Category: Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

SUMMARY:                                          RUNNING TIME: 4:29 Min.

For the 2008 Mamma Mia! Soundtrack, co-stars Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried duet on this cover of the vintage ABBA hit.

REVIEW:

Over-indulging mid-80’s-style electronica at times, this tune is a mixed bag.  As a result, Dominic Cooper’s contribution falls between an okay European disco tune and glorified karaoke.  He sounds better blending in with his male back-up singers.  Amanda Seyfried, however, is consistently terrific on this tune, both with and without her allotment of female back-up singers.  “Lay All Your Love on Me” is by no means a must-have, but it delivers Seyfried’s sparkling pop vocals.       

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars

Note: The duo’s rendition of “One of Us” on 2018’s Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again soundtrack is preferable.  Cooper’s vocals are improved, and the melody proves a better fit for them as a duet.

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SUMMARY:                                            RUNNING TIME: 3:17 Min.

“House of Love” is Amy Grant’s 1994 romantic pop duet with her future husband, Vince Gill, off her same-titled album.  That same year, it served as the love theme for the Michael Keaton-Geena Davis romantic comedy, Speechless.  This tune subsequently appears on Grant’s 2004 Greatest Hits: 1986-2004 album. 

REVIEW:

With some country flavor thrown in, it’s a charming romantic duet.  Amy Grant’s vocal chemistry with Vince Gill is terrific.  Certainly recommended!   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 3:22 Min.

This dance tune was recorded by Laura Branigan for 1984’s Ghostbusters film soundtrack.

REVIEW:

With Laura Branigan at the top of her game, the mid-80’s vibe of Hot Night is well worth re-discovery.  Reminiscent of Pat Benatar, Branigan’s confident vocals combined with can’t-miss rock instrumentals makes this up-tempo track an ideal download for any number of potential playlists, including workouts.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 3:48 Min.

Borrowed from 1986’s Ruthless People movie soundtrack, this rollicking pop tune is included as a track for 1999’s All-Time Greatest Movie Songs compilation album.    

REVIEW:

Billy Joel humorously captures the 1980’s ongoing battle-of-the-sexes, particularly inside a corporate setting.  As high-powered (and befuddled) male chauvinists finally get their comeuppance, Joel describes contemporary women claiming their rightful place as equals while still retaining their femininity.  Suffice to say, this boisterous song is a terrific addition to any playlist (including workouts, as proven by the montage it accompanies in Ruthless People). 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 2:09 Min.

This upbeat Shirelles R&B/pop tune dates back to 1961.  It subsequently appears on the soundtrack for 1996’s One Fine Day comedy, which stars Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney.

REVIEW:

“Mama Said” remains a terrific tune.  It just tends to have a cookie-cutter formula sound for the genre of that era.   Frankly, it’s perfect creative sense pairing this tune with The Chiffons’ peppy “One Fine Day,” which predictably appears on the same soundtrack.  Adding this Shirelles track to a favorite oldies playlist makes a good investment.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7 Stars

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