How A PETTY Dispute With a Top Radio Station KEPT A 80s Classic From Going to #1 | Professor Of Rock
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- In a year of blockbuster albums songs and artists the English synth domino Howard Jones Quietly released his sophomore album Dream into Action after several successive singles, he released his synth-pop masterwork…No One Is To Blame, which should’ve hit #1 but 1 radio station refused to play it. Up next this 80s icon tells why and how he wrote a standard due to an off-the-cuff comment. HoJo then had the inclination to re-record with a famous drummer in a long-shot bid to bring his music to the masses … NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
Thank you to this Episode's Sponsor, Zenni Optical
Incredible Prices on New Glasses - bit.ly/ZenniOp...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Bruce, 22Unchained, Duff Gordon, Byrdman, Jim Hong, Bill Soucy, Kristina Fejarang, Mister Wombat, Mark Glabinski, Brian
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access To Backstage Content
Become a Patron - bit.ly/Professo...
Check Out My Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpF...
bit.ly/Faceboo...
bit.ly/Instagr...
#80s #vinyl #story
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Music Junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time; If you love to spin the black circle as in VINYL make sure to subscribe below and check the box so that you always get our latest interviews!
and make sure you check out our behind-the-scenes series of our live events on Patreon, the link is below.
1985 was a big year in music. We are the World by USA for Africa featured many of the biggest artists of the time to raise money for Ethiopia following in the footsteps of Bob Geldof’s grand single DO they Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid, the December before. That turned into the extraordinary concerts for relief LIVE Aid that summer…with the biggest bands and artists worldwide playing to millions. 1985 was also the year that Dire Straits released the diamond selling LP Brothers in Arms with the crack jack single Money For Nothing which set the bar for music videos on MTV.
David Lee Roth Left Van Halen after their own diamond selling album 1984 had ruled the year it was named after…Releasing the EP Crazy from the Heat… while Van Halen settled on a new lead singer and got to work on their own album Madonna gave new meaning to the word SEX symbol when she took her album and single Like A Virgin to #1 while the duo Tears for Fears released what might be the definitive song that described the 80s, Everybody Wants to Rule the World which went to #1. Bryan Adams also rocked 85 with the #1 hit Heaven coming from his multiplatinum #1 album Reckless… Phil Collins also had multiple #1 hits as his Diamond selling No Jacket Required scaled the top of the charts and would go on the next year to win the Grammy for Album of the Year when that actually mattered… Whitney Houston released her debut album which would set her up with several massive hits from the set including 1985’s Saving All My Love for You.
Heart made a comeback after years away from the top of the charts, their self-titled album snuck into the #1 spot toward the end of the year … Themes to Movies and TV also dominated with Miami Vice’s soundtrack taking the top spot for many weeks, while the Theme by Jan Hammer went to #1 and then Huey Lewis and the News continued their chart domination with the #1 hit Power of Love from the Michael J. Fox blockbuster Back to the Future.
Poll: What is your pick for the best single and album of 1985?
Single - Glory Days Bruce Springsteen
Album - Brother In Arms Dire Straits
Single...Don't You Forget About Me Simple Minds
Album....Scarecrow John Mellencamp
Rush - Power Windows, The Big Money
No best. Albums: Heart- Heart(8th album); Dire Straits- Brothers In Arms; Howard Jones-Dream Into Action;
Tears For Fears- Songs From The Big Chair; Madonna- Like A Virgin.
Songs: Dire Straits- Money For Nothing; Huey Lewis/News- The Power Of Love; Phil Collins- Sussudio;
Eurythmics - Would I Lie To You?; Howard Jones-Things Can Only Get Better.
I'm such a huge Tears fan that I have to call "Everyone Wants To Rule the World" the best single. And Songs from the Big Chair definitely has a good chance at best album.
But best of the year? That's hard.
Scarecrow by Mellencamp
First and Last and Always by Sisters of Mercy
Low Life by New Order
Head On the Door by The Cure
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
And of course,
Dream into Action by HoJo
Is it just me or does Howard not get enough respect and recognition for his talents? I always enjoyed his mix of synth and his smooth melodic vocal style. And I forgot, he was very innovative during this time period.
...he was always good , but was a 'secret' to the 'cool Kids' who had a quirky vibe.... he was also ahead of the game, doing online sales & virtual performances....in 2000! ...he was leading the charge, Man.....REAL cool guy....
It isn't just you. The newer generation is not aware of the talent of Howard Jones. His songs are still played on the radio today. I was shopping at Wal-Mart last week and New Song was playing. I think you have to be an 80s teenager or be a parent of an 80s kid to appreciate HoJo
@@RBS_Yes, he was very innovative and ahead of his time.
I think he is very underrated as a synth master. He should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honestly.
"What is Love" will always be such a classic to me, so haunting.
So underrated. I remember driving to and from college with this cassette in the player singing loudly without a care in the world who heard. Very nostalgic yet still relevant. Love Howard Jones.
still have that cassette tape 💜
1985-86. My high school years, and when I met my (eventual) wife. HJ songs send me back in time to days filled with unabashed positivity, and when I lived for my weekends, filled with my girlfriend and best friend, cruising through town with the windows down and no fear of the future, which seemed so far away. Was afraid to blink, because the outcome would mean I’m here writing this comment (sigh...).
Wow. Some awesome days.
To anyone younger reading this now....DON’T BLINK!
Such a great guy!! And his music is ageless. Very underated, Howard's songs are among the most beautiful melodies of the 80's. I enjoy listen to his songs very often.
Me too! He’s a legend.
This channel overloads me with nostalgia man.
1984-1987 was the greatest era in Rock n Roll history. So many LEGENDS! So many styles! So many amazing songs!
It is truly amazing how I can hear a certain song and I’m 9 years old again, playing little league baseball, playing outside all day with my friends, and renting a couple of VHS tapes from the corner video store.
Oh man! What a time to be alive
1985 was such an amazing year in music. I was in high school. No wonder I don’t find music today as good - how could it possibly compare?
I was in high school as well. Some great pop songs, a lot of great rock songs. This song is really good. Not fair ot didn't go #1 with all the Michael and Janet Jackson nonsense out there. Same stuff basically rehashed and radio stations were stupid enough to drown themselves in every song. Some great things about the 80's, some crappy things about the 80's as well
Same here. Turned 50 last October.
I think it is personally my favorite year of the 80s. I didn’t live through the decade personally, but my mother got to see it. She was a high school sophomore at the beginning of that year and a high school senior by the end. She really enjoyed herself in high school and is really lucky that she loved her teen years in this great era.
Today's music can't compare. The 1980's were the pinnacle of great music. It's been downhill ever since.
1984 was better imho
I'm so glad I started watching this channel. I forgot much of the music from the 80's meant to me. I was such a lonely misfit teen back then but music made not feel so depressed.
The mid-80s onslaught of synth pop British performers- OMD, ABC, and Howard Jones to name a few- was upbeat, melodic, danceable... epic!
I love British synthpop so much! It’s awesome!
ABC all the way!!!
And very dated unfortunately.
In the 70's/ 80's, every good group was from England. Genesis, Def Leppard, Duran Duran, The police, The Who, Stones...
Howard Jones has really gone downhill in all his albums after 1990
This was my favorite album that year, and on a school bus trip, I let a few of my friends listen to it on my Walkman. I'm personally responsible for Howard selling 3 more copies because my friends Julie, Mark, and Heather all bought it when we got back home. This was one of those rare albums where you didn't have to fast forward through a bad song. The entire album flowed together seamlessly! Howard Jones and Roxette were 2 of my favorite underappreciated acts of the time. I was in 8th grade starting in September of 85, and graduate din May of 86, and I am pretty sure it was in the Spring of 86.
Roxette is awesome too! Per Gessle is a genius.
Omg yes ROXETTE! Professor needs to do a video of them.
When I first heard this song I was a Mormon missionary (you aren’t supposed to listen to “unapproved” music while on your mission but this song was everywhere and some missionaries flaunt the rules). As a Mormon, of course, you don’t drink / smoke / etc. Mission rules were even more restrictive. You never go anywhere without a (same gender) companion, don’t date or even be alone with someone of the opposite gender, don’t watch tv / go to movies / listen to radio, at that time you weren’t even allowed to swim.. Etc etc etc. so it is no surprise that the lyrics like
You can look at the menu but you just can't eat
You can feel the cushions but you can't have a seat
You can dip your foot in the pool but you can't have a swim
You can feel the punishment but you can't commit the sin
… resonated so much.
I was out a few years before you, but yeah, that is so true!😂
Phil Collins on drums, his sound is so distinctive. Howard Jones' first two albums had a major impact on me. I would go so far as to say his lyrics had a formative influence in contributing to shaping my thinking and worldview as I grew up, it was that important. Really there are not enough superlatives to describe how good his music is and what a great role model he has been as an all round great humanist with sound values. I am not a vegan but I bet his lyrics about the issue on the Dream Into Action album persuaded many to abandon meat in the eighties.
The lyrics to 'Equality' on the first album are great, ditto 'Don't Always Look At The Rain' and the rest. There is a recently released version of Humans Lib that features commentary from Howard about the tracks, which fans would probably be interested in. His invitation to the crowd at Live Aid on July 13th 1985 to sing 'Hide And Seek' with him and the response/ performance was one of the great moments of the concert. I saw him live in Runcorn ( near Liverpool) a few years ago and he told the story of the Live Aid performance. He was a runaway success in Europe and did very well in America too.
I don't think Frieda's hit song _Something Going On_ would have been as prolific if Phil Collins had not done the drums for that track.
@@billkeithchannel ... I agree.
His philosophy and attitudes had a huge effect on the choices I made in my teen on as well!
Living in Belgium and being a teenager in the 80s I can affirm that HoJo was never used here. We called him just Howard Jones. Great artist.
I don't think HoJo was ever used in the U.S. either. At least I've never heard it until now.
@@jimmyparris9892
If you saw him live, he even had a HoJo thing on stage. Everyone I knew called him HoJo after seeing him live in concert.
I'm surprised not everyone knew he was called HoJo.
@LemmyCaution66: Mets 3rd Baseman Howard Johnson was called "HoJo." No one else near as I recall.🤔😉🚖🛣⚾️B.W.
What Is Love is still my favorite Ho-Jo song, but I DO love No One Is To Blame. I recently heard a live solo performance of this song, just Howard, a piano and a slowed tempo, and it moved me to tears. Great tune!
What an articulate, intelligent and down to earth musician. Great interview, as always. The 90s heralded the mass murdering of music, and the 00's have planted the final nail in the coffin.
Howard Jones is one of my all time fav artists no matter the decade. I think we in the US use HOJO because it was already a nickname for Howard Johnson's in middle America.
You know I have heard No One is to Blame 1000's of times and never put 2 & 2 together that it is Phil playing drums on it. As soon as you mentioned it the lightbulb came on. So distinctive I don't know how I didn't know this before. HoJo is one of my favorites and is a fantastic keyboard player. He was one of my idols when I was in high school because I was a synth player as well. Thanks for the video. Never see enough about him.
Some people wake up and watch the news… I wake up and watch Professor of Rock. I’d much rather learn about things that peak my interest than doom and gloom. Thanks Prof!
No One is To Blame actually makes me cry. I cried the first time I heard it and it still chokes me up. So beautiful, so full of pathos and pain, so perfect. Man I love that song .
I remember hearing this song on my clock radio & I absolutely had to have the single. I had someone take me to Kmart that night & I bought the 45. ☝️🤓
My friends car, which carried us to and from school and all around during high school, had 3 cassettes that lived in the dashboard. "Dream into Action", "Songs From the Big Chair", and "Heartbeat City". To this day those albums are special because of those connections.
All great albums! Songs that take me back to a time in music that I wish I lived.
I loved watching music videos growing up. I was born in 82 but always surrounded by music. I miss pop up video. This channel is awesome. The way this guy talks about music is absolutely beautiful. The respect and genuine love of music is very apparent and appreciated. Music can unite us in such a different way. 🥰👨🎤👩🎤📻🔈🎶
Recently in 2020, I was competing in a 26 Km trail on Koh Samui, Thailand. I was one of a few foreigners or farangs racing since the country was closed to anyone entering due to the pandemic. And I live in Thailand. It was over 90F, I completed the mountain section with gnarly river crossing, followed by a long painful beach run. With 1 km to go I was worried about finishing in the allotted time of 7 hours. Heat, pain, running alone through the jungle, my iPod touch played “Things can only get Better”. I couldn’t stop singing and smiling….then the charge on my wifi earbuds died as the song faded out. I finished and got my medal 15 minutes later. Thanks Howard. I saw you in 1987 when I was 17.
For some reason I think of my son whenever I hear: "You're the fastest runner but you're not allowed to win".
What a beautiful song with tasteful provokingness thrown in for thought.
Three boys entered wild fast times (a trial honour system) to self report and qualify as school reps for the district cross country race our son had held the record for 7 years. So much for honour.
The best case when you are doing that is to have a discreet observer who records the real times to verify the veracity of them and detect cheaters.
Wow, great episode Professor! I was a primarily a metal head in the 80's but Howard Jones always stuck out to me. I love his music but have never seen extensive interviews with Howard like this. Thank you! --A little story: When I got my first car stereo in 1988 with 4 working speakers. I turned on the radio to test it out, and it was Howard Jones with "Things Can Only Get Better". It sounded absolutely incredible! I was just used to hearing all my metal albums, but I was thoroughly impressed, and have loved Howard's music every since.
I lived in Las Vegas for 21 years. I was the company manager and performed nightly in a show called Marriage Can Be Murder. we performed at the D casino (formerly Fitzgerald's) 7 nights per week. I've seen many free shows on Fremont Street at the 3rd street stage. Howard Jones was playing there so I went outside with my coworker friend, Christie. every time Howard would complete a song I would start singing Whoa Whoa Whoaooo....Finally after hearing many of his wonderful hits he played my favorite, Things Can Only Get Better. thank you Howard, for the hits and a fun evening.
Very cool. Such a feel good song!
It’s one of my favorite songs of the 80s. Gets me in the mood for excitement!
Great interview professor thanks! At the time he was popular HoJo was used for Howard Johnson's, fitting as it may be for Howard. I graduated high school and started college 1985, exciting to have so much great music coming out.
Yep. It is easy to see how kids who heard people use the word "HoJo" without knowing what it refered to might accidently connect it to something that was more relevant to their lives.
@@bbarnhouse9022 good point...and Howard Johnson's was falling in popularity when prof was growing up. He may have never known of one in small town Idaho.
1985 and Howard Jones have a special place in my memory. I was 13 and had saved up all my paper round money to buy a Sanyo boombox I’d been lusting after for a while. Howard’s songs all sounded so good on that thing, I’d sit and listen just watching the tape go round for hours!
Oh, what a year! So good that my bad personal experiences that year are overshadowed by nostalgia for the music.
The 80s: _Lived 'em. Loved 'em. Miss 'em._
Dream Into Action was such a great record, I got it on vinyl when it first came out. Howard Jones and Thomas Dolby are THE keyboard maestros of the era.
I’ve always loved Howard Jones music. I’m instantly transported back in time when I hear his music. Such good times.
No one is to blame has a really deep meaning to me ... Years ago I was absolutely head over heels over my girlfriend and I listened to my backstabbing friend instead of my girl and lost her forever!!! ... This song was a healing avenue so I could continue on living
For whatever reason I don't think I heard this song until 1990 when it would come up on rotation on a nearby radio station I used to have my clock radio set to in the morning before school. I distinctly remember one morning hearing it half asleep and I've been hooked ever since. I think it took another five years or so before I found out who the artist was and I bought a CD.
The 80s music is all I listen to...the best times of my life...I have been blessed to have been a teen through the 80s
'Things Can Only Get Better" was my first Howard Jones fave. Summer before 8th grade 'Dream Into Action' was one of the first albums I ever bought, after MJ's 'Thriller' Huey Lewis and the News 'Sports' and Weird Al's 'In 3D'. Couldn't buy all the albums I wished to but thankfully had brothers and between us we had a lot of the great albums of the time. My oldest brother had a job and had albums like 'Pyromania', '1984', 'Songs From the Big Chair', Genesis' self titled album and others I can't remember now. My other brother had 'Purple Rain', 'Rebel Yell', 'Miami Vice Soundtrack' and what we couldn't buy we recorded from the radio. Great songs from '83-'87. Great memories!!!
I was 16, i forgot how much great damn music came out in 85.
I would go to the arcade in 86 my 6th grade year with my friends and they would blast "no one is to blame on the speakers"....everytime i hear that song it brings back those memories
Saw him open at Red Rocks in 2016! Absolutely killer. I had forgotten how many great songs he had. Next day I wrote to thank him for the performance and sure enough, he wrote back. Classy dude.
When people list or discuss synth bands and artists of the '80s Howard Jones is often missed. What is Love? alone should make HJ standout. Add New Song, Things Can Only Get Better, Life In One Day, No One Is To Blame, Everlasting Love... a wealth of fine music. He's an icon for sure. Personal note... always enjoyed Everlasting Love. Requested it be part of my wedding dinner mood music and it was awesomely perfect... made me smile and take it all in. Great memory. Huge feels every time I hear it. Cheers
Winger axeman Reb Beach played lead guitar on "Everlasting Love."
For me, What Is Love is far and away Howard Jones’ best song, when I first heard it on radio 1 in the UK it was electrifying. And I never heard anyone in the UK ever refer to him as HoJo, not then and not now.
HoJo...jeez, that is an appalling moniker.
HoJo sound like an 80s porn.
Yes...us kids in America loved "HOJO"!!!
I got to see him on his tour for the "Cross That Line" album. And guess who opened for him here in So-Cal? None other than the fabulous Midge Ure (during his solo time after Ultravox). That was an AMAZING show!!! I loved concerts in the 80's...so many great ones!!!
HoJo’s was a slang name for Howard Johnson’s motel and restaurant in the 60’s and 70’s when there were not many restaurants to stop and eat at, now that the interstate highway system was being completed and folks traveled more. They had the best breakfast Love the show dude!
That was an awesome song. I loved it the second that I heard it. I am very lucky that I graduated HS in 1985. There was never a shortage of great music for me. I can't pick a favorite song for that year, but "No one is to blame" is definitely in my top 5. Great episode!!!
I cannot pick a favorite from 1985 either, since so many great songs came out of that year! My mother was a high school sophomore in 1985. It’s the year that she got her drivers’ license.
I love everything that Howard brings to the world. Complex songs with uplifting lyrics, amazing live shows with a strong connection to the audience and just a gentle spirit who knows who he is and shares his talent with everyone.
Thanks so much for this walk down memory lane. 😊 I Love 1980's music 🎶 so much! My high school years were 1984 (9th Grade) to my graduation 🎓 year of 1988 (12th grade), and the music during that time, was completely Amazing and Awesome! 😁 It was like having a true soundtrack to my life! 1985 was an excellent year for music (to me, all of my high school years were amazing, with such great music)! In 1985, I was 15 years old, enjoying friends, outings, dates, movies, and music, not to mention my school dances! Those were great times! I miss them, so much! I am glad that I have the music & the memories! I love when certain songs come on, and I am transported back to happier, fun times, in my high school years! I adore Howard Jones, and my favorite song by him is, "What is Love"! When I first heard it, it was an instant favorite! Don't get me wrong, "No One is to Blame" is an amazing song, too... but I really love "What is Love"! There were so many great songs and albums released in 1985, that I could never choose just one, as an ultimate favorite! 💜💜💜
I have a strange desire to watch Sixteen Candles.
One of my favorites from the 80s. 1985 was such a monster of a year for great tunes.
I was a senior in high school and graduated in 1985. I had my first very serious boyfriend all year and we were desperately in love. He got accosted to the Air Force Academy and was leaving soon. We were both heartbroken and vowing to get married after he was done. (Lol) Over the summer there were various parties and I had heard that at one of his friends parties he had cheated on me with another girl (a new girl who was a HUGE FLIRT AND SKANK IN MY EYES). I don’t remember all the particulars but I DO remember the broken heart. We “broke up” before he left (but were still very much in love) as we would be apart for 4 years. I visited him once for a weekend at the Academy and went to a dance there. We saw each other off and on after that but never recaptured what we had. He wrote me long love letters from Boot camp and I still have them. This song as well as a few others brings back all that heightened emotion and angst every time I hear it.
In 85, I was 15. I heard Over The Mountain blaring out of a neighbors garage. Rode past on my bike and a friend from school was playing an electric guitar to Ozzy. I was blown away. 2 weeks later, I had my first Charvel guitar. I became obsessed. Lynch, Demartini, Jake E Lee, etc. The Golden Era of gunslinger guitar playing. 30+ years later, I still get it on. No English pop.
HoJo was referring to Howard Johnson's restaurant,motel chain...btw great interview with " HoJo"...
Howard Jones has to be one of my favorite 80’s musicians… not only his great hits but soundtrack gold! I think of Jon Cusack in Better Off Dead and others
One of my all time favourite tracks. It’s rare that music and lyrics compliment each other as much as they do in this song, to create a perfect feel for the subject matter. Simply outstanding.
BEST YEAR EVER!! Music Movies TV… the good ol simple beautiful life days
I remember the day I heard No One is to Blame went to number 4 in the US. I went crazy with excitement because HoJo has always been my most favorite artists above all. I was 12 years old at the time. Great memory for me.
Great music , Great interview ,Great decade you had to live in it to know everyone loved each other and it was fun for the most part music wasn't angry , it was happy ,up beat at least that is what i rememder about it . Loved Howard Jones music and never heard him called Ho-Jo but he is great as were a lot of artists . Keep doing what you are doing Professor everybody loves music.
He really uplifts my soul with “Things Will Only Get Better”.
A man with out an ego and still in love with his Jan what more can you ask for ❤
I just saw Howard in Chicago a couple weeks ago with all his synthetic and a full band...he was better than ever!
Absolutely LOVED your interview with “HoJo.” It went by way too fast. Mr.POR… ty sir
We want more HoJo! (x infinity)
I love these interviews . Just people enjoying music and sharing memories .🤘🤘😀
I love music it's been my therapy for years I love everything about you channel thank you 😊 REY REY I'm a 80s teen girl love learning more about the music l love and still listen to when ever I need to fell better thank you for a wonderful channel REY REY 💖
My intuition kicked in telling me that this was going to be a video tribute in Howard Jones, even before you mentioned re-recording "No-one is to Blame" with Phil Collins. I can recall hearing it the first one or two times and confusing it with the music from the Mike & The Mechanics debut, however foolish that was. In any case, it's a definite #1 in my heart.
As of my viewing of this video (5/20/22), I have never heard or read that abbreviation of Howard's name. I dig it though - HoJo.
The line "Some break the rules and live to count the cost" hits me immediately close to home. As I've said before, my parents' marriage was stormy, part of which had to do with my dad's wandering eye and my mom's misconceptions over his actions. Today, I have zero interest in relationships or the institution of marriage. It is too much about rules any longer and not remotely about what it should be.
Thank you for this. Yes, many a friend of mine has called him hojo, but I refrained through the years out of respect for him and how his music has impacted my life. Was lucky enough to see him live at Del Mar fairgrounds back in the late 80’s. Right in front of the stage I stood the whole time and it was awesome!
I had the honour of meeting Howard Jones in the early 90s while I was working in radio. Such a gracious man.
Isn't he? Did you get to interview him?
@@ProfessorofRock
I was in the Promotions department, so no 🙁
However, he did take time to speak with everyone at the station.
Lucky you, Mister Wombat!
I agree that Tears for Fears Everybody Wants to Rule the World is the definitive song that best describes the 1980s
Nope, not if you hated Tears for Fears, which I did. I didn't like their music and didn't understand what the big deal was. There were a lot of better groups and talent during that time. 45 years later and I still can stand that song.
@@dwaynecoy1871 Me too. That song just irritated me with it's over play on radio/MTV.
I wasn't impressed by the band either. They didn't suck, but I am sure a better band got elbowed out by them.
I have been a HoJo fan since 1983 when Human Lib was released. ' New Song' was my favorite at the time. I have always referred to him as HoJo, but the term does not appear on his website. I am going to see him in June and am so excited! I am ready for the sing along. He is an amazing piano player & key board wiz, and it makes me sad that alot of people have forgot about him.
This video is so fun. I ❤ the movie Back to the Future. Other favorites from 1985 are Mike and the Mechanics debut album. All I Need is a Miracle is one of my favorite songs from the 80s. Also, John Fogarty, Centerfield. This is a really great album from start to finish.
Thank you for covering HoJo. You made my day again 💕.
Thanks for watching Catherine!
@Anna Trail Yes! I was doing a little happy dance as the video progressed. All the facts about 1985... You know what a big fan of the Back To the Future movie I am. Also, I tend to be very aware of piano players because that is an instrument I play.
Howard Jones has a couple of albums called Piano Solos for My Family and Friends. You wouldn't believe it is the same artists. This shows what an amazing piano composer Howard is. He has these on his UA-cam channel and Spotify.
@Anna Trail Let me know what you think about his classical piano pieces. 🎹
He also has a playlist of greatest hits from 2017. The CD on Amazon is about 30 dollars and is a 3 CD set. His current song are pretty cool too. Some favorites are Lift Me Up, Tears To Tell, City Song, Tomorrow Is Now, and Just Look at You Now. I think the children in the video are relatives. It's cute.
You never know... You might become another HoJo fan! 😊
That is so cool that you’re going to see HoJo in concert! Tell us about it after it happens.
Back to the Future is a classic movie. One of my favorite 80s movies.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I will certainly let you know about the concert. I plan to bring the outer sleeve to my Things Will Only Get Better 45 and try to ask the theater employees if they will take it back stage for an autograph. Might be a long shot, but it I will try.
That drum loop was so catchy, I used to mimic it with my mouth. I was actually recoding a home video at a family gathering and realized I make those sounds throughout the whole recording. I liked it but don’t think the older ones in the family did.
Adam, as you recapped 1985, it brought back fond memories. There was a general feeling of optimism and excitement in the air and pop music reflected this. Seems like we've been moving in the opposite direction ever since!
No kidding. I was talking to my business partner yesterday who's an industry veteran and I asked him if he thought that there would ever be a great musical movement like Punk or New Wave ever again. He said yes. He thinks it will happen very soon. I hope he's right.
@@ProfessorofRock Me too!
@@ProfessorofRock I hope that happens. I need the crappy autotuned trip hop 🤬 to go away!
I love Howard Jones, "Like to Get to Know You Well", "Things Can Only Get Better", "Everlasting Love", and "What is Love?". My mother and I have always called him HoJo 😁
Howard Jones is a master in 80s synthesizer hardware. Humans Lib imo is his Magnus Opus and Dont look at the rain just rocks! Its so hypnotic.💪
The only reason why the song didn't go higher in the UK charts is because it was included in the Now That's What I Call Music compilation. The song had just charted there and the album was already out containing it. Many people loved the song, but didn't buy it because it was already featured in the compilation. I'm one of those. I lived in the UK at the time and had bought the compilation. When I first heard the song on tv, I knew that I already had it, so I never bought a copy of the single. At the time MANY artists complained about the inclusion of their songs in compilations while the record was still in the charts or even before its release! Loads of great songs failed to make it bigger because of that. The Blow Monkeys's ''Digging Your Scene" was another example of that.
"No On Ever (Is To Blame)" was such a great tune...
thanks for another great episode. Now im digging through my vinyl because i know i have dream into action and listening to the pops, hisses and buzzing from a well used vinyl disc is what living is all about :)
80s we’re the greatest. Music, sports, life. I miss it.
Good morning Adam! “No One is to Blame” is a great song from Howard Johnson. Synth Pop is still fun to listen to anytime! My 3 kids knew if 80’s music was blasting, then it was cleaning time. Luckily they love it now and have fond memories of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s music. Thank you for another great show. ~Mimi 💜
Not sure if this was intentional, but I always heard "Hojo" in reference to Howard Johnson hotels.
Very cool! Thanks Mimi!
It’s such a great song! One quarter of the reason why I love the 80s is all the great synthpop songs that came out of it.
@@SGTDave me too! That’s what I always thought of when I heard that. Maybe it’s a West Coast thing?
Love Howard Jones's music! Great era in music! Great interview Professor! Thanks for sharing!
"HoJo" will always be the 3-time 30/30 Club switch-hitter Howard Johnson to me.
I always confuse Howard Jones with Howard Johnson. Like, my brain messes up sometimes, and it goes bonk!
Got to see HoJo live in '89 with Midge Ure at Mesa Amphitheatre. It was AWESOME!!! I was a fan, but not a big fan, until that show. One of the best live shows I have ever seen. HoJo is a one of a kind artist with such great songs. Love it!
I still have my 45 of No One is to Blame. ❤ It was, and still is, my go-to heartbreak/sad song. 😢 I had no idea there was another version! I want to find it now!
Things can only get better is a song on my list of feel good songs you asked about on a previous list.
I think the MTV VJs called him HoJo. I heard that nickname all the time in Indiana …
He is such an admirable guy. Great artist and crafter of songs, but an even nicer person. Really deep lyrics .. Like to get to know you well and All I want are my favorites of his, but I love so many of his songs. What is love? New song, things can only get better, pearl in the shell, everlasting love. But thanks for giving us a chance to see these interviews. Love your work, man.
Listen to POR with coffee in the a.m. and 9/10 he decides what goes in the changer for the day. Off to dig out H. Jones and some other 80's treasures. Thanks for what you do!
Now that's cool! You made my day!
He had a major impact on MTV kids all over the world to say the “Least” . He is an amazing talent and musician. Thanks Professor for this 👈🏼
Great song. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks professor of rock
Adam, I'm75,so what. My favorite time in music was from 1967 through about 1980. After that, many great tunes and albums came about, but everything began to sound like early rock re-cycled. Too many artists simply sounded like someone else, with a few exceptions, such as Dire Straits and Z Z Top.
I don't know what happened, but for me the golden age of rock music was fading away, just as my fathers music did. Honestly, until today I never hear of Howard Jones, or his music. So what. Every generation has their tunes, which others don't like, but that DOES NOT MAKE THEIR MUSIC JUNK. ;-)
Absolutely fantastic 2nd version with Phil c drums 🥁 and Howard's "no one noooooo one" high pitched piece fantastic
I'm partial to the original version. I do enjoy the re-record. I was able to see Howard when he toured with BNL and OMD a few years ago. A fantastic writer/singer/musician.
I remember being out at a nightclub and I was working to get a woman with a work group to come home with me, danced with her pretty much all night but there was this girl that stood 15 ft away on the dance floor staring at me. And I noticed her for about two songs. And it was the last song and the girl that I've been dancing with all night was leaving with the work group, she wasn't going to come home with me. So when I turned to look for the girl who had been staring at me she was leaving so I headed her off before she got out the front door and asked her to dance the last song of the night with me which was no one is to blame by Howard Jones. And I ended up back at her house for more dancing. And a song I already liked I ended up loving even more cuz I remember this beautiful girl staring at me that I got to dance with to the last song of the night.
I remember when Radio mattered. It was before GIANT CORPORATIONS could BUY as many stations as they wanted, whether they could actually afford them or not. Like this THING called Clear Channel, Inc., which still exists, but changed their name in order to hide in plain sight. And in the Radio biz, we called “Things Can Only Get Better” by another name - “HoJo and the WoWo Song”! And I started in Radio exactly TEN YEARS before the song peaked.
Haha, funny title for an awesome song!
If you're a child of the 60's, Ho-Jo's refers to Howard Johnson's motels and restaurants.
Really enjoyable interview, and insightful. Howard Jones (never heard him as HoJo until today)seemed to be simultaneously ubiquitous and invisible. Every time I hear him now, I'm like, "Oh yeah. THIS song." Thanks for the ep Adam.
This album was such a touchstone for me, I first heard the first day of high school in '85 and it made me a lifelong fan of Hojo, I went back and bought his first album which has my favorite song of his "New Song", that's just a modern rock, synth pop masterpiece for me.
Oh you youngsters, HoJo would have been an US name - it was the nick name for Howard Johnson's, the restaurant/motel chain which was still common in the 1980s
I’ve never stayed at a Howard Johnson Inn. And I probably never will based on the fact that a lot of motels are depressing.
I loved growing up in the 80s in New Zealand. Our music was mainly UK and NZ/Aussie music. It t was awesome. Great music. Not so many hair bands. I did enjoy much USA music too.
Wow it’s amazing how many great songs and albums came from 1985. You make me jealous of those who got to experience them when they were released.
I got to experience it, as it was happening, and it truly was an amazing time, in music! 😊
I didn’t get to experience it either but my mother and her sisters did! They sure loved it!
It was literally a whirlwind of talented musicians, singers, and songwriters releasing "Hits" seemingly every day. The best time of my life, music wise.
I never heard HoJo. I was all over the US in 85 being in the Marines at the time. I was class of 84 high school in Michigan. Went to San Diego, Memphis, Santa Ana and Spith Carolina all in 1985. Now Howard Johnson hotels use it
Such a beautiful and timeless masterpiece.
Howard Johnson restaurants is what I remember calling "HoJo"
The New York Mets had a player named Howard Johnson and that was his nickname as well.
Definitely one of the songs I loved most at that time and even now. When it was published, I had my 18th birthday and the romantic feeling of the song really hit me. I still listen to that song often and it brings me back to that golden decade.
I'm a child of the 80's. Every bit of that decade is amazing to me. However, when put under a microscope, 1986 is THE year that captured lightening in a bottle!
From music smash hits like Van Halen - Why can't This Be Love, Robert Palmer - Adicted To Love, Janet Jackson - What Have You Done For Me Lately, and OMD - If You Leave, to Blockbuster movies like Top Gun, Aliens, Karate Kid II, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Stand By Me, Labyrinth, Crocodile Dundee, Pretty In Pink, Transformers the Movie, Maximum Overdrive and Legend. Not to mention the music hits from some of those movies!
What a year!
For movies, you can't beat 1986. For music I would say 1983 or 1984 was the best year.
@@ryanjacobson2508 No wrong answers here!
Great album. No One Ever Is To Blame is one of my favourite ever songs to this day.
The Cure, The Smiths, and Depeche Mode! Nice shout out props. 1985 was an amazing year!