Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Roller Skating...

I've been wearing a new pair of boots lately and they feel bulky and heavy...much like roller skates did when I was a kid. Wow, it's been forever since I've roller skated. I think I'd like to try it again next time I have extra money laying around.

I really liked skating around the hardwood floor of our local roller rink at night. It was really fun living just a block from the place. I remember going every chance I could. I went for various reasons...the feel of the wind blowing past me as I moved (not so) effortlessly around the floor; meeting new people (specifically girls); and finally (obviously the most compelling), the lights and the music.

It was great to be out getting exercise while listening to all of my favorites. I liked when the DJ would put on a slow song and turn the lights down low and announce that it was a "couples skate." I couldn't skate during those, but I did get to hear the music and see the lights.  They did have all boys skates and all girls skates.

Every night, I watched people do the Limbo ("Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack go under Limbo stick!")  I also remember watching other cool skate tricks like "the whip" when people would join hands and try to throw the farthest person to the outside of the rink.  "Shoot the duck" (where you skate while sitting on your back skate with your other foot stretched in front of you), and also backwards skating.  None of these did I do, (because I was too chicken) but it was really fun to watch.

I even remember the stage at the back of the roller rink (which was never used, but could have been.) Wow, what a cool memory. Sure my hands and knees were sore after every night of it, but, hey, it was worth it!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Top 5 Songs...

I thought it would be interesting to find a list of the top songs through the years that define the decade we remember so well. So, according to Billboard Records, here they are...the top 5 songs for each year of the 80s. I hope it brings back good memories for you, as it did for me while compiling it.

From 1980:
Blondie - Call Me
Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall
Olivia Newton-John - Magic
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
Captain & Tennille - Do That To Me One More Time

From 1981:
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Diana Ross/Lionel Richie - Endless Love
Kenny Rogers - Lady
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over
Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

From 1982:
Olivia Newton-John - Physical
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock N' Roll
Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder - Ebony And Ivory
J. Geils Band - Centerfold

From 1983:
Police - Every Breath You Take
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Irene Cara - Flashdance...What A Feeling
Men At Work - Down Under
Michael Jackson - Beat It

From 1984:
Prince & The Revolution - When Doves Cry
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It
Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson - Say Say Say
Kenny Loggins - Footloose
Phil Collins - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

From 1985:
Wham!/George Michael - Careless Whisper
Madonna - Like A Virgin
Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is
Chaka Khan - I Feel For You

From 1986:
Dionne Warwick & Friends - That's What Friends Are For
Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me
Klymaxx - I Miss You
Patti LaBelle/Michael McDonald - On My Own
Mr. Mister - Broken Wings

From 1987:
Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
Heart - Alone
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

From 1988:
George Michael - Faith
INXS - Need You Tonight
George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

From 1989:
Chicago - Look Away
Bobby Brown - My Prerogative
Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Paula Abdul - Straight Up
Janet Jackson - Miss You Much