I hope that just by making this connection that you and John Booth have awakened something deep inside Joe, that will haunt his showers for another 30 years! —Keith
I adore both songs and bands. Well, I like Katrina and The Waves, not love. I think of that band as a side project of a member of one of my favorite bands, The Soft Boys.
That A-ha album doesn't have a bad track on it, I was on the A-ha bandwagon early on. The Sun Always Shines on TV is a personal favorite. I'm one of those guys nobody knows that owns or has owned most of A-ha's albums.
I love that Kimberly Rew was able to make a shit ton of money by writing Walking on Sunshine, allowing one of my favorite musicians to keep doing his thing. His catalog is awesome, even if he never had that many "hits." (But they did later win Eurovision in 1997 with Love Shine a Light, and The Bangles covered the B-side to Walking on Sunshine, a great track called Going Down to Liverpool)
But Take on Me can't be denied. As you both said, the video is iconic, probably the most iconic 80s video. I saw it again the other day, and even after almost 40 years of advancement in special effects and animation, it is still a really impressive video. And in the era of MTV the videos have to be a factor in the what is the 80s-est.
With apologies, "Walking On Sunshine" has never done anything but kind of annoy me, despite its utter inoffensiveness. Other random thoughts: One of my best friends from college is named Katrina, and once joked that just when "Walking..." was about 20 years in the rearview and people finally stopped asking her where The Waves were, har har!...there was this storm in New Orleans. >sigh.< Also, I'm glad Deni mentioned "The Sun Always Shines on TV," A-ha's follow-up single and a certified Top 20 hit and award-winning music video, even if nobody remembers it in the shadow of "Take On Me" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ir9HC9vYg
I definitely had never seen this video! This song does sound vaguely familiar. And I think it might be because U2 stole some of its feel and sound for “Beautiful Day” ? (Specifically the “touch me” part?) Anyway, I had no idea this song charted in the US, because the place Joe and I lived didn’t get this one very much if at all. So, good, A-ha is NOT a one-hit wonder! I really should just go listen to this whole album, it’s probably great. Thanks, John!
When I listen to Walking on Sunshine, I don't get that 80s feeling. When I listen to Take on Me I can pinpoint exactly when and where I first "noticed" the song. I somehow saw the video even though I didn't have MTV at the time and was mesmerized. It is one of the few that still truly stands the test of time. So for me it has to be A-ha!
By the way, I think creating a new video of Walking on Sunshine where Keith is running up and down rainbows and sunbeams while wearing shades would be a great idea!
"Take on Me" is a fabulous 80s song and worthy of the top 5, but you know I am pulling for "Sweet Dreams" to take down the bracket and get to the finals (sorry A-Ha, Eurythmics did it all 1st) - they did synth before most, had one of the 1st drum machines - it's even in the video, and she has a voice that is just remarkable AND she can still sing. Lost of incredible 'toids' around the song and the duo. Looking forward to it!!!!
I would be totally OK with that outcome! I think this is the song you should record something for! You have the passion and the knowledge! Let's do it!
Before I listen, do you guys at any point sing "Joe Wack-in' on suuunshiiiiiine?" Because if not, I'll leave you a voice note.
"Joe Wack-in' on suuunshiiiiiine" is Joe's new shower song
I hope that just by making this connection that you and John Booth have awakened something deep inside Joe, that will haunt his showers for another 30 years! —Keith
That did NOT happen! 😂
I adore both songs and bands. Well, I like Katrina and The Waves, not love. I think of that band as a side project of a member of one of my favorite bands, The Soft Boys.
That A-ha album doesn't have a bad track on it, I was on the A-ha bandwagon early on. The Sun Always Shines on TV is a personal favorite. I'm one of those guys nobody knows that owns or has owned most of A-ha's albums.
I love that Kimberly Rew was able to make a shit ton of money by writing Walking on Sunshine, allowing one of my favorite musicians to keep doing his thing. His catalog is awesome, even if he never had that many "hits." (But they did later win Eurovision in 1997 with Love Shine a Light, and The Bangles covered the B-side to Walking on Sunshine, a great track called Going Down to Liverpool)
But Take on Me can't be denied. As you both said, the video is iconic, probably the most iconic 80s video. I saw it again the other day, and even after almost 40 years of advancement in special effects and animation, it is still a really impressive video. And in the era of MTV the videos have to be a factor in the what is the 80s-est.
I was surprised that some of the other K&Waves songs were pretty catchy (and very different) from their only song that I knew until this week.
I read about the Eurovision win after we did this episode, but haven't listened to it yet. Incredible that they had another huge song that much later!
--Keith
With apologies, "Walking On Sunshine" has never done anything but kind of annoy me, despite its utter inoffensiveness. Other random thoughts: One of my best friends from college is named Katrina, and once joked that just when "Walking..." was about 20 years in the rearview and people finally stopped asking her where The Waves were, har har!...there was this storm in New Orleans. >sigh.< Also, I'm glad Deni mentioned "The Sun Always Shines on TV," A-ha's follow-up single and a certified Top 20 hit and award-winning music video, even if nobody remembers it in the shadow of "Take On Me" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ir9HC9vYg
I definitely had never seen this video! This song does sound vaguely familiar. And I think it might be because U2 stole some of its feel and sound for “Beautiful Day” ? (Specifically the “touch me” part?) Anyway, I had no idea this song charted in the US, because the place Joe and I lived didn’t get this one very much if at all. So, good, A-ha is NOT a one-hit wonder! I really should just go listen to this whole album, it’s probably great. Thanks, John!
—Keith
When I listen to Walking on Sunshine, I don't get that 80s feeling. When I listen to Take on Me I can pinpoint exactly when and where I first "noticed" the song. I somehow saw the video even though I didn't have MTV at the time and was mesmerized. It is one of the few that still truly stands the test of time. So for me it has to be A-ha!
By the way, I think creating a new video of Walking on Sunshine where Keith is running up and down rainbows and sunbeams while wearing shades would be a great idea!
Excellent reasons for voting, John! I will get right on the production of that video!🤣 --Keith
This was tough but Walking on Sunshine just makes me smile so I had to go with Katrina and the Waves.
You are among a small but mighty minority who is voting for Katrina, but you have my respect!
--Keith
Definitely a worthy 16-seed here, in "Sunshine," but "Take on Me" is 80s enough to take this whole bracket down!
You didn't have to brutalize my darling Jets though, did you, Dr. Janet?? 😂
--Keith a.k.a. "Walking on Sunshine" 😝
"Take on Me" is a fabulous 80s song and worthy of the top 5, but you know I am pulling for "Sweet Dreams" to take down the bracket and get to the finals (sorry A-Ha, Eurythmics did it all 1st) - they did synth before most, had one of the 1st drum machines - it's even in the video, and she has a voice that is just remarkable AND she can still sing. Lost of incredible 'toids' around the song and the duo. Looking forward to it!!!!
I would be totally OK with that outcome! I think this is the song you should record something for! You have the passion and the knowledge! Let's do it!
--K
Walking on Sunshine just does not have that feel for the 80s that Take on Me does.
Wait, did you just agree with your sister?
🤣🤣
—Keith