Here's a cool song by Kate Bush from the 80s!
Trivia: When the song's video was released in the UK in 1986,
Top of the Pops initially refused to play it because it was deemed "too violent". That's a laugh by 2025 standards! LOL!!!
First appearance of Dr. House
Another great song, which I believe is well composed, is
Big Log by Robert Plant, released in 1983. It features an iconic guitar riff in the intro, and the lyrics are creative and imaginative. The song is a somber reflection on the challenges of life.
Bassist Viktor Krauss released a slowed-down cover version of the song in 2004, featuring his famous sister, Alison Krauss, on lead vocals.
Viktor Krauss also performed the song live with Jill Walsh on lead vocals. Sadly, Jill passed away in 2012 at the age of 47.
This is an awesome uptempo pop-rock track from Belinda Carlisle titled
You're Nothing Without Me, released in 1991.
Harden My Heart was an awesome hit in 1982 by Quarterflash. I love the chord progressions.
Twist of Fate, released in 1983, was the final top 5 US hit from the late Olivia Newton-John. Awesome track!
From the same movie soundtrack, Olivia released a second less known song in 1984,
Livin' In Desperate Times, but I like it!!! ;D
This Gibb-penned song and universal number one track was covered by the talented Liz McClarnon of the Atomic Kittens in 2006. Her cover version reached number 5 on the UK pop charts that year.
The late Benjamin Orr was a bassist and co-lead singer of The Cars. He released
Stay The Night in 1986 as a solo track. It reached #24 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the US in early 1987. That was his only solo hit. I believe it's a well-crafted pop-rock song that is reflective of the mid-80s.
In 1969 Mason Proffit released Two Hangmen. It was an iconic statement at the time and has remained ever since an unmistakable warning to any audience to guard itself against designing men of ill repute seeking power over them. It still fits today. The song is the message. Its outro is the "audience's" reaction.
Among the most prolific and successful songwriters of all time, Barry Gibb wrote and produced this hidden gem for a young, talented vocalist from South Florida named Kelli Wolfe in 1991. The song was semi-released in 1993 as a promo CD single in some markets. It's a power ballad with great vocals, excellent arrangement, and solid guitars. It's among my favorite tracks from the 90s. I find compositions like this one very instructional in terms of writing and arranging an excellent song. Barry's son, Stephen Gibb, plays lead guitar on the track.
Born To Be Loved by You -- Kelli Wolfe Hartman
Eyes -- Kelli Wolfe Hartman
Gibb also wrote and produced a second song for Kelli Wolfe, which she recorded during the same sessions.
I always enjoy listening to Emily Linge perform brilliant cover versions of popular songs using simple arrangements. Here are four:
Heartbreaker (Bee Gees)
Ordinary World (Duran Duran)
Honesty (Billy Joel)
Against All Odds (Phil Colins)
Eva Under Fire posted the best cover version of a song I've heard in recent years. It's a great hard rock version of the classic hit
Separate Ways by Journey. There's tons of energy in this one!
Chiara Kilchling (aka Cara Vel) created a couple of cool covers of two Led Zeppelin songs. Awesome!
The Rain SongKashmir
Although Bananarama was best known for their 80s hits
Cruel Summer and
Venus (cover version), my favorite track from the group is
A Trick of the Night from 1987. It has a great arrangement and vocals, interesting chord changes, and plenty of energy for a mid-tempo power ballad.
Excellent 80s pop-rock sounds from The Motels, featuring Martha Davis on lead vocals:
Only The LonelySuddenly Last Summer
I've always enjoyed the Latin-pop sounds of Gloria Estefan's music. This is a song she released in 2003. The lyrics are very catchy and the track has interesting chord changes and great vocals. It's a great power ballad!
A Little PushA live performance of
Te Amaré is from the same era in her career. Lots of energy in this one! I believe
Te Amaré translates to
I will love you. ;D
The Australian band Men at Work had numerous hits in the US in the early to mid 80s. Among the best, in my opinion, were the two below. The latter one,
Overkill, has a haunting melody at the end of the chorus with interesting chord changes around the line "ghosts appear and fade away".
It's a Mistake
Overkill
This is a cool and enjoyable live cover version of
You're No Good (Linda Ronstadt) by The Hindley Street Country Club.
This talented young lady, Beatrice Florea, has an amazing voice and tons of great videos of cover songs, including this oldie:
I like her style of singing the song in three part harmonies and presenting the track as triplets of herself in the video.
Alyona Yarushina recorded an excellent cover of the song
Burning Heart, originally released by Survivor and portrayed in
Rocky IV in 1985. Aloyna has an amazing voice!
...and she has some really great tips for creating the best vocals. :D
Jefferson Starship had some good hits in the 70s. These are a couple that come to mind:
Miracles -- soft rock
Jane -- hard rock
This is a cool #1 80s track from Yes:
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida) of ABBA recorded a cool euro-pop-rock solo album in 1982. Phil Collins produced a track from the album titled
I Know There's Something Going On. He also played drums on the track and added backing vocals to it. The song reached #13 in the US on Billboard's Hot 100, but it reached #1 and the top 5 in quite a few countries around the world.
For mellowing out and relaxing, new age or tranquil classical music works well. Here's an excellent new age piano instrumental from David Lanz, titled
Reverie, from 1993. It's a very cerebral track.
This is an excellent Rick Springfield rock track from 1983. It reached #9 on Billboard's Hot 100. Great guitar work!
Affair of the Heart
The 1987 Christmas episode of
Top of the Pops featured the Brothers Gibb performing
You Win Again, which was number 1 that week. It was also the number 1 song of the year in the UK.
Pat Benatar had a number of strong hits in the 80s. Two that come immediately to mind are
Fire and Ice and
Love is a Battlefield.
Toto had a number of solid hits in the late 70s and 80s. Here are a few that come to mind:
99Africa...and my favorite from Toto,
Lea
This is an excellent power rock ballad from Metallica, released in 1992.
Nothing Else Matters
Aimee Mann and her band 'Til Tuesday released a cool Euro-synth pop-rock track in 1985 titled
Voices Carry. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
Karla Bonoff had a couple of hits in the 80s. My favorite was
Somebody's Eyes.
The Police had a number of hits from the late 70s to mid 80s. Among my favorites was
Wrapped Around Your Finger from 1983. The song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
Shirley Manson and her group, Garbage, had some Alt Rock hits in the late 90s and early 00s. One that comes to mind is
Stupid Girl, which reached #2 on the US Alt Rock charts, and #4 in the UK.
In 1985, the late Olivia Newton-John released
Soul Kiss, which was a hit for her. She looks and sounds amazing as usual in her song's music video. ;D 8)
I'm not particularly a fan of Chris De Burgh—he's probably best known for
Lady In Red, which was a decent song—but like many, I've sometimes wondered if the cloaked ferryman at the end of the
Don't Pay the Ferryman music video is Tom Baker (Dr. Who). Purportedly, Tom Baker denied it, but the rumor persists today. So, who knows? LOL! Of all the things to wonder about, right? LOL! Who cares? 😂🤣
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEgmkKr-GyVzG_qiJVIwQts-DdFqedjAz
Brushing up on Lightnin'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2qHmYqffI&list=PLEgmkKr-GyVzG_qiJVIwQts-DdFqedjAz&index=3
Pop singer Lulu from the UK released this Gibb-penned song in the UK in 1993. It barely charted there, peaking at #51.
Let Me Wake up in Your Arms
Having listened to Linda Ronstadt's music through the 70s and early 80s, I always enjoyed her pop and pop-rock songs and style. Later, when I heard her sing classic standards with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, beginning in 1983 and continuing for three albums, I was completely blown away by her voice. I never realized she could sing in that way or how good her voice really was. Of course, I knew she could sing, but there is a big difference between singing pop or pop-rock songs and singing with elegance, class, and a rich, beautiful voice as she did on her three albums backed by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.
What's NewI've Got a Crush on You
The Romantics released
Talking in Your Sleep in 1983. It reached #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 in The U.S. The track is high energy and the drums are mixed perfectly.
I previously posted a hit by Quarterflash, titled
Harden My Heart. Here is another hit by the group, which reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. It's titled
Take Me to Heart; a quintessential 80s pop-rock sound.
Chiara Kilchling has amazing talent and covers quite a few oldies, but this is an original song she composed and performed with David Mazibrada, titled
Humans. It's a little long at 7 minutes, but very enjoyable. Great vocals, lyrics, guitars, and mix!
This is a solid rock track released by Eric Clapton in 1989, titled
Bad Love. Great guitar work from him as usual.
In 1987, the Gibb Brothers wrote a mid-tempo pop-rock song for their niece, Bernice Gibb. Though it wasn't released as a single, it later appeared on a tribute CD in 1994. Sadly, she passed away in 2021. I like how the track builds in sections as it progresses—it has all the hallmarks of a Gibb-penned song. The first 55 seconds of the video provide background on her life and the song; the song itself begins around the 0:55 mark.
I'm Not Wearing Makeup
Hall & Oates had a number of big hits in the 70s and 80s.
Maneater reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and #6 in the UK in 1982. Classic 80s sound.
Sheena Easton had a number of cool hits in the 1980s, including this power ballad from 1981,
You Could Have Been With Me. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 (number 6 on the AC chart).
Also from 1981,
For Your Eyes Only (from the James Bond film of the same name) reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 8 in the UK.
I always enjoy listening to cover versions of hit songs performed by the lovely and talented Emily Linge on her YouTube channel. ;D
Everybody Wants to Rule the World — original version by Tears for Fears
Tom Petty was a good guitarist who had a few hits in the US in the 1980s.
You Got Lucky reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982.
Debbie Harry and her band Blondie had a number of hits in the late 70s and 80s.
Call Me was a new wave rock track that became the number 1 song of the year in the US and UK in 1980.
The three songs below were released in 2005 by Samantha Gibb, the talented daughter of the late Maurice Gibb.
When I'm With YouInside My HeadGiving In
Another very interesting song from a songwriting perspective is
Wishing You Were Here released by the group
Chicago in 1974. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US (number 1 on the US AC chart). The track was less of a hit in the UK, reaching number 51.
I'm not a fan of Terry Kath's vocals in this song. I think Peter Cetera should have sang lead vocals throughout the entire track. When the subject of 'eerie' songs comes up, the chorus of this song with "ooh-ooh-ooh, wishing you were here" and the parts after that are always mentioned as 'eerie' or 'spooky' in conversations. It's due to the unique chord changes and slides. That's the main kind of hook that hit songs are made of; something that stands out as unique and catchy.
Marcomé is a very talented and lovely songstress from Canada. I own a few of her CDs. She has been referred to as the Canadian version of Enya. She released a relaxing New Age track back in the 90s titled
Yéku. It streamed routinely on New Age music channels and stations.
Ask the Mountains by the late Greek composer Vangelis was another New Age song I enjoyed listening to back in the mid 90s. It's great for relaxing or concentrating. ;D
The track features wordless, minimalist vocals and ambient soundscapes from Swedish singer Stina Nordenstam. I like her voice! The first 2:13 of the song is a slow intro, but the track becomes a bit more animated thereafter—although it remains slow and deliberate overall—until around the 5:00 mark, when it evolves into a more focused and assertive section with minor chords.
Here is a creative cover of
Voulez Vous by the multi-talented
Beatrice Florea. She breathes new life, energy, and fun into old songs. The song was originally released by Abba in 1979. "Voulez Vous" is French. It translates to English as "Do you want?"
I love Abba, and this is a wonderful cover!!
Quote from: Vicki on Jul 15, 2025, 09:58 PMI love Abba, and this is a wonderful cover!!
I agree! There are a lot of great songs by Abba! :D
Stevie Nicks' raspy, vibrato-rich vocals were featured in numerous hits by Fleetwood Mac throughout the '70s and '80s. As a solo artist, she scored several of her own hits during the '80s.
Stand Back reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the US Top Rock Tracks in 1983.
The track also features Steve Lukather of Toto on guitar.
Remembering Connie Francis who passed away today, July 17, 2025, at the age of 87. She had a number of big hits in the 1950s and 60s. Her hits included
Who's Sorry Now from 1963.
Martika released a haunting power ballad in 1989,
Toy Soldiers, which reached No. 1 in the US and No. 5 in the UK. She had another top 10 hit in 1991, which allowed her to escape being labeled a "one-hit wonder."
I've always enjoyed
Lost in the Crowd released in 1986 by Swedish star Carola Häggkvist. The song was penned and produced by the Gibb Brothers.
Carola also released another clever song written by the Gibb Brothers,
Angel of Mercy, in 2001.
Although rock, pop-rock, and hard-rock have always been my favorite genres of music (especially 80s), I also enjoy new age, jazz, and classical. The Pat Metheny Group released numerous jazz fusion songs in the 80s which are mellow and easy to relax to. One that comes to mind is
[It's Just] Talk from 1987.
I'm enjoying a little light jazz tonight. Here's a classic jazz tune from Dave Brubeck. I loved listening to this song when my girlfriend and I would drive along the California coast from Ventura to Santa Barbara in August of 1993 late at night with the top down. We'd often stop and walk along the beach in the moonlight. The summer temperatures were always very chilly by the Pacific at night! Great times and great memories! ;D
Dave Brubeck -
Take Five
In 1985, Arcadia released
Goodbye is Forever, which reached No. 33 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100.
Election Day was a top 10 hit, reaching No. 6 in the US and No. 7 in the UK.
Goodbye Is ForeverElection Day
Sultans of Swing is a rock song released by Dire Straits in 1979. It reached No. 4 in the US and No. 8 in the UK. Excellent guitars!
In 1984, Lindsey Buckingham released
Go Insane, which peaked at No. 45 on Billboard's Hot 100.
Terrifying is a cool album rock track released by
The Rolling Stones in 1989.
The late Olivia Newton-John released a cool pop-rock track in 1982,
Tied Up, which reached No. 38 in the US. I've always thought the song was underrated.
Love Voodoo is a mid-tempo pop-rock album track released in 1993 by Duran Duran.
In 1987, Johnny Hates Jazz achieved international success with
Shattered Dreams. The song peaked at No. 2 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 1 on the AC chart), and No 5 in the UK.
32 years later, they performed the song live in 2019.
Saved by Zero was a synth-rock song release by The Fixx in 1983. The track reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US (No. 9 on the US Top Rock Tracks chart). I like how the instruments and vocals are crystal clear and loud in the mix. The song was produced by the late Rupert Hine who had a lot of production credits involving hit songs over his career.
In 1978, Debbie Harry and her band, Blondie, released
Heart of Glass. The track reached No. 1 in the US and the UK. Alyona Yarushina performed an excellent cover version of the song. Alyona has the rare gift of emulating original vocals with remarkable precision and authenticity.
In 1981, the Go-Go's, featuring the very charming and talented Belinda Carlisle on lead vocals, released
Our Lips Are Sealed. The upbeat track reached No. 20 in the US. Their next single,
We Got The Beat, was the group's biggest US hit, reaching No. 2 the same year. Belinda Carlisle went on to enjoy four top 10 hits in the US as a solo artist, including a number one record in 1987.
Our Lips Are SealedWe Got The Beat
British pop-rock group Supertramp had multiple hits in the US and UK in the late 70s and early 80s.
The Logical Song was their biggest hit, reaching No. 6 in the US and No. 7 in the UK in 1979.
In 1978, the British pop-rock band, Sweet, released
Love is Like Oxygen. The song reached No. 8 in the US and No. 9 in the UK. The track features a cool electric lead guitar and a catchy hook in the chorus.
Foreigner had numerous hits in the US and UK in the 70s and 80s.
Waiting For a Girl Like You reached No. 2 in the US and No. 8 in the UK in 1981.
I've posted a few videos of the very talented Emily Linge performing cover versions of hit songs. She also performs her own original material, including
The Mirror, which is a lovely ballad.
Beatrice Florea recorded a cool cover of
Manic Monday originally released by The Bangles in 1985.
The Bangles, featuring the very lovely and talented Susanna Hoffs, released
Walk Like an Egyptian in 1986. The song reached No. 1 in the US and many other countries internationally, and No. 3 in the UK.
In 1976, American rock band Blue Öyster Cult released
(Don't Fear) The Reaper. The song peaked at No. 12 in the US and No. 16 in the UK. Despite not cracking the top 10, the track was still certified 6x Platinum in the US, and Platinum in the UK.
British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac released
Big Love in 1987. The song reached No. 5 in the US and No. 9 in the UK.
The American rock band, Scandal, featuring the very talented and cute Patty Smyth as the lead vocalist, released
Goodbye to You in 1982. It's was the group's debut single, and it only reached No. 65 in the US, but reached No. 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in the US. Two years later in 1984, the group's hit song,
The Warrior, reached No. 7 in the US, and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song only managed to reach No. 86 in the UK.
Goodbye to YouThe Warrior
In late 1986, Debbie Harry released
French Kissin' in the USA. The song only reached No. 57 in the US, but was more successful in the UK, where it reached No. 8.
Violinist Caroline Adomeit and pianist Nadiya Kholodkova recorded a great cover version of
Moonlight sonata (Beethoven) in 2020. Excellent!
The American rock band The Cars released
Shake It Up in 1981. The song reached No. 4 in the US. A few years later in 1984, the group released
Drive, which reached No. 3 in the US and No. 4 in the UK.
Shake It UpDrive
British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart released
Passion in 1980. The song became a hit, reaching No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.
The American rock band Styx released
Renegade in 1979. The song reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 in Canada. It opens with an
a cappella lead vocal before building into a powerful, driving rock track with an excellent lead guitar.
Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk released
Human Behavior in 1993. The song reached No. 1 in Iceland and No. 36 in the UK.
English rock band Genesis had several hits in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1983,
That's All reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 1985, Glenn Frey released
You Belong to the City, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. I'm not a fan of the slow sax intro during the first 34 seconds, but it develops into a good pop-rock song thereafter. The song also reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
American singer and musician Billy Joel released
Allentown in late 1982. The song reached No. 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The Brothers Gibb contributed a pop-rock song titled
Shape of Things to Come to the 1988 Summer Olympics Album.
In late 1979, Christopher Cross released
Ride Like the Wind, which reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. Michael McDonald provided backing vocals on the track.
In 1987, the Brothers Gibb released
You Win Again. The song was their final No. 1 hit in the UK, although they would follow with other top 10 hits.
Sheryl Crow released
My Favorite Mistake in 1998. The song reached No. 20 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 9 in the UK, and No. 2 in Canada.
Bryan Adams released the rock track
Run to You in 1984. In the US, the song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. It reached No. 11 in the UK.
Tommy Faragher contributed an uptempo pop-rock track to the
Staying Alive Soundtrack in 1983. The movie featured two lovely actresses, Cynthia Rhodes and Finola Hughes.
(We Dance) So Close To The Fire
Canadian pop-rock group Chilliwack released
My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) in 1981. In the US, the song reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. In Canada, the track reached No. 3.
Pink Floyd's hit song
Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two, reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as in the UK and numerous other countries around the world in early 1980.
English drummer-singer, Phil Collins, released
Don't Lose My Number in 1985. The song peaked at No. 4 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100. The song may not have been released in the UK, because it did not chart there.
In 1986, Journey released
Girl Can't Help It, which reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts in the US.
In 1985, Sting released
Fortress Around Your Heart, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts in the US.
In 1990, Duran Duran released
Serious, which reached No. 48 in the UK. I don't believe it was released as a single in the US.
With Halloween around the corner soon, here's a cool album track from the Brothers Gibb from 1993, titled
Haunted House.
Among the category of very eerie and creepy new age songs,
The Room of Ancillary Dreams from the late Harold Budd is among the strangest. 😱
Huey Lewis and the News released a cover version of
Heart and Soul in 1983. The song reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts in the US.
The very talented Emily Linge recently covered the ABBA hit,
SOS, which was originally released in 1975.
To kick off the month of Halloween, here's the timeless classic theme from
The Munsters. ;D
Here's another interesting oldie for the month of Halloween:
Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett.
As we continue toward Halloween in the month of October, I'm remembering the theme from
The Addams Family. 😈
The theme from
Dark Shadows (1966–71) has an eerie, spooky vibe that is apropos for Halloween.🧛
In the spirit of Halloween, Frédéric Chopin's
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor is excellent and best known for its iconic
Funeral March. It creates an atmosphere of dread that's perfect for
All Hallows' Eve.
Another spooky music score that's perfect for Halloween season is the theme from
Tales from the Darkside.
Another song with an eerie vibe that is fitting for Halloween is
Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme by composer Mark Snow.
The theme from
Tales from the Crypt provides more creepy music for the Halloween season. ;D
The instrumental
Tubular Bells, best known as
The Exorcist theme, is another hypnotic, iconic track for All Hallow's Eve. 😈
Bernard Herrmann composed a suspenseful, eerie theme for the epic 1960 film
Psycho, which is fitting for the Halloween season. 8)
As Halloween approaches, I recall a cover song from 1979 by the Atlanta Rhythm Section titled
Spooky. It reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. An earlier cover of the song was released by The Classics IV in 1968, which reached No. 1 in Canada, No. 3 in the US, and No. 46 in the UK. The version by the Atlanta Rhythm Section stayed very true to the original.
Staying in the Halloween season vibe, America rock musician Warren Zevon released
Werewolves of London, which reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in 1978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8lUW9SKquY&list=RDZ8lUW9SKquY&start_radio=1
Lady Gaga , Million Reasons
In August 1980, The Charlie Daniels Band released the uptempo country-rock track
The Legend of Wooley Swamp. It was a popular story-song for Halloween that year, describing the ghost of Lucius Clay. The song peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
The usual dud
...and who can forget the theme from
The Road Runner cartoon? One of the best ever! ;D
Another track in the Halloween spirit is from Cliff Richard. He released
Devil Woman in 1976. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and No. 9 in the UK.
I enjoyed Emmy Rossum's performance as the beautiful 'Christine Daaé' in
The Phantom of the Opera. Her performance in the movie was great, and her vocals in each song were outstanding. It's unfortunate that a good male vocalist wasn't cast to sing the duets with her.
(https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/the-phantom-of-the-opera/images/3/31/Emmy-Rossum-Phantom-Opera.jpg)
The new age instrumental
Tree from Aphex Twin, released in 1994, is an eerie and unsettling composition that's fitting for Halloween. 🎃
This instrumental track would fit well in a thriller or horror movie.
Lost in the Dark
Not all spooky vibes come from horror soundtracks. Another eerie composition is
The Nutcracker Suite – Act I, No.5. Coffee (Arabian Dance) by Tchaikovsky. Although it is often associated with Christmas music, its mysterious, hypnotic, and haunting atmosphere feels more suited to Halloween.
As we approach Halloween next week, this is my favorite among my own compositions and a tribute to an adorable dark enchantress named Hedra 🥰 —
She Walks in Beauty in the Night.
With Halloween approaching this week, I'm remembering another of my own compositions in the spooky spirit —
All One Enchantress Knows. 🧛
...
she'll hurt them in their dreams... 😱
Happy Halloween to everyone in Europe and Oz! We're on cusp of Halloween in North America, too, as of this writing. 😃
With Halloween 2025 here, I'm recalling another of my own compositions about the lethal danger of falling in love with an adorable sorceress named Hedra. So heed the warning —
Loving Her is Terminal! 🖤👸
...if you taste her kiss you're gone...
Finally, as we approach
All Hallows' Eve tonight, I'm reminded of another of my own compositions,
Her Malevolence. The song conveys the story of a wicked mortal woman with red hair who is slowly driven insane as Hedra uses a spell of retribution and vengeance to control and destroy her mind. In the video, Hedra manifests as the Grim Reaper.
...tonight, her malevolence claims your mind...
It's November and mid-autumn now in the northern hemisphere, The season reminds me of a peaceful composition by the late George Winston, who was a very talented pianist and composer in the new age genre. One relaxing track from his album
Autumn comes to mind.
Longing / Love
Lisa Loeb performed her hit song from the 90s,
Stay, with Daryl Hall on his series
Live From Daryl's House.
The late Olivia Newton-John released
Magic in 1980. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, No. 1 in Canada, and No. 4 in Oz.
Belinda Carlisle released
Circle in the Sand in 1988. The song reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 in the UK. Excellent vocals and chord changes throughout!
She performed the song live on Johnny Carson's
The Tonight Show in 1988, followed by an interview.
Official music video
Cyndi Lauper released a cover version of
I Drove All Night in 1989. The song reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 7 in the UK. A strange intro, but great after that! ;D
The multi-talented Emily Linge recently performed a cover version of ABBA's 1975 hit
SOS. Excellent piano and vocals as usual.
In 1983, the Brothers Gibb wrote five songs for the Staying Alive soundtrack. One of the songs was
Breakout, which wasn't released as a single, but it's a cool album track. The movie wasn't a hit, but the soundtrack reached No. 6 in the US. The lovely actresses Cynthia Rhodes and Finola Hughes were both great in the movie.
In 1995, Natalie Merchant released the funky pop-rock track
Carnival. The song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
The amazing and talented Beatrice Florea recently covered
Circle In The Sand (Belinda Carlisle). Excellent vocals and style!
The very talented Alyona Yarushina recorded a cool cover of
Bette Davis Eyes (Kim Carnes). Excellent vocals.
After composing 26 top 10 hits from 1968 to 1981, which included 15 number one records, Barry Gibb and his brothers had a falling out with their manager and RSO records owner, Robert Stigwood. They subsequently filed a lawsuit against him. Next, the Bee Gees' song,
He's a Liar, was released in late 1981. With little support from their record company, it only reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Many have wondered if the song's title was a masked dig at Stigwood.
In today's AI world, it could also be about those who attempt to pass off AI-generated fake songs in songwriter's forums as their own compositions to fool people. (https://images.emojiterra.com/google/noto-emoji/unicode-16.0/color/svg/1f937.svg) LOL!!!
In 1983, the Bee Gees released
The Woman in You as the lead single off the Staying Alive soundtrack (sequel to Saturday Night Fever). The song reached No. 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 in Canada, and No. 2 in Spain.
In 1983, Sheena Easton released
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair). The song reached No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No 3 in Canada, and No 84 in the UK.
Elaine Paige released the Gibb-penned ballad
Secrets in 1981 on her self-titled album
Elaine Paige.
The lovely Olivia Newton-John released the Gibb-penned ballad
Carried Away on her album
Physical in 1981.
I enjoy many new age artists and their music, including Diane Arkenstone and her cerebral track,
Voice of the Sea.
Here's another cool cover performance from the very lovely, talented, and amazing Beatrice Florea.
Alone
I'm enjoying another cool new age track from Diane Arkenstone,
Jewel in the Sun.
This is a cool video by the talented and amazing Beatrice Florea performing a cover version of
Hungry Eyes.
In late 1978, Chicago released a smooth pop-jazz song,
No Tell Lover. The track reached No. 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 10 in Canada.
Linda Ronstadt released
How Do I Make You, which reached No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. An interesting fact about the song is that it runs only 2 minutes and 24 seconds.
The Hindley Street Country Club, featuring Sarah Lloyde on lead vocals, created a cool cover version of
Alone, originally recorded by Heart.
The very talented and adorable Beatrice Florea created a cool cover version of
These Boots Are Made For Walkin'. Awesome!
In 1982, the band America released
You Can Do Magic. The song reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1978, Firefall released
Strange Way. The track reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
The very talented and lovely Beatrice Florea produced another cool cover of a hit song in her unique style.
Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders released
Brass in Pocket (I'm Special) in late 1979. The song reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 14 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100.
A cool friend from SoundCloud, Donna Dior, released a beautiful new uptempo track,
Starmony. Excellent music and vocals! ;D
This Kind of Love is another beautiful piano ballad composed and performed by Donna Dior. Love it! 😍
The Lavender is another excellent composition and performance by Donna Dior. Amazing voice and talent! 🎵
In 1986, the Brothers Gibb wrote a festive ballad in the Christmas spirit, titled
Seasons, which Barry Gibb produced for the Welsh group
No Hat Moon. The recording features the lovely vocals of two sisters in the group, Sheryl and Sheila Parker. It's an excellent song for holiday reflections and warm remembrances of family, friends, and loved ones. 😃
I've sometimes wondered if the Christmas classic
Carol of the Bells is a little too creepy for a Christmas song. I believe it's been used in various horror movies. 😱 Still, I like it! 😃
Lola Astanova performed a great piano rendition of the song with an orchestra.
The very adorable and talented Beatrice Florea recorded an excellent cover and video of the timeless classic
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. Wonderful! 😃
The very charming Beatrice Florea recorded an amazing cover and video of
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Outstanding! 😃
Christmas Time Is Here (instrumental version) — Vince Guaraldi
Christmas Time Is Here (vocal version from
A Charlie Brown Christmas)
The very talented Isabel Suckling recorded this Gibb-penned song
Christmas Day in 2012.
Live version
Studio version
Burl Ives recorded
A Holly Jolly Christmas for the classic
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special in 1964. Ives also voiced Sam the Snowman in the show.
Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé recorded a cover duet of
Baby It's Cold Outside in 2014.
Official video
The incredibly talented and classy Beatrice Florea covered the classic holiday hit
The Christmas Song in her amazing style and voice. Marvelous! ;D
I recently found the YouTube channel of a very talented acoustic guitar player, Gabriella Quevedo, performing a cover of
My Favorite Things. Excellent! ;D
Super-talented Gabriella Quevedo produced a wonderful acoustic guitar cover version of
We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Outstanding! 🎄⛄
In 1984, Sheena Easton released
Strut, which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
In 1982, Olivia Newton-John released
Heart Attack. The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and No. 46 on UK Singles chart.