Riding down the road, I’m often a channel surfer. My ‘go to’ is my playlist on my phone, but I don’t have BlueTooth in my truck and I need to make sure my battery is charged, so I can’t use the ox-cord because it plugs into where the charger plugs. I have the regular channels I listen to on The Sirius XM. The 70s or the 80s are my usual first checks, then if nothing on I’ll surf until I find something to my liking.
I know I don’t know much about much.
Do I know a lot about science and technology? Nope
Do I know about foreign cultures and foreign languages? Nope
Do I know about molecular biology? Giant No
Do I know enough about food and wine to have an intelligent conversation? Um…. Not really
Do I know about women? HA – I laugh at you – HA. (That’s a “Firm NO”)
But I can talk at length about the few things I know: Running copies and meeting deadlines, running track and racing strategies and of course – 80’s Music.
I even offered to teach a class at the local high school, “1980s Music Appreciation”.
It was politely declined.
All I can do is make the offer.
See, I’m a giver.
I’d gladly give of my knowledge of 1980s music.
These impressionable youths would leave with such an appreciation for the greatest music ever played – PERIOD!!! I’d of course mix in music from the 70s as well, because in order to fully appreciate 80s music you have to also have an education in 1970s music.
But – both Kate and Charlotte rolled their eyes, put in their earpods, hit THEIR playlists and dismissed me.
Ugh…….
The other day I was driving down the road and I heard a song that I’ve always liked.
I like to listen to lyrics of songs, and I like to hear how the chorus and verses are laid out and layered.
But something on this song hit me this time. I’ve probable heard this song 1000s of times, but this time I picked up something.
I know I recognized the backup singer.
When I got home, I got on my Google Machine (my phone) and I was right.
How did I never notice this?
What else am I missing?
What other 80s songs have I not fully listened to?
What are some other songs that have famous back-up singers?
So I decided to make a small list.
Some you already know – but some might surprise you.
I’ll number them to make them easier to separate.
1 NOT a spoiler alert – possibly the most easily recognized back-up singer. Sting appearing on Dire Straights, “Money For Nothing”
*Side Note 1 – I’d consider it more of a “special appearance” than a “Back-up Singer” – but that’s me.
2 Now the 2nd most recognizable – Michael Jackson appearing on Rockwell’s, “Somebody’s Watching Me”.
3 “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers had a teen singer singing backups. Cher. I wonder if she went on the bigger things.
4 There’s been a lot of speculation about Carly Simon’s, “You’re So Vain” and who the song is about. But did you know that Mick Jagger appears as a back-up singer in the song? Well, you do now.
5 Peter Gabriel left Genesis and kind of bounced around a bit with a few songs before getting a breakout single with “Games Without Frontiers”. Back-up singer? Kate Bush
6 Saved the best for last. I did not know this, but it makes sense. 1970’s iconic song “Fame” by David Bowie had John Lennon singing backup.
As I made this list, a thought occurred to me. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a big issue in the entertainment industry. What’s to stop an artist from using AI to imitate a singer and plug them in as a backup singer?
Oh…… what was the first song that caused all this? I almost forgot. I was listening to Christopher Cross “Ride Like the Wind” and I heard the distinctive voice of Michael McDonald singing back-up vocals.
Famous Back-up singers.
That could be a pop quiz in “1980s Music Appreciation”.
And KATE SUMSTINE – I did this with only 1 Side-Note
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