There was a strange issue with this episode where the file got corrupt and just stopped 1 minute before the end of the episode. Now I have re-uploaded the file, and it is OK on Substack now...but not sure if the file change will ripple out to Apple and Spotify once it's been published.
No contest. Chaka Khan was a goddess of the 80s, Rockwell is nothing (except apparently he is Joe's shower companion).
I especially love her work on Higher Love. I don't think without her on that track that Steve Winwood scores a #1 hit with it. As a vocal stylist there is almost no one better.
I still saw your comment and understood it! I guess the VIP rose to prominence after I left the area, and nobody was going to drive me all the way back to Niles to go to a teen dance club. 😆
Rockell's track is very 80s, but it can't stand up to the heavyweight 80s track that is Chaka Kahn. Good to hear a bit of 80s rap legend Melle Mel too, who does the track The Message which would be right there, for me, as one THE iconic 80s tracks outright.
Again, if we had grown up somewhere else, we would have been much more aware of things like Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. As it was, we were lucky to have been aware of Run-DMC and Beastie Boys. I didn't become aware of "The Message" until the early 90s. Listening back to it right now, I can absolutely see how you could rank it high on a list of 80s essentials.
Yeah man, I totally agree that we can only hear what we hear. I love how this whole project has shared so many people's experiences and musical upbringings.
Yeah, listeners of varying ages from around this country, from Europe and South America, and all of us having a different experience, is fun! Even Joe and I, living 5 miles apart and going to the same school, had very different experiences. It's wild.
Thanks for all the insight into the '80s-ness of "I Feel for You" - this was a real "The More You Know" episode! "Somebody's Watching Me" always felt like it was just an excuse to a) get that MJ loop in there and b) display two lyrical bits that I'm sure Rockwell felt were terribly clever - the Psycho reference and the IRS "joke." Neither belongs in the song and they just bring to mind the image of Fozzie Bear delivering them and then going "Haaaah! Haaaah - Wakka Wakka Wakka!"
I think Chaka Khan belongs in the legends bracket. She's just too good and transcends the '80s. So I'm throwing my vote to Rockwell. (That's right. I'm doing it.) What's more '80s than a shitty repetitive song with a catchy hook sung by MJ?! More importantly, though, I'm curious what Keith REALLY thinks of Rockwell/Somebody's Watching Me. I mean, he was so vague about his opinion during this episode . . . .
Hard to argue Chaka's legend status now that I have done my research. Voting for Rockwell is reactionary and rebellious AF, it's actually kind of hot. No wait, no it isn't. I don't think I can handle doing a second Rockwell show.
Some context: It's just when I'm washing my hair, that line pops into my head. I'm not, like, freaked out that Rockewell is going to be in the room with me or anything. Also, 60% may have been an exaggeration for comedic effect.
Before I dove into these songs, I thought it was going to be a much closer competition. But MJ's 7-second hook on "Somebody's Watching Me" just isn't strong enough to compare to the confluence of Chaka, Prince, Stevie, Melle Mel, and David Frank (of The System)!
There was a strange issue with this episode where the file got corrupt and just stopped 1 minute before the end of the episode. Now I have re-uploaded the file, and it is OK on Substack now...but not sure if the file change will ripple out to Apple and Spotify once it's been published.
And since there's a very special surprise at the end, I'd encourage everyone to seek out the full ep.
No contest. Chaka Khan was a goddess of the 80s, Rockwell is nothing (except apparently he is Joe's shower companion).
I especially love her work on Higher Love. I don't think without her on that track that Steve Winwood scores a #1 hit with it. As a vocal stylist there is almost no one better.
Keep the Joe shower jokes coming!😂
Given the weird way we were served music where we grew up, I didn't know Chaka was so much more than just this one song. She's really great.
--Keith
Chaka Khan brings back memories of teen night at the VIP Lounge. We tore up that dance floor on Sunday nights! I Feel For You has my vote hands down!
Wow! I love that memory! Was that in Youngstown?
Oops.....my reply didn't go where I wanted it to go! 😅
I still saw your comment and understood it! I guess the VIP rose to prominence after I left the area, and nobody was going to drive me all the way back to Niles to go to a teen dance club. 😆
Hilarious! Too bad there weren't Ubers back in the day. Then you wouldn't have missed out!
Rockell's track is very 80s, but it can't stand up to the heavyweight 80s track that is Chaka Kahn. Good to hear a bit of 80s rap legend Melle Mel too, who does the track The Message which would be right there, for me, as one THE iconic 80s tracks outright.
Again, if we had grown up somewhere else, we would have been much more aware of things like Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. As it was, we were lucky to have been aware of Run-DMC and Beastie Boys. I didn't become aware of "The Message" until the early 90s. Listening back to it right now, I can absolutely see how you could rank it high on a list of 80s essentials.
--Keith
Yeah man, I totally agree that we can only hear what we hear. I love how this whole project has shared so many people's experiences and musical upbringings.
Yeah, listeners of varying ages from around this country, from Europe and South America, and all of us having a different experience, is fun! Even Joe and I, living 5 miles apart and going to the same school, had very different experiences. It's wild.
--Keith
Thanks for all the insight into the '80s-ness of "I Feel for You" - this was a real "The More You Know" episode! "Somebody's Watching Me" always felt like it was just an excuse to a) get that MJ loop in there and b) display two lyrical bits that I'm sure Rockwell felt were terribly clever - the Psycho reference and the IRS "joke." Neither belongs in the song and they just bring to mind the image of Fozzie Bear delivering them and then going "Haaaah! Haaaah - Wakka Wakka Wakka!"
The best part about the past couple of episodes is how much you each/both hate some of the songs. 😂 I’m here for the rage-listening. 😁
If you liked this, wait til we get to Matthew Wilder! :D
--Keith
I think Chaka Khan belongs in the legends bracket. She's just too good and transcends the '80s. So I'm throwing my vote to Rockwell. (That's right. I'm doing it.) What's more '80s than a shitty repetitive song with a catchy hook sung by MJ?! More importantly, though, I'm curious what Keith REALLY thinks of Rockwell/Somebody's Watching Me. I mean, he was so vague about his opinion during this episode . . . .
Hard to argue Chaka's legend status now that I have done my research. Voting for Rockwell is reactionary and rebellious AF, it's actually kind of hot. No wait, no it isn't. I don't think I can handle doing a second Rockwell show.
Hey Joe, at least ONE of our wives is listening!
--Keith
It was actually on the strip in Niles, across from the mall!
There is a serious number of hours of therapy to unpack with Joe's shower thoughts.
Some context: It's just when I'm washing my hair, that line pops into my head. I'm not, like, freaked out that Rockewell is going to be in the room with me or anything. Also, 60% may have been an exaggeration for comedic effect.
Before I dove into these songs, I thought it was going to be a much closer competition. But MJ's 7-second hook on "Somebody's Watching Me" just isn't strong enough to compare to the confluence of Chaka, Prince, Stevie, Melle Mel, and David Frank (of The System)!
--Keith