Where We Live: 1980s icons Nu Shooz

One of the hottest dance songs of the 1980s came from a Portland band called Nu Shooz. The song, "I Can't Wait," skyrocketed to the top of the charts and made Nu Shooz a household name.

[@Oldschool1943]

I envy those who grew up in the 80's.

[@ColonizersBlow]

I did. The thing is, tho, you don’t really appreciate the time you’re in until you’re no longer in it. Glad I did get to experience it, even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time, lol.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

We just thought the hits and great music would keep coming. Then the 90s happened and then Internet and before we knew it we were looking uphill.

[@antomano5623]

Don't. Enjoy your life today and live for today.

[@lorenzosandoval7328]

@@ColonizersBlowvery true XD I grew up in the 2000s and thought it was kinda lame compared to the 90s and 80s I didn’t experience. Now I miss Nü-Metal, metalcore, how edgy everything was in games like Shadow the hedgehog and shows like Batman Beyond. gOLDen years

[@Pedro-uz8jz]

They've aged so graciously.

[@breuers2gether998]

I grew up in an urban Hispanic neighborhood in NYC and just assumed this was a song from an urban hip hop act. These two look like they would be selling organic artisan jam at a wine festival. I can't process this!

[@marcuslloyd8218]

Just saw videos of them on 80s dance shows. I'm African American 82 baby here and just learned too. She is sooooooooo cute and classy. Think most black persons adoreeee singers like her. Would love to meet them one day

[@lookingtowardsthesun]

I'm an 80's baby and I loved Nu Shooz music. I'm so happy they are still together as a husband and wife.

[@retromaster2000s]

They had so many good songs I like The Point Of No Return better their Top 40 Hit and the whole album for that matter and the second album I am sure I liked need to check it out again. Plus the newer album too. Always the one song just the U.S. Hot 100 all that matters we are old USA is so full of shit.

[@darransykes5703]

They've aged wonderfully.... And Valerie is still rocking it!

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Even after 30 odd years this song is still a timeless masterpiece. Better than most modern songs.

[@lhomme38]

She has always been exceptionally graceful!

[@feehasfleas3291]

Point of no return was the #1 song to me. I have it on every phone I've had😃👍❤

[@LOCDLIFE]

Love them! They are so UNDERRATED!!!!

[@daturagirl]

they are so cute & totally deserving of all their success. poolside is an incredible album.

[@jimmyo1123]

She still looks good!!👌🏾👌🏾

[@pearlhsu9053]

Amazing they are so humble and together.

[@AudioFreqx]

We were slapping Point Of No Return with 5800 watts in a two-seat S-10 Blazer at stereo contests all over the PacNW in 1986. ♥♫

[@MrCtsSteve]

Great song . I was 19 when this came out . Still sounds great

[@JT_8283]

Where you 19 when you got me in bed and then left before I got up you knew I was scared it was my first time with a guy and you go and screw me all night and up and leave me in the morning I have never been with another guy since but if you would come back to me I would come back to you in a instant

[@scoobums13]

Dude I was 15 and this was my jam

[@alexbutler9343]

cutest couple of all time

[@sandrodellisanti1139]

Wow, now i'm 51, and they are so wonderful right now. stay safe you all and many greetings from Brunswick in Germany :)

[@cyber6sapien]

God! She is STILL soooo gorgeous!!!!

[@KIDSOUL777]

Driftin is also one of their coolest songs. That song is special

[@Marv_0815]

True ❤

[@itsintheword230]

That base line did it all

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Super cute couple. I liked their dancing in the Point of No Return video.

[@badman231177]

I will forever cherish them.

[@ThatBeeyatch]

I love them to this day ❤️

[@MyClothesDontFit]

Bless them

[@stanhutchins4365]

Damn she’s still beautiful, awesome song. I remember listening to it when it first hit the radio.

[@wpetersejt]

I just love Nu Shooz since first heard

[@adamlauina491]

Thank you Nu Shooz. Awesome music. Awesome era and most of all leaving me unforgettable memories. God bless you both.

[@johnpetty9310]

I live in Vancouver right now but lived in Portland (via Newark NJ) since 2007 , after being here for awhile, i asked some locals of the dance scene in the 1980's and one dude told me NU SHOOZ was from HERE, i was like WHAT !!!?? HOW??? WHO ??? WHERE? LOL, so i left a comment on their FB and to my GRAND SURPRISE their ANSWERED BACK !!! I asked them if they knew how big their song was in the East and they said : YES, IT'S PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE AIR PLAY THAT MADE IT THAT IT WAS THERE. Back then you COULD NOT even get AWAY from it ... EVERY CAR, EVERY BOOMBOX , EVERY HOUSE/COOK OUT/ BLOCK PARTY ... YOU COULDN'T ESCAPE!!!! Not to mention the DANCE SCENE ... either at the start of the night or the end THE DJ WAS GONNA ROCK IT !!! This might not matter to any one else other that the eastcoast but the big Nightclub / DJ to thank is LARRY LEVAN @ THE PARADISE GARAGE 🙏 🙏 🙏, and to NU SHOOZ 🙏 🙏 🙏 THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH FOR CONCEIVING THIS GREAT DANCE SONG. PEACE.

[@denisethomas9374]

Always loved that song !!

[@lv2465]

Stay blessed, because I can't wait is such a upbeat catchy tune.

[@tiffanyvalentine7315]

They still look so good ❤

[@GalaxyHasYellowTeeth]

Point of no return was my favorite ❤

[@davistalhone9482]

So nice to catch up with them after all these years. Listening to any of their hits is like time travel to a simpler time.

[@QuantumKatmusic]

God they are so adorable , I'm glad they're still together ❤️

[@tonyoliver2334]

Had the biggest crush on Valerie lol. Her sexy smile drove me crazy

[@neonvandal8770]

"Poolside" is a fantastic album. A brilliant mix of pop, electro/freestyle,with a touch of jazz. I remember playing that tape to death on my boombox in the 80's! Literally just got a vinyl copy on ebay a few minutes ago! Whoop! I miss the 80's! 😎

[@ericsteward1195]

This song crossed both the 80s funk and mainstream in 86

[@alan93]

I like looking up things from the past and today it was a Nu Shooz indulgence . I actually disdained the new 80s music when it came out after being a child rocker of the 70s mega groups. But , when I saw her on that video , the song, with those looks ( WITH A PONY TAIL! I Loved those and the banana clips) and that voice, I was mesmerized and smitten. Favorite 80s song.

[@edileneruiz2784]

Happiness brings more happiness to lives❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@superdlucks]

Was not a fan of I can't wait, but Point of No Return was my jam! Happy to hear that are healthy and still in the industry.

[@timholland928]

Love it!

[@elibutton]

Wow awesome

[@laminage]

It is also one of the most Sampled Songs of all time next to "I Can't Go For That" by Hall & Oates.

[@ElectricSoul828]

I love this song so much ❤

[@D4LM4R]

Wow 👏

[@BigDaddyJGG]

Great music!!!

[@ericsteward1195]

Love NUSHOOZ!

[@wrestlingwithjay3770]

Legend

[@PatrickRosenbalm]

John nailed it, Grunge arrived in the 90s. I never liked Gruuuunge..... As a synth and keyboard player I liked the creative stuff Nu-Shooz wuz doing much better! Much much better!!

[@moxyblackfiddler]

Blue eyed soul

[@abcizdaman]

One hit wonder is right. Good song though. Popped up in my head all a sudden about a week ago for no reason. LOL

[@rockdirty2228]

No, not "One hit wonder". "Point Of No Return" was another hit of their hits. As a DJ I actually preferred "Point Of No Return", beat was a little easier to mix with other songs.

[@abcizdaman]

@@rockdirty2228 Thanks for the info.

[@truesonic669]

I can't wait ans point of no return

[@oatnoid]

Told you it was an earworm. I remembered this tune from somewhere when I heard it on the radio in the car. I said to myself, "Self, you've got to find out why you remember that tune." Then forgot the chorus by the time I got home. All I could remember was "...can't wait.." Try searching on those two words. A few days went by and I was watching Kennedy on FOX and caught the tail end her 'Mouth Trumpet Monday' quiz and there it was. "I Can't Wait" Nu Shooz from the 80's . Big hair, bigger shoulder pads. silly videos on the brand new MTV channel. Been stuck in my head ever since.

[@andrea68]

He is a very handsome man

[@danieltaz6555]

I remember when the son was first released

[@percycesar769]

Great!😊

[@Bobby8451]

Who gets Back to the Future vibes when looking at John Smith? Lol He reminds me of Christopher Lloyd.

[@MagnusVonBenz]

0:10 I am so sure that these two moderators have never heard of Nu Shooz and were old at their young age. 😃

[@antomano5623]

They are remembered for just 2 hits, "I can't wait" and "point of no return", what more chart hits did they have?

[@AudioFreqx]

OMG Portlandia irl!!

[@michaelwalters7333]

🤘Hell Yeah 🤘

[@garyskadra5236]

You can't call Nu Shooz a one hit wonder. "Point Of No Return" was there other hit song. Not as big as "I Can't Wait" though

[@lornacharles3858]

AMEN AND AMEN THE PERFECT WILL OF DADDY YESHUAH JESUS CHRIST IS LORD AND SAVIOR 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰..the nu shoot,wasn't one hit wonder

[@svenlabots1869]

Lovely....i always craved that superhit that they had, buying the single in 86'. Little did i know the were yankees from Portland, god forgive me i thought they were Germans! But their (musical ) relationship is a true lovestory...how cool is that, with everything they still do...wow...😉😀

[@breuers2gether998]

I didn't have MTV. I always assumed they were a hip-hop act!

[@African.Diaspora.InLondonUK]

from london brixton uk. i heard song in utube advert...was shocked...its a white girl!

[@dougwollard741]

Just like i expected..shes even sexier with some age!

[@superAweber]

Huh, I thought they were from here, the UK. That's a quirky British-type sound and look.

[@rapman5791]

What a bush she must have had back then. Dark too.

[@robw4266]

Remixed by the late Peter ‘Hithouse’ Slaghuis

[@thierrydevant7690]

A certain style.

[@rapman5791]

You were in the music business and didn’t know what a Grammy was?? Yeah,ok 👌

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

They were not a one-hit wonder 👍🏾

[@truesonic669]

I though they were from England

[@progKansas]

I thought they were European.

[@TS_Autumn_Atomic]

Poolside is an amazing record and still holds value online. Cost you at least $20 to grab a CD. "I can't wait" and "Point of no return" are my favorites!

[@davidmcclellan9621]

Just how many people do you know of that are fourth-generation Oregonians? Well, female tunesmith Valerie Day of the musical act Nu Shooz happens to be a fourth-generation Oregonian [en.wikipedia.org] 😃😃😃😃. ¶ I praise Valerie Day for her excellent fashion decisions ⭐⭐⭐⭐😃😃😃😃.