Episodes

This episode is a very special two-bands-for-for-the-price-of-one conversation. Bourgeois Tagg. Does this band ring a bell for you? We would be surprised if it they do, but their song "I Don't Mind At All" is fantastic, and we think you'll agree. Similarly, Freiheit are a German band known for a song from the soundtrack to the movie "Say Anything" (we discussed the song on that episode as well) that was also featured on American Idol. Best Paul McCartney song he never wrote. Connect with us a...

This song and album was one of the bigggest from the 80's, as well as the most controversial for its use of an anti- gay slur. Mark Knopfler was and is one of the best guitarsts around. We delve into all of it. Connect with us t tapeheadspod.com. RELATED LINKS: Our Money For Nothing playlist, on Spotify Dire Straits, on Spotiy. Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing" official video, at YouTube Under the Volcano (2021) documentary, at IMDB COVER YOUR EARS: Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids

As a member of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson wrote many of the world's most famous surf songs, despite being afraid of the water and not knowing how to swim. After he'd stopped performing with them live, he went on to write some of the best and most beloved songs of all time. He also had a very tragic and strange life story, as we discuss in this episode. Connect with us at tapeheaedspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our RIP, Brian Wilson playlist, on Spotify Brian Wilson, on Spotify The Beach Boys, on...

This is a little different discussion than our usual fare. Blaine has recently rekindled his love of CD's, due to the audio limitations of the most common formats like MP3 and streaming, so we talk about all of it, as well as comparing streaming vs. CD vs. vinyl records. Quite interesting and fun. Listen to all the stuff Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com. RELATED LINKS: Our What Have You Been Missing? playlist, on Spotify

Cyndi Lauper is a phenomenon. Her first album, "She's So Unusual," sold millions of copies, and her songs continue to be some of the most memorable and influential of all time. There is much more to her story, however, and that's what we discuss this time. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Girls Just Wanna Have Fun playlist, on Spotify Cyndi Lauper, on Spotify Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" official video, on YouTube

This time around, we're discovering another fun internet list, found for us by Blaine. We love these things because A) they're super fun, and B) they take no research or preparation. Just sit down, read through the list, and Bob's Blaine's uncle. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: The original article by Jolina Mandicho, 50 Albums From the 80's That You Need to Hear Before the World Ends Our 25 Albums to Hear Before the World Ends playlist, on Spotify

As we've discussed before, Kiss are a difficult band of which to be a fan. Todd is a fan, however, and has many of their albums and a T-shirt. Blaine is indifferent about them. In this fun and hilarious episode, we dive deeply and compare the best and worst songs from the band's extensive catalog. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com . RELATED LINKS: Our The Best and Worst of Kiss playlist, on Spotify Kiss , on Spotify

In this episode, we discuss the songs from the 80's that spent the most weeks at the #1 spot on the pop charts. Be sure to click down to our playlist to listen to the full versions of these great songs. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Most Weeks At #1 playlist, on Spotify Madonna,"Like A Virgin" official video, on YouTube Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, "Say Say Say" official video, on YouTube Irene Cara, "Flashdance" official video, on YouTube Survivor, "Eye of...

Kiss are one of the biggest bands of all time. Are they one of the best? Well, it's a little more complicated than that, but they're certainly one of the most interesting, and we join their story at what is arguably the heaviest and most interesting point, 1982's album "Creatures of the Night." Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Creatures of the Night playlist, on Spotify Kiss, "Creatures of the Night" album, on Spotify Kiss, "I Love It Loud" official video, on YouTube ...

Paul Simon is one of most venerable and some would say inscrutable songwriters out there today. After a string of hits in the 60's and 70's, he was coming off of a couple of unsuccessful albums in the 80's. Looking for inspiration, he turned to the music of South Africa and created the album Graceland, which was a huge success and completely revitalized his career. We discuss the album's hit, "You Can Call Me Al." Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com. RELATED LINKS: Paul Simon, on Spotify Our...

Bronski Beat were a synth pop trio from London who may have been fairly short-lived, but were very influential, especially with the gay community at the time. They were very politically active, and ahead of their time. Their enduring hit "Smalltown Boy" is our subject this time. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Smalltown Boy playlist, on Spotify Bronski Beat, on Spotify Bronski Beat, "Smalltown Boy" official video, on YouTube Framed Youth documentary, on YouTube All ...

There were two musical synthesizers that revolutionized the way music was made in the late 1970's and all through the 80's, the Synclavier and the Fairlight. The least expensive model cost the equivalent of a small house, and the most expensive model was the equivalent of a smallish mansion. More similar than they were different, they would help some of the greatest musicians of the time to create their biggest hits, and we delve into it here. We also mention their spiritual predecessor--and Tod...

Bobby McFerrin is one of the most famous musicians on the planet. He's been a singer, a conductor, a music ambassador, and even a pop star. But he's also written one of the most polarizing one-hit wonder songs of all time, which was both recognized by the Library of Congress and ridiculed by Public Enemy. Lots to explore in this episode about an incredible and venerable musician. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our Don't Worry, Be Happy playlist, on Spotify Bobby McFerrin,...

In this episode, Blaine guides us through 10 hit sonts with controverisal or problematic subject matter that wouldn't be released today. This list came from one of his infamous trips down the proverbial rabbit hole. Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our 10 Songs That Couldn't Be Released Today playlist, on Spotify 10 Songs From the 80's That Could Not Be Released Today

Formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and currently based in Portland, Animotion have one of the best one-hit wonder songs of the 80's, and are still around performing and releasing new albums to this day. We're here to tell the story of the song, "Obsession." Conn eat with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Animotion, on Spotify Animotion, "Obsession" official video, on YouTube "A Night in Heaven" movie trailer, on YouTube "Runaway (1984)" movie trailer, on YouTube COVER YOUR EARS: Terminatr...

In this very special episode, Blaine explores a few songs by Billy Joel that he feels best show Billy's masterful songwriting. We think you'll enjoy it. RELATED LINKS: Our short but sweet Billy Joel playlist, on Spotify Billy Joel, on Spotify Lords of 57th Street (Liberty playing drums), on YouTube

Duran Duran are one of the biggest and best bands of the 80's, and we thought they would be perfect subjects for continuing our second anniversary celebration. We invited our friend Russ to help and add insight, as we delved into Duran and their offshoot bands The Power Station, Arcadia, and Robert Palmer as well. Super interesting and fun story. We did experience some unfortunate technical issues with Russ's vocal track, but we're sure you'll love him and see past all that. Really fun having hi...

Can you believe it's our second anniversary episode? And our fiftieth? We're celebrating both, and we have a very special guest who makes an appearance. We're discussing our namesake movie, TapeHeads, a fairly obscure 1988 cult classic film starring John Cusack and Tim Robbins as two guys who want to get into the business of making rock music videos. It also stars Sam Moore and Junior Walker as their musical idols the Swanky Modes. The soundtrack is fantastic (Todd owns it on vinyl, CD, and cass...

Suzanne Vega is someone you should know about, if you aren't aware of her already. We explore her musical connections and collaborators, including the illustrious Mitchell Froom and inimitable Tchad Blake. We also discuss the process of learning production and recording. Willow is a 1988 fantasy movie starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. Created by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, it has its fans but is also not necessarily well loved, even given its significance. We get into all of i...

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The Liverpool band A Flock of Seagulls had one of the biggest hit songs (and weirdest haircuts) of 1982, which puts them up against some serious competition. Quite an interesting band and story. This one was by request. Also from 1982, the Disney movie "Tron" is probably more well-loved now than when it originally came out, and we quite happily delve into it. RELATED LINKS: Our "I Ran (So Far Away)" playlist, on Spotify A Flock of Seagulls, "I Ran (So Far Away)" official video, on YouTube T...

One of our favorite subjects here on TapeHeads is bands at a point of major change in their sound or careers, and ZZ Top's 1983 album Eliminator (which sold 11 million copies) is a perfect example. Footlose is a 1984 movie about a small town with a big dancing problem, and the hijinks ensue. Pair that with an incredible soundtrack, and you've got a hit movie. But is it good? Connect with us at tapeheadspod.com RELATED LINKS: Our ZZ Top/Footloose playlist, on Spotify ZZ Top, "Legs" official ...

Howard Jones is someone who you may not think you know, but you definitely know his songs. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his music, and you may be surprised at the number of coincidental connections and through-lines within this show, including Aqualung, Martin Page, Peter Gabriel, Tears For Fears, Naked Eyes, and Erasure, and even Donald Fagen. You won't want to miss the playlist for this one. "Say Anything" is the 1989 debut of Cameron Crowe as a writer/director. It is one of the ...

Dolly Parton is one of the most important singer-songwriters of all time. She created an unforgettable persona that has, quite literally, changed the world. We've had a blast learning more about her. 9 to 5 is a 1980 movie that is widely regarded as the first modern feminist movie. It was very influential and inspirational, while still being fun and accesible. It stars Dolly Parton in her movie debut, and she also wrote the timeless hit theme song. Rounding out the cast are Lily Tomlin, Jane Fo...