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Cult of Personality by Living Colour is a Song for Our Times
Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” went to #13 in 1988, inspired in part by the media-savvy actor-turned president, Ronald Reagan. The band drew notoriety for their melding of heavy metal […]
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Little Pink Houses in My Hometown of Allentown
Several big 80’s hits by prominent rockers detailed the decline of industrialized jobs and the death of middle America and indicted America for failing to live up to its promises: […]
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Introducing the Sick Burns! Spotify Playlist
Follow our Spotify playlist to listen to all the songs we mention on the podcast:
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Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
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 […]
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The Racist Background of Puttin’ on the Ritz
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 Indonesian singer Taco Ockerse took […]
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She Bop by Cyndi Lauper
Did She Bop deserve the caution placed on it by the Parents Music Resource Center when it was released in 1984? How does its supposed or real message measure up […]
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Asian in the 80’s: Turning Japanese by The Vapors
“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 […]
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Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meatloaf
Technically recorded in the ’70s, Paradise By The Dashboard Light found its way onto thousands of’ 80s mixtapes with a thrilling combination of teenage car sex, ’50s nostalgia and… baseball? […]
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The Troubling Pedophilic Backstory of “Into The Night” by Benny Mardones
In the first episode of Sick Burns, we discuss the troubling *possibly* pedophilic backstory of yacht rack staple, Into the Night, by Cleveland-born crooner Benny Mardones. It’s easy to get […]
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Welcome to Sick Burns: An 80’s Podcast
Welcome, 80’s fans. We’re eager to hear your hot takes and sick burns on the songs we’re covering, and more. Click the “Send a Voicemail” tab at the right of […]