Lost & Found Sounds: My K-Tel "Let's Beat It" Adventure

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Hey everyone! So, picture this: it's the mid-80s and I'm a kid totally consumed by music. Living in my own little world filled with the constant static of my overactive brain, music was my escape, my constant companion. I'd spend hours lost in melodies, and let me tell you, my collection of cassette tapes (and later, CDs) was legendary, even if it was full of hidden gems and tunes that had slipped off the mainstream radar. Early on, K-Tel compilations became my absolute obsession. You know those albums that packed in as many hits as humanly possible, even if they did sometimes fade them out a bit early? Yeah, those. They were my gateway to a world of diverse music, all neatly compiled onto one record.

One day, while we were at Kmart on 9 Mile Road in Pensacola—during one of the rare excursions my mom made into the record department—she surprised me by actually buying me a record I was looking at. It was K-Tel's "Let's Beat It," released in 1984. Sure, the songs were a bit older by late '85 standards, but to me, they were pure gold. I didn't have any of them on 45s or the original albums and there were three tracks in particular that I NEEDED: Olivia Newton-John's "Twist of Fate," Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun," and Dan Fogelberg's "The Language Of Love"—which I'd fallen in love with listening to WABB just before we moved to Florida. Honestly, that K-Tel collection was tight! It was a total mix of pop, rock, what they called "soul and funk" back then and a bit of that awesome synth-pop.

Fast forward a bit, and my friend Charlie and I started our own little pirate radio station, "WJL2," with our show, "Weekends With Chuck & Myk." I'd transferred "Let's Beat It" onto cassette, and some of those tunes became staples of our broadcast. I distinctly remember one time during a pizza run to Crusty's Pizza; we just let the whole tape play while we biked to the pizza place hoping our order would be done by the time we got up there, each holding a precious pizza box while we pedelled our bikes back to his house, praying the tape wouldn't quit and leave us with dead air. Talk about high stakes!

Sadly, my original copy of "Let's Beat It" got lost somewhere along the way—probably in the storage unit my parents rented after the split up after one of them forgot to make a payment. But you know me, with my borderline obsessive music collection habit, I have every single song on their original albums, in their full-length glory. Still, if I ever stumble across a copy of that "Let's Beat It" album on vinyl, in decent shape? It's coming home with me, no questions asked.

Okay, okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty, the tunes themselves! Because, really, what’s a K-Tel album without a good deep dive into each track? Right?

Paul McCartney And Michael Jackson – "Say Say Say": Oh man, I loved this one! I actually remember thinking, as a kid, that it was from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album. Can you imagine my disappointment when I finally got "Thriller" and...no "Say Say Say"? Haha! Still, "Thriller" was, of course, a masterpiece, so all was not lost.

Cyndi Lauper – "Girls Just Want to Have Fun": This? This was the whole reason I had to get "Let's Beat It." Seriously, this song ignited my whole Cyndi Lauper obsession! It was way before I even knew about "She's So Unusual." This track just grabbed me and never let go.

The Cars – "You Might Think": Ah, The Cars! I was a huge fan from the get-go. "You Might Think," along with "Magic," just cemented it for me. I still listen to them from time to time. That keyboard sound...just perfect.

Olivia Newton-John – "Twist of Fate": This track? Peak '80s, if you ask me. So dramatic, so catchy, so...Olivia! Still one of my favorites, no question. It just puts me right back in that era.

Journey – "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)": Oh, come on! Steve Perry's voice and those synths? It's just epic! I mean, seriously epic. Just like "Don't Stop Believin'" when that song comes on, you just have to sing along. It's the law!

Asia – "Heat of the Moment": You know what? This is the Asia song for me. I know they have other stuff, but "Heat of the Moment"? That’s it. That's the one. I adore it.

Quiet Riot – "Cum On Feel The Noize": Okay, so I'm a Quiet Riot fan, full disclosure. But I have to admit, the whole "Metal Health" video scared me a little as a kid, haha! I actually prefer the Slade version of this song, but Quiet Riot's take has its own...thing going on, you know?

Michael Jackson – "Human Nature": A good track, no doubt about it. But if I'm being brutally honest, it was never my favorite off of "Thriller." It's kind of just...okay. Compared to the other stuff on that album, it just didn't hit the same for me, same here.

Billy Joel – "Tell Her About It": Billy Joel from this era? Absolutely! Sign me up! There was just something so energetic and fun about his music back then. Always a good time.

Men At Work – "Down Under": Classic, right? Quirky and totally unforgettable. It always makes me picture Australia, even though I've never been! Music can do that, take you places in your mind.

The Police – "Every Breath You Take": Sting's voice? That's it. That’s all I need to say. It's everything. Period. No debate. End of story.

Pat Benatar – "Love Is A Battlefield": This song and the video? Woah! Mind blown! I remember my next door neighbor Angie and I trying to recreate the video in her living room with bedsheets wrapped around us like dresses. Somehow, Angie always played the part of the creepy pimp guy that gets the drink thrown in his face, the reason Cheri had a red Kool-Aid stain in her living room carpet and corner of her couch. Talk about a core childhood memory, right there.

Daryl Hall & John Oates – "Maneater": Loved, loved, loved the video for this one. And yeah, I'll admit it: I had a huge crush on Daryl Hall. There, I said it! Haha!

Dan Fogelberg – "The Language Of Love": I fell for this song hard before we moved. Just totally swept me away. And you know what? It still does. It’s one of those songs that just stands the test of time for me.

Man, just writing about this album has been such a trip down memory lane. It's amazing how a single record can bring back so many feelings and stories. It makes you think about how music shapes our lives, right? I'd love to hear about the albums that have special meaning to you! What records take you back? Drop a comment below and share your own musical memories! By the way, if you happen to stumble upon any cool vintage vinyl in your travels (especially K-Tel gems!), you know where to find me! Just saying! Also, if you love the articles I am posting and want to support what I do, you know, your support in any way is always appreciated!


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