Screw It, I'm Just Gonna Talk About Music Or Whatever

This is a pretty flimsy theme BUT all the songs are good so let's all just cool it. The theme is prepositions. Songs that have prepositions in the title. That's it. Anyway, they're good songs.   Songs discussed in this episode: Viagra Boys - Down In The Basement (2018) Klaus Johann Grobe - Between The Buttons (2014) Cannonball Adderly Quintet - Inside Straight (1973) Brewer & Shipley - One Toke Over The Line (1970) Rubblebucket - Came Out Of A Lady (2010) The Toms - Standing In The Shadows (1979) The Slits - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (1979) Snoh Aalegra - Under The Influence (2016) Vashti Bunyan - I'd Like To Walk Around In Your Mind (1970) Paul McCartney - Coming Up (1980) Slow Children - Staring At The Ceiling (1981) Shamir - On The Regular (2015)

We're all gonna die someday! Also it's almost spring, and that's nice.   Songs discussed in this episode: Arthur Lee - Everybody's Gotta Live (1972) Sufjan Stevens - Fourth of July (2015) William Onyeabor - Try And Try (1979) Yard Act - 100% Endurance (2022) Tol-Puddle Martyrs - Time Will Come (1967) Viagra Boys - Worms (2018) Paul Williams - The Hell Of It (1974) Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998) La Luz - Sure As Spring (2013) Slow Children - Spring In Fialta (1981) Max Richter - Spring 1 (2012) (2014) Operating Theater - Spring Is Coming With a Strawberry In The Mouth (1986)

This is the 50th episode of this podcast! I'm joined by friend Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats, Bonny Light Horseman) to talk about handclaps. We talk about handclaps in the songwriting and recording process, play some of our favorite songs featuring handclaps, and also have a bunch of digressions about other stuff.   Songs played in this episode (maybe not exactly in this order): The Shins - Kissing the Lipless (2003) Led Zeppelin - Bron-Y-Aur Stomp (1970) Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody (2003) The Routers - Let's Go - Pony (1962) Rose Royce - Car Wash (1976) Boston - Foreplay / Long Time (1976) Erasmo Carlos - Mundo Deserto (1971) The Cure - Close to Me (1985) The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - Eighteen Is over the Hill (1968) Air - La femme d'argent (1998) Alice Coltrane - Govinda Jai Jai (1977) The Meters - Hand Clapping Song (1970)    

This episode features all songs whose titles are questions, even though some aren't punctuated as such. There are many songs that would qualify for this theme that aren't included, but I tried to gather a bunch that are all pretty different from one another.   Songs discussed in this episode: Them Two - Am I A Good Man (1967) Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Who Do You Think You're Fooling (1967) Art Fact - Whom Are You Dancing For? (1989) Todd Rundgren - Does Anybody Love You? (1972) Fatlip - What's Up Fatlip? (2000) Duffy Power - Where Am I (1964) Bjork - Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right) (2004) Paul Clayton - Who's Gonna Buy You Ribbons (1960) Soft Machine - Why Are We Sleeping? (1968) Kim Deal - Are You Mine? (2024) Sparks - When Do I Get To Sing "My Way" (1994) T. Rex - Is It Love? (1971) Bright Eyes - You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will. (2002) The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love? (2011)

Songs in this episode feature two-part harmony for most of the song! Also, they're all good. Hopefully it isn't new information that the songs on this podcast are good.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Beatles - There's A Place (1963) Ween - What Deaner Was Talking About (1994) The B-52's - Topaz (1989) Peter & Gordon - A World Without Love (1965) Unknown Mortal Orchestra - From The Sun (2013) Chad & Jeremy - A Summer Song (1965) The Breeders - Divine Hammer (1993) Doves - M62 Song (2002) The Statler Brothers - Flowers On The Wall (1966) Rihanna - Never Ending (2016) Iron & Wine - Jezebel (2005) Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes (2009)

Here are pairs of songs that share some feature (melody, chord progression, instrumentation, etc) and therefore remind me of each other. I hope that when you hear them you also go "hey!" or maybe just "oh yeah, okay", that works too.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Tonettes - I Gotta Know (1965) Yumi Arai - Ruju no Dengon (ルージュの伝言) (1975) Elliott Smith - Sweet Adeline (1998) Ty Segall - My Room (2024) Tears for Fears - Mad World (1982) R.E.M. - Shiny Happy People (1991) The Kinks - Wicked Annabella (1968) Elliott Smith - Speed Trials (1997) Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney - Monkberry Moon Delight (1971) Brian Protheroe - Fly Now (1974) The Smashing Pumpkins - Disarm (1993) Duncan Dhu - En Algun Lugar (1987) Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em (2010) Charli xcx - Sympathy Is A Knife (2024)

All songs in this episode feature use of chromatic scales. Have you thought about doing a bunch of half steps lately? Something to consider!   Songs discussed in this episode: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman - The Phantom of the Opera (1987) Fever Ray - Even It Out (2023) Fat White Family - Touch The Leather Redux (2014) Nina Simone - Tomorrow Is My Turn (1965) Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney - Too Many People (1971) Bobby Hebb - Sunny (1966) The Beatles - Hey Bulldog (1969) The Chills - The Great Escape (1989) Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed (1970) Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (1966) The Mothers Of Invention - Anyway The Wind Blows (1966) Anna Meredith - Nautilus (2016) Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules Theme (2008)

Here's a selection of songs featuring "If" in the title. We're getting conditional, baby (if you're into that).   Songs discussed in this episode: Blonde Redhead - If (2023) Cat Stevens/Yusuf - If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (1970) Guided By Voices - If We Wait (1996) Fever Ray - If I Had A Heart (2009) Bright Eyes - If Winter Ends (1998) Nolan Porter - If I Could Only Be Sure (1972) The Beatles - If I Fell (1964) Paul McCartney - If You Wanna (1997) George Harrison - If Not For You (1970) Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew (1996) Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind (1970) Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass - If You Don't Know Me By Now (1972) The Creation - If I Stay Too Long (1967)   Plus a few snippets of "Space Is Only Noise If You Can See" by Nicolas Jaar and "Freak, Go Home" by DARKSIDE.

Today's playlist contains all songs with finger-picked guitar parts! Or at least I'm pretty sure that's right, I don't play guitar. The songs are all good though.   Songs discussed in this episode: Elizabeth Cotten - Freigh Train (1957) Elliott Smith - Pretty Mary K (Other Version) (2007) Dando Shaft - Coming Home To Me (1971) Nick Drake - Which Will (1972) Lightnin' Hopkins - Shaggy Dog/Dad (1967?) Aldous Harding - The Barrel (2019) Labi Siffre - Cannock Chase (1972) Leo Kottke - Watermelon (1974) Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again (1977) Dolly Parton - Jolene (1974) Nico - These Days (1967) Jacco Gardner - Brightly (2015)

Today's playlist features songs whose titles are people names (names only, not names in a phrase).   Songs discussed in this episode: Basement Jaxx - Romeo (2001) Pixies - Allison (1990) Jennie Lawless - Annie (2021) Ween - Gabrielle (2005) Paul Simon - Duncan (1972) Jack Ladder - Susan (2018) Weezer - Susanne (1994) Perfume Genius - Jason (2020) Boney M - Rasputin (1978) The Replacements - Alex Chilton (1987) Prefab Sprout - Faron Young (1985) David Bowie - Andy Warhol (1971) Gillian Welch - Caleb Meyer (1998) Paul McCartney - Jenny Wren (2005) Robert Palmer - Johnny And Mary (1980)  

My friend Joel Spence is here to talk about The B-52's 1983 album "Whammy"! We also talk a lot about The B-52's in general and I manage to also sneak in "Janitor" by Suburban Lawns.

Today's playlist is all songs featuring both male and female singers. Sometimes harmonizing, sometimes in unison, sometimes call and response, sometimes doing background for each other. Fun! Songs discussed in this episode: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (1968) The Jesus and Mary Chain - Sometimes Always (1994) Dirty Projectors - Useful Chamber (2009) Emillia Contessa - Terbuka (1980) Suburban Lawns - Anything (1981) The Rosebuds - Shake Our Tree (2005) John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John - You're The One That I Want (1978) Pixies - I Bleed (1989) Kevin Ayers - The Oyster and the Flying Fish (1970) Ohtis, Stef Chura - Schatze (2021) The Fall - In These Times (1988) Shintaro Sakamoto - One Day (2022) X - Make The Music Go Bang (1983) Cults - Abducted (2011)

Today's playlist contains songs with numbers 1-10 in the titles! Kind of a flimsy theme but they're all good songs so I guess deal with it.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Lemon Twigs - The One (2020) Frank Black - Two Spaces (1993) Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney - 3 Legs (1971) Masumi Hara - 4 X A Dream (1984) David Bowie - Five Years (1972) The Cure - Six Different Ways (1985) Nancy - 7ft Tall Post-Suicidal Feel Good Blues (2021) Hüsker Dü - Eight Miles High (1990) Kitty Craft, Bonnie Koloc - Devil's Nine Questions (2020) XTC - Ten Feet Tall (1979)  

Today my friend Mel Cowan joins me to talk about a sampling of our favorite album openers! We didn't have time to play and talk about every possible entry in this list, but we mention a ton that weren't discussed and you should check out.   Songs discussed in this episode: The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers (2014) Orange Juice - Rip It Up (1982) Beastie Boys - Sure Shot (1994) Portishead - Mysterons (1994) The Pogues - The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn (1985) Radiohead - Everything In Its Right Place (2000) Courtney Barnett - Elevator Operator (2015) Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move (1971) Marnie Stern - Vibrational Match (2007) The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored (1989)

Today we're talking about time signatures - what are they, and why are songs with non-traditional time signatures so cool sounding? This is not super math heavy or expert-level analysis, but in it I share some of my favorite songs with weird time signatures and/or meter changes.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There (1963) (snippet only) OCS - Memory Of A Cut Off Head (2017) The Beatles - We Can Work It Out (1965) The Mad Capsule Markets - 公園へあと少し (1994) Wipers - Taking Too Long (1981) Ben LaMar Gray, Finom - Sometimes I Forget How Summer Looks On You (2021) Robert Palmer - Woke Up Laughing (1980) Genesis - It's Gonna Get Better (1983) Rihanna - Desperado (2016) Basement Jaxx - Distractionz (2009) The Stranglers - Golden Brown (1981) Pentangle - Light Flight (1969) Animal Collective - What Would I Want? Sky (2009) Ty Segall - To You (2024) The Chills - Don't Even Know Her Name (1989) Kassa Overall, J. Hoard, Angela Davis - Show Me A Prison (2020)  

This week we're exploring one facet of how stupid the written system of English is by featuring songs that feature words containing various pronunciations (all 6!) of "ough".    Discussed in this episode: Fleetwood Mac - Although The Sun Is Shining (1969) Stephen Stills - Thoroughfare Gap (1978) The Beatles - I'm Looking Through You (1965) The Creation - Through My Eyes (1967) Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - It's Not Enough (1977) Beastie Boys - Tough Guy (1994) Misfits - Cough/Cool (1977) Butthole Surfers - Cough Syrup (1996) X - I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts (1983) Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (1995) Beyonce - Love Drought (2016)

Today's theme is doing something more than once, so all titles reference that concept. Musically repetitive songs will be a theme for another time!   Discussed in this episode: Grizzly Bear - Yet Again (2012) Ty Segall - Repetition (2024) Robert Palmer - Not A Second Time (1980) Roger Fakhr - Gone Away Again (197?, released 2021) Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again (2012) Daft Punk - One More Time/Aerodynamic (2007) Badly Drawn Boy - Say It Again (1999) The Durutti Column - Requiem Again (1989) Fiery Furnaces - Benton Harbor Blues (Again) (2006) Hot Chip - Over And Over (2012)

Today's theme is geography, so these are all songs with geographical names in the titles. And - get this - the songs are all good.   Discussed in this episode: Sufjan Stevens - Flint (For The Unemployed and Underpaid) (2003) Parquet Courts - Berlin Got Blurry (2016) Foxygen - San Francisco (2013) Brazilian Girls - St. Petersburg (2008) Ric Wilson, Terrace Martin, BJ the Chicago Kid - Chicago Bae (2020) Bob Marley, The Wailers - Zimbabwe (1979) Fugazi - Turkish Disco (1999) Stereolab - French Disko (1995) Amanaz - Africa (1975) The Psychadelic Furs - Sister Europe (1980) Wilco - Impossible Germany (2007) Sufjan Stevens, Angelo de Augustine - Fictional California (2021) Frank Black - (I Want to Live on an) Abstract Plain (1994)  

Here are a bunch of songs that would have been from my childhood if I had been born 40 years earlier. I say in the episode that the songs are in chronological order and now that I'm typing it out I see that that's only mostly true, please forgive me.   Songs discussed in this episode: Odetta - Santy Anno (1956) Buddy Holly, The Crickets - It Doesn't Matter Anymore (1956) The Del-Vikings - Come Go With Me (1957) The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love (1958) The Fleetwoods - Come Softly To Me (1959) Little Willie John - I'm Shakin' (1958) Chuck Jackson - I Keep Forgetting (1959) The Coasters - Poison Ivy (1959) Martin Denny - The Enchanted Sea (1959) The Melody Mates - Enchantment (1960) Brenda Lee - Wee Wee Willies (1960) Wanda Jackson - Funnel Of Love (1961) Patsy Cline - She's Got You (1962) Horst Jankowski - A Walk In The Black Forest (1964)

Today I'm joined by Will Hines (Screw It We're Just Gonna Talk About the Beatles, Comedy Bang Bang) to talk about the 2007 Of Montreal album "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?"! Other Of Montreal songs played during the episode are "So Begins Our Alabee" (2005) and "Lysergic Bliss" (2004).

Here is a large handful of great songs that are not in English!    Songs discussed in this episode: Özdemir Erdoğan - Gurbet (1989) Marina Herlop - La Alhambra (2023) Volta Jazz - Bi Kameleou (1977) Emillia Contessa - Malam Minggu (1982) Cafe Tacvba - La Bas(e) (2024) Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle - Intaha Ho Gai Intezar Ki (1984) Françoiz Breut - Si tu disais (2000) Yat-Kha - Karangailyg Kara Hovaa (Dyngyldai) (1995) Fabrizo De Andre - Un ottico (1971) bob hund - Helgen v. 48 (1998) La Femme - Si un jour (2013) The Lijadu Sisters - Come On Home (1979) Kim Jung Mi - Blow Spring Breeze (1973) Gilberto Santa Rosa - Vivir Sin Ti (2010) Kourosh Yaghmaei - Ashiooneh (1973-79)  

I'm back! We're back! We all made this happen! Kicking off season two with a return to the theme of movin' and groovin'.   Songs discussed in this episode: Jorge Ben Jor - Africa Brasil (Zumbi) (1976) Yellow Magic Orchestra - 手掛かり (Key) (1981) Jean-Claude Vannier - La horse (1969) Incredible Bongo Band - Apache (1973) Shigeru Suzuki - パッション・フラワー (Passion Flower) (1978) Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - How Do I Let A Good Man Down? (2005) Cerro Verde - I Lost A Game (1977) Baby Huey - Hard Times (1971) Letta Mbulu - Mahlalela (1970) Funkadelic - You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks (1971) Blackrock - Blackrock "Yeah, Yeah" (1972) Yard Act - Dream Job (2024) Happy Mondays, Paul Oakenfold - W.F.L. - Think About The Future Mix (1993)

This episode is about pairs of songs that have the same title but are totally different (i.e. not covers or alternate versions of the same song). There are more examples than could be included in one episode, so maybe a part 2 is in the future! Speaking of the future - this is the last episode of season 1! I'll return with more after a 6-ish week hiatus.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Beatles - Come Together (1969) Spiritualized - Come Together (1997) Betty Chung - Bang Bang / 你怎能瞞過我 (1968) Dizzy Gillespie - Bang Bang (1966) Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning (1967) Margo Guryan - Sunday Morning (1968) R. Stevie Moore - Why Should I Love You (1986) Kate Bush - Why Should I Love You? (1993) Prince - Bambi (1979) Tokyo Police Club - Bambi (2010) Jacco Gardner - Face to Face (2015) Daft Punk - Face to Face (2001)

These are all songs that have opposite pairs in the titles (with the exception of one that has "opposite" in the title and that's good enough for me). I think I also misspoke and said that the Elliott Smith album was called "From A Basement On A Hill" rather than "From A Basement On THE Hill", so my apologies to all you definite article-heads out there.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Smile - The Opposite (2022) The Beatles - Hello, Goodbye (1967) Guided by Voices - As We Go Up, We Go Down (1995) Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before) (2004) Hot Chip - Night And Day (2012) Penny & the Quarters - You and Me (1970-1975, released 2007) D'Angelo, Redman, Method Man - Left And Right (2000) New Radicals - You Get What You Give (1998) Broadcast - Come On Let's Go (2000) Lazy Lester - I'm A Lover Not A Fighter (1958) Blondie - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game (1982) Fiery Furnaces - Tropical Ice-land (2005)

Songs featuring keyboard/mallet percussion! We're celebrating the struck idiophones today - vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, marimba, tubular bells, and more!   Songs discussed in this episode: Bobby Hebb - Sunny (1966) Harumi - Hurry Up Now (1968) Spoon - Everything Hits At Once (2001) Bright Eyes - Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh (2000) Fiona Apple - Sleep To Dream (1996) Field Music - Let's Write A Book (2010) Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone (1983) Cornelius - Magoo Opening (1998) Cults - Walk At Night (2011) David Byrne - Glass, Concrete, & Stone (2004) Glasser - Home (2010) Deerhunter - What Happens To People? (2019) Erasmo Carlos - Agora Ninguem Chora Mais (1971) Trio da Kali, Kronos Quartet - Kanimba (2017) Philip Glass, Third Coast Percussion - Aguas de Amazonia: Madeira River (2018)  

Numbers - ever heard of 'em? All the songs in today's episode feature counting! Not count-ins, count-ins don't count as counting.   Songs discussed in this episode: Len Barry - 1,2,3 (1965) Feist - 1234 (2007) The Beatles - All Together Now (1969) Beyonce - Countdown (2011) Adam Ant - Apollo 9 (1985) Kendrick Lamar - DNA (2017) Philip Glass - Einstein On The Beach: Knee Play 1 (1976) The Smile - Wall Of Eyes (2024) Cornelius - Count Five Or Six (1998) Queen - Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy (1976) Violent Femmes - Kiss Off (1983) Pixies - Monkey Gone To Heaven (1989) X - True Love Pt. #2 (1983) The Beatles - Kansas City / Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey (1964) Ty Segall - The Bell (2024)

Songs about friends! There are certainly other songs about friends, some very famous, that I didn't include, but that's fine because these are all really good. So be my friend about it why don't you!   Songs discussed in this episode: Adam Ant - Friend or Foe (1982) Ween - Friends (2007) Amanaz - Khala My Friend (1975) John Cale - Fear Is A Man's Best Friend (1974) Tubeway Army - Are 'Friends' Electric? (1979) Bobby Vee, The Crickets - Girl Of My Best Friend (1962) Grateful Dead - Friend Of The Devil (1970) Paul McCartney - Friends To Go (2005) Ty Segall - My Best Friend (2024) The Smile - Friend Of A Friend (2024)

All the songs in this episode mention multiple different body parts, sometimes in list format and sometimes not.   Songs discussed in this episode: Dirty Projectors - Two Doves (2009) Nina Simone - Ain't Got No / I Got Life (1968) Nina Simone - Ain't Got No - I Got Life (1968) Townes Van Zandt - Two Hands (1971) Neutral Milk Hotel - Two-Headed Boy (1998) They Might Be Giants - Dinner Bell (1992) Yusuf (Cat Stevens) - Moonshadow (1971) Fever Ray - New Utensils (2023) Ween - Mutilated Lips (1997) Joni Mitchell - Coyote (1976) Arthur Russell - Your Motion Says (2008/80s?)

Here are some of my favorite songs featuring the strings section of the orchestra.    Songs discussed in this episode: Maurice Ravel / Ysaye Quartet - String Quartet in F Major M35:2 (1903/1991) The United States of America - Stranded In Time (1968) Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (1969) Radiohead - Faust Arp (2007) Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine (1971) Bjork - Unison (2001) Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman (1977) Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Some Velvet Morning (1967) Dirty Projectors - Search For Life (2020) Dungen - Du e för fin för mig (2004) John Cale - Paris 1919 (1973) Sisqo - Thong Song (1999)

It's raining in LA, so here are some songs all about rain!   Songs discussed in this episode: Violent Femmes - I Hear The Rain (1984) B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (1969) Gene Kelly - Singin' In The Rain (1952) Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974) Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains (1995) The Fortunes - Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again (1971) Ryuichi Sakamoto - Rain (1987) Dando Shaft - Rain (1969) The Electric Peanut Butter Company - The Rain (2013) The Cascades - Rhythm of the Rain (1963) CAN - She Brings The Rain (1970) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (1970) Blind Melon - No Rain (1992) Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now (1972)

Sorry to all you South Carolina-heads out there, but this episode is about indie songs that work well for practicing footwork for the Charleston. That's how these are connected in my head, but I'm open to other interpretations of why they go together. Songs discussed in this episode: Air - Surfing On A Rocket (2004) Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (2001) Neutral Milk Hotel - Naomi (1996) Yo La Tengo - You Can Have It All (2000) Radiohead - Just (1995) A Tribe Called Quest - Buggin' Out (1991) Fruit Bats - Humbug Mountain Song (2016) Courtney Barnett - An Illustration Of Loneliness (Sleepless In New York) (2015) Pavement - Harness Your Hopes (1997) Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Can't Keep Checking My Phone (2015)

All the songs on today's episode are 2 minutes or less! That's it! I tried to get a wide variety of songs for this one. As with every episode, I love all of these songs and I hope you do too.   Songs discussed in this episode: Frank Black - Whatever Happened to Pong? (1994) The Nerves - When You Find Out (1976) Kokomo - Asia Minor (1961) Misfits - Hybrid Moments (1978) Melody's Echo Chamber - Unfold (2022) Triathalon - Get Back (2014) Ween - I'll Be Your Jonny On The Spot (1997) Iggy Pop, James Williamson - Night Theme (1975) The Olivia Tremor Control - I Can Smell The Leaves (1996) Guided By Voices - Game of Pricks (1995) J Lloyd - Apocalypse (2020) Lou Reed - Your Love (1962) T. Rex - Diamond Meadows (1971) Fugazi - I'm So Tired (1999)

My brother Sam is here to talk about the 1990 Depeche Mode album "Violator" with me! I talked about that I should listen to this album on the previous episode, and then I did and I freaked out all week. Sam and I go through the album, which somehow includes me playing songs by two artists who are in no way related to Depeche Mode. Also at one point I say something about "when we were a kid" - were Sam and I conjoined or is this something I should take to therapy? You decide!

Synth-based songs that sound sinister! Incorporating sounds of various genres including darkwave, synthwave, industrial, and probably others, but I genuinely don't understand how to categorize these things. The songs are all good, I'll say that.   Songs discussed in this episode: The Faint - Your Retro Career Melted (2001) Nine Inch Nails - Closer (1994) Kavinsky - Nightcall (2010) Panda Bear - Mr. Noah (2015) Radiohead - All I Need (2007) The KVB - Always Then (2012) Chairlift - Sidewalk Safari (2012) Susanne Sundfor - Accelerate (2015) MGMT - Little Dark Age (2018) Fever Ray - Even It Out (2023) Kylie Minogue - Padam Padam (2023) Art Fact - Rain In The South (1989) Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence

This episode features all songs that have flutes in the intro! Various types of flutes, as we'll get into. As it turns out lots of different types of songs can be kicked off with a flute.   Songs featured in this episode: Alessi Brothers - Seabird (1976) The Unicorns - Sea Ghost (2003) Bonga - Kualuka Kueto (1983) Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (1986) Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man (1973) Francis Bebey - Coffee Cola Song (1982) ABBA - Fernando (1976) Nick Garrie - Can I Stay With You (1969) The 5th Dimension - Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In (1969)

Today's episode is about songs with previously established parts that overlap later in the song (distinct from simultaneous quodlibet, I think).   Songs discussed in this episode: The Beatles - I've Got A Feeling (1970) Beck - Nicotine & Gravy (1999) Glasser - Apply (2010) Hamid Al Shaeri - Ayonha (1983-88) Saada Bonaire - You Could Be More As You Are (1984) Marika Hackman - So Long (2017) Yeasayer - O.N.E. (2010) Susanne Sundfor - Delirious (2015) Arctic Monkeys - Fluourescent Adolescent (2007) Linkin Park - Crawling (2000) Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) Fiona Apple - Under The Table (2020) Cast of "Encanto" - We Don't Talk About Bruno (2021)

Brett Morris (CBB World, Screw It We're Just Gonna Talk About The Beatles, a million other podcasts) joins me to talk about Ween's 2003 album "Quebec"! We go pretty long here, including a lengthy tangent about Radiohead.   Other Ween songs I recommended to Brett after recording: I'm In The Mood To Move, Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down), Roses Are Free, Voodoo Lady, What Deaner Was Talking About, Piss up a Rope, The Mollusk, I'll Be Your Jonny on the Spot, Waving My Dick in the Wind, Ocean Man, Exactly Where I'm At, Bananas and Blow, Gabrielle, Learnin' To Love, Your Party, Woman And Man. These were just intended as a broad sampling, obviously there are lots of other great Ween songs!

This episode is short, but ALL THREE SONGS ARE GREAT. These are three of my favorites, I'm talking about them today because it's upsetting me that I haven't yet. I want everybody to listen to these songs.   Songs Discussed In This Episode: The Left Banke - Pretty Ballerina (1967) Bridget St. John - The Pebble And The Man (1971) "Blue" Gene Tyranny - Next Time Might Be Your Time (1977)

It's holiday time, which for many people means family! Or some version thereof!   Songs discussed in this episode: Boney M - Daddy Cool (1976) Danzig - Mother (1988) Animal Collective - Brother Sport (2009) John & Beverley Martyn - Auntie Aviator (1970) Spirit - Uncle Jack (1968) Vampire Weekend - Cousins (2010) Bill Withers - Grandma's Hands (1971) John Prine - Grandpa Was A Carpenter (1973) K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life (1997) Ween - Friends (2007)

Today's songs all have titles in the imperative mood, including both affirmative (what to do) and negative (what to don't).   Songs discussed in this episode: Norma Tanega - Treat Me Right (1966) Perpetual Langley - Surrender (1966) Tom Waits - Hoist That Rag (2004) Madness - Shut Up (1981) Phyllis Dillon - Make Me Yours (1967) Junior Senior - Move Your Feet (2002) They Might Be Giants - Don't Let's Start (1986) The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1965) The Apostles - Don't Huzzle For Love (1977) Snoh Aalegra - Don't Explain (2016) Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger (1995) Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (1977)

Today I'm sharing some songs from Japan that I like!   Songs discussed in this episode: Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki (1963) Mariah - Shinzo No Tobira (1983) The Mad Capsule Markets - 公園へあと少し (1994) Susumu Hirasawa - Mediational Field (2007) Haruomi Hosono - Bara To Yaju (1973) Yukiko Okada - Hana No Image (1986/1999) Akiko Wada - どしゃぶりの雨の中で (1969) Masumi Hara - My Golden Hour (1984) Shintaro Sakamoto - In A Phantom Mood (2011) Yura Yura Teikoku - 空洞です (2007) Asa-Chang & Junray, Jun Ray - Hana (2001)

Our first episode with a theme based on lyrical content! This week all the songs are about money, either having it or not having it.   Songs discussed in this episode: Pink Floyd - Money (1973) Jane Kennaway - IOU (1980) Gary U.S. Bonds - Out Of Work (1982) Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. (1993) Radiohead - Dollars and Cents (2001) Fat White Family - Tastes Good With The Money (2019) Destiny's Child - Bills Bills Bills (1999) The Beatles - You Never Give Me Your Money (1969) Adam Ant - Made of Money (1982) Pharrell Williams, 21 Savage, Tyler the Creator - Cash In Cash Out (2022)

This episode is about things that go bump in the night, by which I mean creepy stuff, NOT cocaine. This episode isn't about cocaine. I share songs I like dealing with monsters, aliens, skeletons, ghosts, and general spookiness.   Songs discussed in this episode: Joan Baez - The Magic Wood (1968) Dave Kennedy & The Ambassadors - Zombie Jamboree (1968) Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London (1978) Neutral Milk Hotel - Ghost (1998) The Unicorns - Tuff Ghost (2003) Fever Ray - Looking For A Ghost (2023) Helene Smith - I Am Controlled By Your Love (1967) XTC - Poor Skeleton Steps Out (1989) Hüsker Dü - Books About UFOs (1985) Jim Sullivan - U.F.O. (1969) Adam Ant - Here Comes The Grump (1982) Kylie Minogue - Real Groove (2020) A Raincoat - It Came In The Night (1975)

Today I'm sharing some favorite songs with big BIG drums, mostly but not all in the realm of psychedelia.    Songs discussed in this episode: The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows (1966) The Millennium - Prelude (1968) Pugh Rogefeldt - Love, Love, Love (1969) Dungen - Panda (2004) Broadcast - Man Is Not A Bird (2004) Kathy McCarty - Rocket Ship (1994) Doves - Here It Comes (2000) Paul Simon - Obvious Child (1990) Adam Ant - Place In The Country (1982) Peter Bjorn and John - The Chills (2006) Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down (1979)  

I'm joined today by my friend Grace Spelman to talk about HORNS! Big ones, wet ones, stabbing ones, etc. You know, horns.   Songs featured in this episode: The Beatles - Good Morning Good Morning (1967) Love - Alone Again Or (1967) Steely Dan - My Old School (1973) Genesis - No Reply At All (1981) Frank Zappa - Peaches En Regalia (1969) Frankie Valli - Grease (1978) David Byrne, St. Vincent - Who (2012) Ray Conniff - Brazil (1960) DJ Kool - Let Me Clear My Throat (1996) Outkast - Morris Brown (2006) Radiohead - The National Anthem (2000) La Femme - Paradigme (2021)

Today I'm sharing some songs that feature elements of orchestral/classical music and electronic/digital sounds!   Songs discussed in this episode: SEATBELTS - Piano Black (1998) Jun Miyake - Lilies of the Valley (2011) Bjork - Where Is The Line (2004) Marina Herlop - Miu (2022) Balún - El Espanto (2018) Carmel Smickersgill - Leaving (2022) FKA twigs - home with you (2019) Björk - Jóga (1997) Sufjan Stevens - You Are The Blood (2009)  

This week I'm sharing some of my favorite build 'em up songs - some that introduce each instrument, and some that continually add layers over the course of a song. Also a little "or whatever" note about neustons.   Songs discussed in this episode: Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Pt. 1 (1973) Sly & The Family Stone - Dance To The Music (1968) Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up Pt. 1 (1968) WITCH - Introduction (1972) The Creation - Cool Jerk (1967) The Capitols - Cool Jerk (1966) Carmel Smickersgill - Questioning (2022) The Village Stompers - Washington Square (1963) Fever Ray - Shiver (2023) Sebastien Tellier - La ritournelle (2004) Delicate Steve - Butterfly (2011)

An episode with guests! Holy cow!!! I'm joined today by my friends from another podcast, "Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About the Beatles" - Will Hines, Brett Morris, and Joel Spence. Instead of talking about the Beatles, this time we're screwing it and just talking about The Moody Blues' 1970 album "A Question of Balance". 

This episode is about songs for the nighttime. You can listen to this at work or whatever but heads up you might get nice and sleepy!!    Songs discussed in this episode: Sibylle Baier - Tonight (1970-73) Anna Domino - Land Of My Dreams (1984) Julie London - No Moon At All (1955) Emillia Contessa - Renggong Manis (1982) Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance - Roll On Babe (1974) Tom Waits - All The World Is Green (2002) Lucinda Williams - Place In My Heart (2016) Brian Eno - Golden Hours (1975) Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay (1969) Wilco - Far Far Away (1996)  

Songs where the singer really just goes for it. Like all in singing the hell out of it, no matter what kind of song it is. Go hard, be a volcano, impress friends and strangers alike at karaoke.   Songs discussed in this episode: Bjork - Human Behavior (1993) Chris Cornell - Pillow Of Your Bones (1999) Nirvana - Lounge Act (1991) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain (1970) Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You (1990) Weather Girls - It's Raining Men (1982) Don Gardner - My Baby Likes To Boogaloo (1966) Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart (1996) XTC - Complicated Game (1979) Animal Collective - For Reverend Green (2007) System Of A Down - Chop Suey (2001) Nnamdi - Semantics (2020) Jessie Mueller - She Used To Be Mine (2016)  

Another episode! Continuing our discussion of groove, but this week we're somewhat less groovy and significantly more rocky and clocky.    Songs featured in this episode: They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng (1988) The Cars - Just What I Needed (1978) The Strokes - Is This It (2001) Built to Spill - Distopian Dream Girl (1994) Fugazi - Break (1998) Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better (2015) XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979) [tangent] Santigold - Disparate Youth (2012) Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah - Lake Shore Drive (1972) Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat - Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) (2009) [end of tangent] Stone Temple Pilots - Sex Type Thing (1992) Alice In Chains - Again (1995) Rob Zombie - Dragula (1998)