eightone81 — Best Music Video Ever

Welcome to eightone81, a podcast about the best music videos ever. Benjamin Light (aka James Taylor) and Marco Sparks explore the signature music videos from the launch of MTV to 9/11, looking back at an art form that no longer holds the sway it once did. We’ll talk about the artists, the music, the videos, the culture, and how things have changed since the heyday of the medium.

030 | No one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike — “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

We’re doing a big one, celebrating Halloween and the big 30, it’s “Thriller” by the King of Pop. Often the de facto Number 1 on Best of All Time lists. Does it hold up? Let’s dig in.The final book in our Trouble: Girl Detective mystery series is out now! Order Trouble to the Last Drop on Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover now!

10-31
53:22

029 | Is it the love of danger, or the danger of the love? — “Night Moves” by Marilyn Martin

If you’ve heard of “Night Moves” by Marilyn Martin, congratulations. This weird vampire music video from the 80s feels like one time forgot. Vampires are due for a comeback, aren’t they?The final book in our Trouble: Girl Detective mystery series is out now! Order Trouble to the Last Drop on Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover now!

10-25
38:27

028 | Without you, everything just falls apart — “The Perfect Drug” by Nine Inch Nails

Nothing says spooky like gothic sets, absinthe, a giant severed hand prop, and Trent Reznor in a velvet trench coat. We’re talking “The Perfect Drug” by Nine Inch Nails. Boo!The final book in our Trouble: Girl Detective mystery series is out now! Order Trouble to the Last Drop on Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover now!

10-15
33:24

027 | Make the beats go harder — “Push It” by Garbage

Spooky Season on eightone81 continues with a weird video by a cool band: it’s “Push It” from Garbage. The guys talk about their love for these alt-rock legends, the weird lightbulb man, and how hot Shirley Manson is. We also cover the new Taylor Swift album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” and One Battle After Another. Hot takes incoming!The final book in our Trouble: Girl Detective mystery series is out now! Order Trouble to the Last Drop on Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover now!

10-08
01:04:54

026 | I was too cold to cry when I woke up alone — “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

eightone81 returns for spooky season! We’re celebrating our favorite time of year by checking out some of the best horror and horror-adjacent music videos of the MTV era. To start off, we’re dancing in the candlelight with dead Kim Basinger. Awesome song and awesome video for “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.The final book in our Trouble: Girl Detective mystery series is out now! Order Trouble to the Last Drop on Kindle, Paperback, or Hardcover now!

10-01
38:53

025 | Don’t go around breakin’ young girls’ hearts — “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

The King of Pop finally makes a bow on the pod. This might actually be the best music video ever. It’s “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson for our 25th episode.Pre-order the new Trouble book now on Kindle! Out July 1st!

06-13
47:35

024 | Please, admit it’s over — “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

It’s the world’s most obvious Lewis Carroll reference, folks! JK, we’re doing the Alice in Wonderland-themed Mad Hatter party that is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”Pre-order the new Trouble book now on Kindle! Out July 1st!

06-04
43:04

023 | Let ’em say we’re crazy — “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship

A song so catchy for a movie tie-in that it sort of makes us want to watch Mannequin. It’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship, featuring a guest appearance by Hollywood Montrose.(We also have an extended talk about Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning at about 38:05 into the pod, lol. Spoiler Warning!)Pre-order the new Trouble book now on Kindle! Out July 1st!

05-28
59:01

022 | Too much is not enough — “Numb” by U2

This week on the pod, Bono lets The Edge take the mic for one of U2’s most original and experimental songs. It’s “Numb,” your favorite music video featuring belly dancers and feet.

05-22
57:44

021 | The devil wants to know — “Criminal” by Fiona Apple

Heroin chic is back in fashion as the bros discuss the sleazy masterpiece that is “Criminal” by Fiona Apple.

05-14
48:27

020 | And you’d stay — “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher

The Navy knew what they were doing letting this video be shot of a battleship full of seamen. It’s Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and yes, you can see the tattoo on her ass cheek.

05-07
43:13

019 | It’s the nighttime that flatters — “Self Control” by Laura Branigan

A music video so suggestive that MTV asked Laura Branigan to make some edits. We’re on an erotic journey with “Self Control.”

04-30
45:22

018 | Forever’s gonna start tonight — “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

Every time it felt like this music video had peaked, it just kept taking it to the next level. A boys chorus where they all have glowing eyes! And then one of them starts flying! It’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler.

04-23
50:26

017 | Hold on — “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.

We’re taking the pod to a dark but ultimately reaffirming place this week, talking about the “Everybody Hurts” music video by R.E.M.

04-16
47:30

016 | Little precious has a natural obsession — “Waterfalls” by TLC

This week on the pod, we’re joined by special guest Morgan to discuss her music video pick: “Waterfalls” by TLC.

04-09
01:26:19

015 | Hey little girl, is your daddy home? — “Dancing in the Dark” and “I’m on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen

Double video pod! The guys are talking not one but two songs by the Boss off the Born in the U.S.A. album: “Dancing in the Dark,” and “I’m on Fire,” by Bruce Springsteen, with multiple interludes about Courtney Cox’s career, the Season 2 Severance finale, and other random side tracks.

04-02
01:00:14

014 | Why am I soft in the middle now? — “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon

This week on the pod, another lip-syncing classic from the 80s: it’s Paul Simon with an assist from Chevy Chase for “You Can Call Me Al.”

03-26
48:41

013 | Got a brand new face for the boys on MTV — “Freedom! ’90” by George Michael

Is this the best music video ever? “Freedom! ’90” is certainly a contender. The guys go deep on David Fincher’s supermodel masterpiece for the George Michael classic. This movie was very important to our adolescent development.

03-19
51:58

012 | Pretend you never went to school — “Common People” by Pulp

We’re really delving into the class struggle on this one with Pulp’s “Common People.” Plus, a diversion about the new Anya Taylor-Joy/Miles Teller streaming movie The Gorge. Spoiler alert: it stinks.

03-12
49:28

011 | You like the movies and I like TV — “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul

This week on the pod, is Paula Abdul fucking that cartoon cat? James and Marco are taking a look at the slick choreography in “Opposites Attract.” Also, we get sidetracked talking the new Captain America movie, which was… quite poor.

03-05
51:19

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