Pop Could Never Save Us

In the first of a series of bonus episodes around pop music movies, Holly and James investigate the moral panic over the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle, and try and understand why Bill Haley had those theatre seats ripped.

Holly and James discuss revenge, cunnilingus and warmly welcome a once featured guest to Valhalla. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) Taste - Sabrina Carpenter 2) BACKBONE - Chase and Status and Stormzy 3) Die With A Smile - Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga 4) Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis 5) HOT TO GO! - Chappell Roan A full list of all songs featured in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/uqipcosa

In a chilled out bonus ep edited by James, he and Holly discuss the movie Kneecap (2024) featuring the republican Irish rap group Kneecap, and the coke-dusted evil of the Oasis reunion tour. They also try unsuccessfully not to get cancelled.

Holly and James talk about underwear. An odyssey through the changing in the role of gender and irony since the 2000s. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) Guess - Charli XCX feat. Billie Eilish 2) Good Luck, Babe! - Chappell Roan 3) Stargazing - Myles Smith 4) Austin - Dasha 5) Kisses - Bl3ss feat. bbyclose Bye Bye Bye - 'NSYNC 7) Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen A full list of the songs used in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/bq8f6y76

Tell a friend. Holly and James are back. Songs featured in the episode: Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey Houdini - Eminem BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar A full list of all songs featured on the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/r5f5es36

Holly sits down for a long chat with Monia Ali of the Fandom Exile Substack to discuss stan culture, online platforms, the industry's hand in shaping our current media landscape, and how Louis Tomlinson's career was kneecapped to ensure the success of Harry Styles. Monia's Fandom Exile newsletter can be found here: https://exiledfan.substack.com A list of all songs and video clips played in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/42ko2dru

Holly and James continue watching Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Holly geeks out over songwriting, while James endures it. And this episode ends with a good moral for the kids! A full list of songs played in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/s6fx6fhv

If you haven't heard enough people talking about Taylor Swift yet, have we got a show for you! Holly and James sit down at their moss-covered podcasting desks to talk about Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie and her surprising lack of chart megastardom until the pando. A full list of songs used in this episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/vz277mym

It's the final episode of Pop Could Never Save Us, and Holly and James finish off their time in 2018 by picking through the dust of the mumble rap debate and Eminem's kamikaze attack on the game. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) I Love It - Lil Pump & Kanye West 2) FEFE - 6ix9ine & Nicki Minaj 3) Lucky You - Joyner Lucas & Eminem 4) RAP DEVIL - Machine Gun Kelly 5) Killshot - Eminem A full list of all songs featured on the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/uyrqa The Pick of the Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=8fb096655979462c

It's 28th September 2018 and Holly and James settle in for the worst Top 5 of the entire show while musing about dubstep, the Millennial/Zoomer generational handover, and whether Kanye was always like he became. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) Promises - Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Jessie Reyez 2) Eastside - Benny Blanco, Halsey, Khalid 3) I Love It - Kanye West, Lil Pump 4) Happier - Marshmello, Bastile 5) Body - Loud Luxury, Brando A list of all songs featured in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/3dp5i

Holly and James are back in the present day for one last time to enjoy life in plastic! SONGS DISCUSSED: 5) Barbie World - Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj 4) vampire - Olivia Rodrigo 3) Dance The Night - Dua Lipa 2) What Was I Made For - Billie Eilish 1) SPRINTER - Dave & Central Cee A full list of all songs played in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/zie8d The Pick of the Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=7b5a3c8fd56e47c2

Holly and James finish off their time in 2003 to discuss Sugababes and Shadymania. SONGS DISCUSSED: 5) Sugababes - Hole In The Head 8) Obie Trice - Got Some Teeth 11) 50 Cent - P.I.M.P. A full list of all songs featured in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/6vh4f

PART 1 OF A TWO PARTER. Holly and James go back in time to 21st October 2003, preminisce about the stars who are still relevant, reminisce about 9/11, MTV Cribs, and childhood egg throwing antics, and attempt to find where the love is. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) Fatman Scoop - Be Faithful 2) Blue - Guilty 3) Kevin Lyttle - Turn Me On 4) Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love 5) XXXX XXXXX XXXXX [SEE PART 2!!] A full list of all songs played in the episode can be accessed here: https://rentry.co/i7zqt

While Holly and James were recording a real episode, Melle Mel put out a diss track to Eminem and James thought we should do an episode on their beef and careers. SONGS DISCUSSED: EZ Mil & Eminem - Realest Melle Mel - Response To Eminem's Latest Diss List of all songs featured in episode - Eminem - Kamikaze DJ Kay Slay Feat. Melle Mel, Raekwon, Cee-Lo Green & Grandmaster Caz - Hip Hop Frontline The Last Poets - On The Subway Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat. Melle Mel and Duke Bootee - The Message Run-DMC - My Adidas Grandmaster Melle Mel - Don't Shoot DJ Kay Slay Feat. Various Artists - Rolling 110 Deep Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz - Downtown DJ Shadow & De La Soul - Rocket Fuel Scroobius Pip feat. De La Soul - Thou Shalt Always Kill Method Man interview on Math Hoffa's podcast Eminem - Survival Eminem - These Demons Eminem feat. Joyner Lucas - Lucky You Eminem - The Conspiracy Freestyle Eminem - Right For Me Eminem - Venom Juice WRLD - ON GOD XXXTentacion - Jocelyn Flores J.I.D. feat. Lil Durk - Bruddenem Kid Bookie - Don't Get Drunk And Beef Freestyle Juice WRLD rapping along to Eminem - Role Model in his car Cyne - Steady Eminem - Kamikaze interview Metal Gear Solid 4 - After defeating Liquid Ocelot (boss) Melle Mel interview - The Art of Dialogue podcast 50 Cent - In Da Club Jay Z - The Story of O.J. Eminem - Yah Yah Eminem - Rap Olympics 1997 battles EZ Mil & Eminem - Realest Grandmaster Melle Mel - One More KRS-One tells the story of his rap battle against Melle Mel Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee Starski Rap Battle at the Harlem World, Manhattan, 1981 Melle Mel - Response To Eminem's Latest Diss Eminem - Elevator Melle Mel - M-3 Eminem's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech Eminem - Just Lose It The Game - The Black Slim Shady Eminem - Big Weenie Eminem - Stan Eminem - Bad Guy Eminem - The Real Slim Shady Eminem - Rap God SNL Live - Eminem vs Old School Rappers

Holly and James continue enjoying their time in 1994, chatting about Disney, gangsta rap, fading old rock stars, and the birth of nu-metal. SONGS DISCUSSED: 1) A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) - Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle 2) That's How I'm Livin' - Ice-T 3) Come Baby Come - K7 4) My House - Terrorvision 5) I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra & Bono 6) Bat Out Of Hell & I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf The PCNSU Pick Of The Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=c0221471ef8842cf A playlist of the 2nd-8th January 1994 chart is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33uwR8G9HCxvr2GEorefUt?si=63b43381afce4bb8 A full list of all songs appearing in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/fmgzc

Holly and James visit the first chart of 1994 to talk boy bands, novelty songs, Golden Age hip-hop and diva adult contemporary. DISCUSSED - 1) Twist & Shout - Chaka Demus & Pliers 2) Babe - Take That 3) Mr. Blobby - Mr. Blobby 4) It's Alright - East 17 5) The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll A full list of all songs played in the episode can be accessed here: https://rentry.co/sc2t8

Talking about the UK Charts from 19th May - 1st June 2023, Holly and James take a holiday in Europe and find no love. DISCUSSED: 1) Tattoo - Loreen 2) Cha Cha Cha - Kaarija 3) Queen of Kings - Alessandra 4) I Wrote A Song - Mae Muller 5) Giving Me - Jazzy 6) Say Yes To Heaven - Lana Del Rey 7) Baby Don't Hurt Me - David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray Visit the pick of the week playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK A full list of all songs featured in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/mofbr

Holly and James visit the UK Top 40 for 12th-18th May 2023 for a battle of the Sheeranoids plus a chart record and a novelty song. DISCUSSED: 1) David Kushner - Daylight 2) Lewis Capaldi - Wish You The Best 3) Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed 4) Switch Disco, Ella Henderson, Robert Miles - REACT 5) FIFTY FIFTY - Cupid 6) Mae Stephens - If We Ever Broke Up 7) The Krown Jewelz - Scrap The Monarchy Visit the pick of the week playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK A full list of all songs featured in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/3icxg

Holly and James take a radical trip back to the 1980s and learn about FM synthesis. TOP 5: The Power Of Love - Jennifer Rush Take On Me - a-ha Trapped - Colonel Abrams Nikita - Elton John Gambler - Madonna ALSO DISCUSSED: Theme to Miami Vice - Jan Hammer A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey Slave To The Rhythm - Grace Jones Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Cloudbusting - Kate Bush Road To Nowhere - Talking Heads Dancing In The Street - David Bowie Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits A full list of all songs in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/i6dp2

James and Holly discuss the last two weeks' UK Top 40, and Holly attempts not to have a breakdown. Miracle - Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding Mother - Meghan Trainor Tiesto - 10:35 People - Libianca Strandz - Us Against The World Taylor Swift - All Of The Girls You Loved Before Mimi Webb - Red Flags Coi Leray - Players A full list of all songs in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/86xin

Holly and James discuss the UK Official Top 40 from 20-26th May 1973 -- a year of glam, girls and Glitter. TOP 5: 1 - See My Baby Jive - Wizzard 2 - Hellraiser - Sweet 3 - And I Love You So - Perry Como 4 - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree - Dawn, Tony Orlando 5 - Can the Can - Suzi Quatro Full list of all songs played in the episode

Holly & James discuss the week's UK top 40, including Sure Thing by Miguel Boy's a liar Pt. 2 - PinkPantheress, Ice Spice Die For You - The Weeknd ceilings - lizzy mcalpine As It Was - Harry Styles.

Holly and James visit 1966, when London is swinging and pop music wins the World Cup. Spotify playlist TOP 5: Pretty Flamingo - Manfred Mann Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Dusty Springfield Sloop John B - The Beach Boys List of all songs included in episode

James and Holly discuss the highest entries which weren't in the Top 5 in the pilot episode, including the number 1 hits Pointless by Lewis Capaldi and Flowers by Miley Cyrus. Also charting: Let Go - Central Cee Miss You - Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz Creepin' - Metro Boomin/Weeknd/21 Savage Out of Nowhere - Bugzy Malone & Teedee

Holly and James go back in time, taking us to the world of 1959, when Buddy Holly is dead, and the new world struggles to be born. A Spotify playlist for the UK Top 30 27th Feb 1959 can be listened to here. Protect Black Art petition 500 Songs: The Platters Discussed: TOP 5: Shirley Bassey - As I Love You The Platters - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Lonnie Donnegan - Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour Elvis Presley - One Night/I Got Stung Shirley Bassey - Kiss Me Honey Honey OTHER FEATURED SONGS: Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential Little Richard - Baby Face Chris Barber's Jazz Band - Petite Fleur The Teddy Bears - To Know Him Is To Love Him The Everly Brothers - Problems Lloyd Price - Stagger Lee Buddy Holly - It Doesn't Matter Anymore Full list of all songs used in the episode in order of first appearance: Don McClean - American Pie Little Richard - Baby Face Paul Anka - All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings The Everly Brothers - Problems David Bowie - Queen Bitch Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting (stem) Paul Anka - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Showaddywaddy - Hey Rock And Roll The Temperance Seven - Charleston David Bowie - Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix) David Bowie - Absolute Beginners (Extended Mix) Shirley Bassey - As I Love You Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger The Platters - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Lonnie Donnegan - Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night Lonnie Donnegan - Cumberland Gap Lonnie Donnegan - My Old Man's A Dustman The Kinks - Afternoon Tea Blur - Parklife The Beatles - When I'm 64 (Rock Band version) Deporitaz - I Know Your Name Mick Jagger - Me & The Devil Blues (live) Joe Brown - Crazy Mixed Up Kid Sir Lawrence Olivier - "Now Is The Winter Of Our Discontent" Soliloquy Elvis Presley - One Night Elvis Presley - I Got Stung Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting (again) Elvis Presley - One Night Of Sin Destiny's Child - Survivor Beyoncé - BREAK MY SOUL BTS - 방탄소년단 (No More Dream) Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire Little Richard - Baby Face Little Richard - Long Tall Sally Billy Fury - Maybe Tomorrow Cliff Richard - Livin' Lovin' Doll Jerry Lee Lewis - What's Made Milwaukee Famous Little Richard - God Is Real Shirley Bassey - Kiss Me Honey Honey Chris Barber's Jazz Band - Petite Fleur The Teddy Bears - To Know Him Is To Love Him Amy Winehouse - To Know Him Is To Love Him The Beatles - To Know Her Is To Love Her Slim Dusty - A Pub With No Beer The Dubliners - A Pub With No Beer The Everly Brothers - Problems The Everly Brothers - Cryin' In The Rain Lloyd Price - Stagger Lee Buddy Holly - It Doesn't Matter Anymore The Beverley Sisters - The Little Drummer Boy Harry Simeon - The Little Drummer Boy Michael Flanders - The Little Drummer Boy David Bowie & Bing Crosby - The Little Drummer Boy

Holly and James discuss the UK Top 40. Top 5: RAYE - Escapism Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero Venbee, Goddard - Messy in Heaven SZA - Kill Bill Meghan Trainor - Made You Look Archival hits: David Guetta feat Bebe Rexha - I'm Good (Blue) Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary Eminem - Mockingbird Other songs we talk about: Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy Anne-Marie, Aitch - PSYCHO Stormzy - Hide And Seek Central Cee - LET GO Lil Uzi Vert - Just Wanna Rock Track list in order of appearance - Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (Remixed) RAYE - Escapism The Weeknd - High For This Rihanna - Hard Katy B - Katy On A Mission Young Thug - Rich Nigga Shit Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero Taylor Swift - Shake It Off Venbee, Goddard - Messy in Heaven Konflict - Messiah SZA - Kill Bill Frances Gall - J'etends cette musique Eminem - Kim Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin To Fuck With KiNK resamples drums with the E-Mu SP-1200 (video) Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass Meghan Trainor - Made You Look Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl Nicki Minaj - Anaconda Daft Punk feat. Pharrell - Get Lucky Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk Pharrell - Happy Paloma Faith - Only Love Can Hurt Like This Plan B - She Said Eminem - Berzerk Nicki Minaj - Anaconda David Guetta feat Bebe Rexha - I'm Good (Blue) Lady Gaga - Paparazzi Lady Gaga - Born This Way Lady Gaga - Judas Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (Wednesday dance scene) Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary (TikTok Remix) Eminem - My Mom Katy Perry feat Snoop Dogg - California Gurls Eminem - Medicine Ball Eminem - Evil Twin Lady Gaga - Bad Romance Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - I Get A Kick Out Of You Eminem - Big Weenie Eminem - Mockingbird Central Cee - LET GO Eminem - Mockingbird (TikTok Remix) Eminem - Without Me (stem) Dr. Dre feat. Eminem - Forgot About Dre Eminem - Gnat Eminem - My Name Is Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy Anne-Marie, Aitch - PSYCHO Ava Max - Sweet But Psycho Stormzy - Hide And Seek Passenger - Let Her Go Central Cee - LET GO Central Cee - Doja Lil Uzi Vert - Just Wanna Rock Quincy Jones - Ironside (excerpt)