Episode #64: Joystick



Once again, my myopic tendency to dwell in the '60s and '70s half the damn time have forced another one of Star Time's "80s Atonement episodes" in which I play nothing but R&B songs from that forgotten decade. And, as usual, it turns out to be one of the more entertaining shows of recent vintage, with more than one or two sudden realizations. For example, I didn't know how funny Klymaxx's "Meeting in the Ladies' Room" was. I never knew the Staple Singers did a killer Talking Heads cover. And, most crucially, I had no idea how important it is to be curious about mass transit. But thanks to Oran 'Juice' Jones, I do now. And so do you.

ArtistSongYearLabel
Set 1
Diana RossUpside Down1980Motown
FatbackBackstrokin'1980Spring
The WhispersIt's a Love Thing1980Solar
ShockLet's Get Crackin'1981Fantasy
Evelyn KingLove Come Down1982RCA Victor
The Jones GirlsI Just Love the Man1980Philadelphia Int'l
Set 2
SunrizeWho's Stickin' It1982Boardwalk
The Pointer SistersAutomatic1983Planet
Dazz BandJoystick1983Motown
LakesideRaid1983Solar
Midnight StarFreak-A-Zoid1983Solar
The Gap BandJam the Motha'1983Total Experience
Set 3
KlymaxxMeeting in the Ladies Room1984Constellation
The Staple SingersSlippery People1984Private I
Sheila E.The Belle of St. Mark1984Warner Bros.
Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic ThreeRequest Line1984Reality
Trouble FunkStill Smokin'1985Island
CameoSingle Life1985Atlanta Artists
Set 4
R.J.'s Latest ArrivalRhythm Method1986Manhattan
Whistle(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin'1986Select
Oran 'Juice' JonesCuriosity1986Def Jam
Michael JacksonSmooth Criminal1987Epic
Sugar BabesWe Rock the Beat1987MCA
Janet JacksonWhen I Think of You1986A&M

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