70's, 80's 'Feel Good' Music

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"On a Little Street in Singapore" is a jazz song written by Peter DeRose and Billy Hill. It had some measure of popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, marked by a number of high-profile performances. Artists to cover the song included Frank Sinatra with Harry James, Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond, Glenn Miller, Bert Kaempfert, Jimmy Dorsey and most recently Bob Dylan. Manhattan Transfer covered it again in 1978; the French-singing Belgian group Lou and the Hollywood Bananas, in a french adaptation (Dans les petites rues de Singapour), around 1983.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra released "On a Little Street in Singapore" with a vocal by Ray Eberle in May 1944. Anticipating the end of the Second World War, Billboard wrote that Miller would be "the hottest thing in band fronting" and described the song as "good, if a little dated" but concluded that "with tune and Miller sizzling what more can be desired?".
Reviewing Bob Dylan's album Fallen Angels which included the song, Michael Hann wrote in The Guardian that "On a Little Street in Singapore" was a "throwaway number" whose "strength is all in the melody" and lacked the "romantic profundity" of the other songs on the album.
The British figure skaters Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean performed their ice dance routine in figure skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics to "On a Little Street in Singapore"

Manhattan Transfer - On a little Street in Singapore​

On a Little Street in Singapore - Bob Dylan​

GLENN MILLER BAND – “ON A LITTLE STREET IN SINGAPORE”​

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"Live to Tell" is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album, True Blue (1986), and also featured in the crime drama At Close Range, starring her then-husband Sean Penn. Originally composed as an instrumental by Patrick Leonard for the film Fire with Fire, the piece was rejected by Paramount, prompting Madonna to adapt it for At Close Range. She wrote the lyrics, added melodies and a bridge, and co-produced the track with Leonard. Lyrically, the pop ballad with torch influences explores themes of deceit, mistrust, and emotional trauma rooted in childhood.

Released on March 26, 1986, in the United States ahead of the film's premiere, "Live to Tell" also served as the lead single from True Blue. Internationally, it was issued on April 14. Upon release it was acclaimed by critics, with praise being given to Madonna's vocal performance. Retrospectively, "Live to Tell" has been widely cited as one of the singer's finest ballads. Commercially, it became her third number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and her first chart-topper on the Adult Contemporary chart, while also reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including Canada and Italy.

The accompanying music video shows the singer alone in a dark studio, intercut with scenes from At Close Range. Madonna has performed "Live to Tell" in four of her concert tours, most recently on the Celebration Tour (2023–2024). Its most controversial rendition occurred during 2006's Confessions Tour, in which Madonna sang suspended on a mirrored cross wearing a crown of thorns. The performance drew strong condemnation from religious leaders, who accused her of blasphemy; Madonna defended the segment, stating it was meant to highlight the plight of children suffering from AIDS in Africa. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a staple in tribute compilations.

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Madonna - Live To Tell​

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"White Horse" is a song written and performed by Tim Stahl and John Guldberg of the Danish duo Laid Back. It was released as the B-side of their single "Sunshine Reggae" which became a major hit in several European countries. In the US, the A-side was mainly ignored and it was the B-side that became most successful. It was released as a single and went on to spend three weeks at number one on the Dance Charts. The single also made the top five on the R&B singles chart and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although being played in European clubs, it failed to chart there when re-released as an A-side.
The song's lyrics, which refer to riding "the white horse" and "the white pony", have been interpreted as references to heroin and/or cocaine use. Rolling Stone described "White Horse" as "[p]erhaps the most unconvincing anti-drug song of all time". An article in Miami New Times listed it as one of the "top 10 cocaine songs" and stated, "It's often debated whether the white horse in this song refers to cocaine or heroin. Either way, Laid Back's 1983 single starts out persuading you not to ride the white horse but rather to ride the white pony, also a slang term for coke." The book Totally Awesome 80s described "White Horse" as "a song with very few words that still managed to be about the joys of cocaine". An article in the Tampa Bay Times stated, "While the title seems harmless, those in the know figured out the song was about drugs."
Co-writer Tim Stahl referred to an alternative interpretation of the song when interviewed for the book Flashbacks to Happiness: Eighties Music Revisited (published by iUniverse), saying, "Another cute anecdote about the song was when we got a letter from a little girl in Jutland in 1983, thanking us for making a song for her white pony!"

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Laid Back - White Horse​

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"Heaven" is a song by the Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams recorded in 1983, written by Adams and Jim Vallance. It first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album the same year and was later included on Adams' album Reckless in 1984. It was released as the third single from Reckless and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985, over a year and a half after the song first appeared on record. The single was certified Gold in Canada in 1985.
Heavily influenced by Journey's 1983 hit "Faithfully", the song was written while Adams served as the opening act on the band's Frontiers Tour, and features their drummer, Steve Smith. It provided Adams with his first number one single and third top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track placed number 24 on Billboard magazine's Top Pop Singles of 1985.

Bryan Adams - Heaven​

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What is the main theme of “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes?​

The song explores individuality, self-determination, and the choice between solitude and emotional vulnerability. It encourages listeners to embrace their personal truth, even if it leads to loneliness.

What does “Owner of a lonely heart” mean in the song?​

It symbolizes someone who values emotional independence over the pain of a broken relationship. The phrase reflects the choice to avoid emotional turmoil by prioritizing self-reliance.

Is “Owner of a Lonely Heart” a love song?​

While it addresses themes of love and relationships, it’s more about the internal conflict of choosing between vulnerability and self-protection. The song has a broader focus on individuality and resilience.

Why does the song emphasize loneliness over a broken heart?​

It suggests that loneliness, while difficult, can be a more empowering and stable choice than the pain and uncertainty of toxic relationships. This perspective emphasizes self-worth and emotional resilience.

What inspired Yes to write “Owner of a Lonely Heart”?​

The song was primarily written by Trevor Rabin, with additional contributions from Jon Anderson and Trevor Horn. Its inspiration came from exploring themes of personal choice and emotional independence.

What does the line “Move yourself, you always live your life” mean?​

It’s a call to take control of your own destiny and make decisions that align with your values. The line encourages proactive, self-determined living rather than passivity.

How does the music enhance the song’s meaning?​

The striking guitar riff and dynamic arrangement mirror the song’s themes of conflict and resolution. The innovative production underscores the tension and energy of the lyrical message.

Why was “Owner of a Lonely Heart” significant for Yes’s career?​

It marked a departure from their progressive rock roots, introducing a more mainstream sound. The song became their first and only No. 1 hit, bringing them new levels of commercial success.

What is the emotional impact of the song?​

The song captures the complexity of human emotions, blending empowerment with introspection. Its combination of boldness and vulnerability resonates deeply with listeners.

Why has “Owner of a Lonely Heart” remained a timeless classic?​

Its universal themes of individuality and resilience, paired with its innovative sound, make it continually relevant. The song’s unique blend of creativity and accessibility ensures its enduring appeal.

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Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart​

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"Gonna Fly Now", also known as "Theme from Rocky", is the theme song from the movie Rocky, composed by Bill Conti with lyrics by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins, and performed by DeEtta West and Nelson Pigford. Released in 1976 with Rocky, the song became part of 1970s American popular culture, after the film's main character and namesake Rocky Balboa, as part of his daily training regimen, runs up the 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia and raises his arms in a victory pose, while the song plays. The song was written in Philadelphia. The song is often played at sporting events, especially in Philadelphia. Most notably, the Philadelphia Eagles play the song before the opening kickoff of every home game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Gonna Fly Now (whose lyrics are only 30 words long) was nominated for Best Original Song at the 49th Academy Awards. The version of the song from the movie, performed by Conti with an orchestra, hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977, while a version by jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson hit the top 30. Disco versions by Rhythm Heritage and Current were on the chart at the same time (Conti's own version reveals some early disco influence in the orchestration). Billboard ranked Conti's version as the No. 21 song of 1977. Conti's single was certified Gold by the RIAA, for shipments exceeding one million in the United States. The American Film Institute placed it 58th on its AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.
American businessman Donald Trump used "Gonna Fly Now" at his 2016 presidential campaign rallies. When composer Bill Conti was asked what he thought of Trump's use of the song, Conti stated: “I think it's great. I’m an equal opportunity kind of guy. The song is my creation. And anytime something I create is used, I am happy about that. Music has no politics attached to it." The Finnish ice hockey team Jokerit uses "Gonna Fly Now" as its goal song.
New York Times critic John Rockwell called it "a classic bit of movie-music pomposity" but said it had a "cheesy inspirational appeal."

Bill Conti — "Gonna Fly Now" in Rocky III (1982)​

Hulk Hogan Scene | ROCKY III (1982)​

Rhythm Heritage - Gonna Fly Now​

Donald Trump to ROCKY theme song
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You Light Up My Life • Kacey Cisyk​

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"You Light Up My Life" is a ballad written by Joseph Brooks, and originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the soundtrack album to the 1977 film of the same title. The song was lip synced in the film by its lead actress, Didi Conn. The best-known cover version of the song is a cover by Debby Boone, the daughter of singer Pat Boone. It held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten consecutive weeks in 1977 and topped Record World magazine's Top 100 Singles Chart for a record 13 weeks. Cisyk's original soundtrack recording was included in the film's soundtrack album. It was then later released as a single to bolster sales of the soundtrack album after Debby Boone included her version on her first solo album (also titled You Light Up My Life). Although the soundtrack album was certified Gold, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, it never included Boone's hit single version of the song.
Cisyk's single was credited to "Original Cast", not to Cisyk herself, and even though Brooks is listed on the A-side of the single, the "Original Cast" B-side charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and only reached No. 80. Brooks also released an instrumental version of the song from the soundtrack as a promotional single, but that version failed to chart.
Following the success of Boone's version, the song earned Brooks a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award.
In a 2013 biographical essay about Cisyk, Cisyk's second husband, Ed Rakowicz (who worked as a sound engineer, but not for this song), wrote that songwriter Brooks was initially pleased with Cisyk's recording of the song with orchestra (and her version appeared in the movie and soundtrack) but "tried to evade payment by false promises and by asking her to be an incidental actor in his film, implying huge rewards yet to come..." Rackowicz claimed that Brooks made improper advances toward Cisyk, that after being rebuffed, he refused to speak directly to her again, and that he continued to evade payments to her while commissioning another recording with Debby Boone.
According to Rackowicz, "Besides wanting Boone to copy Kacey's iconic hit reading of his songs, Brooks needed to cover up Kacey's vocal leakage in the microphones in the piano recorded at the original demo session on which was overdubbed the orchestral track used in the film. Brooks didn't want to pay to re-record the piano and orchestra again." In 2003, Boone admitted, "I had no freedom whatsoever. Joe told me exactly how to sing it and imitate every inflection from the original recording." in an interview with Entertainment Weekly Magazine. Cisyk later retained a lawyer and sued Brooks for the fees she had earned for her work on the record and for credit on the soundtrack, which she later received.

Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life​

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In 1977, Debby Boone, Pat Boone's daughter, recorded the song under the guidance of Curb Records executive Mike Curb and songwriter Joseph Brooks. Boone recorded her vocals over a pre-existing instrumental track that Brooks already had developed for the film's soundtrack. The song was released as both a Warner-Curb Records single and as the title track to her first solo album, You Light Up My Life, which she released on Warner Bros. Records, Curb Records' parent label.
Cash Box said that "Ms. Boone builds it to a powerful emotional peak as a massive string section lends support."
The single became the biggest single of the 1970s in the United States, setting a new Billboard Hot 100 record for most weeks spent at number one. Elvis Presley's double-sided hit "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog", then recognized as the longest-running number one song of the rock era, spent eleven weeks atop the Billboard Best Sellers chart in 1956, before the 1958 debut of the Hot 100. The previous Hot 100 record was held by Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife", Percy Faith's recording of "Theme from A Summer Place" (1960) and the Beatles' "Hey Jude" (1968), all three of which remained at No. 1 for nine weeks. The ten-week record was matched in 1982 by Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" but was not surpassed until a 1991 change in chart methodology allowed songs to achieve longer reigns at No. 1. In 1992, "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men would set the new record with 13 weeks.
Besting her chart performance in Billboard, Boone's "You Light Up My Life" single topped Record World's Top 100 Singles Chart for an unbroken record of 13 weeks. On Billboard's chart, Boone was unseated from No. 1 by the Bee Gees, with "How Deep Is Your Love", the first of three No. 1 singles from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. On Record World's chart, Boone kept the Bee Gees out of the number-one spot. In Cash Box magazine, "You Light Up My Life" managed only an eight-week stay at the top of the chart, before being dethroned by Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Its least-lengthy run was on the Radio and Records chart, with six weeks at No. 1 before relinquishing the spot to the Bee Gees; it had knocked Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better" out of the top spot after only one week.
The single, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), also hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached No. 4 on the Country chart. The single peaked at No. 48 on the UK Singles Chart. Boone's hit single led to her winning the 1978 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, with additional Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female and Record of the Year. Boone also won the 1977 American Music Award for Favorite Pop Single.
Decades after its release, the Debby Boone version is still considered one of the top ten Billboard Hot 100 songs of all time. In 2008, it was ranked at No. 7 on Billboard's "Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs" list (August 1958 - July 2008). An updated version of the all-time list in 2013 ranked the song at No. 9.

LeAnn Rimes released her own version of "You Light Up My Life" as a single in 1997, 20 years after Boone's version was released, and on the same record label, the Warner Bros. Records label's Curb Records label. Her version fared modestly by comparison to the original at radio (No. 48 Country). However, her single was certified gold and was the title track to her No. 1 pop and country album, You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs.

LeAnn Rimes - You Light Up My Life ​

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"Mr. Telephone Man" is a song by New Edition, and the second single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. Released as a single, by December 8, 1984, it was being added to the most "Hot Black" radio station playlists.
"Mr. Telephone Man" included lead vocals from Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell and Bobby Brown with a spoken by Michael Bivins and was written by Ray Parker Jr. It was originally recorded by teenage singer Junior Tucker, who included the track on his self-titled debut album on Geffen Records in 1983. Parker produced the original version as well as the cover by New Edition.
The single reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and was the group's third No.1 single on the Black Singles chart. Mixes included the instrumental and the "Extended Version".

New Edition - Mr. Telephone Man​

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"Boogie Nights" is a 1977 single by international funk-disco group Heatwave. It was written by keyboardist Rod Temperton and was included on Heatwave's debut album, Too Hot to Handle. Harpist Carla Skanger (a pseudonym of Sheila Bromberg of the London Symphony Orchestra) played harp and American actor and singer Clarke Peters performed backing vocals on the recording.
The song became one of the best-known disco songs by a British group and charted at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, "Boogie Nights" also peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 behind "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. It appeared on US Billboard R&B and dance charts during 1977. "Boogie Nights" reached No. 1 in New Zealand. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
In the United Kingdom, the song was No. 2, and entered on 5 March 1977, only behind Leo Sayer with "When I Need You".
"Boogie Nights" has been covered many times by artists such as KC and the Sunshine Band, Will to Power, 911 and The Weather Girls. British boy-band Blue also performed the tune in their live shows.
The song made an appearance in the films Eyes of Laura Mars, Summer of Sam and The Stud, though it was not featured in the 1997 film titled after it: Boogie Nights. Apparently the group's lead singer, Johnnie Wilder Jr., a devout born-again Christian, refused to allow the use of the recording in the film because the song was about dancing, not pornography, while the film was about the latter.
Aaron Judge, right-fielder for the New York Yankees, uses the song as his walk-up.

Heatwave - Boogie Nights​

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In 1992, British singer Sonia recorded her take on the song, produced by Mark Taylor and Tracy Ackerman for her third studio album, Better the Devil You Know, in 1993. It was released in August 1992 and peaked at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart in September. The single's B-side is "My Light", which also appears on the album.

Sonia - Boogie Nights​

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Cynthia Johnson (born April 22, 1956) is an American singer, songwriter and television personality. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the disco and funk group Lipps Inc. with the worldwide smash hit "Funkytown"
Prior to becoming the lead singer of Lipps Inc., Johnson had become well-known locally for winning the 1976 Miss Black Minnesota, USA pageant, and for being the lead vocalist of the well-known Minneapolis band Flyte Tyme for seven years. Being also an accomplished saxophone player, Johnson utilized her saxophone talents in Flyte Tyme, and she also wrote many of their songs. Johnson also co-wrote some songs with band members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, today a multi-Grammy Award-winning songwriting and producing team. Johnson completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1978, and continued to perform with Flyte Tyme for a brief time. Shortly after she left Flyte Tyme, the band evolved into The Time, a side project of Prince.
Johnson was the lead singer of the popular Minneapolis-based band Lipps Inc., best known for its 1980 song "Funkytown". The song hit No. 1 in 28 countries, sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, and earned a place in the "One-Hit Wonders" section of the Rock & Roll Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Other singles include "Designer Music" and "Rock It", but the group never matched the success of "Funkytown", which continues to influence popular culture. The group received several awards, among them three Billboard Music Awards and "Soul Record of the Year" by the AMOA association. Johnson left the band after the group's third album Designer Music was released.
Johnson has continued her musical career and remains active as a member of the three-time Grammy Award-winning gospel group Sounds of Blackness, as a musician on albums by Maceo Parker and Prince, on labels such as Motown, and on projects of Grammy-winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. She also has worked as a jingle singer on commercials for products from 3M, Volkswagen, Nissan, Target, FedEx, Ford and McDonald's. She has also sung for U.S. presidents. Johnson was the host of the first episode of the FunkyTown TV series, produced by the Minneapolis-based production company, Megabien Entertainment.
In addition to working with others, Johnson continues her career as a solo artist. Her debut album, All That I Am, was released on December 15, 2013, on the Megabien Music label.

Lipps Inc, - Funkytown​

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