poncho-honcho

On June 2, 1986, “A Kind of Magic,” Queen’s twelfth studio album, was released.

“Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their debut album, Please (1986). It was released as a single in 1985 but then re-recorded and reissued in May 1986, gaining greater popularity in both the UK and US with its second release, reaching #11 on the UK Singles Chart and #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song was written during the Pet Shop Boys’ formative years, in 1983. According to Neil Tennant, the main lyrical concept came while in a recording studio in Camden Town when Chris Lowe asked him to make a track based around the line “Let’s make lots of money”.

The lyrics depict, in Tennant’s words, “two losers”. The song is written from the perspective of a man who describes himself as being intellectual and educated. But Tennant has made it clear that the schemes are doomed to fail. The protagonist’s claimed accreditations, a PhD in mathematics from the Sorbonne and knowledge of computer programming, are conceited fabrications. The punchline of the song, he says, is that “the people in it are not going to make any money”.

He has also been disappointed over the years about how many people misunderstand the point of the song - taking the lyrics literally and mistaking it as an anthem for greed and materialism - when it is in fact, completely satirical and a lesson against such schemes.

October 1986

Grace Jones as Katrina in Vamp (1986)

On this day in music history: March 22, 1986 - “What Have You Done For Me Lately” by Janet Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 2 weeks, also peaking at #4 on the Hot 100 on May 17, 1986. Written by James Harris III, Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson, it is the first R&B chart topper for the youngest member of the musical Jackson family. “Lately” is the last song recorded for the album, and is written after A&M A&R exec John McClain requests “another funky, uptempo track” from the production duo. The idea for what becomes “What Have Done For Me Lately” comes out of a conversation that producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have with Janet, during the recording sessions for the album “Control”. Jam & Lewis come up with the keyboard and bass line parts, while Jackson writes the lyrics. Released as the single from Jackson’s breakthrough album “Control” in late January of 1986, it immediately takes off on the R&B charts and quickly crossover to pop radio. “Lately” is the first of five number one R&B singles that are spun off of “Control”. In 1987, comedian Eddie Murphy quotes from the song in the live concert film “Raw”, when talking about relationships between men and women. “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

ROBERT PATTINSON ph. Ryan Pfluger // The New York Times

Robert Pattinson  -  b. May, 13, 1986

Keanu Reeves, 1986

Grace Jones  1980 / 1986  -  Love Is The Drug  ( Warm Leatherette )

Sid and Nancy (1986, Alex Cox)

5/3/20

Nick Kamen - Each Time You Break My Heart (WEA, 1986)

Madonna and Nick Kamen 1986

On this day in music history: May 3, 1986 - “Addicted To Love” by Robert Palmer hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written by Robert Palmer, it is the biggest hit for the blue eyed soul and rock vocalist from Batley, West Yorkshire, UK. After the huge success of The Power Station’s self titled album in 1985, singer Robert Palmer once again collaborates with producer and musician Bernard Edwards for his seventh studio album “Riptide”. Recording at Compass Point Studios (owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell), in Nassau, The Bahamas, Edwards assembles a crack team of musicians to play on the album including former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, drummer Tony Thompson, keyboardist Wally Badarou, and the producer himself on bass. “Addicted To Love” is originally conceived as duet between Palmer and singer Chaka Khan, but the track is remixed with Khan’s vocals removed before the albums release. Her label Warner Bros refuses grant clearance for the track to be released as a single with her voice on it. With Chaka featured on the “Krush Groove” and “Miami Vice” soundtracks during 1985, and also scheduled to release her seventh solo album “Destiny” in the first half of 1986, her label fears overexposure by having so many records out in such a brief time span. However, she is credited with arranging the vocals on the finished recording. Released as the second single from “Riptide” in January of 1986, it quickly hits the charts. Entering the Hot 100 at #83 on February 8, 1986, it climbs to the top of the chart twelve weeks later. The songs popularity is bolstered by an instantly memorable and iconic music video directed by British fashion photographer Terrence Donovan. It features Palmer fronting a band consisting of five fashion models all wearing identical clothing, hair styles and make up. The single wins Palmer his first Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance in 1987. During the songs run on the charts, Island Records in the US releases “Addicted” with two different picture sleeves, the first being a head shot of Palmer, and the second a still photo from the music video. “Addicted To Love” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

May 3,  1986

Propelled by a memorable video where lookalike models vamp the song, Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love” hits #1 on the Hot 100.