PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More

Break out the Jordache jeans and slap bracelets—we’re firing up the Past Tens DeLorean and crash-landing straight into October 4th, 1986. Hosts Dave and Adam are your snarky tour guides through the Billboard Top 10, a week where Lionel Richie was literally defying gravity, Tina Turner was calling out “Typical Males” (present company excluded… maybe), and Run-DMC teamed up with Aerosmith to smash a wall and music history all at once. Adam admits to surviving a Lionel Richie concert back in the day (dancing on the ceiling, not covered by health insurance), we deep-dive Janet Jackson’s pop domination, and we wonder aloud if Carl Anderson and Gloria Loring’s “Friends and Lovers” was written for a daytime soap opera—or by one. Plus, there’s a Juno Awards trivia smackdown, some righteous Canadian music history, and our patented “swap-a-song” gimmick. It’s nostalgia, pop-culture snark, and synthesizer-drenched storytelling—Past Tens style. Find Adam Yas music at www.adamyas.com Topics 00:00 — Cold Open: Welcome to Past Tens—seatbelts optional, sarcasm mandatory. 00:26 — Meet the Hosts: Dave and Adam: like Hall & Oates, but with more bad puns. 03:54 — Confession Time: Adam cops to seeing Lionel Richie live in ’86. Yes, he’s fine. 06:59 — Pop Culture Check-In: Shoulder pads, Top Gun, and too much Aqua Net. 17:06 — Countdown Kickoff: The Billboard Top 10 begins—cue drum machines. 36:55 — Walk This Way: How Run-DMC and Aerosmith blew up MTV (and a wall). 38:20 — The Collab Heard ‘Round the World: Rap + Rock = mind blown. 42:05 — Studio Secrets: Steven Tyler screaming into the void… for art. 44:55 — MTV Controversy: Rock, rap, and race colliding on your TV screen. 53:12 — Phil Collins at Live Aid: Because Phil had to be everywhere. 57:42 — Stacey Q Spotlight: Two of hearts… but one too many listens. 01:11:37 — Oh, Canada: Glass Tiger teaches us “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone).” 01:19:01 — Trivia Time: Dave vs. Adam in the Great Juno Awards Quiz. 01:19:45 — Sentimental Sidebar: A Nickelback tangent, with bonus dad stories. 01:26:32 — Janet Jackson Rules the World: Control, Rhythm Nation incoming. 01:34:31 — Friends and Lovers: A song that belongs on General Hospital. 01:39:24 — Huey Lewis & The News: “Stuck With You” and dad-rock glory. 01:44:29 — The Big Reveal: Top song of October 1986. Drumroll, please. 01:45:16 — Winner of the Week: Adam swaps out a Top 10 dud for a hidden gem. 01:56:57 — Closing Credits: The flux capacitor cools down—until next time.  

We saw Spinal Tap 2, flipped the big red switch, and counted down the best 1980s songs that peaked at #11. Because these… go to 11. Also: sexy drummers, armadillos, and Milt trying to make Kenny Loggins a sports anthem (again). Quick Hit Summary Mini-review of Spinal Tap 2 (Paul! Elton! Still loud.) Countdown: our blended Top 10 “peaked at #11” bangers from the ’80s Playdate: 11 questions about… 11 (of course) A respectable pile of “also-rans” that just missed the podium Chapter Guide 00:00 – Cold open / mic check / Past Tens roll call 06:05 – Fire up the Time Machine 07:06 – What we’re doing: ’80s songs that peaked at #11 (Spinal Tap salute) Tap Talk 07:50 – Spinal Tap 2 quick take: tone matched, laughs landed 09:45 – Cameos: Paul McCartney (charming), Elton John (scene-stealer) 10:55 – Aging rockers, commitments vibes, and a very funny new drummer 12:40 – Why sequels usually whiff and why this one didn’t The Countdown — The ’80s Songs That Went to 11 #11 – 00:15:00 Thompson Twins – “Doctor! Doctor!” (1984) Second-British-Invasion synth-pop sugar rush. “How was this not Top 10?” energy. #10 – 00:16:00 Gary U.S. Bonds – “This Little Girl” (1981) Boss-built boomerang: written/produced by Springsteen & Stevie Van Zandt; Clarence on sax. Roots-rock strut with comeback swagger. #9 – 00:22:00 Sheila E. – “A Love Bizarre” (1985) Prince pixie dust, 12-minute club glide, percussion queen doing queen things. #8 – 00:27:00 Michael Jackson – “Another Part of Me” (1987) From the Captain EO era: Quincy groove, Disney cheese, undeniable bounce. #7 – 00:34:00 The Contours – “Do You Love Me” (re-charted 1988) Dirty Dancing rocket fuel: Motown growl makes the Catskills naughty again. Playdate – 00:43:00 11 Questions about “11” (Kyrie, Larkin/Rollins, 7-Eleven’s rogue lowercase n, Swingers, Messier, Bledsoe & Edelman, Ocean’s Eleven = Matt Damon, Marshall amps, Eleven = Millie Bobby Brown, Jeter wore 11 in the minors, etc.) #6 – 00:52:00 Kenny Loggins – “This Is It” (1980) Blue-eyed soul with Michael McDonald cosign; NCAA montage hall-of-famer. #5 – 00:57:00 Loverboy – “Hot Girls in Love” (1983) Aerosol, hooks, and harmless himbo energy. Dumb? Sure. Fun? Absolutely. #4 – 01:01:00 Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (1980) Pre-Purple Rain princelet: falsetto glide, post-disco snap, future royalty loading. #3 – 01:07:00 Bryan Adams – “Somebody” (1985) Reckless sweet spot: denim-rock churner with live-aid mojo. Ballad break = beer run. #2 – 01:11:00 Go-Go’s – “Head Over Heels” (1984) Pop truffle perfection. Jane Wiedlin piano break = pure dopamine. #1 – 01:26:00 Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen” (1981) The white-wing-dove war cry. Signature solo cut. A Top 10 snub so egregious it should be a congressional hearing. Also-Rans & Near-Misses (rapid fire) Stevie Wonder – “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It” Bangles – “Walking Down Your Street” Little River Band – “The Other Guy” (The Other Guys synergy!) Toto – “I’ll Be Over You” Debbie Gibson – “Electric Youth” (Dave votes yes; Milt files an appeal) Soul II Soul – “Keep On Movin’” (Milt’s neo-soul crush) Benny Mardones – “Into the Night” (we heard you, Internet) The Police – “Spirits in the Material World” Paul Davis – “Cool Night” (yacht softness) Naked Eyes – “Promises, Promises” Dead or Alive – “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” If this episode made your dial go to 11, share it with a friend, drop a 5-star on Apple/Spotify, and come argue with us at timemachinepod.com or toptentimemachine@gmail.com. Rock responsibly, Time Travelers.  

Fire up the Time Machine, people—Dave and Milt are going full throttle back to ’75, and it’s a funky, feathered-hair free-for-all. On this Past Tens episode, your fearless hosts trash-talk, gush, and generally geek out over Billboard’s Top 10 from September 27, 1975. Bad Company growls, Sweet glitters, and somewhere in there Dave derails the whole thing with a personal “I almost died in a hospital gown” story. Milt, ever the Chartmeister historian, connects the dots between these jams and the cultural circus of the mid-’70s, while Dave sprinkles in snarky asides, dad jokes, and a rant or two about sandwiches. They bounce between rock, funk, country, and schmaltz, drop a few under-the-radar nuggets, and even debate whether Glen Campbell’s Broadway references were about, y’know… actual Broadway. Then it’s Playdate time: Dave throws down a Generation X Rock Hall challenge that makes Milt sweat. By the end, they’re arguing about whether this whole lineup deserves a permanent plaque in the Time Machine Hall of Fame—or just a polite golf clap. Timestamps for your nostalgic pleasure: 00:00 – Past Tens roll call 00:25 – Sandwich rambling commences 01:34 – Dave’s hospital misadventure 06:05 – Time Machine ignition 07:06 – Top 10 countdown starts 13:52 – Bad Company brings the thunder 20:59 – Sweet turns the glam up to 11 28:56 – Freddie Fender’s tear-stained road trip 34:52 – Famous Freds ranked (because why not?) 35:12 – Fender deep dive 36:01 – Janis Ian breaks every heart in the room 40:23 – Seventeen-year-old angst songs dissected 48:31 – Barry Manilow achieves… let’s call it a musical climax 54:09 – Gen X Rock Hall face-off 01:04:19 – “Run Joey Run” and the tragedy of teen melodrama 01:12:22 – The Isley Brothers get funky 01:14:19 – Disney, algorithms, and mild outrage 01:14:53 – Tragic news + media gripes 01:19:10 – Glen Campbell mysteries solved (or not) 01:22:54 – Bowie goes funky chic 01:29:06 – John Denver’s swan song 01:33:12 – Wrap-up, wisecracks, and reflection

Milt and Dave fired up the Time Machine and landed smack in September of 1991, when mullets were plentiful and Blockbuster late fees could bankrupt you. We’re running down the box-office champs—from Arnold blowing stuff up in Terminator 2 to Billy Crystal roping cattle in City Slickers, with pit stops at Woody Harrelson’s baby-faced cameo in Doc Hollywood and the horror sequels nobody really asked for. Along the way, we: Trade war stories about seeing these flicks in sticky-floored theaters. Act out scenes like idiots (you’re welcome). Dish out Rotten Tomatoes scores and wildly unfair judgments. Wonder aloud why The Commitments still slaps and why Dead Again deserved more love. Debate whether Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is epic or just Kevin Costner cosplaying with a bad accent. And yes—some of these movies aged like fine wine (T2), while others… let’s just say they’ve turned to vinegar (Child’s Play 3, I’m looking at you). Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Bickering & Banter 01:19 – Dave apologizes for… something. Again. 02:17 – Nostalgia bomb: our ’91 movie memories 03:56 – The countdown begins 07:20 – The Commitments review 17:27 – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 27:44 – City Slickers 38:40 – The Doctor 45:47 – Child’s Play 3 (spoiler: nope) 47:03 – Box office chatter & that weird UK crime link 51:40 – Doc Hollywood + baby Woody Harrelson 58:25 – Hot Shots! (Charlie Sheen’s golden era) 01:08:10 – Terminator 2 drops the hammer 01:16:40 – Dead Again review 01:23:09 – Freddy’s Dead autopsy 01:31:28 – Winner of the Week & closing thoughts It’s loud, it’s nostalgic, it’s a little snarky—just another ride in the Top 10 Time Machine.

It’s time travel, disco balls, and questionable fashion choices as Dave, Milt, and our buddy Adam Ya Ooh Ya Yas crack open the Billboard Top 10 from September 8, 1979. What holds up? What makes us cringe? What still makes us want to roller-skate in short-shorts? We’ve got opinions. Expect heated debates on “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” vs. “My Sharona,” detours into random trivia, and the usual cocktail of nostalgia, snark, and stories you didn’t ask for but can’t stop listening to. Spoiler: Bruce makes an accidental cameo. Highlights include: 🎲 Dave stumbles into Lady Gaga while prepping for ’79. Don’t ask. 🎬 Licorice Pizza, John Peters, and other Hollywood detours. 🎤 Yacht Rock therapy session. 🎻 Devil vs. Fiddle Showdown. ⚡ ELO teaches us not to bring them down (but we do anyway). 💍 Celebrity marriages, Taylor Swift tangents, and Bar Mitzvah flashbacks. 🎶 Chic’s “Good Times” and why it’s secretly behind everything. 🎸 The Knack still smacking us with “My Sharona.” And of course, the Past Tens patented Substitution Segment™—where we rip out one of the so-called “hits” and jam in a better one from that week. Then we slap a grade on the whole list like we’re back in homeroom. Settle in. This episode’s longer than a disco 12-inch single.

Dave and Milt welcome Alan Siegel — yes, that Alan Siegel, the guy who literally wrote the book Stupid TV: Be More Funny – How The Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television and America Forever. If you thought you loved The Simpsons, wait until you hear Alan dissect his top 10 episodes with a surgeon’s precision and a fanboy’s heart. We’re talking Radio Bart, Bart Sells His Soul, Marge vs. The Monorail, and the rest of the Mount Rushmore of Springfield. These aren’t just funny episodes — they’re cultural autopsies of America served up with Duff Beer and a Sideshow Bob cackle. Along the way we get trivia nuggets, writer shoutouts, and Alan’s camp stories (yes, summer camp connects here — don’t ask, just listen). Bottom line: it’s a nerdy lovefest for the show that taught us how to laugh at society, politics, and ourselves — long before Twitter ruined jokes forever. Topics 00:54 Special Guest: Alan Siegel 01:20 The Simpsons: A Shared Passion 02:09 Alan’s Summer Camp Connection 04:09 How Alan Ended Up at The Ringer 07:28 Why The Simpsons Still Rules 09:20 Bart Sells His Soul 13:41 Homer at the Bat 44:19 Smooth Segue (or not) 44:38 Itchy & Scratchy & Marge 46:10 Simpsons as Social Commentary 48:06 Simpsons the Fortune Teller 50:27 Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie 54:19 Fan Interaction, Simpsons Style 57:10 Marge vs. the Monorail 01:04:04 Homer the Heretic 01:08:33 Last Exit to Springfield 01:13:11 Lisa’s Substitute 01:18:12 Mr. Plow 01:21:49 Simpsons Trivia + Wrap-Up

It’s August 21, 1982, and Dave and Milt are back in the Time Machine, swimming in the Billboard Top 10 like it’s the world’s most awkward pool party. Chicago is apologizing all over the place with “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” Fleetwood Mac is politely asking you to “Hold Me,” and Survivor is still living off that “Eye of the Tiger” Rocky money. Along the way, we detour into soda-related TikTok challenges (yes, apparently Sprite is dangerous now), celebrity death news (spoiler: not good news), and listener emails that range from insightful to “are you sure you hit send on the right show?” You’ll also get trivia, remakes, a live “Kids in America” cameo from Billy Joe Armstrong, and a heated swap-out session where we boot some Top 10 squatters in favor of better songs from the same era. We break down Chicago’s yacht-rock-adjacent apology, Fleetwood Mac’s post-breakup awkward magic, and Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” (spoiler: it’s about bras). Then it’s all Mellencamp all the time—his name changes, his childhood surgery, his failed acting gigs, and yes, the time Mark Wahlberg tried to rap “Hurt So Good” for reasons unknown to mankind. By the time we get to “Eye of the Tiger,” we’ve covered Paul Anka swing covers, the movie Swingers (which is not about what you think), and every ridiculous tangent your mother warned you about. We close with some song swaps, listener feedback, and a reflection on how the early ’80s somehow made both syrupy ballads and aggressive workout anthems coexist on the same chart without anyone’s head exploding. Topics  00:24 – Banter and Soda Talk 01:10 – The Sprite Challenge: Darwinism in a Can 02:14 – Pop Culture News & Celebrity Deaths 04:11 – Listener Emails (Some of Which We Actually Read) 06:02 – Music Trivia and Useless but Fun Facts 07:28 – Countdown Recap + Air Supply: The Musical NyQuil 10:06 – Chicago’s Over-Apologetic Hit 18:46 – Fleetwood Mac’s Polite Cry for Affection 29:19 – Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” (Yes, Really) 39:29 – Mellencamp Evolution: From Cougar to Heartland Icon 42:01 – Wahlberg Raps Mellencamp (You’ve Been Warned) 44:25 – Pulp Fiction & The Soul Theory (Because Why Not) 46:56 – Top 10 Recap of August 21, 1982 48:52 – “Eye of the Tiger”: From Rocky to Ringtone 54:45 – Paul Anka Swings the Tiger 56:35 – Swingers: False Advertising 58:32 – Song Substitutions & Why We’re Right 01:15:58 – Closing Thoughts & Open Season on Feedback

Break out the confetti and questionable fashion choices—we’re turning six! To mark the occasion, Dave and Milt jump into their chart-shaped time machine and land smack in the neon glow of 1982, where Paul McCartney was still cranking out hits, Air Supply hadn’t yet exhausted their supply of feelings, and the Go-Go’s were busy corrupting the youth on VHS tape. You’ll get chart commentary, deep cuts of trivia, unsolicited opinions, and a listener email so good it made us want to binge a Billy Joel documentary (and maybe some Billy Joel himself). Also: CSN takes a nap, REO regrets an album, and we discover something called Johnny Aloha which... yeah, you’ll just have to listen. Oh, and there’s a game at the end where Milt tries to identify artists from insane lists Dave cooked up in a fever dream. It’s harder than it sounds. Topics & Timestamps: 01:06 – 🎂 Past 10s turns 6! (No cake. Just vibes.) 02:06 – 📬 Listener Mail: Billy Joel, Hawaiian covers, and other detours 07:35 – 🧪 Playing with podcast formats because we can 09:46 – 📻 Countdown begins: Billboard Top 10 of 1982 20:26 – 🎹 Paul McCartney takes it away (but where?) 28:30 – 🎶 Crosby, Stills & Nash still got it... kinda 34:17 – 🏖 The Go-Go’s go on Vacation and never come back 42:08 – 📉 Why that band broke up (and maybe deserved it) 42:42 – 🌺 Johnny Aloha: Hawaiian covers for people who hate normal covers 44:34 – 📼 That infamous Go-Go’s hotel video 46:50 – 👙 Sydney Sweeney controversy (because of course) 50:40 – 🚫 REO Speedwagon wishes this album never happened 56:15 – 💔 The rise and soft-rock fall of Air Supply 01:03:25 – 🎲 Play Date: The music trivia game you didn’t know you needed 01:18:08 – 🧠 Wrap-up and tease for next week (it’s gonna be good)

Dave and Milt welcome two top-shelf Billy Joelologists: Scott Eckstein and Russ Flicker. We crack open the emotional songbook that is the HBO Max doc And So It Goes—a title that screams “quiet devastation,” like only Billy can. We’re not just talking about Uptown Girl and Glass Houses. We go deep: the musical shapeshifting, the very Jewish energy, the marriages that aged like milk, the loyal bandmates that got canned, and the critics who never really got him (but oh, how we do). You'll hear memories of epic Billy concerts, emotional gut-punch lyrics, underloved deep cuts, and hot takes on everything from “tonic and gin” to “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” being the Bohemian Rhapsody of Long Island. It’s a love letter. It’s a roast. It’s a nuanced nosedive into the joy, the ache, and the genius of one of pop music’s most fascinating contradictions: a guy who made stadiums weep and critics wince. Come for the legacy, stay for the therapy session. Topics 00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to Past Tens, where we tell time by top tens 00:37 – 🥂 The “tonic and gin” debate no one asked for, but here we are 01:04 – 👏 Shout-outs to our guests and Billy buffs 02:04 – 📽️ Quick primer on And So It Goes (spoiler: not a rom-com) 03:00 – 🧠 Meet the Billy Braintrust: Scott and Russ 03:58 – 🎹 First concerts, last rows, and Piano Man magic 09:41 – 🔥 10 Hot Takes on the Billy Joel Doc 10:12 – 🥊 Early career struggles and Long Island angst 21:04 – 💔 Elizabeth Weber: The wife, the manager, the mystery 30:38 – 🧐 Lyrics that are both literal and metaphorical (very Billy) 38:33 – ✡️ Billy’s Jewishness: subtle, strong, and always there 44:49 – 🎭 Style chameleon: from ballads to barroom bangers 47:49 – 📰 Why critics never got him (and why we always did) 51:37 – 👶 The surprising multi-gen appeal of Billy Joel 58:10 – 🗽 Billy and New York: a love story with traffic 01:04:46 – 🧾 Legacy and the unfair critic treatment 01:10:19 – 🎧 Hidden gems and forgotten tracks 01:19:04 – 🤐 What the doc left out (and what we won’t) 01:26:48 – 🫶 Final thoughts on a complicated icon

Hop in the Top Ten Time Machine as Dave and Milt, joined by certified grooveologists Al and Ira, crank the dials back to 1972 — a year when rock was raw, soul was deep, and at least one guy was wearing glitter and singing about space. It's time for the ABCs of Rock Draft, where our fab four draft their dream teams of albums released in this musically stacked year. Expect legends like Bowie, Wonder, and the Eagles to fly off the board early — but don't be surprised when someone grabs the Sanford and Son theme or gets misty over a reggae soundtrack. There’s glam, grit, gospel, and a live J. Geils record that might punch you in the face. Along the way: hot takes, deep tracks, accidental revelations, and one AI-generated roast session. By the end, you'll either be nostalgic for bell bottoms or in awe of how many stone-cold classics dropped in '72. Either way, you're gonna want to stick around for the final picks, the albums that got left behind, and ChatGPT’s judgment from on high. Topics 00:00 Banter & Buildup 01:55 Let the Draft Begin 02:29 Meet the Contenders: Al & Ira 05:46 Draft Order Shenanigans 10:51 Round 1: The Big Guns 20:00 Round 2: Hits, Heat, and Head-Scratchers 38:13 Acoustic Nostalgia & Campfire Vibes 39:27 T-Rex and the Rise of Glam 42:44 Deep Dive: Neil Young’s Harvest 46:01 The Grateful Dead Get Loose (Live!) 50:51 Reggae Break: The Harder They Come 53:37 Elton Drops a Honky Chateau 55:31 Mott the Hoople = Chaos & Charisma 01:00:34 J. Geils Goes Full Throttle 01:02:53 Al Green Soothes the Soul 01:06:13 Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly Soars 01:08:18 Aretha Channels Power & Grace 01:11:29 Yes Trips the Psychedelic Light Fantastic 01:12:13 Unearthing the Deep Cuts 01:13:11 Surprise Album That Shouldn’t Work (But Does) 01:14:30 Billy Preston Meets Ed Sullivan 01:17:22 Cue the Godfather Theme (Respectfully) 01:19:06 Doobie Bros Do Their Thing 01:21:44 Final Picks: Scraps or Steals? 01:25:33 The Ones That Got Away 01:33:21 ChatGPT Renders Its Verdict 01:39:05 Closing Thoughts, Goodbyes, and Maybe One More Riff

In this highly scientific and not at all petty episode of Past Tens, Dave and Milt throw down in the only arena that really matters anymore: pop culture debates. It’s the Past Tens Riff-Off, where no sacred cow is safe, every cow is delicious, and every opinion is shouted like it’s 1986 and you just lost your cassingles collection. The format? Timed debates. The stakes? Imaginary. The judgment? Left up to you, our dear listeners with way too much time on your hands. From Freddie Mercury vs. Mick Jagger (tight pants vs. tighter pants) to the eternal dilemma of whether a hot dog is a sandwich (it’s not, calm down), Dave and Milt spar over music, movies, TV, theme park rides, game show hosts, and more. Along the way, you’ll hear grunts, woos, awkward impersonations, and the occasional moment of clarity. Then you vote on our Facebook page to settle the debates because we’re way too biased to be trusted. Timestamps for your convenience (or if you’re hate-skimming): 00:00 – Welcome to Past Tens (you know the drill) 00:56 – Warning: Musical debates ahead 01:56 – The Riff-Off explained (kind of) 05:43 – Debate 1: Freddie Mercury vs. Mick Jagger (glam vs. strut) 11:26 – Debate 2: Pirates of the Caribbean vs. Space Mountain (eyeliner vs. nausea) 18:40 – Debate 3: Chrissie Hynde vs. Stevie Nicks (scowl vs. shawl) 24:20 – Debate 4: Top Gun ‘86 vs. Maverick ‘22 (volleyball vs. trauma) 29:52 – Debate 5: “Holiday Road” vs. “I’m Alright” (Lindsey Buckingham tries, Kenny Loggins is alright) 35:36 – Coin flips and shameless begging for votes 36:26 – Debate 6: Trebek vs. Sajak (intellect vs. wheel-spinning) 41:35 – Debate 7: “Woo” vs. “Uh!” (James Brown intensifies) 47:44 – Debate 8: Al Michaels vs. John Madden (miracle calls vs. turducken) 53:07 – Debate 9: “Come On Eileen” vs. “Turning Japanese” (one-hit wonderland) 58:45 – Final Debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? (Yes, we're doing this.) 01:06:53 – Wrap-up and wild speculation about future episodes

Strap into the time machine and set the dial for July 1986, a time when Top Gun ruled the box office, synthesizers ruled the airwaves, and Kenny Loggins ruled… something. In this episode, Milt and Dave wade knee-deep through the Billboard Top 10 from a summer that gave us everything from Loggins' “Danger Zone” (still trying to make aviator sunglasses cool) to Simply Red’s “Holding Back the Years” (still holding back… the energy). Expect the usual: unsolicited nostalgia, suspiciously convenient personal stories, and yes, Milt somehow manages to rhyme “Spinal Tap” with “Trader Joe’s nap.” Don’t ask. Highlights include: A passionate defense of Janet Jackson’s “Nasty,” because someone had to. A soul-searching breakdown of Billy Ocean’s “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry),” which succeeds. It does indeed break down. Two grown men pretending to know the difference between Howard Jones and Howard Johnson. And the moment Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” rolls in and flattens the competition like, well, a sledgehammer. Plus: Johnny-themed trivia (because there are apparently way more songs about guys named Johnny than anyone needed), some light shade thrown at the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and a very necessary refreshing of the chart — where Dave and Milt save the Top 10 from itself by swapping in some ‘80s underdogs. Topics 00:00 - Banter: Naps, snacks, and fake bands (aka our wheelhouse) 10:47 - Listener mail, podcast gripes, and people who claim to like our show 20:18 - Blues-rock? In this economy? A look at the Fabulous Thunderbirds 37:59 - The mandatory Howard Jones detour, because optimism was a thing once 45:43 - “Danger Zone” drops in on a fighter jet and a synth budget 57:23 - Peter Gabriel brings the big weird with “Sledgehammer” 01:07:30 - “Who’s Johnny?” is asked, and not answered 01:14:59 - All-Johnny trivia. Johnny dangerously. Johnny repetitively. 01:26:51 - Janet Jackson says “No” like only she can 01:35:12 - Billy Ocean does that thing where he makes us cry on purpose 01:43:45 - Genesis makes a surprise cameo because, of course 01:59:18 - A tearful goodbye with Simply Red and his emotional rollercoaster  

Dave and Milt crank the amp to 11 and count down the greatest fake bands of all time. That’s right—no chart-toppers, no world tours, no actual existence. Just the fictional bands that somehow managed to rock harder than most real ones. We open with a little School of Rock, because if Jack Black doesn’t make your fake band list, you’re doing life wrong. From there, it’s a nostalgic jam session through cinematic and small-screen legends like The Commitments, The Blues Brothers, The Wonders, and—of course—the loudest band in England that’s not actually from England: Spinal Tap. Along the way, we unpack listener mail (someone really had feelings about Dr. Teeth), share stories of interns who may or may not be trapped in a basement recording kazoo solos, and ask the big questions—like how many blues brothers is too many? And is Stillwater the best band that never opened for The Allman Brothers? You’ll hear music clips, trivia drops, obscure references (you’re welcome, Christopher Guest fans), and—brace yourselves—a tease for the new Spinal Tap movie. Yes, it's happening. No, we don’t fully understand it either. So if you’ve ever air-guitared to That Thing You Do, quoted A Mighty Wind unprompted, or shouted "Shama-lama-ding-dong" in polite company… this one’s for you. Timestamps (for those who prefer structure in their musical mayhem): 00:00 – Welcome to Past Tens: We’re faking it today 01:25 – Listener mail: Love, hate, and one impassioned defense of Jem and the Holograms 03:38 – The countdown begins (cue dramatic VH1 voiceover) 10:25 – #10: School of Rock – Let’s rock, let’s rock… today 18:42 – #9: The Folksmen – Three-part harmony, one-part folk satire 25:06 – #8: Stillwater – It’s all happening (and surprisingly soulful) 33:11 – #7: Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem – Muppets who shred 38:26 – #6: Otis Day & the Knights – Oh yes, we do mind if you dance with our dates 45:19 – #5: The Commitments – Soul power straight outta Dublin 48:19 – Intern tales & unlicensed musical ambition 49:08 – The Commitments, part deux – We really liked this one 52:15 – Flight of the Conchords – New Zealand’s 4th most popular parody folk duo 58:20 – The Wonders – That thing they did? Still slaps 01:06:59 – The Blues Brothers – Suited up and still cool 01:11:50 – Honorable mentions: yes, Jesse & the Rippers made the cut 01:26:13 – Spinal Tap – Stonehenge, baby. Always Stonehenge 01:35:13 – Closing thoughts and shameless plugs

Are you still reading these silly show notes? Honestly, bless your heart. You're a true Time Machiner. Or you’re just really bored at work. Anyway, on this week's episode, Dave and Milt climb into the Time Machine and rocket back to June 21, 1975 — the land of lava lamps, fringe vests, and an absolutely bonkers Billboard Top 10 Albums chart. We’re talkin’ Elton, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Beach Boys, and even Alice Cooper giving us all the Welcome-to-My-Nightmare vibes (spoiler: it’s not a lullaby). But wait — Milt’s back from Africa! That’s right, our Chartmeister went on a literal safari. Lions. Giraffes. Possibly cursed sand. He’s got stories, and Dave is mildly concerned for his health and sanity. Oh, and intern Jack "The Fact Machine" Nathanson drops in to host a chaotic 80s music trivia quiz that somehow leads to Warrant, Mr. Roboto, David Lee Roth, and yes, Michael Bolton co-writing a KISS song. You can't make this stuff up. The episode ends (because it has to) with the boys politely kicking some albums off the list and replacing them with stuff they actually like. Sorry, Chicago, but y’all were in your weird phase. 🕰️ Time-Stamps for the Attention-Deficit Among Us (Click if you’re one of those “just the hits” people) 00:00 – We’re back, baby 00:41 – Milt vs. The Jungle 01:15 – Yes, we had tech issues again 05:55 – Let’s actually talk about music 08:03 – Pele kicks a ball in America 13:00 – Tobey Maguire gets older, Jaws gets scarier 15:45 – The main event: Albums, baby! 16:09 – America’s greatest hits (no, literally) 24:47 – The Beach Boys sell out (but in a good way) 31:16 – Chicago tries weird stuff 36:41 – BTO does more than just takin’ care of biz 43:19 – Doobie Brothers before the McDonald era (prepare for harmonies) 48:30 – TRIVIA: It gets heated 50:27 – Warrant, Yes, Cinderella, Idol, Roth, Bolton(?!), Wolfgang Van Halen... it’s a TRIP 01:01:04 – Alice Cooper makes us question bedtime 01:12:15 – Tommy, can you hear me? 01:21:03 – Paul McCartney gets interplanetary with “Venus and Mars” 01:28:36 – And finally, Captain Fantastic sails in like only Elton can

Dave, recording from a writer's retreat in Papoose Pond, Maine, taps into the power of music to evoke memories and tell stories. Dave engages with fellow retreat participants and listeners from the ‘Machine Nation’ community to share meaningful songs and the personal stories behind them. The episode features a variety of musical tastes—from The Cars' 'Just What I Needed' and Jay-Z’s 'Song Cry,' to Jefferson Starship’s 'Jane' and Otis Redding’s 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.' Each guest narrates why their selected song holds special significance, creating a rich tapestry of music-inspired memories, ranging from first breakups and nostalgic summers to family bonding moments and poignant personal reflections. Special contributions from listeners include mentions of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' The B-52's 'Deadbeat Club,' and Simple Minds’ 'Don’t You (Forget About Me).' The episode concludes with reflections on the connections between music, memories, and personal growth.   Topics 01:10 Deirdre: The Cars - Just What I Needed 05:38 Phil: Jay-Z - Song Cry 08:57 Wren: Veruca Salt - The Gospel According to St. Me 11:48 Leslie: Don Henley - Boys of Summer 14:18 Buzz: Otis Redding: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay 16:03 Otis Redding's Tragic Story 17:27 Bev: Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne 19:02 Brendan: Jane by Jefferson Starship 23:38 Beth: Fast Car by Tracy Chapman 24:45 Michael Patrick Lewis: The Deadbeat Club by The B-52's 25:27 Mikey O: Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds 27:39 Professor David Gallant: What Was I Made For - Billie Eilish  

Milt is in Africa. Dave is at the beach, but just metaphorically as he counts down YOUR choices for the top 10 Beach Boys songs. RIP Brian Wilson.

In this radical episode of Past Tens: A Top 10 Time Machine, Dave and Milt hop in their DeLorean — flux capacitor fully operational — and set the date for June 16, 1984. They're not just cruising through the Billboard Top 10; they're living it like extras in Footloose. The episode kicks off with a heartfelt and totally tubular tribute to Dave’s late father — think The Karate Kid's Mr. Miyagi, but with better dad jokes. From there, it's a parade of parachute pants, popped collars, and personal memories as they discuss the artists who ruled the airwaves: Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, and Cyndi Lauper — basically the Justice League of 1984 pop. Of course, it wouldn’t be Past Tens without a few twists. There's a Playdate Quiz that would stump even The NeverEnding Story's Atreyu, a musical mashup segment that’s more chaotic than Gremlins after midnight, and their signature song substitution game — think Indiana Jones swapping the idol for a bag of sand, but with Huey Lewis tracks. Some highlights: 00:54: A heartfelt memorial for Dave’s father, complete with more heart than Kevin Bacon dancing alone in a warehouse. 08:33: Pop Culture Highlights: Ghostbusters hit theaters, Purple Rain was on the horizon, and nobody put Baby in a corner (yet — Dirty Dancing was still a few years away). 15:22: Countdown kicks off — Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” taught us all what "motoring" really means (spoiler: it’s not what your dad thinks). 38:01: Musical Mashups — imagine Footloose meets Thriller but performed by the cast of Revenge of the Nerds. 39:22: Laura Branigan’s “Self Control” — the unofficial soundtrack to sneaking out past curfew in 1984. 44:54: Huey Lewis reminds everyone that the heart of rock and roll is still beating — even if it’s wearing leg warmers. 59:33: Steve Perry’s “Oh Sherrie,” a ballad so powerful it could get E.T. to phone home twice. 01:19:50: Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” — guaranteed to make even the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man misty-eyed. 01:23:15: Cyndi’s legendary ties to the wrestling world — she could literally have body-slammed a Goonie. Milt also teases his upcoming trip to Africa, though we're unclear whether he’ll be traveling by Toto song or Temple of Doom bridge. It’s a journey that’s equal parts nostalgia, musicology, and a John Hughes movie montage. Crank up your Walkman and join the ride — just don’t feed Milt after midnight.

Dave and his family count down the undisputed top 10 episodes of The Brady Bunch. Joined by his brother Adam, uncle John, and cousin Mikey, they discuss memorable appearances by guest stars like Vincent Price and Davy Jones, iconic moments such as Marcia's broken nose, and the cultural impact of the show.    Topics 00:38 Special Episode Announcement 00:58 Family Introductions 02:58 Tribute to Sol 04:50 Top 10 Brady Bunch Episodes Countdown Begins 10:50 Episode 10: A Fist Full of Reasons 16:29 Episode 9: Our Son, The Man 24:03 Episode 8: The Tiki Caves 31:31 Episode 7: Pass the Tabu 38:39 Bobby's Hero: A Disturbing Episode 41:47 The Cincinnati Kids: A Family Adventure 47:01 Marcia's Nose: A Classic Brady Moment 52:36 Time to Change: The Brady Kids Sing 59:04 Johnny Bravo: Greg's Rock Star Dream 01:06:51 Getting Davy Jones: Marsha's Idol 01:17:15 Final Thoughts and Favorite Moments

Dave and Milt explore the forgettable songs of their favorite artists, sometimes referred to as the 'worst of the best.' Joined by special guests, including Dave's brother Adam and intern Jack, the group dives into infamous tracks from icons like Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, and more. Throughout the spirited discussion, they reveal personal anecdotes, defend their controversial choices, and cleanse the palate with some of each artist's more celebrated works. Topics 00:49 The Concert Mishap 04:14 Special Guests and Family Matters 06:57 Introducing the Intern 08:32 Tonight's Topic: The Worst of the Best 11:17 Dave's First Pick: Bryan Adams 17:34 Adam's First Pick: Michael Jackson 24:02 Milt's First Pick: The Beatles 29:49 Dave's Second Pick: Aerosmith 35:42 Adam's Second Pick: Billy Joel 41:28 Milt's Second Pick: Stevie Wonder 44:33 Sentimental Tacky Crap 45:02 Stevie Wonder's Musical Elements 46:29 Billy Joel's Modern Woman 50:51 Guns N' Roses' November Rain 56:42 Prince's Struggle with Rap 01:12:39 Fleetwood Mac's Little Lies 01:19:26 Queen's Misstep with Hot Space 01:29:42 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells

Milt and Dave revisit the billboard top 10 hits from May 19, 1990, a significant date marking their college graduation. The duo analyzes, critiques, and discusses the lasting impact of songs like 'Vogue' by Madonna, 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinéad O'Connor, and 'Poison' by Bell Biv Devoe. They also humorously reminisce about their younger days and milestone moments while navigating the chart. Additionally, the episode includes special segments such as the 'Substitution' where each host replaces a chart song with another hit from the same period. Highlights include debates over which hits have truly stood the test of time and personal anecdotes from their college years. Don't miss this nostalgic deep dive into the music of 1990.   Topics 00:21 Cheesesteak Challenge and Jazz Fest Highlights 01:40 Public Pooping Debate 03:21 Donovan McNabb Bathroom Encounter 05:09 College Memories and Listener Shoutouts 07:04 Time Machine to 1990 16:02 Aerosmith's 'What It Takes' 23:46 Roxette's 'It Must Have Been Love' 30:09 Bell Biv DeVoe's 'Poison' 36:10 Beatles' Hidden Messages and Radio Show Scares 37:38 Bell Biv DeVoe and the 2023 Winter Classic 41:25 Calloway Brothers and Their Musical Journey 47:42 Janet Jackson's 'Alright' and Its Samples 57:04 The Worst Song We've Ever Covered 01:01:46 Wilson Phillips' Cheesy but Comforting Hit 01:07:03 Heart's Controversial Story Song 01:12:02 The Mystery of Jacob A. 01:12:32 Analyzing Iconic Lyrics 01:13:16 The Story Behind 'Nothing Compares 2 U' 01:19:39 SNL and Pop Culture Moments 01:21:41 Madonna's 'Vogue' and Its Impact 01:26:24 Top 10 Songs Recap 01:32:06 Musical Substitutions and Reflections 01:40:04 Final Thoughts and Farewell