Some cover songs copy the original. Others completely reinvent it. And every once in a while, the cover becomes just as iconic—or even more iconic—than the song that came first.

On this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, I’m putting 10 originals head-to-head with the cover versions that gave them a serious run for their money.

We’re talking different generations, different artists, and completely different approaches to the same songs—from Tommy James & The Shondells vs. Billy Idol and Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. Shinedown, to The Arrows vs. Joan Jett, The Kinks vs. Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen vs. Rage Against the Machine, and Dolly Parton vs. Whitney Houston.

Some originals are nearly impossible to beat. Some covers took the song somewhere the original never did. And a few of these matchups are a lot harder to call than you might think.

The question stays the same throughout the countdown:

Original or cover—which one are you keeping?

Keep your own score as we go, then drop your picks in the comments.

And this is only Part 1. Tell me which song absolutely HAS to make the list for Part 2.

Same generation. Different perspectives. Let’s talk about it.

#AverageJoe #CoverSongs #OriginalVsCover #GenX #MusicDiscussion

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We lived through the ’80s—and we don’t remember anyone calling it “hair metal.” So when did the label take over, and did it unfairly reduce an entire era of rock to big hair, makeup and power ballads?

Welcome to The Vinyl Take, where the music is the same—but the takes definitely aren’t.

In this episode, we dig into the rise, explosion and eventual decline of the music that dominated arenas, MTV and bedroom walls throughout the ’80s and into the early ’90s.

We get into Mötley Crüe, Poison, Ratt, Cinderella, Warrant, Skid Row, Winger, Extreme, Guns N’ Roses, Tesla, Vixen, Stryper, Slaughter, FireHouse and plenty of bands that don’t always make the usual “hair metal” conversation.

But this isn’t just a list of bands.

We’re talking about what actually defined the era: the influence of glam and shock rock, the Sunset Strip, MTV and Headbangers Ball, larger-than-life music videos, the power ballad formula, guitar heroes, the PMRC, record labels flooding the market—and what really happened when grunge arrived.

And then there’s the bigger question:

Was “hair metal” ever really a genre at all… or was it a derogatory label applied after the fact to a much broader era of rock & roll?

Along the way, we get into the deep cuts, forgotten bands, albums we actually had to buy to hear the songs, David vs. Sammy, favorite music videos and why so much of this music has refused to disappear.

If you were there, we want your take.

What did YOU call this music in the ’80s?
And which band from this era deserves more respect than they get?

Drop it in the comments.

🎸 Same Music. Different Takes. This is The Vinyl Take.

#TheVinylTake #HairMetal #80sRock #GlamMetal #RockNRoll

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Some songs became hits. Others became unforgettable because a movie put them in exactly the right moment.

We’re heading back to the big screen for 10 more songs that movies helped turn into massive hits. These are the songs that became inseparable from the scenes, characters, and movies that introduced them to an entire generation.

But here’s the question: Would these songs have been nearly as big without the movies?

We’re counting them down from #10 to #1, sharing the stories behind the songs and movies, and deciding just how much Hollywood had to do with their success.

🎬 Which song deserves the #1 spot?
🎵 What song did we miss?
👇 Drop your picks in the comments.

Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It
Same generation. Different perspectives.

#GenX #80sMusic #MovieSoundtracks #80sMovies #AverageJoe

What happens when the voice everyone associates with a band is suddenly gone? Can you replace the lead singer and still be the same band?

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, we debate some of rock’s biggest frontman changes—from Van Halen and AC/DC to Journey, Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, and Skid Row—and give each one a verdict:

⚡ SUCCESS
🤘 SURVIVED
🚫 HANG IT UP

Sammy Hagar had to follow David Lee Roth. Brian Johnson stepped in after Bon Scott. Black Sabbath moved from Ozzy Osbourne to Ronnie James Dio. Journey eventually had to figure out life without Steve Perry. Some bands found an entirely new chapter. Others proved just how irreplaceable a singer can be.

Who pulled off the greatest lead-singer replacement in rock history—and which band should have just called it quits? Drop your picks in the comments.

#ClassicRock #RockMusic #GenX #AverageJoe #MusicDebate

Some of the biggest songs of the ’80s didn’t just have a music video—they had a MOVIE. 🎬🎶 But would these songs have become massive hits without the big screen putting them in front of millions of people?

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, I’m counting down my Top 10 Songs the Big Screen Made Huge. From Dirty Dancing and Top Gun to Flashdance, Footloose, The Karate Kid Part II, Pretty in Pink, and Rocky III, these movies helped turn songs like “Hungry Eyes,” “Take My Breath Away,” “Maniac,” “Footloose,” and “Eye of the Tiger” into songs Gen X still recognizes within seconds. Along the way, we’ll dig into the stories behind the songs, some surprising trivia, and the connection between movies and music that made this era unforgettable.

Did I get #1 right? And what song absolutely has to make Part Two? Drop the song and the movie in the comments.

#GenX #80sMusic #80sMovies #MovieSoundtracks #AverageJoe

Endometriosis is often dismissed as “just a painful period.” But what happens when the pain begins affecting nearly every part of your life—and getting answers becomes a battle of its own?

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, I sit down with my daughter for a personal conversation about living with endometriosis, the search for answers, treatment, and the realities people don't always see from the outside. We’re sharing her story not just to talk about what she’s been through, but to help bring more attention and understanding to a disease that affects millions of women. If you or someone you love is dealing with endometriosis, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

#Endometriosis #EndometriosisAwareness #WomensHealth #InvisibleIllness #AverageJoePodcastMusic licensed through

Soundstripe.

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You’ve seen these actors before—but you probably didn’t realize you were watching a future Hollywood superstar. Before the Oscars, blockbuster movies, and household names, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars were showing up in tiny TV roles, forgotten sitcoms, horror movies, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances throughout the ’80s.

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, we’re counting down 10 actors whose early careers might surprise you—from Brad Pitt and George Clooney to Jim Carrey, Johnny Depp, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, and Tom Hanks. We’ll revisit where they started, the roles that finally changed everything, and some trivia you may not know along the way. How many of them do you remember seeing before they became famous—and who did I miss? Drop yours in the comments.

Before social media, your profile wasn't online…

It was what you wore to school.

Your shoes.
Your jeans.
Your jacket.
Your watch.

Long before anyone knew your personality, your clothes told everyone exactly where you fit in.

In this episode of Average Joe: Let's Talk About It, we're taking a trip back to the fashion trends and iconic brands that defined Generation X. From Members Only jackets and Guess jeans to Swatch watches, Nike, Reebok Pumps, Vans, Starter jackets, Ocean Pacific, and Benetton, these weren't just clothes—they were badges of identity.

We'll revisit the different "tribes" that filled our school hallways:

👕 The Preps
🛹 The Skaters
🏄 The Surfers
🎸 The Rockers & Metalheads
🏀 The Athletes
🎤 The Hip-Hop Crowd
🤠 The Country Kids

Along the way, we'll share the stories, history, and fun facts behind the brands that everyone wanted—and why simply wearing the right logo could instantly tell people who you were.

Whether you saved all summer for a pair of Air Jordans, begged your parents for a Members Only jacket, lived in Levi's, or proudly wore Vans until they fell apart, this episode is guaranteed to bring back memories.

Because looking back, it wasn't really about the clothes...

It was about belonging.

👖 Guess, OP, Benetton, Members Only & Esprit
👟 Nike, Adidas, Reebok Pumps, Vans & Converse
⌚ Swatch watches and why everyone wanted more than one
🧥 Starter jackets, denim jackets & acid wash jeans
🛹 Skate culture vs. prep culture
🏄 Surf brands that exploded in the '80s
🎸 Rock, metal, hip-hop and country fashion
📚 Fun facts behind the biggest fashion trends of the decade
😂 The brands we begged our parents to buy

What was the one clothing brand you absolutely had to have?

Did you finally get it?

Or were you rocking the "close enough" version from Kmart or Sears?

Tell us your favorite brand—and the story behind it—in the comments. I read every one of them, and your memories are what make this community special.

👍 If this episode brought back a smile, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with another Gen Xer who remembers when your wardrobe said everything before you ever opened your mouth.

Because the memories may belong to the past...

...but the stories are still worth telling.