'I'll be your knight in shining armor...'

Whatever your opinion of '80s music is, you can't deny that the year 1980 was filled with hit songs that were still soaked in the late '70s cheese dip of bad music.

And so it was with great expectations that Stuck in the 80s co-host Sean Daly and I tackled our newest podcast topic: The horrible hits of 1980.

Each song reached the Top 100 chart during the year (though some were released in 1979), and each song brings nothing by pain and anguish to our ears when we hear them today. Particularly, that Rolling Stones' disaster, "Emotional Rescue." (Mick! What were you thinking?) And don't even get me started on how bad the video is.

Click here to listen to the show. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes. And by all means, drop us a comment to tell us we picked the right or wrong songs. Because in 1980, there's plenty of blame to go around.

Comments

[ian (in CT)]

Jeff in Cuba,

Not sure if you'll see this as it's several days late.

SSBN-727G, SSN-21, SSN-22

[Bassnote]

I know a good tattoo artist Steve, I can arrange it for you.

[Spears]

I'd rather have the lyrics to "All Out of Love" tattooed across my back than listen to "The Wall" one more time.

Well, if you can squeeze it under the words to the "Pledge of Allegiance to Elvis Costello."

[Wayne]

Pink Floyd bashing? It's just blatantly WRONG - "The Wall" was and will always be a classic album, and the overplaying of one song does not justify it being included on your list with so much of the schlocky crap that came out in the 80's. Ya know, us Pink Floyd fans need to think up some painful pennance for you guys to perform for that faux pas - maybe just make you listen to Air Supply for a few days nonstop.

[Rick]

Dr. Hook had other hits like "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" ('79):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oNZyMVTVCE
(My favorite comment is someone who wrote that good music stands the test of time! LOL Care to grandfather it in, Mr. Spears?)

And then there was "Only Sixteen," but I must say that "Sexy Eyes," though not a guilty pleasure is a helluva a funny song to sing to your woman if you want to needle her.

"Ebony Eyes" by Bob Walsh, though a 70s number, is another great one to annoy the crap out of a loved one. "Well, have you seen that girl in the corner? I'd like to break her out of her chains...!"

And, yes, I agree with the Boyz that Dan Fogelberg's "Longer Than" blows, blows, blows.

[Rick]

Hey! What the heck version of "The Rose" was that? That wasn't Bette Midler! Not that it makes one whit of difference, since the song and the movie are awful, but that was something like a Maureen McGovern version, wasn't it?

Didn't anybody else notice?

And here's Kenny Rogers place in music: founding member of the FBAA (Future Branson Artists of America).

[Bassnote]

Don't knock it Spearsy, Pink Floyd is great makeout music.

[Vegasgirlfriend]

Spearsie, I'll bring my Shine On boxset with me to Florida.

[Spears]

If the Vegas Girlfriend wants make-out music for her trips to Florida, then OK, I'll go out and buy some Pink Floyd.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Ian,

What boats?

And in the spirit of full-disclosure, it was my name-twin Jeff from Vegas who so wisely drew the line between over-played and under-good.

But I couldn't agree with him more.

[Douglas Arthur]

Am I the only one who noticed that the Stones' Emotional Rescue and Kenny Rogers' Lady both contained the line I'll be you knight in shining armor...". Unfortunately Monsieur Rogers never mentions the "fine Arab chrarger"...would have made that a better song.

You know, Emotional Rescue is a funny sort of song. When it came out I remember my brother and I relentlessly making fun of it, but then somewhere in the mid 90's I heard it played, probably unintentionally on the radio and I liked it. I think if you look past Mick on this one, the bassline and the drums are actually kinda cool.

[ian (in CT)]

BTW,

"Harriot and I just finished listening to the podcast, and she's so incensed I'm going to need a spatula to get her off of the ceiling."

classic!

[ian (in CT)]

Jeff in Cuba,

I whole hearted agree with your argument. Overplayed is not equal horrible hit.

There are many 80s songs that receive too much airtime that would NEVER qualify for the next 9 podcasts on this topic.

- MM1(SS) Ian (in CT) (formerly)

[Jeff in Cuba]

Harriot and I just finished listening to the podcast, and she's so incensed I'm going to need a spatula to get her off of the ceiling.

As soon as the first wimpy notes of "Longer" oozed out of the speakers, long before the subject of our wedding was ever mentioned, she audibly groaned.

Then when Sean mentioned that people may have danced to that song at their weddings, she said "Not anyone I know!"

But when you both decided that we played it at our reception, she could only sputter "WHAT?!!" in the special voice she usually reserves for children who miss the toilet.

I've assured her that the implication was solely for shock value; the desperate antics of two sweaty men in a poorly ventilated room perpetuating the illusion of content. She's still pretty steamed.

Thanks a lot.

For the record, our first song was Matthew Sweet's "I've Been Waiting" http://www.imeem.com/philologerunding/music/_Nid_0Wf/matthew_sweet_ive_been_waiting/

[Jeff from Vegas]

Oh, one more thing: overplayed does NOT equal horrible hit. Otherwise, I fully expect "I'll Melt with You" to be on this list when the time comes. As we all know from a previous podcast, that song is probably the most overplayed '80s hit ever.

And for the record, I *like* "I'll Melt with You."

[Jeff from Vegas]

If you guys really want to rip on Pink Floyd, rip on the post-Roger Waters version of the band. It just doesn't stack up.

[Spears]

Dave -- In that case, I'm keeping all your audio equipment!

[Former Producer Dave]

WTG Vegas GF. Pink Floyd was one of the few bright spots in '70s music (along with Steely Dan) and they still were going strong in the '80s. Sean, I'm buying back my introduction to you and Spearsie....you're off my Christmas card list. HA! That'll teach you!! ;)

[CHAD]

i guess pink floyd never appealed to me, they were before my time. all the radio stations i listend to back then were current rock radio. classic rock didnt exist, so i listened with glee to the likes of, def leppard, van halen, reo speedwagon, foreigner, dokken, quiet riot, ratt, night ranger, etc. in fact, i didnt get into led zep until the mid to late 80s. i think outside of another brick in the wall, i had never heard another pink floyd tune till they reunited in the late 80s.

[ian (in CT)]

Not a good sign! Even Vegas Girlfriend joins us.

Maybe Steve needs to lay off the Mash and Mac & Cheese. It appears to be affecting his brain!

I think a regimen of Munchos will cure him of this affliction!

[Michelle]

Sparky--just that song. Although it was not nearly as overplayed (and does not appear to have the longevity) of the severe uber-patriotic suckage of "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

[Bassnote]

See, even Vegas Girlfriend digs the Floyd. As I said in a previous post, I too have many fond memories attached to the music of Pink Floyd.

[Vegasgirlfriend]

Sean - Sea hag? Where's the love?

I also must jump on the Pink Floyd-lovin' bandwagon. As I explained to Spearsie on the phone today, at the Big 10 institution where I went to school, listening to Dark Side of the Moon and watching The Wall, preferably while higher than a kite and making out with the gender of your choice, was a rite of passage, and I have many fond memories attached to both.

[Douglas Arthur]

but Chad, as Mojo so elequently taught us back in '87, Michael J. Fox has no Elvis in him....

[CHAD]

also steve, you said you didnt like anyone with a middle intial in their name. i have one question then, what about michael j fox, i thought he was your hero for a while.

[CHAD]

ive never been a fan of pink floyd. i like a few of their tunes, but do not own one single floyd cd. gilmour is a brilliant guitar player, though. in the podcast, steve remarked his love for no more lonely nights, the brilliance of that song is gilmours solo at the end. i pretty much agree with all of the choices, except the eagles. i cant tell you why is a great song. while ill agree its not their best, but its certainly not nearly their worst.

[Douglas Arthur]

Out of the woods and late to the party, but here I am! I just wanted to put up a little flack jacket here for Spearsy and Sean. I am going to be one of the few to applaud their gutsy choice of Floyd's classic ABITW pt2. I was never a huge fan of Pink Flotd and this song was a main reason.

I'd write more but I am taking my daughter to one of the few holdovers from the 80's...Chuck E. Cheese...and she is not appreciative of my blogging skills.

[sparky]

Ris was that a boom box or an 8 track player?

And Michelle, nothing by the Jewish Elvis can make a suck list.

[Michelle]

Here's a kickoff for 1981:
Angel of the Morning, Juice Newton
America, Neil Diamond
Suddenly, Sean's fave ONJ and Cliff Richard

[Michelle]

I actually think there were many songs that were much worse than the ones you guys chose.

[Marissa]

Oh, I should mention that Pink Floyd's THE WALL was the soundtrack for my freshman year in high school. I hated it because the stoners who rode the bus would blast it from a boom box and smoke pot on the back of the bus.

I sat in the front of the bus, by the way.

[Marissa]

"If you don't eat your meat. You can't have any pudding."

THAT is why Steve hates that song. He's meatless now and he yearns to have his pudding pops and Pink Floyd is telling him no!

[Marissa]

Wow! THE ROSE. For 8th grade concert choir we had to sing that. Once parents learned the movie of the same name was about drugs, sex and rock n' roll they were a bit upset that it was part of our 13 year old choir repertoire.

FYI - Confraternity of Christian Doctrine = CCD in ye olde Catholic teachings.

[The Man Known Only as.......Rowan]

Steve's favorite huh....nice

Have to agree with you on everything on that list except for(yup, you guessed it) Pink Floyd. Even though it is a bit overplayed, it's still a great song. The whole album is in fact.

[ian (in CT)]

I just downloaded "Coming Up" just to spite you.

...and yes, the live version is much better.

[Bassnote]

Sean, I love and support you when you are right, but ripping on Pink Floyd is wrong on so many levels. You have to agree that David Gilmour is arguably one of the greatest guitarists out there, and that Floyd is one of the most musically gifted bands to ever come across the ocean. I'm with you 100% on American Idols and Smashing Pumpkins, but not Pink Floyd. The music of Pink Floyd is connected to so much of my youth, that yes, I do take offence when someone rips on them. I still love and respect you Sean, but I just can't agree with you on this one. And you know the Floyd fans out there are going to come at you in droves.

[Sean Daly]

August 22, 2008 -- 10:09 PM

Bassnote praises me on Pop Life.

August 23, 2008 -- 11:11 PM

Bassnote rips me on SIT80s.

Wow. Just like that. Et tu, Brute? And yet, despite the ups and downs, the praise and the ad hominen venom, let it be known that my love and support for Bassnote has remained at a steadfast 100 % throughout.

God bless us, every one.

[Walter Cox]

Listening to all those songs in such close succession left me feeling kinda dizzy. I gotta say, I can't recall a 'cast with such horrible content that I enjoyed so much.

And if nobody else does, I love you, Sean. But me not love you long time.

[Bassnote]

For Sean stating that "Pink Floyd Sucks", he deserves all the venom that will be unleashed on him.

[Brandon R.]

So Sean complains that everyone hates him, then you guys say Pink Floyd sucks? Way to make even more enemies.

'Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. II' is overplayed, but 'The Wall' is probably Floyd's most overrated album. 'Dark Side of the Moon' is their real masterpiece. It's a concept album with a fairly pessimistic/cynical take on the journey from birth to death.

Spears, this should be right up your alley.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Bassnote,

I'm still downloading the 'cast (which will take over two hours on the Cuban Information Super Bike Lane), but I'm with you on "Coming Up". I love the "Live in Glasgow" recording.

[ian (in CT)]

Wow! Bassnote, you really seem to take this personally. I didn't completely agree with their choices, but trying to pick just 10 songs is pretty difficult.

However, I will agree that Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd should not be on the list. The only thing wrong with "Another Brick In The Wall Part 2" is that it's been overplayed.

[Bassnote]

"Another Brick In The Wall Part 2" (let's get the full title correct) may be over played, but it is still a good song, and does not belong on this list. Captain & Tennille and Donna Summer & Barbara Streisand don't make the list with their crappy songs, but decent songs by Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney and Dan Fogelberg do. I'll grant that the studio version of "Coming Up" is nowhere near as good as the live version, but again, still a good song that does not belong on this list. You two really dropped the ball on this one.

[ian (in CT)]

I learned an important lesson today. Do not drive while listening to this podcast. Hearing the worst hits not only make one cringe in a way akin to having a stroke, but also brings back ALL the memories of those songs.

Nothing worse than having flashbacks and then the subsequent earworm for the next hour.

Great topic for another 9 podcasts.

After this run, how about best and worse covers of 80 songs. That horrible JC Penny commercial brought that idea on.

munchos!

[Aaron]

I'm a real tolerant guy when it comes to "bad" music. I thought I'd like most if not all of the song on the list. "Emotional Rescue" kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but "Coming up" push me over the edge. At least the it did the first time around. But this list came much closer to arousing my ire than podcast #43 "Bad songs from the 80's." On an other note "Another Brick in the Wall part 2" does not belong on this list and that Dr. Hook song was kinda nice. But I don't like the name Dr. Hook.

[Spears]

Sean and I just don't get the allure of Pink Floyd, and "Another Brick in the Wall" is easily one of the most overplayed songs in history.

[Jeff from Vegas]

That last comment was from me. Don't know why TypePad decided to log me out.

I don't know much about Dr. Hook, but they did have another famous song -- "Cover of the Rolling Stone." I couldn't find the song on Imeem, but I did find it on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q).

Also, you were wondering about how Jimmy Buffett ended up on a Timothy B. Schmidtt song. Timothy used to play with Jimmy Buffett in his Coral Reefer band. As a matter of fact, Timothy is the guy who coined the term "Parrothead" after observing that Jimmy Buffett's fans were like Deadheads.

[Jeff from Vegas]

Okay, so here I was listening to the podcast.

"Emotional Rescue". Yeah, that one really blows.

"The Rose". Really sappy. I'm still with you.

"Lady". Still with you here. Also really sappy.

"I Can't Tell You Why". Well, I like the Eagles, but I can see your point. I like the song but it's not one my favorites.

"Another Brick in the Wall". Wait! What? Pink Floyd? Are you crazy? And you picked this one over Captain & Tennille? I'm really starting wonder about you.

And the rest of the songs? Yeah, they were all pretty bad. Actually, aside from that one big, fat, glaring error, your list was dead on.

[Bassnote]

I have to go to a family party today, so I'll be listening to this in the iPod on the drive.