Customer Reviews

Tube Tunes, Volume Three: The '80s (Television Soundtrack Anthology)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The third volume in the Tube Tunes series is easily the weakest of the bunch. Don't get me wrong, it does have it's moments. "WKRP in Cincinnati", "Dukes of Hazzard", "Greatest American Hero", "Cheers" and some others are a lot of fun. But then there is junk like the theme from "Growing Pains" (what is Dusty Springfield "The White Dionne Warwick" doing here?) and the theme from the last season (ugh) of The Love Boat (what is Dionne Warwick "The Black Dusty Springfield" doing here?). So, it's pretty much a mixed bag. How much you like it will depend on how much nostalgia you have for '80s TV shows. I should mention that a majority of the songs here are the extended versions that were released on records, back in the day. Here is the track by track details:

1. WKRP in Cincinnati (single version)
2. Dukes of Hazzard (single version)
3. The Facts of Life (TV version)
4. Dynasty (single version)
5. Greatest American Hero (single version)
6. Hill Street Blues (single version)
7. Family Ties (single version)
8. Silver Spoons (TV version)
9. Cheers (single version)
10. Miami Vice (single version)
11. Who's the Boss (TV version)
12. Charles in Charles (TV version)
13. The Equilizer (album version)
14. Growing Pains (single version)
15. Love Boat (last season version)
16. My Two Dads (TV version)

I've heard my share of those albums that contained a bunch of TV theme songs and one complaint I've often had is that they didn't include the full-length songs, just the 30-60 second portion that appeared on the show. I knew that shows such as Cheers and the Greatest American Hero had much longer versions of their themes. Tube Tunes 3 gave me exactly what I wanted in that regard.

The reason this album gets only 4 stars from me is that I question the reasoning behind some of the inclusions here. The album is less than 40 minutes in length and includes the themes to some shows (Charles in Charge, My Two Dads) that were less than memorable. Also, they include less familiar version of some familiar themes. Dionne Warwick's Love Boat Theme? The Alternate Growing Pains theme? Huh?

Given how short this album is I also feel more should have been included. The A-Team, Knight Rider, Dallas, there are tons of 80s shows with memorable themes that should have been included in place of, or in addition to, the material included here. Still, this thing has The Dukes of Hazzard and The Greatest American Hero...I won't complain much.

This album is, in my humble opinion, one great compilation. The music itself is great and the quality is outstanding (the original performers do the songs) but the main reason this is a great album can be summed up in one word, nostalgia. When you listen to this compilation you are magically transported back into the 80's. You're sitting in front of the television watching programs from a simpler time, back when you were just a kid and your life revolved around t.v. and ...t.v! If you love 80's t.v. shows, just like I do, then this is the album for you.

I am about to buy this CD, but judging from the tracks, this CD perfectly complements Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3. However, this CD has the longer versions of the songs, such as the Cheers song from the episode "200th Celebration (Part 2)", which I have been trying to get.

A MUST buy!

I gave this as a gift to my boyfriend b/c he had seen it elsewhere and had wanted it. When he got it for his birthday he was super excited and loved the songs on it! Def recommend it!

Got the Tube Tunes- The 80's CD promptly and in excellent condition. The CD is highly recommended for anyone that loved 80's TV theme songs.

I am so happy I bought this! Now I can listen to my favorite tv themes from shows that are no longer on reruns!