I was still living in Georgia, so Hands Across America did not come close to us.
I'm so glad Ronald Reagan got to do his part though. Man, if only he had been in some sort of powerful position and could have allocated funds to feed and house people, I'm sure he would have done that and not cut taxes for rich people.
Hey guys, haven't yet listened to this episode, so I'm going to hijack this thread for something else. It struck me that a few bands were completely left off the list. Just curious as to why (if I missed it somewhere).
Pink Floyd had some good success in the 80s, but I realize that their most 80s release missed the 80s by a few weeks - The Wall. They also had Momentary Lapse of Reason (great in concert) later in the decade. "Learning to Fly" is a great song on that album.
What about Styx? Mr. Roboto is one of the best early 80s songs ever. It captures that techno-unknown we all felt during that time, and even mentions "parts made in Japan" (when everyone seemed to be afraid that all of our manufacturing would be taken over by Japan).
While I guess it could be argued that there were not enough well known 80s songs from those two, what about Loverboy? I think they were definitely an iconic 80's band. Workin' for the Weekend, Turn Me Loose, Hot Girls in Love, Lovin Every Minute of it, This Could Be the Night, Notorious, and don't forget Heaven in your Eyes (from Top Gun) were all huge.
I will speak for myself here, and Joe can jump in and offer his perspective.
Since I was going strictly off of chart data, Pink Floyd didn't have the pop chart success to get in my top 64, but I really did like that "Learning to Fly" a bunch!
Regarding Loverboy, they DID make it into the conversation on my end. When Joe and I merged our lists of 64...the 44-ish that we had in common all made it to the brackets you see today. Well, what of the other 20 songs? This is where we each chose 10 of our remaining 20 to make the field. (In other words, we each had 20 artists the other guy didn't have, and we each got to keep 10.) It was during this transaction that bands like TMBG and Weird Al came in on his side, and folks like Eddie Money and Richard Marx came in on my side. We each lost ten acts. Loverboy was among my lost acts. Good bands like The Smiths and The Clash were lost on Joe's side. Joe brought in several bands I really like, but who didn't have the chart performance I was looking for (e.g. Blondie, Beastie Boys). So overall, Joe is responsible for some good shit that we all know and (maybe) love getting in. And also some shit. This is true on both sides of the ledger.
So while I disagreed on TMBG being a legend by my definition, I also disagreed on Blondie and Beastie Boys, who I really like and actually did listen to back then. I am trying to allow everyone to have their definitions and their experiences, I guess, despite disagreeing. So that's where I am at on that.
Also: We may not *quite* be done with Mike Reno just yet! More on that this week.
We looked at Pink Floyd. But, like Keith said, their big stuff just wasn't there enough in the 80s. I have to admit that I don't like Loverboy, so they just weren't on my list at all.
Exactly regarding Loverboy! You forgot “You Take Me to the Top,” my favorite Loverboy song. Instead, we get They Might Be Giants, a novelty band. Now don’t get me wrong, I like TMBG and owned some CDS back in the day, but they definitely don’t belong here.
Here's my deal with They Might Be Giants: they are my favorite band, so I was likely to push for them anyway; but beyond that, my view of a Legends Bracket is acts that do not belong solely to the 80s. These are bands that were huge before the 80s or acts that started in the 80s and lasted well beyond. My idea of it is different than Keith's. TMBG continues to put out albums and sell out shows. They are bigger than they were in the 80s. To me, they fit the definition of a Legend. Not everyone will agree with that, so I know my view won't necessarily sway anyone.
I would, however, vehemently disagree with classifying them as a novelty band.
Hi, Rachel! See above comment in reply to John's original Loverboy query.
By the way, I think Loverboy had 6 top-40 hits(I would need to check my spreadsheet), but that was enough to get them into the high 50s or right at 60 on my list, I believe.
LoverTOID: I had a Loverboy t-shirt in high school, despite never having seen them in concert (a gift!)) 😂 It was a red and white baseball-style shirt from the "Lovin' Every Minute of It" tour! 😂
Riley will be happy. He loves "Careless Whisper" and sings it all the time. What's with teenagers these days? He also likes Frank Sinatra.
Voted for "Rhythm Nation," but actually really loved the video for "Escapade." It was a very different style for her at the time, more sexy and romantic.
Yes, I definitely played Working Class Dog A LOT. I was sooo in love with him. I voted for "I've Done Everything For You." Very underrated.
Joe, you don't remember the 7-Up guy? Dad said he scared the crap out of me when I was little and those commercials would come on. That booming voice.
I love Springsteen, but for my 80's-working-class-hero-artist, it's got to be Mellencamp. So many damn good songs. And "Jack and Diane" I specifically remember hearing for the first time as a 13-year-old sitting on the floor and thinking, "Wow, that's what 16-year-olds do? I can't wait!"
"Photograph" was a shoe-in, but my favorite is actually "Love Bites." I wonder why. lol
Jesus, I just realized Petcetera sings like 4 out of 10 of my all-time wallow-in-misery songs. Thanks so much, Chicago. Did you help or did you actually make it worse? Hard to say. No, it's not. You definitely made it worse. lol
Weird Al...no comment, baby bro. Well, maybe one. Parody shouldn't be included. Love you.
P.S. Rick Springfield is going to kick Weird Al's ass.
A kid who LIKES "Careless Whisper"? My mind is officially blown! 🤯
Escapade was a sweet departure from the very serious almost military style of the Control/Nasty dance routines. I can see the appeal.
TOID that you may already know: "I've Done Everything for You" was written by? The Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar.
No argument with you on Mellencamp. I loved them both, but Mellencamp's stuff is more directly sentimental to me now. "Cherry Bomb," "Pink Houses," "Small Town," and a few others cut right back to those days.
Wallowing to the sounds of "Love Bites" sounds on-brand for you! 😂
Hahahaha fucking Chicago. Hey, I was slow dancing to them, too. We were teens and it was dramatic AF! 😝
Thanks for listening and commenting! Keep 'em comin'!
There is much worse stuff in previous seasons, BUT I will grant you your personal taste on this one, and I know I will probably be helping your cause by voting Eddie Money! Cha-ching!💰 😂
I'm glad Dancing In the Dark ended up with a late surge to take it. I think it's lyrically a better song than Born In the USA - something I don't think a lot of people get because of its catchy hooks - with its working class despair.
What Have I Done to Deserve This vs Always On My Mind was a tough call, but I went with the former with the tiebreaker that is was an original over a cover. (Good job playing the Always On My Mind 12" remix Keith - and yes, I own that one too). And of course having Dusty Springfield in it connects it to the scene that inspired Pet Shop Boys, Northern Soul. (See, I was able to bring it up again)
Man, really disappointed that Pink Houses didn't fare better in the voting. I mean, I went with Jack and Diane myself, but I thought it was a close decision over Pink Houses. Of course, if Authority Song has been an option I may have gone with that.
Man, I adore Pink Houses. For me, I went sentimental with "Cherry Bomb," which I kinda thought you especially might go for because of the whole "dancing meant everything" angle. Authority Song, ROCK in the USA, and a few others were all in contention from his library of hits, just didn't survive the merging of our lists, etc.
First of all, I have no idea what "Hands across America" is, but the main song is surely tacky 🤪
I love the idea of going through the first round of each region, and then moving to the quarters and so on. As Gandalf the White said: "The board is set, the pieces are moving", so it'd be a bummer to wait for months until voting in this region.
I completely respect each and every one of your decisions, but... INXS being the 14th seed? And probably facing 11th seed Pet Shop Boys in the second round? This has Pet Shop Boys vs The Cure vibes all over it!
It was an attempt to have a continuous chain of humans hold hands for the same 15 minutes, attempting to go from New York to LA! It failed spectacularly to actually make it across, but it is a WILDLY popular memory of Gen X in the US!
I was still living in Georgia, so Hands Across America did not come close to us.
I'm so glad Ronald Reagan got to do his part though. Man, if only he had been in some sort of powerful position and could have allocated funds to feed and house people, I'm sure he would have done that and not cut taxes for rich people.
Hahahaha dude you got me laughing out loud at this Reagan shit-talk!
Absolutely Weird Al deserves to be here. He's playing Riot Fest in Chicago this summer - all 3 fucking days!
And rather than being too highly seeded, I think he should be a higher seed.
You have to be an absolute legend to be invited to play all three days of Riot Fest.
THANK you.
Hey guys, haven't yet listened to this episode, so I'm going to hijack this thread for something else. It struck me that a few bands were completely left off the list. Just curious as to why (if I missed it somewhere).
Pink Floyd had some good success in the 80s, but I realize that their most 80s release missed the 80s by a few weeks - The Wall. They also had Momentary Lapse of Reason (great in concert) later in the decade. "Learning to Fly" is a great song on that album.
What about Styx? Mr. Roboto is one of the best early 80s songs ever. It captures that techno-unknown we all felt during that time, and even mentions "parts made in Japan" (when everyone seemed to be afraid that all of our manufacturing would be taken over by Japan).
While I guess it could be argued that there were not enough well known 80s songs from those two, what about Loverboy? I think they were definitely an iconic 80's band. Workin' for the Weekend, Turn Me Loose, Hot Girls in Love, Lovin Every Minute of it, This Could Be the Night, Notorious, and don't forget Heaven in your Eyes (from Top Gun) were all huge.
Like I said, just curious about your thoughts.
Hey John!
I will speak for myself here, and Joe can jump in and offer his perspective.
Since I was going strictly off of chart data, Pink Floyd didn't have the pop chart success to get in my top 64, but I really did like that "Learning to Fly" a bunch!
Regarding Loverboy, they DID make it into the conversation on my end. When Joe and I merged our lists of 64...the 44-ish that we had in common all made it to the brackets you see today. Well, what of the other 20 songs? This is where we each chose 10 of our remaining 20 to make the field. (In other words, we each had 20 artists the other guy didn't have, and we each got to keep 10.) It was during this transaction that bands like TMBG and Weird Al came in on his side, and folks like Eddie Money and Richard Marx came in on my side. We each lost ten acts. Loverboy was among my lost acts. Good bands like The Smiths and The Clash were lost on Joe's side. Joe brought in several bands I really like, but who didn't have the chart performance I was looking for (e.g. Blondie, Beastie Boys). So overall, Joe is responsible for some good shit that we all know and (maybe) love getting in. And also some shit. This is true on both sides of the ledger.
So while I disagreed on TMBG being a legend by my definition, I also disagreed on Blondie and Beastie Boys, who I really like and actually did listen to back then. I am trying to allow everyone to have their definitions and their experiences, I guess, despite disagreeing. So that's where I am at on that.
Also: We may not *quite* be done with Mike Reno just yet! More on that this week.
Thanks for your comment!
--Keith
We looked at Pink Floyd. But, like Keith said, their big stuff just wasn't there enough in the 80s. I have to admit that I don't like Loverboy, so they just weren't on my list at all.
Thanks guys! I love to hear about your thought process. It just shows how much work you put into this. Keep it up!
Appreciate your engagement and involvement in the show, John!
Exactly regarding Loverboy! You forgot “You Take Me to the Top,” my favorite Loverboy song. Instead, we get They Might Be Giants, a novelty band. Now don’t get me wrong, I like TMBG and owned some CDS back in the day, but they definitely don’t belong here.
Here's my deal with They Might Be Giants: they are my favorite band, so I was likely to push for them anyway; but beyond that, my view of a Legends Bracket is acts that do not belong solely to the 80s. These are bands that were huge before the 80s or acts that started in the 80s and lasted well beyond. My idea of it is different than Keith's. TMBG continues to put out albums and sell out shows. They are bigger than they were in the 80s. To me, they fit the definition of a Legend. Not everyone will agree with that, so I know my view won't necessarily sway anyone.
I would, however, vehemently disagree with classifying them as a novelty band.
Hi, Rachel! See above comment in reply to John's original Loverboy query.
By the way, I think Loverboy had 6 top-40 hits(I would need to check my spreadsheet), but that was enough to get them into the high 50s or right at 60 on my list, I believe.
LoverTOID: I had a Loverboy t-shirt in high school, despite never having seen them in concert (a gift!)) 😂 It was a red and white baseball-style shirt from the "Lovin' Every Minute of It" tour! 😂
Did you ever see them live?
--Keith
Riley will be happy. He loves "Careless Whisper" and sings it all the time. What's with teenagers these days? He also likes Frank Sinatra.
Voted for "Rhythm Nation," but actually really loved the video for "Escapade." It was a very different style for her at the time, more sexy and romantic.
Yes, I definitely played Working Class Dog A LOT. I was sooo in love with him. I voted for "I've Done Everything For You." Very underrated.
Joe, you don't remember the 7-Up guy? Dad said he scared the crap out of me when I was little and those commercials would come on. That booming voice.
I love Springsteen, but for my 80's-working-class-hero-artist, it's got to be Mellencamp. So many damn good songs. And "Jack and Diane" I specifically remember hearing for the first time as a 13-year-old sitting on the floor and thinking, "Wow, that's what 16-year-olds do? I can't wait!"
"Photograph" was a shoe-in, but my favorite is actually "Love Bites." I wonder why. lol
Jesus, I just realized Petcetera sings like 4 out of 10 of my all-time wallow-in-misery songs. Thanks so much, Chicago. Did you help or did you actually make it worse? Hard to say. No, it's not. You definitely made it worse. lol
Weird Al...no comment, baby bro. Well, maybe one. Parody shouldn't be included. Love you.
P.S. Rick Springfield is going to kick Weird Al's ass.
A kid who LIKES "Careless Whisper"? My mind is officially blown! 🤯
Escapade was a sweet departure from the very serious almost military style of the Control/Nasty dance routines. I can see the appeal.
TOID that you may already know: "I've Done Everything for You" was written by? The Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar.
No argument with you on Mellencamp. I loved them both, but Mellencamp's stuff is more directly sentimental to me now. "Cherry Bomb," "Pink Houses," "Small Town," and a few others cut right back to those days.
Wallowing to the sounds of "Love Bites" sounds on-brand for you! 😂
Hahahaha fucking Chicago. Hey, I was slow dancing to them, too. We were teens and it was dramatic AF! 😝
Thanks for listening and commenting! Keep 'em comin'!
--Keith
Please let Janet Jackson go down early so I don't have to spend extra weeks listening to that garbage.
There is much worse stuff in previous seasons, BUT I will grant you your personal taste on this one, and I know I will probably be helping your cause by voting Eddie Money! Cha-ching!💰 😂
I'm glad Dancing In the Dark ended up with a late surge to take it. I think it's lyrically a better song than Born In the USA - something I don't think a lot of people get because of its catchy hooks - with its working class despair.
What Have I Done to Deserve This vs Always On My Mind was a tough call, but I went with the former with the tiebreaker that is was an original over a cover. (Good job playing the Always On My Mind 12" remix Keith - and yes, I own that one too). And of course having Dusty Springfield in it connects it to the scene that inspired Pet Shop Boys, Northern Soul. (See, I was able to bring it up again)
I agree wholeheartedly on the lyrics to Dancing in the Dark kinda hiding in plain sight within that groove, and the smooth sax 🎷 of The Big Man 🎶
Ha! Not a surprise that you have a PSB 12" mix!
And I wondered if we would ever hear about Northern Soul again, and just like any good teacher, you tie it back and reinforce the lesson! 👏 👏
Thanks, Deni!
Keith
Man, really disappointed that Pink Houses didn't fare better in the voting. I mean, I went with Jack and Diane myself, but I thought it was a close decision over Pink Houses. Of course, if Authority Song has been an option I may have gone with that.
Man, I adore Pink Houses. For me, I went sentimental with "Cherry Bomb," which I kinda thought you especially might go for because of the whole "dancing meant everything" angle. Authority Song, ROCK in the USA, and a few others were all in contention from his library of hits, just didn't survive the merging of our lists, etc.
First of all, I have no idea what "Hands across America" is, but the main song is surely tacky 🤪
I love the idea of going through the first round of each region, and then moving to the quarters and so on. As Gandalf the White said: "The board is set, the pieces are moving", so it'd be a bummer to wait for months until voting in this region.
I completely respect each and every one of your decisions, but... INXS being the 14th seed? And probably facing 11th seed Pet Shop Boys in the second round? This has Pet Shop Boys vs The Cure vibes all over it!
We are gonna have to look at why INXS is so low! My guess is it might be my cold-blooded 🐍 approach to my choices?
I don´t know, Keith, but Mike Hutchance is surely looking down at you with disdain from rock & roll heaven!
It was an attempt to have a continuous chain of humans hold hands for the same 15 minutes, attempting to go from New York to LA! It failed spectacularly to actually make it across, but it is a WILDLY popular memory of Gen X in the US!
Well, I like the premise of "The human centipede" even better! 😂
hahahahahhahahahahahahahhaaha