HECK YEAH!| FIRST TIME HEARING Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better REACTION

[@sean_b_drummer]

He teamed up with Phil Collins on percussion and Backing Vocals and had A HUGE hit with, No One is to Blame! 🔥🔥

[@surlechapeau]

Yes, Phil co-produced and did drums and backing vocals

[@tymj]

@@surlechapeau I thought that was only on the re-mix

[@surlechapeau]

@@tymj which was the single version

[@tymj]

@@surlechapeau I bought the album and feel like the original version is far superior

[@sean_b_drummer]

@@tymj I love both versions! It just depends on my mood. The first take was much more somber feeling. While the lyrics are the same, the feel changed with the addition of Phil's touch, which I also love; especially being a drummer myself. 👍🏽😁

[@martinlopez758]

Love this song. "No one Is To Blame" is a lyrical masterpiece

[@thomasinajones6684]

I agree 100%!

[@angelagoodwin5758]

I approve this message!

[@billmittenzwey3021]

love most everything HJ does!!

[@wenwenrenee]

Agreed. Growing up in the 80's, I didn't appreciate the immense talent of those artists, but man it was a great time for music. The bassline in this song is amazing ♥

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

YES!

[@surlechapeau]

Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Like to Get to Know You Well", "Life In One Day", "New Song" and "No One Is To Blame"!!!! Always catchy songs!! He's an 80s singer/songwriter/synth Pioneer!! edit- you forgot you reacted to his "What Is Love" Jan 16, 2023

[@ki_tb12]

“No one to blame” is my very favorite, I still have it on my playlist..! 💯🙌

[@kentonkruger8333]

I was thinking they'd already done something from him.

[@TheErsu]

I like New Song and Like to Get to Know you Well.

[@joesmith8725]

@surlechapeau HoJo! Feel good music from him, '80s and 'early 90s. Usually positive messages on his songs. . Check out videos for "Lift Me Up", "New Song", "What is Love?" next. Had catchy music and upbeat. Synth pop/new wave artist.

[@JJMcClure397]

saw him with Chaka Khan at wiltern theatre Hollywood. my butt didn't touch my seat all night.

[@prav1976]

Heartwarming to see lovely young people enjoy this song from my youth 🥰

[@nickhaswell6011]

It is and shows how great this song is for young generation to enjoy it so much and a pleasure to see that

[@GCOE63]

Howard Jones is such a great lyricist. No One Is To Blame is a masterpiece.

[@sirbobdesign]

My Fav is "Like to get to know you well". In my Fav Movie Better off Dead.

[@angusd1234]

FINALLY!! HOJO!!! One of the standout 80's musicians, with true substance underlying his pop but meaningful, lyrics and melodies. Howard Jones was so positive at it. But he plays across the whole spectrum with ballads like, What Is Love and No One Is To Blame. He was (and still is) a great live show!!

[@nickhaswell6011]

Agreeeed Howard always puts a lot of thought into his lyrics everytime

[@Chesleygirl]

Forgot how much I love this song

[@bryanrhenderson6510]

Takes me back to the 80’s, great memories

[@Jacob_D4433]

WE ❤the 80s!! 👍 👍

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

The 80s rule!🙌

[@paulmitasky3462]

Reminds me of watching Dick Clark's American Bandstand on Saturday at lunch time or Solid Gold that was on Saturday night.

[@juliewhite7469]

Yes we do !!! 🥰💃🥰💃🥰

[@jamespolinori9064]

Ahh Howard! Such an overlooked and underrated talent when people talk about 80's music. He's just brilliant. You guys will LOVE the music in "Life in One Day" - it's a bop!

[@dorientjewoller113]

Saw him once on a small festival in Belgium. Blown away by him. Great show and what a voice.

[@ajivins1]

Humans' Lib was a great album!

[@mossyman65]

Howard Jones - "New song" by far his best song.

[@Claudiandrea49]

Tremendo cantante y compositor Howard Jones, grandeee👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@throwabrick]

Howard Jones and Thomas Dolby were standout music geniuses from the mid-80s. Dolby actually created some of the first ring tones, as well as producing a LOT of great bands.

[@heidichristensen7919]

Yep - Thomas was credited as Booker Boffon on Def Leppard’s Pyromania.

[@rtwbikerider]

They both started out as one-man bands, taking advantage of the new digital sequencers, drum machines, monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers of the early 1980's. It used to take so long between Howard's songs to reset the programming of all of his gear that an early fan named Jed Hoile offered his services as a mime to entertain the crowd while Howard attended to the gear. Jed was the Chaplinesque tramp in this video.

[@throwabrick]

@@rtwbikerider Cool! I never knew about the mime, but I totally believe it about downtime to reprogram patterns on pre-MIDI gear.

[@throwabrick]

@@heidichristensen7919 HA! I hated that album but loved Thomas Dolby. That is hilarious.

[@francisseidel8014]

In the Fall 2014, Thomas Dolby became the Peabody Institute Homewood Professor of the Arts at my Alma Mater, John's Hopkins University. He is currently the head of the Peabody Conservatory Music for New Media program. He bridges that connection between classical and electronic music like very few others.

[@slimboy00000]

She said a new artist, but I think you guys forgot that you already did a Howard Jones reaction before with his song "What is love".

[@SimonMinall-Burdett]

Love Howard Jones, he’s a proper legend ❤

[@xzonia1]

Agreed 😊

[@bishdizzle67]

Brilliant. Full stop.

[@nickhaswell6011]

Agreeeed

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

"No One is to Blame" with Phil Collins on percussion is 🔥❤️

[@Hp411hp]

Yes yes yes!!!!

[@csharporbflat2006]

“Everlasting Love” and “You Know I Love You…Don’t You?” are two of my favorite Howard Jones tunes! He was a fixture in the 80’s.

[@ruff500]

My fav "New Song"

[@jamescockings6852]

Fan of Howard Jines from the 80’s I finally got to see him live about 5 years ago plying an acoustic set. Still great and even got to meet him after the gig and get his autograph and a box set of cd’s. I would’ve got my photo with him too but my phone battery had died :-/. Jay likes a bit of horn so check out his song “Pearl In The Shell” for its intro!

[@katherinelinkous223]

I had tickets to his tour, but everything shut down for COVID just the week before. My heart broke. Still have the tickets.

[@nickhaswell6011]

​@@jamescockings6852 yep pearl in the shell absolutely and some great synth sounds as always from the keyboard wizzard

[@nickhaswell6011]

​@@ruff500howards debut should be done next and really shows off his keyboard synth skills I totally agree

[@mamatay7]

HoJo has SOOO many great songs, and so many people have suggested, but my favorite has to be No One Ever Is to Blame. And I can't imagine that Alanis Morissette wasn't at least a little inspired by it when she wrote Ironic. His, as hers, is iconic!!! ❤

[@nickhaswell6011]

In my opinion howard has a lot of masterpieces and its very hard to choose like for instance, what is love, new song, like to get to know you well, no one is to blame, things can only get better, look mama the list is long, but everyone has a favourite we all have different tastes and i understand cause "no one is to blame" and also "hide and seek" are lyrically brilliant, but all his songs have great messages within the lyrics with great meaning that makes you think and thats why its hard to choose, but i understand as i absolutely loved and adored no one is to blame but i also equally love all his greats so hard to choose really is, so many great songs of his from back in the day and to date

[@francisseidel8014]

You should watch the 1985 Grammy Awards segment with Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, and Stevie Wonder all playing keyboards/synthesizers together. It was unbelievable!

[@JJMcClure397]

that was absolute 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Except Thomas Dolby is "playing" an 808 drum machine which spoilt it.

[@sandrasanders706]

I watched it..fantastic!!

[@jackie_jrml]

Yesss!!! Told you you’d looove this. Thank you to everyone who told you too!! 😂 Pls… Level 42 - SOMETHING ABOUT YOU! Such a bop!!! The bass. Omg so fun!!

[@nickhaswell6011]

Yes and level 42 its over

[@kelliekretzmer4998]

Add in, Nik Kershaw...

[@mccdiy6978]

Yes!! I’ve mentioned Level 42 several times as well! Hopefully soon!

[@joskokrstulovic1258]

​@@kelliekretzmer4998 yes, defenitely Nik Kershaw.

[@kelliekretzmer4998]

@@joskokrstulovic1258 wouldn't it be good...?

[@jeffmelson9830]

Everlasting Love. What is love? New Song. No one is to blame. So many great songs

[@Asian_Jeremy]

“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa-oh-oh, Whoa-Whoa, Whoa-oh-oh” …just wanted to sing along to this fantastic Howard Jones classic! 😎👨‍🎤🎵🎤

[@brucevidito4923]

I saw him in 1985 in OKC. He opened for the Eurythmics. It was a great concert.

[@ryanbradley3293]

I love songs of his like new song, I.G.Y. (What a beautiful world), and what is love. Awesome music.

[@michaelst7680]

IGY (what a beautiful world) is by Donald Fagan, of Steely Dan fame on this "Night Fly" album.

[@ryanbradley3293]

@@michaelst7680 didn’t know that. Thanks. Or at least I didn’t know that is who it was originally written by

[@annewoodard6803]

“What Is Love” is a Howard Jones MUST. It put him on the map at MTV and the song is magnificent. ❤️

[@nickhaswell6011]

They have already done what is love they have both forgot Type it in search what is love rob squad up it will pop

[@emmahowells8334]

Love 80s, my era. Howard jones was big in the 80s, i remember my sister having her hair like his lol. My fave song of his called I like to get to know you well, great song. 😎👌🎵🎸

[@Dad_Thunder]

“What is love” and “Like to get to know you well” are his best. You won’t be disappointed

[@nickhaswell6011]

Yep but guess what they have already done what is love Type in howard jones what is love rob squad up it will pop

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

You did his song “What Is Love” about 4 months ago! I love this song and it was a huge hit back in 1985 when it was released! Howard Jones is a very talented musician!❤❤

[@nickhaswell6011]

Yep they did what is love they have clearly forgot

[@richardhughes9255]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbQcpyFnrVrppY

[@RITWINS]

"What is Love" is one of the greatest songs of all time.

[@nickhaswell6011]

@@RITWINS agreed there is something about it that is absolutely superb a masterpiece Keyboards in the background are incredible

[@RITWINS]

@@nickhaswell6011 I loved it when it first came out when I was 10 years old. I was flabbergasted it did not get to number 1 in the UK charts, peaked at number 2. Nearly 40 years later it still sounds amazing.

[@reallymysterious4520]

His BEST songs are No One is to Blame and What is Love

[@darrenwestbury8569]

check out "Like to get to know you well" by Howard Jones The steel drums in this tune are awesome

[@kpowers]

No One Is To Blame, What Is Love, and Everlasting Love are Howard Jones songs worth checking out

[@rowauthority]

Loved that you loved this one. I have been a Howard Jones fan for 40 years.

[@nickhaswell6011]

Same here

[@jersey39]

Love this song!

[@123lenny135]

Nice! He has several with similar feel. "No one is to blame" is a definite follow-up to this one, like others have said also.

[@dwaynejones2349]

Fun fact, one of the backup singers in the video for Howard Jones is Caron Wheeler, lead singer from Soul 2 Soul. Also, check out her solo song "I Adore You."

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

This song immediately takes me back to 1985 and watching this music video on MTV in the lobby of my college dorm. The 80s always filled you with optimism, and this song represents that very well. 🔥🔥

[@LiberalsArePoop]

They sure did. Listening to The Alarm, or Kate Bush, or even early Faith No More with Chuck singing - those songs made you feel like anything was possible.

[@DavidDrouant]

I was 10 yrs old

[@jamesway]

It's like they are finally reading my mind for suggestions.

[@minxiv7]

Y’all are too cute bopping around! Live, love , LOVE Howard Jones ❤ Everlasting Love needs to be next!

[@gojira54]

One of the backup singers is Caron Wheeler who recorded with Soul II Soul and solo artist.

[@nickhaswell6011]

Absolutely

[@nickhaswell6011]

The absolute keyboard wizzard of the 80s no question

[@BillGraper]

This song was awesome! His other really big top 5 hit in the states was "No One Is To Blame." It's so different from this, but also amazing.

[@michaelakkerman407]

He was a favorite of mine in highschool...can't go wrong with the one man band Howard Jones. Please dive deep into this guy he is worth the dive.

[@nickhaswell6011]

Absolutely

[@nickhaswell6011]

DIVE DEEP

[@slamboy66]

Marilyn's Backstreet Disco was where I was at in Pasadena, KROQ the Rock of the 80's with Freddy Snakeskin, Richard Blade Jedd the Fish .

[@antoniumsolutions1791]

one of the most underrated artists of the 80's....... Howard Jones is amazing.

[@sylvesterquast9906]

You know I love you is a hidden Gem

[@nickhaswell6011]

Ohhhhh yes

[@scottNNJ]

I love your shirt, Amber!

[@joesmith8725]

Proper '80s, early '90s synth pop /new wave !

[@medmar76]

"No One Is To Blame" and "Love To Get To Know You Well" are also big hits of his that you'll love!

[@traci4187]

Another 80s British artist with KILLER bass and synth in his songs is Nik Kershaw. One of his songs with a fantastic bassline is "Easy"... although his biggest (and really his only) hit here in the U.S. was the slower "Wouldn't It Be Good".

[@nicolaanne4787]

I was surprised when Amber said it was a new artist alert because I was sure that you had already done a reaction to Howard Jones and when I checked you had only done one four months ago called “What is Love”.

[@mccdiy6978]

Right! I was like wait you just did What Is Love…great reaction btw!

[@nickhaswell6011]

Absolutely i picked up on this instantly i have watched there reaction to what is love many times They clearly have forgot jay sometines dont remember artists they had but both thought they would of checked to make sure

[@ngsplt45]

“No One Is to Blame” !!! !!!

[@lesscarmel5527]

Met Howard in spring 1986 and he is a precious man-a tiny bundle of talent and positivity. I love his Live Aid performance of Hide and Seek, which is my absolute favorite of his. Worth checking out, I think.

[@rosemarywatson1231]

Very popular tune at the time. There were so many songs during this period that were jammin

[@teresagorden5984]

I saw him in 80s. Great. Great song for dancing all night on Friday after long week.

[@pamelaconley4030]

Love his vocals in ‘What is Love?’

[@stephencrook6998]

What is Love is my favorite of his music. It's not mentioned much...

[@jeffreyalger3758]

They did this song a while back. They really like it.

[@lisalovemc717]

Wow, totally forgot about this song, but it brought me right back to high school. DEF must do No One is to Blame. Such an awesome song.

[@keymack2477]

When I hear the name Howard Jones the song that springs to mind is "No One Is To Blame"! And for another couple of first time listens to artists please try Jewel singing "Foolish Games" and Walk Off The Earth featuring Myles and Isaac singing "Hello"! Both can also be used on Female Fridays if you wish!

[@gregs4163]

He was on FIRE! in the 80's. To me he was king of the 80's so many great songs!

[@nickhaswell6011]

Yep

[@maryt2290]

One of my favorites - so much positivity! He had a bunch of hits in the 80s New Song, What is Love, No One Is To Blame, Life in One Day. You’ll love them all.

[@wendyeverett4768]

Howard Jones has a fantastic discography! You won't regret checking out more of his work. These bops were the sound of summer in the 80s and my college years!

[@LadybugLuv]

This was my jam! Sometimes I feel so redundant, but I can't help it. We had A LOT of great music going all of the time!

[@kelliedee]

Equality is one of Howard's lesser known songs, but worth a listen!

[@Teletran35]

I love this song and i miss that era in the mid 80s ...i liked synthetic pop

[@cring768]

"No One Is To Blame" is awesome! another good one is "Life In One Day"

[@rwschumm]

The '80s: Decade of Creativity in Rock Music, plus Wild Hair & Outfits! :) Loved ALL his Hits! Thanks for the Reaction, Guys! PS: 'Everlasting Love' and 'What Is Love' would be Great Next Choices! Oh- I'll ADD 'New Song'. It's Really Snappy!... Ha!

[@jeanfrancis8121]

The video for Everlasting Love is SO MUCH fun! 🤩😍

[@bjdefilippo447]

I love the cadence in "Like to Get to Know you Well" also. So many good tracks!

[@davidellis7786]

No one is to blame by Howard Jones is one of my all-time favorite

[@josephpearce3650]

Howard Jones had some great messages in his songs. Great role model. Never negative

[@nickhaswell6011]

Hes the perfect gentlemen

[@Battle_Faith-Ministries]

This had me dancing back in the day. It got airplay on black radio back in the day.

[@stephencrook6998]

Howard Jones: "What Is Love?" Is a great one!!

[@mccdiy6978]

They have actually reacted to it already, which made me laugh that they said it was a new artist.

[@nickhaswell6011]

😂 yeah picked up on that straight away they have clearly forgot When you react to a lot of songs you should always double check they have listened to a lot so double check cant rely on remembering all the artists they have done, so should be automatic to check to be absolutely sure Jay even said new artist ring the bell we dont have it, cause there bell broke and hadnt replaced it so he made the ding sound

[@timdyer5903]

For Bass.. Please react to Scritti Politi - absolute, the word girl, and many others. Another new wave Brit band. All the same era as Howard Jones.

[@tcpm]

I agree with many others that No One is to Blame should be your next song. Absolutely beautiful.

[@hopek7033]

No One Is to Blame!

[@timdyer5903]

Discos in 1985 were a ton of fun. Being a teen, getting into clubs. Holiday park discos. School and college discos. 14 and alive in 1985.

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

It wouldn’t happen for me until 1988 but, yup, I couldn’t wait until I was 16 to go to the teen clubs. Just being with friends and peers, dancing our butts off! 🔥

[@timdyer5903]

@@gabrielmcdonnell8699 and then we got to 1989 with the summer of love and house music. And the early 90s with rave and drum and bass. Wild times.

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

@@timdyer5903 Yup, in high sch, house was my jam. Wore out the “Voodoo Ray” 12” after playing it for 2 yrs str8. The club scene for me (1988-1994) was just as I imagined: breaking away from pop radio (Debbie Gibson and Paula Abdul) and immersing myself into house, dnb, jungle, trance, acid jazz, garage, trip hop, etc A house party just didn’t cut it! Being in the club, dancing until sunrise was the ultimate experience for those innately into going out. 😎✌🏽

[@timdyer5903]

@@gabrielmcdonnell8699 we were on the same sound revolution. JacknChill, Stakker Humanoid, Bomb the Bass, SExpress, hithouse, A guy called Gerald, Deep Heat album 3. Lisa M rock to the beat. T cut F searching. 1990 808 state albums, eon - the spice must flow. 1991 Future sound of London, lTJ bukem, Earth leakage trip No idea - (enjoy) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJq3m2iqmpKWp6s

[@EmbeeSpeaks]

Listen to No One is to Blame. Love that song.

[@karenwivell8300]

Hojo. Such positive messaging and upbeat wonderful music.

[@williamcalderon9158]

Wow getting to react to great songs. If I may anther banger from around the same period is by Level 42, Lessons in Love!

[@mccdiy6978]

Or Children Say or Something About You! ❤️❤️

[@jeffmorefield]

No one is to blame, is one of his best songs.

[@incredulousdisbelief9841]

"And do you feel scared, I do! But I won't stop and falter. And if we threw it all away, things would only get better." These lyrics hit young 14 year old me very hard when I actually looked past the synth pop of it all. The first time I ever heard someone say that it's ok to fail, learn from it and move on to better things. Those lines in the chorus still give me chills to this day, nearly 40 years later.

[@danielwolf1673]

"Everlasting Love" by Howard Jones is an absolute must.

[@okielady73]

No One is to Blame is my favorite by him. It's slower, but it's soooo good. Like to Get to Know You Well, Everlasting Love, Life in One Day, and You Know I Love You Don't You are all good as well. This is the music of my childhood, and my brain associates Things Can Only Get Better with summer. There's nothing better than a childhood summer, so this evokes the good feels!

[@Shellgrit]

He's not a new reaction Jay and Amber. You have done him before about 4 months ago with "What is Love".

[@canefreak87]

"Life in one day"...fun song....underrated

[@raeann63]

so much exuberance and optimism! you simply cannot sit still or feel sad when hearing this and other '80s era treasures. howard jones (otherwise also known as hojo) has another classic, my most favourite - "no one is to blame". it's melancholy in the most beautiful way. the lyrics will break your heart. gifted songwriting just doesn't seem to happen anymore. 💔

[@shirleyjones9460]

LOVE Howard Jones ❤

[@rickyconner6782]

As one who doesn't like the 80s as much as the 60s and the 70s, I always appreciated Howard Jones. Do his No One Is To Blame next.

[@Jam1022]

Another Howard Jones banger y'all gotta check out - "No One is to Blame".

[@JoTracy]

Heaven 17 is a great 80s band Love to see you react to them, also The The, Propaganda, Style Council and the British Beat

[@Reani71]

You mean The English Beat... and yes, all great suggestions

[@georgedominguez255]

Yes Mirror in The Bathroom by The English Beat!

[@mxame01]

I used to love this song so much. It’# a bop

[@rickwelch8464]

No One is to Blame ought to be next imo. Great reaction as always.

[@leephillips2837]

Ho Jo was a fine part of my college life. I miss hearing him.

[@laurakali6522]

Such a cool guy. Saw him last year with a full band, including the guitarist from Kajagoogoo so they played Too Shy. I had seen him solo acoustic a few years back as well. He’s been a Buddhist for many years. From what I hear, he’s truly a nice and kind person. When I saw him last year he was talking about Stranger Things along with people in the audience. The show used this song in an episode during season 3. He just seems very down to earth.

[@bjdefilippo447]

I'm so jealous! I love Kajagoogoo, but never had a chance to see them. Must go check concert dates...

[@rokit430]

Nick Beggs..well who could forget him ??Cool bassist❤

[@steviemccormick3762]

The Great 80's !!!

[@fanaticexpert7916]

Forgot how much I liked this song. Definitely a cool groove

[@rodb9275]

No One Is to Blame really should be your next one by him. GREAT SONG!!!!

[@troublinsky]

"No one is to blame"" or "what is love" definitely!

[@nickhaswell6011]

They have forgot they have done what is love Thought jay saying his school teacher had that name howard jones would of thought there reaction to what is love would have made him think of his teacher being there first reaction before this one

[@larrywilliams5014]

Absolutely LOVED this song back in the day. He had such a cool sound. You might also like his songs "Like to Get to Know You Well" and "No One is to Blame."

[@kimcutts6153]

HOWARD JONES ❤wasn't you're usual popstar. By the time he got his first hit, he was already 28/9 years old, so he was a pretty late starter. He's still doing the rounds now. It's great that people still want to go listen to him, and all the other late 70s and 80s stars 🌟 A few years ago, I went to a show that starred The late great Les Mckeown from The Bay City Rollers/ Shawaddywaddy/Suzi Quatro/David Essex, & I'm sure there were more but I just can't think who they were right now. I absolutely loved every minute of it. ❤ I feel so blessed to have been around for the 70s & 80s music. ❤🎶🎼🎙

[@frauleinmona]

Very similar to Cyndi Lauper who didn't release "She's So Unusual" until she was 30 years old. And didn't have her first child until she was *44* years old! LOL

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

And Madonna started at 27 too with "Everybody"

[@elegantirony78]

Carron Wheeler (lead singer from Soul II Soul) is one of the backup singers on this song

[@ralph1270]

This was one of my favorite high school jams! Blasted this sucka' on my Sony Walkman daily...lol! I love the 80s❣