app01 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:14:13 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “80s” https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/tags/80s Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0700 Every episode of this podcast Doug, Ami, and Kyle break an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying. en-us episodic Every episode of this podcast breaks an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying. Doug Lief Every episode of this podcast Doug, Ami, and Kyle break an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying. yes music, music theory, songwriting, rock, pop, metal, alternative, r&b, rock and roll, rock & roll Doug Lief djlief@gmail.com Mini-Sode: 9 to 5 (Dolly Parton) https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/28 ed3af874-9f7b-4b3f-9898-9c44da4dead8 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0700 Doug Lief full Doug Lief To help you along with your working week, we're going to start releasing mini-episodes on individual songs, and this time, we're celebrating the late and unimaginably great Dolly Parton by analyzing one of her most famous tracks, 9 to 5. 14:40 yes <p>To help you along with your working week, we're going to start releasing mini-episodes on individual songs, and this time, we're celebrating the late and unimaginably great Dolly Parton by analyzing one of her most famous tracks, 9 to 5. </p> <p>For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/nostalgium" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/nostalgium</a>, where you can join our Discord and get bonus episodes of this show, the Still Muppeting podcast, and Cartoon Therapy.</p> <p>Find us on the socials here:</p> <p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/</a></p> <p>Ami's handmade earrings can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo</a></p> <p>Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw</a></p> <p>Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw</a></p> <p>Musical Credits:</p> <p>Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman<br> 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton </p> dolly parton, country, country music, 1980s, 80s, songwriting, jane fonda, lily tomlin To help you along with your working week, we're going to start releasing mini-episodes on individual songs, and this time, we're celebrating the late and unimaginably great Dolly Parton by analyzing one of her most famous tracks, 9 to 5.

For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium, where you can join our Discord and get bonus episodes of this show, the Still Muppeting podcast, and Cartoon Therapy.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton

]]> To help you along with your working week, we're going to start releasing mini-episodes on individual songs, and this time, we're celebrating the late and unimaginably great Dolly Parton by analyzing one of her most famous tracks, 9 to 5.

For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium, where you can join our Discord and get bonus episodes of this show, the Still Muppeting podcast, and Cartoon Therapy.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton

]]> The Innocents (Erasure) https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/16 32ade628-9401-4384-9e6c-9077351d9b22 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0700 Doug Lief full Doug Lief We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance. 1:39:04 yes <p>We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance.</p> <p>Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Parallel Lines" by Blondie.</p> <p>Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/nostalgium" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/nostalgium</a></p> <p>Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (<a href="https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/</a>) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod</a>.</p> <p>Find us on the socials here:</p> <p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/</a></p> <p>Ami's handmade earrings can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo</a></p> <p>Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw</a></p> <p>Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw</a></p> <p>Musical Credits:</p> <p>Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman<br> All music by Erasure </p> synth, 1980s, 80s, new wave, vince clark, pop, pop music, music, songwriting, songwriters, erasure We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Parallel Lines" by Blondie.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Erasure

]]> We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Parallel Lines" by Blondie.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Erasure

]]> Flesh & Blood (Poison) https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/12 91ec3367-9c71-4064-b5b1-4ef7a01f2ba3 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0800 Doug Lief full Doug Lief By 1990 hair metal was on the precipice of irrelevance, soon to be swept aside by grunge. Nevertheless, the genre's last big year was filled with big riffs, big beats, and big hair as Poison ripped some incredible bops (unskinny or otherwise) that we had a blast reviewing. 1:49:08 yes <p>By 1990 hair metal was on the precipice of irrelevance, soon to be swept aside by grunge. Nevertheless, the genre's last big year was filled with big riffs, big beats, and big hair as Poison ripped some incredible bops (unskinny or otherwise) that we had a blast reviewing. </p> <p>Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Goths" by The Mountain Goats.</p> <p>Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/nostalgium" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/nostalgium</a></p> <p>Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (<a href="https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/</a>) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod</a>.</p> <p>Find us on the socials here:</p> <p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/</a></p> <p>Ami's handmade earrings can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo</a></p> <p>Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw</a></p> <p>Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw</a></p> <p>Musical Credits:</p> <p>Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman<br> All music by Poison </p> metal, hair metal, 1980s, 80s, 1990s, 90s, rock, rock music, rock and roll, music, songwriting, guitar, brett michaels, Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille By 1990 hair metal was on the precipice of irrelevance, soon to be swept aside by grunge. Nevertheless, the genre's last big year was filled with big riffs, big beats, and big hair as Poison ripped some incredible bops (unskinny or otherwise) that we had a blast reviewing.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Goths" by The Mountain Goats.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Poison

]]> By 1990 hair metal was on the precipice of irrelevance, soon to be swept aside by grunge. Nevertheless, the genre's last big year was filled with big riffs, big beats, and big hair as Poison ripped some incredible bops (unskinny or otherwise) that we had a blast reviewing.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Goths" by The Mountain Goats.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Poison

]]> Bad (Michael Jackson) https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/10 5d4185ba-54d1-4d07-87ea-f1186dfa1356 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0800 Doug Lief full Doug Lief By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history. 1:42:53 yes <p>By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history. </p> <p>Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Drive" by Bic Runga.</p> <p>Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/nostalgium" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/nostalgium</a></p> <p>Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (<a href="https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/</a>) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod" rel="nofollow noopener">www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod</a>.</p> <p>Find us on the socials here:</p> <p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/</a></p> <p>Ami's handmade earrings can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo</a></p> <p>Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw</a></p> <p>Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw</a></p> <p>Musical Credits:</p> <p>Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman<br> All music by The Beatles </p> music, pop, pop music, r&b, r and b, 1980s, 80s, michael jackson, songwriting, mtv By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Drive" by Bic Runga.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by The Beatles

]]> By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Drive" by Bic Runga.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by The Beatles

]]>