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

Dave and Milt revisit the rock chart for the week ending Oct. 6, 1984—after initially and repeatedly calling it 1983 and later admitting the error. After banter about ice cream habits, a contrived Willy Wonka competition show, and brief history/pop-culture notes (Richard Noble’s 633 mph “Thrust 2” land-speed record, Carl Yastrzemski’s final at-bat, Lech Wałęsa’s Nobel Prize, The Big Chill, and AfterMASH), they count down the rock Top 10: Krokus “Midnite Maniac,” Billy Idol “Flesh for Fantasy,” Survivor “I Can’t Hold Back,” Honeymoon Suite “New Girl Now,” U2 “Pride (In the Name of Love),” Lindsey Buckingham “Go Insane,” Bruce Springsteen “Cover Me,” David Bowie “Blue Jean,” The Fixx “Are We Ourselves,” and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band “On the Dark Side.” They discuss trivia (Miami Vice placement, Bowie’s Jazzin’ for Blue Jean film, Bono lyric correction, Springsteen dance remix), play a “blue/blues” quiz, pick U2 as winner, and swap out Survivor and Buckingham for Twisted Sister “I Wanna Rock” and KISS “Heaven’s on Fire,” then plug social channels and a future “Freedom Rock” episode invite.

Topics

01:29 Ice Cream Confessions

04:33 Willy Wonka Game Show

06:08 Time Machine Setup

07:45 Week in History Bits

15:52 Countdown Begins Krokus

23:06 Chart Year Mixup

25:07 Billy Idol Deep Dive

33:45 Survivor and Mall Cop

39:47 Honeymoon Suite Arrives

42:02 Honeymoon Suite Breakthrough

42:43 Miami Vice Hit Boost

44:19 MTV Metal One Hit Era

45:51 U2 Pride Origins

50:08 MLK Lyrics And Facts

55:23 Jazz Cover Misfire

57:13 Lindsey Buckingham Synth Turn

01:02:45 SNL Whats Up With That

01:09:35 Springsteen Cover Me Story

01:13:40 Dance Remix Madness

01:16:41 Bowie Blue Jean Deep Dive

01:19:54 Jazzin For Blue Jean Film

01:24:07 Bowie Grammy Shock

01:25:10 Bowie Calls Out MTV

01:25:32 Blue Songs Quiz Begins

01:27:02 Rapid Fire Blue Hits

01:31:25 Neil Diamond Blue Stumpers

01:33:26 Fixx Chart Trivia

01:37:43 Jim Fixx Dark Humor

01:39:38 On the Dark Side Story

01:48:07 Recap and Winner Pick

01:51:06 Substitution Twisted Sister

01:55:27 KISS: Heaven’s on Fire

Dave and Milt revisit the famously corny-but-great Freedom Rock compilation, tackling side two track by track while rating each song’s “Freedom Rock” authenticity in a Cheech-and-Chong-style “vans” scale of 1-5 via ChatGPT. They banter about pet allergies, the ad’s cultural afterlife, and whether Freedom Rock could’ve become a movement like yacht rock. Also, Dave makes a simply miraculous run “guessing the vans.” Song SPOILERS below.

Topics

00:49 Show Intro And Hosts

01:28 Finley The Dog Talk

02:17 What Is Freedom Rock

04:55 Side Two Setup

06:12 Track 1 Feelin Alright

15:45 Track 2 Going Up Country

24:50 Track 3 Reach Out Darkness

30:50 Track 4 Horse No Name

37:48 Track 5 Free Bird Begins

45:55 Encore Banter

46:43 Free Bird Rating

48:23 Ramblin Man Deep Dive

54:10 Guess Who Nostalgia

57:58 Comedy Sketch Detour

01:02:27 Elton Friends Review

01:09:05 Jesus Pop Hit

01:18:12 Black And White Finale

Dave and Milt slip into their glowing white socks and travel back to September 22, 1979—when albums mattered, packaging was an art form and apparently everybody owned a synthesizer. [EPISODE SPOILERS IN LIST OF TOPICS BELOW. In case you care. … You probably don’t. Sigh.] Before entering the time machine, the guys wade into the Macklemore–Robert Kraft controversy, debating free speech, private venues, “Free Palestine,” antisemitism and whether anybody emerges from the whole mess looking particularly good.Then it’s on to the week’s Top 10 albums: Robin Williams unleashes his manic mind, The Cars avoid the sophomore slump, Earth, Wind & Fire decline to release “September” in September, and The Commodores prove there was more to them than Lionel Richie. Michael Jackson steps Off the Wall, Chic battles the disco backlash, Supertramp serves breakfast, Bob Dylan finds Jesus, The Knack discovers that overnight success has an expiration date, and Led Zeppelin delivers one final studio album—with six covers, a paper bag and a surprising amount of synthesizer. Plus: the Winner of the Week, two substitutions and the continuing criminal exclusion of the B-52’s from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Topics

00:00 Cold open: Lunch in Libya, glowing socks and compulsory Knack listening

Dave and Milt fire up the time machine to revisit Billboard’s Top 10 for the week ending September 10, 1988, amid banter about insomnia, last week’s “Freedom Rock” episode (and Finley the wonderdog), and some period trivia (Hurricane Gilbert, Jerry Lewis’s telethon, Kevin Bacon marrying Kyra Sedgwick, and Elm Street 4 topping the box office). They debate Kenny Loggins’ Caddyshack II soundtrack hit, declare fatigue with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” praise New Edition’s Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis upgrade, and note Taylor Dayne’s ballad getting blocked at #3. “Fast Car” is lauded as the week’s enduring masterpiece, while Van Halen’s Sammy-era “When It’s Love” gets torched. George Michael’s “Monkey” sparks a primate-song quiz, Huey’s “Perfect World” gets a reappraisal, Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” earns affectionate mockery, and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” closes the countdown. Winners/substitutions: Dave picks “Monkey,” Milt picks “Fast Car,” they boot “When It’s Love” for Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young,” and swap out “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”

Topics

01:19 Insomnia and Sleep Hacks

03:18 Freedom Rock Recap

05:26 Back to Regular Pod

05:57 Time Travel to 1988

07:14 This Week in History

10:31 Movies and TV Talk

14:48 Countdown Begins Number 10

15:30 Kenny Loggins Caddyshack II

22:10 Bobby McFerrin Overplayed

30:39 New Edition Jam and Lewis

37:05 Touchdown Dance Story

38:13 New Edition Hall Debate

40:21 Taylor Dayne Deep Dive

43:51 Tig Notaro Taylor Tale

49:01 Fast Car Breakdown

55:06 Tufts Alumni Trivia

57:47 Van Halen Love Ballad

01:05:08 George Michael Monkey

01:11:33 Primate Songs Quiz

01:16:57 Perfect World Deep Dive

01:20:49 Huey Memories and No Apologies

01:23:26 Perfect World Movie Detour

01:24:36 Simply Irresistible Breakdown

01:27:52 Prince Song and Estate Talk

01:31:46 Sweet Child O Mine Analysis

01:37:44 Ticket Tales and Live Shows

01:41:20 Recap and Winner Debate

01:45:39 Substitutions Forever Young

01:49:13 Fresh Prince Surprise Pick

Dave and Milt record in person at Casa Wolfe for a special Past 10s episode that ditches the usual Billboard Top 10 format to start a “Freedom Rock” breakdown, inspired by the endlessly replayed 1987 TV ad. They explain the compilation’s formats (four LPs, three cassettes, or two CDs; 40 songs) and begin covering the first 10 tracks in order, rating each with ChatGPT’s absurd “Freedom Rock score” of 1–5 vans, plus … Footloose! Seinfeld! Vans! Vomiting! Let’s go!

Topics

00:42 Podcast Setup at Casa Wolfe

02:36 Freedom Rock Ad Flashback

03:14 Compilation CD Culture

08:07 Freedom Rock Breakdown Plan

09:51 Track 1 Turn Turn Turn

12:44 Finley the Dog Arrives

15:48 Track 2 Change the World

21:17 Track 3 Locomotive Breath

27:07 Track 4 Old Dixie Down

33:31 Track 5 War Protest Anthem

40:03 Mic in Dog Bowl

41:32 Santana Black Magic Woman

47:02 Nilsson Jump Into Fire

55:06 Smoke on Water Story

01:00:06 Vomit Van Memories

01:04:04 United We Stand Roast

01:07:59 One Tin Soldier Billy Jack

01:15:06 Wrap Up Guest Invite

Dave and Milt riff on Taco Bell shtick, Dolly Parton’s legacy, a listener spat sparked by Professor David Gallant’s harsh Rock Hall takes, and Dave’s front-row Squeeze concert (plus a grim Adam Ant review). The time machine lands on the Billboard Top 10 for August 18, 1973, with context on Nixon’s first televised Watergate address, DJ Kool Herc’s early hip-hop party, a Soap Box Derby cheating scandal, and the blaxploitation film Coffy. They run through the Top 10—pick winners (Croce and McCartney), do a touch/feel-themed playdate quiz, and swap out songs for Led Zeppelin’s Over the Hills and Far Away and Joe Walsh’s Rocky Mountain Way.

Topics

01:08 Crunchwrap Shtick

02:15 Dolly Parton Tribute

06:03 Squeeze Concert Recap

10:57 Machiner Grievances

14:06 Time Travel Setup 1973

15:18 Week in History 1973

20:59 No 10 Chicago

26:00 No 9 Uneasy Rider

34:34 No 8 Delta Dawn

40:56 Gilbert O'Sullivan Deep Cut

42:38 Get Down Meaning Debate

44:18 Finley Couch Rules

45:07 Ali Photo Surprise

46:50 Bad Bad Leroy Brown

51:37 Croce Tragedy Legacy

56:30 Let's Get It On Origins

01:02:28 Gaye Lawsuit Drama

01:06:14 Morning After Movie Hit

01:13:18 Brady Bunch Detour

01:15:37 Brother Louie Context

01:18:42 Louis Flashback Bit

01:19:58 Brother Louie Origins

01:22:29 Live And Let Die Deep Dive

01:27:10 Bond Movie Scene Clip

01:31:13 Diana Ross Number One

01:36:04 Touchy Feely Play Date

01:41:29 Recap And Awards

01:44:18 Substitution Picks

01:52:52 Wrap Up And Plugs

Dave and Milt reveal the listeners’ survey-driven top 10 forgotten ’80s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-worthy artists, noting the oddly neat result that—like the ’70s episode—about 10 acts clear a “put them in” majority threshold. 

The B-52s brought the beehives, The camp, the kitsch, the fun,

Steve Winwood had that golden voice, From Traffic to MTV,

Then Mötley Crüe came crashing in, With hairspray, booze and flame,

Tracy Chapman, quiet and fierce, Had songs that cut straight through,

Toto had chops to spare, “Africa,” “Rosanna,” too,

Eric B. & Rakim changed how rappers rap, Rakim rewrote the rules,

Rick Springfield was Jesse’s jealous friend, A heartthrob with a hook,

The Smiths inspired gloomy souls With Morrissey and Marr,

Bryan Adams rocked the summer nights, With raspy, fist-pump flair,

DEVO wore the flowerpots, And warned that we devolve,

Don Henley left the Eagles’ nest and did some solo stuff; 

“Boys of Summer,” “Dirty Laundry” Hmmm - is it enough?

Sonic Youth made guitars sound Like power tools from Mars,

Huey Lewis & The News had heart, and hooks galore,

Scorpions rocked us like a hurricane, And whistled winds of change,

The Bangles walked like Egyptians and harmonies were their ace,

Robert Palmer dressed impeccably, And made addiction chic,

Kenny Loggins owned the cinema: “Footloose,” “Danger Zone,”

INXS had Hutchence, And Kick was wall-to-wall,

Tears for Fears ruled everybody’s world, With brains behind the sheen,

And finally there’s Sting, all tantric cool, With jazz where rock had been,

Topics

01:29 Survey SAYS…

04:09 The Final Countdown

04:30 Starting With A Bang(le)

07:43 INXS INdaHOF? … not yet

10:35 Be Originals. Be Standouts. B-52s. 

14:24 Toto Rides the Yacht 

18:25 This Was Supposed to be the Summer of Bryan! 

23:37 Show Steve Some Higher Love

25:36 Frampton: Show Him the Way

26:28 Loggins. He’s All Right…

29:09 Did I Say Messina?

30:14 Building the Perfect Henley Debate

32:50 Huey Wants A New Plug

35:30 Also Ran Rundown

37:06 Are You Smiths or Are You Out?

38:53 The Sting of #1

Dave and Milt reveal results from a listener poll rating which ’70s artists deserve Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, after briefly sharing comments on last week’s 1983 substitution episode (including an Ally McBeal/Robert Downey Jr. “Every Breath You Take” clip). Using a 1–5 scoring system, they count down the top 10 Hall “snubs” and also-rans.

Topics

00:37 Sticks Snack Debate

02:15 Survey Results Setup

02:43 Listener Comments Roundup

10:59 How The Voting Worked

13:54 Countdown Begins Barry White

17:07 Number Nine The Monkees

21:47 Number Eight America

24:44 Number Seven Supertramp

26:59 Supertramp Debate

28:42 Chic Snub Explained

31:24 Top Five Gap

31:53 Meat Loaf Case

35:57 Styx Surprise Pick

40:25 Boston No Brainer

43:36 Commodores Momentum

47:25 Near Miss Rankings

49:17 Diana Ross Number One

52:37 Wrap Up And Next Decade

Dave and Milt introduce an episode built around listener survey results rewriting the Billboard Top 10 for July 30, 1983, after voters overwhelmingly chose to boot Sergio Mendes’ “Never Gonna Let You Go.” They preview covering survey comments next week, plug pod617.com, and detour into Dave interviewing Battle of the Network Stars captain Greg Evigan on a Beatles podcast. The listener-created countdown replaces the original Top 10 with your choices, with anecdotes about ads, lyrics, MTV videos, and chart history. They pick winners, kick out “Saved by Zero” and “I’m Still Standing,” and shout out near-misses like Jackson Browne’s “Lawyers in Love.”

Topics

02:00 Getting Older Hangovers

04:43 Battle Network Stars Clip

08:55 Survey Top 10 Setup

10:12 Songs Voted Off

13:08 Listener Countdown Begins

13:36 Saved by Zero Deep Dive

27:07 Promises Promises Facts

34:40 Faithfully Breakdown

41:07 Prince Clears Purple Rain

41:49 Tambourine Jealousy Story

42:10 Bryan Adams Writes Heaven

42:41 Earnestness Debate Faithfully

44:51 Steve Perry Sopranos Holdout

49:46 Cuts Like a Knife Breakdown

52:37 Na Nas And Video Trivia

54:32 Billy Joel Stiletto Connection

56:37 Cheers Coach And Brady Bits

58:34 R E M Radio Free Europe

01:05:04 Hall Of Fame Top Five

01:05:46 Elton Im Still Standing

01:13:56 Def Leppard Rock Of Ages

01:22:00 Def Leppard Live Hits

01:22:37 Mellencamp Concert Talk

01:23:14 Sharp Dressed Man

01:25:04 Eliminator Sound Shift

01:28:24 Iconic Cars Debate

01:30:31 Weezy Top Mashup

01:32:56 White Wedding Origins

01:36:14 Punk Roots Doc

01:40:51 Prince Wins Vote

01:43:05 1999 Chart History

01:45:26 Shared Vocals Breakdown

01:47:29 New Master Remix

01:50:08 Recap And Winners

01:52:26 Kickouts And Near Misses

01:56:29 Ferryman Deep Cut

02:03:19 Wrap Up And Plugs

Dave and Milt detour from Billboard to TV, counting down the top 10 shows for a week in July 1983 while arguing about pie, cheesecake calories, and why Five Guys “small” fries aren’t small. They plug a survey to rewrite the July ’83 Hot 100 top 10 using songs that never made the real top 10 (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFG7SWG)

The TV list includes Simon & Simon, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Newhart, Cagney & Lacey, 60 Minutes, The Jeffersons, Trapper John, M.D., Hart to Hart, and the #1 “show” being ABC’s movie presentation of Dr. No. A theme-song playdate adds Dynasty, 9 to 5, That’s Incredible, Archie Bunker’s Place, Gloria, Falcon Crest, Magnum P.I., The Fall Guy, and Real People, plus spoofs from SNL, Family Guy, and Mad TV.

HELP US RE-DO THE TOP 10 FOR JULY 30, 1983. TAKE THE SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFG7SWG

Topics

01:00 Is Cheesecake Pie?

03:07 Listener Survey Instructions (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFG7SWG)

06:52 Top TV Shows Setup

33:05 Veronica Hamel Shoutout

33:37 Newhart Theme and Finale

36:29 Bob Newhart Timeless Comedy

42:07 Cagney and Lacey Breakdown

43:56 Promos Parodies and Emmys

50:16 Play Date Theme Quiz

59:29 Real People Flashback

01:03:03 60 Minutes Legacy

01:03:51 Journalism Trust Crisis

01:04:53 Andy Rooney Near Miss

01:05:57 SNL 60 Minutes Spoof

01:07:50 Morley Safer Bits

01:09:04 The Jeffersons Spotlight

01:13:14 Names That Disappeared

01:14:37 Trapper John MD Talk

01:19:51 Hart to Hart Recap

01:24:29 TV Then vs Now

01:26:34 Dr No Tops Ratings

01:30:38 Wrap Up and Plugs