Michael Sembello, Maniac.

[via woundedbird]

Michael Sembello was a popular studio guitarist that played for the likes of Steve Wonder and Michael Jackson. In 1983 he released Bossa Nova Hotel and a song was included in Flashdance soundtrack: Maniac.  A tape version of this song was sent by his wife to the producers of Flashdance movie. And, of course, they love it!

[via Me quedo en los 80]

It was supposedly a song about a serial killer that had to change its lirics to fit into the classic "working girl achieves his dreams" story. It was a smash hit all over the world.

I own a sheet music containing the piano version of the song. And I played loud. Of course the main pattern and riff is my favourite part.

Now for the video part. First a lovely live version where Steve Wonder talks with Michael Sembello. A lovely video and a lovely version.

Michael Sembello - maniac ( live )

Michael Sembello and Stevie Wonder introducing this amazing live version of the song maniac. There's also in the version that nice chorus from the song Mas Que Nada by Jorge Ben.

[Text and video via ehbomba]

And now the classic video from Flashdance. Well, I have bad news for you. Jennifer Beals does not dance a single movement in the whole movie. It was a body double, Marine Jahan, who danced all the time. Oh boy.

Maniac - Michael Sembello

[Text and video via webkita]

Just a still town girl on a saturday night, lookin' for the fight of her life
In the real-time world no one sees her at all, they all say she's crazy

Locking rhythms to the beat of her heart, changing woman into life
She has danced into the danger zone, when a dancer becomes a dance

It can cut you like a knife, if the gift becomes the fire
On a wire between will and what will be

She's a maniac, maniac on the floor
And she's dancing like she's never danced before
She's a maniac, maniac on the floor
And she's dancing like she's never danced before

On the ice-build iron sanity is a place most never see
It's a hard warm place of mystery, touch it, but can't hold it
You work all your life for that moment in time, it could come or pass you by
It's a push of the world, but there's always a chance
If the hunger stays the night

There's a cold connective heat, struggling, stretching for defeat
Never stopping with her head against the wind

She's a maniac, maniac, I sure know
And she's dancing like she's never danced before
She's a maniac, maniac, I sure know
And she's dancing like she's never danced before

(Solo)

It can cut you like a knife, if the gift becomes the fire
On a wire between will and what will be

She's a maniac, maniac, I sure know
And she's dancing like she's never danced before
(repeats out)
[via lyrics on demand]

More about Michael Sembello:

• Official Webpage
• Wikipedia
• Song Facts

If you want to listen more songs from MICHAEL SEMBELLO.

Click on the Spotify Link bellow:
Michael Sembello – Maniac (Flashdance Version) (Re-Recorded / Remastered)


Listen to this other great 80s compilation
it includes Maniac and many other great songs:
Various Artists – 100 '80s Classics (Re-Recorded / Remastered Versions)