Best Song of 1985
1985. Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the leader of the Soviet Union. “The Golden Girls” debut on NBC. Live Aid concerts raise more than $50 million to feed starving people in Ethiopia. “Calvin & Hobbes” debuts in the funny pages. And pop and rock radio is absolutely packed with hit songs that will remain favorites for decades to come. So join us as the Great Pop Culture Debate flashes back to the heart of the coolest decade ever to determine the Best Song of 1985! Will it be: Material Girl, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Take on Me, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Boys of Summer, Like a Virgin, We Built This City, I Want to Know What Love Is, Raspberry Beret, Careless Whisper, Don't You Forget About Me, The Power of Love, Sussudio, Walking on Sunshine, St. Elmo's Fire?
Host Eric Rezsnyak is joined by guests -- and brothers! -- Brian Rezsnyak, Todd Rezsnyak, and Chad Rezsnyak for this special Patreon-sponsored minisode as they go back to the middle of the best decade ever to determine the best song of 1985.
Want to play along at home? You can! Find the listener bracket here, make a copy for yourself, and see how your picks match up to the panel's!
For more exclusive content, including the warm-up in which the panelists discuss songs they wish had made the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Match-Up 1: “Take On Me” by A-ha! vs. “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley
Match-Up 2: “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” by John Parr vs. “Sussudio” by Phil Collins
Match-Up 3: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears vs. “Raspberry Beret” by Prince
Match-Up 4: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & the Waves vs. “Material Girl” by Madonna
Match-Up 5: “Like a Virgin” by Madonna vs. “We Built This City” by Starship
Match-Up 6: “Shout” by Tears for Fears vs. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
Match-Up 7: “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by WHAM! vs. “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
Match-Up 8: “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & the News vs. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael/WHAM!
Need a refresher on the songs we discuss? We made a playlist for you here.
Have a say in future episodes!
Finally, if you want to have a say in what episodes we tackle next, vote in our Topic Polls! And we would love to have you pick your faves in the polls currently open for your votes!
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EPISODE CREDITS
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Patreon Sponsor: Dr. Chad Rezsnyak
Special Guest: Brian Rezsnyak, Todd Rezsnyak
Producer: Mike Rapin
Editor: Jeffery Perry
