Happy Birthday Stupid MTV! Here’s An Odd Mix of My Favorite Vids from the Early Days
By Jeff on Jul 31, 2011 in Music, Television, Unearthed Videos, Videos | 9 Comments
This old fella has been feeling very nostalgic lately, especially for the sweet, sweet mindless TV watching of my youth. In particular, I have been gathering a lovely batch of videos MTV played during its first few months of existence. Some fabulous, some scary bad; but oddly enough, I loved them all.
When ever you mention very early MTV in a group discussion, your loudest (and lamest) friend or coworker will no doubt jump in and ruin the conversation with, “Video Killed the Radio Start… Video Killed…!” No shit pal, that’s novice talk.
I’m not taking about the usual crap you hear hack comics discussing on VH1’s Best of The 80s (Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar, etc.). I’m talking to you — my friends and fellow Fourth-Level Dwarfs with hit points to spare — the basement-dwelling, video-obsessed music nerds who watched the once-great video channel from day one (August 1, 1981) and who thoroughly enjoyed seeing the eclectic mix of artists and songs like “No Time to Lose” by the Tarney-Spencer Band and “So Long” by Fischer Z played at least six times day, every day. MTV sure had a lot of time to fill, here are some standouts:
“We Can Get Together” by Icehouse
These guys had one of the first MTV “Triple Dips” with the song “Icehouse” on the album “Icehouse” by the band “Icehouse”. That is quite awesome.
“No Time to Lose” by the Tarney-Spencer Band
This made me want to get high and I didn’t even know what that was.
“I Got You” by Split Enz
New Zealand’s finest export put out a slew of stellar videos, this one still holds up nicely.
“Too Late” by The Shoes
Zero stage presence, but these mop tops produced some of the best melodic power pop ever. Also check out the equally brilliant “Tomorrow Night”.
“Swords of a 1000 Men” by Tenpole Tudor
So freaking bad-ass! Every Brit over the age of 30 worth his salt should know all the words to this classic drinking/sword-fight song. Also check out “Wunderbar”.
“So Long” by Fischer Z
Nothing was more fun then belting out the epic line “Why didn’t you tell me?” in that slightly affected howl. This song rules so much you might not be able to handle it. “Oooohh… you should’ve told me…”
“Guilty” by Classix Nouveaux
Here’s the most famous scary bald front man until that Midnight Oil guy dethroned him. This crazy-ass Goth extravaganza was played about twice an hour, every hour.
Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah!
While the 3 live concert videos really put him on the map, including the epic “Love is Like a Rock,” this loveable nerd enjoyed a minor hit with this ode to a lovely lass (who looks like a tranny).
“What’s He Got” by The Producers
“Edge of Sundown” by Danny Joe Brown and The Danny Joe Brown Band
Sit back and enjoy one of the longest guitar solos ever by multiple guitarists, also enjoy the sweet-ass ax slinging by the dude in the flowing blue tunic. No one took himself more serious than this Danny Joe Brown character.
“Sign of a Gypsy Queen” by April Wine
Three word review: “Triple Guitar Threat!”
“Calling All Girls!” by Hilly Michaels
I despise novelty songs, but this silly and saturated, rotoscoped gem has some serious charm.
“Two Triple Cheese” by Commander Cody
Ear-achingly bad, but visually interesting. Proof positive MTV had hours upon hours of time to fill.
“I Wanna Be A Lifeguard” by Blotto
Catchy. Funny. Weezer must have studied these guys.
“Pop Music” by M
You gotta love the drugged-out chick with the headphones and giant blue sweater singing back-up.
“Hold on Loosely” – 38 Special
I know, not as obscure as the others, but you can’t mention the early days of Music Television without these Wild-Eyed Southern Boys.
“So This is Love” – Van Halen
“I got myself a brand new Oakland scarf right here…” Back in 81, most bands only had live concert footage, which I preferred. Thankfully, Van Halen had a few classics ready for heavy rotation. Also see “Unchained”.
“Some of My Lies Are True” by Huey Lewis & The News
Not to be confused with their later masterpieces, J.J. Jackson and the other drug-addled Veejays played the shit out of this then little-known band, so you can blame them for their popularity. This study in early video choreography and budget effects is actually very fun to watch. Check out the running in place at the end, very athletic.
More Gems!
TAGS: 38 Specia • 80s • 80s Videos • April Wine • Commander Cody • Donnie Iris • Fischer Z • Hilly Michaels • Ichouse • MTV • MTV Videos • Tenpole Tudor • The Producers • Triumph
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