The Analog Kid

“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s Albums” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find a physical copy for sale on Amazon or in your local record store (if you even have one anymore). Death…by stereo!

 

 

1984’s The Wild Life was the second film script penned by former Rolling Stone writer Cameron Crowe. I think I saw this movie once on HBO back in the mid-’80s, but I really can’t remember anything about it other than the fact the Sean Penn’s brother Chris was one of the stars. Turns out there were lots of other famous people in the movie as well– Lea Thompson, Rick Moranis, Eric Stoltz, and Ilan Mitchell-Smith (don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten the immortal Wyatt from Weird Science already!) were all part of the cast.

Needless to say, The Wild Life wasn’t nearly as successful as Crowe’s first (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) and third (Say Anything) screenwriting efforts. It does share one thing in common with those legendary teen classics, though: a diverse and appealing soundtrack. Of course, that description applies to just about every Cameron Crowe movie. Like his character Russell Hammond from Almost Famous, Crowe simply digs music.

There are a few notable solo debuts on The Wild Life soundtrack. Edward Van Halen contributes the instrumental track “Donut City,” his first solo credit away from Van Halen. The Plimsouls’ Peter Case makes his solo debut with the fantastic “Who’s Gonna Break The Ice,” and a very young Charlie Sexton preens his way through the Stones’ “It’s Not Easy” (with a little help from Ron Wood). Andy Summers’ “Human Shout” sounds like a decent Police b-side, and Banarama actually had a minor hit single with the title track. The soundtrack also contains cuts from Paisley Underground legends The Three O’Clock, Canadian metal band Hanover Fist, classic one-hit wonder Van Stephenson, Louise Goffin & Go-Go Charlotte Caffey, and an obscure L.A. band called What Is This. Never heard of them, you say? What Is This featured guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons, and one Michael “Flea” Balzary had previously played bass for the group. Later that year, the three teamed up with singer Anthony Kiedis and started a new band: The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Wild Life soundtrack has never been released on CD, so I did my best to create a high-quality transfer from my original vinyl copy. The Analog Kid hopes you enjoy this lost ’80s gem!

 

The Wild Life: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

MCA Records, 1984

 

1. Edward Van Halen: “Donut City” (Edward Van Halen/Donn Landee)

Donut City

2. Hanover Fist: “Metal Of The Night” (Frank Zirone/George Bernhardt)

Metal Of The Night

3. Charlie Sexton & Ron Wood: “It’s Not Easy” (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)

It’s Not Easy

4. Andy Summers: “Human Shout” (Andy Summers)

Human Shout

5. Bananarama: “Wild Life” (Keren Woodward/Steve Jolley/Siobhan Fahey/Tony Swain/Sarah Dallin)

Wild Life

6. What Is This: “Mind My Have Still I” (Alain Johannes)

Mind My Have Still I

7. Van Stephenson: “Make It Glamorous” (Phil Brown/Van Stephenson)

Make It Glamorous

8. Peter Case: “Who’s Gonna Break The Ice” (Peter Case)

Who’s Gonna Break The Ice

9. The Three O’Clock: “I Go Wild” (Greg Gutierrez/Michael Mariano/Michael Quercio)

I Go Wild

10. Louise Goffin & Charlotte Caffey: “No Trespassing” (Charlotte Caffey/Louis Goffin/Kevin McCormick)

No Trespassing

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Bonus Tracks!

The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.

 

The Rolling Stones: “It’s Not Easy” (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)

From the album Aftermath

London Records, 1966

Sorry guys, there used to be a link to a Stones song right here– until I got a notice that said, “You’re a very naughty boy, Mr. Analog Kid, Please remove our song from your site. Love, Mick & Keef.” I’m a little bummed, but also very honored to be sent a legal notice from the Stones!

 

Van Stephenson: “Modern Day Delilah” (Van Stephenson/Jan Buckingham)

From the album Righteous Anger

MCA Records, 1984

Modern Day Delilah

 

Bananarama: “The Wild Life [Dub Mix]” (Keren Woodward/Steve Jolley/Siobhan Fahey/Tony Swain/Sarah Dallin)

From the 12″ single The Wild Life

London Records, 1984

The Wild Life [Dub Mix]

 

The Police: “Someone To Talk To” (Andy Summers)

B-side of the 7″ single King Of Pain

A&M Records, 1983

Someone To Talk To

 

The Red Hot Chili Peppers: “Out In L.A.” (Anthony Kiedis/Michael Balzary)

From the album The Red Hot Chili Peppers

EMI Records, 1984

Out In L.A.