TapeHeads: 80's Music and Beyond

We mentioned on a previous episode (actually, Todd did) that Kenny Loggins is the soundtrack king of the 80's, but now it's time for Todd to put his knowledge to the test, as Blaine challenges him to name all of the songs. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our Soundtrack King of the 80's playlist, on SpotifyKenny Loggins, on Spotify

Where do you even start with Spinal Tap? They set the standard for parody documentaries (otherwise known as 'mockumentaries') and influenced many bands and movies in the ensuing decades. Todd was even lucky enough to see them perform live on the Break Like The Wind tour. It was super fun to tell the story of this band.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight playlist, on SpotifySpinal Tap, on SpotifyThis Is Spinal Tap, at IMDB

The 80's were famous for soundtracks. Some of the biggest and best of all time came from back then. We explore a list created by JoBlo, which rounds up some of the usual suspects but also provides a few surprises. Let's get into it.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:JoBlo Top 10 Soundtracks of the 80'sOur JoBlo-Inspired Top 10 (?) Soundtracks of the 80's playlist, on SpotifyHired Gun documentary, art IMDB

This episode is a very special two-bands-for-for-the-price-of-one conversation. Bourgeois Tagg. Does this band ring a bell for you? We would be surprised if it they do, but their song "I Don't Mind At All" is fantastic, and we think you'll agree.Similarly, Freiheit are a German band known for a song from the soundtrack to the movie "Say Anything" (we discussed the song on that episode as well) that was also featured on American Idol. Best Paul McCartney song he never wrote.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our I Don't Mind At All playlist, on SpotifyBourgeois Tagg, on SpotifyFreiheit, on SpotifyMünchener Freiheit, on SpotifyBourgeois Tagg, "I Don't Mind At All" official video, on YouTubeFreiheit, "Keeping the Dream Alive" official video, on YouTube"Keeping the Dream Alive" as performed on American IdolVinnie Vincent, "That Time of Year" official video, on YouTube

This song and album was one of the bigggest from the 80's, as well as the most controversial for its use of an anti- gay slur. Mark Knopfler was and is one of the best guitarsts around. We delve into all of it.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our Money For Nothing playlist, on SpotifyDire Straits, on Spotiy. Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing" official video, at YouTubeUnder the Volcano (2021) documentary, at IMDBCOVER YOUR EARS:Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids

As a member of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson wrote many of the world's most famous surf songs, despite being afraid of the water and not knowing how to swim. After he'd stopped performing with them live, he went on to write some of the best and most beloved songs of all time. He also had a very tragic and strange life story, as we discuss in this episode.Connect with us at tapeheaedspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our RIP, Brian Wilson playlist, on SpotifyBrian Wilson, on SpotifyThe Beach Boys, on Spotify"The Beach Boys" documentary, on Disney +Love and Mercy, at IMDBBehind the Sounds documentary series, on YouTubeThe Wrecking Crew! documentary, at IMDBGlen Campbell: I'll Be Me documentary, at IMDBBrighter Day: A Jellyfish Story book, at Kool Kat Musik

This is a little different discussion than our usual fare. Blaine has recently rekindled his love of CD's, due to the audio limitations of the most common formats like MP3 and streaming, so we talk about all of it, as well as comparing streaming vs. CD vs. vinyl records. Quite interesting and fun.Listen to all the stuffConnect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our What Have You Been Missing? playlist, on Spotify

Cyndi Lauper is a phenomenon. Her first album, "She's So Unusual," sold millions of copies, and her songs continue to be some of the most memorable and influential of all time. There is much more to her story, however, and that's what we discuss this time.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our Girls Just Wanna Have Fun playlist, on SpotifyCyndi Lauper, on SpotifyCyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" official video, on YouTubeCOVER YOUR EARS:Not30, "Time After Time," on YouTube

This time around, we're discovering another fun internet list, found for us by Blaine. We love these things because A) they're super fun, and B) they take no research or preparation. Just sit down, read through the list, and Bob's Blaine's uncle.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:The original article by Jolina Mandicho, 50 Albums From the 80's That You Need to Hear Before the World EndsOur 25 Albums to Hear Before the World Ends playlist, on Spotify

As we've discussed before, Kiss are a difficult band of which to be a fan. Todd is a fan, however, and has many of their albums and a T-shirt. Blaine is indifferent about them. In this fun and hilarious episode, we dive deeply and compare the best and worst songs from the band's extensive catalog.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our The Best and Worst of Kiss playlist, on SpotifyKiss, on Spotify

In this episode, we discuss the songs from the 80's that spent the most weeks at the #1 spot on the pop charts. Be sure to click down to our playlist to listen to the full versions of these great songs.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our Most Weeks At #1 playlist, on SpotifyMadonna,"Like A Virgin" official video, on YouTubePaul McCartney and Michael Jackson, "Say Say Say" official video, on YouTubeIrene Cara, "Flashdance" official video, on YouTubeSurvivor, "Eye of the Tiger" official video, on YouTubeJ. Geils Band, "Centerfold" official video, on YouTubeKenny Rogers, "Lady" official video, on YouTubeBlondie, "Call Me" official video, on YouTubeMichael Jackson, "Billie Jean" official video, on YouTubePaul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, "Ebony and Ivory" official video, on YouTubeJoan Jett and the Blackhearts, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" official video, on YouTubeThe Police, "Every Breath You Take" official video, on YouTubeLionel Richie and Diana Ross, "Endless Love" official video, on YouTubeKim Carnes, "Bette Davis Eyes" official video, on YouTubeOlivia Newton-John, 'Physical" official video, on YouTube

Kiss are one of the biggest bands of all time. Are they one of the best? Well, it's a little more complicated than that, but they're certainly one of the most interesting, and we join their story at what is arguably the heaviest and most interesting point, 1982's album "Creatures of the Night." Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS:Our Creatures of the Night playlist, on SpotifyKiss, "Creatures of the Night" album, on SpotifyKiss, "I Love It Loud" official video, on YouTubeVinnie Vincent, "Boyz Are Gonna Rock" official video, on YouTubeRedd Kross, "Stay Away From Downtown" official video, on YouTubeChuck Klosterman, "The Definitive, One-Size-Fits-All, Accept-No-Substitutes, Massively Comprehensive Guide to the Life and Times of Kiss", at grantland.comKiss, "A New Era Begins" avatar video, on YouTube45 Minutes of Paul Stanley Stage BanterStar Trek episode explanation The Inner Light, on YouTube

Paul Simon is one of most venerable and some would say inscrutable songwriters out there today. After a string of hits in the 60's and 70's, he was coming off of a couple of unsuccessful albums in the 80's. Looking for inspiration, he turned to the music of South Africa and created the album Graceland, which was a huge success and completely revitalized his career. We discuss the album's hit, "You Can Call Me Al."Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Paul Simon, on SpotifyOur You Can Call Me Al playlist, on SpotifyPaul Simon, "You Can Call Me Al" official video, on YouTube

Bronski Beat were a synth pop trio from London who may have been fairly short-lived, but were very influential, especially with the gay community at the time. They were very politically active, and ahead of their time. Their enduring hit "Smalltown Boy" is our subject this time.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our Smalltown Boy playlist, on SpotifyBronski Beat, on SpotifyBronski Beat, "Smalltown Boy" official video, on YouTubeFramed Youth documentary, on YouTubeAll Out! documentary, on YouTube

There were two musical synthesizers that revolutionized the way music was made in the late 1970's and all through the 80's, the Synclavier and the Fairlight. The least expensive model cost the equivalent of a small house, and the most expensive model was the equivalent of a smallish mansion. More similar than they were different, they would help some of the greatest musicians of the time to create their biggest hits, and we delve into it here. We also mention their spiritual predecessor--and Todd's favorite instrument--the Chamberlin, as well as their tiny concurrent sibling, the Casio SK-1.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com.RELATED LINKS:Our Synclavier vs. Fairlight playlist, on SpotifyKevin Malony Synclavier documentary, on YouTubeThe Fairlight Story, on YouTubeMellodrama, the Mellotron/Chamberlin documentary, trailer, on YouTube

Bobby McFerrin is one of the most famous musicians on the planet. He's been a singer, a conductor, a music ambassador, and even a pop star. But he's also written one of the most polarizing one-hit wonder songs of all time, which was both recognized by the Library of Congress and ridiculed by Public Enemy. Lots to explore in this episode about an incredible and venerable musician.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our Don't Worry, Be Happy playlist, on SpotifyBobby McFerrin, on SpotifyBobby McFerrin, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" official viideo, on YouTubePlaying For Change, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" video, on YouTubePlaying For Change official web site

In this episode, Blaine guides us through 10 hit songs with controverisal or problematic subject matter that wouldn't be released today. This list came from one of his infamous trips down the proverbial rabbit hole.Connect with us at tapeheadspod.comRELATED LINKS:Our 10 Songs That Couldn't Be Released Today playlist, on Spotify10 Songs From the 80's That Could Not Be Released Today

Formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and currently based in Portland, Animotion have one of the best one-hit wonder songs of the 80's, and are still around performing and releasing new albums to this day. We're here to tell the story of the song, "Obsession." Conn eat with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Animotion, on Spotify Animotion, "Obsession" official video, on YouTube "A Night in Heaven" movie trailer, on YouTube "Runaway (1984)" movie trailer, on YouTube COVER YOUR EARS: Terminatryx, "Obsession", on YouTube

In this very special episode, Blaine explores a few songs by Billy Joel that he feels best show Billy's masterful songwriting. We think you'll enjoy it. RELATED LINKS: Our short but sweet Billy Joel playlist, on Spotify Billy Joel, on Spotify Lords of 57th Street (Liberty playing drums), on YouTube

Duran Duran are one of the biggest and best bands of the 80's, and we thought they would be perfect subjects for continuing our second anniversary celebration. We invited our friend Russ to help and add insight, as we delved into Duran and their offshoot bands The Power Station, Arcadia, and Robert Palmer as well. Super interesting and fun story. We did experience some unfortunate technical issues with Russ's vocal track, but we're sure you'll love him and see past all that. Really fun having him join us. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Please Please Tell Me Now playlist, on Spotify Duran Duran, on Spotify The Power Station, on Spotify Arcadia, on Spotify Robert Palmer, on Spotify