Guess who's coming to Tampa Bay...

This summer's biggest 80s show -- The Regeneration Tour -- has announced it will play Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on Aug. 30.

And yes, that's the same tour that a handful of Stuck in the 80s fans -- myself included -- are flying across the country to see on Aug. 2 in Las Vegas. (Surely there are other things to do in that town, right? Aside from getting "Ione Skye" tattooed across my chest.)

The lineup for the Clearwater show is slightly different than other stops on the tour. The Human League, Belinda Carlisle and Dead or Alive won't be on this leg. Instead, Missing Persons, the Romantics and A Flock of Seagulls will join ABC and Naked Eye. Personally, I think the lineup is just as good for the local show.

You know that what means: I'll definitely be up for watching that show again later that month. So anyone up for coming down to Tampa Bay that weekend, give me a holler.

25 greatest TV theme songs of the 80s

The tunes defined our generation -- at least from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every weeknight during our formative years.

Today, they serve as 30-second bursts of memories of the good old days, when the most drama we had was whether to feather our hair or krimp it. Or perhaps deciding which color corduroy pants to wear with our brand-new REO Speedwagon concert tees. (You never go wrong with navy blue!)

Welcome to the official Stuck in the 80s list of the 25 best TV theme songs from our favorite decade. We considered your input along with the expert advice of Times media critic Eric Deggans to fine-tune the final rankings.

Don't forget to listen to this week's podcast, which unveils our rationale for the top 10 TV theme songs. Click here to listen. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes.

In the meantime, get in full couch-potato mode and set the remote control aside for this list.

TOP 25 TV THEME SONGS OF THE 80s:

25. Star Trek: The Next Generation [watch]

24. Taxi [watch]

23. Facts of Life [watch]

22. 21 Jump Street [watch]

21. Magnum P.I. [watch]

20. Dallas [watch]

19. Dynasty [watch]

18. The Love Boat [watch] 

17. Night Court [watch]

16. Full House [watch]

15. Charles in Charge [watch]

14. Moonlighting [watch]

13. It’s Garry Shandling's Show  [watch]

12. The Paper Chase [listen]

11. Pee Wee's Playhouse [watch] 

10. Hill Street Blues [watch]

9. The Cosby Show  [watch]

8. Square Pegs  [watch]

7. Greatest American Hero [watch]

6. The A-Team [watch]

5. Family Ties [watch]

4. WKRP in Cincinnati [watch]

3. Dukes of Hazzard [watch]

2. Cheers [watch]

1. Miami Vice [watch]

"Miami Vice" gets the nod over "Cheers" because it oozes the '80s from every pour. Jan Hammer's masterpiece can only be properly enjoyed in a white linen jacket, loafers and dark glasses.

So which TV theme songs did we miss out on?

Drop the weapon and play 'It's Only Love'!

Tina Turner is ready to make her comeback (again) and is plotting her first tour in nearly a decade.

According to the Reuters news service, the 68-year-old Turner decided to give it another go  after friend and film legend Sophia Loren told her it was "time to hit the road again."

( I would have guessed that seeing Syesha Mercardo doing a Halloween-esque version of "Proud Mary" on "American Idol" would have been reason enough to return. Please, wash that performance from our minds.)

The tour begins Oct. 1 in Kansas City and continues through Dec. 8 in Montreal. Only two Florida dates are currently listed: Nov. 2 in Fort Lauderdale and Nov. 5 in Orlando. Click here to see the full list.

Tina owned the 80s, recording 25 songs that hit the charts either in the U.S. or abroad. Still, my personal favorite Tina moment? No, not a song. Her role as "Aunty Entity" in 1985's "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome."

"You know the law: Two men enter, one man leaves."

"... Someone still loves you"

It was one of the most sublime moments in '80s music: A sold-out Wembley Stadium falling in love again with Queen during the band's 1985 Live Aid Performance. The highlight of their short set -- "Radio Ga-Ga" -- the one time all afternoon when everything came together, if only for four minutes.

Whenever possible, I recommend starting your workday by playing the song. Nothing bad can happen when you start the day with an upbeat Queen song. (Better than picking "Who Wants to Live Forever" or "I Want To Break Free.")

But is "Radio Ga-Ga" just a happy phenomenon, or was it one of the truly great "anthems" of the '80s? I'm thinking of making our Sunday night chats on the blog a regular event -- what does everyone think? Maybe 8 or 9 p.m.? We'd have a topic to get us started -- I was thinking "name your favorite anthems" might be a good start. You know my feeling already ...

"You had your time, you had the power. You've yet to have your finest hour."

Night Ranger: Hole in the Sun

It's been more than 20 years since they first proved -- nearly scientifically -- that you could still rock in America. And with their new album "Hole in the Sun," Night Ranger is intent on showing their original theorem hasn't faded with time.

Know this up front: The 12-cut CD is heavy with head-banging, fist-thrusting explosions. If you're looking for the softer side of the band that cranked out 80s classics like "Four in the Morning" or "Sister Christian," you're better off grabbing a "best-of collection." For the most part, the band seems to have put its pop-rock sound on the shelf this go around.

"It's new Night Ranger, but in a lot of ways it's classic Night Ranger," singing/bassist Jack Blades says in the official release announcement.

Credit guitarist Brad Gillis with flexing his sizable guns on the work here. "Brad brought in a lot of great ideas, some more modern-sounding things," explains drummer Kelly Keagy. "We wanted a lot of songs like 'Drama Queen' -- great, gritty songs that establish our roots in hard rock."

Here are the highlights:

TOP HEAVY: Like a lot of CDs I've heard lately, the best tunes are right up front. "Tell Your Vision" and "Whatever Happened" make for a fast start.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR: "There is Life" is the closest thing to a "Sister Christian" sequel. I got chills from the opening notes on the piano and found it easy to connect with the lyrics:  "It's never all for nothing. If we have hope, then we gotta try." There's something to be said for a message you can understand.

OLD, OLD SCHOOL: "Revolution 4AM" has almost a '70s southern rock anthem feel to it. You half-expect to evolve into "Free Bird." It's the last thing you'd expect from a San Francisco band, but it works.

NOD TO THE CLASSICS: The review copy of "Hole in the Sun" includes two surprise bonus tracks -- acoustic versions of "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Sister Christian." It's a nice way to mellow out after the guitar fiesta of the first dozen songs. And "Christian" on a simple acoustic guitar is a simple and satisfying pleasure. It's clear that Jack, Kelly and Brad still enjoy playing their signature tune.

BUY OR NO BUY?: Hard-core Night Ranger fans will love the album; the import version from Japan sold well since its 2007 release. Casual fans looking for the next VH1-friendly hit won't find much here outside of "There Is Life" and the two classics redone acoustically. One you figure out which group you fit into, the answer is obvious.

[Photo by Scott Harrison]

Madonna fans are suckers

Madonna celebrates the release of "Hard Candy" with the usual moronic bunch of robotic dancing dweebs Wednesday In New York. [AP photo]

I'll never understand the enduring attraction to Madonna. And after this blog item, I might stop trying. (Even though her apologists will never go away.)

Madonna threw a free concert Wednesday night at New York's Roseland Ballroom, a quaint 2,000-person venue. According to the New York Times, fans waited in line as long as 60 hours for a chance to see her perform -- for 30 ... whole ... minutes.

Plus, if you believe at least one celeb gossip website, she may have been lip-syncing or music-syncing portions of the show. "What Would Tyler Durden Do" -- easily one of the most profane (ie. hilarious) websites out there, posts a short video of the show with this helpful hint: "Just let this clip load all the way then skip to 1:50 because that's when Madonna awesomely stops singing yet you can still hear her singing."

Nice "live" show. From the "Material Girl" to the "Artificial Filler Girl" in just 20 years.

The excommunication of Madonna

How many more mind-numbing, techno-laden albums must we endure from Madonna before we come to this painful realization: The Material Girl we knew and loved from the '80s is long dead and buried. She's no longer one of us.

Her latest disc -- "Hard Candy" -- bears more resemblance to a Britney Spears collection of b-sides than anything else. Perfect for the booty-bumping, Red Bull-saturated twenty-something crowd -- but total heresy for the older set of us who prefer to remember the subtle but surreal pleasures of tunes like "Live to Tell" and "Crazy for You."

Times pop music critic Sean Daly reviewed "Hard Candy" on his blog yesterday, and it's not hard for 80s fans to read between the lines: "Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Timbaland and Pharrell bring their synthy booty beats and marching-band samples, Madonna purrs out every dumb 'give it to me' cliche, and we all dance naked," he writes.

Meanwhile, I writhe in agony. Timbaland again? Isn't it enough he destroyed the latest Duran Duran album? How much longer must we be subjected to his Vanilla Icing of the pop music scene?

The only song I could come close to enjoying was "Incredible," a six-minute-long lamentation about  ... hell, I have no idea. The message goes back and forth, but one verse stood out:

"You don't know what you got 'til it's gone.
And everything in life just goes wrong.
Feels like nobody's listening
And something is missing."

I'll tell you what's missing, Madonna ... It's you.

[AP photo]

In the air tonight? Phil's retirement

Phil Collins is ready to call it a night. The Genesis frontman and solo splendor told a British newspaper that he's done with touring and recording.

Read the full story from the Times of London and decide for yourself how sincere his retirement notice is. Personally, I think he's just a little tired from the worldwide reunion tour that Genesis wrapped up. And since the band didn't get anywhere close to here in Florida, I figure they have unfinished business.

"Having joined a reformed Genesis for a world tour last year, he says he's through with the touring and there's no album planned. He'll write, but only because he doesn't know how to stop writing," the Times says, without quoting Collins per se.

Apparently, he's smarting from that dreadful Cadbury commercial where a gorilla plays the drums along to "In The Air Tonight." Hey, whatever pays the bills, I say. If the Rolling Stones can sell out to Microsoft, and Modern English can cash checks from Taco Bell, so be it.

Come on, Phil. One more solo tour at least! Maybe smaller venues. (I have one in mind here in Clearwater that'd be perfect. You can have the dressing room next to mine.) I'm sorry, but these are desperate times. You can even play "Susudio" if you want.

[AP photo]

"Those summer nights are calling..."

This could be a big summer for die-hard Journey fans -- both of them. No, just kidding. Though I was mocked via e-mail last week by a new friend who is completely baffled with my love affair with the band: "I really, really hate Journey. Do you now rescind your friendship?" she asked.

It's Journey, baby! Love means never having to sing "I'm sorry" in falsetto.

Things seem to be clicking again for our San Fran friends. The band just unveiled a redesigned website, a brand new singer, a new album is coming in June and a U.S tour begins in July.

The new album is "Revelation" and is set for release June 3. Don't expect any advance reviews; the band's management says no copies will be made available to critics before the release date.

"Revelation" is actually planned as a three-disc set. The first disc will have 11 re-recorded Journey classics, presumably with Arnel Pineda now on vocals instead of Steve Perry. The second disc has 11 new songs. The third disc is a concert DVD.

Journey will back up "Revelation" with a tour, set to begin July 9 in Denver. For Tampa Bay fans, Journey is is set to play Tampa's Ford Amphitheatre with Heart and Cheap Trick on July 30. Still no word on when tickets go on sale. I'd gladly pay double to sit an ice chest instead of a regular seat. Outdoor shows in July? Who's cryin' now!

Achin’ to be reunited? Maybe ...

As Spearsy tries to get his bearings -- it's all ball-bearings these days -- on his first day back to work, correspondent Jane files an emergency Stuck in the 80s post:

In the wake of this week's reissue releases of their first four albums, The Replacements are entertaining the idea of a reunion, giving hope to '80s indie rock fans for the first live taste of the group since they disbanded in 1991.

Remastered versions of "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash," "Stink," "Hootenanny" and "Let It Be," originally produced on the Minneapolis label True/Tone, have been released through Rhino Records, with new bonus tracks on each, including alternate versions, demos and some surprises. Of note are covers of Bill Haley & the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" and "Hey Good Lookin' " on "Stink" along with T.Rex’s "20th Century Boy" and my personal favorite, "Heartbeat (It's a Love Beat)," initially performed by the DeFranco Family, both on "Let It Be." The reissues of the band’s remaining major label albums originally released on Sire/Reprise are due out later this year.

Per Billboard.com, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson have been fielding offers to perform in a number of venues, including the respected Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with what would be a revamped 'Mats lineup. Original drummer Chris Mars is retired from the music business, and lead guitarist Bob Stinson died in 1995.

"We actually talked about it again this year ..." Stinson said. "At the last minute, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do, so we didn't do it. But I think Paul and I have something to offer each other still."

"I'm very hesitant about dragging the name out there and what damage we could do to the legend," Westerberg said. "But, I don't know. The records hold the key to the whole thing."

JANE'S TOP 5 FAVORITE REPLACEMENT TUNES:

The fountain of Electric Youth

We've been teasing you all week about the Stuck in the 80s podcast with Deborah Gibson. (Doesn't "Deborah Gibson-Spears" have a nice ring to it?) But now the wait is over.

We went first-class all the way for her visit here. Bought some real bottled water (and we're considering auctioning off her half-used bottle on eBay). Invested in some quality clear plastic cups. Sean Daly even wore shoes that day.

So set aside a good 45 minutes for this show because Deborah will weave some brilliant tales from her 20-plus years in the entertainment business, including the scoop on her frequent visits to the Playboy Mansion.

Click here to download the show. Or click here to get all our Stuck in the 80s podcasts via iTunes. There's also the 12-minute video of highlights from the video available too.

I'm here til 2pm today if you want to chat along while you listen.

She just can't shake his love

You know how to tell if you're still relevant and beloved? When you have stalkers! (And not just the lovable kind that send you bags of Funyuns or Sean Daly's head edited onto a Tom Selleck photo.)

Deborah "Don't Call Me Debbie" Gibson has filed for a restraining order against 44-year-old Spanish man who runs a Gibson fan club, alleging that he follows her on concert tours and has even shown up -- out of the blue -- at the front door of her home.

According to Gibson's filing, Jordi Bassas Puigdollers also left a note under her door last week asking to meet in person in El Paso, Texas. "If you like, contact me," the note said, according to the Associated Press. It was signed with his phone number and included his e-mail address, which begins with the moniker "debhead."

AND ISN'T IT A SMALL WORLD BECAUSE ... Deborah "I'm serious about not calling me Debbie" Gibson also is going to be our guest this week on the Stuck in the 80s podcast! And get this: She has offered to appear in person for the interview! (Get a bucket for Sean's drool.)

Gibson is in Florida this week to promote her performing arts summer camp ("Camp Electric Youth") and her online singing competition ("Total Pop Star"). This year also marks the 20th anniversary of her  accomplishment of becoming the youngest person to write, produce and perform a No. 1 hit -- 1988's "Foolish Beat."

Got a suggested question for Deborah "It's okay to call me Deb" Gibson? Drop me a comment.

CD toss-up: George Michael vs. R.E.M.

Hey, 80s fans. Big day today. TWO new albums of interest to us just hit store shelves: R.E.M.'s "Accelerate" and George Michael's "Twenty-Five."

But in these times of devastating economic depression, it's probably wise to just pick one to buy for now. But which one? Let's break it down.

COOLNESS FACTOR:
George Michael: He's cooler now than he's been in a long time, thanks to his appearances on TV's "Eli Stone" -- and because he's managed to stay off the tabloid pages for a while now.
R.E.M.: These cats from Athens, Ga., are the epitome of cool. You're not going to see Michael Stipe being arrested in a public bathroom or getting odd brow lifts.
Edge: R.E.M. by a shiny, happy margin.

THE TUNES:
George Michael: "Twenty-Five" is essentially a greatest-hits double disc. So at least you know you're getting the best tunes of his career. And thankfully, no "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."
R.E.M.: They're getting good reviews so far, but R.E.M. hasn't put out a decent, complete album since "Charles in Charge" was still on TV.
Edge: Even Scott Baio digs George Michael.

WORD OF MOUTH:
George Michael: Let's face it -- nobody but 80s bloggers are writing about his new album. But the guy sold out nearly 100 cavernous concert venues in Europe during his just-completed tour. He's still somebody worth listening to.
R.E.M.: Any act inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame is going to get intense press coverage of a new album. Peter Buck could have composed it using Guitar Hero III, and it'd still sell well enough to go gold.
Edge: R.E.M. (They are Supermen, and they know what's happening.)

What Would Stuck in the 80s do? Personally, I'm forking over for the George Michael set -- and I'm borrowing Times music critic Sean Daly's copy of "Accelerate." ... It's good to be the king.

George Michael ready to call it quits?

At the height of his comeback, George Michael now says he's ready for retirement.

According to the always reliable Indo-Asian News Service, Michael says his upcoming U.S. tour will be his last, so he's urging fans to make the most of it.

"I want to divorce myself from pretty much everything public after the tour," Michael said. "In the future, I don't want to be making and releasing physical CDs, and I don't want to be charging people for my new music."

It's odd timing -- George is hot right now. He just announced he'll tour the U.S. for the first time in 17 years, starting this June. And his frequent acting and singing appearances on TV's "Eli Stone" has expanded his fan base further.

In addition, his latest album -- "Twenty-five" -- hits stores today. And he only recently announced a multi-million deal to write and publish his autobiography.

Stay tuned and we'll see if anything else shakes out of this puzzle.

Little pink houses? Just buy mine instead

John Mellencamp obviously had to be a rock singer -- he had no instincts for being a Realtor. Why wax poetically about a little pink house when you can buy my lovely 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in lovely Florida?

That's right. The "Stuck in the 80s" mansion is for sale, and today is an "Open House" so I need to find a dark corner in the universe to curl up in for 5 hours while complete strangers mock my Ferris Bueller and Weird Science posters. Not to mention my complete collection of Star Trek salt and pepper shakers. (Kirk is the salt; Spock is the pepper -- for those wondering -- except for my "Mirror Mirror" pair, in which they're curiously reversed.)

So to get the good mojo going, I've compiled a quickie playlist of home related songs from the 80s (or recorded by 80s artists -- hey, I needed a little extra wiggle room.)

Did I miss any obvious songs? And before you all start screaming about the obvious one, my Realtor, who lives next door, has specifically forbid me from putting the Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House" on this list!

Put up your dukes: Benatar's on tour

Time to take money out of our retirement accounts: We have yet another can't-miss '80s legend making a summer tour.

Pat Benatar has announced a slew of new summer dates, including a stop here in Tampa Bay at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 7. Click here to see if she's coming near you. Tickets for the Ruth Eckerd Hall show go on sale April 11 and range in price from $34.75 to $70.

In one media interview, Benatar says fans should expect a show covering the hits -- with a few surprises. "The classic hits are in there, and we have an acoustic set, which is really lovely -- four or five songs we've taken and play them acoustically -- everyone seems to really enjoy that. And then, some new things that we have coming out."

New things? Maybe a new album? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, you can re-listen to our Pat Benatar podcast on Stuck in the 80s -- and you can bet we'll be redoing that show if we can score an interview before her show here!

25 artists that still embarrass us

We hide their tunes in secret playlists on iTunes. Their CDs are tucked into drawers where no friends will see them. And when their hit songs come on the radio, we switch channels in mock disgust while secretly singing along to the outlawed tune in our heads.

They are the bands and artists from the '80s that we never dare to admit we once liked -- and maybe still do. And thanks to an outpouring of reader suggestions, I'm finally ready to unveil the final ranking. Trust me -- it was hard to narrow it down.

25 ARTISTS WE'RE STILL EMBARRASSED TO ENJOY:

25. Julio Iglesias: To all the clowns you loved before...

24. Falco: Don't turn around. Uh-oh! "Der Kommissar" and "Rock Me Amadeus" are in your record collection.

23. Neil Diamond: Just pour me a drink and I'll tell you some lies. Like, "I never owned 'Jazz Singer' on DVD ... really!"

22. Kenny Rogers: He never did learn when to fold them. Just ask his plastic surgeon.

21. Peter Cetera: Admit it -- you bought the Karate Kid 2 soundtrack for "Glory of Love."

20. Sheena Easton: Loved "For Your Eyes Only." But "Morning Train"?  I'd have taken the bus.

19. George Michael: He'll never live down "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" -- "Choose Life" shirt optional.

18. Steve Perry/Journey: Who's crying now? Anyone who paid to see the band once Steve left.

17. Al Jarreau: He had 18 singles that charted in the '80s, but I guess we're not in this love together anymore.

16. Asia: The smile has left our eyes.

15. Whitney Houston: The greatest love of all? Selling our Whitney Houston CDs at a garage sale.

14. Rick Springfield: You better love somebody. Preferably not a soap star.

13. The Manhattan Transfer: Even the boy from NYC doesn't like them anymore.

12. Debbie Gibson: Out of the blue, she changed her name to Deborah. Oh, that'll help.

11. Tiffany: Still like her? I think you're alone now.

10. Paula Abdul: From singing "Straight Up" to drinking straight up. 

9. Toni Basil: Oh "Mickey," what a pity.

8. Olivia Newton-John: Psst! You know you own the Xanadu and Grease soundtracks.

7. Kenny G: A punchline for generations to come. But somebody's buying his records.

6. Barry Manilow: He writes the songs ... but why we you still listening to them in the '80s?

5. Christopher Cross: When one of your signature songs is forever associated with Luke, Laura and General Hospital, you're lucky you're only No. 5 on this list.

4. Culture Club: Give him time ... to realize his crime. After all, it's a long list.

3. Lionel Richie: Hello? Was it him you were looking for? Taking away "Dancing on the Ceiling" and maybe he'd fall from the Top 10.

2. Michael Bolton: Only a pair of Cosby sweater-wearing, ballad-crooning hairballs kept Mr. Mullet from the top spot.

1. Air Supply: Nobody owns up to liking Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, but there's not a person reading this list that can't burst out singing to "All Out of Love" or "Making Love Out of Nothing At All." They are the McDonalds of the '80s music biz: Billions served, just go easy on the secret sauce.

OK, what bands did we miss? Which were ranked too high or too low?

'Where everybody knows your name'

Tell the truth: You know the complete lyrics to the "Cheers" theme song, don't you?

Of course you do. It's a classic. But is it the BEST TV THEME SONG of the 80s?

That's what we need to know, because this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast is going to tackle that very issue.

So start humming to yourself and let us know which TV songs are stuck in your head for life.

Here are three of my favorites:

THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: "Believe it or not, I'm walking on air." (Listen)

WKRP IN CINCINNATI: "Baby, if you've ever wondered ... wondered whatever became of me." (Listen)

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Not a song and the series barely made it into the 80s, but I still get chills whenever I hear the original theme orchestration. Makes me want to get into my PJs, grab a black cherry soda and bologna sandwich and do my best Galactica era cursing. "Ahhh, Frack!" (Listen)

Name your favorite 80s TV theme songs! Feel free to explain why and we'll read your comments on the podcast.

Nothing tragic about The Hip

Canada's 80s heroes The Tragically Hip will receive its country's National Arts Centre Award for 2008, considered quite an honor from what I've read in publications up north.

The band -- known simply as The Hip to its legions of fans -- formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, borrowing their name from a skit in the 1981 home video "Elephant Parts." Inducted into Canada's Music Hall of Fame in 2005, The Hip is still together today and is working on a new studio album.

They'll accept the award in early May -- along with actor Eugene Levy, who's getting a lifetime achievement award. Way to keep the 80s theme going, my Elsinore-chugging friends!

Though they're the kings of Canada, a lot of U.S. music fans are probably drawing a blank right now. So here's a quick primer of their signature hits:

Burning the Midnight Oil

Our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online, and once again I'm forced into a corner to explain the songs we picked for the show.

A few months ago, we were under attack by the "a-hafia" for suggesting that "Take One Me" was the band's only hit. (God forbid we forgot "Cry Wolf." Everyone hum along at home.)

Today's outrage: Australia's Midnight Oil and its signature tune "Beds are Burning." (Which to my disappointment is about land rights of indigenous Australians -- not the sexual prowess of Aussie musicians of the 80s.)

Here's a few examples of the scorn heaped upon me:

THE SERIOUS: "I feel I would remiss in my duties if I did not point out that Midnight Oil was hardly a one-hit wonder. 'Blue Sky Mine', 'Forgotten Years', 'King of the Mountain', 'Drums of Heaven', 'Truganini', and 'Outbreak of Love' all broke the Top Ten, with two of them hitting No. 1."

THE ANGRY: "What do you have against Australia? Midnight Oil is no more a one-hit wonder than, oh I don't know, let's say a-ha. And the Church? Check out 'Metropolis,' 'Almost With You,' 'Just For You,' 'Terra Nova Cain.' "

THE SARCASTIC: "Steve and the list makers have lost their minds. I know you all know I am biased towards Australia, but having Midnight Oil and The Church as one hit wonders is like saying that Crocodile Dundee is a true representation of Australians. Can't wait for the Beatles one hit wonder show."

AND THE HILARIOUS: "When the boys do an outside broadcast in Melbourne, I want to see them walk down the streets of this great city with a placard saying 'Midnight Oil is a one hit wonder.' And since they haven't made it here yet, the boys can't hide behind their Funyun shield."

Decide for yourself. Click here to download the show. Or click here to subscribe to all our shows for free on iTunes.

No more Steve Perry psych-outs!

This isn't easy to admit: I'm addicted to the new TV show "Eli Stone" -- partly because I enjoy the storyline, but mainly because I figure there's always a 50-50 chance that George Michael will show up and perform a song (or the cast will sing one of his tunes).

I absolutely hated George Michael in the 80s. I didn't like Wham! I couldn't stand any of his solo tunes. Even "Careless Whisper" -- perhaps a teenage boy's single greatest weapon in seducing unsuspecting ladies -- gave me the dry heaves.

These days, I dig George. I think he's got a great voice. I enjoy the old tunes now. And I even have to tip my cap to his frequent slip-ups in his personal life because it's fodder for my blog.

Which gets me thinking: What 80s bands and musicians are we ashamed to admit we loved then or today? I want your personal picks. Here are a couple of mine:

JOURNEY and STEVE PERRY: I still remember feeling bad watching Trey Parker and Matt Stone in "Baseketball" when they mocked Perry. "Ohhhh, I shoulda been gone!" ... "No more Steve Perry psych-outs!"

TWISTED SISTER: Dee Snyder's 80s persona was embarrassing. But on the rare occasion their music hits the radio today, I turn it up proudly.

FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD: I remember being practically obsessed with this band back in the mid-80s. Then I realized I was the only one who felt that way. I still am trying to find a way to embrace my inner Frankie.

What 80s bands are you ashamed to admit you enjoy?

Top Gun tunes: a target-rich environment

There's some enduring quality to Top Gun. I just can't leave it alone on the blog.

Maybe it's because it's on TV about 30 times a day (seriously -- I watched it start to finish twice yesterday). Maybe it's the great quotable lines. It could even be the "not that there's anything wrong with that" volleyball scene. (Well, no, it can't be that.)

Or maybe it's just got a killer soundtrack that keeps us hooked throughout the entire film.

But what are the best and worst tunes of Top Gun? Here's my ranking of them -- from best to worst -- in playable format:

Still they ride: Journey has a new album

The retooled and reformed version of Journey is planning its next departure to a Wal-Mart near you. The band announced this week that it will release "Revelation," a three-disc CD and DVD, on June 3.

The first CD will have 11 re-recorded classics, featuring new vocalist Arnel Pineda. The second CD has 11 new tunes, also with Arnel, guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Ross Valory and drummer Deen Castronovo. The last disc is a live, in-concert DVD.

The new release will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart in North America.

Journey plans to tour the United States beginning in July to support Revelation. Expect the exact dates and locations to be announced in the next couple weeks.

The band also redesigned its official website. Click here to check it out.

A newbie guide to They Might Be Giants

Admit it. Some of you 80s fanatics out there who probably still don't really know (and to know is to love) the music of They Might Be Giants.

The "Two Johns" hit St. Petersburg tonight for a show at Jannus Landing. Stuck in the 80s guest host Stephanie Hayes and I interviewed John Linnell for our TMBG podcast and wrote up a story for today's newspaper. Both the podcast and story make for a good beginner's guide to the band. (Click here to read the story.)

Now that you're hooked on their quirky personality, you'd probably like some music. But where to start?

Thanks to the brilliant minds of those behind the incredibly useful fan website This Might Be A Wiki, here's a list of the tunes rated highest by members of the site. So if you're just getting to know this band, start with these:

FIVE TMBG SONGS FOR NEW FANS:

1. Birdhouse in your Soul: Their highest-charting song, it's a tune about a child's night light.

2. Ana Ng: Their first big hit in 1988, written after picking out a popular name from the New York phone book.

3. Don't Let's Start: Lyrics were chosen solely because they fit the correct number of syllables for the melody.

4. Doctor Worm: About a worm - not a doctor - learning to play drums. A staple for most live performances.

5. They'll Need a Crane: Performed on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989 during the band's TV debut.

[Publicity photo]

Ready to Walk the Dinosaur again?

Eighties funksters Was (Not Was) are back. It's been 20 years since their biggest hit -- 1988's "Walk the Dinosaur (video)" -- but Don and David Was are plotting a return to the music biz.

The Detroit-based act has a new album -- "Boo!" -- set for release on April 8. The band, which also includes Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowens, performed the new material during a Valentine's Day show in Los Angeles (with Kris Kristofferson and Brian Wilson) and has their eyes set on SXSW in Austin.

Though the band stopped touring and recording in 1992, the Was brothers have kept themselves busy. Don Was did producing work for artists including Bonnie Raitt, the B-52s and Elton John. David went to Hollywood and produced movie and TV soundtracks.

What are their prospects for a total rebound? Pretty good, if you read between the lines of the LA Times review of their February show. "It was chaos. Good chaos," Ann Powers wrote. "The kind that happens in that mythical Detroit, the one Was (Not Was) still brings to town."

[From left, Sir Harry Bowens, David Was, SweatPea Atkinson and Don Was. Photo by Ellen Stone]

The masquerade's forever

We just finished putting the finishing touches for our next Stuck in the 80s podcast: Great songs from bad movies. And you can't discuss that topic without including Berlin's "Masquerade" from the movie "Perfect."

Was "Perfect" a truly hideous movie? It wasn't the best work by John Travolta -- not his worst either (see "Two of a Kind.") As for co-star Jamie Lee Curtis -- not bad. But it's no "A Fish Called Wanda" either.

I put "Perfect" squarely in the "Golden Child" camp of '80s movies -- still entertaining to watch 20 years later, but certainly a campy, guilty pleasure at best.

FIVE MEMORABLE LINES FROM PERFECT:

5. "Somebody's editing with their elbows!"

4. "Always treat a famous person as if they're not. And a person who's not as if they were."

3. "She's the most used piece of equipment in the gym."

2. "It's a lot more fun looking for Mr. Goodbody than Mr. Goodbar."

1. "I guess I'll go see if I can scare up a gang-bang."

The 15 ultimate front men of the 80s

They rule the stage with absolute authority. And back in the '80s, they probably ruled the posters hanging in your bedroom and dorm rooms. Without them, the band would be playing the Holiday Inn lounge in Kankakee, Illinois.

We asked our readers for their picks for the best front-men of the 80s, and we received an avalanche of replies. Today, we unveil the final ranking.

Remember, solo acts weren't eligible, so no whining about Rick Springfield, Prince, Huey Lewis or Madonna not being on the list. Females, of course, are eligible, but it just sounds weird to say "front-women." As usual, fire away with your feedback.

Here are the final picks, along with reader comments on why they belong on the list.

THE 15 BEST FRONT-MEN OF THE '80s:

15. DAVID GAHAN (Depeche Mode): "Without him, Depeche Mode are just three guys playing keyboards. Who the hell wants to see that?"

14. ROBIN ZANDER (Cheap Trick): "Forever associated with the words, 'I want you ... to want ... me!' "

13. BONO (U2): "White flag in hand, he's hard to top."

12. ANNIE LENNOX (Eurythmics): "She can really command a stage."

11. MORRIS DAY (The Time): "The only reason to watch 'Purple Rain' -- and this year's Grammy Awards."

10. CHRISSIE HYNDE (The Pretenders): "Chrissie IS the band, regardless of whatever weird lineup they sported."

9. DAVID BYRNE (Talking Heads): "He was Mr. 80's and was everywhere. Speaking In Tongues, Stop Making Sense, Little Creatures is a great run. Not to mention all the pioneering and great videos for MTV."

8. JELLO BIAFRA (Dead Kennedys): "I think Jello gets the nod just because of the whole FrankenChrist controversy."

7. DANNY ELFMAN (Oingo Boingo): "An amazing manic energy when I saw Oingo Boingo in the 80s. It was a thing to see."

6. STEVE PERRY (Journey): "I've seen a LOT of concerts, mostly AOR, and Steve Perry was the best. He sounded just as good or better on stage than he did on the studio cuts."

5. STEVEN TYLER (Aerosmith): "I saw Aerosmith in 1988 -- with Guns 'n Roses as opening act - and no I will not nominate Axl Rose -- Steven tore up the stage."

4. BRIAN JOHNSON (AC/DC): "I'd bet money that he could have wiped the floor with any other guy you name, and then out-drink him."

3. DAVID LEE ROTH (Van Halen): "I was listening to Van Halen this morning on my commute, in effect casting my vote for Diamond Dave all the way...the hair, the clothes, the moves, the attitude."

2. MICHAEL HUTCHENCE (INXS): "I saw them on the Kick tour, and he held the audience riveted."

1. FREDDIE MERCURY (Queen): "The ultimate showman. I still get chills when I see 'Radio Ga-Ga' performed at Live Aid." (See it)

Honorable mention: Terri Nunn (Berlin); Debbie Harry (Blondie); Martin Fry (ABC); Colin Hay (Men at Work); Robert Smith (The Cure); Morrissey (The Smiths); Jim Kerr (Simple Minds); Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music); Paul Stanley (Kiss); Rob Halford (Judas Priest); Henry Rollins (Black Flag); Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band); Phil Collins (Genesis); David Coverdale (Whitesnake); Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go's).

Is George finally ready for the U.S.?

George Michael has been selling out arenas, stadiums, maybe even entire ZIP codes during his current European tour. But fans here in the United States have been teased for two years now: Is he or is he not coming to perform here?

It looks like it's finally a done deal. According to sources, George has booked the TD Banknorth Garden Arena in Boston on July 27. And a date soon after at New York's Madison Square Garden will be filmed for a live concert DVD.

In the meantime, George continues to make guest appearances on TV's "Eli Stone." He's scheduled to perform (and possibly act) on the March 13 episode.

Don't you ... forget about them

Admit, you have forgotten about Simple Minds. That's OK. They only cranked out one of the '80s most signature anthems. But the good news is that they're back.

The Scottish group, still fronted by charismatic Jim Kerr, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new album and tour.

"Thirty years in music is a big deal after all, or is it not so!" Kerr writes on the band's official website. "Don't tell me you don't agree with me on this unless your name happens to be Dylan, Bowie, Lou Reed, and Jagger etc. If so then yes, you're right."

Right now, the tour just has U.K. and European dates on it. But the interesting news is that Simple Minds also announced they'll perform their 1982 album "New Gold Dream" in its entirety on this tour. That record includes staples such as "Promised You a Miracle," "Glittering Prize" and "Someone, Somewhere In Summertime." Other hits from later years will comprise the show's second half.

The six-date tour begins in April, and there is no plan to extend the tour into the United States.

According to the band's publicist, the new studio album is planned for a 2009 release.

I like the trend of bands playing the entirety of classic albums. But if I could pick a Simple Minds that I want to hear in full, I have another one in mind.

FOUR GREAT SIMPLE MINDS ALBUMS:

4. Street Fighting Years (1989): "Belfast Child" and "Soul Crying Out."

3. Sparkle in the Rain (1984): Features "Up on the Catwalk" and "Waterfront."

2. New Gold Dream (1982): "Promised You a Miracle." "Glittering Prize," and "Someone, Somewhere In Summertime."

1. Once Upon A Time (1985): "Alive and Kicking," "Ghost Dancing," "Sanctify Yourself" and the title track.

[Photo from Bob Thacker]

Top metal albums of the '80s

Do you have any idea how hard it is to come up with a list of the Best Metal Albums of the 80s? (Hint: The only correct answer is no.)

The toughest part is deciding if a band is really metal or glam rock or just hard rock. Or spoof rock, like Spinal Tap (which didn't make the list -- but only because their "album" wasn't all heavy metal).

Other bands -- including Van Halen and AC/DC -- didn't make the list because we didn't consider them metal bands. Hard rock, sure. But we were looking very specifically at metal.

Other legitimate metal bands -- Black Sabbath for example -- may not appear or appear very low on the list because their best work came either before or after the 80s.

After much consulting back and forth between submissions here and suggestions on Sean Daly's Pop Life blog, here's my final list. For what it's worth, anything in the top 4 has a legitimate claim to the throne.

TOP 20 METAL ALBUMS OF THE '80s:

20. Stay Hungry -- Twisted Sister (1984): Includes the band's two mainstream hits --  "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" -- and a forgotten but great power ballad "The Price."

19. Love at First Sting -- Scorpions (1984): A triple-platinum effort from the German rockers, featuring  "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "Still Loving You."

18. Heaven and Hell -- Black Sabbath (1980): No long featuring Ozzy, this was the first album with Ronnie James Dio on vocals. Includes "Neon Knights," "Heaven and Hell" and "Die Young."

17. Skid Row -- Skid Row (1989): Their first album went platinum five times ove