It’s going to be fun to escape 2022 for a few hours Saturday night as we go back to the 80s for a night of new wave hits at “Lost 80s Live” at The Straz Center. Wang Chung, A Flock of Seagulls, Stacey Q, Naked Eyes and more will take the stage. Here are the songs I’m most psyched to hear.

• Promises Promises

  We’ve all that relationship with that ex who never delivered on promises that this Naked Eyes classic fits. And did you know Madonna performs the backup vocals in some of the versions of this song?

• Let's Go

  Wang Chung is incorrectly sometimes labeled as a one hit wonder.  They had several big hits.  It’s just that “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” was such a monster hit, people tend to forget they had other great 80s hits like this one.

• Tenderness

  Dave Wakeling fronts the 21st Century touring version of The English Beat, which means you might get to hear a hit or two from Wakeling’s post-Beat outfit, General Public. I love “Tenderness!”

• I Ran (So Far Away)

  This is probably everyone’s one big must-hear song from Flock Of Seagulls. The song is so iconic, it is one of only 6 songs featured on the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride at EPCOT at Disney World!

• Always Something There To Remind Me

  Bet you didn’t know this song was originally recorded by Dionne Warwick! Seriously… back in 1963, she recorded a demo. But 20 years later, Naked Eyes took it to the top of the charts.

• Two Of Hearts

  Thing song always reminds me of shopping trips when I was a kid.  Remember in the 80s when they had those keyboards that would let you sample your voice and play it as a note on the keyboard?  Oh man… I wanted one of those so bad… Stacey Q (or as we’ll rename her Saturday night, Stacey Q105) had a big hit with this one that used that little gimmick I loved!

• Dance Hall Days

  This Wang Chung jam was nominated for Best New Artist at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. But it lost “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics.

• Pass The Dutchie

  This song’s had a big resurgence in popularity lately thanks to being featured on the Netflix series Stranger Things.

• I'll Take You There

  Another one I hope Dave Wakeling slides into the setlist.

• Everybody Have Fun Tonight

  I think it’s safe to say that this one will close out the night Saturday.  Such an iconic MTV 80s video… but believe it or not it was actually BANNED in the UK! A medical expert claimed it could possibly trigger epileptic fits!

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