The 80s-est

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...

In today's Bruce Springsteen Region matchup, we pit two quintessentially 80s masterpieces against each other: 6-seed George Michael's soulful saxophone-driven ballad "Careless Whisper" versus 11-seed Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield's synth-pop collaboration "What Have I Done to Deserve This?". Both songs represent the decade's most innovative production techniques, but in completely different...

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...

Today it’s pure rock spirit against country-pop crossover mastery. Huey Lewis and the News' 5-seed "The Heart of Rock & Roll" celebrates rock music's grassroots power (from Cleveland!) with infectious horn arrangements and Huey's everyman charm. Meanwhile, Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream" represents the pinnacle of his crossover success, (and the best of his MANY duets) simultaneously topping...

Rick Springfield's 8-seed, "Don't Talk to Strangers" captures the jealous paranoia of a deeply insecure touring musician. The #2 hit showcased Springfield's peak commercial power in the early MTV era, and cementing him as one of the decade’s biggest teen heartthrobs. On the flip side, Weird Al Yankovic's 9-seed, "Eat It" represents the birth of a comedy legend. This note-perfect parody of Michael...

[OK Folks, well, it took 150+ episodes for me to screw up an episode this badly, but here is this episode being re-posted due to being deleted due to technical issues. PLEASE re-vote if you can, as the original post was wiped out. Thanks! Keith] In this 30th episode of Season 3, we witness a fascinating clash between the number one seed and a rebellious 16-seed underdog. Bruce Springsteen's (1)"Da...

[EDITOR’S NOTE: I mis-posted earlier by accidentally sending out Wednesday’s episode, because it’s 5AM! and I am still awake making posts. I have deleted that post for now, here is the actual correct show for Monday, July 7th! —Keith] In this episode, we're diving deep into the final matchup of the Madonna Region with a fascinating clash between two completely different approaches to 80s greatness...

The Madonna Region continues with a fascinating clash between hard rock arena anthems and soft rock intimacy. The 7th-seeded "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi represents the quintessential 80s rock experience - leather pants, big hair, and choruses designed for stadium singalongs. This was the song that launched Bon Jovi into superstardom and helped define the hair metal movement. Its immedia...

Two titans clash in the Madonna Region as Cyndi Lauper's vulnerable masterpiece "Time After Time" faces off against Elton John's resilient anthem "I'm Still Standing." Lauper's tender ballad epitomizes the 80s with its emotional synth production and clock-ticking percussion, becoming her first #1 hit and proving she could master both dance anthems and heartfelt ballads. The song captures the era's...

Today's matchup in the Madonna Region pits two distinctly different flavors of 80s excellence against each other. In the blue corner, we have REO Speedwagon's 6-seed "Can't Fight This Feeling," a soaring power ballad that epitomizes the decade's love affair with this schlocky drivel. Kevin Cronin's heartfelt (but nasal) confession about falling for a longtime friend spent three weeks at #1 and bec...

In today's Madonna Region matchup, we pit two distinctly different flavors of 80s against each other. The 4th-seeded "You Might Think" by The Cars represents the quirky, new wave side of the decade with its distinctive synthesizer-driven sound and Ric Ocasek's deadpan vocals that became synonymous with MTV's early years. Released in 1984, this track perfectly embodies the era's fascination with te...