The ’80s Songs That Went to 11

We saw Spinal Tap 2, flipped the big red switch, and counted down the best 1980s songs that peaked at #11. Because these… go to 11. Also: sexy drummers, armadillos, and Milt trying to make Kenny Loggins a sports anthem (again).

Quick Hit Summary

• Mini-review of Spinal Tap 2 (Paul! Elton! Still loud.)
  
  
• Countdown: our blended Top 10 “peaked at #11” bangers from the ’80s
  
  
• Playdate: 11 questions about… 11 (of course)
  
  
• A respectable pile of “also-rans” that just missed the podium

Chapter Guide

00:00 – Cold open / mic check / Past Tens roll call
06:05 – Fire up the Time Machine
07:06 – What we’re doing: ’80s songs that peaked at #11 (Spinal Tap salute)

Tap Talk

07:50 – Spinal Tap 2 quick take: tone matched, laughs landed
09:45 – Cameos: Paul McCartney (charming), Elton John (scene-stealer)
10:55 – Aging rockers, commitments vibes, and a very funny new drummer
12:40 – Why sequels usually whiff and why this one didn’t

The Countdown — The ’80s Songs That Went to 11

#11 – 00:15:00
Thompson Twins – “Doctor! Doctor!” (1984)
Second-British-Invasion synth-pop sugar rush. “How was this not Top 10?” energy.

#10 – 00:16:00
Gary U.S. Bonds – “This Little Girl” (1981)
Boss-built boomerang: written/produced by Springsteen & Stevie Van Zandt; Clarence on sax. Roots-rock strut with comeback swagger.

#9 – 00:22:00
Sheila E. – “A Love Bizarre” (1985)
Prince pixie dust, 12-minute club glide, percussion queen doing queen things.

#8 – 00:27:00
Michael Jackson – “Another Part of Me” (1987)
From the Captain EO era: Quincy groove, Disney cheese, undeniable bounce.

#7 – 00:34:00
The Contours – “Do You Love Me” (re-charted 1988)
Dirty Dancing rocket fuel: Motown growl makes the Catskills naughty again.

Playdate – 00:43:00
11 Questions about “11” (Kyrie, Larkin/Rollins, 7-Eleven’s rogue lowercase n, Swingers, Messier, Bledsoe & Edelman, Ocean’s Eleven = Matt Damon, Marshall amps, Eleven = Millie Bobby Brown, Jeter wore 11 in the minors, etc.)

#6 – 00:52:00
Kenny Loggins – “This Is It” (1980)
Blue-eyed soul with Michael McDonald cosign; NCAA montage hall-of-famer.

#5 – 00:57:00
Loverboy – “Hot Girls in Love” (1983)
Aerosol, hooks, and harmless himbo energy. Dumb? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.

#4 – 01:01:00
Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (1980)
Pre-Purple Rain princelet: falsetto glide, post-disco snap, future royalty loading.

#3 – 01:07:00
Bryan Adams – “Somebody” (1985)
Reckless sweet spot: denim-rock churner with live-aid mojo. Ballad break = beer run.

#2 – 01:11:00
Go-Go’s – “Head Over Heels” (1984)
Pop truffle perfection. Jane Wiedlin piano break = pure dopamine.

#1 – 01:26:00
Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen” (1981)
The white-wing-dove war cry. Signature solo cut. A Top 10 snub so egregious it should be a congressional hearing.

Also-Rans & Near-Misses (rapid fire)

• Stevie Wonder – “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It”
  
  
• Bangles – “Walking Down Your Street”
  
  
• Little River Band – “The Other Guy” (The Other Guys synergy!)
  
  
• Toto – “I’ll Be Over You”
  
  
• Debbie Gibson – “Electric Youth” (Dave votes yes; Milt files an appeal)
  
  
• Soul II Soul – “Keep On Movin’” (Milt’s neo-soul crush)
  
  
• Benny Mardones – “Into the Night” (we heard you, Internet)
  
  
• The Police – “Spirits in the Material World”
  
  
• Paul Davis – “Cool Night” (yacht softness)
  
  
• Naked Eyes – “Promises, Promises”
  
  
• Dead or Alive – “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”
  
  

If this episode made your dial go to 11, share it with a friend, drop a 5-star on Apple/Spotify, and come argue with us at timemachinepod.com or toptentimemachine@gmail.com. Rock responsibly, Time Travelers.