In today's matchup from the Bruce Region, we have a fascinating clash between two defining sounds of 1986. Janet Jackson's "Nasty" represents the birth of new jack swing and female empowerment in pop music, with its funky, sample-driven production and Jackson's declaration of independence with that unforgettable line about being "Miss Jackson if you're nasty." The track helped establish Janet as a force separate from the Jackson family legacy, combining R&B grooves with an attitude that would influence pop music for decades. Born from a real-life street harassment incident in Minneapolis, the song became a feminist anthem wrapped in an irresistible dance groove.
Meanwhile, Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight" showcases the power of nostalgia and collaboration, interpolating The Ronettes' classic "Be My Baby" while bringing Ronnie Spector herself out of retirement for an uncredited vocal appearance. It's a quintessentially 80s rock anthem that managed to revive two careers simultaneously – proving that sometimes looking backward can propel you forward. Both songs peaked in the top 5 and represent different sides of 1986's musical landscape: the innovative funk-pop future and the rock & roll past made new again.
Bonus video from the “Guy in a spotlight in an empty arena” sub-genre :
Share this post