The ’80s Songs That Went to 11

We saw Spinal Tap 2, flipped the big red switch, and counted down the best 1980s songs that peaked at #11. Because these… go to 11. Also: sexy drummers, armadillos, and Milt trying to make Kenny Loggins a sports anthem (again). Quick Hit Summary Mini-review of Spinal Tap 2 (Paul! Elton! Still loud.) Countdown: our blended Top 10 “peaked at #11” bangers from the ’80s Playdate: 11 questions about… 11 (of course) A respectable pile of “also-rans” that just missed the podium Chapter Guide 00:00 – Cold open / mic check / Past Tens roll call 06:05 – Fire up the Time Machine 07:06 – What we’re doing: ’80s songs that peaked at #11 (Spinal Tap salute) Tap Talk 07:50 – Spinal Tap 2 quick take: tone matched, laughs landed 09:45 – Cameos: Paul McCartney (charming), Elton John (scene-stealer) 10:55 – Aging rockers, commitments vibes, and a very funny new drummer 12:40 – Why sequels usually whiff and why this one didn’t The Countdown — The ’80s Songs That Went to 11 #11 – 00:15:00 Thompson Twins – “Doctor! Doctor!” (1984) Second-British-Invasion synth-pop sugar rush. “How was this not Top 10?” energy. #10 – 00:16:00 Gary U.S. Bonds – “This Little Girl” (1981) Boss-built boomerang: written/produced by Springsteen & Stevie Van Zandt; Clarence on sax. Roots-rock strut with comeback swagger. #9 – 00:22:00 Sheila E. – “A Love Bizarre” (1985) Prince pixie dust, 12-minute club glide, percussion queen doing queen things. #8 – 00:27:00 Michael Jackson – “Another Part of Me” (1987) From the Captain EO era: Quincy groove, Disney cheese, undeniable bounce. #7 – 00:34:00 The Contours – “Do You Love Me” (re-charted 1988) Dirty Dancing rocket fuel: Motown growl makes the Catskills naughty again. Playdate – 00:43:00 11 Questions about “11” (Kyrie, Larkin/Rollins, 7-Eleven’s rogue lowercase n, Swingers, Messier, Bledsoe & Edelman, Ocean’s Eleven = Matt Damon, Marshall amps, Eleven = Millie Bobby Brown, Jeter wore 11 in the minors, etc.) #6 – 00:52:00 Kenny Loggins – “This Is It” (1980) Blue-eyed soul with Michael McDonald cosign; NCAA montage hall-of-famer. #5 – 00:57:00 Loverboy – “Hot Girls in Love” (1983) Aerosol, hooks, and harmless himbo energy. Dumb? Sure. Fun? Absolutely. #4 – 01:01:00 Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (1980) Pre-Purple Rain princelet: falsetto glide, post-disco snap, future royalty loading. #3 – 01:07:00 Bryan Adams – “Somebody” (1985) Reckless sweet spot: denim-rock churner with live-aid mojo. Ballad break = beer run. #2 – 01:11:00 Go-Go’s – “Head Over Heels” (1984) Pop truffle perfection. Jane Wiedlin piano break = pure dopamine. #1 – 01:26:00 Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen” (1981) The white-wing-dove war cry. Signature solo cut. A Top 10 snub so egregious it should be a congressional hearing. Also-Rans & Near-Misses (rapid fire) Stevie Wonder – “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It” Bangles – “Walking Down Your Street” Little River Band – “The Other Guy” (The Other Guys synergy!) Toto – “I’ll Be Over You” Debbie Gibson – “Electric Youth” (Dave votes yes; Milt files an appeal) Soul II Soul – “Keep On Movin’” (Milt’s neo-soul crush) Benny Mardones – “Into the Night” (we heard you, Internet) The Police – “Spirits in the Material World” Paul Davis – “Cool Night” (yacht softness) Naked Eyes – “Promises, Promises” Dead or Alive – “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” If this episode made your dial go to 11, share it with a friend, drop a 5-star on Apple/Spotify, and come argue with us at timemachinepod.com or [email protected]. Rock responsibly, Time Travelers.