Song of the Day: 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)' by Paul Rudd (Featuring Jimmy Fallon)

This song really changed the face of music for a bit when it came out, thanks to its trademark Wall of Synth production by Stock Aitken Waterman.. (How it missed the U.S. Top 10 is beyond me.) 

That anyone could find this homage to be anything but pure joy is a sad indictment of where we are as a society.

P.S.

Boy George to Reportedly Pay for Funeral Costs for Pete Burns' Family

Sad to think the Dead or Alive singer died penniless, but heartwarming to hear that his longtime frenemy is stepping up to help out. Read HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Flowers' by Dead or Alive

Pete Burns channels Jim Morrison in this vintage clip, filmed shortly after Nightmares in Wax gave way to Dead or Alive..

See the original single HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Lover Come Back (to Me)' by Dead or Alive

Feels wrong that Steve Strange and now Pete Burns are gone just as Marilyn is launching a comeback with the help of Boy George. Has anyone checked in on Jeremy Healy lately?

Peter Burns Is (More) Dead (Than Alive) at 57

Just got back from a weekend in D.C. where my brother is holding his own -- great lunch with him, Terence, Jacqueline and Damian -- and we attended an engagement party for my friends Jean and Brian (so happy for them!). Was planning to be away from the blog most of today, but was stunned and saddened by the death of Peter Burns, so felt compelled to log on. Burns scandalized the music scene in the early '80s with an androgynous persona that was the polar opposite of Boy George (and even sexy-tart-next-door Marilyn). While the Culture Club leader told Joan Rivers he preferred a cup of tea to sex with a woman or a man, Pete Burns had an aggressive voice and pranced around in tight leather that flaunted his curvy body, acting in a way that even the butchest heterosexual might feel sexually threatened. I'd never seen anything like it when the band's video for the KC and the Sunshine Band cover "That's the Way (I Like It)" hit MTV in '84 -- the album was called "Sophisticated Boom Boom," which was long overdue, indeed. (It made ONJ's twist-ending "Physical" video look like family fare!) And by the following year their collaboration with Stock Aitken and Waterman turned them into international chart sensations, with "You Spin Me (Round Like a Record)" still ranking as one of the greatest singles of all time. Burns was just 57 and reportedly suffered a massive heart attack. (I guess his poor health isn't completely unknown. He nearly died following a kidney operation in 2009,) I never followed his legendary post-music career, where his drastic plastic surgery and appearances on "Celebrity Big Brother" introduced him to a whole new generation. But his impact on pop music was real, and what I hope he will be best remembered for. RIP.

Fellow gender-bender Marilyn tweeted after the news. The two had recently buried the hatchet after a yearslong feud that I'm guessing was substantive in nature. 

Boy George weighs in  as well ...

Song of the Day: 'See You Round Like a Record' by Little Nell

Nell Campbell is best known for her portrayal of Columbia in "The Rocky Horror Show" and her song "Do the Swim" -- but it's this gem that I can't get out of my head. 

Fun fact: 

Did you know Pete Burns said he was inspired to write "You Spin Me Round" by Little Nell's 'See You 'Round Like a Record" and ...

Luther Vandross's "I Wanted Your Love."

Song of the Day: 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)' by Dead or Alive

It's hard to think of a more perfect single than this one. And now just in time for Marilyn's comeback, a 19-disc(!) Dead or Alive career box set. Check it out HERE. 

Song of the Day: 'That's the Way (I Like It)' by Dead or Alive

Remember when Cher wasn't the lead singer of Dead or Alive?

And now for your Song of the Day ...

Song of the Day: 'I'd Do Anything' by Dead or Alive

 This one was suggested by my friend David over dinner last night. He remembers being deep in his Culture Club phase when it came out -- and what a shock to the system Pete Burns' raw sexuality was after Boy George's "I'd rather have a cup of tea" than have sex routine. "Sophisticated Boom Boom" was a great album, and even though I liked the subsequent singles -- who could possibly resist "You Spin Me"? -- I never bought another album by the band, a decision I've always been OK with since subsequently hearing them manage to ruin Blondie's "Picture This" on their 1995 LP.

David also pointed me to this. Oh, my!

Separated at Birth