Under Pressure

In my humble, this is one of the best songs of all time. Such complete passion, extemporaneous collaboration, such a strong message of love and so subversively queer-positive. Breaks my heart every time I hear it, thinking about Mr. Mercury's untimely death to AIDS/HIV.

I've heard it in a bunch of different contexts over the last couple months. I even saw this music video for it for the first time ever when visiting my friend Scott in San Diego in August. Also, naturally, heard a local guy belting out the Vanilla Ice riff on it recently at the Mint (does he still contend that he didn't steal the legendary bass line for that song?) Then I saw the Glee rendition of the Ice tune on DVD. And then I finally woke up with "Under Pressure," thankfully not "Ice Ice Baby," in my head.

Artist: David Bowie and Queen
Year: 1981
Rating: Hot!

Jesse's Girl

A karaoke staple for me for years.

Artist: Rick Springfield
Year: 1981
Rating: Hot!

Panama by Van Halen/Round and Round by Ratt

Couldn't grow up in the '80s without coming across Van Halen, and their smash hit album 1984 was particularly hard to miss. Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing was something special, for sure. Whistled the melody, and the bitchin' solo, in the shower today. I was pretty good.

Year: 1984
Rating: Warm



I had less familiarity with Ratt than VH, but this song was fun back in the day. It had never really entered my mind passed its heyday, but my friend Chris performed it at karaoke a few days ago and it's had some staying power, I guess. Catchy tune but not nearly as musically interesting as Panama, which debuted the same year.

Year: 1984
Rating: Warm