Hey, Remember The 80's?

Send us a textEpisode 131: 80's in the Sand is approaching, an 80's music festival in Cancun, and as part of the preparation, Joe and Kari are taking a closer look at some of the musicians that will be appearing. Little River Band seems like a 70's act to Kari, but they've got a lot more 80's hits than she remembers! Howard Jones is a bit of a question mark, in terms of Will He Really Be Attending but also Which Howard Jones Song is This Again?? The Hooters, Janet of Vixen and Honeymoon Suite are a few more acts that Joe and Kari wanted to learn more about. Put on your sunscreen and join in on the fun!

Send us a textEpisode 130: A quick music video roundup by Joe is first in Tidbits, then it's time for Obscure Soundtrack Songs. Who remembers the soundtracks for DC Cab, Mannequin, and Secret of My Success? The movies were popular on cable and at your local video rental store, but do the songs from the soundtracks hold up? Even Belinda Carlisle forgot about one of these songs, and she sang it!Just a Bit Outside: the creator of Live Aid and a jazz legend put some songs on the chart in the early 80's. Did they deserve to chart higher? Joe and Kari decide. 

Send us a textEpisode 129: First up, in Tidbits, a review of the Tina Turner DVD, a live concert from a 1990 show in Barcelona, and then it's time for TV Tidbits (Max Headroom and Ted Lasso). ROCKTOBER is upon us!! Joe and Kari take a look at the career of Ronnie James Dio, and his work with Black Sabbath and his transition to forming the influential group Dio.  Also, VH1 put together a list of the Greatest Hard Rock songs, which included some great 80's songs from Guns 'N' Roses and Mötley Crüe, among others. Pop Quiz for Joe. How well does he know the 80's hits with notable flute solos? Answer: Not very!

Send us a textEpisode 128: If you've listened to a "Ranking the Hits" episode, you know how it works. Joe and Kari rank the Top 40 singles of a particular artist and then share the results. This time, we are ranking the LOWEST charting hits for some 80's superstars -- Madonna, Hall and Oates, Lionel Ritchie, they're all here! Did these "hits" deserve a higher chart placement? Songs That Time Forgot: A UK hit that is to blame for a million Kayleighs. And The Boss returns to the charts with an unexpected curveball. 

Send us a textEpisode 127: A Rick Astley update and Kari's dispatch from the Psychedelic Furs show kick off Tidbits, then Joe and Kari go Back in Time to September 16, 1989, and a look into the week's issue of Billboard Magazine. The record label behind Soulsister (who?) shelled out some big bucks for a full page ad to create buzz. Did it work? Also featured in the pages: IRS Records, Melissa Etheridge, Flock of Seagulls, and many more! 

Send us a textEpisode 126: First in Tidbits: ABBA is back!! But how are the new singles? Joe and Kari give their early opinions.In Just a Bit Outside: in honor of Charlie's new program on Charlie's 80's Attic, 80's Deep Dive, Joe and Kari take a listen to some of the songs that charted on the Hot 100 but did not make it to the Top 40. A few familiar names pop up, but some of these artists are being discussed on the show for the very first (and last??) time. Then in Coming Around Again: Tears for Fears and Kim Wilde are not strangers to the upper reaches of the Hot 100, but some of their singles needed a do-over. Did it help??? 

Send us a textEpisode 125: Welcome back! First up it’s Tidbits: Kari gives us the rundown (and geography lesson) of the Squeeze/Hall & Oates show in Milwaukee. One of these acts gave it their all, and one had some "sound issues."Next, Ladies of Hip Hop Part 2:  Kari and Joe take a look at MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and JJ Fad. These influential women burst onto the scene in the 80's and made their mark on the charts. Then it’s The Other Number Ones: Voggue, The Fixx and, Force MDs hit the top spot on Dance, Mainstream Rock, and R&B charts. Which songs stand the test of time? 

Send us a textEpisode 124: Kari has a new show on Charlie's 80's Attic called Dare to Be Different. It is a show based on the music from iconic radio stations WLIR and KROQ (think new wave, punk, and non-mainstream). So in celebration of her new show we are taking a look at songs which fit into that format: songs from Robert Palmer (yes, THAT Robert Palmer), King, and Missing Persons.Next, grab your boarding passes as it's time for Top of The Pops! This is the segment where your hosts take a look at number one hits from Across the Pond. Find out if Boris Gardiner and Yazz and the Plastic Population were as successful on the Billboard charts as they were in the UK. 

Send us a textEpisode 123: Time to close out our look at the Village Voice Pazz and Jop Polls, this time with 1988 and 1989. Sonic Youth and Tracy Chapman were some of the big winners in 1988. Do you remember hearing "Fast Car" for the first time? But like, really heard it? 1989 winners include Neil Young, with a song that Joe is absolutely FEELING. Next, in Just a Bit Outside, two iconic rock acts barely hit the Hot 100 in 1980 with a couple of songs that don't get much play in this day and age. Were they underrated?? You be the judge. 

Send us a textEpisode 122: There's no doubt that Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul and Jody Watley ruled the 2nd half of the 80's, but whose hits hold up the best?? Joe and Kari are ranking the Top 40 hits of these R&B/Dance queens to find out who reigns supreme. Don't be Cold Hearted or Nasty, tune in today, Friends!!Then it’s Who's Holding Phil Now? Yes, Phil Collins was quick to help his famous friends in the studio, but he also chipped in when his less-famous friends needed a hand as well. Apologies upfront for Joe's singing voice when he debuts the segment's new theme song. 

Send us a textEpisode 121: Inspired by Kari's recent book choice, The Motherlode by Clover Hope. Episode 121 is about some of the female Hip Hop pioneers: Mercedes Young Ladies, The Sequence, and Roxanne Shante. Joe and Kari also breakdown a historic battle called The Roxanne Wars (1984 - 1985). There were no survivors.Next is The Screamer of the Week which is inspired by historic radio station WLIR. This segment features cutting edge rock music from the early 80's, with a look at a Sting-assisted band that should've made A Bigger Splash.

Send us a textEpisode 120: It's one of those rare episodes where Joe and Kari are in the same room at the same time! After a brief recap of their 80's antics together, it's time for Sophisti-pop! Inspired by a recent Transmission from DJ Jake Rudh, Joe and Kari are taking a look at some more sophisti-pop artists (Bryan Ferry, Spandau Ballet, Prefab Sprout, etc).Finally, it’s time to bring back an old segment. Cyndi Lauper had a lot riding on her comeback single "True Colors", but was the video the work of an artistic genius, or was it child's play? Joe and Kari take sides in "Trash or Treasure". 

Send us a textEpisode 119: Joe and Kari are back on the Pazz and Jop scene! Which albums and singles topped the polls in 1986 and 1987? 1986 was a big year for Paul Simon's Graceland as well as the music that inspired him, and 1987 saw Prince at the top with an album that took many forms before it was ultimately released to the public. // Just a Bit Outside -- a Happy Days guest star and a Wild Cherry offshoot try their best to hit the Top 40, with varying results. 

Send us a textEpisode 118: First in Tidbits, a follow-up of sorts to our HRT80's Court segment featuring Elvis Costello // Pazz and Jop -- picking back up in 1984, Joe and Kari run down the winners of the Pazz and Jop poll in 1984 and 1985. Bruce Springsteen and Talking Heads were the big winners on the album side, and hip hop pioneers Run DMC and Doug E. Fresh scored big on the singles side // Songs That Time Forgot -- Kari and Joe picked a few new wave/electronic acts to single out. 

Send us a textEpisode 117: Please forgive Joe and Kari, who are not operating at 100% this week (Kari has a summer cold and Joe was just a dummy and partied too hard during Pride). BUT! They go hard on Tidbits and then take you back to 1988. What was topping the various charts on this week in July? You’ll get R&B, Adult Contemporary, and whatever genre Nick Kamen belonged to. Join Joe and Kari in July 1988!

Send us a textEpisode 116: June is Pride Month, and HRT80s is back with an episode that spotlights 80's artists who are part of the LGBT community. Some real icons here!! // Segment two is "Just A Bit Outside" -- our look at a song that didn't hit the Top 40. Did it deserve to become a hit??

Send us a textEpisode 115: We've heard about the longest guitar and piano solos of the 1980's, and in this episode, Joe and Kari focus on the sax! Take a deep breath and dive right in! Grover Washington and legend Junior Walker make an appearance, as well as some artists you may not expect. // Just a Bit Outside -- That segment that looks at songs that peaked outside the top 40 is back, with a couple of names that are new to the podcast. Did they deserve to go all the way? You be the judge!

Send us a textEpisode 114: Joe and Kari are back to discuss the results of the Village Voice Pazz and Jop Poll from 1982 and 1983. Just like last time, there are some artists that don't get many Top 40 hits, but are they worthy?? Elvis Costello, X and Grandmaster Flash are a few of the artists that find some love from the critics. // Hey Remember the 80's Court: A recent Stereogum article highlights the similarities between "Wild Wild West" and "Pump It Up" -- Joe and Kari take it to the courts to decide -- Did Escape Club rip off Elvis Costello?? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, but Elvis is guilty too!!

Send us a textEpisode 113: So many tidbits this week, we almost called this episode "The Tidbit Hour" but worry not -- Joe and Kari finally get to the main event, Longest Guitar Solos of the 80's. Joe and Kari love a nice, shredding guitar solo, and this rundown of the longest guitar solos in Hot 100 Hits will have you saying "Oh. Sure", "Hmm...okay, I guess," and "Who is that now??" // Screamer of the Week -- Joe and Kari just can't stop headbanging this week with a look at some picks from influential rock station WLIR. Rock on!!!

Send us a textEpisode 112: Tidbits: Duran Duran has a new song! It's...something! // Pazz and Jop: The Village Voice runs a poll of the best songs and albums of the year, and it's quite different from the Top 40!! Joe and Kari take a look at how it came to be. Some interesting pics for the early 80's, including the Clash, Laurie Anderson, Pylon, and other acts that Casey Kasem didn't really discuss. // That's Not a Number One Hit...THIS is a Number One Hit -- Julian Lennon was still hitting the charts in Australia after his run of US and UK hits dried up. And it's a good one! Now You're In Heaven when you tune into the newest episode!