I hope you guys will be having conversations about 12" dance mixes of several of these songs. The versions played in clubs in many cases are the more classic 80s versions of some of these. (On top of the fact that extended dance mixes is a very 80s thing to begin with).
Major Tom, She Blinded Me With Science, 99 Luftballoons, Take On Me all had great 12" versions.
But two of these were legendary club songs. Safety Dance is maybe the one that is most radically different from it's album and single version. It's pretty amazing. And in an odd thing for a dance mix, it is slower and softer than the single version.
But Tainted Love is the one that the club version is the only version to listen to. Whenever I hear the radio edit that isn't the extended "Tainted Love/Where did Our Love Go" version it feels like not finishing your favorite movie.
I already chided you for the absence of "Relax" but there are three more glaring omissions I'm disappointed you didn't include - Blue Monday, People Are People, and Our House.
And good god thank you for leaving Air Supply out. They are just awful. (By the way, it sounds like it could be a Meat Loaf song because it was written by Jim Steinman and was supposed to be for Meat Loaf initially)
Love the enthusiasm for the dance mixes, and I am not against them, I just don't know anything about them! But fortunately, we have you and your experience to tell us about them! Maybe we should do a segment about this with you!
I AM familiar with the "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?" combo, though. That version got airplay near us, and I agree, it's superb.
The omission of Depeche Mode is at least partially on me. Because I became aware of them later, I assumed their big hits were later, and just assumed they would dominate Side B. 🤦♂️
I am really developing an ear for this Steinman stuff! Thanks for that 'Toid, Deni!
The greater Berlin Center/Ellsworth metroplex did not have any dance clubs, Deni. So the closest we got to that scene was when Keith and his pal Steve DJ'd the dances at Western Reserve High.
Our House was on my radar, but we left it out because we're doing AN ALL-SKA BRACKET!
(We are not doing a Ska bracket; I said that just to mock you.)
My respects for putting together such a killer region! There are many excellent songs (no Depeche Mode, though!) and some potential bloodbaths: Eurythmics vs Culture Club, Soft Cell vs Tears for Fears! ¿Cuál será la canción más ochentosa?
You guys put out too much content. I feel behind but am slowly trying to catch up! This is my favorite bracket so far! You guys nailed it this time. I am disappointed that you left out Bryan Adams - Summer of 69 is one of my favorites, but I'll let it slide due to the strength of the remaining candidates. Maybe we will see Bryan Adams somewhere else???
This is a brutal bracket. I think there are two top contenders right out of the gate, and I had a long, f-cluster-bomb-packed comment about leaving off "West End Girls." Then I double-checked and it turns out the US charting version (while released in late 1985) didn't hit until March '86, so you are *just barely/technically* OK in saving it for Side B, but know that me & the Pet Shop Boys are watching you. (Also, Bryan Adams may have deserved a spot, but like him or not, I think you can make a case for a Legends bracket appearance based on his '80s successes.)
"West End Girls" is almost certainly a 1-or2-seed on Side B. Since Joe and I are often pulling songs from year-end charts, I assumed it was from 1986, since that's the year it charted hard. There are probably 2 other songs like this, November/December releases that I didn't realize weren't in originally 1986 due to them not charting yet.
I don't know how big it was, my 80s was really retrospective, I'm more of a 90s kid. But, I think a lot of people would know this one. I met some old London punks from the 70s that said that she was respected and she had done the rounds in the underground there before she "broke". More I cannot say, apart from that I think she's pretty cool and weird.
I would imagine with being such a movie guy that Joe is that Psychedelic Furs and OMD end up in side B's movie bracket for songs from the same movie. (I'm excited to be having a Pretty In Pink October, seeing both bands again about a week apart that month)
Reunited full time in 2010 and have been pretty busy. 2011 marked their first US tour since 1991 (but really since 1988 since Andy was the only one left in 1991). This will be mt fourth time seeing them just since they reunited. They are incredible live, and the four albums they've put out since they got back together are all as good as their material from the 80s.
I think more than half of those are in the Side B tentative bracket, Dr. Janet. And Depeche Mode is going in the Legends bracket! I truly intended to put "People are People" on Side B, but then found out it was too late. Then I was like, "Oh, I'll put 'Personal Jesus' on Side B." Then found out it was 1990.🤦♂️
I hope you guys will be having conversations about 12" dance mixes of several of these songs. The versions played in clubs in many cases are the more classic 80s versions of some of these. (On top of the fact that extended dance mixes is a very 80s thing to begin with).
Major Tom, She Blinded Me With Science, 99 Luftballoons, Take On Me all had great 12" versions.
But two of these were legendary club songs. Safety Dance is maybe the one that is most radically different from it's album and single version. It's pretty amazing. And in an odd thing for a dance mix, it is slower and softer than the single version.
But Tainted Love is the one that the club version is the only version to listen to. Whenever I hear the radio edit that isn't the extended "Tainted Love/Where did Our Love Go" version it feels like not finishing your favorite movie.
I already chided you for the absence of "Relax" but there are three more glaring omissions I'm disappointed you didn't include - Blue Monday, People Are People, and Our House.
And good god thank you for leaving Air Supply out. They are just awful. (By the way, it sounds like it could be a Meat Loaf song because it was written by Jim Steinman and was supposed to be for Meat Loaf initially)
Love the enthusiasm for the dance mixes, and I am not against them, I just don't know anything about them! But fortunately, we have you and your experience to tell us about them! Maybe we should do a segment about this with you!
I AM familiar with the "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?" combo, though. That version got airplay near us, and I agree, it's superb.
The omission of Depeche Mode is at least partially on me. Because I became aware of them later, I assumed their big hits were later, and just assumed they would dominate Side B. 🤦♂️
I am really developing an ear for this Steinman stuff! Thanks for that 'Toid, Deni!
--Keith
For sure Depeche Mode became more well known in the later half of the 80s (but maybe had peak popularity with Violator, which was actually 1990).
I should say, I have penciled in Depeche Mode for the Legends bracket, so this injustice will be rectified!
--Keith
The greater Berlin Center/Ellsworth metroplex did not have any dance clubs, Deni. So the closest we got to that scene was when Keith and his pal Steve DJ'd the dances at Western Reserve High.
Our House was on my radar, but we left it out because we're doing AN ALL-SKA BRACKET!
(We are not doing a Ska bracket; I said that just to mock you.)
My respects for putting together such a killer region! There are many excellent songs (no Depeche Mode, though!) and some potential bloodbaths: Eurythmics vs Culture Club, Soft Cell vs Tears for Fears! ¿Cuál será la canción más ochentosa?
Alejandro, I want to give you big hugs for your always positive and funny comments, and for introducing me to the word, "ochentosa"! 🤗
This region is stacked!! Throw away the rankings, every matchup is uncertain!
--Keith
You guys put out too much content. I feel behind but am slowly trying to catch up! This is my favorite bracket so far! You guys nailed it this time. I am disappointed that you left out Bryan Adams - Summer of 69 is one of my favorites, but I'll let it slide due to the strength of the remaining candidates. Maybe we will see Bryan Adams somewhere else???
Bryan Adams WILL be in the Legends bracket, John! Glad you liked the Region!
Regarding the content amount, what can we say? The listeners DEMAND it! 😁
--Keith
But how do I still know every word to “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”? Perhaps my mom’s love of Nancy Alden on WDOK?
I worked at WDOK, for a brief period between 1996 and 1997. I know all the lyrics to a LOT of songs I don't want to.
--Keith
This is a brutal bracket. I think there are two top contenders right out of the gate, and I had a long, f-cluster-bomb-packed comment about leaving off "West End Girls." Then I double-checked and it turns out the US charting version (while released in late 1985) didn't hit until March '86, so you are *just barely/technically* OK in saving it for Side B, but know that me & the Pet Shop Boys are watching you. (Also, Bryan Adams may have deserved a spot, but like him or not, I think you can make a case for a Legends bracket appearance based on his '80s successes.)
Bryan Adams is in Legends.
"West End Girls" is almost certainly a 1-or2-seed on Side B. Since Joe and I are often pulling songs from year-end charts, I assumed it was from 1986, since that's the year it charted hard. There are probably 2 other songs like this, November/December releases that I didn't realize weren't in originally 1986 due to them not charting yet.
I spy Nena Hagen... Awesome!! 🎈
So how big was that song in Europe? Because it was a smash here and nobody speaks German here.
I don't know how big it was, my 80s was really retrospective, I'm more of a 90s kid. But, I think a lot of people would know this one. I met some old London punks from the 70s that said that she was respected and she had done the rounds in the underground there before she "broke". More I cannot say, apart from that I think she's pretty cool and weird.
I need to learn more about her, but she seems kind and funny from the interviews that I watched.
—Keith
Never fear, friends, the acts we missed will most likely be represented in the Legends season, after Side B!
I would imagine with being such a movie guy that Joe is that Psychedelic Furs and OMD end up in side B's movie bracket for songs from the same movie. (I'm excited to be having a Pretty In Pink October, seeing both bands again about a week apart that month)
I didn't know OMD was touring again. 🤗
Reunited full time in 2010 and have been pretty busy. 2011 marked their first US tour since 1991 (but really since 1988 since Andy was the only one left in 1991). This will be mt fourth time seeing them just since they reunited. They are incredible live, and the four albums they've put out since they got back together are all as good as their material from the 80s.
You nailed that one, Deni! It's almost like you've been friends with this guy for 30+ years!
--Keith
I think more than half of those are in the Side B tentative bracket, Dr. Janet. And Depeche Mode is going in the Legends bracket! I truly intended to put "People are People" on Side B, but then found out it was too late. Then I was like, "Oh, I'll put 'Personal Jesus' on Side B." Then found out it was 1990.🤦♂️
--Keith