As a former contestant of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire that closing was quite triggering. Hearing that music got my heart rate up and my palms all sweaty, worried I was going to blow it.
I had no idea! That's awesome! Was this the Regis version, the Meredith Viera version or the Jimmy Kimmel version? (or some other version!?) And did you go home with anything?))
The other benefit I got from having teen dance clubs in my area when I was in high school was skipping the school dances (I think I went to one) not having to listen to something like Bryan Adam's Heaven. Ick.
Power ballads didn't get played at all at the new wave club.
For me, I don't really hate Bryan Adams. He's a decently acceptable generic rocker. He makes me think of those summers I spent doing summer stock theatre or working summer camps in shitty rural areas. There would be like one bar to go hang out at and there would be a band playing. Bryan Adams would be like one of those bands, you'd be like, "hey, these guys are pretty good." Not a bad sound to tap your feet to on a night out with people, but you're not going to buy one of the CDs their selling.
I'm with Gregg all the way. I think there is an argument for Gabriel to be in the final 4 or 8 and I think the seeding on this matchup are reversed. I lean in Joes direction on the classification of "legend" in that the impact has to go beyond the 80s. Which is also why I'll argue hard for Weird Al (I'm thinking about sending you a recording with that argument) and am still pissed about the absence of The Cure.
Peter is a transformational figure in popular music, Bryan had some hits in the 80s that most people don't listen to anymore.
I am definitely basing everything I do in this contest on what I listened to and what I did and what I knew back then. I just never set out to say who had the most talent or most lasting impact, just reporting what happened in my reality during the time period. It is absolutely a ton of fun to see how every single person approaches it differently! Now, I am sure that plenty of other folks listened to Gabriel back then, I just wasn't one of them.
For me, the idea of an 80s-est Legend began when Joe first made the rule that certain songs we wouldn't play in the previous brackets because they were too popular and would overwhelm the one-hit wonders, and be a foregone conclusion. I feel like Bryan Adams would have crushed Sly Fox, for instance. But I don't think TMBG would have, I don't think Elvis Costello would have, I think they would have had trouble getting votes, even against The Jets! Hell, Peter Gabriel's biggest hit, "In Your Eyes" lost in the first round of Side B because, essentially, it was too timeless and not of the decade enough for a lot of voters, I guess?
So yes, I mildly disagree with Joe's and your definitions of what makes an 80s Legend, but that doesn't mean it's any less valid of a way to do it. So when I disagree, it's still from a place of tremendous love and respect. ✌️
(And yeah, The Cure is an awesome band! Joe had them ranked, I didn't (lack of 80s pop hits, in my methodology), so that's definitely one of those bands I didn't get until the 90s. Sorry, man!)
I'm pretty sure Phil was joking about Peter passing them on the charts. Phil had still played on some of Peters solo work, including classics like Intruder, No Self Control and Biko.
Phil was the drum gating pioneer on Intruder mentioned by your friend Gregg. (Hated him as a front man and solo artist, but he's one of the greatest drummers of all time)
OK, this makes more sense! Explains how Phil Collins could still have still been involved in the invention of this sound, and yet Peter Gabriel could also have been involved.
I just assumed Greg, an incredible drummer, knew what he was talking about (and he did know) and that I had it wrong. So my previous research on Phil inventing it and using it on "In the Air Tonight" is still true, but perhaps he used it on "Intruder" first? (And yes, I just checked, and this is the case.)
- I'm totally looking forward to getting my 80s-est T shirt. Keith, I'll DM you my address 🤪
- I wonder who would choose to visit Dildo, Canada.
- Bryan Adams is surely an icon and a hero in Canada!
- The third guy in the Robin Hood song is Rod Stewart.
Regarding the vote, it´s an extremely difficult one. BA is essential to the 80s experience, at least in South america (I'm dissapointed that "Heaven" was not chosen, though) and the Sledgehammer video blew my mind when I first saw it as a teen, and It prompted me to persue a career in audiovisual production.
So... we're splitting the vote here in the Saya/Nano family: I'm going with PG and Mónica with BA (What else could an 80s teen girl do, right? 😃
Heaven is the ultimate makeout song! (Though "In too Deep" by Genesis could have a shot at the top prize!)
This podcast is taking its toll on our family! I can´t even imagine the bloodbath when the time comes to choose between "All Night Long" and "Right Here Waiting"!
Bryan Adam's version of the 69 reference makes more sense since those guys would not have been old enough to be either in high school or getting married in 1969. Bryan was 9 years old in the summer of 1969. It always confused me back when it came out, him singing about being a young adult that year.
Great point! I never actually did the math! Maybe he needed the syllable count of sixty-nine? Like seventy-seven (more likely) was to difficult to squeeze in?
Yeah, right? No 70s year would work for syllable count. Honestly, I always assumed the story of the song was complete fiction and he was singing as a character, not as himself because of the age issue. (Like maybe he had a cool uncle who was in a band in 1969 and that's who the song was based on)
As a former contestant of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire that closing was quite triggering. Hearing that music got my heart rate up and my palms all sweaty, worried I was going to blow it.
I had no idea! That's awesome! Was this the Regis version, the Meredith Viera version or the Jimmy Kimmel version? (or some other version!?) And did you go home with anything?))
It was in 2009. Meredith Viera (she is super nice). I won $50k, so maybe a little bit above the median player.
Omg! I totally forgot about your nose! Ick.
It turned out okay in the end.
The other benefit I got from having teen dance clubs in my area when I was in high school was skipping the school dances (I think I went to one) not having to listen to something like Bryan Adam's Heaven. Ick.
Power ballads didn't get played at all at the new wave club.
For me, I don't really hate Bryan Adams. He's a decently acceptable generic rocker. He makes me think of those summers I spent doing summer stock theatre or working summer camps in shitty rural areas. There would be like one bar to go hang out at and there would be a band playing. Bryan Adams would be like one of those bands, you'd be like, "hey, these guys are pretty good." Not a bad sound to tap your feet to on a night out with people, but you're not going to buy one of the CDs their selling.
Not a band that's going to save your life, like R.E.M., but you don't loathe them. I am gonna say that's pretty high praise from you in this genre!
I'm with Gregg all the way. I think there is an argument for Gabriel to be in the final 4 or 8 and I think the seeding on this matchup are reversed. I lean in Joes direction on the classification of "legend" in that the impact has to go beyond the 80s. Which is also why I'll argue hard for Weird Al (I'm thinking about sending you a recording with that argument) and am still pissed about the absence of The Cure.
Peter is a transformational figure in popular music, Bryan had some hits in the 80s that most people don't listen to anymore.
We would love to hear from you on Weird Al!
I am definitely basing everything I do in this contest on what I listened to and what I did and what I knew back then. I just never set out to say who had the most talent or most lasting impact, just reporting what happened in my reality during the time period. It is absolutely a ton of fun to see how every single person approaches it differently! Now, I am sure that plenty of other folks listened to Gabriel back then, I just wasn't one of them.
For me, the idea of an 80s-est Legend began when Joe first made the rule that certain songs we wouldn't play in the previous brackets because they were too popular and would overwhelm the one-hit wonders, and be a foregone conclusion. I feel like Bryan Adams would have crushed Sly Fox, for instance. But I don't think TMBG would have, I don't think Elvis Costello would have, I think they would have had trouble getting votes, even against The Jets! Hell, Peter Gabriel's biggest hit, "In Your Eyes" lost in the first round of Side B because, essentially, it was too timeless and not of the decade enough for a lot of voters, I guess?
So yes, I mildly disagree with Joe's and your definitions of what makes an 80s Legend, but that doesn't mean it's any less valid of a way to do it. So when I disagree, it's still from a place of tremendous love and respect. ✌️
(And yeah, The Cure is an awesome band! Joe had them ranked, I didn't (lack of 80s pop hits, in my methodology), so that's definitely one of those bands I didn't get until the 90s. Sorry, man!)
--Keith
I'm pretty sure Phil was joking about Peter passing them on the charts. Phil had still played on some of Peters solo work, including classics like Intruder, No Self Control and Biko.
Phil was the drum gating pioneer on Intruder mentioned by your friend Gregg. (Hated him as a front man and solo artist, but he's one of the greatest drummers of all time)
OK, this makes more sense! Explains how Phil Collins could still have still been involved in the invention of this sound, and yet Peter Gabriel could also have been involved.
I just assumed Greg, an incredible drummer, knew what he was talking about (and he did know) and that I had it wrong. So my previous research on Phil inventing it and using it on "In the Air Tonight" is still true, but perhaps he used it on "Intruder" first? (And yes, I just checked, and this is the case.)
Here are my outtakes on this episode, you guys:
- I'm totally looking forward to getting my 80s-est T shirt. Keith, I'll DM you my address 🤪
- I wonder who would choose to visit Dildo, Canada.
- Bryan Adams is surely an icon and a hero in Canada!
- The third guy in the Robin Hood song is Rod Stewart.
Regarding the vote, it´s an extremely difficult one. BA is essential to the 80s experience, at least in South america (I'm dissapointed that "Heaven" was not chosen, though) and the Sledgehammer video blew my mind when I first saw it as a teen, and It prompted me to persue a career in audiovisual production.
So... we're splitting the vote here in the Saya/Nano family: I'm going with PG and Mónica with BA (What else could an 80s teen girl do, right? 😃
"Heaven" was definitely your makeout song of choice! 😂
I am gonna send you a pic of this 80s-est merch! Then I will get some made for the "founding listeners" if you all want some!
Those crazy Canadians, absolutely can't get enough of Bryan! 🇨🇦
I was *thinking* Rod Stewart, I may have even mumbled it, will have to check the tape!! 😂
Another split vote! How do you two live in the same house together?? 🤣
I love that "Sledgehammer" may be a part of the reason I met you !!
--Keith
Heaven is the ultimate makeout song! (Though "In too Deep" by Genesis could have a shot at the top prize!)
This podcast is taking its toll on our family! I can´t even imagine the bloodbath when the time comes to choose between "All Night Long" and "Right Here Waiting"!
I'll proudly wear the 80s-est sweathirt!
Bryan Adam's version of the 69 reference makes more sense since those guys would not have been old enough to be either in high school or getting married in 1969. Bryan was 9 years old in the summer of 1969. It always confused me back when it came out, him singing about being a young adult that year.
Great point, Deni! I was about to Google Bryan's age, I assumed he must have been a young boy in the late 60s.
Great point! I never actually did the math! Maybe he needed the syllable count of sixty-nine? Like seventy-seven (more likely) was to difficult to squeeze in?
Yeah, right? No 70s year would work for syllable count. Honestly, I always assumed the story of the song was complete fiction and he was singing as a character, not as himself because of the age issue. (Like maybe he had a cool uncle who was in a band in 1969 and that's who the song was based on)
I love both of these songs, but other than coming out in the 80s, there's nothing 80s about Summer of '69. Sledgehammer all the way.