Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Hour 4: Strange Lyrics
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Overview
This episode dives into the problematic and peculiar lyrics of popular songs from the 1980s, with the hosts humorously reflecting on how societal standards have shifted—and exploring why so many hit tunes from that era wouldn’t fly today. They also briefly discuss football draft prospects, particularly Ty Simpson and Jeremiah Love, and touch on Mets and Giants news. The signature blend of sports, pop culture, and unfiltered commentary makes this a lively, memorable hour.

Main Discussion: Strange (and Creepily Problematic) Song Lyrics

1. Classic Rock and Power Ballad Lyrics Under the Microscope

• Background: The hosts open with playful banter about the infamous Benny Mardones song—“Into the Night”—and quickly spiral into broader commentary on how many hits from the past had questionable, even disturbing themes, especially around age and relationships.
• Key Songs Dissected:
  • Benny Mardones – “Into the Night”
    • Discussion: The song’s lyrics about a 16-year-old girl and its awkward music video prompt reflections on changing norms.
    • Quote (Don Hahn, 01:40):
      “If Benny Mardones is knocking on my door when Jalen's 16, he's not making it back to his car.”
  • Winger – “Seventeen”
    • Discussion: The hosts note the brazen lyrics and the mismatch between performer age and subject.
    • Quote (Don Hahn, 02:35):
      “Daddy said she's too young, but she's old enough for me ... Where are these daddies like going to Kip Winger and just beating on his face? Just taking the handsome out ...”
    • (Rosenberg, 02:47):
      “He was a good looking guy. Not anymore.”
  • Heart – “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You”
    • Discussion: The hosts highlight this “role reversal” song, equally odd from today’s perspective.
    • Quote (Don Hahn, 10:34):
      “Oh, yeah. Just picks up like a boy ... it's raining and she just decides, I'm gonna take him to a hotel, have my way.”

2. The Cultural Context: Why Was This Okay?

• The 1980s as 'Anything Goes' Decade
  • Quote (Rosenberg, 06:56):
    "It was the anything goes decade. And then we realized we probably need to have some parameters.”
  • Quote (Don Hahn, 07:01):
    "Yeah. And we're gonna ... have to answer to these at some point."
• Parody & Comedic Reflection
  • Pete Holmes' take on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” is referenced as an example of how present-day comedians re-examine and poke fun at these songs’ subtexts.
  • Quote (Don Hahn, 06:23):
    "He does a bit ... with Springsteen, the song I'm on Fire—'Oh, girl, is your daddy home? So you all alone?' Creepy."

3. Generational Divide and the Era’s Blind Spots

• Realization & Retrospection
  • Quote (Don Hahn, 08:08):
    “It just shows you in the 80s, like, was anybody paying attention?”
  • The hosts marvel at how lyrics that barely drew criticism at the time are now clear red flags.
• Listener anecdote (Rosenberg, 05:18):
  Recounts leaving a relationship after hearing Winger’s "Seventeen" on a potential girlfriend's answering machine.
  • Quote:
    “That was the song on her answering machine. I'm like, yeah, I'm good.”

4. Today’s Perspective on Past Songs

• Double Standards and the Shift in Norms
  • Continual questioning of why songwriters and record companies didn’t flag these topics.
  • Mock disbelief at how no one thought to push back on the appropriateness.
  • Conversation includes reading and reacting to lyrics on air for comic effect.

Sports Corner: NFL Draft – Ty Simpson and Jeremiah Love

(15:27–20:39)

1. Ty Simpson (QB) Prospects

• Phil Simms compares Ty Simpson to Bo Nix (Quarterback):
  • Talented but not elite—a realistic, if unremarkable, comparison.
  • Quote (Phil Simms, 15:48):
    "He has a really, really good NFL arm and he's very athletic. ... I came up with Bo Nix."
• Jets Implications
  • Not a glamorous pick, but could be a solid, functional starter.
  • Quote (Rosenberg, 16:56):
    "You got a capable starter ... But is he like your 10 years my quarterback situation? I don't know."

2. Giants: Jeremiah Love (RB) Potential Impact

• Phil Simms’ Endorsement:
  • Enthusiastically supports Jeremiah Love, highlighting his readiness and fit for modern NFL offenses.
  • Quote (Phil Simms, 18:08):
    "If the Giants take him, I won't even have one negative thing to say about it. ... I love it."
• Team Fit/Harbaugh’s Philosophy:
  • Discussion centers on how the Giants’ new offensive plans align with having a physical running back.
  • Quote (Rosenberg, 19:45):
    “John Harbaugh wants to play physical at the line of scrimmage style. And everything they're saying about Love is somebody that's going to step into the NFL and make an impact immediately.”

Baseball Quick Hits

(20:39–21:48)

• Mets Starting Lineup:
  • Lindor, Soto, Bichette, Polanco, Robert Jr., Vientos, Simeon, Alvarez, Taylor—Peterson starting.
  • Quick preview of coverage start times and upcoming Yankees recap.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On retro lyrics:
  • Don Hahn (01:40): “If Benny Mardonis is knocking on my door when Jalen's 16, he's not making it back to his car.”
  • Rosenberg (06:56): "It was the anything goes decade."
  • Caller/Guest (09:09): “Oh God. What happened?” (reacting to reading 80s lyrics live)
  • Don Hahn (10:50): “I'm surprised, really. I'm honestly surprised we made it. ... We fortunately did.”
• On shifting standards:
  • Don Hahn (07:01): “Yeah. And we're gonna ... have to answer to these at some point.”
  • Rosenberg (06:48): “The 80s was the end of olden times.”

Segment Timestamps (Key Discussion Points)

• 01:11–08:08 "Strange Lyrics" Main Segment: Deep-dive on creepy 80s rock lyrics, cultural context, and reactions.
• 15:27–20:39 NFL Draft Talk: Ty Simpson/Bow Nix and Jeremiah Love analysis for the Jets and Giants.
• 20:39–21:48 MLB Update: Mets starting lineup and upcoming game coverage.

Tone & Style

• Humorous, nostalgic, and refreshingly blunt.
• Hosts combine pop culture nostalgia with sports expertise and don’t shy away from poking fun at themselves, the industry, or the past.

Summary

This episode mixes wry reflections on the inappropriateness of past pop music with serious (yet relaxed) discussion of New York sports news. It’s a reminder of how much has changed in both culture and sports, and how much fun can be had with a knowing look backwards.