Monday, April 23, 2007

Caught On Tape: Breakfast Club - "Right on Track"

Remember the Breakfast Club? No, I'm not talking about Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald, but rather the 80's musical group of the same name.

The majority of the music videos to come out of the 80s were over-the-top and cheesy, and thus, have struggled not to look severly dated over time. And yet, they are so representative of that time that we continue hold a special place for them in our hearts. This one is no different...

Although they didn't make the charts until 1987, the dance-pop group Breakfast Club had already been around for close to a decade. Madonna got her start playing drums in the band, whilst dating frontman Dan Gilroy, but soon left to pursue the solo career she is best known for.

According to Casey Kasem's American Top 40, Madonna met drummer Stephen Bray at one of her favorite Michigan dance clubs. He was, reportedly, the first guy she ever asked to buy her a drink. The two went on to date, and joined musically under the name Emmy before Madonna permanently went solo.

Bray then joined with Breakfast Club (yes, Madonna dated TWO guys in the band) through the rest of their career. He also went on to co-write and produce several of Madonna's biggest hits, including "Into the Groove" and "Express Yourself."

Despite Madonna's rise to superstardom, the band never really took off, and great singles such as "Rico Mambo" and "Right On Track" have been largely forgotten. "Right On Track," in particular, is a track which deserves to be at the crux of every great 80s dance party.

In the video for "Right On Track," Breakfast Club could easily pass for the house band on Pee-Wee's Playhouse. The room is so loud it hurts. The backup singers are dressed as chickens, squawking through the windows while the band jams along. The finale is by far the best part. Yes, you say. This really is a silly music video. But oh, oh so much fun.

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