The Motels "Suddenly Last Summer"

Blunt, never minces words, and straight-shooter are words to describe my late-Grandfather. One summer in mid-June during the late-1980s, my Grandfather uttered the phrase that still haunts me today: "Summer vacation is almost over." What? It wasn't even July yet and he's telling us that it's almost time to go back to school?! With just five words, my Grandfather managed to ruin what was left of a wonderful two-plus months of staying up late and sleeping until noon. Every summer after that one, my brother took great pleasure declaring that the summer was almost over on the first day of vacation.

Don Henley "All She Wants to Do Is Dance"

You might recognize the background vocals on Don Henley's "All She Wants to Do Is Dance".  Patty Smyth (of Scandal) and Martha Davis (of The Motels) help out the former Eagle front man.  Smyth would later return the favor when Henley accompanied her on her 1992 hit "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough".

The Motels - "Only The Lonely"

Somehow The Motels found a way to add a saxophone solo to their 3-minute long hit "Only The Lonely"--it was the 80s after all, so the saxophone was a requisite.  The result was a Top 10 hit in 1982.  The song's album name is also unforgettable: "No Vacancy."