51 Weeks: 51 Songs from the Past: Week 8: Toni Basil- Mickey

When I first heard about Hugh’s new feature- 51 Weeks: 51 Songs from the Past, so many songs came to mind. This week’s song is one of those that made every list that I wrote. There are currently three different lists of songs, as I keep losing my notes. I find it interesting to compare them when I find them. (Two keep getting misplaced, for some unknown reason.)

I’m featuring Toni Basil’s 1981 hit- Mickey– this week. This song was originally recorded by the UK group, Racey, in 1979 as Kitty. Toni Basil is credited with writing the iconic cheerleader chant (“Oh Mickey/you’re so fine/you’re so fine/you blow my mind/Hey Mickey!”)

I chose this song because it reminds me of my sister, who I was hanging out with today. It was her favorite song and she walked around chanting, clapping, and singing it endlessly. It drove us all crazy! But looking back, this song is SO HER…. well her in the very early 80’s. Not now. I am two years older than her and completely opposite. If I’m quiet, shy and reserved now, I was a thousand times more so as a child and then teenager. While I just wanted to fade into the background and not be noticed, my sister was this bundle of motion and sound and energy, getting attention wherever she went. Just hearing those words “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine…..” brings back memories of my sister recreating the chant and cheer.

Here is the song- Kitty– performed by Racey.

So what do you think? Mickey or Kitty? Who did it better?