Who's ready for more hits from 1989? Chuck "Mr. Mayor" Coverly joins Spearsy for Part 2 of our "Close But No Cigar" series for songs from 1989 that reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 but no further - and the songs that kept them out of the top spot. Music this week from Bobby Brown, Jody Watley, Madonna and a mystery singer. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2024 lineup has been announced. Join all your '80s friends on the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas on Feb. 29 to March 7 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: 38 Special, Air Supply, Soft Cell, Debbie Gibson, Sebastian Bach, Steve Pearcy of Ratt, Ray Parker Jr., Sheena Easton, Wang Chung, Midnight Star, Animotion, Real Life, Escape Club, When in Rome UK, Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg and more. Original MTV veejays Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman will be there to host. Stay tuned for a special promo code good for Stuck in the '80s listeners. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

660: Close But No Cigar 1989 Part 2

We're back on dry land and finally ready to talk about everything that happened on the 2023 voyage of The 80s Cruise. There was a lot of unexpected crying, a slew of unexpected rubber balls, drinks and tomfoolery. Yes, it was perfect. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2024 lineup has been announced. Join all your '80s friends on the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas on Feb. 29 to March 7 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: 38 Special, Air Supply, Soft Cell, Debbie Gibson, Sebastian Bach, Steve Pearcy of Ratt, Ray Parker Jr., Sheena Easton, Wang Chung, Midnight Star, Animotion, Real Life, Escape Club, When in Rome UK, Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg and more. Original MTV veejays Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman will be there to host. Stay tuned for a special promo code good for Stuck in the '80s listeners. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

659: Review and Wrapup of the 2023 Voyage of The 80s Cruise

Our "Close But No Cigar" series for the 1980s is almost over. Here are the first four songs from 1989 that reached No. 2 on the charts but no higher, including tunes by Tone Loc, Taylor Dayne and Sheena Easton. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Lou Gramm, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

658: Close But No Cigar Hits of 1989 - Part 1

Who says you can't re-gift a Valentine's Day present? Here's our 2015 episode honoring the best and worst romantic duets of the 1980s, along with guest co-host Carol Janssen. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Lou Gramm, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

657: Best and Worst Romantic Duets of the 1980s

Today marks the 30-day mark until we set sail on the 2023 voyage of The 80s Cruise. ECP production manager Joey Fairchild joins Steve and Brad to talk about theme nights and take questions from the passengers. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Lou Gramm, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

656: Bonus Podcast - 30 Days until The 80s Cruise Sails

Holly Knight is in the Songwriter Hall of Fame for good reason: Her tunes gave us the soundtrack of our youth. Now she has a new memoir about her life and career entitled - "I Am the Warrior: My Crazy Life Writing the Hits and Rocking the MTV Eighties." She joins us for this week's show. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Lou Gramm, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

655: Holly Knight and her new memoir 'I Am The Warrior'

If Val Kilmer is the greatest swordsman in the world but we're all pigs, we must be talking about "Willow" on this week's episode. We review the 1988 movie and the new streaming series on Disney+. Also, full seggies.  Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

654: Celebrating 'Willow' - the movie and Disney series

Author Chris Clews returns to the show to talk about his latest book: "Raised on the '80s: 30+ Unexpected Life Lessons from the Movies and Music That Defined Pop Culture's Most Excellent Decade." Plus, Steve cries. Brad teases. Stories are told. Legends are made.  Follow Chris online at these addresses: IG - @chrisclews80s Twitter - @80spopculture LinkedIn - Chris Clews Facebook - Chris Clews Special thanks to Karl Casey at White Bat Audio for the synth music we use in this week's episode. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

653: Author Chris Clews and 'Raised on the '80s'

Peter Billingsley returns with the sequel to "A Christmas Story" so cleverly named "A Christmas Story Christmas." It's streaming on HBOMax. Is it worth your time? We triple-dog dare you to listen to our review. Also full seggies. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

652: 'A Christmas Story Christmas' Review | '80s Sequels

Can you believe Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is 40 years old? Seems like just yesterday we were hypnotized by its genius - and we still are.  Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

651: Michael Jackson's Thriller Album Turns 40

So many different songs have the same name - even in the 1980s. Hence our series continues - "The Song (Title) Remains the Same." This week's installment includes songs by Toto, Bob Seger, Hall and Oates, Bonnie Tyler, Go West and Oingo Boingo. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. The MTV veejays will be there to host, including Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman and Downtown Julie Brown. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

650: The Song Title Remains the Same Part 3 | '80s Music

Those songs that hit No. 2 on the charts but no further - our "close but no cigar" favorites - are back this week with the year 1988 - Part 3. Yes, 1988 was an odd year. Just ask fans of Robert Palmer, Elton John, Pebbles and more. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

649: No. 2 Hits of 1988 Part 3 | Close But No Cigar

If you're a fan of horror movies in the '80s, don't miss our interview with "In Search of Darkness Part 3" writer/director David Weiner. We talk movie franchises, our favorite horror moments and get David's recommendation on the one can't-miss horror movie you probably never saw. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

648: 'In Search of Darkness Part 3' with writer/director David Weiner

If you're ready to plunge into what it was like to be a teen in small-town Florida in the '80s, you need to read Davida Breier's novel "Sinkhole." Davida joins the show this week. Also includes full seggies.  Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

647: Teen Life in '80s Florida with author Davida Breier

It's a Hurricane Ian special: We go back to 2014 and listen to our first episode on "Unlikely Cover Songs of the '80s," featuring a short interview with Naked Eyes frontman Pete Byrne.  Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

646: Unlikely Cover Songs in the '80s - the Original Episode

Get ready to put on your old-man glasses and slide-on shoes as we celebrate three albums turned 40 years old this month: Rush's "Signals," Simple Minds' "New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)" and Billy Joel's "Nylon Curtain." Special guest co-host Chuck Coverly joins the show. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

645: Great Albums Turning 40 - Rush, Simple Minds and Billy Joel

We remember Olivia Newton-John through her songs and movie roles. Cindy Gaber, co-writer of ONJ's memoir, joins the show to share her memories of working with Olivia. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens, Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

644: Olivia-Newton John Tribute

What songs, commercials and other pop culture touchstones trigger your nostalgia for the '80s? Brad and Steve reveal their darkest secrets on this episode. Also full seggies! Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

643: Nostalgia Triggers of the 1980s

Kodo, Podo and Dar take a bow on the 40th anniversary of "The Beastmaster," a sword and sorcery movie that was beloved on cable networks in the '80s. Where does it rank among the competition? We talk about that and more, including full seggies. Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

642: 'The Beastmaster' turns 40 | 80s sword and sorcery movies

Diane Franklin joins Stuck in the '80s host Steve Spears this week to talk about "The Last American Virgin" on its 40th anniversary. How well does her part of Karen hold up? We also chat about "Better Off Dead" and even the latest Bill & Ted movie. It's an epic conversation we've been waiting a lifetime for! Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit. Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

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