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PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More: Daily Summaries Delivered
by david@pod617.com
70s and 80s Music Fans! It’s PAST TENS: A Top 10 Time Machine! The podcast that looks back at a past list of top 10 hits and breaks down the winners, losers and WTF moments. With Michael ”Milt” Wolfe and David Yas. Lots of fun revisiting the music of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond. The best 80s songs of all time. The best 70s songs of all time. The best cover songs. The best TV themes. The best movie soundtracks. The best cowbell songs. The worst songs of all time. The best mashups of all time. The best rock of the 70s and 80s. The best hip-hop of the 70s and 80s. And you will hear more than you new about artists like: Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Daryl Hall & John Oates, George Michael, Billy Joel, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, John Couger Mellencamp, Elton John, Kool & The Gang, Kenny Rogers, Huey Lewis & The News, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Journey, Sheena Easton, Pointer Sisters, Chicago, Rick Springfield, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, Olivia Newton-John, Bruce Springsteen, Starship, Paul...
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- 3 days ago2h 9m
1979’s Top Albums: Get Off The Wall!
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 01:00 Welcome—and Milt’s controversial decision to wear a tie 04:00 Macklemore, Robert Kraft and the Ed Sheeran tour controversy 08:00 Free speech, private venues and the right to say—or refuse to host—something 12:00 Does shutting down speech help the cause or create a martyr? 15:00 Why has “Free Palestine” captured so much attention from young Americans? 19:00 The time machine lands on September 22, 1979 21:00 No. 10: Robin Williams — Reality… What a Concept 33:00 No. 9: The Cars — Candy-O 42:00 No. 8: Earth, Wind & Fire — I Am 49:00 No. 7: The Commodores — Midnight Magic 54:00 No. 6: Michael Jackson — Off the Wall 1:10:00 No. 5: Chic — Risqué 1:21:00 No. 4: Supertramp — Breakfast in America 1:31:00 No. 3: Bob Dylan — Slow Train Coming 1:39:00 No. 2: The Knack — Get the Knack 1:46:00 No. 1: Led Zeppelin — In Through the Out Door 1:58:00 The complete Top 10 recap2:00:00 Winner of the Week: Who else?2:01:00 Milt’s substitution: Talking Heads — Fear of Music 2:04:00 Dave’s substitution: The B-52’s — The B-52’s 2:08:00 Spotify frustrations, contact information and one final bowl of NyQuil
- 1 weeks ago1h 56m
The Simply Irresistible Hits of 1988
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
- 2 weeks ago1h 18m
Turn It Up, Man! 1987’s Freedom Rock!
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
- 3 weeks ago1h 56m
The Touchy-Feely Tunes of 1973
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
- Aug 21, 202643 min
The ‘80s: Our Listeners Punch the HOF Ballot
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, But was weirdness enough when all was said and done? Steve Winwood had that golden voice, From Traffic to MTV, “Higher Love” was cool but twice-inducted? Must he be? Then Mötley Crüe came crashing in, With hairspray, booze and flame, They filled arenas, scared your mom—But does excess equal fame? Tracy Chapman, quiet and fierce, Had songs that cut straight through, “Fast Car” somehow never gets old- is her résumé enough for you? Toto had chops to spare, “Africa,” “Rosanna,” too, The session-player super-team—Though critics often said, “Not you.” Eric B. & Rakim changed how rappers rap, Rakim rewrote the rules, Their influence towers over their charts—Does innovation trump record sales and pools? Rick Springfield was Jesse’s jealous friend, A heartthrob with a hook, He had more hits than some recall— But does the Hall give soap stars a look? The Smiths inspired gloomy souls With Morrissey and Marr, Influential? Undeniably. But four albums—does that get you far? Bryan Adams rocked the summer nights, With raspy, fist-pump flair, A mountain full of radio hits— Is that true rarefied air? DEVO wore the flowerpots, And warned that we devolve, Can they whip the Hall of Fame? A mystery to solve. 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, Alt-rock owes them plenty—But are they truly stars? Huey Lewis & The News had heart, and hooks galore, In the 80s they were everywhere—can they knock down the door? Scorpions rocked us like a hurricane, And whistled winds of change, Would seeing them enshrined be juuust a little strange? The Bangles walked like Egyptians and harmonies were their ace, More than just an ’80s novelty—Though longevity hurts their case. Robert Palmer dressed impeccably, And made addiction chic, Soul, rock, funk and Power Station—But too brief and sleek? Kenny Loggins owned the cinema: “Footloose,” “Danger Zone,” But solo Hall credentials? That’s harder to condone. INXS had Hutchence, And Kick was wall-to-wall, A global band with sex and hooks—Is it now time for the Hall? Tears for Fears ruled everybody’s world, With brains behind the sheen, Big songs, ambitious albums—But is their catalog pristine? And finally there’s Sting, all tantric cool, With jazz where rock had been, The Police already punched his ticket— Can Gordo punch it again? 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
- Aug 15, 202654 min
Snubbed? Which ’70s Acts Belong in the Rock Hall?
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
- Aug 7, 20262h 5m
Re-Doing the Top 10 of July 1983
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
- Jul 31, 20261h 33m
Top TV of '83: Boobs on the Tube
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
About PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More
70s and 80s Music Fans! It’s PAST TENS: A Top 10 Time Machine! The podcast that looks back at a past list of top 10 hits and breaks down the winners, losers and WTF moments. With Michael ”Milt” Wolfe and David Yas. Lots of fun revisiting the music of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond. The best 80s songs of all time. The best 70s songs of all time. The best cover songs. The best TV themes. The best movie soundtracks. The best cowbell songs. The worst songs of all time. The best mashups of all time. The best rock of the 70s and 80s. The best hip-hop of the 70s and 80s. And you will hear more than you new about artists like: Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Daryl Hall & John Oates, George Michael, Billy Joel, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, John Couger Mellencamp, Elton John, Kool & The Gang, Kenny Rogers, Huey Lewis & The News, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Journey, Sheena Easton, Pointer Sisters, Chicago, Rick Springfield, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, Olivia Newton-John, Bruce Springsteen, Starship, Paul...
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