30 Years Ago • UB40, The Motels, Huey Lewis & Cyndi Lauper

Clockwise: The Motels, UB40, Cyndi Lauper, and Huey Lewis & the News.

In search of inspiration, trying to come up with a post for this evening, I took to the web. As I ambled through a few halfhearted topics, I decided to look at the music that was being released 30 years ago. When I looked at the music of the day, I was impressed by the diversity that was being released over the period of about 30 days. From Johnny Cash to Alice Cooper, all kinds of music was being made and released. But I will pick some of my own favorites from that period, music I was likely to purchase and listen to. I will start with a British band who combined Pop and Reggae in a new way. UB40 had great success in the UK, but it was with their September 12, 1983 US release of 'Labour of Love' that they saw gold in the States. The album went double-Platinum in the US, and the lead single, "Red Red Wine", went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Neil Diamond, who also put out the first recording. But it was UB40 who had the greatest success with their Reggae take on the song. Please enjoy as UB40 sing "Red Red Wine".

Back in the early 1980s, i t seemed like Huey Lewis & the News could do no wrong. In 1982, they started appearing on the charts with songs like "Do You Believe In Love", and and soon were everywhere. With the September 15, 1983, release of 'Sports', the band took it to a new level. The album, which went to #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, contained five Top 20s singles, four of which made it to the Top 10. The second of those was "I Want A New Drug", a song written by Lewis and lead guitarist Chris Hayes. The song went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video was on regular rotation on MTV, back in the days the station was in the music forefront. This is the official music video for "I Want A New Drug", the great song from Huey Lewis & the News.

In 1982, The Motels had a huge success with the song "Only The Lonely", off the album 'All Four One'. The song combined the rocky edge, but still had an amazing vocal from singer Martha Davis. On September 16, 1983, they released the album 'Little Robbers', and the lead single was their second hit, "Suddenly Last Summer". Both hits were written by Davis, proving her to be a great talent. In fact, both songs made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to fans eager to hear more of the music. This is the official music video for The Motels song "Suddenly Last Summer".

In October of 1983, there was an unexpected surprise for many who loved music. Portrait Records, a sister company of EMI, released an album from a 'kooky' young girl who certainly captured the attention of the public. Cyndi Lauper was her name, and on October 14th, 'She's So Unusual' was released. Lauper, with her multi-hued hair, her Brooklyn accent, and her bold vocals kept everyone guessing what she would do next, and seldom were they right. Her first hit was "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", a song written by New Wave Rocker Robert Hazard. The song was an international hit, on or near the top of music charts everywhere. The song went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and introduced everyone to the immeasurable talent of Lauper, who this year won a Tony Award for her writing of the music for "Kinky Boots" on Broadway. But 30 years ago, the world was just getting to know Cyndi Lauper through the music video for "Girls Just Want To Have Fun".

I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, looking at the music just being released thirty years ago! If you loved the music, you can still find it all on iTunes and Amazon, as well as on YouTube!

GLEE Redux • I Kissed A Girl

Clockwise: Cyndi Lauper; Dolly Parton; Katy Perry; Pink; Melissa Etheridge; and kd lang.

The show opens in Principal Figgins' office, as Santana is being held accountable for slapping Finn last week. When a 2 week suspension is discussed, Finn explains he was never really hit, and everyone was fooled by a stage slap. Afterwards, when Santana wants to know why he lied, he explains he thinks she is fabulous, but spends part of the time hiding it. And he wants the New Directions and the Troubletones to work together to prepare for sectionals. Part of that is them all celebrating Lady Music Week, when everyone will prepare songs sung by ladies, for ladies. Rachel is worried that Kurt will not be able to win the election, as Brittany is bribing voters with Pixie Sticks. She talks to Kurt, who suggests he might need to cheat to win. He suggests, like JFK, he might need to stuff the ballot box. Rachel tries to convince him it won't be necessary.

Coach Beiste talks about how stretched she was, with the election coming, and her infatuation with Cooter. Mr. Schue and Ms Pillsbury offer her help with the election. It is then we learn that Coach's idea of a date is pumping iron with the hunk. Back in the Glee room, Kurt and Blaine are the first to sing Lady Music, and they dedicate Pink's F*kin' Perfect to Santana.



Sue wants a man. Although she might seem to live a lesbian existence, she wants a man. And hopes, of course, it will help her election results. While going through her list of men, she bypasses Matt Lauer, a Baldwin brother, and Dan Quayle. But she decides on her next lover... Quickly, we are in the Glee room, and Puck sings Melissa Etheridge's I'm The Only One.



Puck sings the song, staring at Ms. Corcoran, but dedicates it to Santana to divert attention. Quinn flirts with Puck, and wants Puck to come over. He turns her down, saying she is kinda crazy and scary, and he would rather 'raw dog a beehive.' In the hallway, Finn tells Santana he loves he, he really cares. If something happened, he would not forgive himself. He sings Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun.



After Coach Beiste catches Sue and Cooter on a date at a restaurant she is shaken. At the gymnasium, while the voting is going on. Sue is making out with Cooter, obviously rubbing it in Coach's face - Becky delivers a Polaroid, saying just that. Mr. Schue tells her to be patient, for when Sue loses the election, things will be different. Coach Beiste sings Dolly Parton's Jolene.



Santana is hit on at her locker by some Rugby ass, thinking she just hasn't found the right man yet. Santana starts to say something, but is joined by Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, Tina and Brittany, who all girls sing Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl.



Santana came out to her family, and they were okay with her. She just needs to talk to her abuela, hopefully before she sees the commercial. Principal Figgins comes in the Glee Room, and needs to see Kurt. Kurt's father is in the office, and we learn he is leading the exit polls over Sue. And we learn Kurt won the election, with more votes than students. Figgins thinks Kurt did it. He is crushed, and ran to talk to Finn and Rachel. After he leaves to find Blaine, Rachel admits she did it, for she wanted him to win so bad. Finn tells her to turn herself in, but she doesn't think she can...

Math class. Quadratic equations. Puck answers correctly. Everyone is stunned. He explains he has math covered, doing his own books for his pool care company. And he is like the beautiful mind guy, without all the crazy. But he is called out of class, and rushes to Ms. Corcoran. It seems Beth had a fall, and is at the hospital. He halds Shelby, and helps her through it. After they have sex, she asks him to leave, and he is not happy as he storms out. His feelings are really hurt. Santana has a talk to her Abuelita, her grandmother. She tells her how she only discovered love with Brittany, and her inner war to express herself. Her grandmother asks her to leave, and to never contact her again. Santana is crushed.

Quinn and Puck are making out, and Puck pulls back when he remembers he doesn't have a condom. He is shocked when Quinn wants to go forward, and have another baby. She wants to replace Beth with a new one. He tells her he understands how she has had it rough to three years now, and wants to be there for her. He sees her someplace warm, sunny and glamorous. Like Miami, Los Angeles, or Toronto. They lay there spooning, and Puck decides to share a secret of his own... Sue discovers she lost the election. In fact, she finished in third, out of three candidates. Coach Beiste walks in to ask where the relationship between Sue and Cooter is. Sue She tells Cooter she loves him, and will fight for him. Cut to the Glee room, and we find out Mr. Hummel won the election, and Kurt lost to Brittany. Rachel is not there, and Finn mentions she has something to do. Soon, Santana sings kd lang's Constant Craving.



She is joined by Ms. Corcoran, thinking about her relationship with Puck. They are also joined by Kurt, who is thinking about his dashed hopes to attend NYADA. And as the trio sing, we see a distraught Rachel walking in the hallways. After the song, she arrives at the choral room. She has an announcement. She told Principal Figgins she tried to fix the election, and was being suspended for a week. And that she was banned from competing at Sectionals. Oh no!

In a preview for next week, we see that Sam will be making an appearance, and a scantily dressed one at that!