We mentioned stubble in three separate entries today; in honor of that dubious achievement, we dredged up “Heartbeat,” the vaguely political Don Johnson artifact that came at the height of his pastel-tinged brush with superstardom. (As far as our three Kiss mentions, you’ll have to make do with the Paul Shaeffer cameo near the clip’s end.)
Don Johnson - Heartbeat (1986) [YouTube]
I must link Agony Booth’s lovely breakdown of this piece of genius.
…..I do like those layered, Jan Hammer-styled synth licks! For me, the penultimate Miami-Vice-Era synth ode is Don Henley’s “Boys of Summmer.” Party time, machine-groove, gin-soaked, straining lyrics, magic! I’ve got a smilar sound on my old Roland D-550, and it’s inspired at least a dozen songs.
…..Those old white jackets, sockless loafers and stubble-razors bring back memories!
i’ve often wondered what Frank thought of Dweezil laying down white-hot licks on a Don Johnson album.