80s Synth Pop/New Wave LEGEND Howard Jones On Story Of His Top 5 Songs | Professor of Rock
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- Celebrating 80s synth pop legend Howard Jones by counting down his top 5 songs including Things Can Only Get Better, The Prisoner, No One Is to Blame and What Is Love with commentary from the new wave legend himself.
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#80s #NewWave #Story
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Welsh poet Brian Harris once eloquently wrote, "To be born in Wales, Not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with music in your blood and with poetry in your soul, is a privilege indeed."
He wrote this in 1967 and you might say he was a bit of physic Because he perfectly describe THE WORLD’S VERY OWN Synth Pop Poet, Howard Jones or as he’s affectionately know by as his fans Ho Jo. A singer and songwriter for the ages HoJo’s music has always lifted our spirit when it is toiled with regret or sadness. I remember the first time I heard "No One is to Blame" when I was 9 years old in our jeep wagoneer, on the way to a family reunion.
I had found out at the last minute that instead of having the reunion at a water park, we had switched to a big cabin, with no swimming pool, possibly a small stream, just enough to get our feet wet. As you can imagine my 9 year old soul was devastated, so when I heard the lyrics “You can dip your foot in the pool, but you can’t have a swim“ it resonated deeply with my plight and it instantly raised me up, because Howard knew exactly, even literally what I was going through.
At that moment, as I sat transfixed by this delicious slice of dreamy synth pop I was transformed into a fan for life. My story is no different than the countless millions of other fans from Blackfoot Idaho to Bogota, Columbia and thousands of miles in any direction. Howard has a knack for enclosing a plethora of intricate and assorted emotions inside three or four minutes, all entrenched in walls of prosperous and lush synth magic. It’s a world that anyone can experience with the touch of a play button.
Howard Jones was born in South Hampton England to Welsh parents. He grew up in Rhiwbina, Cardiff South Wales. the eldest of four boys, all of the HoJo’s brothers became musicians. At just 7 years of age Jones started taking piano lessons. In his teens his family moved to Canada. He formed his first band, a prog rock act called Warrior. He retuned to the UK for college, where he went to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester through the mid 70s and hopped around to different bands.
Poll: With Things Can Only Get Better in mind, what are some classic songs that lift you up and make you feel great!
Walking on sunshine by Katrina and the waves
Fantastic day by haircut 100
So in love by so many different artists. My pref is art garfunkel.
You can't listen to "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves without being lifted up (or getting that song stuck in your head all day - I speak from personal experience). I'd add "Everlasting Love" by Ho-Jo, "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart (with The Temptations), and "Escapade" by Janet Jackson to the list of songs that make you feel good when listening to them.
Wild Cherry:Play that Funky Music Also Like recorded on the album,Donna Summer Bad Girls/Hot Stuff AND the best 2 song in row GOAT: Zeplin Heartbreaker/Livin Lovin Maid
Best match I can think of is Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F.
"It's The End Of The World As We Know It" REM. Magic Man Heart.
“Everlasting Love” is one of my favorite 80’s jams that I wish more people were aware of. Such a great sound and message.
Yes! This is one of my all time favorites! Thanks for making me smile
Such A Grest Song.
1. Things Can Only Get Better 2. Like To Get To Know You Well 3. No One Is To Blame 4. What Is Love 5a. New Song 5b. Life In One Day. Great singer/songwriter and piano player!!
Howard Jones is a legend! I still feel he is severely underrated!
Agreed!!
Very true. SO many hits. One of the foremost icons of era.
Howard Jones doesn't get the credit he deserves. I love his music
Just listen to Specialty and lift me up and tears to tell😊😊😊😅😅😅🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
‘No one is to blame’ is a song that I had on constant rotation for ages. Beautiful! A stand out track of the decade.
Hide and seek by Howard is one of the best and most hauntingly beautiful songs of that era.
BTW: 'No One Is To Blame' mixes perfectly into 'Hold Me Now' by Thompson Twins, next time you're spinning an 80s prom night!
(12:32) "Phil played the drums and added his 'Invisible Touch'."
I see what you did there, Mr. Reader! 😉👏🏿
@Anna Trail I agree. Thank you, ma'am. I hope that you are doing well too.
I’ve always loved New Song especially the version on The 12” Album. Great song just much more of it!
Love Howard Jones. Saw him in person in the 85 and later in the teens. It was great. I will always link him to my Dad who had backstage passes to the concert in 85.
Just scrolling through and this gladdens my heart, thank you for being a fan ❤️❤️
What an absolute legend of synth pop HoJo is! Every time I hear one of his records it puts a smile on my face. He's a great musician and his love for music shines through.
I love how HoJo took a throwaway line from a music industry sleazeball and turned it into a beautiful song: "No One Is To Blame". He's a class act.
❤❤❤
"Like To Get To Know You Well" and "Everlasting Love" are unforgivable omissions from this list (Ok fine, I'll forgive you)
Too many great songs. A fiver for HoJo is tough.
I’d put “Everlasting Love” in my Top 5, but I’m with you on “No One Is to Blame” as #1. That’s such a brilliant, evocative song.
Yes! Howard J. Gave me comfort and joy in the 80’s ❤️
🍻 cheers
Thank you for being an amazing fan ❤😊
I saw him live on the Cross That Line tour. I still tell people that it was the most polished, professional, beautifully presented show I've ever seen. The performance of Those Who Move Clouds was like a dream on stage, and the pop hits had the crowd singing and dancing along. Absolutely one of my top concerts ever.
A recommendation: try to find the video of him, Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, and Stevie Wonder performing at the Grammys. A four-piece synth symphony.
Howard Jones has been one of my all time favorite artists from the first time I heard New Song. I was in 7th grade and amazingly on a summer school trip over to the UK in 1983 when I saw the video on the BBC and I was captivated. I purchased Human's Lib the next day and have been listening to him ever since. I've seen Howard play live more than any other artist and he always puts on an amazing show, from a massive concert venue down to a supper club like the Blue Note in Honolulu.
My two favorite HoJo songs are "Things Can Only Get Better" & "No One Is To Blame".
“Chairman of synth pop.” Love it! And completely agree.
Jones got me through my first break up! I had so many great choices of music but "No one is to Blame" got the repeat play. I personally now find that hilarious beyond my ability to describe from a teen perspective, but Howard was awesome. That song and many others were truly great and well composed. Thank, professor!
Yes! Glad you put "The Prisoner" up there. Just a brilliant track and the sound on it is just crazy. I used to crank it up to the max. I'm glad I got to see him twice in concert back in the day. The first time was just after his first album was released and it was just him on a rotating stage with his equipment along with the mime. Then saw him after "Dream Into Action" as well. Such a great musician/songwriter.
“Like To Get To Know You Well”
“Things Can Only Get Better”
“No One Is To Blame”
Always loved him. Still do. 💜💜💜
Things Can Only Get Better is like a anthem for what is happening RIGHT NOW in our world! Great artists!
I need to listen to Howard Jones more.
I just know that his song - Things Can Only Get Better - is wonderful.
I had found out about it on an 80s compilation album that I bought a while back.
Thanks Professor!
Definitely do! He's so good
He's really great.
You can listen to any of his albums and you will love every single song !
I loved, "No One Is To Blame".
❤❤
Everlasting Love was always a big favorite of mine
The video is one of the best ever!!!❤
Great song.
Have loved Howard since the early days... So happy to see The Prisoner on this list!
Things Can Only Get Better is such a relentlessly hopeful song that I can never get enough of it.
It really lifts you up!
I love Howard Jones' song everlasting love.
Saw him at a concert in the early 90s at Saltair - seemed like a nadir of his poplularity. On his pedestal playing every kind of keyboard (piano, synth, computers). No seating, just everyone milling around having a great time. One of the best concerts I've ever been to.
Seen him four times now, but I’ll never forget the first time I saw him at Park City during the Dream Into Action tour. I was absolutely blown away.
I had forgotten about 'Life in one day' until I heard it last week for the first time in probably 20 years!! Still loved it ❤
Thank You for being a fan ❤❤
I’ll raise a glass with you! Howard Jones takes me back to my college days and his songs have stayed with me with a timelessness that few others have. Saw him with Squeeze at the Greek in Berkeley.
Oh, and your shoes in the interview with him are perfect!
THANK YOU for doing this episode on Howard Jones! I saw Howard Jones in a small club and I still remember something very profound that he said (to young musicians in the audience): "There are no gigs...you CREATE the gigs." You get gigs through self-promotion and showing small clubs, restaurants, and such what you can do. You _create_ it.
My first concert was the Cross That Line Tour in 1989 with Midge Ure opening at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre in Englewood, Colorado. It was an absolutely amazing show!
One of my best concert experiences was seeing Howard Jones in a small club in Toronto in 96. It was a stripped down affair with just him on a few synths and a percussionist.I was side stage to his right. It was such a joyous show with the crowd singing along to every word!
"No-one is to Blame" came out when I was 5 years old and about to begin kindergarten. I was naive and foolish enough to confuse it with the material from the *Mike + the Mechanics* debut from that same time. Don't even remember when I first heard Howard Jones' name or anything else he's noted for.
When I was growing up in the 40's and 50's, HoJo meant the Howard Johnson's restaurant. lol Great review, yet again, Prof!! Cheers, mate!! :)
The lyrics of the tracks on Humans Lib and Dream Into Action played a part in my formative thinking when growing up in the eighties. Seeing Howard perform 'Like To Get To Know You Well' at Bristol Templemeads station ( it is on You Tube) on Top of the Pops in 1984 was a highlight in the greatest year for music of the eighties ( other opinions are available). His message of caring for all is one he has lived and he is an example of both a great musician and human being. Witness the way he reaches out to the crowd at Live Aid as evidence we are all one.
Thanks for sharing.
Nicely done! Just met him last week and saw him in concert. Fabulous! ❤️🎹🎶
Howard Jones keeps me in love with the one thing I love which is music. Yeah, that sounds stoopid not stupid but stoopid! Howard Jones, Prince, Pet Shop Boys, Earth Wind and Fire have made music so wonderful. She/Her/and more music make life happen! From Detroit to England/ to Tokyo to Rio music pumps soul into us people... Thank God for music!
My favorite song by him is Things can only Get Better!'
The passion in your voice towards Hojo is in no way overstated! I listened to a music critic go off on him one day and was like..."This isn't even sort of accurate!"
Howard Jones sounds dated....and yet for me that's ok! I like him right where he was and each time I hear him the memories of a certain time come back. Thirty five+ years later one of his songs comes on the radio and a room full of people will still sing along. You can't ask for more than that really!
In the hospitality and culinary worlds, HoJo has always meant Howard Johnson Hotels, so it was very confusing when Howard Jones began to be called Ho Jo.
funny you mentioned a family reunion....I remember always hearing Howard's stuff on the way to vacation and family functions in the mid 80s...his songs were phenomenally crafted 80s synth pop. always a fan ever since
Love these 80s interviews. If you could talk to Stock, Aitken and Waterman. They were huge in the 80s in Europe.
Working on it!
Agree. SAW had a great run of singles and albums. Since I was in a synth band back them SAW songs were part of our show. I saw a documentary on them. Check it out if you haven't seen it.
@supersonic key lime pie Yes.
thanks for this...hojo got me through my teenage years
Wow! Listening to Howard just talking with you, they definitely used a de-esser on him for recording. We played the living hell out of “Things Can Only Get Better” to the point where, to all the jocks on that monster radio station where I was doing afternoons, the song simply became “HoJo and the Wo-Wo song”!
Live Acoustic America (1992). That record showcases what a great songwriter and pianist he is, and strips away the 80s sound. Hands down my favorite HoJo album.
My favorites in no particular order:
Like To Get To Know You Well
New Song
What is Love
Look Mama
Life In One Day
Hey Professor, I pretty much agree with your list of top Howard Jones songs. But there's one that's one of my favorites that deserved a mention as well. That song is "You Know I Love You...Don't You?" Cool partially animated video too.
He's a genuinely lovely person to meet as well. He's done everything from huge venues to small gigs (sometimes without announcing them). I've met him twice, decades apart and yet he was still amazingly friendly on both instances.
I have met him twice too and he really is so down to earth
I love hearing this. He’s one of my favourite artists. Nice to know he retained his down to earth attitude as famous as he became.
Very humble guy for sure.
Very cool.
Been a fan since I was 13.
Great episode Professor! Ive always loved Howard Jones music! Great interview! Thanks for sharing!
05:07 what an incredible song chart!!!
He is completely underrated………truely is.
Pearl in the shell was my favourite of his. Didn't realise he was so popular in the US
All I Need Is A Miracle by Mike + The Mechanics still gives me chills.
Every time I hear the opening drum beat and the synth kicks in I’m immediately transported back to the heart of the 80’s.
I saw him in concert on his acoustic tour in 1992. It was awesome! ❤
LOVED Howard since high school (Human's Lib, 1984). Fantastic songs and some great messages.
I loved Howard Jones!
Finally!!! I thought I was the only one who rated Last Supper as one of his best
It's a flawless song. Very moving.
Also one of my favorite songs from Ho Jo, alongside the also often overlooked A Little Bit of Snow from his previous album.
@@drewdalzell6924 Arif Mardin production. LBS supposedly a tribute to John Belushi.
Amen ‼️ 🙏🏼 Already a fan of Depeche Mode and Yazzoo I bought HoJo’s - The 12" Album as a fan of his New Song and I’ve enjoyed him ever since. I finally got to see him live at the SFV outdoor concerts in 2008 and WOW he did not disappoint. I’d like to see that full HOJO under the tree interview you did sometime. 👍
You are right on the money with HoJo as a pianist. Check out his album “Live Acoustic America” where he plays his songs solo on piano with a back up percussionist. This presentation is my favorite version of “What Is Love” with additional kudos to “No One Is To Blame.”
Saw him live in Australia in the 80's.
He was fantastic live. I can’t go past No One Is To Blame as my favourite song from an artist that has a brilliant discography.
No One is to Blame brings back bittersweet memories for me. One of my best friends was tragically hit by a drunk driver in the spring of 1986. I had just turned 16 years old. Death is difficult to deal with at any age, but this was the first loss I had experienced in my life. We spent the entire summer of 1985 together watching MTV, riding our bikes around town, playing baseball at the neighborhood elementary school and swimming at the community pool. During the summer of 1986, No One is to Blame (and Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams) played often over the speakers at the pool. I wanted to spend time with my friend, but I couldn't bring her back. When planning activities, I instinctually thought, "Hey, let's see if Renee can come!" and the realization and finality of her death would hit me. The lyrics of wanting something so badly but not being able to have it resonated with me. Ultimately, a drunk driver was to blame, and he spent the rest of his life in jail. But I could not have my friend back. Forgiving that driver through the lyrics of this song was what helped me cope with the most painful loss I had experienced to that point in my life.
P.S. - Summer of '69 brings back the happier memories. Today, I still sing "Summer of '85" when I hear it. - Lori J.
I no know HoJo, so he no be my bro. ;-) Loved him since the early days and while he writes catchy pop songs, his lyrics are where it's really at.
My five: Hide And Seek, No One Is To Blame, Things Can Only Get Better, Look Mama and What Is Love.
Good choices.
You Know I Love You is one of the most underrated Howard Jones songs. The synth horns are awesome on that song.
Thanks for this, I had buried away how much I love his music. It was the soundtrack to the best years of my life.
Puts on a great live show, one I went to was two and a half hours, he had Nick Beggs on guitar, great show.
Things can only get better is my favorite from him
I was today years old the first time I ever heard the nickname HoJo. 😆
The first album I ever bought with my own money was Howard Jones' Human's Lib. In an instant, I went from listening to Def Leppard and Ozzy Osbourne to opening up to a whole new world that truly spoke to my soul. I've been a lifelong fan of Howard's ever since. In 1986, I bought Dream into Action on vinyl as a sophomore in high school. Those were tough, emotional times for me, and that album alone really helped me through those bleak teenage years. I found parts of myself and a sense of salvation in every song on that album. In a nut shell, it gave me hope. It still does, especially in today's chaotic world. Thank you, Howard.
Howard Jones is such an amazing talent his first four albums especially dream into action are essential synth pop albums for any fan of 80s pop music highly recommended
My top 5 of Howard hits 5. Things can only get better 4. No one is to blame. 3. Specialty 2. All I want 1. Will you still be there when the night comes pick that lot prof rock!!!❤❤😊😊😊
This was really fun. I loved Howard Jones growing up but didn't follow him later. However, I have great memories of those early songs. It rather makes me curious bc a synth pop band I did follow through their career is a-ha. I would love to get your fiver from them assuming you are familiar with their entire catalog. Thanks again and I would love to watch the entire HoJo interview.
Hi 👋 Guys , just a short list today …”Better” songs…
BTW If interested check out my new long comment posted to the Nu Shooz video…
On the subject of fav 80s one hit wonders and who is a OHW and who is not …
Would Love to hear your feedback …Fair warning: Quarterflash is NOT a OHW 😉🤘
The best songs (Hey, they are better songs, what can I say 😉): 😀✌️
Things can only get better by Ho Jo
Better be good to me by Tina
Better by you better by me by Priest/Spooky Tooth
Better days by Bruce
Better man by Pearl Jam
Better not tell her by Carly
Better off dead by Elton
Better the Devil you know by Kylie
Getting better by the Beatles
Even better than the real thing by U2
I should have known better by the Beatles
Feel a whole lot better by the Byrds
Keeps getting better by Christina
Nobody does it better by Carly
Some things are better left unsaid by Hall & Oates
You better you bet by The Who
You can look but you better not touch by Bruce
You better run by the young Rascals/ Pat B
Better by Fictions
Better days by Cameo
Better in the USA by Glenn Frey
Better love next time by Dr Hook
Better things by the Kinks
Better to have lost in Love by Eurythmics
Better to me than you by Phil Seymour
Music sounds better with you by Stardust
Soon you’ll get better by Taylor Swift
Better by Khalid
Better Man by Little Big Town
Better Now by Post Malone
Better Than Me by Hinder
Better by Meghan Trainor
Better Days by One Republic
Better by ZAYN
I'm so glad you put The Prisoner in the list. Such an incredible song. I saw him live in Dubai and he was amazing. Thank you for this episode.
If anyone knew of a certain Planet Records in the North West of England, Humans' Lib was my first ever 2nd hand purchase, coming in at £1.85.
Ostensibly, a bit beaten up on the outside, whilst still sounding sweet on the inside. Yes, I was sold from the outset. Welcome to conditioning indeed you could well say.
I haven't heard the word "choice" used as an adjective for ages... Love it... Immediately adding it to the lexicon. Choice episode!
New Song is by far my favorite song of HoJo, I loved Dream Into Action so much, that was my Freshman year High School soundtrack.
I’ve loved Howard Jones since I first saw “What Is Love” on MTV in the early/mid 80s! I’ve seen him in concert a handful of times. I haven’t gotten to know his newer albums, like Engage and Transform, but I have listened to those two a few times each, and sonically, they’re really great. But if you only know his 80s stuff (which I love!), I highly recommend getting to know the albums People and Revolution of the Heart!
Here’s my fiver:
5) Bounce Right Back
4) Specialty
3) Things Can Only Get Better
2) You’re the Buddha
1) Let the People Have Their Say
Professor! You are wonderful, I watch your videos all the time! I didn't realize that you are so young! I first heard No One Is To Blame when it came out, I was 17!
My 17 year old girl is a fan and knows most of the songs on my original vinyls. She is at a place in her life where Life in One Day truly resonates with her and I know she’s feeling overwhelmed when she plays that 45.
You should've asked him about the black guy that had him autograph a 1986 Topps baseball ⚾️ card of Howard Johnson! 🤣🤣 That was you guess it? And how I had Howard Johnson sign his cassette cover! Howard Johnson was mad 😠 about that move!
Things can only get better is 1 of my favorites - cool horn line and song that makes a person feel better 👍
What is Love my favorite
I have "The Best of Howard Jones" on CD and I play it ALL of the time! When I'm in the Kitchen Cooking... My Girlfriend Jill and I will dance to it!
Just GREAT STUFF! HoJo and Culture Club and Duran Duran! :D
Further songs 5. New Song 4.what is love 3.is there a difference? 2.like to get to know you well
No one is to blame is one of my favorite songs from the 80s. A true classic. 👍
Great lyrics.
It's Hide and Seek that is my most beloved masterpiece from him.
Howard is the truth. My fiver: (1) Pearl in the Shell [From Live Acoustic America], (2) At the Speed of Love [Transform], (3) The Presence of Other [Revolution of the Heart], (4) Transform [Transform], (5) We Make the Weather [People]. I would love to hear Howard talk about lesser known album concepts: Revolution of the Heart, Ordinary Heroes, Engage, Transform. Thanks professor!
My favorite "No one is to Blame" HQ Vinyl and Video Experience: ua-cam.com/video/1mjxek9S_Kk/v-deo.html
I hear a strong synth similarity between No One is to Blame and Night Shift by the Commodores.
I was just listening to Last Supper last week. Absolutely love that song. Takes me back to high school. I always loved his piano work. Cross That Line album has amazing piano. Into Thin Air and Those Who Move Clouds are simply beautiful.
I still love Howard Jones so very much. When I first had access to MTV (at a friend’s house) in Junior High, “What is Love” became my favorite song and Howard, in his NuRo black plaid shirt, adorned my walls. Major crush! ❤ To this day, the opening synth melody, in that beautiful minor key, sends me straight back to 1982/83. 😊
Just scrolling through and this gladdens my heart, thank you for being a fan ❤️❤️
So nice of you to give Howard the respect he deserves. Great clip and interview, as always. Personnally, "No One Is to Blame" and "Life In One Day" are the two Howard Jones songs I keep returning to.
Thanks for this episode Professor! Been a fan of Hojo since his debut in '83. I saw him as the opening act on a bill supporting the Human League and Culture Club. Before the show started, people around me were saying "Who is this Howard Jones person? Never heard of him." When his set started, those same people could be heard exclaiming "I didn't know he sang this! I LOVE this song!" repeatedly. I just smiled and shook my head. Another great episode Professor. Thanks!