5 VACATION Titled Songs from the 80s and 90s
the80sand90s.com and associated properties are officially on vacation! We are taking a project sabbatical of sorts: A six-month hiatus through the Summer, into Autumn, and ending early next year after the holiday season. So, what better way to send us off than five songs about vacation from the 80s and 90s? Specifically, these songs have “vacation” in their title.
Vacation - The Go-Go's (1982)
You can’t have a list of songs about vacation and not have “Vacation” by the Go-Go’s on that list. In fact, it might be illegal in some states. Released in July, 1982, “Vacation” was a hit single on The Go-Go’s album of the same name. A quindecinnial summer vacation album, Billboard Magazine proclaimed it a "perfect summer record". Indeed it is! “Vacation” is catchy, cheerful and the best tune to lay with on a beach packed with happy people.
“Vacation” reached the Billboard Top 10 in 1982. Yet, this was not the first version! The tune was written by bassist Kathy Valentine, who performed an earlier version with her former band called The Textones. The original iteration is more primordial with a punk vibe to it. Its still as fetch and fun as its later, more popular sibling and worth a re-introduction to the world.
The original "Vacation" performed by The Textones released in 1979.
Despite its upbeat, optimistic tone, the lyrics of “Vacation” reveal that, in reality, it is a melancholic lament. Kathy Valentine wrote the song on an airplane to California after spending more than a week in Austin. There, she met a young man and had “a really nice time”. She felt instantly nostalgic upon leaving and wrote the lyrics on airline napkins.
The Go-Go’s music video of “Vacation” is as fun as the song. The scenes switch back and forth between the band performing in an airport with luggage, and then water-skiing in formation as they appear on the album cover. The video was produced on a fairly big $50,000 budget and shot in just one day! It was a long day though, and the girls were less then enthusiastic. If you look at their closeups in the video, you may notice they appear a bit tipsy. After a while, they had someone sneak some libations into the shoot.
The Go-Go's "Vacation" music video. Do they appear drunk to you?
Vacation - Alabama (1986)
If you are hard-working, blue-collar, and in need of a getaway, this song is for you. Alabama was probably the most popular country band of the 1980s. They released "Vacation" in 1986 as part of their album The Touch. "Vacation" is a great track that showcases their signature style of blending traditional country with southern rock and pop. The ditty is upbeat with catchy melodies that get you excited for that upcoming vacation to Florida. The lyrics capture the essence of taking time off from daily life to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Even though the location might not be far from where you are (Florida is about a 10 to 12 hour drive from Fort Payne, Alabama where the band is from), its far enough. The song resonates with many working class folks who dream of escaping to a carefree, idyllic place, even if its not too far away.
Alabama "The Touch” album cover, 1986.
Alabama performs "Vacation" live in 1986.
This tune also reminds me of the staycations I’ve taken with my son over the years. Its a reminder that, even though you might not have the money or time to go far, there are great places within a day’s travel. Think about all the great local places you’ve vacationed at and let me know your favorites in the comments.
Permanent Vacation - Aerosmith (1987)
Aerosmith’s “Permanent Vacation” was a song on the album of the same name released in 1987. Permanent Vacation was their comeback album and tour after years of internal strife and substance abuse. The band all went to rehabilitation and got clean. Then they released this album which peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 and eventually certified Platinum five times! How’s that for a comeback?!
Mixing hard rock with steel drum vibes, Aerosmith jams out about taking extended vacation to Montego Bay, St. Tropez and Cayman Brack. In fact, they “really need it, really need it, really really, ow!” I can relate. Short-term vacations aren’t enough for me these days. I can see myself taking a permanent holiday somewhere sunny, never to be heard from again.
Many great bands toured with Aerosmith during their comeback 1988 Permanent Vacation Tour including Extreme, Dokken, White Lion and Guns N' Roses. Aerosmith asked bands, especially Guns N’ Roses, to refrain from drugs and alcohol around them to avoid possible relapse. Guns N’ Roses guitarist respected Aerosmith’s wishes and admired them for it. Who wouldn’t? Aerosmith is inspiring! They got their act together (literally) and made an awesome comeback to re-establish themselves as one of the leading rock bands of the era for decades to come.
Aerosmith “Permanent Vacation” album cover, 1987
Aerosmith singing "Permanent Vacation" live in Houston, Texas, 1988
Christmas Vacation - Mavis Staples (1989)
I always though that National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was a contradiction in terms because the Griswold family doesn’t go anywhere. They stay home or local the entire time. I supposed from the point of view of their visiting relatives its a vacation. These are things I think about.
Anyhoo, the 1989 Christmas comedy classic opens with an amusing cartoon of a blundering Santa and Mavis Staples singing “Christmas Vacation”. This was the only time Lindsey Buckingham's "Holiday Road" was not used as an opener for a “Vacation” film in the franchise. "Christmas Vacation" was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and has become somewhat of an unofficial Christmas music classic for those who grew up in the 80s and 90s.
Mavis was part of the R&B group, The Staple Singers, who had another hit Christmas single called "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?" Mavis and The Staple Singers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. She was ranked #57 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
“Christmas Vacation” soundtrack cover, 1989
"National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" opening credits scene, 1989
Pour Me a Vacation - The Great Divide (1998)
“Pour Me a Vacation” by red dirt country band The Great Divide speaks to me. The tune asks the barmaid to play some Jimmy Buffet and pour a drink so that the singer can enjoy his vacation in paradise, even “if it's only in my mind.” The music video features a band in the middle of the desert while singing about the ocean. This tune reminds me of hanging out with my son for Happy Hour at Ohana here in Issaquah during the cool, rainy months (which is most of the year). We’ll order fruity drinks, eat poke and pretend we’re in Hawaii for an hour or two.
The song was part of The Great Divide’s “Break in the Storm” album in 1998. It would be the highest-ranked song of their career at #59 on the US country charts. The band broke up in 2005, but reunited in 2011 and tour to this day, mostly in Texas and their native Oklahoma.
The Great Divide “Break in the Storm” cover, 1998
"Pour Me a Vacation" music video by The Great Divide, 1998
Do you have any watering holes in your town you can go to pretend to be on vacation for a day? Drop me a line in the comments. With that, I leave you with this quote:
“Chilling out on the bed in your hotel room watching television, while wearing your own pajamas, is sometimes the best part of a vacation.”
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