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

Read review here.

“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!

Unearthed Videos

Mesmerizing slice of teen life from 1982. I love this. I lived this… except for the dancing and girl-interacting parts. via @hoyboy and BuzzFeed

King Kong Bundy, Jack Black, the Dances with Wolves guy? Excellent. I love old tech ads and I love watching celebs awkwardly shill for odd products. Here’s a nice collection from Adfreak. BTW, Jason Alexander’s McDLT Commercial is still the all-time greatest worst celeb product endorsement.

Website: adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/

Mark Mothersbaugh at the Starwood

The Ramones on Sunset Boulevard 1978

“You Will Never Work in This Town Again” Robert Plant 1978

View many more evocative shots of The Beatles, Sinatra, Matt Dillon, The Sex Pistols, Debbie Harry, Muhammad Ali.

Website: www.bradelterman.com

I know you kids rely on your Uncle Jeff for his impeccable taste in music and I am also aware that my opinions may border on snobbery to some, but c’mon, my recommendations rarely disappoint. My crap filter is pretty much flawless, but every so often something sneaks through that many might consider “odd,” “not what I expected,” or “okay, this is so weak!” In the spirit of sharing, here are some chinks in my rarely-battered platemail armor (I got hit points to spare, my friends).

Nik Kershaw – “Wouldn’t It Be Good”

Just me and Ducky sitting around in dumb hats and blazers with rolled up sleeves pining away for Andie Walsh.

Cheap Trick – “Tonight It’s You”

Cheap Trick is a great band, that should never be in doubt. But the words, “All I want is a place in your heart to fall into, all I need is someone to love…” is a bit cheese-filled, but dammit, it gets me every time.

Bourgeois Tagg – “Mutual Surrender”

Can’t defend this one, won’t even try.

Zebra – “Tell Me What You Want”

Videos do not get much worse than this, okay maybe this one, but I do still dig this big blasting chunk of rock from Long Island’s answer to Triumph.

Tin Machine – “Baby Universal”

Honestly can’t tell if this was well received or not by Bowie fans. I know teaming up with Soupy Sales’ sons seemed a bit dubious when this band was announced, but like the majority of Bowie’s stuff, I loved this record.

Duncan Sheik – She Runs Away

I love every single song on this 1996 easy-listening gem.

Glen Campbell – “Wichita Lineman”

Good lord, I’m tearing up as I type this. “And I need you more than want you…” Magnificent.  Just discovered R.E.M. did a nice cover of this.

Seal – “Prayer for the Dying”

I love Seal. There, I said it.

Sting – “Fortress Around Your Heart”

Sting’s last good song. This video is atrocious. Sting’s one direct order request to the director, “Don’t you dare take the camera off me for one effing millisecond! Got it, mate. I’m at my peak of handsomeness!”

Kristen Vigard – “God Give Me Strength” from Grace Of My Heart

I know Elvis Costello wrote it and did a nice version of it, but I like this one better, so there, get off my back.

Okay music geeks, give me your guilty pleasures via comments.

More Unearthed Videos:

• Unearthed Videos: An Odd Mix of Very Early MTV Videos
• Unearthed Videos: Irish Rock
• Complete List of Unearthed Videos

My pal Mike sent me an email this morning prompting me to watch a video from Canada’s 8th best power trio known as Triumph. I enjoyed the hell out of it and it inspired me to hunt down another classic bit of ancient 80s music from our northern neighbors. Behold Saga!

I only know this one Saga song and call me crazy, but I think it still holds up. Guitar solos, keyboard solos, Han solos… it all just works. I loved watching this video back in the day, a nice mix of live performance and cheesy-as-hell conceptual work. I’m still not sure why the guy from Hall & Oates was in prison, but thankfully, with the help of a dame, he busted out.

Remember kids, “The time we’re feeling most stable, is the time we’re coming off the wall!” So true, Saga guy, so true.