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The ’80s Songs That Went to 11
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
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)
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 [email protected]. Rock responsibly, Time Travelers.
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By [email protected]
4.9
6969 ratings
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
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)
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 [email protected]. Rock responsibly, Time Travelers.
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