphony released one EP in ’83, and contributed tunes to the soundtracks of Valley Girl and “Nerds”, then closed up shop. “One Foot” also popped up in an episode of Family Guy a few years back as Peter and his friends help clean up the Drunken Clam bar.

“Well I know we can do it… you know we can do it too! But there’s work to be done now… work to be done…”

"Counting Out Time" by Genesis

If you only know Genesis as the MTV friendly pop/rock outfit of the 80s led by Phil Collins, this may just blow your mind…

Tonight the Radio Dial reaches back to 1974, with a track from the double album “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”. Featuring vocals by then-lead vocalist Peter “Sledgehammer” Gabriel, “Counting Out Time” humorously details a young man’s admittedly awkward first sexual encounter, as he depends a little too much on the instructions in a recently purchased manual.

“Touch and go with 1-6.  Bit of trouble in zone No.7. Gotta remember all of my tricks. There's heaven ahead in No. 11!”

"Centipede" by Rebbie Jackson

1984 was a very “Jackson” based year. The “Victory” LP was the final work to feature all members of the Jackson 5 on one recording… Jermaine would release his “Dynamite” solo album which produced the hit “Do What You Do”… singles from Michael’s “Thriller” album were still scoring tons of airplay, and little sister Rebbie hit #24 on the Top 40 and #4 on the R&B chart with the track “Centipede”, written by big brother Michael.

Being a classic video game fan, I always daydreamed that this song was written in tribute to the Atari arcade game of the same name. However, despite still not knowing exactly what the lyrics mean, the Radio Dial is happy to spotlight Rebbie’s biggest hit, a great forgotten single of the ‘80s.

“When the time is really right, is when the centipede is crawlin'…
You'll be crying in the night so many tears… And you're crawlin' like a centipede”

"Moment of Truth" by Whitney Houston

When I heard that Ms. Houston had passed, I immediately thought of that fresh-faced young girl with the oversized bow in her hair from the quintessentially ‘80s “How Will I Know” video. To me, Whitney will forever be that lovely young woman with the amazing voice and beautiful smile that recorded some of the best r&b pop tunes of my high school years. 

So, in tribute, the Radio Dial tunes into a true rarity, 1987’s “Moment of Truth”. Featured as the B-side to her #1 single “I Wanna Dance With Somebody Who Loves Me”, the song at least received modest airplay in the Washington DC market (where I’m from), but never became a big hit in its own right. It should have been a runaway smash.

Thank you for your music, and I wish you peace in the next life, Whitney.

“Let out your feelings tonight… Cause oh, I know that I want you… It's all up to me and you… And the moment of truth”

"Jesse" by Carly Simon

Tonight we tune the Radio Dial back 32 years, to the autumn of 1980. Presidential debates were heating up between Carter and Reagan, nothing came between Brooke and her Calvins, and Carly Simon’s gold single “Jesse” from her Come Upstairs LP was peaking at US #11. It was to be Simon’s last sizable pop hit, and while her ‘70s classics “Anticipation”, “Nobody Does It Better”, and “You’re So Vain” continue to get airplay nowadays, this forgotten ode to a destructive (but ultimately intoxicating) relationship was unfairly lost in the shuffle. 

"Oh Mother, say a prayer for me... Jesse's back in town, it wont be easy." 

"Haunted Honky Tonk" by The Gibson/Miller Band

Even as the Radio Dial spotlights obscurities, it also prides itself on providing the “best variety” (to use a cliched industry tagline). So tonight, please enjoy, along with a cold draught, “Haunted Honky Tonk” from the Gibson/Miller Band. Taken from their 1994 “Red, White, and Blue Collar” LP, the guys spin an interesting country yarn about a fellow that stops in for a bite at the titular establishment, and ends up meeting Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and others. Listen to the lyrics carefully, it’s essentially a Twilight Zone episode set to music.

“As I walked up to the swinging doors… I shivered when I saw the old marquee… ‘cuz the names I read… had all been dead… since 1963.”

"Father & Daughter" by Paul Simon

As I proudly announce the birth of my daughter, Zoey Lin, I dedicate to her, this sweet tune from the legendary Paul Simon... "Father & Daughter". Recorded in 2002 for the soundtrack to The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and nominated for an Academy Award, the lyrics perfectly sum up what I'm feeling right now about my “little ladybug”.

"As long as one and one is two... there could never be a father who loved his daughter more than I loved you."

"Cold Dark & Yesterday" by Daryl Hall & John Oates

Tune in as the Radio Dial offers up a relatively forgotten album track from rock and soul legends Hall & Oates, entitled “Cold Dark and Yesterday”. Extracted from 1984’s Big Bam Boom LP, and written and sung by John Oates, CD&Y reverses the normal Hall & Oates recipe of Daryl as lead singer and John as harmony vocalist.

I’ve always appreciated the slightly spooky, vaguely unsettling vibe of this track, which is quite unlike Daryl and John’s typical output.

“Disembark, disconnect, possibilities unknown… on the edge of a heading for heavy weather…”

"You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" by the Alan Parsons Project

Tonight the Radio Dial tunes in to '82, and brings back this Motown-esque prog-pop classic by the Alan Parsons Project, "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned". Released on the platinum selling Eye in the Sky LP, it features Lenny Zakatek on lead vocals singing of illusions, darkness, and sleight of hand. He may represent a magician, or perhaps some sort of deity. Or maybe he's just a cocky mofo!
 

"Chances are, you're playing with fire... I thought by now you'd learned..."

"If I Only Had A Brain" by MC 900 Ft Jesus

In the mood for a little mid '90s alt hip-hop? Ever wondered what it would be like to ship yourself around town in a package? If so, then check out "If I Only Had A Brain" by MC 900 Ft Jesus. The good MC, a.k.a Mark Griffin, dabbled in rap, jazz, alt rock, and mergers thereof, including this great track, featuring an awesome Spike Jones video, clever lyrics, and an insanely catchy beat.

"Suppose... I accidentally got my shit together... would I get a medal, or a pat on the back, and a little feather I could stick in my cap or pin to my shirt?"

"Police on My Back" by The Clash

Acting on an excellent tip from listener Zach B., tonight the radio dial features The Clash's "Police On My Back" from their legendary 1980 LP Sandinista! Written by Eddy "Electric Avenue" Grant, and originally recorded by his band The Equals in 1968, The Clash's cover is perhaps the definitive version of this tasty jam with it's siren-like lead guitar and Mick Jones awesome vocals.

 

"You Don't Know" by Scarlett & Black

I thought I had a pretty good handle on all the 80s hits, until I snagged a compilation CD with this tasty nugget! I didn't recognize the band name or title at first, but as soon as the chorus hit, I was transported back to my freshman year of high school! Scarlett & Black hit #20 on the Hot 100 with "You Don't Know" in 1988, and then joined the esteemed group of musicians known as one hit wonders.

"Destination Unknown" by The Replicants

Take a spin with this rarely heard 1995 cover by The Replicants of Missing Persons' '82 classic "Destination Unknown". The Replicants featured members of Tool and Failure, and merges the sounds of grunge, industrial, and the original's new wave. I'd love to know the source of the "alien abduction" monologue at 2:46... is it sampled from a movie or tv show, or performed for the song? Life is so strange indeed...

 

"Moonlight Shadow" by Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly

Here's the first platter that matters on Kyle's Radio Dial... Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly's 1982 pop masterpiece "Moonlight Shadow". This song was a smash hit practically everywhere, and reached the top of the charts in Italy, Norway, Spain and Austria... yet it was never released as single or pushed to radio in the American market. 

A damn shame, as it would have sounded very natural being played between Journey and Quarterflash back in the day!

"The first time ever she saw him... carried away by a moonlight shadow..."