This episode is up early Wednesday. You have until Monday at midnight EST to vote, then we will take a snapshot of the results and finish Side A, posting the final episode on Tuesday of next week.
Keith and Joe, I haven't commented in a while but I have been paying attention in the background. This has been quite a ride. I want to give you two a shout out for the amount of dedication and effort it took to create this podcast and bring it to the world. We are certainly not worthy!
I am still bitter that Don't You (Forget About Me) didn't make it to the finals, but truly any of the final four are worth consideration (though I think Sunglasses is the weakest of the four). Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give it a vote for #3! If Don't You can't take the win, then in my opinion it has to be Take on Me. I have far more memories containing that song than Melt with You, although both exemplify the best the 80s had to offer.
Thanks again to both of you for helping us relive our "Glory Days"!
Thanks, John! We really appreciate your kind words! Sorry about losing Simple Minds just a little before the Final! "Don't You(Forget About Me)" is breezing to and easy 3rd place finish, and if the brackets had been set up differently, it could have made the Final.
I agree with your vote for A-ha, but either of these could win and I would feel like we got a representative champion!
We hope you will join us as we flip the tape to Side B this coming week!
I can't believe it took a coin flip for I Melt With You to beat Sunglasses. Good god, what is with your listeners.
Keith pretty much articulated all my previous arguments for I Melt With You. I would only add that the reason I think it is the best representation of the 80s is - along with the danceable beat, bass line, 80s drums, and a synth sound that remarkably doesn't overdo it - that it also has a dark undertone that lived in a lot of the best 80s songs. I LOVE A-ha, but they just didn't have that in Take on Me.
If this had only been my preferred final of I Melt With You against Tainted Love, that would have been the ultimate final and made my decision hard. And I would have had another round to teach everyone about Northern Soul even though no one asked.
I fully expect my choice to lose because, as I've told Joe for years, everyone is an idiot except for me. Though Dr. Janet seems alright.
Tight matchup - so close that my tipping point is actually *not* related to the music itself, but it *is* inextricably linked to the song: It's the video. Peak artistry crafted during MTV's most important and musically influential decade. (This was almost - ALMOST - counteracted by Modern English's utterly vital 1980s British New Wave Invasion sound, but not quite.) Well done, guys.
It's such an difficult choice--thanks for showing your work!
Excited to have you along for Side B...who will Joe's Side B nemesis be? Any guesses? I'm not nominating another Jets song, so someone else will have to pick up the mantle!
Thanks, John, for sticking with the show despite our missing so many good songs to nominate, and despite my voting record!🤣 We always love your comments, and hope you keep them coming for Side B!
I'm curious if anyone's voting would've been different had Sunglasses won the coin toss? Maybe the third place vote gives a clue about that, but perhaps not. I voted for Take on Me and -- while I DID vote Sunglasses in the last round -- my vote wouldn't have changed. I have the advantage (in my not-so-humble opinion) of having been alive in the 80's, so I definitely grew up with these songs, but I'm not swayed by a having some strong emotional connection in my life. It's not like choosing between my two best friends. :) Or maybe that's a disadvantage. That might change with side B!
Had a fun time listening, commenting and seeing what others had to say! Until next season!
I will say that Sunglasses winning that coin toss would've absolutely changed my vote. I have a suspicion that it would probably not have done as well as I Melt with You is doing, very possibly losing by a greater margin. But who knows.
As a Take on Me voter, AND a Sunglasses voter, Sunglasses winning the toss would have given me some amount of pause, since it's so of the decade and so overdone, and "80s" to me includes that designation... but the experiential connection to "Take on Me" is so strong for me, I likely would have stayed here with A-ha.
We've come a long way from episde one! These two friends from rural Ohio have become podcast personalities, building a loyal audience in the process. Can´t wait for side B!
As for side A, my vote goes for A-Ha, mostly out of respect for Keith going for the high note! Well done, my friend! I hadn't heard "I melt with you" before this podcast, and I have learned to like it. I guess that being able to pull off the line "making love to you was never second best" shows a lot of confidence!
The bronze medal goes to Simple Minds, of course!
Thank you guys for a very enjoyable first season. See you next week!
One of the great unexpected joys of this season has been reconnecting with you over some great music. You are just as kind and light-hearted and fun as I remember you from Boston in the 1990s. It's also been great listening to your music and getting your perspective from Argentina! Perhaps we can get you on the air for Side B?
Thank you for listening and we look forward to more of the fun on Side B!
Hi guys, I've been quietly voting away recently. Very busy back at work and kid back at school - I haven't had much head space to reach out. I've gone Don't You for third place, and... (drum roll) I Melt With You, mainly because the idea behind the track is the most 80s thing I can imagine, although Take On Me is possibly the most 80s sounding, and will be a worthy winner if it wins.
Anyways, congrats again on the show guys, it's been a total success.
Thank you, Dr. Janet, for listening all the way through with us. While "Sweet Dreams" fell just short, it had a great run! I definitely can see a convincing argument for either of these songs, but thanks for sharing your perspective on it! I agree with your point that you don't necessarily need a video to decide these things, but for some folks, their experience may be such that the video may be inextricably linked to their definition of what the 80s is.
We are honored to be your first podcast! And we are happy to have you with us for when we flip to Side B!
This episode is up early Wednesday. You have until Monday at midnight EST to vote, then we will take a snapshot of the results and finish Side A, posting the final episode on Tuesday of next week.
Side B will then begin after that!
--Keith (& Joe)
WE’LL DO IT LIVE, FUCK IT! WE’LL DO IT LIVE!
https://youtu.be/vu2NK5REvWM?si=cQEPFdexT5Q7FgPH
We did it live, Rush!! Thanks for listening to EVERY. SINGLE. EPISODE! --K
Gentlemen, it has been an honor and a privilege.
Keith and Joe, I haven't commented in a while but I have been paying attention in the background. This has been quite a ride. I want to give you two a shout out for the amount of dedication and effort it took to create this podcast and bring it to the world. We are certainly not worthy!
I am still bitter that Don't You (Forget About Me) didn't make it to the finals, but truly any of the final four are worth consideration (though I think Sunglasses is the weakest of the four). Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give it a vote for #3! If Don't You can't take the win, then in my opinion it has to be Take on Me. I have far more memories containing that song than Melt with You, although both exemplify the best the 80s had to offer.
Thanks again to both of you for helping us relive our "Glory Days"!
Thanks, John! We really appreciate your kind words! Sorry about losing Simple Minds just a little before the Final! "Don't You(Forget About Me)" is breezing to and easy 3rd place finish, and if the brackets had been set up differently, it could have made the Final.
I agree with your vote for A-ha, but either of these could win and I would feel like we got a representative champion!
We hope you will join us as we flip the tape to Side B this coming week!
Thanks for listening!
--Keith
I can't believe it took a coin flip for I Melt With You to beat Sunglasses. Good god, what is with your listeners.
Keith pretty much articulated all my previous arguments for I Melt With You. I would only add that the reason I think it is the best representation of the 80s is - along with the danceable beat, bass line, 80s drums, and a synth sound that remarkably doesn't overdo it - that it also has a dark undertone that lived in a lot of the best 80s songs. I LOVE A-ha, but they just didn't have that in Take on Me.
hahaha Deni bringing great takes all the way to the Finals--love it!
That darkness that you mention has also been mentioned to me by listener/friend John Booth, so it's definitely a thing.
Deni, you definitely add a lot to our comment section, and we hope you will continue on to Side B with us!
Thanks for being an 80s-est listener before it was cool!
--Keith
Wait, it's cool now? Well now I have to stop.
If this had only been my preferred final of I Melt With You against Tainted Love, that would have been the ultimate final and made my decision hard. And I would have had another round to teach everyone about Northern Soul even though no one asked.
I fully expect my choice to lose because, as I've told Joe for years, everyone is an idiot except for me. Though Dr. Janet seems alright.
😂 😆 😂 👏 👏
Who do you pick in that hypothetical final?
Dr. Janet is a high school friend, and you are correct, she is alright!!
I think I still would have gone with I Melt With You, despite the fact Tainted Love is one of the ultimate 80s club songs.
Tight matchup - so close that my tipping point is actually *not* related to the music itself, but it *is* inextricably linked to the song: It's the video. Peak artistry crafted during MTV's most important and musically influential decade. (This was almost - ALMOST - counteracted by Modern English's utterly vital 1980s British New Wave Invasion sound, but not quite.) Well done, guys.
It's such an difficult choice--thanks for showing your work!
Excited to have you along for Side B...who will Joe's Side B nemesis be? Any guesses? I'm not nominating another Jets song, so someone else will have to pick up the mantle!
Thanks, John, for sticking with the show despite our missing so many good songs to nominate, and despite my voting record!🤣 We always love your comments, and hope you keep them coming for Side B!
--Keith
I'm curious if anyone's voting would've been different had Sunglasses won the coin toss? Maybe the third place vote gives a clue about that, but perhaps not. I voted for Take on Me and -- while I DID vote Sunglasses in the last round -- my vote wouldn't have changed. I have the advantage (in my not-so-humble opinion) of having been alive in the 80's, so I definitely grew up with these songs, but I'm not swayed by a having some strong emotional connection in my life. It's not like choosing between my two best friends. :) Or maybe that's a disadvantage. That might change with side B!
Had a fun time listening, commenting and seeing what others had to say! Until next season!
I will say that Sunglasses winning that coin toss would've absolutely changed my vote. I have a suspicion that it would probably not have done as well as I Melt with You is doing, very possibly losing by a greater margin. But who knows.
As a Take on Me voter, AND a Sunglasses voter, Sunglasses winning the toss would have given me some amount of pause, since it's so of the decade and so overdone, and "80s" to me includes that designation... but the experiential connection to "Take on Me" is so strong for me, I likely would have stayed here with A-ha.
We've come a long way from episde one! These two friends from rural Ohio have become podcast personalities, building a loyal audience in the process. Can´t wait for side B!
As for side A, my vote goes for A-Ha, mostly out of respect for Keith going for the high note! Well done, my friend! I hadn't heard "I melt with you" before this podcast, and I have learned to like it. I guess that being able to pull off the line "making love to you was never second best" shows a lot of confidence!
The bronze medal goes to Simple Minds, of course!
Thank you guys for a very enjoyable first season. See you next week!
Alejandro,
One of the great unexpected joys of this season has been reconnecting with you over some great music. You are just as kind and light-hearted and fun as I remember you from Boston in the 1990s. It's also been great listening to your music and getting your perspective from Argentina! Perhaps we can get you on the air for Side B?
Thank you for listening and we look forward to more of the fun on Side B!
--Keith
Count me in for side B, Keith!
Hi guys, I've been quietly voting away recently. Very busy back at work and kid back at school - I haven't had much head space to reach out. I've gone Don't You for third place, and... (drum roll) I Melt With You, mainly because the idea behind the track is the most 80s thing I can imagine, although Take On Me is possibly the most 80s sounding, and will be a worthy winner if it wins.
Anyways, congrats again on the show guys, it's been a total success.
Wax x
Many thanks for allowing us into your head for the past 4+ months! And I appreciate your insights along the way and your reasons for voting today!
We will continue to try to improve the show for Side B (1986-1989) coming SOON! We hope you stay with us for another glorious run!
--Keith
Man, I am so down for side B, can't wait!
Thank you, Dr. Janet, for listening all the way through with us. While "Sweet Dreams" fell just short, it had a great run! I definitely can see a convincing argument for either of these songs, but thanks for sharing your perspective on it! I agree with your point that you don't necessarily need a video to decide these things, but for some folks, their experience may be such that the video may be inextricably linked to their definition of what the 80s is.
We are honored to be your first podcast! And we are happy to have you with us for when we flip to Side B!
Thanks for all your contributions to the show!
Keith