This week's top tune is familiar to anyone with a fondness for classic flicks of the 80's. Back to the Future was a massively popular release and has remained as a reference point in popular culture ever since. The story of a teenage boy going back in time to order soft drinks that don't yet exist and get hit on by his mom is the kind of family fare that will never not be popular. It's an all-time great.
A large part of the film's appeal was the music. During the scenes set in the 1950's, we see our titular hero retcon Chuck Berry's talents (and songs) as well as play some "rock" guitar that utterly horrifies the collective future olds. Even though they are kids at that point themselves, I can imagine them thinking;
Kids today! That noise, what with the tapping and whammys and Yngwies and Malmsteens. Will the future be this loud and screechy and full of things that go wango tango? Will it? We'll all have to figure out a way to survive. How will we get through it? Sigh. Perhaps a Hootie will save us?
Perhaps.
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| That guy at Guitar Center. You know that guy. Don't be that guy. |
Despite the back-in-time aspect of the overall story, the stand out hit (and today's number one selection) is pure 80's. Huey Lewis and the News really nailed it. And, I'm not just talking about the song.
Let's start with the name. Huey? Yes, Huey. You might presume that a moniker so uncool would have to be real. However, you'd be wrong. The name was chosen, purposely chosen, by a man, named Hugh Cregg. Hugh Cregg! Sadly, apparently, we just missed out on Hugh Cregg and the, uh...California Nutmegs. I don't know. It's a thing! And they are from San Francisco, so you know, it could have happened.
It didn't happen. California bummer.
Instead, we received Huey Lewis and the News. While it's no Bananarama or Tears for Fears or Biff and the Righteous Skeezers, it still fits squarely in the 80's band name universe. Plus, their look was totally on point.
No make-up. No glitter. No real style at all. Just a bunch of regular schmoes that looked like they just walked over from an insurance convention. And not a good insurance convention either.
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| Neckerchef? Hey, sure, go be your best self, Neckerchef man. No judgment here. |
Lest we forget, our lead singer has a big ol' chin butt. Look at that thing! I mean, sheesh, you could park a few almonds in there. Or a tablespoon of gravy. Is that why he became Huey? Can you not carry gravy in your chin if your name is Hugh? Hmm, I'm guessing that's the case. Pfft, stupid laws. We lost out on the Nutmegs!
Anyway, I'm off track just a little here. The thing is, regardless of how seemingly unremarkable and plain this group of American hosers is, they were wildly successful. Twelve top ten hits in the US, three of which went all the way to number one. While those numbers may not blow your mind, consider that was all done in one decade. That's a pretty big accomplishment for any band.
And, to return to the start of this meandering synopsis, they had the biggest song in one of the most popular films of all times. To put it bluntly, that's a hell of a career.
But, is it really enough for today's youth?
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| Ummmmm, what's a Huey? |
We know the tunes of this week's band rocked the fifties. And, obviously, they destroyed the eighties. But, what about now? How would today's teenage (totally green and carbon neutral) wasteland feel about the "Power of Love"? Would they spend their Venmo dollars to ride that train? Well, with some movie magic, we can try and find out.
We're going to go Back....to the Future!
The Crunky Future.
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| Our opening scene |
<Interior Office of Head Promoter of Coachella Music Festival. His office is strewn with half empty bottles of Kombucha and CBD oil. A flyer about the upcoming opening of Sanjay's Suspender Hut sits just to left of a stack of blinking iPhones. The man behind the desk looks tired. His long scruffy beard reaches the crest of his crisp, new Ramones t-shirt. He rubs his eyes, squints at the document in his hands, and sighs>
Promoter: Man, I just don't know what I'm going to do. Beyonce bailed, and I can't figure out who else can headline. There must be someone out there who's big enough to fill that slot.
<A bright light and a screeching sound occurs just outside his door. The promoter quickly shoves two bags filled with white powder into a desk drawer and gulps down the contents of an ashtray to his right. He swallows hard. Eight pills go easy, but the two nickels make him gag a bit. The door swings open and a wild looking old man steps through. He's got a pile of wind-blown gray hair and some very unusual clothes on. They look vintage. The promoter is jealous>
Promoter: Can I help you sir?
Old Man: Yes! I've got the biggest band in the world, and they need somewhere to play. Would you be able to help me out?
Promoter: What, are you kidding me?!?! That's amazing, I was just bemoaning how desperate I was for that kind of act. Who are they? What genre do they play? K-pop? Hip-Hop? Penguin Jazz? Cheddarworth Hustle? Couch Finesse? Volcanic Siamese? Onion pants? Fallen arches? Wallpaper gringo? Taco? Is is taco? Do they play the taco!?!?!
Old Man: Oh, get ready my man. They are...Huey Lewis and the News!
Promoter: Is, is that a...what is that?
Old Man: What is that? Are you kidding me? It's the most popular act going. Three number one hits!
Promoter: I've never heard of them. What are their songs?
Old Man: "Power of Love"!
Promoter: Are you serious?
Old Man: "Stuck with You"!
Promoter: Uh, how does that one go?
Old Man: (singing) "I'm so happy to be stuck with you."
Promoter: Ugh, I don't think so.
Old Man: What about "I Want a New Drug." You must know that tune.
Promoter: You'd think so with that title, but no.
Old Man: Ok, I've left the best for last. "Hip to be Square".
Promoter: Get out of my office.
Old Man: But you don't understand. You have to do this. If you don't book them, your parents will never meet and fall in love during the US Festival.
Promoter: WHAT?!?!?!?!
<end scene>
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I await my screenwriting Oscar, I'll comment on today's number one hit. "Power of Love", like most Huey Lewis songs, is catchy, kind of fun, and entirely what the radio was made for. You don't seek it out, but when it comes on, you don't change the tuner. It's plain hamburger for the soul. I think that's a good thing. So, give it a listen. And, while you're at it, go re-watch Back to the Future when you have a moment. I'm sure they're going to remake it in short order with the singular intent of ruining your childhood (again). I know. We are the bravest generation.
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