Feb 25 - Swatch, Swayze's music, TLC's debut
Plus Daria, Pretty in Pink, Booty Call, and more
The Retro by 11 Points
Modern perspectives on ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia
February 25th, 2022 • Issue 88
This week in nostalgic history
February 25th
30 years ago, on February 25th, 1992 - TLC’s debut album, Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip, was released.
FYI: That’s exactly seven Os and three Hs in “Ooooooohhh.”
Considering how meticulously-engineered every aspect of TLC was to create the most marketable possible act, there were probably multiple meetings (if not focus groups) about that spelling.
That’s not to say TLC is bad — far from it. The meticulous engineering worked great. And this album, featuring singles like Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg, Baby-Baby-Baby, and What About Your Friends?, was a perfect pop album for the era and deserved its popularity. It was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
It was just not particularly organic. It was the result of hitmakers making hits, and making them very, very well. And, most likely, execs analyzing every small detail to try to maximize commercial appeal — even the ratio of Os to Hs in “Ooooooohhh.”
Also on February 25th: Van Halen’s single Jump hit number one (1984)… the Supreme Court upheld affirmative action (1987)… Madonna’s single Take a Bow hit number one (1995)… Monica’s single For You I Will was released (1997)… the Soy Bomb guy crashed the Grammys (1998)… Reindeer Games and Wonder Boys hit theaters (2000)
February 26th
25 years ago, on February 26th, 1997 - Booty Call hit theaters.
Booty Call — a movie not about booty calls, booty, nor calls — comes from the “let’s throw together a modest budget and see if we get lucky” era of movie comedies.
The movie is primarily about two men’s farcical quest to purchase condoms to have safe sex with their dates after a double date. (Again, literally zero booty calling involved.)
The movie, coming near the end of the ‘90s and a decade of significant safe sex messaging, simultaneous paints safe sex as important and arduous; Tamala Jones’s character is the one primarily pushing for safe sex and often comes off like a buzzkill.
However, it’s likely the movie wasn’t trying too hard to offer commentary about safe sex at all. Rather, the movie is first and foremost a showcase for Jamie Foxx — and sometimes contorts itself into pretzels to give him a chance to do his thing. For example: At one point during his foreplay scene with Vivica A. Fox, she tells him what turns her on is “impressions.” This nonsensical statement (no woman in history has ever been turned on by impressions) exists solely to let Hamie Foxx rattle through his encyclopedia of voices.
This movie was also part of a quick late ‘90s “sex MacGuffin quest” movie moment. Not only did Booty Call come out in this day, a movie with a similar hunt-for-condoms storyline called The Trojan War starring the older brother from Boy Meets World also came out in 1997. (The creators of both say it was just a coincidence and the movies, like so many other pairs of similarly-plotted movies released at the same time, were created independently in parallel.)
Also on February 26th: Musical Youth’s one hit, Pass the Dutchie, peaked at number 10 (1983)… Michael Jackson’s album Thriller hit number one, where it would stay for 37 weeks (1983)… the first Beatles CDs were released (1987)… Hairspray hit theaters (1988)… George Michael’s song Father Figure hit number one (1988)… LL Cool J’s single Mama Said Knock You Out was released (1991)… Falling Down hit theaters (1993)… the World Trade Center was bombed (1993)… Selena performed her final concert before she was murdered (1995)… Alanis Morissette’s album Under Rug Swept was released (2002)
February 27th
34 years ago, on February 27th, 1988 - Patrick Swayze’s single She’s Like the Wind peaked at number three.
Dirty Dancing was Patrick Swayze’s chance to proved he was a double threat with acting and dancing) — but he wanted to prove he was actually a triple threat with singing in there too. (The following year he’d become a quadruple threat, with throat ripping as the fourth skill.)
Swayze and co-writer Stacy Widelitz created She’s Like the Wind in 1984 and tried to land it on other movie soundtracks with no luck. But as Swayze became a bigger name and Dirty Dancing looked to be his “break through to megastardom” moment, he took the song to the producers — and they gave it the thumbs up.
The song itself is very earnest almost to a campy extent. (So maybe it would’ve better fit on the soundtrack for Ernest Goes to Camp?) But a solid, earnest ballad could sell in the ‘80s — and this one did.
Patrick Swayze’s music career did not, however, take off in parallel to his acting career. He would write more songs and release more singles — all parts of soundtracks for movies in which he starred. (And, I’m guessing, where the producers were like, “Fine, soundtrack song, sure, whatever you want.”) He contributed two songs to the Road House soundtrack, one to Next of Kin, and two to One Last Dance.
All in all, it feels like he just about found his proper lane amongst the ‘80s actors who also tried to sing; even if today marks the anniversary of the only time he had a top 40 hit to show for his efforts.
Also on February 27th: Gloria Gaynor won the one and only Grammy ever for Best Disco Recording for I Will Survive (1980)… the Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial where he caught on fire aired, with the flames edited out (1984)… the series finale aired of The Love Boat (1987)… the NCAA canceled SMU’s entire football season (1987)… Milli Vanilli claimed they were more talented than all the top artists of all time (1990)… Wilson Phillips’ single Hold On was released (1990)… Janet Jackson’s iconic Rhythm Nation World Tour kicked off (1990)… Roxette’s single Joyride was released (1991)… 16-year-old Tiger Woods played in a PGA event (1992)… Nicki French’s cover of Total Eclipse of the Heart was released (1995)… Pokemon debuted for Game Boy in Japan (1996)… four singles were released: Quad City DJs’ C’mon N Ride It, Alanis Morissette’s Ironic, Dishwalla’s Counting Blue Cars, and Busta Rhymes’ Woo Hah (1996)… divorce was finally legalized in Ireland (1997)… Tupac’s single Do For Love was released (1998)… Apple discontinued the Newton handheld (1998)… Mr. Rogers passed away (2003)
February 28th
36 years ago, on February 28th, 1986 - Pretty in Pink hit theaters.
Pretty in Pink accidentally established a romantic comedy precedent that has been virtually immutable law ever since.
In Pretty in Pink, there are two guys in love with Molly Ringwald’s Andie (well, two characters and moviegoing audiences everywhere, am I right?). One is Blane, Andrew McCarthy’s rich jerk who, over the course of the movie, reforms into not a jerk. The other is Andie’s best friend, Jon Cryer’s infamous Duckie.
In the original script and as the movie was originally shot, Andie and Duckie ended up together. Yes, the main character falls for her nerdy best friend who was right under her nose the whole time.
And… test audiences hated it.
So after reshoots, Andie wound up with Blane. Duckie gets his consolation prize — a smile from Kristy Swanson at the prom.
I’m hard pressed to think of a movie since where the lead character wound up with her nerdier best friend and not the dream guy. Because, it turns out, Pretty in Pink proved audiences want to live the romantic comedy fantasy (reformed handsome jerk) and don’t want their lead character to settle for a guy who was good all along.
Also on February 28th: The record-breaking series finale of M*A*S*H aired on CBS (1983)… U2’s album War was released (1983)… Wham! broke up (1986)… the series finale aired of Coach (1989)… Jewel’s album Pieces of You was released (1995)… Blues Traveler’s single Run Around was released (1995)… Kiss reunited at the Grammys (1996)… Donnie Brasco hit theaters (1997)… Celine Dion’s single My Heart Will Go On hit number one (1998)… Ben Folds Five’s only top 40 hit, Brick, peaked at number 19 (1998)… WWF’s Mae Young “give birth” to a hand on Monday Night Raw (2000)
March 1st
39 years ago, on March 1st, 1983 - Swatch watches hit the market.
Swatch was the prestigious Swiss watch industry’s response to the hottest early ‘80s trend in watches: cheapness.
As cheap, utilitarian watches from companies like Timex swallowed up market share and people moved away from pricey, handcrafted watches (like the ones the Swiss were famous for), the people behind Swatch saw an opportunity to go for something different. Something more fun and wild and low stakes.
So the team of Swiss watchmakers created the mass-produced, low-cost Swatches. The designs reflected with the times; the colors, patterns, and overall aesthetic was perfect for the ‘80s. And since the watches weren’t a major financial investment, a person could buy a watch with a trendy design without worrying about how it would look on their wrist in 10, 20, 30… or even two… years
Swatch watches were an instant hit, selling more than one million in their first year and growing from there. And though the brand isn’t at the top of the game anymore, it still exists today, consistently churning out its not-so-expensive, on-trend watches.
Also on March 1st: Baltimora’s one hit, Tarzan Boy, peaked at number 13 (1986)… Mr. Mister’s single Kyrie hit number one (1986)… Pro Wrestling for NES was released (1987)… Ice Hockey was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1988)… Clarissa Explains It All premiered on Nickelodeon (1991)… The Doors movie hit theaters (1991)… the Cranberries’ album Everybody Else Is Doing It was released (1993)… Yahoo was incorporated (1995)… the 888 toll free area code debuted (1996)… Notorious BIG’s single Hypnotize was released (1997)… The Cardigans’ one hit, Lovefool, peaked at number two (1997)… Titanic became the first movie to gross $1 billion worldwide (1998)… Rick Pitino said in press conference Larry Bird is not walking through that door (2000)… Monster’s Ball hit theaters (2001)… 40 Days and 40 Nights hit theaters (2002)
March 2nd
37 years ago, on March 2nd, 1985 - Sheena Easton became the first and only artist to have a single hit the top 10 on all five major Billboard singles charts.
Sheena Easton feels like one of the more underrated musical success stories of the ‘80s. Like, in a Family Feud category of top ‘80s musical acts, there’s no way she’s making the seven or eight answers on the board. She’s probably not making it even if the board expands out to 30 or 40.
But for a good part of the ‘80s, Sheena Easton was a powerhouse.
Today marks a random but noteworthy (and unique) accomplishment in Sheena Easton’s career. On this day, her song Sugar Walls (written by Prince, of course, under the most Prince-ian pseudonym of all time “Alexander Nevermind”), hit number one on the Billboard dance chart and number three on the Billboard R&B chart.
And with that, Sheena Easton now had a top 10 hit on all five major Billboard charts. (Morning Train (9 to 5) on pop and AC; We’ve Got Tonight on country and AC.)
No one ever did that before — and even 37 years later, no one has done it since. Lots of people have made it onto four charts (your Taylor Swifts and such), but no one since Sheena Easton has been enough of a musical chameleon to hit all five.
Also on March 2nd: The first CD players and CDs were released in the U.S. (1983)… This Is Spinal Tap and Repo Man hit theaters (1984)… the Apple Macintosh II was released (1987)… Pepsi’s controversial ad featuring Madonna premiered (1989)… the New York Mets’ Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry almost got into a fistfight in front of reporters at spring training (1989)… The Hunt for Red October hit theaters (1990)… Color Me Badd’s single I Wanna Sex You Up was released (1991)… Miami began its Latin Walk of Fame (!994)… Seven Mary Three’s one hit, Cumbersome, peaked at number 39 (1996)
March 3rd
25 years ago, on March 3rd, 1997 - Daria premiered on MTV.
The arrival of Daria on TV would not have appealed to Daria the character.
The show, a spin-off of Beavis and Butt-head (with Mike Judge’s blessing but without Mike Judge, who was busy with King of the Hill) was a fitting show for the era. It featured a sarcastic, over-it-all, post-grunge teenager juxtaposed against the normcore of the American suburbs.
Taking a step back, though, this show was a just a corporate endeavor drafting off the popular disaffected youth culture of the time. MTV saw a chance to capitalize on the trend and hopped on it. And once that trend was over, so was Daria.
The show ended in 2002. There was an attempt to reboot it (as is law), but the reboot looks to have potentially been a pandemic casualty. Or maybe the numbers on the spreadsheet just say Daria’s brand isn’t marketable enough anymore. One can only imagine what Daria would say about that.
Also on March 3rd: Nena’s one hit, 99 Luftballoons, peaked at number two (1984)… Moonlighting premiered on ABC (1985)… Metallica’s album Master of Puppets was released (1986)… Lean on Me hit theaters, as did Dream a Little Dream (1989)… Janet Jackson’s single Escapade hit number one (1990)… Rodney King was attacked by the LAPD (1991)… La Bouche’s single Be My Lover was released (1995)… Savage Garden’s single Truly Madly Deeply was released (1997)… Faith Hill’s single This Kiss was released (1998)… Madonna’s album Ray of Light was released (1998)
Everything old is new again
A look at the reboots, revivals, throwbacks, retro insights, and nostalgia in the news.
After 25 years, the series finale of Arthur aired this past week. It’s the longest-running children’s animated series ever in the U.S.
BET+ will host a Martin reunion this summer in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary.
A new company acquired the rights to ALF and plans to bring “an aggressive rollout of pop culture content related to ALF later this year.”
Just like in Sixteen Candles, Molly Ringwald’s mom forgot her birthday.
A near-mint VHS copy of The Terminator sold for $32,500.
The cast of Full House will be at ‘90s Con next month in Connecticut.
Cypress Hill says they were banned from SNL 30 years ago after smoking weed on stage.
A 25th anniversary box set of Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death is coming out in June.
Throwbacks and recommendations
Here’s a montage of ‘80s movie montages.
Here’s a five-minute video on how Disney ruined Doug when it acquired the rights from Nickelodeon.
April marks the 40th anniversary of the ZX Spectrum; here’s a look back on its place in history.
A new Weird Al pinball game is on sale, featuring 17 licensed songs, 2,000 voice commands, and lots of Al-related Easter eggs.
Thanks for reading!
-Sam