I was in San Francisco in the 80s. We were just cruising around the city and went by an old small theater. The marquee read The Motels Tonight. I realized after a few seconds the band was hanging out in front of the place. We parked got out and talked with them for a while. Martha Davis was so beautiful and friendly! It was a memorable day.
This is the type of song, when you 1st hear it on the radio you know you have to head to the record store to buy it, which I did, never get tired of hearing it.
The Motels were so different at the time , their vintage look. I wouldn't say they were a feel good band at all. They were the best musically and visualizing the stories to the songs. The stories were about a woman' s life . Moments of passion and shame which tough us all.
Actually I think all their big songs were really goood, Shame, Suddenly Last Summer, Only The Lonely.....I felt like there was a least one more...but didn't I find it...
The summer of 1985 had a lot of great songs, but none better than 'Shame'. I loved this song from the first few notes. And the video is as perfect as the song is, with Martha looking as beautiful and hot as she ever had/has. Another great song from the album 'Shock', is 'Cries and Whispers'. It took a long time to show up on RU-vid, but it's up now and it's a great listen.
Hi, I'm No. 60 Like on your Comment! And I absolutely agree with your statement! This song never ages and is still meaningful. Here's hoping that the 2020s will be the 1980s Part 2!
Martha's impeccable vocals, and this video is stylized so spot on for the era. By that I don't mean "the 80's" but that very specific period in 1985 with the pastel matte lipstick and that "scrunchy bob" hair that everybody had.
About the video, all the scenes are perfectly synchronized with the music....I love how the name of the group lights up to the musical notes at the very beginning of the video, how the fan turns at the right speed, how the insect runs at the edge of the window, how Martha seems to blame the woman (herself) on the billboard and how the later doesn't seem to care, how Martha speaks with her eyes, how the title of the song is clearly visible on the billboard. This video is a true winner!
Hi Greta - I agree that this is the best song from The Motels. I just saw Martha in concert - she sang very well - but she omitted "Shame" from the setlist - I really do not know why. She also left out so many songs from her first solo album which are great. That is a great album if you have time.
andrew1236 I absolutely agree with you, Greta Burg and andrew1236. Shame is The Motel's best song. Shame on them for not performing it in their concert. It reminds me of a Kiss concert last year where they didn't perform "Beth." As we were walking back to our cars after the show, someone in the crowd started singing "Beth" and everyone joined in. It was awesome!
Probably one of the 'finest' videos of the 1980s. Although I'd extend myself to say: one of the most esthetic music videos I've seen in 30 years. Brilliance!!
The great David Fincher directed this video. The lighting and editing are both so well done. It holds up well today, and it stood head and shoulders above most of the hits back in 1985, which was when this was released. Fincher's eye for detail, like the dead bugs on the windowsill, is fantastic.
Always loved Martha’s voice. It’s like some sort of magical and delicious Syrup. I fell for it from the first moment I heard it in 85. 😍 So wonderful that she still has it today. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
As the unofficial scorekeeper of this video for the past year, I thought it was pretty far-fetched that it could actually reach a 1000+ perfect score. Thanks to everyone who voted, for proving that decent people still outnumber any trolls on YT. Martha and The Motels deserve this honor. The song and video are quintessentially '80s, but they both still have a timeless and haunting feel.
I put this song in the same category as Danny Wilson’s “Mary’s Prayer” - it’s an emotionally deeper tune that expresses regret about a failed relationship and the possible loss of true love. You don’t see these kinds of beautifully bittersweet songs being produced today
I keep reliving the motels every few years....they hold up like no other 80's group that I can think of. Actually they improve and the deja vu enhancements kick in, like some summer that never ends nor begins......most haunting......
Shame certainly is a character builder and useful in growing up. I certainly think a lot of people do things knowing rather well that they shouldn't....figuring they'll deal with the consequences later or simply lay blame else where. Whereas in earlier times they went about things in a naive, stupid fashion thinking that consequences would never bruise them.
This song sounds as good as it does when it first came out when I was a freshman in high school. Yes...it does have a deep meaning. An ironic one for me.
Shame on me for liking this song so much that I can listen to it over and over. Shame on the radio for not playing this song anymore. BTW, internetizens, I have my own interpretation but I would like to hear your take on the "only one thing we can do."
I just LOVE that video so much! This is not only my favorite Motels' song, but it is also my favorite Motels' video.....and also one of my favorite videos by ANY artist. Everything is perfect about the song....the music, the rhythm, the lyrics, Martha Davis' voice and performance. Now, for the video, it is a masterpiece. The first time I watched it back in the '80s, I fell in love with it immediately. Don't have enough space for more comments about the clip, so I will add another comment.
this classic reminds of my first love she died 1979 broke my heart her freckles face and smile is all I have of her I've moved on she's always there ❤🎉🎉
Isn't ~2:26 about the best part ever? I love that part of the song. I could listen to that over and over on repeat. This whole song is so unique. I love it.
I remember back to the concert I went to with some high school friends. The Motels were the opening act. We managed to meet Martha Davis for a brief moment as she headed back stage prior to the final set. All I remember is how beautiful and elegant looking she was. I know one or all of us told her that she was beautiful, she was graceful and down to earth in her reply. With that, I am a fan forever.
As perfect today as it was all those years ago. Remember hearing this as a kid and desperately trying to find it on the radio. Think this is/was the Motels best song.
A beautiful gem by the group who gave us 'Only the lonely' & 'Suddenly last summer'.It's also one you don't hear too often on radio these days.Glad you have this one partner!
I remember hearing this song while on holiday In Australia-Heard song on radio and saw music video loads of times during them 2 weeks-My dad bought me the single on Cassette from the record store + played it again and again on my walkman :-) While he bought the hit album Shocked when it came out 1 week later-very good timing Was also a hit in New Zealand, U.S and in Canada :-)
Hadn't heard this band on the radio in years until today on Sirius. A lot of great songs from the 80s that deserve to be remembered, and this is one of them.
Thank You, A Million Times, for This Gift💝🤝& I may have played it over,& over,& I will till Infinity...( Helped me outta dark places,& brought me joy. In Happy Times,THIS SONG❣, Has Such Tremendous POWER👊🏼😫👍🤝👏🥂🥂
This is the 4th Top 40 song by The Motels. Only The Lonely did get to the Top 10 singles in 1982, Suddenly Last Summer did reached to number 9 in 1983, Remember The Nights also charted in late 1983, and this one, Shame did peaked at number 21 in 1985.
I saw The Motels completely blow The Cars off the stage on the Panorama tour. The Motels had just released their second ( and in my opnion best ) album and they tore it up. Martha ended up out in the crowd at one point and when they did Total Control it brought me to tears it was so intense. This is a band that deserves a second life. They were so good.
Ok hard to believe that. Both bands on the same stage great but no way the Motels took the stage. The Cars have a huge library to pull from. The Motels? Nope. The Cars a power house thru the late 70s in to the 80s. The Motels? Nope.
I can see your point, but I remember going to see Aerosmith in the mid-80's and Dokken, who didn't have too many songs and I was amazed at how good they were. They were full of energy and rockin' out, and Aerosmith was fantastic, but they were a little low key that day. Who knows?
Wao Martha Davis looks beautiful! This song is amazing & the video is one of the best of all time! The director, David Fincher created magic in this video by complementing elements of the song where it reflects how the person feels that is no hope, tired of spending time in that vicious circle, same routine, broken emotions, feeling guilty, and blaming others for carrying an empty life; until can escape and make a change of oneself.
