It's Torture

Last Friday, our neighbors and friends, Erin and Dave, invited us over for an 80's party. Our instructions were to bring five of our favorite 80s song on a CD with the title, artist and album names removed so that they could play the game too. I wasn't exactly sure what the game was, but figured if a disguise was necessary, then it must be something like Name That Tune.

Sort of, but it also included name the artist and who we thought brought that particular song. The crowd was quite eclectic and most present were people I hadn't had much chance to socialize with so who brought what song was definitely the biggest challenge. For instance, When "Who's Johnny" from El Debarge started playing, I knew it was a Jay song, because...well...we both like that song, but who else would know that? It's not like he drives around the neighborhood with his windows down blaring the Short Circuit soundtrack.

Because guessing who brought what music was too hard, the game was reduced to simply calling out titles and artists. The titles were fairly easy but there were plenty of one-hit wonders to stump us. "867-5309"? We could all sing along, but only one person came up with "Tommy Two Tone." All the rest of us could do was shout, "Tommy Two Tone! Oh yeah!" a second later.

There were some other great stumpers: Wang Chung, Kim Wilde, and some of Survivor's lesser known hits (do you know any Survivor songs besides Eye of the Tiger? Apparently, one guest was a big fan) to name a few. I had one ace-in-my-hole on my disc, however, and I knew it would be a challenge. I sat there with a stupid smile on face waiting for this long-lost gem to be randomly selected by the itunes playlist.

As soon as the key-tar started, I looked around for other faces to show their delight at being reminded of this oft overlooked hit. It was all I could do to stop myself from singing along and shout out the answer before anyone else guessed it, but as soon as the vocals started, I understood that the song might not have been the hit I thought it was.

It didn't help that Tito, Germaine, Jackie or Marlon sung the first verse. Seriously...no one knows this song? O.K...they'll get it at the chorus.

No! Completely unfamiliar! By now, everyone knew this was one of my five, and Jay leaned over (because I had kept it a secret from him too) and whispered, "What is this?"

I told everyone to wait - that it would come - but even with Michael singing the second verse, the song's 1984 release was clearly not noticed by anybody else in that room.

"It's Torture! From Jackson Victory!"

Still....nothing.

"Remember the video? They were all caught in a big web and wearing Michael-esque costumes but Michael wasn't in it because he was huge then and on tour and it was quite the scandal? But, they show a lot of Germaine and he was...kind of a big deal too...then."

Nothing!

itunes selected the next song and everyone's creased foreheads smoothed as the familiar sounds of Peter Gabriel, Thompson Twins and even Night Ranger blasted through the speakers.

My disappointment over being the only one who apparently bought and loved the Jackson Victory tape subsided after getting a copy of both a George Michael and Journey CD (although the Journey was the "new" Journey with a Steve Perry sound-alike. Close, but my ears can tell a difference).



Excellent use of the body wave, Marlon.

Have you heard this song???