The 80s-est

Valley Girl gets undersold by its title. This 1983 film is a genuinely sweet Romeo-and-Juliet story set against the San Fernando Valley’s new wave moment that gave America many of its cultural sayings of the 80s. Caddyshack, Harold Ramis’ 1980 directorial debut, is the country-club comedy that gave Bill Murray one of his most iconic characters (Carl Spackler, largely improvised on set), and put Kenny Loggins’ ‘I’m Alright’ into the cultural bloodstream.Two films built more on vibes than plot. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Round two of the Red Dawn Region, and it’s puppets vs. performing arts kids. In one corner: The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s 1982 fantasy epic — every character a puppet, no humans on screen, timeless. In the other corner, Fame, the 1980 musical drama that won two Oscars, launched a TV series, a remake, and a stage musical. Two cult favorites, two very different fanbases. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

We’re opening the Red Dawn Region, and as always the first matchup is one of the most lopsided, on paper, at least. In one corner we have Red Dawn, the 1984 John Milius film that made history as the first movie ever released with a PG-13 rating, launched the careers of Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, C. Thomas Howell, and Jennifer Grey, and gave American teenagers the battle cry ‘WOLVERINES!’ In the other corner we have The Last American Virgin, the kinda disgusting 1982 Boaz Davidson teen comedy/schizophrenic drama(?) with a surprisingly incredible new wave soundtrack, but also with an ending so brutal, it leaves you wondering if the second half of the film ever saw the first half!One film is nearly a consensus pick. The other is a genuine dark horse. Neither is an average 80s movie. And this decision may not be quite as easy as we thought!Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region is closing out its first round, and this one’s a genuine odd couple. In one corner: Revenge of the Nerds, the 1984 comedy that became a cultural institution. Joe and Keith both ranked it #13, which might be the most agreement they’ve had all season. But they do agree it is the most problematic film of the first 32!In the other corner: Poltergeist, the 1982 haunted-house film (produced and co-written by Spielberg) that earned three Oscar nominations (losing all of them to E.T.), with a directing credit dispute that was never officially resolved. Two very different kinds of 80s. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below!Which of these classic films is more 80s? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region moves to its near conclusion! In one corner: Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, the 1984 sequel that gave the English language a permanent shorthand for unnecessary follow-ups. The film contains a scene where Turbo literally dances on the ceiling, no explanation, and the film just does it anyway. In the other corner: The Cannonball Run, Hal Needham’s 1981 all-star road-race comedy that Siskel called “unbelievably bad," while audiences made it the #3 film of 1981. Both are categorically terrible films. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region has something special for us this week! To kick off our third year of The 80s-est, we welcome Alejandro Saya back to the show! We would also like to promote Alejandro & Marco’s show, “Lo más ochenta,” in which Keith appears this week:Anyway, back to the matchup! In one corner: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Steven Spielberg’s 1982 mega-hit that became the highest-grossing film of all time, won four Oscars, and, according to Ebert is, “a reminder of what movies are for.” It’s a phenomenon.In the other corner: Xanadu, the 1980 Olivia Newton-John roller-disco fantasy that was so spectacularly terrible it directly inspired the creation of the Golden Raspberry Awards. John Wilson saw Xanadu, was furious, and invented the Razzies. One of these is a masterpiece. One of these changed awards history in a very different direction. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region serves up one of its most fascinating/lopsided matchups yet. In one corner: Purple Rain, the 1984 Prince film that won the last Academy Award for Best Original Song Score ever given — then the category was retired. The soundtrack was OTHERWORLDLY. But there’s really not much of a movie there.In the other corner: The Thing, John Carpenter’s 1982 paranoid sci-fi horror masterpiece that audiences and critics rejected completely on release…more details on that in the show. It has no real soundtrack, and not much of a look to it, but is a great film. One is a masterpiece soundtrack that was recognized immediately, and has a look like no other. The other is a great film that took decades to be understood. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below!Purple Rain (1984) — TrailerThe Thing (1982) — Trailer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region delivers a matchup that covers a lot of 80s ground. In one corner: Risky Business, Paul Brickman’s 1983 coming-of-age classic where Tom Cruise slides across a living room in his socks, accidentally turns his parents’ house into a brothel, and somehow comes out ahead. It made Tom Cruise a superstar and gave the decade one of its defining images. In the other: An American Werewolf in London, John Landis’ 1981 horror-“comedy” that won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup — because Rick Baker’s werewolf transformation scene was so unprecedented the Academy created the category just to honor it. One made a star. One made movie history. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Guys, we were recording, and I didn’t have a clock, time got away from us on this one! You do have a week to listen, so…enjoy?This may be the Fast Times Region’s biggest matchup yet. In one corner: Beverly Hills Cop, the 1984 Eddie Murphy machine that became the #1 film of the year. Axel Foley drove into Beverly Hills in a beat-up car, and the whole decade basically stopped to watch. In the other corner: Tron, Disney’s 1982 visual quantum leap, was a film so unprecedented that the Academy disqualified it from Oscar consideration for Best Visual Effects because they decided that using computers to make images was “cheating.” One is the biggest crowd-pleaser in the bracket. One is the most technically audacious. Both are difficult to imagine in any decade but the 80s. Which one is MORE 80s? Vote below!Beverly Hills Cop (1984) — TrailerTron (1982) — TrailerPlease check out friend of the podcast, Alejandro Saya, and his show here: Lo mas ochenta Linktree This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Fast Times Region doesn’t slow down! This week it’s a matchup of two very different flavors of 80s comedy, and maybe the most lopsided box office stories in the bracket. In one corner: Class, the 1983 prep-school drama-comedy where Andrew McCarthy accidentally sleeps with his roommate’s mother, a film that quietly launched a generation of Brat Pack careers. In the other corner: Police Academy, the 1984 comedy that earned Ebert’s notorious zero-star review and then proceeded to gross $81 million and spawn six sequels anyway. One is a sleeper. One is a phenomenon. Both are deeply, unmistakably 80s. So which one is MORE 80s? You decide! Vote below!Class (1983) — TrailerPolice Academy (1984) — Trailer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Welcome to the Fast Times Region! And what a way to kick things off! In one corner: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Amy Heckerling’s sun-drenched 1982 snapshot of teenage California life, packed with a killer soundtrack, an iconic cast of future stars, and one Jeff Spicoli who just wanted to surf. In the other: Friday the 13th, the 1980 micro-budget slasher that terrified a generation, launched a franchise, and made Gene Siskel so furious he literally spoiled the ending in his review to keep people away (it didn’t work). One is the defining teen comedy of the early 80s. The other is the defining horror film of the early 80s, but which one IS more 80s? That’s not for us to say. It’s for YOU. VOTE!Here’s the link to Alejandro’s “Lo más ochenta” on Spotify, please go like, follow, listen: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

It’s 1984 vs. 1982, and the SIXTEEN CANDLES Region is throwing down! In one corner: Footloose, the movie that made Kevin Bacon a household name and convinced America that dancing could start a revolution! In the other: 48 Hrs., the buddy-cop thriller that launched Eddie Murphy into the stratosphere and taught us all that you can get a lot done in two days if you’re mad enough about it. One has a legendary soundtrack, the other has a bar scene people are still talking about. Both are quintessential 80s. So which one is MORE 80s? There is a time for all things under the sun, and now, there is a time to vote: NOW! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

In this episode of The 80s-est, it’s (7)The Big Chill vs (10)National Lampoon's Vacation. We're diving into a fascinating Boomer clash from the Sixteen Candles Region between two very different sides of 1983: the serious Boomer introspective ensemble drama versus the Boomer-as-dad broad family road trip comedy. Both have more than a whiff of ass to them. Which is more essentially 80s? You decide! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This week on a super-sized The 80s-est, we tackle a fascinating clash between two very different sides of the decade: the epic space opera that defined blockbuster filmmaking versus the domestic comedy that captured Reagan-era anxieties. One film launched a thousand space operas and toy lines; the other launched Michael Keaton's career and reflected the economic uncertainty many families were actually living through. But which one truly represents the most "totally 80s" experience?If you love the nostalgia of the 70s-80s Star Wars stuff, and enjoyed our interview with him, please check out John Booth’s book, Collect All 21: Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek - The First 30 Years. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

In the Sixteen Candles Region, sixth-seeded Airplane! meets eleventh-seeded Streets of Fire in a matchup that is tough to quantify. Airplane! invented the modern spoof, launched Leslie Nielsen's second career, and gave the world "don't call me Shirley." Streets of Fire slapped "A Rock & Roll Fable" on the poster, put Willem Dafoe in shirtless leather overalls, and dared you to take it completely seriously — and somehow it works. One is the 80s laughing at the 70s. The other is the 80s at its most gloriously self-unaware. Only one can advance! Vote now! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This week, it’s a battle of 1982 with (4)Tootsie up against (13) Rocky III . On one side, you've got Rocky III which practically sweats neon. You’ve got Mr. T in his film debut, Hulk Hogan in a wrestling cameo, Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" blasting over a montage, and Sylvester Stallone looking less like a boxer and more like a man who ate a bodybuilder. On the other side sits Tootsie, a sophisticated comedy about gender and a Dustin Hoffman performance so committed it earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win. Rocky III is the 80s as pure spectacle: loud, muscular, and gloriously unnecessary. Tootsie is the 80s trying to say something meaningful while wearing big shoulder pads. Both have things that make them 80s. Only one can be the 80s-est.Here is the training montage from Rocky III that we mentioned that shows a lot of man-thigh: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Blade Runner was near-future sci-fi; Amadeus was far-past musical composer drama. Since neither film is anchored in the 1980s, which will capture our votes for most 80s? Listen and see how we navigate the pillars of this interesting matchup!Vote below, and if you don’t have time to revisit the films, we have included the trailers so that you can get a quick refresher! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Well, this is it, the hypothetically closest matchup in the tournament, as 8-seed “Hot Dog…the Movie” takes on 9-seed “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” These two were right in the middle of the rankings, 32 and 33 overall. Hot Dog defined the raunchy ski-movie genre, Nightmare re-defined the teen slasher film. Which is better? Well, that’s not much of a contest. Which is more 80s?? You decide!Vote below, and if you don’t have time to revisit the films, we have included the trailers so that you can get a quick refresher! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Season 4 starts off with a matchup of a dialogue-heavy teen movie against a dialogue-sparse post-apocalyptic action flick. Sixteen Candles struts in with John Hughes cred and a cast of 80s stalwarts, but MM2:TRW is making a case with the look and feel that defined a franchise.Don’t get confused: the one seed has the word “sixteen” in its title, and the sixteen seed has the word “two” in its title. We trust you to be smart enough to figure this out.Vote below, and if you don’t have time to revisit the films, we have included the trailers so that you can get a quick refresher! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Hello, friends! We have returned for The 80s-est, Season 4! This season is called Reel A: 1980-84, and in it, we will explore the 64 most 80s movies, as voted by you, our loyal listeners! Today’s pilot episode will get us started down a road to finding the most 80s film in the United States from the beginning of the decade! In the pilot, we discuss the methodology used to arrive at the top 64 (thanks to all who voted!), and then we reveal ALL the matchups that were generated as a result of the vote.As in any season, there are favorites and dark horses, and Joe & I will advocate for our choices, but as always, everything comes down to the votes of the listeners!Here, then, are the four regions as determined by our OpinionX poll:For those who want to see how their movies did, here is the full list from OpinionX: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

It’s the end of the season, and yes, we reveal the winner of the Duets Region, and the ultimate winner of Season 3: Legends Only. No spoilers here in the post!BUT FIRST…Before we reveal those things, instead of posting a “best moments” episode this season, we decided to do something more interesting! We instead had a lengthy, interesting discussion with Keith’s friend, a professor, a communicator, a citizen of Córdoba, Argentina, a lover of music, and a lover of the 80s, Alejandro Saya!There were so many things we discussed on today’s show, but here are some of the great takeaways:Here’s Charly’s version of “Los dinosaurios” from MTV Unplugged:Soda Stereo playing “De música ligera” to a Mexican audience in their 2007 comeback tour:This is a really cool cover of Serú Girán’s “La grasa de las capitales”:This is a beautiful live version of “Himno de mi corazón” by Los Abuelos de la Nada:And this is a TV ad that represents the spirit of “El destape”: young people would smoke indoors and lose their clothes and inhibitions for no particular reason!:Alejandro’s International Top 10:Alejandro’s Top 5 Makeout Songs! Alejandro’s 80s-est de Argentina:I have decided to just do a separate post about Season 4! Just enjoy this finale, and wait for that post to have the Season 4 discussion! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This is all that there is, there is no more. You have one more decision to make. Which of these incredibly legendary 80s songs will win this whole damn bracket, and take the Season 3: Legends Only crown? (OK, you have one other decision to make—which song will win 3rd place?) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

It’s all down to one last vote, so gather your justifications and your experiential data and get ready to crown a champion! Listen, then VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Folks, it doesn’t get anymore “THIS IS IT!” than this, AGAIN! The second half of your Final Four. We are working together to send one more song to the Season 3: Legends, Final! Which of these evenly-rated 3-seeds will advance to the Final??? YOU get to decide! Listen, then VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

[NOTE: the attempt to publish this last evening was thwarted by a massive failure at Substack at 3AM through at least 4AM. I eventually just went to bed.][Here now is the episode you were supposed to have for your morning commute!]Folks, it doesn’t get anymore “THIS IS IT!” than this. The Final Four. Sending one song to the Season 3: Legends, Final! Will it be the odds-on favorite, or the dark-horse, long-shot Cinderella??? YOU get to decide! Listen, then VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Duets are down to the Final Four! Who do you want to continue on to the Final? Listen, then: VOTE!The current state of the Duets Bracket: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Springsteen Region all comes down to this! It’s lopsided if you just look at the seeds, but which of these 80s gems will represent in the Final Four? It’s up to YOU! VOTE!The Kidd Video intro discussed tonight:The Springsteen Region up-to-the-minute: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Madonna Region all comes down to this! It’s not a 1 v 2 matchup, which of these unlikely songs will represent in the Final Four? It’s up to YOU! VOTE!Here’ the Roos commercial from tonight’s show:The Madonna Region, up-to-the moment: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Duets game is SIZZLING now! It started with only 16 so we are blasting through it quickly! After this round, we will already have our Final Four! Here’s your chance to pick the final two of those four! So give us a listen, and then VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This is it. The MJ Region is down to one final vote. Who will advance? YOU decide! One of these songs is getting its ticket punched to the Final Four! VOTE!Joe, here’s Ted Cruz:Tonight’s Merlin commercial:The Final MJ Region Bracket, just need to crown a champion! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This is it. The Prince Region comes down to one vote. And yes, the region is named after Prince, so that’s convenient, but really give this one a thought before just blindly voting for the Purple One! one of these songs is getting its ticket punched to the Final Four! VOTE!Here is the Simon commercial referenced tonight, which I found on Instagram:Simon, Challenge of a Lifetime on IGThis next Simon commercial of the same series, is the same actors, but without the music, and is more easily accessible on YouTube.The Bracket, completely filled in now, but for the winner: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Duets game is HEATING UP! It starts with only 16 so we can blast through it quickly! Before you know it, we will be down to four! Here’s your chance to pick the first two of those four! So give us a listen, and then VOTE!As mentioned by Joe in the show: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Well, we are really getting to the end of it, the Sweet Sixteen in the Springsteen Region are the Region’s Final Four. Wade into this and vote, and make an argument to us about what you’re doing! Don’t forget to vote for BOTH polls!Here’s the Springsteen Region bracket, up to this moment:Polaroid commercial with Hugh Laurie, 80s:The one Joe was trying to explain, I think. (Mariette Hartley, with James Garner, not Bill Bixby.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Sweet Sixteen must become the Elite 8. Let’s figure out who moves forward, together. Let us know how you are arriving at your votes!(Here is a screenshot of the quiz show we discuss from 1987—Keith far right) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The Duets Region gets into full swing, as we competely finish the first round of it with FOUR votes for you to make! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Well, we are down to the Sweet Sixteen, and four of those songs are here in the Michael Jackson Region. There are no more easy decisions left in this tournament. Everyone left is a complete LEGEND. So vote with your brain, vote with Billboard data, vote with your heart, but however you do it: just VOTE!The current state of the Michael Jackson Region in graphic form: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The last round of voting in the Prince Region has left us down to just four songs in this region, which is also known, bracket-wide, as making the Sweet Sixteen! There were not a LOT of upsets in this region, as 1,2,3, and 5 advanced!Here is the graphical bracket of where the Prince Region is: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Here we are, finally! Doing the Duets mini-game! The problem is that we missed the first two Fridays that we needed to do it, due to hiatus concerns. SO, we are doubling up the next two episodes in order to “catch up.” Let’s be optimistic and call this “bonus content” instead of “a really long show”?Found herein are some of the decade’s best artists. And Lita Ford. Everyone on this show is a Legend, at least in some sense. It’s up to you to figure out the criteria that will help you decide who to vote for: Most legendary? Most 80s? Your favorite? Have fun with it! Don’t forget, there are FOUR polls to vote on for this show! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Yes, we really are back from hiatus! Two episodes in the same week? It’s almost too good to be true!! Both matchups this week have extremely contrasting styles, but all four of these songs are 80s classics! So choose wisely with your votes, one of these songs could really be going places! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

We start off the Bruce Region second round with two matchups consisting of four songs that did their jobs and won as favorites: 1,4,5, and 8. There were no upsets in the top of the bracket, though Weird Al came closest.Now it’s up to you to use your powers of discernment to determine who is most 80s and/or most legendary TO YOU of the songs that remain! Vote! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

We have made it to the bottom of Round 2 in the Madonna Region, and things are really heating up! There’s upset potential in the air for round 3! These are some close matchups that we need YOUR help to decide!Again remember to vote in both polls, don’t miss out on half of your influence! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

We are back from hiatus, doing some shows before we go on one final summer hiatus in the first week of September.The first half of the Madonna Region contains only one mild upset. Are more upsets in the offing here in Round 2?Remember to scroll down and vote in both polls! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Happy Friday! The Duets mini-game is HERE! We have an extra-long episode for you, since Joe is going on vacation next week. What duets did we miss? Which ones did we absolutely nail??? Let us know in the comments! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The bottom of the first round in the MJ Region featured FOUR blowouts: two by favorites, and two by underdogs! 10 and 11 seeds both advanced! Will those low seeds advancing make the path to the third round easier for the favorites? YOU decide! VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

You have spoken! Michael Jackson was nearly ousted in the FIRST ROUND! Here are the results of the first round, and the matchups for the first half of the second round in the Michael Jackson Region! Good luck choosing that second one! VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

Well, the returns from Round 1 keep rolling in, and more Legends are heading home early. These four songs that survived make up the second half of the Prince Region’s Round 2. Who should continue to Round 3? You decide! VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

The votes from Round 1 are in, and they are decisive! It’s time to look at the first two matchups in the second round in the Prince Region! If you thought the first round matchups were bad, I wish you luck on these!! VOTE! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

This week brings us one of the most fascinating contrasts of the entire tournament: John Mellencamp's heartland anthem "Jack & Diane" versus Kool & the Gang's universal party starter "Celebration." Both songs hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but they represent completely different approaches to the early 1980s."Jack & Diane" embodies everything about Mellencamp's small-town storytelling, whereas "Celebration" spent 30 weeks on the charts and became the go-to song for weddings, sporting events, and moments of national joy. Who wins? VOTE!"Jack & Diane" by John Mellencamp: "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

In today's Bruce Springsteen Region showdown, we pit two quintessential 80s anthems against each other: the arena rock perfection of (7)Def Leppard's "Photograph" versus the new wave sophistication of (10)Blondie's "Call Me." "Photograph" features Mutt Lange's meticulously layered soundscapes, gated reverb drums, and the kind of harmonic complexity that required cutting-edge studio technology to achieve. "Call Me," on the other hand, represents the decade's punk-influenced new wave aesthetic. The song's connection to the film "American Gigolo" is the beginning of how movie soundtracks became a driving force in pop music during the decade. Both songs epitomize what made the 1980s such a distinctive musical era, but they represent very different sides of the decade's sonic personality. Which will YOU choose? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com

In today's Bruce Springsteen Region matchup, we witness a fascinating clash between two distinct 80s production philosophies: Chicago's lush power ballad craftsmanship in "You're the Inspiration" (3rd seed) versus INXS's electronic funk-rock innovation in "Need You Tonight" (14th seed). Both songs achieved massive commercial success but represent completely different approaches to capturing the 1980s zeitgeist."You're the Inspiration" embodies the power ballad phenomenon through David Foster's signature wall-of-sound production. Peter Cetera's soaring vocals, combined with layered synthesizers and polished orchestration, created the template for aspirational love songs that dominated the decade. Meanwhile, "Need You Tonight" showcases the minimalist electronic approach that revolutionized rock music. Built around an unchanging Roland TR-707 drum machine groove, the song's muted guitar funk and sleek production represented the era's embrace of technology as a fundamental creative tool. The track's innovative music video, featuring cutting-edge visual effects, won five MTV Video Music Awards and perfectly captured the decade's fascination with modern aesthetics.Which song better represents the 80s spirit: Chicago's emotional maximalism and power ballad perfection, or INXS's technological innovation and electronic funk-rock fusion? Cast your vote!Chicago - "You're the Inspiration": INXS - "Need You Tonight": This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the80sest.substack.com