1984 - March: Spinal Tap “This is Spinal Tap”

In a What the Riff first, we are reviewing an album by a fictional band this week! In March, a mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner hit the theatres about English heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The soundtrack from that movie, This Is Spinal Tap, would produce...well...perhaps not hits per se, but a lot of fun songs that are actually quite good for those of us who don't take things too seriously. It started out as a sketch on a TV show, but the actors who play the band members actually play their own instruments. The film contains a lot of impromptu interviews interspersed with songs from the band. This is Spinal Tap: David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) - vocals Nigel Tufnel - guitar Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) - bass Viv Savage (David Kaff) - keyboards Mick Shrimpton (R.J. Parnell) - drums The film would feature a number of comedy sketches including the amplifier sketch ("ours goes up to 11!"), getting lost backstage, and an unfortunately sized mock-up of Stonehenge. We hope you enjoy this funny album pick.   Listen to the Flower People This track spoofs the hippie rock songs of the '60's. A back story was created for the band, and this was an example of some of their early work. Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight The objective of this song is to be a straightforward rock anthem with poor quality lyrics. BIg Bottom If there is a "hit" off this "album" it would be this one. Borrowing heavily from Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" but well before Sir Mix-A-Lot's "I Like Big Butts," the lyrics are self-explanatory. Hell Hole This is the first song on the soundtrack.   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: ”Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins This song from the movie "Against All Odds" received the most airplay of any song in the 80's.   STAFF PICKS: "Nobody Told Me" by John Lennon Brian's staff pick was originally recorded in 1976, and was released in 1984 after not making the cut for the album "Double Fantasy." John Lennon had been killed in December 1980. "New Moon on Monday" by Duran Duran Rob's staff pick brings us one from Duran Duran at the height of their 80's popularity off their album "Seven and the Ragged Tiger." The album title was taken from the five band members and two managers (seven) and the Ragged Tiger was success. "Shooting Shark" by Blue Oyster Cult Bruce brings us a melancholy melody from Blue Oyster Cult based on a poem by Patti Smith, the "Punk Poet Laureate." This pick features Randy Jackson of American Idol fame on bass. "All Lovers Are Deranged" by David Gilmour Wayne finishes off our staff picks this week with Pink Floyd alumnus David Gilmour's solo effort. Pete Townshend wrote this song.   LAUGH TRACK: "Mighty Mouse" by Andy Kaufman (kind of) Andy Kaufman did a version of "Mighty Mouse" on Saturday Night Live, that you need to see. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share. Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform! **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.