Sick Burns!: An 80's Podcast

Safety Dance by Men Without Hats Jan 07, 2023

"The Safety Dance" is a song by the Canadian new wave/synth-pop band Men Without Hats, released in 1982. It hit #3 on the U.S. charts the following year. The song was written by lead singer Ivan Doroschuk after he had been kicked out of a club in Ottowa for “pogo dancing,” a bouncy dance that was a precursor to mosh dancing. Why do people have such a problem with dancing? And why did “The Hats” decide to set their music video in old-timey England around a maypole? We may never know, but we’ll get as far to the bottom of it as we can in this episode.

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Mr Roboto by Styx May 16, 2022

"Mr. Roboto" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung of the band Styx, and was featured on the band’s 11th album, Kilroy Was Here, which also became a rock opera. The song hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1983 and reached #1 in Canada.

The band’s ambitious song and concept album dug into themes like censorship and the dehumanization of the working class. The band also thumbed their noses at anti-rock activists’ attempts to prohibit backmasking, which some thought contained hidden messages.

If you’ve ever wondered who Mr. Roboto was, or Kilroy for that matter, then this episode is for you!

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Rocking Authority: We're Not Gonna Take it by Twisted Sister Mar 19, 2022

We’re back from long hiatus with one from the Sick Burns vault! Recorded in summer 2021, this episode features a dive into systems of power, their latent hypocrisy, and that feeling of adolescent elation that comes from giving the finger to both.

Twisted Sister released “We’re Not Gonna Take It” in 1984 and landed on the PMRC’s “Filthy Fifteen” list for the song’s violent lyrical content (eye roll.). This hard-rocking anti-authority anthem was based on a notable Christmas carol and has become the song of choice for anyone wanting to stick it to “the man” (including politicians who actually ARE “the man.”)

The video answers the question: What would happen if the menacing ROTC student Douglas C. Niedermeyer from the movie Animal House grew up and had a kid who wanted to rock? Actor Mark Metcalf is game to reprise his role and winds up getting pushed out a lot of windows.

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Tina Turner: Simply the Best Sep 12, 2021

Between multiple interviews, a biopic and a broadway show, Tina Turner's story is well known. But there's an HBO documentary about her and it confirms that she is the queen of rock-n-roll, the empress of resilience and the grand duchess of self-respect.

Tina Turner's appearance in 1985's Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome was her second movie appearance-- she had appeared in Tommy ten years earlier. While we think her outfit in that movie was chef's kiss mwah!, she revealed in an interview in 1988 that she felt her character Aunty Entity would have been more fierce if she had more practical clothing.

Her hit song recorded for the movie, "We Don't Need Another Hero," was written by the same team that wrote "What's Love Got to Do With It?"-- Terry Britten and Graham Lyle. The song was a bridge between her albums Private Dancer and Break Every Rule. It was nominated for a Golden Globe (losing to Lionel Richie) and a Grammy (losing to Whitney Houston).

We think maybe it was hampered by the goofy lyrics that reference the movie, tying it down! We also think Mel Gibson is beyond icky and wish Tina hadn't been tainted by his garbage presence. And yet she somehow continues to be. . . simply the best.

Give a listen and tell us what YOU think!!

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Cold War Chess & Show Tunes: One Night in Bangkok May 12, 2021

Cold war chess matches and show tunes collide in "One Night in Bangkok" by Murray Head. The song went to number one in many countries and topped out at #3 in May 1985 in the U.S. and Canada. The song was a single from the concept album “Chess” by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA (and Mama Mia fame) with lyrics by Tim Rice. It later became a musical, starring Murray Head.
In the musical, Head plays “Freddie Trumper,” an American Chess master who is in Thailand to face off against his opponent from the USSR in a big chess match. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it was inspired by the 1972 Bobby Fischer/Boris Spassky match in Reykjavik.
In the song, Trumper is trying to stay focused on the match and not succumb to Bangkok’s many distractions. Listening to it with 2021 ears, it’s hard to miss the transphobic overtones or the way it hypersexualizes Asian women. If you were transfixed by the flute solo, you may have missed all that in 1985, but the Thai government didn’t.

Check out the video.

Note, this song is not to be confused with Musical Chess by Burger King Illuminati.
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Editing by Ghost Label

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What a Way to Make a Living - Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Mar 28, 2021

The American treasure that is Dolly Parton wrote “9 to 5” as the theme song for the movie of the same name, in which she co-starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song topped the charts in 1980, tapping into women’s growing frustrations in the struggle for equality and the never-ending challenges of juggling work and life. The movie follows three women co-workers seeking vengeance on their lecherous boss for his constant sexual harassment. The song and the film took their titles from the non-profit organization9to5, which advocated for fair pay and equal treatment for women in the workplace. We discuss how far -- or not --women have progressed since 1980, especially in pandemic conditions.

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Editing by Ghost Label Video

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The Alleged Murder of Godfather of Soul James Brown Mar 11, 2021

When the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown died on Christmas Day 2006, his cause of death was listed as heart failure. But intrepid reporting from CNN’s Thomas Lake has surfaced dozens of unanswered questions about Brown’s life and final hours, most importantly to allegations that Brown was murdered. The story starts with one courageous woman named Jacquelyn Hollander who captivated Lake with her outrageous claims and her many, many receipts. In this special episode, we go down the rabbit hole of Lake’s multi-part article called “The Circus Singer and The Godfather of Soul.”

Check out Thomas Lake’s article on CNN.

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Pandering to America: Huey Lewis and James Brown List Cities Jan 27, 2021

There's nothing a big stadium concert crowd loves more than hearing the name of their city shouted by their favorite rock star. In the 80's, a few performers figured out how to work the names of many U.S. cities into hit songs, in what can only be described as pandering to audiences hungry for recognition of their American hometowns.
In 1984, Huey Lewis and the News had a hit with "Heart of Rock & Roll," which worked 15 cities into a top-10 hit. In 1985, the Godfather of Soul James Brown made it to number four-- and scored a Grammy-- with "Living in America," squeezing in nine mentions. The song is also well remembered for being a breakout hit from the movie "Rocky IV."
We break down both songs with our 21st-century lens.
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A Very Special Christmas - Super Boffo Bonus Episode! Dec 16, 2020

In this Very Special Episode of Sick Burns we look at one of the biggest charity records of the 1980’s -- a decade full of charity records. “A Very Special Christmas” has been a holiday juggernaut since the first album was released in 1987. A compilation of Christmas standards from music’s hottest 80’s stars, the album was produced by Jimmy Iovine, who was inspired to make something special to commemorate this special time of year after losing his beloved father during the holidays. He called out the big guns, dusted off the Phil Spector playbook, and produced something truly special. All proceeds benefited the Special Olympics, which now counts VSPs many albums as its largest source of funding. It’s a super boffo episode with coverage of not one but 15 different songs! Put on your elf hat, grab a cup of wassail and join us, won’t you?

Inspired by the music? Why not consider a direct gift to Special Olympics?

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The Material Girl: Madonna’s Marilyn Moment Nov 25, 2020

"Material Girl" was the second single from Madonna’s ridiculously successful 1984 album “Like a Virgin,” peaking at #2 in 1985. By borrowing some powerful imagery from another iconic blonde (Marilyn Monroe) for the music video, Madonna earned a nickname that stuck. We discuss the making of the song and video and chat about materialism, influencer culture, Marie Kondo, and even Karl Marx and Cartesian dualism. (Gulp.) Join us as we make our first foray into the catalog of the best selling female artist of all time, the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna Louise Ciccone.

Check out the video for Material Girl directed by Mary Lambert.

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The Cultural Bouillabaisse of Red Red Wine by UB40 Oct 10, 2020

Red Red Wine charted for British reggae band UB40 twice in the ‘80s, once in 1984 and again in 1988. UB40 brought a “modern beat” to this cover of reggae artist Tony Tribe’s 1969 version of Neil Diamond’s 1967 hit about a guy drowning his sorrows.

Check out UB40’s video for Red Red Wine.
Here's a version of them performing live with Astro's toasting break.

Here’s Tony Tribe’s version from 1969.

Here’s Neil Diamond’s version from 1967.

Here’s Shirley Ellis’ Clapping Song from 1965, from which UB40’s Astro interpolated lyrics for his toasting break.

And here’s the Light Crust Doughboys singing Little Rubber Dolly in 1939

*****

Recommendations:

Cobra Kai is on Netflix, but watch Karate Kid first

The Vow is on HBO, about the cult NXIVM
Check out Cleveland's own reggae band First Light at their 30th anniversary concert

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The Aphrodisiac of Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc Sep 17, 2020

Tone Loc’s “Funky Cold Medina” went to #3 in the U.S. in 1989, written by Young MC and inspired by a Flavor Flav catchphrase. Whether it’s a love potion, an aphrodisiac or a date rape drug is left in part to the listener to decipher. One thing is for sure, too much of it can lead to a nasty case of transphobia. We take a look at some popular and effective aphrodisiacs in this hard-hitting episode of Sick Burns!

Check out the video.

Recommendations:

Check out humorist Samantha Irby’s “Wow, No Thank You”

Check out Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You on HBO

If you haven’t seen Fleabag, it’s time to catch up
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Dire Straits' Money For Nothing and the Problematic F Word Aug 30, 2020

Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing” went to #1 in the US and Canada in 1985. Driven by frontman Mark Knopfler’s strong guitar riff and an iconic guest vocal from Sting, it was incredibly popular on the new music television channel, MTV. This was not only because of its groundbreaking animated video but also because it name-dropped MTV in the lyrics. Inspired by a conversation Knopfler heard at an electronics store and written in a persona, the song also features a nasty homophobic slur that you may or may not hear in the version your local radio station plays today.

Check out the Money For Nothing video, featuring the “F word.”

Here’s the song’s “Clean Radio Edit” which removes the problematic verse altogether.

Check out the original MTV commercial featuring Sting and The Police that inspired the opening line/chorus of the song: “I want my MTV!”.

Recommendations:

Private Dancer from Tina Turner

Alone on The History Channel

Levon Helm’s Dirt Farmer Video

Donny & Marie punch up Reelin’ in the Years

Sha Na Na Welcomes Chuck Berry

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Cult of Personality by Living Colour Jul 21, 2020

Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” went to #13 in 1988, inspired in part by media-savvy actor-turned president, Ronald Reagan. The band drew notoriety for their melding of heavy metal and funk with a timely reference to heavy-handed leadership and their day-glo look-- plus the fact that they were a boundary-busting Black metal band. The song, about a leader’s manipulation of facts and media for their own glorification while building an unquestioning cult-like following, seems particularly relevant today given today’s political climate.

Check out Living Colour’s original Cult of Personality video.

Their SNL performance is hard to find, so here they are on Arsenio.
The band sued Fox's In Living Color for taking their name and logo.

Corrections Corner: Great bands and artists from Ohio.

Recommendations:

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band

Toots & The Maytals: Funky Kingston

OG Rock Nerd Lester Bangs dishes his rock opinions

Read about how Parisians fared without their cafes

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Little Pink Houses in My Hometown of Allentown Jul 06, 2020

This episode "Little Pink Houses in My Hometown of Allentown" is a "threefer" on the death of the American dream.

Several big 80’s hits by prominent rockers detailed the decline of industrialized jobs and the death of middle America and really, indicted America for failing to live up to its promises.

Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp, a top ten hit in 1983

My Hometown by Bruce Springsteen, which went to #6 in 1985, and

Allentown by Billy Joel - released in 1982, went to #17

While Pink Houses’ chorus is often misunderstood to be purely patriotic, it’s a sarcastic reproach of middle America’s declining opportunities. Even Mellencamp called it an “anti-American” song. We’ll look at why this topic was so prevalent in the hits of the 80’s and discuss the songs’ continued resonance.

***Recommendations & Resources***

Check out this Atlantic piece on Pink Houses as a track in their “Complicated Patriotism” feature.

A similar piece from NPR, their “Sound of Your American Dream” mixtape.

Want more info on the economics that caused the shifts in factory closures? There are tons of articles and books written about it, but here's an interesting lesson.
Suggested Pairing: Enjoy some deviled eggs while you listen! Or try this recipe for copycat Taco Bell Meximelts.

****

A wee correction, Joel doesn’t wear a denim jacket in the Allentown video (memory fail) but Springsteen and Mellencamp are absolutely known for it. (Billy’s a leather jacket guy). Note that denim czars Levi Strauss moved their production and manufacturing overseas in the 80’s… here’s where they manufacture now.

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Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo Jun 26, 2020

While some might chalk L.A.-based new wave band Wall of Voodoo’s big hit Mexican Radio up as a novelty song, it touches on some surprisingly relevant themes. Inspired by the Mexican “border blaster” radio stations the band listened to as they drove around L.A., the song went to #58 in 1982 (#18 in Canada), blending new wave/synth sound with spaghetti western movie soundtrack inspiration. The band themselves provided the inspiration for other hits.

Does the song hold up today? It sure does.

Check Out the Video

Enjoy some spaghetti western inspo from Ennio Morricone and from Jerry Goldsmith, whose theme for Our Man Flint made an appearance in Wall of Voodoo’s cover of Ring of Fire.

Here’s Joey by Concrete Blonde, inspired by Wall of Voodoo’s guitarist Marc Moreland

And here’s Longview by Green Day, also possibly inspired by Wall of Voodoo? (Or is that a long-shot?)

***
Recommendations:

The Hard Way, On Purpose by David Giffels

Pump up the Volume feat. Christian Slater (and an excellent Cohen cover by Concrete Blonde)

Frequency feat. Dennis Quaid

Raising a puppy and needing some help? Let the Monks of New Skete guide you.

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Taunting Virtue with Adam Ant's Goody Two Shoes Jun 16, 2020

Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant was a hit in 1982, reaching number 12 in the US and number 1 in the UK. How did Ant shape this common taunt for the excessively virtuous into an infectious hit? By coupling a toe-tapping rhythm with a super sexy, punk-rock look rooted in Napoleonic military uniforms and war paint. Naturally.

Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant: The original video

The Look:

Adam’s pelisse jacket with frog fastenings and braid trim, given to him by a friend, was from the film "The Charge of the Light Brigade." The style of coat was worn by hussars, a class of light military in central Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries (and later by the military during the Napoleonic Wars) and so is sometimes called a hussar jacket.
Here’s Adam on British talk show “Loose Women” discussing his influences, career, mental health, and talks about the origins of his character as a survivor of those Napoleonic Wars.

Interview with Adam, where he discusses the jacket’s possible influence on Michael Jackson

James Franco pays homage to Adam Ant’s iconic look in this photoshoot

Even the Victoria and Albert museum is ga ga for his costumes in this retrospective: “Battlefield to Boudoir: The Costumes of Adam Ant.”

The History of Goody Two Shoes details the origins of the phrase in a story of rewarded virtue, originally penned by Oliver Goldsmith and published by John Newberry. Here’s a free biography of Goldsmith by none other than Washington Irving.

Plus: Oh, the things we can learn from lice. Like when people started wearing clothes!

PS: Also infectious? Tito Puente’s Oye Como Va which features him on Latin timbales, which he popularized. Think drum jokes are hilarious? Check out Puente fan Fred Armisen’s "Standup for Drummers" special on Netflix.

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Fat by "Weird Al" Yankovic Jun 06, 2020

In this episode, we unpack “Weird Al” Yankovic’s hit 1988 song “Fat,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” and discuss how it mocks heavy people in a way we now know as “fat-shaming.” While accordions and pop music may seem like strange bedfellows, Yankovic has made a long career out of parody, earning the title, “The Court Jester of Rock & Roll.” And since a discussion of Yankovic’s “Fat” is also a discussion of Jackson’s “Bad,” we also have the “can you separate the art from the artist?” debate.

Post-recording correction: Several artists have refused Al permission from parodying his songs; he always asks for permission first. But it was the Coolio song “Gangsta’s Paradise” that Al had trouble getting permission for as he parodied it in “Amish Paradise.” He doesn’t seem to have had issue with getting permission for the Chamillionaire/Krayzie Bone song “Ridin’” for his popular parody, “White and Nerdy.”

Follow Along:

Weird Al’s original “Fat” Video

Michael Jackson’s original “Bad”

A snippet of The Food Medley featuring “Snack all Night” (a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White”)

Archival footage of “Weird Al” performing My Bologna

Enjoy some of Weird Al’s Polkas here or here in his “Polkas on 45”

Want some bratwurst while you enjoy your polkas? Here’s a crockpot recipe.

Watch Yankovic’s movie “UHF” on iTunes

Enjoy this commercial for Spatula City

Finally, read more about fat-shaming from Rebecca Puhl and colleagues at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut.
Give a listen and tell us what YOU think!!

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The Adorable Cynicism of Richard Marx's Don't Mean Nothing May 05, 2020

In this episode we discuss Richard Marx’s breakout hit, Don’t Mean Nothing (1987). It may be one of the one of the most cynically painted rock portraits of Hollywood in the 80’s, with surprise guest stars on back up. There are tangents galore in this episode from how the current global situation is impacting our ability to use prepositions, to how to introduce your kids to the Star Wars franchise, and an ode to the glories of fried chicken in the summertime.

Enjoy listening to Don’t Mean Nothing here

Watch Don’t Mean Nothin’ the original video

Follow Richard Marx on Twitter: https://twitter.com/richardmarx

Give his new album Limitless a listen... or buy a copy!

Why not cook up some fried chicken while you listen?

Alton Brown’s fried chicken recipe

Try Wesson for your frying, here’s Florence Henderson on why Wesson is best

Or grab some takeout from Wayside Fried Chicken in Charlottesville, VA

Watch Muscle Shoals, the documentary

Listen to the Doublemint gum jingle, courtesy Richard Marx’s dad

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The Racist Background of Puttin' on the Ritz Apr 26, 2020

In this episode, we discuss the racist background of the 1983's Puttin' on the Ritz. While it was something of a novelty song when Dutch singer Taco Ockerse took it to number 4, it has a big backstory. It was originally written by great American songwriter Irving Berlin in 1927 and popularized by the likes of Fred Astaire. What was a song from the ’20s doing on the charts in the ’80s? Mel Brooks may have something to do with it.

To learn more about Irving Berlin: https://www.songhall.org/profile/Irving_Berlin

Listen to Puttin’ On the Ritz by Taco on iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/after-eight/1317414598

To watch the original, uncensored video by Taco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY

Check out Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein here: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/young-frankenstein/umc.cmc.qdwp732xvf641j94g9shwan7

Grab a copy of “Even This I Get to Experience” by Norman Lear: https://www.amazon.com/Even-This-I-Get-Experience/dp/1594205728
Why not enjoy a slice of delicious mock apple pie with this episode? Find the recipe here:
https://www.snackworks.com/recipe/ritz-mock-apple-pie-53709
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She Bop by Cyndi Lauper Apr 19, 2020

Did Cyndi Lauper's hit song She Bop deserve the caution placed on it by the Parents Music Resource Center when it was released in 1984? Was Cyndi being coy about the real meaning of "bop" to get past the censors? How does its supposed or real message measure up today? Will Elizabeth ever find her autographed Cyndi photo?
Very little to burn about this song, which was ahead of its time.
Watch the original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFq4E9XTueY
Listen to Cyndi describe the album art for She's So Unusual:
Front Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhij98D1cwU
Back Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqJ2RtD7ghA
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Asian in the 80's: Turning Japanese by The Vapors Mar 26, 2020

"Turning Japanese" by British pop band The Vapors was a big hit in 1980, relying on the "oriental riff" -- an instantly recognizable musical shorthand for Western ears. The riff is found in several hits of the '70s and '80s - can you spot it? We discuss!
Original video - "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors: https://vimeo.com/284449766
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Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meatloaf Mar 19, 2020

Technically recorded in the 70's, Paradise By The Dashboard Light found its way onto thousands of 80's mixtapes with a thrilling combination of teenage car sex, 50's nostalgia and... baseball? How does the story stack up by today's standards? Let's discuss.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C11MzbEcHlw
Download on Apple Music here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/paradise-by-the-dashboard-light/991385383?i=991385389
Enjoy with a slice of Martha Stewart's All-American Meatloaf: https://www.marthastewart.com/315282/all-american-meatloaf
Herb Score is the beloved Cleveland baseball announcer that would not come to mind: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/sports/baseball/12score.html
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The Troubling Pedophilic Backstory of Into The Night by Benny Mardones Mar 14, 2020

In the first episode of Sick Burns, we discuss the troubling pedophilic backstory of yacht rack staple, Into the Night, by Benny Mardones.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWHjJt4833I
Listen to the song on Apple Music here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/into-the-night-re-recorded-in-stereo/80028426?i=80028348
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