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Desert Island Wang

To Live and Die in LA

0 votes

Fire in the Twilight

0 votes

Don't Let Go

0 votes

Everybody Have Fun Tonight

2 votes

Dance Hall Days

6 votes

Hold Back the Tears

0 votes

Let's Go!

1 votes

Other (write-in)

1 votes

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 09:33 AM

Wikipedia says the name "Wang Chung" means "Yellow Bell" in Chinese and is the first note in the scale, but I was brought up to believe they chose the name after the sound of a guitar. Originally known as "Huang Chung" they were a British new wave duo/trio featuring Jack Hues on guitar and vocals and the kid from "Real Genius" on bass (actually, just a lookalike, Nick Feldman). They did a kind of stylish, atmospheric new wave pop, a little more danceable and exotic than the Fixx. In addition to producing one gigantic hit (and an iconic video to match) they also did quite a bit oif 80s soundtrack music. You're about to be stranded on a desert island for the rest of your life but before you go, you get one Wang Chung song for your mix tape. To Live And Die in LA [youtube:2eov79s7]bf4x36XKhsM[/youtube:2eov79s7] Fire in the Twilight [youtube:2eov79s7]ZAWg_EiPuWE[/youtube:2eov79s7] Don't Let Go [youtube:2eov79s7]xehOMDCH4oc[/youtube:2eov79s7] Everybody Have Fun Tonight [youtube:2eov79s7]BoXu6QmxpJE[/youtube:2eov79s7] Dance Hall Days [youtube:2eov79s7]V-xpJRwIA-Q[/youtube:2eov79s7] Hold Back the Tears (as Huang Chung) [youtube:2eov79s7]VHB55yOdx8M[/youtube:2eov79s7] Let's Go! [youtube:2eov79s7]pJNazEjVd6Y[/youtube:2eov79s7]

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 09:42 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

Among the ones I know, I'm an advocate for "Dance Hall Days." I need to listen to the rest in my private places before voting. I think that's Sara Lee from Gang of Four (and later B-52's) appearing on bass in the "Everybody Have Fun" video.

Mets – Willets Point Jun 20 2012 09:51 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

Great, I'll have "Everybody Have Fun" in my head for the rest of the week. [youtube:2pqtzv3k]o4GtOdJtgL8[/youtube:2pqtzv3k]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 10:23 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

Who voted "other" .... I need your write-in! The whole integrity of the desert island mix tape project depends on voting accuracy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 21 2012 12:38 AM Re: Desert Island Wang Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 21 2012 09:31 AM

To Live And Die in L. A. is an underrated Friedkin flick. The song? Not quite as well-turned. "Don't Let Go" bounces, but it's pretty well sealed in its own little sonic time capsule. I'm tempted to go "Fire In The Twilight," but I'll take "Dance Hall Days," for its easy, slightly-off-kilter swing. (Although I'm pretty sure I'll mentally carry "Everybody" to the island, whether I like it or not.)

Ceetar Jun 21 2012 06:22 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Who voted "other" .... I need your write-in! The whole integrity of the desert island mix tape project depends on voting accuracy. You should probably just ignore that. Apparently it doesn't let me unvote.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 21 2012 08:20 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

I pretty much agree with LWFS's assessment of the choices, particularly noting how dated some of it sounds. On the other hand, they have a distinct kind of datedness, and I think for better or worse they're a band that projects a great CAHNfidence in their own sound, even if it wasn't the strongest stuff out there. We could all do worse than having one thing we do remembered for the rest of time, as these guys will for "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." I also went with "Dance Hall Days" great horns and sax, vocals for a guy without a great voice, strumming and fake-ass drums. Plus the lyrics are kinda weird. Bonus trivia: Jack Hues' real name is "Jeremy Ryder." He took on the stage name after a song he wrote called "J'accuse"

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 21 2012 09:45 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

Today I'm listening to "The Quartet" Jack Hues' Wang Chung Mach II jazz oddessey.

MFS62 Jun 21 2012 09:53 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

MMYF has their CD and plays it a lot. So I would rather swim off the island into shark infested waters than have to Wang Chung Tonight. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 21 2012 10:25 AM Re: Desert Island Wang

Our early leader (and presumed winner) in acoustic form plus surprise bonus influence revealed. [youtube:1jcl7t42]wVD5aWVkiCw[/youtube:1jcl7t42]

metsguyinmichigan Jun 21 2012 05:37 PM Re: Desert Island Wang

I saw them on an awesome bill of 80s bands -- ABC, Cutting Crew, Tommy Tutone -- and they were really good. Seemed like they were just having a ball being up on stage and getting some love. Opened with "Don't Let Go," and also played "Let's Go," "Live and Die" -- a slower acoustic version -- "Dance Hall," a new song and "Have Fun," as the encore, of course. Loved that show.

Edgy MD Jun 22 2012 05:21 PM Re: Desert Island Wang

Which brings up one of the great logical dilemmas of our time. You are seeing that package at an SRO venue. Do you spend the Cutting Crew set seeking out refreshments and emptying your bladder, or do you stalwartly endure their set, so you can maintain your hard-won SRO position from which to rock out to the explosive closing package from Huang Chung?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2012 04:07 PM Re: Desert Island Wang

I'm at the bar for Cutting Crew, then acting like I'm on my way to my wife's side before the Chungers start, saying "pardon me" a lot but walking with a purpose anyway.