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John Booth's avatar

>TOI-oi-OI-oi-OID< Sting has a songwriting credit on this tune because he sings "I want my MTV" to the chorus of "Don't Stand So Close to Me." (Apologies if this was mentioned in the episode and I missed it.) Which means "Money For Nothing" is kind of TWO eighties songs, which makes it inherently more '80s.

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The 80s-est's avatar

This specific TOID was NOT mentioned, (so thanks for bringing it up!) I don’t think. I think it’s one of the nuggets I had a note on and didn’t say during the show, there are usually too many TOIDs to get to them all, so we just flow with where the show is going. Excellent addition to the discussion, thanks!

—Keith

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Deni's avatar

Money for Nothing begins by Sting singing "I want my MTV." Ummm, how is anything more 80s than that? It's also the opening track of one of the most seminal albums of the 80s. End of argument.

Way off Keith, I would make no argument for Eddy Grant over the great Mark Knopfler. I adore Dire Straits.

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The 80s-est's avatar

No doubt Knopfler is a huge talent… I kind of assumed you(and other discerning folks) would go for the more eclectic Eddy Grant, because I liked Dire Straits, and therefore assumed they must be kind of in the same bucket with the other rock I listened to, for which most folks now have high levels of disdain! 😂 I am glad to see so many folks digging on “Money for Nothing”! —Keith

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Joe Wack's avatar

Brothers in Arms is a great goddamn album. Agree 100%.

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John Booth's avatar

Right on, Joe: "Brothers In Arms" is a fucking great album. And I dig "Electric Avenue" a lot, but I don't see how Sting + early CGI + a *song about MTV itself*, fer crissakes can be out-eightied in this matchup.

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The 80s-est's avatar

“Brothers in Arms” was an incredible piece of work. I was hesitant to include this song because I thought people would say, “it’s just a rock song,” like what happened with “Sister Christian.” So I am happily surprised to see people agree that it’s very 80s for reasons other than the actual music(video, cameo appearance, a lyric)! This was a very close call for me, so it’s one of the few matchups where I will be happy with either outcome. —Keith

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Alejandro Saya's avatar

¡Dinero por nada! or should I say "guita caída del cielo"? I'll go for Dire Straits, mainly because I learnt a lot of english just by listening and singing along to "Money for nothing"!

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The 80s-est's avatar

This was a big hit in Argentina also?

Is "guita caída del ceilo"... (something--money?) falling from the sky (or heaven)?

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Alejandro Saya's avatar

It was a huge hit! "guita" is slang for money, like "bucks". and "caída del cielo" is "fallen from the sky", but in this case means that there's no effort in earning it and it is just given to you: "guita caída del cielo y chicas gratis"!

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Brian Gbur's avatar

Money for Nothing because the video is so 80s!

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Jul 24
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The 80s-est's avatar

Now THIS, Dr. Janet, is the EXACT reaction I expected from people when Joe brought up this song. 😂 “What is this rock song DOING in the countdown, you fools?” I love that these comments are a safe space for folks to have the confidence to say “I really don’t want this song AT ALL!” and that’s OK with us. Thanks for engaging! —Keith

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Amanda Cairns's avatar

I wanna rock down to Electric Avenue rather than be in Dire Straits. Eddy Grant for the win (I hope!).

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The 80s-est's avatar

Let's go, Eddy!!! --Keith

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