Welcome to eightone81, a podcast about the best music videos ever. Benjamin Light (aka James Taylor) and Marco Sparks explore the signature music videos from the launch of MTV to 9/11, looking back at an art form that no longer holds the sway it once did. We’ll talk about the artists, the music, the videos, the culture, and how things have changed since the heyday of the medium.

In the debut episode of eightone81, Benji and Marco return to (of course) the music video that started it all: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Why is this song so catchy? Why are the lyrics so melancholy? Why is Hans Zimmer even in this video, he wasn’t in the band?

We’re talking David Bowie and Trent Reznor on the pod this week with 1997’s “I’m Afraid of Americans.” A video that feels weirdly prescient about the future American malaise, and also features Bowie in a bizarre suit and Reznor in an unfortunate soul patch-y situation. Plus, the guys talk about their recent experience seeing Fastball, Gin Blossoms, and Collective Soul in concert.

This week on the pod, we travel all the way back to the end of 1981, when MTV was still new, to discuss The Human League’s pop hit “Don’t You Want Me.” An appropriately noir-ish video for a sinister song about a possessive ex. Same director as “Take On Me.” Impressive run, Steve Barron.

We’re staying in the 90s alt-rock scene this week to talk about “Everlong" by the Foo Fighters. What a strange, fun little trip into the dreamworld with Dave Grohl and company. The guys talk good lighting, giant hands, and why the Foo Fighters might be the best cover band of all time.

This week on the pod: we’re lying down on the pavement because the truth we just learned is too much to bear. “Just” will likely be the first of many Radiohead music videos we cover on the pod, but James wanted to do this one first because he loves the way it plays like a mini Twilight Zone episode.

We’re doing our first future legendary filmmaker on the pod today, with Aerosmith’s “Janie’s Got A Gun,” directed by David Fincher. We’re all in agreement that the mom shot him, right? But how did the body get down to the train tracks?

This week on the pod, we might actually be talking about the best music video ever. It’s a-ha’s “Take On Me.” An excellent song with an iconic music video and effects that still hold up today. There is nothing we don’t love about this jam.

This week on the pod: the first of likely many appearances by the Material Girl, with her bizarre late-80s video for “Like a Prayer.” She taught us all an important lesson about racial justice by dancing in front of a burning cross in Natalie Wood’s lingerie. If you’re born after 9/11, you’ll likely never guess which group boycotted this video.

Marco and JT are joined by special guest Kayla to talk about a group we would never cover on our own. That’s right, we’re doing two songs by *NSync: “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.” Give it a listen, we ruined our YouTube algorithms for this.

It’s the world’s most obvious Lewis Carroll reference, folks! JK, we’re doing the Alice in Wonderland-themed Mad Hatter party that is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”

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A song so catchy for a movie tie-in that it sort of makes us want to watch Mannequin. It’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship, featuring a guest appearance by Hollywood Montrose.

(We also have an extended talk about Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning at about 38:05 into the pod, lol. Spoiler Warning!)

Pre-order the new Trouble book now on Kindle! Out July 1st!

This week on the pod, another lip-syncing classic from the 80s: it’s Paul Simon with an assist from Chevy Chase for “You Can Call Me Al.”

Is this the best music video ever? “Freedom! ’90” is certainly a contender. The guys go deep on David Fincher’s supermodel masterpiece for the George Michael classic. This movie was very important to our adolescent development.

We’re really delving into the class struggle on this one with Pulp’s “Common People.” Plus, a diversion about the new Anya Taylor-Joy/Miles Teller streaming movie The Gorge. Spoiler alert: it stinks.

This week on the pod, is Paula Abdul fucking that cartoon cat? James and Marco are taking a look at the slick choreography in “Opposites Attract.” Also, we get sidetracked talking the new Captain America movie, which was… quite poor.

This week on the pod, James and Marco are getting down with some classic Whitney Houston and the hit song from her second album, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Remember when people used to dance unselfconsciously?

This week on the pod, Bono lets The Edge take the mic for one of U2’s most original and experimental songs. It’s “Numb,” your favorite music video featuring belly dancers and feet.

Heroin chic is back in fashion as the bros discuss the sleazy masterpiece that is “Criminal” by Fiona Apple.

The Navy knew what they were doing letting this video be shot of a battleship full of seamen. It’s Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and yes, you can see the tattoo on her ass cheek.

A music video so suggestive that MTV asked Laura Branigan to make some edits. We’re on an erotic journey with “Self Control.”

Every time it felt like this music video had peaked, it just kept taking it to the next level. A boys chorus where they all have glowing eyes! And then one of them starts flying! It’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler.

We’re taking the pod to a dark but ultimately reaffirming place this week, talking about the “Everybody Hurts” music video by R.E.M.

This week on the pod, we’re joined by special guest Morgan to discuss her music video pick: “Waterfalls” by TLC.

Double video pod! The guys are talking not one but two songs by the Boss off the Born in the U.S.A. album: “Dancing in the Dark,” and “I’m on Fire,” by Bruce Springsteen, with multiple interludes about Courtney Cox’s career, the Season 2 Severance finale, and other random side tracks.