K-Tel: Wow! That 's What I Call Music! Chapter Three

Hit List front and rear cover photos by Zappa.com user "Zurkon_Wax"

Thirty years ago, K-Tel unleashed this "TERRIFIC 2 RECORD SET" featuring "22 OF 1982's BEST HITS" on an unsuspecting record buying public.  In an effort to relieve music lovers like HERC of their hard-earned allowance, K-Tel also released each of the records individually as The Hit List - Volume One and The Hit List - Volume Two.

As long time readers of HERC's Hideaway well know, it is HERC's assertion that 1982 was the single greatest year in music ever.  While billed as "1982's BEST HITS", less than half of these tracks were in fact released in 1982 - the rest are from 1980 and 1981.  False advertising?  Maybe.  But there is little doubt that all of these songs were getting airplay somewhere in 1982 so HERC will allow it.

In 1982, K-Tel was doing a few things right.  They were using better graphics and artwork on their releases.  They were also using the "full-length" radio versions of hit songs instead of cobbling their own abbreviated versions by fading them out early.  As a result, they weren't able to pack as many tracks on each side of an album so this double album has as many songs as their single albums featured in the Seventies.  To maximize profits, K-Tel also was using ridiculously thin vinyl.  On the plus side, the vinyl was incredibly flexible and was more resistant to cracks and breaking.

Unfortunately, HERC was not able to locate any video recordings of a TV commercial for this release but he did score a few music videos to whet your appetite for the Spotify playlist at the end of this post.  So kick back and enjoy the flashback!

This great performance says it is from "Fridays..1983" but, as a card-carrying and t-shirt wearing Fridays Fan Club member since way back when, HERC knows that the last original episode of that series aired in prime time in April of 1982 and this clip is from that final episode.

Featuring the album-only instrumental "Intruder" before segueing into remake of the Roy Orbison classic, this official Van Halen video is pretty high concept for these guys.  HERC likes the reveal at the end.

Another official video.  Dig that intricate choreography.  So funky.  A HERC favorite.

BONUS

This is the only track not on Spotify. Or Songza.