Since completing my first 5k a couple months ago, I’ve continued to run and am now training for a 10k in the fall. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though, and I might have quit running all together if it weren’t for gloriously cheesy music videos from the Eighties.
Let me explain.
One of the things that really helped me start running was the fact that each treadmill at my gym had its own TV screen build into it. This meant that I could watch whatever I wanted as I ran, and at first I found this to be a great motivator to hit the gym. After a few months, however, I was bored with the political shows, reality shows, and re-runs of old sitcoms that aired when I went, and going to the gym became a chore – until I stumbled upon channel 87.
Channel 87 plays nothing but music videos from the Eighties, and the unadulterated goofy/cheesiness of these relics has me laughing my head off as I run atop the treadmill. The people at my gym must think I’m crazy, but hey – at least I’m motivated to run again! Here are my three favorite wacky videos from channel 87:
Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
In 2013 we all know about this song through being rickrolled, but has anyone actually watched this video all the way through lately? Rick sounds like Barry White, but looks like he’s just started puberty, and the funniest thing about this video is that he wears about four or five different outfits, each of which is way too big for him. Did they not have a costume fitting? He seriously looks like Tom Hanks’ character at the end of “Big” after he turns back into a kid. And no, Rick, the dark glasses don’t help you look more grown up. Even I looked older than Rick in the Eighties:
“Heather, I’m never gonna give you up…”
There’s also a guy in the video who seems bored with the song at first, but then, by the end, is doing back flips and break dancing. In the Eighties it was pretty much required that a video had some dude break dancing.
Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
Anyone who lived through the Eighties remembers this theme, but the video is pure awesome. It stars the composer of the theme (that’s right, composer), a paunchy, balding middle aged Czechoslovakian named Jan who wears a Hawaiian shirt and plays the theme on his keyboard while clips from the show are projected onto a screen behind him. The fact that anyone thought Jan should star in his own video makes me deliriously happy. Back then you didn’t have to be nineteen years old and gorgeous to get your videos played like you do today. Nope, in the Eighties half the videos starred unattractive dudes pushing fifty, and it was glorious.
Private Eye – Hall & Oates
This video might best personify the utter lack of creativity (and budget) videos from the Eighties tended to have. The ENTIRE VIDEO consists of Hall & Oates and their band miming the song while wearing trench-coats and sun glasses. It’s as if the entirety of the creative meeting for the video consisted of the following conversation:
“Hey, the song is called ‘Private Eye’, so why don’t we just get the guys to dress up like private eyes!”
“Brilliant. Where are we having lunch?”
Oh, Channel 87… you are the best. I can’t wait to hit the treadmill again and see what gem from the Eighties you’ve excavated for me next!
Jenn says:
Ha!! OMG!!! You’re so right!!! My personal favs are the ones growing up you were in total AWE over but seeing it now it looks so cheesy you can hardly take it!! Wait until Annie see’s them!!! My kids either laugh right out loud seeing how lame they are now or just stare at the screen blankley bc they really don’t get it!! Obviously they aren’t as Kewl as we were!! Ha! Good luck with your training just try NOT to hurt yourself from laughing too hard!!
Krystin says:
I’ve been reading this site for four years, but this is my first comment. I couldn’t NOT comment about how Annie is your identical twin in that photo you have posted! It’s amazing how much she looks like you
MissyK says:
I have to stay away from VH1 Classic. I start to click past & then BAM! OHHHH!! I L.O.V.E. that song!…next thing I know 3 or 4 hours have passed & I have gotten absolutely nothing done. LOL! I was a headbanger in the 80s so my favorites are all the Hair Band videos. Oh 80s…how I do miss you in all your cheesy glory.
Erin says:
Any. Cars. Video.
’nuff said.
Procrastamom says:
I’ll never forget the Cars video for “Hello” where they had hello written on their tongues. My Dad banned the Muchmusic channel (Canadian MTV) from our house when he saw that, so I had to watch it in secret at my friends’ houses
Mrs. O says:
You’re so right! Hubby loves 80s music and will spend hours watching the videos on YouTube, singing along and laughing in between. Shows we had a sense of humor back then, from the clothes down to the videos!
Johanna says:
How about the video for AHA’s “Take On Me”? That was one of my favorites.
Abby says:
Yay! That’s so exciting that you’ve continued running and signed up for a 2nd race!
I love the Songza channel with the 80s movie themes. The channel you’re talking about would make treadmill running so much better!
Kat says:
Best 80’s video is the reflex by Duran Duran! Ahhhh… 80’s music is the greatest!
Auntie_M says:
LOL!!! Mike!!! You’re the best!!! I will now picture you running that 10k while singing 80s songs (but only those songs with horribly bad videos!).
Also reminds me of the movie Music & Lyrics where Hugh Grant had been in an 80s band and they have their cheesey music video for the beginning of the movie. Love it!!!
steph says:
I must say…I often wish I could return to the 80s. With all of today’s technology, of course. Also, how cool is my job? Darryl Hall stopped by for a tour the other day!
Skye says:
Oh man, I’m really bummed that either my school gym doesn’t have this channel or I never discovered it. I know this is ridiculous, but your post might motivate me to go back to the gym (I haven’t been in a long time) just so I can find out whether it has the marvelous Channel 87!
hdj says:
Even cheesy 80’s music on my own TV can’t get me on the treadmill. I’m jealous that you can do it. I just can’t run in place. I have to be outside where the scenery changes.