Finally we are getting to some real music. These are really tough choices - both of the underdogs are classic examples of hair bands. I would argue that neither Def Leppard nor Guns n Roses are really hair bands - they are more in the same class as other groups that predated or transcended the hair band era, such as Metallica, AC/DC, or Van Halen (yes, I went there).
In the end, I had to split my vote. I took Warrant (I actually saw them many times having grown up in Kent) and Def Leppard. One of my favorite songs of all time is "Hysteria", but "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is close enough.
I feel like the true criteria for whether or not a song is considered "hair" is that you have to be able to add "Party on, Dude!" and air guitar to the end of it.
BTW I am hijacking a comment I needed to make in the preview (for some reason I can't add a comment there). In what universe do you consider Bad English to be a hair band? If they are hair metal than so is Van Halen (yes, I went there again)...
John, it's a world where Joe just was not that into hair metal the way you were or that I was...definitely not like Chad was. So it's a different perspective for sure, but we are going with it the way he goes with it in areas where I have less experience. 🤷🏼♂️
When you hear the episode, I was basically on the same page as you were with this opinion of who is/isn't Hair Metal, I made an exception for Def Leppard, and so did several magazines who classified the Hysteria album specifically as that genre. Regardless, I know you and I both had that album and saw them live.
I feel like "Sugar" was their most bombastic, ridiculous, excessive song, went with it also for being well-known.
I saw a documentary on VH1 years ago where Def Leppard blamed Warrant for the decline of the genre because they "copied" the format that was so successful in Hysteria. There probably is some truth to considering Hysteria hair metal since it was such a mega success and was emulated by other groups.
Sugar is by far the most hairy Def Leppard song and certainly belongs in this bracket.
How you guys gave a caveat to the comment about a band being your identity by clarifying "music" identity an not your whole identity really shows how different my late teens experience was. I went ALL IN on being completely identified with the music I loved. If you saw me when I was 16-19 years old - not talked to me, just saw me walking down the street - you would pretty easily guess what my ten or so favorite bands were.
Great point, Deni! And I don't see anything wrong with that. Like be who you are!
But I was just clarifying that Joe did NOT look like anyone in Aerosmith, and I was not really near Van Halen-esque at all, being 100% sober, 100% monogamous, 100% academic, 100% outdoorsy and running, not into superficial relationships, and not into treating women like objects.🤣 I was into a lot of different music, but ended up buying several VH tapes for some reason. You can tell from the show that I also loved a lot of different bands, some good, some shitty.
So it was a curious band choice for a kid like me, but I leaned more into the running and academics as my identity, I guess? But I think any healthy way to express yourself and "try on" being who you are is a good choice, even if it's not the route I happened to take. So wear those Cure shirts and eyeliner and dye your hair and go for it! You have any pics to (privately) share of that era?
Not as many as I wish. I think some long lost high school friends would have more of me. I have a couple maybe, including Lisa and me at her prom in 1989.
Seriously the only thing that pops up in my head if the band Winger is mentioned in any context is the loser kid on Beavis and Butthead. I couldn't name a song but I know what cartoon character is a fan.
I was wondering how many people would remember that kid was wearing a Winger tee! hahahaha, Mike Judge clearly had high disdain for them. As do I, yet I inexplicably have 2 of their songs stuck in my head today! --Keith
Oof, I finally made it through the entire episode. (My first comment was only about halfway through, had to take a break because I wanted to shove icepicks in my ears). Keith's right GnR are not a hair metal band and shouldn't be here. I'm not a fan but they are a legit rock and roll band and a hallmark of hair metal is being super shitty and more concerned about the look than the music. (I did accidentally vote for Sweet Child O' Mine - I was doing it on my phone - so there should be one less vote for that and one more for Warrant) I'd leave Def Leppard in there because they do suck major ass.
I remember when November Rain came out and I was like, "Wow I think I might actually like a Guns N' Roses song" but then that awful cliche-ridden bad melodrama video (with a wedding dress that just happened to be cut in front to show off the model's legs) came with it and ruined the whole thing.
It's a hallmark episode when the best song on the whole 'cast is the TV theme at the end.
Back in high school I didn't understand why people listened to this garbage. Now, hearing these songs again in my 50s, I *REALLY* don't understand why people listened to this shit.
Good god, I'm going to have to plan a couple of hours of ear palate cleansing after each of these hair metal episodes. I'm going to need a couple of Cure albums tonight to get these out of my head
Yessss jump back a few episodes and you will see the Region Preview and explanation of it all. To fill in the gaps during the voting in the side B endgame! Enjoy!!! 😊 --Keith
Finally we are getting to some real music. These are really tough choices - both of the underdogs are classic examples of hair bands. I would argue that neither Def Leppard nor Guns n Roses are really hair bands - they are more in the same class as other groups that predated or transcended the hair band era, such as Metallica, AC/DC, or Van Halen (yes, I went there).
In the end, I had to split my vote. I took Warrant (I actually saw them many times having grown up in Kent) and Def Leppard. One of my favorite songs of all time is "Hysteria", but "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is close enough.
I feel like the true criteria for whether or not a song is considered "hair" is that you have to be able to add "Party on, Dude!" and air guitar to the end of it.
🤘 🎸 🎶
BTW I am hijacking a comment I needed to make in the preview (for some reason I can't add a comment there). In what universe do you consider Bad English to be a hair band? If they are hair metal than so is Van Halen (yes, I went there again)...
John, it's a world where Joe just was not that into hair metal the way you were or that I was...definitely not like Chad was. So it's a different perspective for sure, but we are going with it the way he goes with it in areas where I have less experience. 🤷🏼♂️
And I also split my vote!
When you hear the episode, I was basically on the same page as you were with this opinion of who is/isn't Hair Metal, I made an exception for Def Leppard, and so did several magazines who classified the Hysteria album specifically as that genre. Regardless, I know you and I both had that album and saw them live.
I feel like "Sugar" was their most bombastic, ridiculous, excessive song, went with it also for being well-known.
--Keith
I saw a documentary on VH1 years ago where Def Leppard blamed Warrant for the decline of the genre because they "copied" the format that was so successful in Hysteria. There probably is some truth to considering Hysteria hair metal since it was such a mega success and was emulated by other groups.
Sugar is by far the most hairy Def Leppard song and certainly belongs in this bracket.
This factoid alone justifies my Warrant vote! hahahaha!
--Keith
How you guys gave a caveat to the comment about a band being your identity by clarifying "music" identity an not your whole identity really shows how different my late teens experience was. I went ALL IN on being completely identified with the music I loved. If you saw me when I was 16-19 years old - not talked to me, just saw me walking down the street - you would pretty easily guess what my ten or so favorite bands were.
Great point, Deni! And I don't see anything wrong with that. Like be who you are!
But I was just clarifying that Joe did NOT look like anyone in Aerosmith, and I was not really near Van Halen-esque at all, being 100% sober, 100% monogamous, 100% academic, 100% outdoorsy and running, not into superficial relationships, and not into treating women like objects.🤣 I was into a lot of different music, but ended up buying several VH tapes for some reason. You can tell from the show that I also loved a lot of different bands, some good, some shitty.
So it was a curious band choice for a kid like me, but I leaned more into the running and academics as my identity, I guess? But I think any healthy way to express yourself and "try on" being who you are is a good choice, even if it's not the route I happened to take. So wear those Cure shirts and eyeliner and dye your hair and go for it! You have any pics to (privately) share of that era?
--Keith
Not as many as I wish. I think some long lost high school friends would have more of me. I have a couple maybe, including Lisa and me at her prom in 1989.
Well put, Dr J! Guilty pleasures, indeed! How are you feeling about these matchups? --K
Seriously the only thing that pops up in my head if the band Winger is mentioned in any context is the loser kid on Beavis and Butthead. I couldn't name a song but I know what cartoon character is a fan.
I was wondering how many people would remember that kid was wearing a Winger tee! hahahaha, Mike Judge clearly had high disdain for them. As do I, yet I inexplicably have 2 of their songs stuck in my head today! --Keith
Oof, I finally made it through the entire episode. (My first comment was only about halfway through, had to take a break because I wanted to shove icepicks in my ears). Keith's right GnR are not a hair metal band and shouldn't be here. I'm not a fan but they are a legit rock and roll band and a hallmark of hair metal is being super shitty and more concerned about the look than the music. (I did accidentally vote for Sweet Child O' Mine - I was doing it on my phone - so there should be one less vote for that and one more for Warrant) I'd leave Def Leppard in there because they do suck major ass.
I remember when November Rain came out and I was like, "Wow I think I might actually like a Guns N' Roses song" but then that awful cliche-ridden bad melodrama video (with a wedding dress that just happened to be cut in front to show off the model's legs) came with it and ruined the whole thing.
It's a hallmark episode when the best song on the whole 'cast is the TV theme at the end.
I am proud of you for finishing!!!
I will note your mis-vote...Warrant may need it!
Appreciate you listening! My few hair metal folks will be commenting enthusiastically here--try to let it slide! 😂
Thanks! --Keith
Hey, I am completely open minded and accepting of other people's terrible taste in music. :)
Back in high school I didn't understand why people listened to this garbage. Now, hearing these songs again in my 50s, I *REALLY* don't understand why people listened to this shit.
Good god, I'm going to have to plan a couple of hours of ear palate cleansing after each of these hair metal episodes. I'm going to need a couple of Cure albums tonight to get these out of my head
hahhahahahaha I am imagining you sitting listening to this and it makes me smile that you'd go through it for us! 🤗
hope you got a couple laughs out of it!
--K
Love you guys!! 😘
The feeling is entirely mutual! --Keith (and I think I can speak for Joe, too! 😘)
Indeed.
80s hair metal side round? Oh fuck yeah! Hahaha, not exactly my thing, but probably secretly totally my thing 😆 gonna DL and listen right now!!!
Yessss jump back a few episodes and you will see the Region Preview and explanation of it all. To fill in the gaps during the voting in the side B endgame! Enjoy!!! 😊 --Keith
On it! 👍
Agree on Slash! --K