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

Dave (coughing through the cold open) and chartmeister Michael “Milt” Wolfe take Past 10s back to the week ending Oct. 2, 1999, detouring through Adam Yas singing the national anthem at a Patriots game, listener mail about forgotten “best claps” songs, and why Polish jokes exist. They set the scene with Freaks and Geeks premiering, Double Jeopardy topping the box office, and ER ruling TV, then dive into a late-’90s Latin crossover-heavy countdown.

Topics

00:57 Dave’s Cold Struggles

02:29 Patriots Anthem Moment

04:26 Dream Gig Debate

06:55 Listener Mail Catchup

10:17 Back to October 1999

12:12 1999 Pop Culture Setup

19:51 Countdown Begins Marc Anthony

28:55 Scar Tissue and Hot Ones

38:43 Hot Ones Meltdowns

39:50 Simpsons Chili Peppers Bit

40:57 Scar Tissue Debate

41:52 All Star Overplayed

45:37 Shrek Effect Explained

50:30 Sugar Ray Origins

52:16 Shrinky Dinks Nostalgia

58:29 Christina Breakout Era

01:04:33 Ariana Grande Impressions

01:08:42 90s Lyrics Playdate Quiz

01:20:29 Enrique Bailamos Story

01:24:23 Bailamos Pronunciation Debate

01:25:18 Enrique Goes Final

01:27:15 Mambo No 5 Origins

01:30:53 Lawsuits And Backlash

01:32:40 Bob The Builder Parody

01:36:20 Smooth Mega Hit Breakdown

01:42:13 Ricky Martin Forgotten Ballad

01:46:31 TLC Unpretty Message

01:53:44 Recap And Musical Wrong

02:01:36 Shania Swap And Farewell

Dave and Milt record a special episode focused on ranking the best hand-clap songs, defining picks as songs where clapping is a crucial, compelling element that makes listeners want to clap along (not just a brief moment). You know, clapping. … Why are we overexplaining this? Sorry. … They discuss postponing recording due to Milt attending a Yankees playoff game, announce that Dave’s brother Adam Yas will sing the national anthem on the field before Sunday’s Patriots game (with related family coincidences), and note Milt’s AI-assisted birthday song for Dave (appended to the episode). Using combined rankings from over 50 candidates plus listener suggestions, they count down the top 10.

Topics

00:33 Show Intro and Hosts

01:11 Yankee Game Detour

02:18 Patriots Anthem News

04:13 How It Happened

06:26 Birthday AI Tribute

07:55 Defining Clap Songs

11:21 Rules and Listener Mail

13:19 Countdown Begins 10

18:05 Hey Ya Debate

23:33 Beatles Clap Moment

27:55 Queen Crowd Clap

34:41 Boston Rock Clap

37:14 Top Five Tease

38:00 Power Pop Clap Debate

39:41 Fitzpatrick Jets Tangent

41:06 NFL Halftime Panel Rant

42:16 Cutting Cable for Football

43:08 Jack And Diane Claps

45:24 Tastee Freez Food Spiral

48:51 Top Three Car Wash

52:11 Number Two SOB Party

54:58 Ampersands And Hoagies

55:57 Also Rans Rapid Fire

01:04:01 We Will Rock You Miss

01:06:40 Number One Cars Claps

01:08:53 Clapping Music Minimalism

01:10:12 Friendship Clap Game

01:11:20 Wrap Up And Plugs

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