Where in the world are the middle-aged dummies? Worldwide top 31 song countdown. (7 Viewers)

[krista4]

Well. I haven't been able to check in here for 5+ hours. Lots to catch up on.

Advanced warning that I might not be able to post #1s tomorrow morning. Depends upon when I stop working and have time to turn back to this. Could be tonight, could be never...? No, I will get to it when I can.

In the meantime I'm doing a drive-by of my favorites from yesterday's playlist, other than those I previously mentioned.

Already-known special shout-out: Candela When I saw 80s list didn't have Buena Vista Social Club, I thought I'd be the only one who selected them. I never get tired of this entire record.

New-to-me-favorites: I liked Nekfeu's rapping and would like to hear more. Don't make me choose among these three, which all get gold medals: "Do Not Let Your Spirt Wane" by Gang of Youths, "Won't Give In" by The Finn Brothers, and "10 Mile Stereo" by Beach House.

 

[Mummy4]

Here’s the next group of bands, all over 150 points

INXS	283
Rush	279
The Jimi Hendrix Experience	262
Bob Marley	248
AC/DC	234
Wings	232
The Police	227
Arcade Fire	218
Santana	191
Tool	184
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	164
Triumph	163
Thin Lizzy	161
Ramones	160

big "ups" to you @Ilov80s !!!

awesome!

non-obvious reaction. (but familiar)

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Of the whole thing, Arcade Fire sticks out to me most as being on an island in terms of timeframe. They are by far the most recent artist/group to chart so well.

They are the last band I got truly excited about. No one that emerged after 2005 has really inspired me to follow their every move.

ETA: I realize part of that may be a me thing.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

And Arcade Fire a lot of songs get votes. This wasn’t a case of where 1 song was so popular it buoyed the band.

But most of those songs were from the same album (Funeral, their breakthrough record).

 

[titusbramble]

And Arcade Fire a lot of songs get votes. This wasn’t a case of where 1 song was so popular it buoyed the band.

But most of those songs were from the same album (Funeral, their breakthrough record).

A ranking of points by album would be an interesting one

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Oom papa oom papa oom papa mow mow
Hi ho, Silver. Get away!

Wasn't the huge mountain-man looking guy one of the tenors, and the skinny little guy in the suit the bass voice?

Yes. Why I remember that 40 years after seeing them on Solid Gold, I have no idea.

I was looking for that exact video, but found the Barbara Mandrell Show clip first.

Solid Gold was an interesting reflection on that era of media consumption and pop-culture relevancy. You look back on the Solid Gold Dancers and the various hosts (Dionne Warwick, Marilyn McCoo, Andy Gibb, etc.) and you might remember the show as almost exclusively a dance and R&B-oriented show. Sort of like Soul Train done in a different way.

But no -- Solid Gold was more like the UK's Top of the Pops. SG played everything. I remember they used to play clips from the current Billboard Top 10 singles from the Hot 100 chart -- anyone else remember that? Usually they'd just queue up part of a given Top-10 song and the SG Dancers would come out and do a quick number. I think they did the Top 10 in chunks -- like they do clips from 10-9-8 back to back, then 7-6-5, then 4-3-2, and then the #1 song either got played through or sometimes they'd even get a live performance of #1 on the show.

But anyway. Yeah, the Oak Ridge Boys definitely appeared on Solid Gold. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, too (both solo and together for "Islands In The Stream"). And also The Plasmatics (figure that one out). And Air Supply, Steve Miller Band, The Spinners, Culture Club, etc. etc. etc.

Just stumbled onto this: A listing of many of the guest hosts and musical artists from Solid Gold's first four seasons (through the Marilyn McCoo seasons). Like I said -- EVERYONE played that show. Look at this representative episode:

S04E37 Marilyn McCoo Show 37​

• June 16, 1984

Duke Jupiter has the opening number with Little Lady. A Solid Gold Video from Huey Lewis and the News. Crystal Gayle sing the #1 Country song. Slade performs the #8 song Run Runaway. Others performing include Thomas Dolby, Shakin Stevens, and Tina Turner.

...

(Shakin' Stevens was a big name in the UK, but never really broke through over here. But, heck, Solid Gold had him on anyway!)

The Plasmatics episode:

S02E14 Andy Gibb & Marilyn McCoo Show 14​

• December 12, 1981

Melba Moore opens the show with "Take My Love." Gladys Knight and the Pips perform "I Will Fight." The #8 Song is Rod Stewart's "Young Turks" (music video). The Canadian band Chilliwack performs their hit "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)." Country duo The Bellamy Brothers do "You're My Favorite Star." Marilyn McCoo covers the Commodores' song "Oh No." Rex Smith sings "Remember The Love Songs." Punk rockers Wendy O'Williams and The Plasmatics perform "Black Leather Monster." Following the song, Wendy O'Williams talks with Madame (the puppet). Gladys Knight & Andy Gibb sing "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.


...

Excerpt from the bottom clip:

Punk rockers Wendy O'Williams and The Plasmatics perform "Black Leather Monster." Following the song, Wendy O'Williams talks with Madame (the puppet).

I’m on a mission to find that clip.

GB YouTube

Ah, they don’t make music like that anymore.

 

[scorchy]

I was telling my wife how much I enjoyed my in-office day today but then I check into the thread only to see I missed Solid Gold talk. And then the Barbara Mandell variety show too (I was always partial to the brunette sister Louise). I only got to watch Solid Gold on the rare Saturday nights when my grandmother didn't come over for dinner - Lawrence Welk occupied the same time slot. She did like the Mandrells though, and I think Mama's Family came on right after. And you all wonder why I never heard any Beatles in my house.

 

[scorchy]

Known Favorites

2112 - Rush (Pip’s Invitation) - so ridiculous yet so awesome
Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite (Mister CIA) -
The Mercy Seat - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (otb_lifer)
Spirit Of Radio - Rush (New Binky the Doormat)
No. 13 Baby - The Pixies (jwb) - my second-favorite Pixies song. Really happy to see it get some love
Rockaway Beach - Ramones (Eephus)
Shoot To Thrill - AC/DC (AAA Batteries)

New to Me Songs I Really Liked

Saved By Love - Rik Emmett (simsarge)
Cowboy Song (live) - Thin Lizzy (KarmaPolice)

 

[Mister CIA]

Good day to have Wendy O'Williams and Lemmy on my bingo card.

 

[Mister CIA]

Where has this song been all my life? This is Nigel Tufnel to the 11th power.

- 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

 

[Val Rannous]

And as we're coming down the stretch, it's Dr. Octopus with a narrow lead over Don Quixote and Simey:

Person

Score

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

ACE Song

By

Dr. Octopus

8

Queen

Neil Young

Fleetwood Mac

Talking Heads

The Band

Bob Marley

CSN and CSNY

Van Halen

Metallica

Arcade Fire

Some Like It Hot

Power Station

Don Quixote

7

Queen

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Fleetwood Mac

Neil Young

Van Halen

Metallica

The Band

Guns N' Roses

Rush

Leonard Cohen

The Final Countdown

Europe

Simey

7

Queen

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Band

Guns N' Roses

AC/DC

CSN and CSNY

Metallica

Fleetwood Mac

The Police

Van Halen

Take On Me

A-Ha

Just Win Baby

6

Queen

Fleetwood Mac

Van Halen

AC/DC

The Police

Metallica

Talking Heads

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Rush

INXS

Cult of Personality

Living Colour

Manster

6

Metallica

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Neil Young

Queen

The Police

Guns N' Roses

Fleetwood Mac

Rush

Arcade Fire

Van Halen

Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil

Mrs. Rannous

6

Fleetwood Mac

Queen

INXS

AC/DC

Red Hot Chili Peppers

CSN and CSNY

Santana

Neil Young

The Police

Van Halen

Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil

New Binky the Doormat

6

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Neil Young

Queen

CSN and CSNY

Metallica

Van Halen

AC/DC

Fleetwood Mac

The Police

Rush

Layla

Derek & The Dominoes

Pip’s Invitation

6

Queen

Neil Young

Fleetwood Mac

The Police

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Bob Marley

Van Halen

AC/DC

Guns N' Roses

Talking Heads

Lovefool

The Cardigans

The Dreaded Marco

6

AC/DC

The Band

CSN and CSNY

INXS

Bob Marley

The Police

Queen

Rush

Talking Heads

Neil Young

Major Tom (Coming Home)

Peter Schilling

westerberg

6

Queen

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Police

Metallica

Neil Young

Rush

AC/DC

The Band

Talking Heads

Fleetwood Mac

Under Pressure

David Bowie/Queen

jwb

5

Queen

Fleetwood Mac

The Police

Neil Young

Metallica

AC/DC

The Pretenders

Talking Heads

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Wings

The Beat Goes On/Switching to Glide

The Kings

otb_lifer

5

Queen

Bob Marley

Neil Young

Metallica

Guns N' Roses

Rush

AC/DC

Van Halen

The Police

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

99 Luftballons

Nena

Sullie

5

Rush

AC/DC

Guns N' Roses

CSN and CSNY

The Police

Van Halen

Kiss

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Metallica

Fleetwood Mac

Battlescar

Max Webster

Val Rannous

5

Rush

Queen

Fleetwood Mac

CSN and CSNY

AC/DC

Santana

The Police

The Traveling Wilburys

Van Halen

Neil Young

For What It's Worth

Buffalo Springfield

Raging Weasel

4

Queen

Santana

AC/DC

Van Halen

Fleetwood Mac

The Police

Pixies

The Pretenders

Guns N' Roses

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Heaven and Hell

Black Sabbath

higgins

3

Queen

The Police

Van Halen

Dire Straits

Rush

ABBA

The Scorpions

Bob Marley

The Pretenders

Talking Heads

Don't Dream It's Over

Crowded House

titusbramble

1

Queen

The Police

ABBA

Bryan Adams

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Daft Punk

AC/DC

Garbage

Kraftwerk

Arcade Fire

The Final Countdown

Europe

 

[zamboni]

Where has this song been all my life? This is Nigel Tufnel to the 11th power.

- 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

Disappointed that wasn’t Wendy covering Bob Marley.

 

[Val Rannous]

zamboni:

Jacob’s Ladder (live) - Rush (Canada)
(new song)

Niiiiiiice. I've always loved this song, but I figured it was just me, as it gets zip for airplay. Quality pick here (and all the Rush today!!!)

 

[Mister CIA]

We haven't had a gut-punch song contest have we? Not really a thing that lends itself to several hundred picks, but crafting a top 50-100 list would be an interesting exercise.

Rambling, sorry.

 

[zamboni]

zamboni:

Jacob’s Ladder (live) - Rush (Canada)
(new song)

Niiiiiiice. I've always loved this song, but I figured it was just me, as it gets zip for airplay. Quality pick here (and all the Rush today!!!)

One of my favorites in their collection - recently rediscovered this live version off Exit Stage Left. Neil all over the kit starting around the 6:00 mark with all these wild time signatures is a thing of beauty.

 

[krista4]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

 

[krista4]

The English Beat (and that’s what they call themselves) are still around, playing gigs at local dives in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. A friend of mine and I are going to try and go next time. Should be fun.

They only call themselves that when they're in America.

Yeah...thanks. I thought I'd covered this before, but that's the reason we're calling them what their actual band name is.

 

[zamboni]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

Just leaves time to discuss more Solid Gold tomorrow.

 

[krista4]

Omg I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

 

[rockaction]

Omg I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

Oh boy. Yesterday, I thought. But perhaps today. Good luck, k4. That's a tall order.

 

[rockaction]

Hope this will be OK!

I missed this post. Sure thing, k4. Personally, it'll give me more time to research and put into words what I want to say about my number one, so it's cool by me. I hope you're not too swamped with everything.

 

[jwb]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

gives us slackers a day to catch up too.

 

[Mister CIA]

Top this: Hinds

 

[Mister CIA]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

Take all the time you want. I can distract people with ******** for days.

- Your Friend (the 'r' is SO important)

 

[Mister CIA]

31-point spoiler alert

 

[krista4]

We have a few still in play for the top song. A double up could be a game changer. These songs all seem within striking distance.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes	154
All Along The Watchtower	124
The Weight	121
Don't Change	113
Cult Of Personality	112
Gold Dust Woman	107
Bohemian Rhapsody	106
Welcome to the Jungle	103
Fade To Black	94
Band on the Run	93

So, just to enhance the excitement, I'll mention that the #1 picks have not only a double-up, but also two triple-ups. So truly it is still anyone's game, within reason.

 

[krista4]

Wow, I thought Rush would vault up into the Top 10, at least, with those 120 points. How many artist points to do they have and what place are they in among artists?

Maybe they did -- there are only 9 artists in his post.

The full spreadsheet has long been linked in the first post, if anyone would like to check stuff.

 

[krista4]

thanks 80s!

anyway you can throw in the next 10 or so artists (or the ones that have some sort of reasonable chance to make the top 10? Was surprised not to see Rush or Jimi in there ...

I think it would spur some good discussion this evening - appreciate all your work throughout

Annnnnddd...same.

 

[krista4]

And Arcade Fire a lot of songs get votes. This wasn’t a case of where 1 song was so popular it buoyed the band.

But most of those songs were from the same album (Funeral, their breakthrough record).

I was really into the pick yesterday that was not from that album, but yeah. And I agree they are one of the top bands I've been excited about in the last 20 years. But I'm old and surly.

 

[krista4]

And Arcade Fire a lot of songs get votes. This wasn’t a case of where 1 song was so popular it buoyed the band.

But most of those songs were from the same album (Funeral, their breakthrough record).

A ranking of points by album would be an interesting one

Have at it!

 

[shuke]

Newly posted known favorites:
scorchy: Cortez The Killer - Neil Young
Mister CIA: Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite
Eephus: Rockaway Beach - Ramones
Doug B: Miracles - Jefferson Starship
KarmaPolice: Cowboy Song (live) - Thin Lizzy

 

[krista4]

I was telling my wife how much I enjoyed my in-office day today but then I check into the thread only to see I missed Solid Gold talk. And then the Barbara Mandell variety show too (I was always partial to the brunette sister Louise). I only got to watch Solid Gold on the rare Saturday nights when my grandmother didn't come over for dinner - Lawrence Welk occupied the same time slot. She did like the Mandrells though, and I think Mama's Family came on right after. And you all wonder why I never heard any Beatles in my house.

My biggest regret of the day so far is that I haven't had time to see that Wendy O Williams and Madame bit.

 

[krista4]

Omg I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

Oh boy. Yesterday, I thought. But perhaps today. Good luck, k4. That's a tall order.

Well, I actually did my taxes (and OH's) a while back but didn't file them because we both owed money. I found time to file his last night but then didn't get to mine yet. Should just be a matter of reviewing and making a big payment. And yes, today was the deadline due to "Emancipation Day" yesterday.

 

[Mister CIA]

Omg I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

What do you want the numbers to say?

Accounting proverb, right?

 

[krista4]

krista4:

Óleo de mujer con sombrero - Silvio Rodriguez (Cuba)
(new artist)

Quick shot on my pick today. I think this is actually my favorite song on my list, but when choosing between "one song from one artist I only listen to a little bit otherwise" and "favorite song from an artist who's in my top five ever," I went with the Lifetime Achievement Award winner. I think the majority of you will know the artist and likely the song. But this one...this one...it's the one I listen to most, flat on my back, head between the speakers, marveling at the incredible beauty of the vocal and the guitar work. This is the song I referenced earlier for which I had never looked up the lyrics until maybe a month ago, because the sentiment of it seemed evident without that, and I was right.

Two Cuban artists ended up in my top four.

 

[Mister CIA]

Professional level snacking going on in my household tonight; I'm slow-roasting asparagus (325°, lightly coated w/olive oil and seasoned with salt, black pepper, and red pepper).

I'm gonna live to be 103.

 

[Manster]

I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

The one Beatles song K4 doesn't want to hear today

 

[Mister CIA]

I just realized I also need to file my taxes today.

The one Beatles song K4 doesn't want to hear today

I'll bet Rocky Raccoon doesn't pay taxes.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Good day to have Wendy O'Williams and Lemmy on my bingo card.

ONLY in this thread could we select four Rush songs and discuss The Oak Ridge Boys on Solid Gold in the same day.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

This is actually great for me, because I'm unavailable for most of tomorrow afternoon and evening. Not that my schedule should dictate these things, but just saying.

 

[MAC_32]

Music fam,

I'm clearly not going to have time to get this together tonight. I propose that I take another 36 hours to get it all organized so that we can post 31-pointers Thursday AND have contest winners, final numbers, etc. I could cobble together the post for tomorrow morning, but I haven't had time to do calculations for the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111 winner, double-check #s with Ilov80s (in prior countdowns I triple-or-quadruple-checked them myself, but haven't had time in this), etc. I can post a few question answers and the Ace Award winner tonight, stuff like that, to keep it going.

Sorry. Hope this will be OK! Keep talking music! And hey, it just increases this.

Management.

Awesome. This will give me a chance to catch up. 311 songs in one day. You can do this, MAC.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

And Arcade Fire a lot of songs get votes. This wasn’t a case of where 1 song was so popular it buoyed the band.

But most of those songs were from the same album (Funeral, their breakthrough record).

I was really into the pick yesterday that was not from that album

It's from the same era, though. It was played at the show I saw when they were touring for Funeral even though it didn't appear on record until Neon Bible two years later.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

311 songs in one day.

Hope you don't get all mixed up.

 

[Mt. Man]

311 songs in one day.

Hope you don't get all mixed up.

He'll be here awhile. Ain't going nowhere.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

By my count I have seen 101 songs from this countdown (15 of which are on my list) performed live. We'll see if the #1s add any to that total.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The 30 pointers playlist

@simsarge that song or a cover of that song aren't on Spotify.

Rik Emmett's first solo album isn't on Spotify, but his Christmas album is.

 

[landrys hat]

k4 tonight

 

[Mister CIA]

k4 tonight

Does anyone else remember waiting in traffic with your parents on April 15th to drop off tax returns at your local post office at 8:00 pm? Like it was an event.

It was mid to late 70s.

 

[krista4]

k4 tonight

My dad was an accountant in his day job, so I'm all-too-familiar with the crush of people who wait 'til the last minute! I've never been one of those, except this year I owe too much and saw no reason to be early. It's just that time got away from me today and I realized I needed to push the button. BUTTON PUSHED!

 

[krista4]

k4 tonight

Does anyone else remember waiting in traffic with your parents on April 15th to drop off tax returns at your local post office at 8:00 pm? Like it was an event.

It was mid to late 70s.

YES! I didn't do this, but with my dad the CPA I remember so many clients doing this!