18 Comments
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JennyJenny's avatar

So ironic! I’m listening to this episode and you are talking about Kim Wilde’s video and how the song came out in 1981. Then you question if MTV was around yet to which I yell at my radio - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MTV!! It’s TODAY!! AUGUST 1, 1981!!

And then you actually say, I wonder what day they started - and I am yelling at my phone - AUGUST 1st!! TODAY!! MTV’s birthday is today!!!

Happy Birthday MTV! Have an 80s-est day everybody! 👩‍🎤🫶🤘💖

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The 80s-est's avatar

JennyJenny, wow, I LOVE this story! You should probably be the one with the podcast, knowing the exact birthday of MTV! Thanks for tuning in!

--Keith

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Deni's avatar

First, I can't believe you guys don't know that August 1st, 1981 is MTV Day. Shame! Hand in your Gen X membership cards.

Second, you never heard OMD's Messages before?!?!

Third, your contention that the German version of Major Tom wasn't that successful is way off. It reached #1 in 3 countries, and I believe that is more #1s than the English version hit. (But the English version did chart in more countries)

Man, I travel for a couple of weeks and you guys go all to hell. And your listeners vote for the wrong song. Major Tom is clearly the choice here.

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The 80s-est's avatar

Deni! Welcome back! We missed you!

1. I can believe it. No MTV until 13 years after it started, and then I didn't watch it because there were no videos on. But now I get it: 8-1-81! Hilarious that I was asking what day it was...on the day that it was! (See @JennyJenny's comment about her screaming at her radio!)

2. Never heard it until playing it the day of the show! Did it chart? Or did you know it from owning the album?

3. THAT is just some bad research on my part, I heard one person say that in an interview, and didn't double check it.

We DID need you back to inject some sanity into this voting! Hope you had a great trip!

--Keith

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John Booth's avatar

No strong feelings on this one, and I haven't had a chance to listen to the episode yet, but I wanted to get my vote in before it closed. Kids in America has the edge by a lip gloss.

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The 80s-est's avatar

That seems to be the trend. --K

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Leter Pames Jomax's avatar

Ha! Instant cult classic 😎

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Rush's avatar

I did NOT have William Shatner speak-singing Major Tom on my bingo card 🚀🚀🚀

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The 80s-est's avatar

Nor should you!! It's absolute garbage, even if it is kinda hilariously bad! --K

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Chris Jacobs's avatar

Gotta be "The Kids" -- I like Major Tom as a song much better, but it has transcended the 80s.

Kids In America is so 80s, and only 80s -- a song of its time.

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The 80s-est's avatar

OMG--Chris? You're doing this now? Welcome aboard!! And it looks like almost everyone agrees with you, given current voting! --Keith

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Amanda Cairns's avatar

🎶We're the Kids in America, WHOAO 🎶. This one wins for me hands down and now I can't stop singing it!

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The 80s-est's avatar

It's REALLY catchy! I am not gonna be mad when it wins, even though I voted for "Major Tom (Coming Home)" --Keith

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Leter Pames Jomax's avatar

The kids, gotta do it for the kids...

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The 80s-est's avatar

"Kids" is sweeping the voting! What would the reaction be nowadays if an American wrote and recorded a song called "Kids in England"? 😂 And made awkward lyrical geographical references that no Englishman would ever make? I feel like they would be ridiculed, right? --Keith

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Alejandro Saya's avatar

This has been an enlightening episode! I have heard "Major Tom" many times without knowing the name of the song. My vote goes for Kim, though, just because her song is more fun!

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The 80s-est's avatar

This one is so far not nearly as close as I thought it would be! But I am OK with either outcome on this one. --Keith

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Jul 31
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The 80s-est's avatar

We can never understate the power of having recorded a song off the radio! And congratulations on getting your vote correct! 😝

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