PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More

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 listening01:00 Welcome—and Milt’s controversial decision to wear a tie04:00 Macklemore, Robert Kraft and the Ed Sheeran tour controversy08:00 Free speech, private venues and the right to say—or refuse to host—something12:00 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, 197921:00 No. 10: Robin Williams — Reality… What a Concept33:00 No. 9: The Cars — Candy-O42:00 No. 8: Earth, Wind & Fire — I Am49:00 No. 7: The Commodores — Midnight Magic54:00 No. 6: Michael Jackson — Off the Wall1:10:00 No. 5: Chic — Risqué1:21:00 No. 4: Supertramp — Breakfast in America1:31:00 No. 3: Bob Dylan — Slow Train Coming1:39:00 No. 2: The Knack — Get the Knack1:46:00 No. 1: Led Zeppelin — In Through the Out Door1:58:00 The complete Top 10 recap2:00:00 Winner of the Week: Who else?2:01:00 Milt’s substitution: Talking Heads — Fear of Music2:04:00 Dave’s substitution: The B-52’s — The B-52’s2:08:00 Spotify frustrations, contact information and one final bowl of NyQuil
 

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
 

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

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

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
 

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

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

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

Dave and Milt celebrate seven years of Past 10s the only way they know how: by embarrassing themselves with old stories, reading listener shout-outs, and convincing everyone to fill out another substitution poll (vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFG7SWG) for an upcoming listener-driven episode. Then it's into the Past Tens time machine for the Billboard Top 10 from the week ending July 30, 1983—a summer that gave us the Pine Tar Game, the debut of Friday Night Videos, National Lampoon's Vacation ruling the box office, and one of the strongest countdowns of the decade.
Along the way, the guys move into Madness' "Our House," marvel at the Prince fingerprints all over Stevie Nicks' "Stand Back," salute Donna Summer's comeback, and take a deep dive into Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"—including the history behind that famous "mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-sa" lyric. They revisit the surreal world of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams," untangle the title confusion surrounding Duran Duran's "Is There Something I Should Know?", and explain why Sergio Mendes' "Never Gonna Let You Go" may secretly be one of the most ridiculously complicated pop songs ever to crack the Top 10. They also relive the Flashdance phenomenon, explore the real-life inspiration behind Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," and debate whether The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is one of the greatest pop songs ever—or simply the most misunderstood stalker anthem in music history.
As always, there are plenty of detours, including Boston's chart dominance, a restroom-attendant story you won't see coming, an Eddie Murphy tangent, a round of ridiculous song questions, and another installment of the increasingly absurd Play Date Quiz. In the end, Dave crowns Duran Duran the champion of the week, while Milt gives the nod to Michael Jackson, wrapping up another trip through one of pop music's greatest summers.
THE SURVEY: Help us re-write this top 10 with songs that were on the charts this week in 1983 but never hit the top 10! CLICK HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GFG7SWG
Topics
00:38 Podcast Anniversary
03:49 Listener Shoutouts
10:00 Substitution Survey Returns
12:01 Time Travel to 1983
13:08 Week in History Context
20:59 No 10 Our House
30:29 No 9 Stand Back
38:21 South Park Mocks Stevie
40:54 Donna Summer Reinvents
42:42 Restroom Attendant Story
47:04 Boston Chart Kings
49:22 MJ Favorite Debate
52:04 Wanna Be Startin Deep Dive
59:23 Eurythmics Sweet Dreams
01:05:58 Duran Duran Title Confusion
01:11:18 Play Date Quiz Begins
01:13:47 Absurd Song Questions
01:17:44 Lightning Round Finish
01:18:56 Never Gonna Let You Go
01:20:38 Complexity Explained
01:24:56 Flashdance What a Feeling
01:29:09 Eddie Murphy Detour
01:31:31 Electric Avenue Origins
01:37:46 Every Breath You Take
01:41:24 Police Band Tensions
01:44:51 Recap Winner and Wrap

If you thought we were done talking about 1976… think again. Dave and Milt kick things off by emptying the mailbag from our "all substitutions" listener episode, reading your comments, handing out a few well-deserved shout-outs, and revealing the song listeners were most eager to kick to the curb: "Misty Blue." That officially closes the book on one of our favorite summer experiments.
Then it's off to the movies as the guys head back to July 1986 and count down the biggest box office hits lighting up America's theaters. Along the way they break down budgets, box office grosses, taglines, Rotten Tomatoes scores, Siskel & Ebert reviews, and—because we can't help ourselves—the Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon connection for every film.
As always, the conversation goes well beyond the numbers. Dave and Milt debate which movies have aged like fine wine (and which haven't), make passionate cases for the underrated Running Scared and Ruthless People, revisit Top Gun's massive cultural impact—including Quentin Tarantino's infamous interpretation of the movie—and test each other with a fun 1986 movie tagline trivia game.
It's another nostalgia-filled trip back to the summer of '86, packed with laughs, rabbit holes, and enough movie memories to make you want to hit the last Blockbuster on the planet, wherever it is.
Topics
00:31 Nicole Kidman Movie Ritual
02:08 Scary Movies and Listener Shoutout
03:32 1976 Survey Feedback
11:47 Wrapping the 1976 Marathon
13:17 July 1986 Movie Countdown Begins
14:54 Number 10 Great Mouse Detective
20:53 Number 9 About Last Night
29:22 Number 8 Ferris Bueller Day Off
37:22 Ferris Bueller Debate
38:19 Ebert Regret Reviews
39:16 Kevin Bacon Detour
40:11 Legal Eagles Trailer
41:20 Legal Eagles Verdict
44:51 Bowfinger Side Argument
46:07 Running Scared Breakdown
47:54 Running Scared Bits
53:51 Tagline Trivia Game
01:00:29 Aliens Deep Dive
01:05:18 Siskel Ebert On Aliens
01:07:54 Top Gun Tease
01:08:27 Top Gun Breakdown
01:11:09 Ratings and Soundtrack
01:13:31 Tarantino Top Gun Theory
01:16:24 Sequel Gap Trivia
01:18:40 Back to School Rewind
01:26:55 Ruthless People Rediscovered
01:33:35 Karate Kid Part II Debate
01:40:03 Wrap Up and Next Pods