The soundtrack to the vampire romance, "Twilight" recently debuted at number one on the Billboard chart. Having barely heard of any of the artists that have contributed to this impressive accomplishment, I can openly admit that I know even less about the movie itself. The irony however, that it rests at the top of the musical heap with a bullet is not lost on me. It is after all, well known that a silver bullet can kill a vampire...or is that a werewolf?I don't follow the billboard charts much anymore, but often recall the old saying, "it's number one with a bullet." Movie soundtracks these days don't seem to carry the weight or the importance that they once had, which leaves me to ponder the question, will any of the artists on Twilight reach the iconic status of so many that had come before them? Who can forget the Bee Gee's meteoric rise to super stardom with the release of Saturday Night Fever?
What about Olivia Newton John's return to the top with Grease? 1988's Cocktail brought the Beach Boys out of record chart obscurity landing them in the coveted top spot for the first time in over two decades with Kokomo. Growing up during my favorite musical decade, I remember movie soundtracks suddenly becoming the hot thing. Shortly following the slasher/horror movie craze, it was the coming of age teen genre that seemed to rule the box office. Does anyone remember the classics, 
A Night In Heaven, Party Party, The Last American Virgin, The Wild Life? Individual cult followings notwithstanding, it's a good bet that most of these movies will remain long forgotten. Certain to commit box office suicide, someone had the foresight to sell the idea anothe
r way. Let the music drive the movie. Madonna, Journey, Huey Lewis, Don Henley, Bob Seger, Bryan Adams, Cheap Trick, The Pointer Sisters, The Go-Go's, the list is endless. Far from Box Office Gold, many of the artists that contributed to so many lackluster films, did hit music gold. Survivor was making records long before Rocky III's "Eye of the Tiger" made them 1980's superstars. While 
already doing just fine, Journey scored a big hit with "Ask the Lonely" as did Madonna with "Crazy For You" from 1985's Vision Quest. Cheap Trick did well enough on their own during the decade of decadence and would most likely rather forget some of their soundtrack offerings, as most of the general public already has. As you've probably already figured out, this time around I will bring back into the spotlight some of these tunes that have long faded into the obscure realms of one of my favorite places in the universe, the Unknown 80's. Now hit the play button below and take a trip with me back to the days of the four dollar movie. Spending any more than that while admitting to seeing Up the Creek during it's first and only run might prove embarrassing. As always I IMPLORE YOU to leave a comment, or some clue as to your visit here. In the meantime, Happy Holidays. Thanks again for stopping by. See y'all in '09!Morty!
