24 Comments
User's avatar
John Bedwell's avatar

Miami Vice is kind of like the MTV of network television back then. It part of 80s culture; maybe even help drive 80s culture during its heyday. Similarly, the theme is pure 80s - as Keith said it certainly checks all the notes. In my opinion, the Miami Vice theme is much more classic 80s than In the Air Tonight.

I broke the rules and voted for Phil anyhow. I've been air drumming that solo for as long as I can remember. Even to this day when I hear it on the radio I still *have* to air drum it. So of course I had to vote for it.

By the way - Joe I am with you! I thought Phil sang "Hold On". I think he has trouble pronouncing lyrics when he sings. I also thought that in Invisible Touch, "invisible touch her" was "easy don't touch her"...

Expand full comment
Joe Wack's avatar

I completely understand that I got the lyrics wrong all these years, but I still maintain that "Hold on" is way cooler.

Expand full comment
John Bedwell's avatar

It doesn't matter what the lyrics are, I will always hear "Hold on". It is a much better song that way :).

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

I feel shortchanged for hearing it as intended; I feel like your guys' lyric IS better. --Keith

Expand full comment
Deni's avatar

From one of my favorite movies, Sing Street (2016, period of the movie is 1985 Dublin):

Brendan: How d'you know he's her boyfriend anyway?

Conor: It seemed like it. Pulled off in his car, music blaring. He's pretty cool.

Brendan: What was he listening to?

Conor: Genesis.

Brendan: He will not be a problem.

Conor: Really?

Brendan: Trust me. No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins.

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

This is an incredible movie, and I absolutely love that scene! --Keith

Expand full comment
John Booth's avatar

The best response I can come up with to Ellsworth Vice is...primo stuff.

Expand full comment
Keith Marsteller's avatar

Also, I clearly did not understand metric mass yet. I knew metric distance from track. But when my "bad guy" orders "2 kilos," well, I NOW know that's 4.4 lbs. But I end up with like an ounce or two! hahahaha whoopsie!

Expand full comment
Keith Marsteller's avatar

hahahahaha A tip of the cap to you for that one, sir!

Expand full comment
John Booth's avatar

Phil's song is way better, but Hammer's is way more '80s. And yes, I'm in camp "hold on" and it's always been that and always will be. Also, you guys are my good friends and fello Gen X'ers, but I gotta say you make us sound like boomers when you do stuff like refer to Phil as the composer of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from Tarzan.

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

I obviously conflated some Disney noise here, but I actually feel like that proves me to be exponentially cooler, by being basically completely unaware of 30-year-old and 25-year-old children's movie soundtracks (to movies I have never seen). 😂 Y'know--I was too busy seeing Smashmouth with special guest Sugar Ray in the Eastwood Mall parking lot!

I did check with a nephew, and he was unable to name the Tarzan song or the author of the other song that I erroneously sang, though he had seen both animated movies, so I called him a Boomer and went about my business! 😝

Expand full comment
Genevieve's avatar

As per usge, nothing to add to the actual music discussion, but:

*I was today years old when I learned Phil Collins doesn't say "Hold on" in In the Air Tonight. I agree, Joe, "hold on" is better and I wish I didn't know that that's not real.

*Joe: "What Don Johnson did for stubble." Keith: "Yeah, that's true...." (Looks off wistfully, wondering what stubble's like.) This is how I pictured this interaction going down, anyways.

*Everyone: Don't give us a long theme song anymore, we're just going to skip it. *Game of Thrones enters the chat.*

*The entire "it's a great song for a back-alley handy" conversation sent me. I am deceased.

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

Hey! If I go a full week without shaving, it's possible that someone might see it from 5 feet away! 😂

GoT *is* the best exception to the skip rule, and to their credit, they also changed the intro every week, also, which was a cool way to get us to watch it!

RE: back-alley handies... 🤷🏼‍♂️ If the song works, it works.

Expand full comment
Alejandro Saya's avatar

I feel really strongly for "In the air tonight" and I really think It has a solid shot on winning this whole thing. My vote goes therefore to this Ohil Collins instant mega classic!

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

Alejandro!!! Welcome to Substack! I have been missing your comments!! Thanks for making the leap with us! I have been listening to your Argentine Pop playlist, and there's definitely some great tunes in there, and a unique sound that feels different than Britpop and the American imitators...we will have to discuss that more later! --Keith

P.S. Is it weird hearing my voice again after having not seen each other in almost exactly 30 years? 😃

Expand full comment
Alejandro Saya's avatar

Hey Keith! It's been a super busy week and I'm just catching up on the episodes! Glad you liked the playlist. It's been wonderful listening to your voice again and I'm happy that you're doing what you love. We'll keep in touch!

Expand full comment
Leter Pames Jomax's avatar

Haha, love the vids Keith dude!! Great to see some of that green flat Ohio countryside again! Oh, and Riccardo Tubbs 😜

Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

It's objectively terrible, BUT, I am a huge advocate of doing terrible work so that you gain experience and will one day improve vastly, and crank out gems like...hmmm nevermind, not sure that actually works! 😝

Expand full comment
Leter Pames Jomax's avatar

Haha, I think I follow, stick to the plan, trust in the process 😎

Expand full comment
Leter Pames Jomax's avatar

Had to go for Phil, even though MVT is more classically 80s, we should be able to see a wider scope of what is 80s. Or maybe I just like it more? 😆

Expand full comment
Deni's avatar

While Phil is certainly an 80s icon, I went with the Miami Vice theme because I think if you hit the "80s sound" button on any synthesizer, something sounding a lot like the Miami Vice theme would come out. In the Air Tonight is a little more timeless, even if you don't like it.

I may be the only person who doesn't relate In the Air Tonight to Miami Vice, since I never watched it. I always think of the sex on the L scene in Risky Business.

Expand full comment
Joe Wack's avatar

Is that what was playing during that scene?

Expand full comment
Deni's avatar

It was.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Jun 13, 2024
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
The 80s-est's avatar

Excellent points, Dr. Janet! Maybe this upstart instrumental can survive one more week, though, and then I can use it as an excuse to play Ellsworth Vice clips on the air! --Keith

Expand full comment