12 Comments
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Deni's avatar

I do love Pet Shop Boys and I danced to them quite a lot (not much to this song though, this is a make out song, not a dance song) I just think this track is far from their best and far from their 80s-est. A few I would have picked would maybe be What Have I Done to Deserve This? or the Always On My Mind cover, but likely I would have picked what I think is their best song on their best album (Introspective), Left To My Own Devices.

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The 80s-est's avatar

They were all really big songs and really good ones, I just had the biggest experience with "West End Girls," as did I think Joe. I didn't know "Left to My Own Devices," but just listened, and it's good! It's always fun to hear what other people's experiences were, and learning new music! Thanks, Deni! --Keith

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Chris Jacobs's avatar

For me, it's got to be West End Girls and -- very tough choice -- The Look.

Pet Shop Boys were everywhere in the 80s. Level 42 wasn't a prominant presence in my 80s playlist, despite the solid jam. And while I have lots of personal memories around INXS and the 80s, and the fact that they had their biggest hits in the 80s while Roxette definitely had more success in the 90s, The Look just feels more 80s to me.

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The 80s-est's avatar

That first choice was excruciating for me! but yes, Pet Shop Boys is a totally legit choice that I expect will end up on top. I had to vote my experience on this one, since the production aspect was close for me.

I think we agree on "The Look"-- though you expressed it better than perhaps I did on the show. This one song versus that one song is a close call. Band vs. band, it's not close at all.

Thanks, Chris!

--Keith

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Deni's avatar

The rest of your listeners are all poo poo heads and know nothing about 80s music.

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The 80s-est's avatar

🤣 I knew these votes were not gonna be easy on you, man! Sorry! --Keith

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Alejandro Saya's avatar

These matchups are tough! "West End Girls" still plays on any radio or stream, and I think it has transcended the 80s, whereas Level 42 only plays on oldies out goodies kind of stations. The second matchup is cruel! You could have placed any of those songs in the bands region, so they could kick the shit out of "Oh Sheila", for example! I'll go with "The Look" because the song was everywhere when it came out.

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The 80s-est's avatar

I knew you had a soft spot for Roxette, buddy! And rightfully so--it's a massive worldwide song and I know you were/are a suave club dancer!

And I can get behind your justification for "Something About You." That matchup was one of the toughest ones I have had to decide yet! At least if Level 42 loses, another favorite will go on in its place!

--Keith

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Jan 14
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Deni's avatar

New Order and The Cure ABSOLUTELY should still be here. Rigged election! Immigrants voted! Dead people voted!

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Janet Gbur's avatar

😆😆😆😆😆

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Joe Wack's avatar

That's on me. "Never Tear Us Apart" is top-tier for me, so I pushed for it.

No regerts.

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The 80s-est's avatar

I have no issue with the song choice,(I love this song, and it definitely invokes 80s for me) but simultaneously can admit they had 6 or 7 tunes I would also be OK with. But just out of curiosity, Dr. Janet, if you narrowed it down to one INXS tune, what would it be? Want to see if it matches up with my second choice! --Keith

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