The 80s-est

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.co...

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....

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 IG This next S...

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....

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, wit...

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 y...

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 bonu...

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 Lege...

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 epis...

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 woul...

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 epis...

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 th...

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...

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 a...

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 19...