I'm a metal head myself, Class of 86' but no one could deny that Cameo rocked. They were just one of those bands that crossed over to every other genre
It sucks being old but out music in the 80s was fire. Every thing, Metallica, Michael Jackson, punk rock, Kenny Rogers,skid row, everything was just great!
Larry Blackmon is the lead singer, and yes that is his unfiltered voice. The red codpiece and flat top haircut were both his trademark. In fact, he was rocking that “do” before Kid and Play. Cameo is definitely THE funkiest band from the 80s. My favorite of theirs is “Candy”.
After you reach a certain age, someone should have told Larry that the black leather, flat top and red codpiece is not so wonderful any more? I saw a more recent pix of him and it was a hot mess with the barrel belly.
This was a BIIIIG HIT for them back in the day. Shout out to the legendary actor Levar Burton as the detective in this video. I forgot he was even in it.
It didn't matter what genre you were into - when this song played, you got up and danced. Nobody understood the red codpiece, but nobody cared because the song was so fire.
Loved him in next gen.saw him in roots when I was really young so didn't make the connection at first.don't remember much about roots.do remember I cried alot.def worth a watch.
The Navy Jazz Band came to our high school and played "Jungle Love" at an assembly. Everyone rocked out. The next morning, the very uptight and ultra-religious Vice-Principal got on the loudspeaker during announcements and told the whole school that we needed to "reevaluate our morals". You can imagine how that went over.
This is solid 80s right here, don’t care who you are, if you were alive back then, you know every word of this song and recognize it in the first 3 notes. Korn did a great remake of this that stayed true to the original. How great was it that this song on the radio could be followed up by Def Leppard, Dépêche Mode or Van Halen on the same station.
Absolutely true! I still rock this cd in my car, every Friday, on my way home. It just sets me up nicely for the weekend, especially in the summer months. The wife loves to have the entire cd on repeat, when she's riding with me. Yeah, those tracks were the lick, back in the day !!
I always wondered if Thomas Dolby was singing about Larry Blackmon when he (Dolby) sang "Hot Sauce." The particular lyric is "The brother in the codpiece/I seen him on the TV..."
This music always packed the dance floor. You should try Morris Day and the Time, ... "Jungle Love" or the "The Bird". It has that 80's funk vibe like Cameo .
Is definitely on my playlist along with You Dropped The Bomb On Me-Gap Band(which you have already done) and Let It Whip-The Dazz Band,which should be your next one :) Always loved these songs! Keep On Rockin'
In an interview I saw, he said he was being outfitted for the WORD UP video and he was wearing pretty much all black spandex. He was handed a box and when he opened it and saw the red codpiece, he quickly closed the box. He was talked into wearing and it became part of his stage persona.
Yep. We had that Single Life cassette back in the day. "CANDY" might be their best joint. "BACK AND FORTH" still my favorite to this day. They have a few bangers!
I never noticed the Levar Burton cameo until just now. LOL. One of the best songs of the 80s. Can't help but move whenever you hear it. Glad you reacted to this one.
Saw these in koln/Cologne Germany in 1987. They came out of 3 coffins on stage to start the concert singing this in their red jock straps. Absolutely fantastic show. Just brilliant. Heard this 2 days ago in a supermarket and I was bopping pushing my 21month old grandson in his pushchair.😁😂😂 it just never leaves you. Enjoy guys, love your video and comments.
Yes that's his voice. And for the record, we still "wave your hands in the air like you don't care" and point up when he sings "word up, up" at every old school party. They were the first concert I went to, a thousand years ago, when Shake Your Pants was out. Check that out, and Cameosis. You've probably heard Candy at a cookout or something, but if not, check that out to. So many more, but start there. Oh, and Sparkle.
J & Amber, they had more than a dozen top 10 hits on the R&B charts. This song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'word up' was definitely in the vernacular back in the day!
I was in Korea on the DMZ when this was a hit. We would lay out all night in ambushes and the North Koreans had these gigantic two story stereo speakers all along the line. In Korean sectors they would broadcast communist propaganda, but in our sector they'd play music. It was very eerie to lay motionless on your rifle looking through night vision...and hearing Kenny Rogers singing "Lady" drifting through the mist across the Z.
I lived the 80s. And I am glad I enjoyed them as a teen - early 20s. I was the best time to just live and have fun. Everything sucks now. I would go back in a second if I could. And as a total metal head, this song is really good. Still on my phone. There are a couple of remakes that make it more rocking. I like them all.
KNEW this song would come up eventually! This is some true 80s soul. Though they started in the 70s, they hit their groove (pun intended) in the 80s. This song was on pretty much EVERY Top 40 station. Other great Cameo hits include "She's Strange", " Candy", and "Back and Forth". The vocalist's name (I think) is Larry Blackmon. His haircut is called a flat-top.
To see their diversity I suggest "Why Have I Lost You" " Single Life" Flirt" and "I Just Want to Be" Cameo was awesome and blew shit up on stage, when I saw them live. More Cameo please! Nice reaction. Peace
For those who were not yet alive then, even before this song came out, "word up" or just "word" was '80s slang for, among other things, agreeing with someone
It sure did back in the 80's. This was one of every club DJ's "nuclear option" songs....100% success rate, but you didn't bust it out until you had to.
Oh I loved Cameo. My favorite Cameo song was "Shake your Pants" I would literally RUN to the dancefloor when it came on. Another great song I think you would like is "FAntastic Voyage" by Lakeside. Love you guys!
Candy, She's Strange, Back and Forth and Single Life are other great songs by Cameo. You two have not reacted to "Outstanding" by the Gap Band, "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross and "Just Be Good To Me" by the S.O.S. Band yet. Please do, they are all great 80's classic jams one should hear at some point.
OMG Alexander O'Neal! I swear, if they do Alex's song "Fake", I'm gonna LOSE IT. One of the grooviest bangers of the 80s! BIlly Ocean's "Loverboy" is right up there too!
Respect to your wife, awesome, how she puts herself into it. You can really tell that she loves what she does!"!! Respect to you, you keep it up great!!!😘
Fun story: I never knew or heard of most of these 80s pop /funk songs until I started going to a retro dance club in my 20s and now it gives me so much fun nostalgia of those fun days!
I was young in the Eighties, and absolutely everybody loved this song. I went to see R.E.M. in the Eighties, and they came out for the encore and did Word Up.
This is the kind of song you need to blast on a full sized oldschool stereo, you know, the ones that have tower speakers, amps, preamps, tape decks, equalizers, and all of that. This definately happened at my parents house when this song came out ( I was 8 years old when this, and their other hit, Candy were released), and my parents would play this on their full sized Kenwood stereo, with the volume at 7 or 8 out of 10...it was nightclub loud in our family room!
I'm glad you got to hear "Word Up" by Cameo. Their lead singer Larry Blackmon did a lot of interesting things with his voice. The group was known for their unique R&B funk, punk mix. The bands costumes and videos showcased their Afro-Punk style. Everybody loved to the music, but that red leather "codpiece" or speedo as you called it was an attention grabber. Cameo had lots of great hits. I love their whole vibe!
When I heard this as a kid, long before I started actually trying to make music myself, I never noticed how much flange is on that snare. Holy cow. They went hard on the processing for the drums and I'm here for it. And, of course, this whole song is fire but, man, that vocal is pure funk stank. LOVE IT.
If you had not heard Cameo & Word Up before there are a lot of great 80s dance songs to get in the mix: Africa Bambaataa, The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock Herbie Hancock - Rockit (official video) Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam Newcleus - Jam On It M-A-R-R-S - Pump Up the Volume Prince - Controversy Whodini - Freaks Come Out at Night Rob Base & EZ Rock - It Takes Two Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage Zapp - Dance Floor Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance Ready For the World - Oh Sheila Young MC - Bust a Move 80s Forever!
Out on the dance floor back in the late 70s & 80s dancing to Cameo!! Fun times! I think the world would be a happier place if all the Funk bands came back!
George Michael “I want your sex”. Was huge in the 80’s. A bit controversial but not dirty. Super fun song. Great beat. Amazing vocals. You will love it. C’C”C’C’C’C’Come on!!! 👍
Oh yes, with an incredibly sexy video as well! It's a shame this "hit" song (technically Part 1 of a 3 parts) was never on his hits collections. They used the funkier Part 2 on Ladies and Gentlemen, and ignored completely on 25.
The dance floor was filled to capacity immediately when this would get played by the DJ. There was so much good music to dance to during this time. Loved Cameo, The Gap Band, Rick James, The Johnson Brothers, Kurtis Blow, Kool and the Gang, and the list goes on and on. Dance bars and clubs were everywhere and now....Nowhere. Want to dance today? If your young, Prom maybe your last chance to dance and even there they will play dance hits for the 70's and 80's. Music today has the wrong message or you just can't dance to it because it has no rhythm or beat. Bass is everywhere, and so is rap...Can't really dance to rap...Prove me wrong.
This song will always remind me of a friend’s wedding day! They had a small wedding and reception so we all piled into our cars in full wedding regalia to the bar. This song came on about two minutes after we walked in and and all 20 or so of us hit the dance floor; we took that place over! The only drinks we paid for was the first round, so much fun! Big 80s hair and big dresses!
Love them! Saw Cameo in concert back in the day and they did not disappoint! The lead singer’s voice is just like that. Their energy thru the roof. Check out their hits “Candy” and “She’s Strange” ❤️🔥
HOLY CRAP!!!! I STILL have the CASSINGLE of this song ... in a box ... on a shelf in a closet .... literally 10 steps away from me RIGHT NOW. Meanwhile, all the young folk are asking "Huh, what's a CASSINGLE?". Lol. THAT'S how old this song is .... still cool, though. Amber ... "High top fade"??!?!?! .... KID N PLAY - AIN'T GONNA HURT NOBODY.
I agree with another suggestion on here. Morris Day and The Time! Either Jungle Love or The Bird. Funky and fun. Their videos are from Prince's movie Purple Rain.
Larry Blackmon, the lead singer of the group who had that red codpiece, has a unique voice, which was different from when he sang “She’s Strange” and “Candy”. I believe he’s the first one who sported the ‘flattop’. 0:51-Levar Burton is the lead police detective in this video. I liked the faces he made at the near end as he was pulling Larry out.
OMG yes this was a floor filler !! I loved this so much….. I had huge black curly long mullet hair, a black tight, keyhole back mini body con dress and black patent stiletto heels which I wore to the night club and danced to Cameo’s Word Up every time…. I think I thought I was one of those girls in the video! The moves this music brought out in us was ground breaking… 1984/5… I was 20 .. what an amazing time it was. 😄 Thanks for the memories guys.
I remember when this group first formed in the mid-70s. What made it stand out from other funk bands was that it was such a big group, with over a dozen members. The only larger funk group I can think of were Kool & the Gang, I think. I assume you've reviewed their Get Down On It. Kool had 14 or 15 band members at that time.
True story......I saved my friends life with this line. He was in a coma and they were just about to administer comfort care, he wasn't going to make it, or so they thought, but somehow I could sense that he was not paralyzed and still in there. I told him what they were going to do and that he had to show me something, was in the room alone with him and I said ' Raise your hands in the air like you just don't care'. Why, I don't know, thought it might annoy him and he DID it!? Ran to get docs and bibity bam he's still kicking. 4 yrs later. Love you, Chuck
I was a club DJ in the 80's, the 12" EP of this was great, always packed the dancefloor! If you want more check out Morris Day-Jungle Love and Michael Jackson Mick Jaggar duo-State of Shock.
You know how much effort it takes to keep your body from moving when this song is playing? One of those that gets into your head and stays there. Jam up & jelly tight! 👀😸👌
Larry Blackmon, Cameo founder, lead singer and original drummer, is wearing the red cup,. His hair style is called a flat top. The music from the movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly theme is where the flute sound originates.
This was an absolute huge hit in the 80s. Every club I ever went to played this or "Candy". I think one of the most fun things in watching your reactions to these 80s hits is the surprise you show in really loving the music. It's like someone watching "Top Gun" or "Back to the Future" for the first time. I take it for granted as I grew up in that era, but your joy and love for the era is really appreciated by this 80s kid.
Cameo is the greatest!! From “Candy” to “Single Life”, they had it all… Trust me, you can play song that they’ve ever had and your minds will be blown!! Even the “Word Up” Cherry Coke commercial that they put out was dope. Speaking of boxcuts, fades, jerseys, whatever you want to call them, no lie, ask anybody in Harlem, I had one of the meanest one you ever seen!! I had it spiked, standing straight up, plus your boy cut it himself… Peace to the Fades!! LOL Peace to Larry Blackmon and the whole crew!! Great work, RSR!!
EPIC! No 2 UK smash hit! As an American "group" u guys can't imagine the massive impact this track made on UK British pop culture! We had never heard or "saw" anything quite like it! That red Cod piece became legendary! 🤣🤣🤣
This was one of many hits from R&B/Funk male group of musicians featuring founder and lead vocalist Larry Blackmon with many albums released in the 70s and 80s. This song incorporated Rap at a time when other groups started to, and was their first song to cross into the Pop radio charts. The red cup was Larry's fashion that shocked the public when the video came out.
This soooo takes me back to club days! Absolutely NO ROOM on the dance floor when this song was played! I keep it in my 80s Club Playlist along with several others that always filled the dance floor! ❤😅
Have you guys done Mickey yet by Toni Basil? I can't remember. Another 80's one hit wonder - but it's a BANGER. Amber will LOVE it - and it will get Jordan moving too. PLEASE put it on your list. Love you lots!!
I was a Sophomore in high school when this hit. You could not get away from it because everyone had it on repeat! Me included! 😂 This and "Single Life." Cameo was boomin for YEARS before this came out. The "Cameosis" album was fire too!
That western whistle sound is also in the "Once Upon a Time in the West Theme" by Ennio Morricone which you reacted to twice on your music channel - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra. The song "Dub Be Good To Me" by Beats International (a dub music cover of S.O.S Band's “Just Be Good To Me”) also has a small western sound in it. Not from the 80s but from 1990. Not as danceable as this song because of the slow groove but still with some fun elements/samples.
I knew you kids would enjoy this. I'm singing and dancing along. Still remember the club scene, danced until dawn and then went home for a quick shower and then work. Great time in my life! 😄😃
This track is 38 years old, and it still hits the same way now as it did then.
Love to see you young folk react to what we jammed to regularly daily
The dance floor was packed when this song played in the club….memories
Girl you know it!
oh H E double hockeysticks YA!!! I was on that dance floor !!!!
Oh ya
Heck, the dance floor was packed when this played in the living room!
Yes...yr old like me...hehe
Everyone in the 80's knew this song. We hear that whistle in the beginning and Everyone hit the dance floor
Oh yeah word up 😅
right? yes!
I'm a metal head myself, Class of 86' but no one could deny that Cameo rocked. They were just one of those bands that crossed over to every other genre
Yep, Korn's remake is exceptional with it's metal flavor.
True... True. Ditto.
Here is Korn's version:
th-cam.com/video/-M7vOnlcLbo/w-d-xo.html
And check Gun's version too.
Scottish Rock band Gun do a brilliant cover of this, check it out 🤘
It sucks being old but out music in the 80s was fire. Every thing, Metallica, Michael Jackson, punk rock, Kenny Rogers,skid row, everything was just great!
Larry Blackmon is the lead singer, and yes that is his unfiltered voice. The red codpiece and flat top haircut were both his trademark. In fact, he was rocking that “do” before Kid and Play. Cameo is definitely THE funkiest band from the 80s. My favorite of theirs is “Candy”.
I enjoyed him 80's And at times during the years since.
After you reach a certain age, someone should have told Larry that the black leather, flat top and red codpiece is not so wonderful any more? I saw a more recent pix of him and it was a hot mess with the barrel belly.
What was his real name?
I think if you could get a wig on Steve Harvey... 😂
Kid was actually sporting a high top fade not a flat top.
This was a BIIIIG HIT for them back in the day.
Shout out to the legendary actor Levar Burton as the detective in this video. I forgot he was even in it.
What was Levar Burton known for?
@@QUINTUSMAXIMUS Roots!
@@QUINTUSMAXIMUS"Reading Rainbow", "Star Trek: Next Generation"
@@kevinhenderson5928 Big Blue Marble as well
Thank you ❤. I was wondering his name. I kept thinking Star Trek: The Next Generation
It didn't matter what genre you were into - when this song played, you got up and danced. Nobody understood the red codpiece, but nobody cared because the song was so fire.
Facts
Word
@@NOLAgenX Up
He said his codpiece was a “social statement.”
@@cvanz And that statement was "Look at my junk!" lol
35 years later and I can still hear the screams of excitement and see the rush to the dance floor when this one started up!
This song is UNDENIABLE. Still gets me on my feet 37 years later!
The guy dancing was Levar Burton Geordi la Forge on Star Trek TNG. He was also Kunta Kinte in Roots which if you have not seen you must.
And the reader in Reading Rainbow.
You just answered my question 👏👏👏
Loved him in next gen.saw him in roots when I was really young so didn't make the connection at first.don't remember much about roots.do remember I cried alot.def worth a watch.
Roots where the dad from Brady Bunch plays a slaver.
I was hoping someone would comment on Mr. Burton being in this vid. He's amazing. ✌️🙂
If you want more 80s synth driven funk, check out George Clinton "Atomic Dog".
Yippie-yo, yippie-A
Bow wow wow!
They must have forgotten Prince, the king of 80's funk.
@@Scary__fun Prince is hard to react to... His estate is a hard blocker on TH-cam.
Bow wow wow yippee yo yippee a!
God bless the '80s!! I have to recommend the song JUNGLE LOVE by Morris Day and The TIme. That's another high tempo 80's funky song.
Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh!
I was going to suggest the exact same song!!!
Yes! I had forgotten about that one.
The Navy Jazz Band came to our high school and played "Jungle Love" at an assembly. Everyone rocked out. The next morning, the very uptight and ultra-religious Vice-Principal got on the loudspeaker during announcements and told the whole school that we needed to "reevaluate our morals". You can imagine how that went over.
Morris day and the Time!!! Yes!!
I love seeing the younger generations enjoying the great music of the 70s and 80s
The 80's was the best decade for music, period, full stop, no argument.
NOPE 70S THE BEST. AND CARS.
Late 80s and 90s for me.
This is solid 80s right here, don’t care who you are, if you were alive back then, you know every word of this song and recognize it in the first 3 notes. Korn did a great remake of this that stayed true to the original.
How great was it that this song on the radio could be followed up by Def Leppard, Dépêche Mode or Van Halen on the same station.
Absolutely loved them… “word up!”
We were are Genre Fluid :-D
After all these years, I still know all the words to this song. W-O-R-D up!
☝🏾👆🏻Wave your hands in the air like you don't care !! And we all did
Ikr!.....lol...
"Word Up" was pure fire, pure 80's funk. Definitely check out "Candy", "Single Life", and "She's Strange".
Absolutely true! I still rock this cd in my car, every Friday, on my way home. It just sets me up nicely for the weekend, especially in the summer months.
The wife loves to have the entire cd on repeat, when she's riding with me. Yeah, those tracks were the lick, back in the day !!
Shake Your Pants, Rigor Mortis, She’s Strange…and I like it🔥
My son loved this and he was!not born till 1993.
Single life was another banger on this album which I believe was the first single release.
Yes!!! So many memories!!!
You guys were born a few years to late looking at how much you enjoy this and 80’s music
Oh YES!! The 80's was Funky! It was a great time to grow up!!!
We had this album back in the 80s. My wife just came in when she heard this and said "Have they noticed the cod piece yet?".. Great song. Great band.
That's what my daughter and I were saying--and also, have they noticed Levar Burton!
I always wondered if Thomas Dolby was singing about Larry Blackmon when he (Dolby) sang "Hot Sauce." The particular lyric is "The brother in the codpiece/I seen him on the TV..."
Oh hell yes!! This song filled the dance floor EVERY time
BTW - pretty sure that’s a young Lavar Burton in the video
I thought that was Levar LOL
It is Levar B.
Yes!
I never mention it because I thought everyone new that...Ever since I saw Roots..and then became a treky..lol.
Was just about to point that out!
This music always packed the dance floor. You should try Morris Day and the Time, ... "Jungle Love" or the "The Bird". It has that 80's funk vibe like Cameo .
🥰🥰🥰🥰
Damn! I was just about to suggest that! Lol!
Oh Hell Ya, "Jungle Love"
I goofed, left off the Commodores, "Brickhouse"!
Hell Yeah!
There was literally no room on the clubs dance floor when this hit ‼️
#Cameo
#WordUp
And getting hit in the head when we all violently waved our hands in the air just like you don't care.
This song is proof that good music does not get old. This song is so funky!!!
Another 80's band that was played in the clubs was Midnight Star. Check out "No Parking on the Dance Floor"
I been requesting Midnight Star for a while now, No Parking on the Dance Floor was the jam.
Yes! I loved Freak-a-zoid
One of my favorite bands from the 80s
Is definitely on my playlist along with You Dropped The Bomb On Me-Gap Band(which you have already done) and Let It Whip-The Dazz Band,which should be your next one :) Always loved these songs! Keep On Rockin'
"Outstanding" by the Gap Band is also an awesome song. D Train "You're the One for Me" is also a song that's a wonderful jam they should hear.
Let it whip!! they will love it!
DAZZ BAND!!! 🔥🔥🔥
3 of my favorite dance songs.😁😁
Have they listened to Joystick yet?
Y'all did it this time. Absolute Banger! Cameo was huge in the 80's. "Candy" was a hit and my favorite tune from this album as well.
Agreed. I think they would both like the group GUY and their song "Wanna Get With U"
Yeah, Word up is good, but I like 'Candy' better.
@@jjjones8609 Definitely! Guy was tha bomb!
Yup, Candy is a must
No computers.. Damn the ‘80’s were something! I would give anything to go back to that time!
They are so lucky to be able to listen to this for the FIRST time.
Cameo had a few good ones! "Candy" was solid
Candy is equally FIRE.
Yes, he’s wearing what is called a “codpiece”. Don’t know why he wore it, but he made it work.
There were a ton of questionable 'fashion choices' in the 80's. LOL
In an interview I saw, he said he was being outfitted for the WORD UP video and he was wearing pretty much all black spandex. He was handed a box and when he opened it and saw the red codpiece, he quickly closed the box. He was talked into wearing and it became part of his stage persona.
He must've been a fan of Aquaman!
I imagine the traditional reason, to make sure everybody in the room was focused on his crotch and make it look bigger.
Protecting the family jewels.😁
Also ya gotta do more Cameo. "CANDY" "SINGLE LIFE" & "ALLIGATOR WOMAN" should be on the top of the list! 👊🏾
She Strange also
@@donthomas7090 good song that is shes strange indeed
Alligator 🐊 Woman 👩 does not get enough play in radio today. 📻
Yep. We had that Single Life cassette back in the day. "CANDY" might be their best joint. "BACK AND FORTH" still my favorite to this day. They have a few bangers!
I never noticed the Levar Burton cameo until just now. LOL. One of the best songs of the 80s. Can't help but move whenever you hear it. Glad you reacted to this one.
I came here to say that.
Saw these in koln/Cologne Germany in 1987. They came out of 3 coffins on stage to start the concert singing this in their red jock straps. Absolutely fantastic show. Just brilliant. Heard this 2 days ago in a supermarket and I was bopping pushing my 21month old grandson in his pushchair.😁😂😂 it just never leaves you. Enjoy guys, love your video and comments.
I saw them in Hamburg in 1987 and it was just one coffin :)
Yes that's his voice. And for the record, we still "wave your hands in the air like you don't care" and point up when he sings "word up, up" at every old school party. They were the first concert I went to, a thousand years ago, when Shake Your Pants was out. Check that out, and Cameosis. You've probably heard Candy at a cookout or something, but if not, check that out to. So many more, but start there. Oh, and Sparkle.
This song and "it's Like Candy" was my jam back in the 80s. I'm old!
J & Amber, they had more than a dozen top 10 hits on the R&B charts. This song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'word up' was definitely in the vernacular back in the day!
And reached number 3 in the UK
I was in Korea on the DMZ when this was a hit. We would lay out all night in ambushes and the North Koreans had these gigantic two story stereo speakers all along the line. In Korean sectors they would broadcast communist propaganda, but in our sector they'd play music. It was very eerie to lay motionless on your rifle looking through night vision...and hearing Kenny Rogers singing "Lady" drifting through the mist across the Z.
I lived the 80s. And I am glad I enjoyed them as a teen - early 20s. I was the best time to just live and have fun. Everything sucks now. I would go back in a second if I could. And as a total metal head, this song is really good. Still on my phone. There are a couple of remakes that make it more rocking. I like them all.
Agree 100%
God I miss the 80's. This song had the dance floor packed, along with Morris Day and the time, Prince, Van Halen, and AC/DC. Non-stop clubbin fun.
Facts
When I grow up going to be a time traveler. See ya there.
Morris Day!! ❤❤❤
"Wave your hands in the air like you don't care". Oh man, I love this song!!
KNEW this song would come up eventually! This is some true 80s soul. Though they started in the 70s, they hit their groove (pun intended) in the 80s. This song was on pretty much EVERY Top 40 station. Other great Cameo hits include "She's Strange", " Candy", and "Back and Forth". The vocalist's name (I think) is Larry Blackmon. His haircut is called a flat-top.
Don't forget "Shake Your Pants"...
To see their diversity I suggest "Why Have I Lost You" " Single Life" Flirt" and "I Just Want to Be" Cameo was awesome and blew shit up on stage, when I saw them live. More Cameo please! Nice reaction. Peace
@@russelbarnes7235 Good suggestions!!! As I read your comment, it took me WAAAAY back!!! I'm 58. These were the songs of my youth. Thanks for this...
For those who were not yet alive then, even before this song came out, "word up" or just "word" was '80s slang for, among other things, agreeing with someone
How did I miss this!?!?!? Girl, we were CLUB BOUND! This song would fill up the dance floor to the point you could barely move!!! 💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺
It sure did back in the 80's. This was one of every club DJ's "nuclear option" songs....100% success rate, but you didn't bust it out until you had to.
The band Korn does an incredible cover of this song. They rocked it out in a way unimaginable
I KNEW I heard this before and it wasn't from this group!
Korn's version was so good. Hope they do react to it like they did with smooth criminal
Yes I love Korn's cover
A Scottish band called Gun covered this too. Well worth a listen
No,way! I’m going to have to check that out. I love Korn
A must dance song. Even if you have no rhythm, this song will give you some. Your shoulders start popping up and down. Get it!!😍😍
Hey that's me with no rythm 🤣 Yes, I too danced!
Oh I loved Cameo. My favorite Cameo song was "Shake your Pants" I would literally RUN to the dancefloor when it came on. Another great song I think you would like is "FAntastic Voyage" by Lakeside. Love you guys!
If yall feelin Cameo, check out their song called "I Just Want to Be" Pure Funk!!!
When cameo came on at the club it was hard to find room on the dance floor. Cameo was pure funk. Their ballads were to die for.
Yalls have to do The Rain by Oran "Juice" Jones. Was a massive hit in the 80's and you will get a huge kick out of it!
Yes!!!!
Oh my God, yes!
Don't touch that coat..! 😁
Mixed really well with Once Bitten Twice Shy by Vesta Williams I recall.. ☺️
Tricks are for kids
Candy, She's Strange, Back and Forth and Single Life are other great songs by Cameo. You two have not reacted to "Outstanding" by the Gap Band, "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross and "Just Be Good To Me" by the S.O.S. Band yet. Please do, they are all great 80's classic jams one should hear at some point.
You’re speaking my words.
All absolute tunes
I forgot about 'She's Strange' and 'Single Life'.
You just hit my favorite songs list, L Reed, for real!!! Need some Club Nouveau “Why You Treat Me So Bad” as well! ❤️
Outstanding by Gap Band is soooo good!!
There was a lot of great groups at this time! ready for the World, Alexander O'Neal, SOS Band, Loose Ends, etc!
Right on! You’ve been browsing my CD collection again.
OMG Alexander O'Neal! I swear, if they do Alex's song "Fake", I'm gonna LOSE IT. One of the grooviest bangers of the 80s! BIlly Ocean's "Loverboy" is right up there too!
Don't forget Klymaxx.
@@Shrykespeare Criticize is awesome too!
S.O.S. Band....YES!!!
Respect to your wife, awesome, how she puts herself into it. You can really tell that she loves what she does!"!! Respect to you, you keep it up great!!!😘
I feel privileged to have grown up in my teens in the 80's. Several musical genres and experienced some of the best music ever.😁
Fun story: I never knew or heard of most of these 80s pop /funk songs until I started going to a retro dance club in my 20s and now it gives me so much fun nostalgia of those fun days!
I was young in the Eighties, and absolutely everybody loved this song. I went to see R.E.M. in the Eighties, and they came out for the encore and did Word Up.
How Cool ! 😎
That unmistakable sound of Cameo. Larry Blackmon’s voice always gave it away. Hands up? No, come out with your Word Up.
This is the kind of song you need to blast on a full sized oldschool stereo, you know, the ones that have tower speakers, amps, preamps, tape decks, equalizers, and all of that. This definately happened at my parents house when this song came out ( I was 8 years old when this, and their other hit, Candy were released), and my parents would play this on their full sized Kenwood stereo, with the volume at 7 or 8 out of 10...it was nightclub loud in our family room!
word up!
I'm glad you got to hear "Word Up" by Cameo. Their lead singer Larry Blackmon did a lot of interesting things with his voice. The group was known for their unique R&B funk, punk mix. The bands costumes and videos showcased their Afro-Punk style. Everybody loved to the music, but that red leather "codpiece" or speedo as you called it was an attention grabber. Cameo had lots of great hits. I love their whole vibe!
The dancefloor was packed back in the day when this song came on
When I heard this as a kid, long before I started actually trying to make music myself, I never noticed how much flange is on that snare. Holy cow. They went hard on the processing for the drums and I'm here for it. And, of course, this whole song is fire but, man, that vocal is pure funk stank. LOVE IT.
If you had not heard Cameo & Word Up before there are a lot of great 80s dance songs to get in the mix:
Africa Bambaataa, The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock
Herbie Hancock - Rockit (official video)
Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam
Newcleus - Jam On It
M-A-R-R-S - Pump Up the Volume
Prince - Controversy
Whodini - Freaks Come Out at Night
Rob Base & EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage
Zapp - Dance Floor
Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Ready For the World - Oh Sheila
Young MC - Bust a Move
80s Forever!
Yes!!! Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock!! Loved them!
I had totally forgotten about Ready For The World. They definitely need to check them out. I’d add Tony Toni Tone and Midnight Star to your list.
@@ronnix23 :) I had forgotten about Midnight Star & No Parking On the Dance Floor until I saw another comment.
80’s we’re the best years for music
Out on the dance floor back in the late 70s & 80s dancing to Cameo!! Fun times! I think the world would be a happier place if all the Funk bands came back!
And we all had a friend who had been in Parliament-Funkadelic!
George Michael “I want your sex”. Was huge in the 80’s. A bit controversial but not dirty. Super fun song. Great beat. Amazing vocals. You will love it. C’C”C’C’C’C’Come on!!! 👍
Do it on hump day!!
Oh yes, with an incredibly sexy video as well!
It's a shame this "hit" song (technically Part 1 of a 3 parts) was never on his hits collections. They used the funkier Part 2 on Ladies and Gentlemen, and ignored completely on 25.
This song was teased at the beginning of the Faith video, which I believe they've already reacted to. The entire Faith album is a masterpiece.
The dance floor was filled to capacity immediately when this would get played by the DJ. There was so much good music to dance to during this time. Loved Cameo, The Gap Band, Rick James, The Johnson Brothers, Kurtis Blow, Kool and the Gang, and the list goes on and on. Dance bars and clubs were everywhere and now....Nowhere. Want to dance today? If your young, Prom maybe your last chance to dance and even there they will play dance hits for the 70's and 80's. Music today has the wrong message or you just can't dance to it because it has no rhythm or beat. Bass is everywhere, and so is rap...Can't really dance to rap...Prove me wrong.
Great list, Richard! 👍
Nice job Richard.
This song will always remind me of a friend’s wedding day! They had a small wedding and reception so we all piled into our cars in full wedding regalia to the bar. This song came on about two minutes after we walked in and and all 20 or so of us hit the dance floor; we took that place over!
The only drinks we paid for was the first round, so much fun! Big 80s hair and big dresses!
Love them! Saw Cameo in concert back in the day and they did not disappoint! The lead singer’s voice is just like that. Their energy thru the roof. Check out their hits “Candy” and “She’s Strange” ❤️🔥
HOLY CRAP!!!! I STILL have the CASSINGLE of this song ... in a box ... on a shelf in a closet .... literally 10 steps away from me RIGHT NOW.
Meanwhile, all the young folk are asking "Huh, what's a CASSINGLE?". Lol. THAT'S how old this song is .... still cool, though.
Amber ... "High top fade"??!?!?! .... KID N PLAY - AIN'T GONNA HURT NOBODY.
I agree with another suggestion on here. Morris Day and The Time! Either Jungle Love or The Bird. Funky and fun. Their videos are from Prince's movie Purple Rain.
Larry Blackmon, the lead singer of the group who had that red codpiece, has a unique voice, which was different from when he sang “She’s Strange” and “Candy”. I believe he’s the first one who sported the ‘flattop’.
0:51-Levar Burton is the lead police detective in this video. I liked the faces he made at the near end as he was pulling Larry out.
To this day I’ll sing a line from this song and my sister will follow with the next line. This song is just fun and iconic.
OMG yes this was a floor filler !! I loved this so much….. I had huge black curly long mullet hair, a black tight, keyhole back mini body con dress and black patent stiletto heels which I wore to the night club and danced to Cameo’s Word Up every time…. I think I thought I was one of those girls in the video! The moves this music brought out in us was ground breaking… 1984/5… I was 20 .. what an amazing time it was. 😄 Thanks for the memories guys.
Gurl, you know you looked tight!!! 😍
One of the funkiest bands of the 80's baby....I met him in 1989, LAX Hilton, super cool guy 😎....
I remember when this group first formed in the mid-70s. What made it stand out from other funk bands was that it was such a big group, with over a dozen members. The only larger funk group I can think of were Kool & the Gang, I think. I assume you've reviewed their Get Down On It. Kool had 14 or 15 band members at that time.
have they? I don't remember them doing KOOL and THE GANG. 🤔 great suggestion ! 👍😃❣️
I always loved the line . Wave your hands in the air like you don't care
True story......I saved my friends life with this line. He was in a coma and they were just about to administer comfort care, he wasn't going to make it, or so they thought, but somehow I could sense that he was not paralyzed and still in there. I told him what they were going to do and that he had to show me something, was in the room alone with him and I said ' Raise your hands in the air like you just don't care'. Why, I don't know, thought it might annoy him and he DID it!? Ran to get docs and bibity bam he's still kicking. 4 yrs later. Love you, Chuck
@@dolphinbear661 wow cool story
Sooooo many memories with this one! The dance floor ROCKED when this came on! Great reaction as always!
Man I miss the 80's Man the dance floor would fill up when this got played! FYI the Police Detective was Levar Burton later Geordi on Star Trek TNG.
1986. I still play this on the jukebox on bowling night because many of us are children of the 80s. And now in our 50s we still dance and sing to it.
I was a club DJ in the 80's, the 12" EP of this was great, always packed the dancefloor! If you want more check out Morris Day-Jungle Love and Michael Jackson Mick Jaggar duo-State of Shock.
Yes! Morris Day & The Time 'Jungle Love' and 'COOL'!
This song is always an instant mood changer.
Everyone was obsessed with Cameo's red jockstrap he wore on the outside.
cod piece
You know how much effort it takes to keep your body from moving when this song is playing? One of those that gets into your head and stays there. Jam up & jelly tight! 👀😸👌
Larry Blackmon, Cameo founder, lead singer and original drummer, is wearing the red cup,. His hair style is called a flat top. The music from the movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly theme is where the flute sound originates.
This was an absolute huge hit in the 80s. Every club I ever went to played this or "Candy". I think one of the most fun things in watching your reactions to these 80s hits is the surprise you show in really loving the music. It's like someone watching "Top Gun" or "Back to the Future" for the first time. I take it for granted as I grew up in that era, but your joy and love for the era is really appreciated by this 80s kid.
Cameo is the greatest!! From “Candy” to “Single Life”, they had it all… Trust me, you can play song that they’ve ever had and your minds will be blown!! Even the “Word Up” Cherry Coke commercial that they put out was dope. Speaking of boxcuts, fades, jerseys, whatever you want to call them, no lie, ask anybody in Harlem, I had one of the meanest one you ever seen!! I had it spiked, standing straight up, plus your boy cut it himself… Peace to the Fades!! LOL Peace to Larry Blackmon and the whole crew!! Great work, RSR!!
oh I remember the cherry coke commercial!! 😂
send a picture of your fade to next RSR unboxing PLEEEEEAASSEE!!
@@csf7773 LOL!! I have to see if I can find one… Those we’re the days!! 🤣
EPIC! No 2 UK smash hit! As an American "group" u guys can't imagine the massive impact this track made on UK British pop culture! We had never heard or "saw" anything quite like it! That red Cod piece became legendary! 🤣🤣🤣
This was one of many hits from R&B/Funk male group of musicians featuring founder and lead vocalist Larry Blackmon with many albums released in the 70s and 80s. This song incorporated Rap at a time when other groups started to, and was their first song to cross into the Pop radio charts. The red cup was Larry's fashion that shocked the public when the video came out.
This soooo takes me back to club days! Absolutely NO ROOM on the dance floor when this song was played! I keep it in my 80s Club Playlist along with several others that always filled the dance floor! ❤😅
Brings back many memories!!😁 being a teenager in the 80's was FUN!!!😁❤
Have you guys done Mickey yet by Toni Basil? I can't remember. Another 80's one hit wonder - but it's a BANGER. Amber will LOVE it - and it will get Jordan moving too. PLEASE put it on your list. Love you lots!!
Can’t hear this song without thinking of Adam Ants “Goody Two Shoes”.
If you love this, you'll definitely like "Candy" by Cameo.
80s is definitely the most underrated decade for music.
I was a Sophomore in high school when this hit. You could not get away from it because everyone had it on repeat! Me included! 😂 This and "Single Life." Cameo was boomin for YEARS before this came out. The "Cameosis" album was fire too!
That western whistle sound is also in the "Once Upon a Time in the West Theme" by Ennio Morricone which you reacted to twice on your music channel - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra. The song "Dub Be Good To Me" by Beats International (a dub music cover of S.O.S Band's “Just Be Good To Me”) also has a small western sound in it. Not from the 80s but from 1990. Not as danceable as this song because of the slow groove but still with some fun elements/samples.
I was 14 when this video came out and it was definitely the "Song of the Summer" Sending out good vibes to all❤🩹❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍
And speaking of summertime, 'Summertime' by Will Smith is always a vibe.
My favorite part is "If it's music we can use it" We like to use
I knew you kids would enjoy this. I'm singing and dancing along. Still remember the club scene, danced until dawn and then went home for a quick shower and then work. Great time in my life! 😄😃
There are so many more groups like this that are still out there that need to be heard. Can we please add Lakeside, SOS Band etc…to the list.