50 First Dates Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2004)

I gave up on Adam Sandler movies after The Waterboy, so I haven't seen this movie, but since the soundtrack was filled with reggae/ska covers of '80s music, you know I was all over it. Jamaican-influenced music is an interesting choice for a movie set in Hawaii, but that's Sandler for ya.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #30 (March 6, 2004)

Tracks:

• Hold Me Now - Wayne Wonder, originally a #3 hit by Thompson Twins in 1984
  A great way to start off the CD. Wonder turns this pop song into some sort of reggae/hip-hop fusion.
• Love Song - 311, originally a #2 by The Cure in 1989
  Since 311 isn't a reggae group, they don't bring much to this song. It's pretty much straight ahead (even note-for-note guitar solos) with a few upbeats on the keyboards.
• Lips Like Sugar - Seal (featuring Mikey Dread), originally released by Echo & the Bunnymen in 1987
  My favorite cut on the CD. While Seal handles the vocals, it's Dread at the controls. It's a great song to begin with, but these two take it to the next level.
• Your Love - Wyclef Jean (featuring Eve), originally a #6 hit by The Outfield in 1986
  Not good. Someone should have told Eve that rapping isn't the same as toasting or chatting.
• Drive - Ziggy Marley, originally a #3 hit by The Cars in 1984
  While a lot of people love it, I've never cared much for this ballad and, while Ziggy has a great reggae voice, this isn't a good cover.
• True - Will.i.am and Fergie, originally a #4 hit by Spandau Ballet in 1983
  I like what Will.i.am brings to this, but Fergie is a no-talent hack. He should have left her at home and this cover would have been great. As it is, it is just breathy and out-of-tune.
• Slave To Love - Elan Atias, originally released by Brian Ferry in 1985
  I had never heard of Atias, but wikipedia describes him as an American Jewish reggae singer who has sung with The Wailers. With backing vocals from Gwen Stefani, this cover makes the best of an average song.
• Every Breath You Take - UB40, originally a #1 by The Police in 1983
  UB40 has made a career of reggae covers, and you certainly know this song, so you can probably hear what this cover sounds like in your head. Can you hear it? Add a sax solo and that's exactly what it sounds like.
• Ghost in You - Mark McGrath, originally a #59 hit by The Psychedelic Furs in 1984
  This is one of those songs that is often covered, but shouldn't be. Maybe because that's of Richard Butler's voice. In any case, while McGrath, singer of the California group Sugar Ray, gives us his best effort, this falls short due to a bad arrangement (that doesn't resemble reggae in any way), and over-production.
• Friday, I'm In Love - Dryden Mitchell, originally a #18 by The Cure in 1992
  Strike 1: Mitchell is from Alien Ant Farm.
  Strike 2: This is not an '80s song.
  Strike 3...I can't give it three strikes; this is a great cover. It's as fun as the original.
• Breakfast In Bed - Nicole Kea, originally a #91 hit by Dusty Springfield in 1969
  Strike 1: Kea (a.k.a Nicole Scherzinger) is from the Pussycat Dolls.
  Strike 2: This is not an '80s song.
  Strike 3: No song from the album Dusty in Memphis should ever be covered. Ever.
• I Melt With You - Jason Mraz, originally a #78 hit by Modern English in 1983
  There's not much to this song (which might explain its lasting popularity as an '80s classic), but Mraz does a good job covering a song that's heard more often now on TV ads than on the radio.
• Forgetful Lucy - Adam Sandler
  I'm not Lucy, but I want to forget this track.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I remember putting this disc into the car stereo and listening to Lips Like Sugar over and over and over again.