Tag Archives: Punk

1983! Fire Up Your Roland TB-303 For the Year’s Top-12 Songs

This is a long one, but it’s only because we simply love this music. Our picks for the top-12 songs of 1983 include legendary new wave tracks, massive pop ballads, the early stages of Heartland Rock and two records that will come to define 1980s dance.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1983, plus tunes from 1982, ’81, ’79, ’78 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on June 24, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1983 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” as performed by Eurythmics
    • Written by Annie Lennox and David Stewart; recorded summer 1982; released January 1983
  • “Sunday Bloody Sunday” as performed by U2
    • Written by U2; recorded fall 1982; released February 1983
  • “True” as performed by Spandau Ballet
    • Written by Gary Kemp; recorded fall 1982; released March 1983
  • “Blue Monday” as performed by New Order
    • Written by Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; recorded late 1982; released March 1983
  • “Between the Sheets” as performed by The Isley Brothers
    • Written by Rudolph Isley, O’Kelly Isley Jr., Ronald Isley, Ernest Isley, Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper; recorded February 1983; released March 1983
  • “Blister in the Sun” as performed by Violent Femmes
    • Written by Gordon Gano; recorded July 1982; released April 1983
  • “Every Breath You Take” as performed by The Police
    • Written by Sting; recorded early 1983; released May 1983
  • “Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place)” as performed by Talking Heads
    • Written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth; recorded late 1982; released June 1983
  • “Let the Music Play” as performed by Shannon
    • Written by Chris Barbosa and Ed Chisolm; recorded summer 1983; released September 1983
  • “Time After Time” as performed by Cyndi Lauper
    • Written by Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman; recorded June 1983; released October 1983
  • “Pink Houses” as performed by John Cougar Mellencamp
    • Written by John Mellencamp; recorded July 1983; released October 1983
  • “Jump” as performed by Van Halen
    • Written by Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth; recorded summer 1983; released December 1983

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on May 20, 2022 to find out the voting results, and May 22, 2022 for our discussion on 1983.

Modern Songs Ep. 13: Diana Ross and Tame Impala + Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’

Summer is here, and Diana Ross and Tame Impala (with Jack Antonoff) are hoping they’ve laid down the Song of the Summer. Tim and Chris discuss the disco-flavored “Turn Up the Sunshine” before taking a look back at Tame Impala’s career. Plus, they revisit Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’ after a few weeks of sitting with the new album.

Modern Songs is a music discovery podcast reviewing new music and songs released since 2006.

Modern Songs Ep. 12: Celebrating Joshua Hedley, More on Kendrick Lamar

In this week’s episode of Modern Songs, Tim and Chris talk at length about country singer Joshua Hedley, whose album “Neon Blue” is one of the best things about 2022. After chatting about his song “Bury Me With My Boots On,” Tim and Chris talk more about Kendrick Lamar and his 2017 song “Humble,” from the now legendary “DAMN.” 

Modern Songs is a music discovery podcast reviewing new music and songs released since 2006.

1982! As Synths Reign, Rap, Dance and Metal Take Big Steps Forward

We’ve reached the Year of the Synthesizer. It’s everywhere in 1982, from new wave-leaning rock to sleek R&B, and in every instance, it’s creating a new sound of pop. The digital age is fully in place, and Hall of Songs is here to chronicle all of it and select our top-12 songs of the year. 

But while keyboards and drum machines create the rhythms of some of the year’s biggest songs, a number of genres are making major moves toward the forefront. In this episode we’ll also hear metal, rap, dance hall and country.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1982, plus tunes from 1981, ’80, ’79, ’78, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on May 20, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1982 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “Only You” as performed by Yazoo
    • Written by Vince Clarke; recorded January 1982; released March 1982
  • “Hallowed Be Thy Name” as performed by Iron Maiden
    • Written by Steve Harris; recorded January 1982; released March 1982
  • “Rosanna” as performed by Toto
    • Written by David Paich; recorded January 1982; released March 1982
  • “Planet Rock” as performed by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force
    • Written by Arthur Baker, John Robie, Soulsonic Force and Emcee G.L.O.B.E.; recorded 1981; released April 1982
  • “Amarillo By Morning” as performed by George Strait
    • Written by Paul Fraser and Terry Stafford; recorded April 1982; released June 1982
  • “Come on Eileen” as performed by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
    • Written by Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson and Billy Adams; recorded March 1982; released June 1982
  • “The Message” as performed by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
    • Written by Edward G. Fletcher, Melle Mel, Clifton Chase and Sylvia Robinson; recorded spring 1982; released July 1982
  • “Love My Way” as performed by The Psychedelic Furs
    • Written by John Ashton, Tim Butler, Richard Butler and Vince Ely; recorded April 1982; released July 1982
  • “Bam Bam” as performed by Sister Nancy
    • Written by Winston Riley and Ophlin Russell; recorded summer 1982; released summer 1982
  • “Mad World” as performed by Tears For Fears
    • Written by Roland Orzabal; recorded summer 1982; released September 1982
  • “Little Red Corvette” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded summer 1982; released October 1982
  • “Billie Jean” as performed by Michael Jackson
    • Written by Michael Jackson; recorded summer 1982; released November 1982

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on May 20, 2022 to find out the voting results, and May 22, 2022 for our discussion on 1983.

27th Election Results! One Obvious Inductee, and Then …

The dynamic duo has returned. Chris joins Tim for this 27th election recap show, as they run down results and induct at least one track from the 1976-81 period into the Hall of Songs.

 Any more? You’ll have to listen to find out. Plus, get Chris and Tim’s Kentucky Derby picks. 

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!

Modern Songs Ep. 10: Maren Morris’ ‘Circles Around This Town’ + A Wistful Look Back with LCD Soundsystem

Maren Morris’ new album “Humble Quest” finds the pop and country star leaning heavily toward the latter and embracing the Nashville of it all. In this episode of Modern Songs, Tim and Chris discuss lead single “Circles Around This Town,” a memoir of sorts about Morris’ early days as a country songwriter. Then our two middle-aged guys get nostalgic about LCD Soundsystem’s iconic 2007 jam “All My Friends.”

Plus, we review some tracks we’ve been into lately, including stuff by The Regrettes, Pup, Pusha T and Louis The Child.

Modern Songs is a music discovery podcast reviewing new music and songs released since 2006.

1981! Darkness! Choosing Our Top-12 Songs From This Wild Year

Welcome to 1981. It’s a year that marks some big changes in the music and pop culture landscape. For one, everything sounds so crystal clear and digital this year. Plus, “Ladies and gentlemen … rock ‘n’ roll.” MTV debuts and completely shifts everything, from how we look at music to what songs actually chart.

Tim and Chris talk about 1981 and pick their top-12 songs from the year that was. 

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1981, plus tunes from 1980, ’79, ’78, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on May 6, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1981 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “Tom Sawyer” as performed by Rush
    • Written by Rush and Pye Dubois; recorded October 1980; released February 1981
  • “Bette Davis Eyes” as performed by Kim Carnes
    • Written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon; recorded December 1980; released March 1981
  • “Dancing With Myself” as performed by Billy Idol
    • Written by Billy Idol and Tony James; recorded 1980; released March 1981
  • “Super Freak” as performed by Rick James
    • Written by Rick James and Alonzo Miller; recorded December 1980; released April 1981
  • “Computer Love” as performed by Kraftwerk
    • Written by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider; recorded 1979-80; released May 1981
  • “Pull Up to the Bumper” as performed by Grace Jones
    • Written by Kookoo Baya, Grace Jones and Dana Mano; recorded 1980; released May 1981
  • “We Got the Beat” as performed by The Go-Go’s
    • Written by Charlotte Caffey; recorded late 1980; released July 1981
  • “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” as performed by Daryl Hall and John Oates
    • Written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates; recorded March 1981; released September 1981
  • “Controversy” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded August 1981; released October 1981
  • “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” as performed by The Police
    • Written by Sting; recorded June 1981; released October 1981
  • “Don’t You Want Me” as performed by The Human League
    • Written by Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright; recorded summer 1981; released October 1981
  • “Under Pressure” as performed by Queen and David Bowie
    • Written by Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, John Deacon and Brian May; recorded July 1981; released October 1981

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on May 6, 2022 to find out the voting results, and May 8, 2022 for our discussion on 1982.

Modern Songs Ep. 9: An Arcade Fire Party: ‘The Lightning I, II’ + ‘My Body is a Cage’

Celebrated rockers Arcade Fire is back with a new album, “We,” set to be released this May. The album’s first single is “The Lightning I, II,” and Tim and Chris settle in to discuss the new track. And considering the moment, they go even deeper into Arcade Fire history and talk about the arresting “Neon Bible” closer “My Body is a Cage,” which just end up being the band’s legacy.

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

26th Election Results! 1 Host, Multiple Hall of Songs Inductees

One-half of the Hall of Songs crew is here for this show, which addresses the latest election to determine exactly which songs are the greatest of all-time.

Tons of great tunes from 1976-80 (including “Good Times,” “Heart of Glass,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “I Will Survive”) were up for induction, and you decided … that more than one song would get in.

Listen in to hear which songs became Hall of Songs members, and find out what new problems are bugging our host.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!