Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (3 Viewers)

[titusbramble]

Big Daddy Kane is considered the progenitor of using multi-syllable raps in a song. He used internal rhyme to great effect. See Eminem's "Yellow Brick Road," where he gives Big Daddy Kane credit as innovator and influence

This will not be the last we hear of Big Daddy Kane in this countdown

 

[El Floppo]

Aside from KP's that I spotlighted earlier, other new-to-mes from #29 that caught my ear:

Charlie Steiner – songs from Mad Men

Manhattan - Ella Fitzgerald

Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

Long Way Back From Hell – Danzig

Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Heaven (Spotify) - Ebo Taylor (Ghana)

jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

Summer Madness – Kool & the Gang

scorchy – songs by Manchester(-ish) artists

We Bros - WU LYF

shuke – Saxytime

Magma (Spotify) - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Ilov80s - One song from each of the 31 best albums of 1984

Speed Your Love to Me - Simple Minds

rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

Doctor Rock - Motörhead

Chaos34 - Post Surf Rock Surf Rockish (80s fwd)

Disco - Surf Curse


As for this one:

landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

Changes, Pts. 1 & 2 - Neal Francis - Changes (2019)

I think I only know it because it's been brought up in other music threads here.

Those, and the solo African woman artist were the ones that all popped out to me too.

 

[Yo Mama]

World’s Worst Superheroes #28

The Exploding Boy
Artist - The Cure (1986)

Strengths - Self- immolation; since he’s younger, he has surprisingly fast recovery time (but you’ll still need to give him a few minutes)

Weaknesses - His explosions are sometimes ill-timed; as he gets older, he’s really only good for one explosion a day (perhaps every other day to be honest)


There Goes My Hero

Situation - You’re a successful businesswoman who can’t quite get to the highest levels of corporate America that you deserve.

You: [sighs] “I hate to admit it, but if I’m ever going to make it all the way up into the executive suites, I’m going to need some help.”

The Exploding Boy: [shows up with his jet pack]

You: “Hey, The Exploding Boy! I could sure use your help right now!”

EB: [removes ear pods]. “I couldn't hear a word you said - I couldn't hear at all. What’s up pretty lady?”

You: [rolls eyes] “I need to get to the top floors of my building to get to executive level, but there is literally a glass ceiling I need to break through to get there. Can you help me get there, Exploding Boy?”

EB: [getting excited] “Totally! Good thing I have my jet pack! Climb into my arms and we can get there together and explode on through to the very top!”

You: [climbs on The Exploding Boy] “ Alright, I guess you’ll do. Let’s get this started.”

EB: [grabs you and takes off] “Woohoo!!!’”

You: “This is just what I needed! But slow down, we’re not in a rush.”

EB: [starting to glow] “This is amazing!!!”

You: [pointing to glass ceiling] “That’s the spot, right there. But we’re still not there yet. Can you think about baseball or something?”

EB: “Sorry!!!”

[explodes]

You: [falls back to earth, your ultimate goal unfulfilled] “ Every. Single. Time.”

 

[titusbramble]

To just reiterate something said earlier - the next couple of tracks on my list will be bangers, then once we're down to the same number of stations remaining as picks remaining, there'll naturally be 3-4 tracks that I don't think are particularly great, but are necessary due to theme. After that, will likely be another 5-6 which are unexpected but potentially favourites if you like the genre, before getting into the real good stuff in the second half of the overall countdown

 

[Yo Mama]

Coming up next in the #27s, our first female superhero.

 

[Ilov80s]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

28. Tomorrow Started by Talk Talk

Album: It's My Life

I'm curious as to how you're picking songs off of 1984's best albums. Are these your personal favorites? Something else?
The reason I ask is that you've almost consistently chosen songs I would not have considered best on the albums you've drawn from so far (INXS being the exception as that album was loaded).
I look forward to seeing the rest of your playlist.

I don’t think there’s any set strategy I’m using. Some of it is my favorite song from the album, some of it is an effort so my list doesn’t play mostly as a radio hits of 1984 playlist because songs like Jump and It’s My Life are probably very familiar to everyone here. If it was doing this for a crowd under 30, I probably lean more into those more well known songs.

That said my 27 song was a massive hit that everyone knows, many probably dislike but it’s just what I wanted.

 

[simey]

Good timing I guess. My dad died this morning. In his sleep, so that’s good.

I'm sorry for your loss, oz.

 

[El Floppo]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

28. Tomorrow Started by Talk Talk

Album: It's My Life

I'm curious as to how you're picking songs off of 1984's best albums. Are these your personal favorites? Something else?
The reason I ask is that you've almost consistently chosen songs I would not have considered best on the albums you've drawn from so far (INXS being the exception as that album was loaded).
I look forward to seeing the rest of your playlist.

I don’t think there’s any set strategy I’m using. Some of it is my favorite song from the album, some of it is an effort so my list doesn’t play mostly as a radio hits of 1984 playlist because songs like Jump and It’s My Life are probably very familiar to everyone here. If it was doing this for a crowd under 30, I probably lean more into those more well known songs.

That said my 27 song was a massive hit that everyone knows, many probably dislike but it’s just what I wanted.

I'm very happy not to hear the obvious hits from the obvious albums... And appreciate hearing the deeper, more personal cuts instead.

 

[simey]

I don’t think there’s any set strategy I’m using. Some of it is my favorite song from the album, some of it is an effort so my list doesn’t play mostly as a radio hits of 1984 playlist because songs like Jump and It’s My Life are probably very familiar to everyone here. If it was doing this for a crowd under 30, I probably lean more into those more well known songs.

That said my 27 song was a massive hit that everyone knows, many probably dislike but it’s just what I wanted.

I can't remember all the songs you have picked so far, but I do remember "Middle of the Road," and that is my favorite tune on Learning to Crawl. That album has a lot of good songs on it.

 

[El Floppo]

2 talk talk songs from the same album in the same round is pretty uncanny though.

I figured they'd use some mallets in their later more instrumentally adventurous albums, or as O'rang, but couldn't find any (they might be there, I just had no luck in the search)

 

[titusbramble]

2 talk talk songs from the same album in the same round is pretty uncanny though.

One of which featured at least from myself in covergeddon

 

[El Floppo]

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

O.N.E. - King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard

#28.

Theres so much going on in most KGLW songs, I wouldn't be surprised if they used a lot of marimba and/or Glock.

This one gets a nice intro with what is listed as a Marimba, but I think is a vibraphone (with damper pedal).

 

[El Floppo]

I have to sell my HS record collection as we get my family ready for market.

F. U. Prop 13.

ETA. I'm not John Belushi trying to sell my kids off in a restaurant... We have to sell my family home, not my family

 

[kupcho1]

Random walk II

landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

I've Seen a U.F.O. - Minami Deutsch - With Dim Light (2018)

I listen to a lot of music and I've never heard of Minami Deutsch. Ever. Kraut rock from Tokyo? Can't wait 'til Krautrock shows up on my 2025 Spotify Wrapped.
I like the song you've chosen. It's got a kinetic energy to it.

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

O.N.E. - King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard

Beautiful song, and yet another one from KG&LW that I hadn't heard before. I'm beginning to think these guys are prolific or something. Another good one.

Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Dias de Escuela – Magma

OK, I'm confused. The theme states umlauts, and yet not an umlaut to be seen. Nada (which is also in Spanish which, unless I'm mistaken, doesn't use a lot of umlauts).
Spanish ballads aren't usually my thing, but this was a nice change, particularly on a random walk: KG&LW before and this one next ...

Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

The Punk Meets The Godfather - The Who (Pete Townsend)

Great tune! I'm guessing you saw this one live. I never saw the Who (I had tickets one time, but had to bail because I had a final and couldn't drive home for the show. I should have skipped the final and saw them instead.)

Pip’s Invitation – songs from albums produced and/or engineered by Todd Rundgren

Pretending – Shaun Cassidy

I had no idea who was singing for a minute, but I knew immediately that whoever it was was being produced by Todd Rundgren. Hell, I actually thought it was him for a minute. He has such a distinct sound.

 

[rockaction]

Time to put the kids to bed! No offense if anyone skips my death metal inclusions

These are from '88 to '92, right?

Any chance you'd take a DM where I do the same thing that KP and RW are doing? Trying to guess which band by which letter. I think I've got "E" and two candidates for "F".

 

[simey]

Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol

He was the last one of that '70s run of teen idols, right? I guess Andy Gibb, too, maybe. They had run out of guys to put on the cover of Tiger Beat. The 42,000 Osmonds had all aged out. So (finally) did 75 year old Bobby Sherman. Michael Jackson was already showing signs of extreme weirdness (even as he got whiter). I can't recall that kind of thing coming back until New Kids a decade later.

Andy Gibb was a teen idol for longer than Shaun Cassidy. Do you remember when Andy was co-host of Solid Gold with Marilyn McCoo in the early 80s? Andy's drug addiction went full throttle around this time, and other than a few glimpses of recovery, it did him in.

 

[rockaction]

I have to sell my HS record collection as we get my family ready for market.

F. U. Prop 13.

ETA. I'm not John Belushi trying to sell my kids off in a restaurant... We have to sell my family home, not my family

I'm sorry, Flop. Prop. 13 was designed to lower property taxes on the elderly who were at the mercy of the assessor's valuation of their houses/estates. I get exactly where you're coming from, though, and it's really too bad. Jeez. That stinks.

Best of luck with everything.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

28. Tomorrow Started by Talk Talk

Album: It's My Life
Released: Feb 13

Another transitional album. This starts the movement of Talk Talk from cookie cutter new wave band to a art experimental pop post rock sound that would land them on so many best of lists. Few bands have ever had such a sharp crossover from critical punching bag to critical darling. Unfortunately, the better their music got, the less their albums sold. The casual audience best knows them for the titled song of this February 1984 release but that's far from where the story ended for Mark Hollis and Talk Talk. I've chosen Tomorrow Started because it lets us listen to the future. The new Talk Talk sound is on display here. Talk Talk's tomorrow indeed started here.

Tomorrow Started - 1997 Remaster

Talk Talk · It's My Life · Song · 1984

open.spotify.com

Your album and mine (edit: And Zegras') this round both have a song called “It’s My Life.”

Cassidy’s is a cover of the Animals song.

 

[simey]

I would say Rick Springfield carried that torch through the early/mid ‘80s.

He was definitely a pinup back in the 80s. Of non-musicians, the brat pack were all over the magazines. I remember Willie Aames being on the covers. Speaking of Willie, I hope someone put Eight is Enough on their list of TV Shows that Scoresman is doing. I don't have time to make one, but it would be somewhere on my list.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Random walk II

landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

I've Seen a U.F.O. - Minami Deutsch - With Dim Light (2018)

I listen to a lot of music and I've never heard of Minami Deutsch. Ever. Kraut rock from Tokyo? Can't wait 'til Krautrock shows up on my 2025 Spotify Wrapped.
I like the song you've chosen. It's got a kinetic energy to it.

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

O.N.E. - King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard

Beautiful song, and yet another one from KG&LW that I hadn't heard before. I'm beginning to think these guys are prolific or something. Another good one.

Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Dias de Escuela – Magma

OK, I'm confused. The theme states umlauts, and yet not an umlaut to be seen. Nada (which is also in Spanish which, unless I'm mistaken, doesn't use a lot of umlauts).
Spanish ballads aren't usually my thing, but this was a nice change, particularly on a random walk: KG&LW before and this one next ...

Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

The Punk Meets The Godfather - The Who (Pete Townsend)

Great tune! I'm guessing you saw this one live. I never saw the Who (I had tickets one time, but had to bail because I had a final and couldn't drive home for the show. I should have skipped the final and saw them instead.)

Pip’s Invitation – songs from albums produced and/or engineered by Todd Rundgren

Pretending – Shaun Cassidy

I had no idea who was singing for a minute, but I knew immediately that whoever it was was being produced by Todd Rundgren. Hell, I actually thought it was him for a minute. He has such a distinct sound.

As I said in my writeup, Todd had to have written this with the intention of singing it himself, because it totally fits his vocal style.

 

[Ilov80s]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

28. Tomorrow Started by Talk Talk

Album: It's My Life
Released: Feb 13

Another transitional album. This starts the movement of Talk Talk from cookie cutter new wave band to a art experimental pop post rock sound that would land them on so many best of lists. Few bands have ever had such a sharp crossover from critical punching bag to critical darling. Unfortunately, the better their music got, the less their albums sold. The casual audience best knows them for the titled song of this February 1984 release but that's far from where the story ended for Mark Hollis and Talk Talk. I've chosen Tomorrow Started because it lets us listen to the future. The new Talk Talk sound is on display here. Talk Talk's tomorrow indeed started here.

Tomorrow Started - 1997 Remaster

Talk Talk · It's My Life · Song · 1984

open.spotify.com

Your album and mine this round both have a song called “It’s My Life.”

Cassidy’s is a cover of the Animals song.

And the song It’s My Life from Talk Talk appears on another playlist this round. Funny connections.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol

He was the last one of that '70s run of teen idols, right? I guess Andy Gibb, too, maybe. They had run out of guys to put on the cover of Tiger Beat. The 42,000 Osmonds had all aged out. So (finally) did 75 year old Bobby Sherman. Michael Jackson was already showing signs of extreme weirdness (even as he got whiter). I can't recall that kind of thing coming back until New Kids a decade later.

Andy Gibb was a teen idol for longer than Shaun Cassidy. Do you remember when Andy was co-host of Solid Gold with Marilyn McCoo in the early 80s? Andy's drug addiction went full throttle around this time, and other than a few glimpses of recovery, it did him in.

I remember Solid Gold!

Gibb’s death was one of two things that did the show in — it was never the same without him. The other was MTV.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Time to put the kids to bed! No offense if anyone skips my death metal inclusions

These are from '88 to '92, right?

Any chance you'd take a DM where I do the same thing that KP and RW are doing? Trying to guess which band by which letter. I think I've got "E" and two candidates for "F".

I went full nerd and made my version of a playlist for his theme for fun comparison and sent him that.

Also, it is not a guarantee to have 1/letter. There was no B band on his list. We have Anthrax, Candlemass, Danzig, and Death so far.

 

[-OZ-]

-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Shoot to Thrill - AC/DC

One of the best introductions of any MCU movie - just the right blend of fun, ego and awesomeness.

I’ll write more in future songs.

Next up - my favorite song from my oldest son’s favorite band.

 

[Yo Mama]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

28. Tomorrow Started by Talk Talk

Album: It's My Life
Released: Feb 13

Another transitional album. This starts the movement of Talk Talk from cookie cutter new wave band to a art experimental pop post rock sound that would land them on so many best of lists. Few bands have ever had such a sharp crossover from critical punching bag to critical darling. Unfortunately, the better their music got, the less their albums sold. The casual audience best knows them for the titled song of this February 1984 release but that's far from where the story ended for Mark Hollis and Talk Talk. I've chosen Tomorrow Started because it lets us listen to the future. The new Talk Talk sound is on display here. Talk Talk's tomorrow indeed started here.

Tomorrow Started - 1997 Remaster

Talk Talk · It's My Life · Song · 1984

open.spotify.com

Your album and mine this round both have a song called “It’s My Life.”

Cassidy’s is a cover of the Animals song.

And the song It’s My Life from Talk Talk appears on another playlist this round. Funny connections.

It’s probably in my top 10 of songs from that era.

 

[El Floppo]

I have to sell my HS record collection as we get my family ready for market.

F. U. Prop 13.

ETA. I'm not John Belushi trying to sell my kids off in a restaurant... We have to sell my family home, not my family

I'm sorry, Flop. Prop. 13 was designed to lower property taxes on the elderly who were at the mercy of the assessor's valuation of their houses/estates. I get exactly where you're coming from, though, and it's really too bad. Jeez. That stinks.

Best of luck with everything.

Exactly. And tbf, my parents did great paying nothing on their house all these years. My brother and I, absorbing a house in southern Marin at today's value, just can't afford the taxes so it's all forced our hands in what to do with the house.

I get all of it, just emotionally hurting at giving up what I still consider to be my "home", even though I've lived at my current rental spot in LES Evil longer than I did there.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#28: LINDA PERHACS - PAPER MOUNTAIN MAN

Holy hell what a voice. This is a reminder (and I forgot to include that in my post to @krista4 ) that these aren't in order of what I think are the best songs, these are more in order of how much material the artist has or how familiar I am with them. What I am saying is this is one of my favorite songs and discoveries on the playlist. Linda put out one album in 1970, but that didn't go anywhere, so she went back to her dental career. This album Parallelograms is quite the adventure, and one I would recommend to most in here. This song isn't 100% a representation of the rest of the songs, and those actually get a bit weirder. Great headphones/system album, @jwb - especially a couple others tunes at the end of the album - mainly Moons and Cattails comes to mind.

This album and several of my other picks and new listening projects have come from a new Youtube love - episodes of What's in My Bag? Basically just actors and musicians shopping at a record store, then they show you what they picked out for suggestions. HERE is a good one from Baroness. I love watching these on break and I have gotten a lot of great ideas from this as well as just learning about what bands you like listen to.

Recommended listening: she only has 3 albums. The 1970 album is one I have listened to a dozen times now in the last couple months. The 2014 album is worth a listen for a few of the songs too, but not quite to the level of the 70s outing. I haven't dug into the 2017 album much yet, which are the reasons this song is where it is on the countdown.

Next up another two female lead bands, but we are back in the 2010s for these next two.

Potential superhero?

I liked this, very reminiscent of early Heart.

I did think of that the other day. I will admit, as I am listening to stuff I've been looking for potential entries for people's playlists. The first 3 of the album here would get yours (this song) and would hit Kupcho's and my wife's playlist. I was listening to an album last night for an upcoming pick and it had the same mix - rain, animal, and superhero covered as well.

Not sure about his powers, but the Marlboro boots are a good start to a costume. I forgot to post in my write-up the line that I just love:

You live ten telephone poles and two trees up a dirt road
Outside the city line

At least he is close by when danger happens...

 

[simey]

@zamboni I started watching old Andy clips, and I'm tagging you since you did the Bee Gees recently. Check out Andy Gibb singing "Words" by his brothers. He is sporting a beard and mustache, and he looks and sounds so much like Barry. Barry always called him his twin.

 

[jwb]

jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

Love Shack – The B52’s

Ok, why Love Shack?

Well, to start, almost any B52's song sounds pretty good. Maybe a bit bright at times (especially the earlier stuff), but they are generally well produced albums. This song, which you've heard 10,000 times, is not only a banger, but they've got a bunch of stuff going on. The voices and general party atmosphere throughout the entire song really make it interesting (listen for Fred all over the background talking). I also like listening to the ladies as they harmonize while Fred is singing for the first half of the song. All three singers are towards the middle of the mix, but all occupy a different spot which is fun to listen for. The drums sound great in this song too.

 

[Zegras11]

It's My Life - 1997 Remaster

Talk Talk · It's My Life · Song · 1984

open.spotify.com

"It's My Life" is a song by the English new wave band Talk Talk. Written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, it was the title track on the band's second album, It's My Life (1984), and released as its first single in January 1984. It reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, but did better in several other countries, reaching number 33 in Germany, number 32 in New Zealand, number 25 in France and number 9 in Italy. It was their only hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 31 the weeks of May 19 and 26, 1984; and it peaked at number 30 in Canada. The song also peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The single was re-released in the UK in 1985, but only peaked at 93. In 1990, however, "It's My Life" was reissued again to promote the compilation album Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk. This time, the song was a hit in the UK, reaching number 13, the band's highest chart-placing single in its native country.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol

He was the last one of that '70s run of teen idols, right? I guess Andy Gibb, too, maybe. They had run out of guys to put on the cover of Tiger Beat. The 42,000 Osmonds had all aged out. So (finally) did 75 year old Bobby Sherman. Michael Jackson was already showing signs of extreme weirdness (even as he got whiter). I can't recall that kind of thing coming back until New Kids a decade later.

Andy Gibb was a teen idol for longer than Shaun Cassidy. Do you remember when Andy was co-host of Solid Gold with Marilyn McCoo in the early 80s? Andy's drug addiction went full throttle around this time, and other than a few glimpses of recovery, it did him in.

I do. McCoo had the biggest crush on me. Wait, I think it may have been the other way around.....but no matter.

Andy was hooked up with Victoria Principal, right?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Songs in D Minor - The Saddest Key of All​

28 - Evanescence - Everybody’s Fool​

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

Lyric - Look here she comes now
Bow down and stare in wonder
Oh how we love you
No flaws when you're pretending
But now I know she
Never was and never will be
You don't know how you've betrayed me
And somehow you've got everybody fooled

Source - https://musicstax.com/track/everybodys-fool/0tWEB6BxbI48XN79QE1JbT

Sadness Quotient - 5/11. I guess its sad that women cant be who they want to be in this day and age

Comment - “It was written by Amy Lee in 1999 about the promotion of unrealistic and hyper-sexualized ideals of perfection in the music industry, with detrimental influence on the youth's expectations and self-image”

Next Up - Never has a song been so representative of a band

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Batman​

28 - Bugzy Malone - Bruce Wayne​

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

Relevant Lyric -
Ah, yeah Batman ting
I'm in a black tracksuit
I'm on a Batman ting
Blacked out doors with a ski mask to match
A man can't catch what a Batman's in
C63 the Batman ting
You're a joker
You get your head smacked in
I'll slap man, then I'll do a pat man
Eat man's food then pounce on a Batman ting

Batman Vibe Score - 8/10

Where to Find - Bugzy Malone - King of the North LP

Quick Hit Comment - Rappers sure love “talking” about Batman. The amount of songs i listened to that didnt resonate with me by Hip Hop artists was high. This is one of a few that snuck through. Interestingly all by British Rappers. One gets a very high ranking. I think cause they use humor rather talking about how big their d1cks are.

Next Up - A former MAD artist gets a look in

 

[zamboni]

I would say Rick Springfield carried that torch through the early/mid ‘80s.

He was definitely a pinup back in the 80s. Of non-musicians, the brat pack were all over the magazines. I remember Willie Aames being on the covers. Speaking of Willie, I hope someone put Eight is Enough on their list of TV Shows that Scoresman is doing. I don't have time to make one, but it would be somewhere on my list.

I’ve got Eight covered there - have probably said before but Elizabeth was my first TV crush.

 

[zamboni]

Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol

He was the last one of that '70s run of teen idols, right? I guess Andy Gibb, too, maybe. They had run out of guys to put on the cover of Tiger Beat. The 42,000 Osmonds had all aged out. So (finally) did 75 year old Bobby Sherman. Michael Jackson was already showing signs of extreme weirdness (even as he got whiter). I can't recall that kind of thing coming back until New Kids a decade later.

Andy Gibb was a teen idol for longer than Shaun Cassidy. Do you remember when Andy was co-host of Solid Gold with Marilyn McCoo in the early 80s? Andy's drug addiction went full throttle around this time, and other than a few glimpses of recovery, it did him in.

I do. McCoo had the biggest crush on me. Wait, I think it may have been the other way around.....but no matter.

Andy was hooked up with Victoria Principal, right?

Sure was - in fact IIRC his breakup with VP was a big part of his subsequent downfall.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I would say Rick Springfield carried that torch through the early/mid ‘80s.

He was definitely a pinup back in the 80s. Of non-musicians, the brat pack were all over the magazines. I remember Willie Aames being on the covers. Speaking of Willie, I hope someone put Eight is Enough on their list of TV Shows that Scoresman is doing. I don't have time to make one, but it would be somewhere on my list.

I’ve got Eight covered there - have probably said before but Elizabeth was my first TV crush.

Susan Dey for me, I think.

 

[zamboni]

Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol

He was the last one of that '70s run of teen idols, right? I guess Andy Gibb, too, maybe. They had run out of guys to put on the cover of Tiger Beat. The 42,000 Osmonds had all aged out. So (finally) did 75 year old Bobby Sherman. Michael Jackson was already showing signs of extreme weirdness (even as he got whiter). I can't recall that kind of thing coming back until New Kids a decade later.

Andy Gibb was a teen idol for longer than Shaun Cassidy. Do you remember when Andy was co-host of Solid Gold with Marilyn McCoo in the early 80s? Andy's drug addiction went full throttle around this time, and other than a few glimpses of recovery, it did him in.

I remember Solid Gold!

Solid Gold will be in my top 70 shows as well. Who didn’t love the zany antics of Wayland Flowers and Madame?

 

[MrsKarmaPolice]

I think Mrs KP owes me a Coke.

Huh?

 

[kupcho1]

Who didn’t love the zany antics of Wayland Flowers and Madame?

They (er, I mean he) even got his own show! FTR, Judy Landers almost made it watchable.

 

[zamboni]

Who didn’t love the zany antics of Wayland Flowers and Madame?

They (er, I mean he) even got his own show! FTR, Judy Landers almost made it watchable.

Madame’s Place - man what a blast from the past.

 

[Tau837]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world.

 

[Tau837]

28. Pretending
Artist: Shaun Cassidy
Album: Wasp (1980)
Todd's role(s): producer, writer, guitar, bass, saxophone
Writer(s): Todd Rundgren

The song: Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol, the actor/singer decided to try to recast himself as a new wave artist and recruited Todd Rundgren to mold him in that way. Half the songs on Wasp were written by Rundgren, sometimes in conjunction with his Utopia bandmates, and the best of these is "Pretending," a ballad that could have fit on Todd's Hermit of Mink Hollow (1978) or Utopia's Adventures in Utopia (1979). It sounds like it was written for Rundgren's voice or that of Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, and is given an arrangement similar to what we hear on those records, so likely it was a leftover that Rundgren decided not to use in his own work. There are also similarities to Rundgren's work with another actor, Meat Loaf.

The song has a strong melody driven by Roger Powell's piano, and features an impassioned if a bit rough vocal by Cassidy in the guise of a man who is fed up with his lover's fake behavior.

And while you cry, I'll be laughing inside
'Cause I know you're pretending
Look me straight in the eye
When I tell you goodbye
'Cause I won't be pretending
You could beg me and fall down on your knees
But you'd just be pretending
Maybe someday you'll have something to say
And you won't be pretending

I wish we could have been treated to a version with Rundgren or Sulton singing, but this will do.

Note: This song has saxophone in it (played by Todd), but I presume shuke did not pick it for his list.

The album: It's a tale as old as time: When a teenybopper hitmaker has their hits dry up (or they get bored with what they were doing), they try to remake themselves as a "serious artist". This is where Cassidy found himself in 1980, putting his career in the hands of Rundgren and his Utopia bandmates for Wasp in a bid to return to relevance (the album had a sticker prominently touting the Rundgren/Utopia connection).

The process was basically making a Utopia album with a guest singer. Rundgren played guitar, bass and sax, Utopia's Powell played keys and Utopia's John "Willie" Wilcox played drums (Sulton showed up on one track). Half of the songs were written by Rundgren, sometimes in collaboration with Powell and Wilcox (and Cassidy has one co-writing credit), and the other half were covers. The latter mostly didn't go well, but if you are fascinated with the idea of Shaun Cassidy singing Bowie and Talking Heads songs, then dive in. This record also made me question my assessment that The Who's "So Sad About Us" is one of those songs that is impossible to screw up. The originals are more successful, as they are basically just Utopia songs with a different singer.

Like its predecessor, the album failed to chart, and marked the end of Cassidy's pop career (at age 22!), except for a standalone single released in Europe in 1989. He returned to acting, concentrating on the stage until the mid-90s, when he returned to TV as a writer and producer.

Note: This album was marketed as a new wave record. Whether you think it actually qualifies is up to you.

You Might Also Like: The verses of "Cool Fire," written by Cassidy, Rundgren, Powell and Wilcox, sound like what would happen if you tried to incorporate power chords into reggae, but the chorus is all power pop and features the kinds of harmonies Rundgren liked to employ with Utopia: https://open.spotify.com/track/5G0O4YDPWbLOcxLOvT7wgz?si=5b147160593e45c6

At #27, one of those geography-named bands that were all the rage in the '70s.

I must say, I was not expecting to see Shaun Cassidy in this countdown. The first concert I ever attended was Cassidy in 1978... in fairness to me, I was 9.

 

[Rustoleum]

This popped in my youtube algorithm for a couple days for some reason. Finally clicked and listened. Then about five more times.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

So does a ladle qualify as a mallet? Asking for a friend

Having seen way too many percussion ensemble concerts and watch my kid play everything from a church bell to sandpaper to slapsticks to cell phones... I'll say- depends what you're doing with it.

Mine had a traditional concert with the CCM Wind symphony tonight: she “only” played tympani, triangle, chimes, gong, and a ratchet. She was ticked that somebody else got to play the anvil part.

 

[Yambag]

Time to put the kids to bed! No offense if anyone skips my death metal inclusions

These are from '88 to '92, right?

Any chance you'd take a DM where I do the same thing that KP and RW are doing? Trying to guess which band by which letter. I think I've got "E" and two candidates for "F".

Yup 89-92, fire away rock, look forward to the guesses.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Time to put the kids to bed! No offense if anyone skips my death metal inclusions

These are from '88 to '92, right?

Any chance you'd take a DM where I do the same thing that KP and RW are doing? Trying to guess which band by which letter. I think I've got "E" and two candidates for "F".

Yup 89-92, fire away rock, look forward to the guesses.

Doh!! I totally went into '93 I did the math right first, but just started thinking of it as Middle School through High School.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

O.N.E. - King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard

#28.

Theres so much going on in most KGLW songs, I wouldn't be surprised if they used a lot of marimba and/or Glock.

This one gets a nice intro with what is listed as a Marimba, but I think is a vibraphone (with damper pedal).

I checked out the album info on Wikipedia. Some hoser is credited as playing an MRI machine, hydraulic hammer, drawbridge, chainsaw, nail gun, and angle grinder.

That's a lot.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I think Mrs KP owes me a Coke.

Huh?

We typed the same thing at the same time. I guess I should have added the "jinx one two three you owe me a Coke" bit.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

OK, I'm confused. The theme states umlauts, and yet not an umlaut to be seen. Nada (which is also in Spanish which, unless I'm mistaken, doesn't use a lot of umlauts).
Spanish ballads aren't usually my thing, but this was a nice change, particularly on a random walk: KG&LW before and this one next ...

Nobody reads my posts.

Round 28 - Dias de Escuela - Magma

Magma is a French prog rock band formed in 1969. You might be wondering where the little dots are. You might also be wondering why you don't quite understand the lyrics. Magma record most of their songs in a constructed language. It's called Kobaïan. LOOK! There they are, the little cuties. Kobaïan is the language of the fictional planet Kobaïa, where the songs are set. This might be the proggiest thing ever.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Time to put the kids to bed! No offense if anyone skips my death metal inclusions

These are from '88 to '92, right?

Any chance you'd take a DM where I do the same thing that KP and RW are doing? Trying to guess which band by which letter. I think I've got "E" and two candidates for "F".

Yup 89-92, fire away rock, look forward to the guesses.

Doh!! I totally went into '93 I did the math right first, but just started thinking of it as Middle School through High School.

My official guesses are in!!!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

28. Pretending
Artist: Shaun Cassidy
Album: Wasp (1980)
Todd's role(s): producer, writer, guitar, bass, saxophone
Writer(s): Todd Rundgren

The song: Yes, THAT Shaun Cassidy, the Hardy Boy and coverer of "Da Doo Ron Ron". After the failure of his 1979 album Room Service signaled the end of Cassidy's run as a teen idol, the actor/singer decided to try to recast himself as a new wave artist and recruited Todd Rundgren to mold him in that way. Half the songs on Wasp were written by Rundgren, sometimes in conjunction with his Utopia bandmates, and the best of these is "Pretending," a ballad that could have fit on Todd's Hermit of Mink Hollow (1978) or Utopia's Adventures in Utopia (1979). It sounds like it was written for Rundgren's voice or that of Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, and is given an arrangement similar to what we hear on those records, so likely it was a leftover that Rundgren decided not to use in his own work. There are also similarities to Rundgren's work with another actor, Meat Loaf.

The song has a strong melody driven by Roger Powell's piano, and features an impassioned if a bit rough vocal by Cassidy in the guise of a man who is fed up with his lover's fake behavior.

And while you cry, I'll be laughing inside
'Cause I know you're pretending
Look me straight in the eye
When I tell you goodbye
'Cause I won't be pretending
You could beg me and fall down on your knees
But you'd just be pretending
Maybe someday you'll have something to say
And you won't be pretending

I wish we could have been treated to a version with Rundgren or Sulton singing, but this will do.

Note: This song has saxophone in it (played by Todd), but I presume shuke did not pick it for his list.

The album: It's a tale as old as time: When a teenybopper hitmaker has their hits dry up (or they get bored with what they were doing), they try to remake themselves as a "serious artist". This is where Cassidy found himself in 1980, putting his career in the hands of Rundgren and his Utopia bandmates for Wasp in a bid to return to relevance (the album had a sticker prominently touting the Rundgren/Utopia connection).

The process was basically making a Utopia album with a guest singer. Rundgren played guitar, bass and sax, Utopia's Powell played keys and Utopia's John "Willie" Wilcox played drums (Sulton showed up on one track). Half of the songs were written by Rundgren, sometimes in collaboration with Powell and Wilcox (and Cassidy has one co-writing credit), and the other half were covers. The latter mostly didn't go well, but if you are fascinated with the idea of Shaun Cassidy singing Bowie and Talking Heads songs, then dive in. This record also made me question my assessment that The Who's "So Sad About Us" is one of those songs that is impossible to screw up. The originals are more successful, as they are basically just Utopia songs with a different singer.

Like its predecessor, the album failed to chart, and marked the end of Cassidy's pop career (at age 22!), except for a standalone single released in Europe in 1989. He returned to acting, concentrating on the stage until the mid-90s, when he returned to TV as a writer and producer.

Note: This album was marketed as a new wave record. Whether you think it actually qualifies is up to you.

You Might Also Like: The verses of "Cool Fire," written by Cassidy, Rundgren, Powell and Wilcox, sound like what would happen if you tried to incorporate power chords into reggae, but the chorus is all power pop and features the kinds of harmonies Rundgren liked to employ with Utopia: https://open.spotify.com/track/5G0O4YDPWbLOcxLOvT7wgz?si=5b147160593e45c6

At #27, one of those geography-named bands that were all the rage in the '70s.

I must say, I was not expecting to see Shaun Cassidy in this countdown. The first concert I ever attended was Cassidy in 1978... in fairness to me, I was 9.

Aw, 2 years before the Rundgren material.