"Heartlight" Neil Diamond's ode to E.T.

Yeah, Goonies and Gremlins were awesome Spielberg movies. However, true followers of my blog know that E.T. is my favorite childhood movie of all time. Back in 1982, l remember my mom playing me this Neil Diamond song. "Oooh, Ally," she said. "This song is about your favorite movie, E.T. Listen!"  The song was called "Heartlight." I loved it.

I "taped" the tune and played it over and over again on my black and silver radio. Probably purchased at T.S.S. in Elmont, New York. The lyrics were simple, and for a 10-year-old kid, they were fairly easy to understand. 

Lines like, "...Cause sometimes the world ain't kind" and "...A friend is someone you need," and my personal favorite, "...And home's the most excellent place to be." I guess I just loved home and close friends. Simple kid stuff. 

Oddly enough, I’ve never thought much about "Heartlight" until today. 

Did a quick Wiki search. Neil Diamond wrote the song after viewing the film with his friends, songwriters Carole Bayer Sager and her husband at the time Burt Bacharach. Although the name E.T. is never once mentioned, the songwriters had to pay Universal Studios $25,000 for conceptual purposes. “Heartlight” was one of Neil Diamond’s last chart-topping hit. 

Enjoy the song ... And yes, I hope it stays in your head for hours and hours :)

T'Pau "Heart and Soul"

T'Pau was today's blurred memory. 

I knew the name, but what was their hit? 

YouTubed the answer. And quickly recalled a time I loved this song. Watching the YouTube video, I could sing along -- crooning nearly all of the lyrics like it was 1987 again.

I encourage you to do the same.

Three fun facts about the British group, T'Pau

1. Got their name from Star Trek...
2. "Heart and Soul" failed in the UK, but was an American smash hit reaching #4 in 1987.
3. "Heart and Soul" was featured in a Pepe Jeans commercial. 

Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante TV Commercial 1985

It’s funny how I can’t recall what I wore to work two days ago, yet 20 or 30 years later, a tagline or jingle can magically hit me. Word for word, and sometimes even including visuals. It all just comes back. Does that ever happen to you? Here’s an example.

Recently, we were invited to dinner at a friend’s home. I messaged the daughter of the hostess, “We’d like to bring your parents a bottle of something. Any suggestions.” Her reply? “Mom loves Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante.”  I must tell you, I don’t drink. No, I don’t have “a problem.” I honestly just don’t like any form of alcohol, and if I’m going to indulge on empty cals, you better believe it's going to a gourmet cupcake or something I can actually chew.

Anyway, back to the Asti. Just like it was yesterday, the old 1980's jingle rang in my head. A lovely diva-style songstress belting out, “Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante, when you’ve got good taste it shows.”  Walking through the liquor store, the song played over and over in my mind. I had to YouTube this commercial, like now.  Apparently it dates back to 1985. I was about 13.

And here it is…