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

1982 Hits: American Fools

It’s August 21, 1982, and Dave and Milt are back in the Time Machine, swimming in the Billboard Top 10 like it’s the world’s most awkward pool party. Chicago is apologizing all over the place with “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” Fleetwood Mac is politely asking you to “Hold Me,” and Survivor is still living off that “Eye of the Tiger” Rocky money.
Along the way, we detour into soda-related TikTok challenges (yes, apparently Sprite is dangerous now), celebrity death news (spoiler: not good news), and listener emails that range from insightful to “are you sure you hit send on the right show?” You’ll also get trivia, remakes, a live “Kids in America” cameo from Billy Joe Armstrong, and a heated swap-out session where we boot some Top 10 squatters in favor of better songs from the same era.
We break down Chicago’s yacht-rock-adjacent apology, Fleetwood Mac’s post-breakup awkward magic, and Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” (spoiler: it’s about bras). Then it’s all Mellencamp all the time—his name changes, his childhood surgery, his failed acting gigs, and yes, the time Mark Wahlberg tried to rap “Hurt So Good” for reasons unknown to mankind.
By the time we get to “Eye of the Tiger,” we’ve covered Paul Anka swing covers, the movie Swingers (which is not about what you think), and every ridiculous tangent your mother warned you about. We close with some song swaps, listener feedback, and a reflection on how the early ’80s somehow made both syrupy ballads and aggressive workout anthems coexist on the same chart without anyone’s head exploding.
Topics
 00:24 – Banter and Soda Talk 01:10 – The Sprite Challenge: Darwinism in a Can 02:14 – Pop Culture News & Celebrity Deaths 04:11 – Listener Emails (Some of Which We Actually Read) 06:02 – Music Trivia and Useless but Fun Facts 07:28 – Countdown Recap + Air Supply: The Musical NyQuil 10:06 – Chicago’s Over-Apologetic Hit 18:46 – Fleetwood Mac’s Polite Cry for Affection 29:19 – Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” (Yes, Really) 39:29 – Mellencamp Evolution: From Cougar to Heartland Icon 42:01 – Wahlberg Raps Mellencamp (You’ve Been Warned) 44:25 – Pulp Fiction & The Soul Theory (Because Why Not) 46:56 – Top 10 Recap of August 21, 1982 48:52 – “Eye of the Tiger”: From Rocky to Ringtone 54:45 – Paul Anka Swings the Tiger 56:35 – Swingers: False Advertising 58:32 – Song Substitutions & Why We’re Right 01:15:58 – Closing Thoughts & Open Season on Feedback

A Vacation to the Hits of 1982

Break out the confetti and questionable fashion choices—we’re turning six! To mark the occasion, Dave and Milt jump into their chart-shaped time machine and land smack in the neon glow of 1982, where Paul McCartney was still cranking out hits, Air Supply hadn’t yet exhausted their supply of feelings, and the Go-Go’s were busy corrupting the youth on VHS tape.
You’ll get chart commentary, deep cuts of trivia, unsolicited opinions, and a listener email so good it made us want to binge a Billy Joel documentary (and maybe some Billy Joel himself). Also: CSN takes a nap, REO regrets an album, and we discover something called Johnny Aloha which... yeah, you’ll just have to listen.
Oh, and there’s a game at the end where Milt tries to identify artists from insane lists Dave cooked up in a fever dream. It’s harder than it sounds.
Topics & Timestamps:
01:06 – 🎂 Past 10s turns 6! (No cake. Just vibes.)02:06 – 📬 Listener Mail: Billy Joel, Hawaiian covers, and other detours07:35 – 🧪 Playing with podcast formats because we can09:46 – 📻 Countdown begins: Billboard Top 10 of 198220:26 – 🎹 Paul McCartney takes it away (but where?)28:30 – 🎶 Crosby, Stills & Nash still got it... kinda34:17 – 🏖 The Go-Go’s go on Vacation and never come back42:08 – 📉 Why that band broke up (and maybe deserved it)42:42 – 🌺 Johnny Aloha: Hawaiian covers for people who hate normal covers44:34 – 📼 That infamous Go-Go’s hotel video46:50 – 👙 Sydney Sweeney controversy (because of course)50:40 – 🚫 REO Speedwagon wishes this album never happened56:15 – 💔 The rise and soft-rock fall of Air Supply01:03:25 – 🎲 Play Date: The music trivia game you didn’t know you needed01:18:08 – 🧠 Wrap-up and tease for next week (it’s gonna be good)

Scenes From A Billy Joel Documentary

Dave and Milt welcome two top-shelf Billy Joelologists: Scott Eckstein and Russ Flicker. We crack open the emotional songbook that is the HBO Max doc And So It Goes—a title that screams “quiet devastation,” like only Billy can.
We’re not just talking about Uptown Girl and Glass Houses. We go deep: the musical shapeshifting, the very Jewish energy, the marriages that aged like milk, the loyal bandmates that got canned, and the critics who never really got him (but oh, how we do).
You'll hear memories of epic Billy concerts, emotional gut-punch lyrics, underloved deep cuts, and hot takes on everything from “tonic and gin” to “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” being the Bohemian Rhapsody of Long Island.
It’s a love letter. It’s a roast. It’s a nuanced nosedive into the joy, the ache, and the genius of one of pop music’s most fascinating contradictions: a guy who made stadiums weep and critics wince. Come for the legacy, stay for the therapy session.
Topics
00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to Past Tens, where we tell time by top tens 00:37 – 🥂 The “tonic and gin” debate no one asked for, but here we are 01:04 – 👏 Shout-outs to our guests and Billy buffs 02:04 – 📽️ Quick primer on And So It Goes (spoiler: not a rom-com) 03:00 – 🧠 Meet the Billy Braintrust: Scott and Russ 03:58 – 🎹 First concerts, last rows, and Piano Man magic 09:41 – 🔥 10 Hot Takes on the Billy Joel Doc 10:12 – 🥊 Early career struggles and Long Island angst 21:04 – 💔 Elizabeth Weber: The wife, the manager, the mystery 30:38 – 🧐 Lyrics that are both literal and metaphorical (very Billy) 38:33 – ✡️ Billy’s Jewishness: subtle, strong, and always there 44:49 – 🎭 Style chameleon: from ballads to barroom bangers 47:49 – 📰 Why critics never got him (and why we always did) 51:37 – 👶 The surprising multi-gen appeal of Billy Joel 58:10 – 🗽 Billy and New York: a love story with traffic 01:04:46 – 🧾 Legacy and the unfair critic treatment 01:10:19 – 🎧 Hidden gems and forgotten tracks 01:19:04 – 🤐 What the doc left out (and what we won’t) 01:26:48 – 🫶 Final thoughts on a complicated icon

The 1972 Albums Draft

Hop in the Top Ten Time Machine as Dave and Milt, joined by certified grooveologists Al and Ira, crank the dials back to 1972 — a year when rock was raw, soul was deep, and at least one guy was wearing glitter and singing about space. It's time for the ABCs of Rock Draft, where our fab four draft their dream teams of albums released in this musically stacked year.
Expect legends like Bowie, Wonder, and the Eagles to fly off the board early — but don't be surprised when someone grabs the Sanford and Son theme or gets misty over a reggae soundtrack. There’s glam, grit, gospel, and a live J. Geils record that might punch you in the face.
Along the way: hot takes, deep tracks, accidental revelations, and one AI-generated roast session. By the end, you'll either be nostalgic for bell bottoms or in awe of how many stone-cold classics dropped in '72. Either way, you're gonna want to stick around for the final picks, the albums that got left behind, and ChatGPT’s judgment from on high.
Topics
00:00 Banter & Buildup01:55 Let the Draft Begin02:29 Meet the Contenders: Al & Ira05:46 Draft Order Shenanigans10:51 Round 1: The Big Guns20:00 Round 2: Hits, Heat, and Head-Scratchers38:13 Acoustic Nostalgia & Campfire Vibes39:27 T-Rex and the Rise of Glam42:44 Deep Dive: Neil Young’s Harvest46:01 The Grateful Dead Get Loose (Live!)50:51 Reggae Break: The Harder They Come53:37 Elton Drops a Honky Chateau55:31 Mott the Hoople = Chaos & Charisma01:00:34 J. Geils Goes Full Throttle01:02:53 Al Green Soothes the Soul01:06:13 Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly Soars01:08:18 Aretha Channels Power & Grace01:11:29 Yes Trips the Psychedelic Light Fantastic01:12:13 Unearthing the Deep Cuts01:13:11 Surprise Album That Shouldn’t Work (But Does)01:14:30 Billy Preston Meets Ed Sullivan01:17:22 Cue the Godfather Theme (Respectfully)01:19:06 Doobie Bros Do Their Thing01:21:44 Final Picks: Scraps or Steals?01:25:33 The Ones That Got Away01:33:21 ChatGPT Renders Its Verdict01:39:05 Closing Thoughts, Goodbyes, and Maybe One More Riff
 

The Past Tens Riff-Off

In this highly scientific and not at all petty episode of Past Tens, Dave and Milt throw down in the only arena that really matters anymore: pop culture debates. It’s the Past Tens Riff-Off, where no sacred cow is safe, every cow is delicious, and every opinion is shouted like it’s 1986 and you just lost your cassingles collection.
The format? Timed debates. The stakes? Imaginary. The judgment? Left up to you, our dear listeners with way too much time on your hands. From Freddie Mercury vs. Mick Jagger (tight pants vs. tighter pants) to the eternal dilemma of whether a hot dog is a sandwich (it’s not, calm down), Dave and Milt spar over music, movies, TV, theme park rides, game show hosts, and more.
Along the way, you’ll hear grunts, woos, awkward impersonations, and the occasional moment of clarity. Then you vote on our Facebook page to settle the debates because we’re way too biased to be trusted.
Timestamps for your convenience (or if you’re hate-skimming):
00:00 – Welcome to Past Tens (you know the drill)00:56 – Warning: Musical debates ahead01:56 – The Riff-Off explained (kind of)05:43 – Debate 1: Freddie Mercury vs. Mick Jagger (glam vs. strut)11:26 – Debate 2: Pirates of the Caribbean vs. Space Mountain (eyeliner vs. nausea)18:40 – Debate 3: Chrissie Hynde vs. Stevie Nicks (scowl vs. shawl)24:20 – Debate 4: Top Gun ‘86 vs. Maverick ‘22 (volleyball vs. trauma)29:52 – Debate 5: “Holiday Road” vs. “I’m Alright” (Lindsey Buckingham tries, Kenny Loggins is alright)35:36 – Coin flips and shameless begging for votes36:26 – Debate 6: Trebek vs. Sajak (intellect vs. wheel-spinning)41:35 – Debate 7: “Woo” vs. “Uh!” (James Brown intensifies)47:44 – Debate 8: Al Michaels vs. John Madden (miracle calls vs. turducken)53:07 – Debate 9: “Come On Eileen” vs. “Turning Japanese” (one-hit wonderland)58:45 – Final Debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? (Yes, we're doing this.)01:06:53 – Wrap-up and wild speculation about future episodes

The Simply Red-Hot Hits of 1986

Strap into the time machine and set the dial for July 1986, a time when Top Gun ruled the box office, synthesizers ruled the airwaves, and Kenny Loggins ruled… something. In this episode, Milt and Dave wade knee-deep through the Billboard Top 10 from a summer that gave us everything from Loggins' “Danger Zone” (still trying to make aviator sunglasses cool) to Simply Red’s “Holding Back the Years” (still holding back… the energy).
Expect the usual: unsolicited nostalgia, suspiciously convenient personal stories, and yes, Milt somehow manages to rhyme “Spinal Tap” with “Trader Joe’s nap.” Don’t ask.
Highlights include:
A passionate defense of Janet Jackson’s “Nasty,” because someone had to.
A soul-searching breakdown of Billy Ocean’s “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry),” which succeeds. It does indeed break down.
Two grown men pretending to know the difference between Howard Jones and Howard Johnson.
And the moment Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” rolls in and flattens the competition like, well, a sledgehammer.
Plus: Johnny-themed trivia (because there are apparently way more songs about guys named Johnny than anyone needed), some light shade thrown at the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and a very necessary refreshing of the chart — where Dave and Milt save the Top 10 from itself by swapping in some ‘80s underdogs.
Topics
00:00 - Banter: Naps, snacks, and fake bands (aka our wheelhouse) 10:47 - Listener mail, podcast gripes, and people who claim to like our show 20:18 - Blues-rock? In this economy? A look at the Fabulous Thunderbirds 37:59 - The mandatory Howard Jones detour, because optimism was a thing once 45:43 - “Danger Zone” drops in on a fighter jet and a synth budget 57:23 - Peter Gabriel brings the big weird with “Sledgehammer” 01:07:30 - “Who’s Johnny?” is asked, and not answered 01:14:59 - All-Johnny trivia. Johnny dangerously. Johnny repetitively. 01:26:51 - Janet Jackson says “No” like only she can 01:35:12 - Billy Ocean does that thing where he makes us cry on purpose 01:43:45 - Genesis makes a surprise cameo because, of course 01:59:18 - A tearful goodbye with Simply Red and his emotional rollercoaster
 

The Best Fake Bands of All Time

Dave and Milt crank the amp to 11 and count down the greatest fake bands of all time. That’s right—no chart-toppers, no world tours, no actual existence. Just the fictional bands that somehow managed to rock harder than most real ones.
We open with a little School of Rock, because if Jack Black doesn’t make your fake band list, you’re doing life wrong. From there, it’s a nostalgic jam session through cinematic and small-screen legends like The Commitments, The Blues Brothers, The Wonders, and—of course—the loudest band in England that’s not actually from England: Spinal Tap.
Along the way, we unpack listener mail (someone really had feelings about Dr. Teeth), share stories of interns who may or may not be trapped in a basement recording kazoo solos, and ask the big questions—like how many blues brothers is too many? And is Stillwater the best band that never opened for The Allman Brothers?
You’ll hear music clips, trivia drops, obscure references (you’re welcome, Christopher Guest fans), and—brace yourselves—a tease for the new Spinal Tap movie. Yes, it's happening. No, we don’t fully understand it either.
So if you’ve ever air-guitared to That Thing You Do, quoted A Mighty Wind unprompted, or shouted "Shama-lama-ding-dong" in polite company… this one’s for you.
Timestamps (for those who prefer structure in their musical mayhem): 00:00 – Welcome to Past Tens: We’re faking it today 01:25 – Listener mail: Love, hate, and one impassioned defense of Jem and the Holograms 03:38 – The countdown begins (cue dramatic VH1 voiceover) 10:25 – #10: School of Rock – Let’s rock, let’s rock… today 18:42 – #9: The Folksmen – Three-part harmony, one-part folk satire 25:06 – #8: Stillwater – It’s all happening (and surprisingly soulful) 33:11 – #7: Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem – Muppets who shred 38:26 – #6: Otis Day & the Knights – Oh yes, we do mind if you dance with our dates 45:19 – #5: The Commitments – Soul power straight outta Dublin 48:19 – Intern tales & unlicensed musical ambition 49:08 – The Commitments, part deux – We really liked this one 52:15 – Flight of the Conchords – New Zealand’s 4th most popular parody folk duo 58:20 – The Wonders – That thing they did? Still slaps 01:06:59 – The Blues Brothers – Suited up and still cool 01:11:50 – Honorable mentions: yes, Jesse & the Rippers made the cut 01:26:13 – Spinal Tap – Stonehenge, baby. Always Stonehenge 01:35:13 – Closing thoughts and shameless plugs

1975: Captain Davetastic and the Brown Dirt Milt-Boy

Are you still reading these silly show notes? Honestly, bless your heart. You're a true Time Machiner. Or you’re just really bored at work.
Anyway, on this week's episode, Dave and Milt climb into the Time Machine and rocket back to June 21, 1975 — the land of lava lamps, fringe vests, and an absolutely bonkers Billboard Top 10 Albums chart. We’re talkin’ Elton, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Beach Boys, and even Alice Cooper giving us all the Welcome-to-My-Nightmare vibes (spoiler: it’s not a lullaby).
But wait — Milt’s back from Africa! That’s right, our Chartmeister went on a literal safari. Lions. Giraffes. Possibly cursed sand. He’s got stories, and Dave is mildly concerned for his health and sanity.
Oh, and intern Jack "The Fact Machine" Nathanson drops in to host a chaotic 80s music trivia quiz that somehow leads to Warrant, Mr. Roboto, David Lee Roth, and yes, Michael Bolton co-writing a KISS song. You can't make this stuff up.
The episode ends (because it has to) with the boys politely kicking some albums off the list and replacing them with stuff they actually like. Sorry, Chicago, but y’all were in your weird phase.
🕰️ Time-Stamps for the Attention-Deficit Among Us(Click if you’re one of those “just the hits” people)
00:00 – We’re back, baby
00:41 – Milt vs. The Jungle
01:15 – Yes, we had tech issues again
05:55 – Let’s actually talk about music
08:03 – Pele kicks a ball in America
13:00 – Tobey Maguire gets older, Jaws gets scarier
15:45 – The main event: Albums, baby!
16:09 – America’s greatest hits (no, literally)
24:47 – The Beach Boys sell out (but in a good way)
31:16 – Chicago tries weird stuff
36:41 – BTO does more than just takin’ care of biz
43:19 – Doobie Brothers before the McDonald era (prepare for harmonies)
48:30 – TRIVIA: It gets heated
50:27 – Warrant, Yes, Cinderella, Idol, Roth, Bolton(?!), Wolfgang Van Halen... it’s a TRIP
01:01:04 – Alice Cooper makes us question bedtime
01:12:15 – Tommy, can you hear me?
01:21:03 – Paul McCartney gets interplanetary with “Venus and Mars”
01:28:36 – And finally, Captain Fantastic sails in like only Elton can

Your Song

Dave, recording from a writer's retreat in Papoose Pond, Maine, taps into the power of music to evoke memories and tell stories. Dave engages with fellow retreat participants and listeners from the ‘Machine Nation’ community to share meaningful songs and the personal stories behind them. The episode features a variety of musical tastes—from The Cars' 'Just What I Needed' and Jay-Z’s 'Song Cry,' to Jefferson Starship’s 'Jane' and Otis Redding’s 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.' Each guest narrates why their selected song holds special significance, creating a rich tapestry of music-inspired memories, ranging from first breakups and nostalgic summers to family bonding moments and poignant personal reflections. Special contributions from listeners include mentions of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' The B-52's 'Deadbeat Club,' and Simple Minds’ 'Don’t You (Forget About Me).' The episode concludes with reflections on the connections between music, memories, and personal growth.
 
Topics
01:10 Deirdre: The Cars - Just What I Needed
05:38 Phil: Jay-Z - Song Cry
08:57 Wren: Veruca Salt - The Gospel According to St. Me
11:48 Leslie: Don Henley - Boys of Summer
14:18 Buzz: Otis Redding: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
16:03 Otis Redding's Tragic Story
17:27 Bev: Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne
19:02 Brendan: Jane by Jefferson Starship
23:38 Beth: Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
24:45 Michael Patrick Lewis: The Deadbeat Club by The B-52's
25:27 Mikey O: Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
27:39 Professor David Gallant: What Was I Made For - Billie Eilish
 

For Brian: Top 10 Beach Boys Songs

Milt is in Africa. Dave is at the beach, but just metaphorically as he counts down YOUR choices for the top 10 Beach Boys songs. RIP Brian Wilson.