Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs
234 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 258 ratingsMark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting are journalists, friends, and music fans who love talking about pop music of all stripes.
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Episodes
Episode 124: Erasure, "Oh L'Amour"
November 08, 2018 14:00 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBWhen does sad music make us happy? When we're talking about Erasure's "Oh L'Amour"! We're also covering the hierarchy of '80s Brit bands, MASTAS bingo, and songs that protect you like armor. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne and our outro is by Duran Duran. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/mastas.podcast). Want to get bonus content and vote in ranking epi...
Episode 123: Three By '60s Girl Groups
November 01, 2018 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBDon't listen to your parents, kids! Love that bad boy, or he'll DIE! These and other valuable lessons are learned as we discuss "Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las and "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals, with Lyn and the Invaders' underground cut "Boy Is Gone" thrown in for good measure. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by the Beatle-ettes. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs)...
MASTAS Presents: Money Can't Buy You Podcast 03, "Painkillr"
October 29, 2018 13:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBIn Episode 3 of MCBYP, Dan and Tracie and Sarah examine the bona fides of RHOBH's own Erika Jayne, the second-most legit musician in the Housewives stable. Is "Painkillr," her 2014 "chart" "topper," a sweaty club banger or a subversive study of a woman on the edge? It depends how quickly you listen to the lyrics. SHOW NOTES Bandcamp page: moneycantbuyyoupodcast.bandcamp.com How Many F**cks? video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXCLDj9tBBM XXPEN$IVE video: https://www.youtube.com/wa...
Episode 122: Ke$ha, "Praying"
October 25, 2018 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBSometimes a great song is the best revenge. We're talking about Kesha's "Praying" and all the ways it underlines how music can help us, both individually and collectively, kick some butt. Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Dubstar. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/mastas.podcast). Want to get bonus content and vote in ranking episodes?...
Episode 121: Travis Tritt, "Foolish Pride"
October 18, 2018 13:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBWhen is a generic country song actually the best country song? As they discuss Travis Tritt's weepy "Foolish Pride," Mark and Sarah realize they don't entirely agree on the answer. However, they both HAVE an answer, which leads to extended metaphors about living rooms and a return to the idea of male emotion in popular song. Our theme is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Steve Wariner. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email...
Episode 120: The Footloose Soundtrack, Ranked
October 11, 2018 13:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBKick off your Sunday shoes, because we're ranking every song on the Footloose soundtrack! This sparks debate about Kenny Loggins's place in the world, Shalamar's sexy talk, and the value of fringe on a football uniform. Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Tommy Keene. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/mastas.podcast). Want to get bonus content ...
Episode 119: 1992-dome! Tom Cochrane's "Life Is A Highway" vs. Jon Secada's "Just Another Day"
October 04, 2018 13:00 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBWhat's worse: A song you've grown to hate, or a song you've always hated? That's the quandary in our discussion of Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway" and Jon Secada's "Just Another Day." As we consider our rage, we also touch on party etiquette, ill-fitted shirts, and how to fail at McDonald's. Our theme is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Red Rider. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), twe...
Episode 118: Carly Rae Jepsen, "Cut To The Feeling"
September 27, 2018 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBIn what might be the most MASTAS conversation ever, a discussion of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Cut to the Feeling" leads us to '80s movies, conversational French, gazpacho recipes, and the punishing constraints of Western masculinity. All that, plus a pop chart reading for a 10-year-old! Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Hole. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Faceboo...
Episode 117: Paul Davis, "Cool Night" and "'65 Love Affair"
September 20, 2018 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBPaul Davis may have been the crappiest boyfriend on 80s lite FM, but damn if his tunes aren't catchy! As we recall the moist sounds of "Cool Night" and "'65 Love Affair," we reflect on long-haired hunks, melodic sexual harassment, and raising a toast to your own nuts. Our theme is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Polly Jean Harvey. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs),...
MASTAS Presents: Money Can't Buy You Podcast 02, "Love Me First"
September 17, 2018 16:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBIn Episode 2 of our MASTAS spin-off, Dan and Tracie and Sarah go deep into the catalogue of the original Real Housewives vanity singer extraordinaire: Kim Zolciak. After orienting ourselves with “Tardy for the Party” (music with a message!) and a clip from Kim’s legendary on-camera vocal lesson, we discuss our decision to cover “Love Me First,” a song that was not only not featured on the show, but has never been heard by anyone other than us. You’re welcome! Also: listener tribute c...
Episode 116: Maroon 5, "Moves Like Jagger"
September 13, 2018 13:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBIs "Moves Like Jagger" a good song? Is Maroon 5 a good band? And who's the Jag of Project Runway contestants? All these questions are explored as we investigate the surprisingly durable career of a Voice coach and his buddies. Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by The Rolling Stones. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us (talkaboutsongs@gmail), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/mastas.podcast). Want to get bonu...
Episode 115: Aretha Franklin, "Think"
August 30, 2018 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBWe've got to think! Think about why we love Aretha Franklin! Our discussion of "Think" lets us honor the dearly departed diva as both a musician and an eccentric auntie. Listen for Aretha's drunk-driving PSA, and our fantasia about fur coats and sacks of cash. Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Cat Power. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/ma...
MASTAS Presents: Money Can't Buy You Podcast 01, "Money Can't Buy You Class"
August 27, 2018 16:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBOn Episode 1 of the new MASTAS spin-off, Dan and Tracie and Mark and Sarah dig into the vanity singles of the Real Housewives, beginning with New York City and the first song from the great Countess Luann. Considering it first appeared on the show in 2010, the song is also a testament to Luann's ability to keep it (and her) in the cultural conversation, because, as they say: elegance is learned, relevance is earned. Then we break down the song construction of this classic single, and...
Episode 114: Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814," Ranked
August 23, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBWe are a part of a MASTAS Nation! By which we mean we're ranking every song on Janet Jackson's classic album "Rhythm Nation 1814." Along the way, Sarah startles herself by loving a slow jam, Mark chair-dances so hard he almost hurts himself, and we both have some strong advice for pop stars who make political statements. Plus, we welcome our first-ever return customer for a pop chart astrology reading! Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Janet Jackson. This episode...
Episode 113: The Bangles, "Eternal Flame"
August 16, 2018 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBIs this burning an eternal podcast? We'd like to think so! A discussion of the Bangles' classic ballad gets us to some of the '80s' best songwriters, the unusual harmony of the "circle of fifth," and (most importantly) a powerful musical about STDs that we'll be writing soon. Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Aimee Mann. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Face...
Episode 112: The Lovin' Spoonful, "Darling Be Home Soon"
August 09, 2018 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThe sweet sound of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darling Be Home Soon" gets us talking about relationships that give us space, lyrical phrasing that gives us chills, and YouTube comments that make us believe in humanity. Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Cake. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Facebook us (facebook.com/mastas.podcast). Want to get bonus content and...
Episode 111: Bruce Willis And Don Johnson (with special guests Dan and Tracie!)
August 02, 2018 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBThere was a time when both Bruce Willis and Don Johnson had hit songs, and we're talking about both "Respect Yourself" AND "Heartbeat." This week, "we" means Mark, Sarah, and our very special guests Dan Rogge and Tracie Potochnik. Listen on for info about the exciting MASTAS spin-off, along with talk about TV stars with pop music dreams, the value of the Pointer Sisters, and how Don J. made a proto-Lemonade. Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Jack Wagner. Want to re...
Episode 110: Episode 110: Miranda Lambert, "Bathroom Sink"
July 26, 2018 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBWhat starts as a simple discussion of Miranda Lambert's "Bathroom Sink" quickly evolves to include Dolly Parton's song about a dead dog, the best way to destroy your ex-boyfriend's car, and yet another potential side project for Allison Krauss. So here's to country-music superstars: You never know which dirt road they'll lead you down next! Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Ms. Dolly Parton. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or ...
Episode 109: Def Leppard, "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
July 19, 2018 13:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBWe don't believe in metaphor, so for us "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is a song about dessert. Okay, not really. Talking about Def Leppard's hard-rock classic gets us surprisingly amped, even if we do have to draw some very delicate lines around what's problematic and what's cockular. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Talking Heads. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@...
Episode 108: Elvis Costello and Duran Duran, "Watching The Detectives"
July 12, 2018 13:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBNoir and nastiness and...nerds? That's what you get with "Watching the Detectives," Elvis Costello's archly clever jam. Special guest Kevin Flynn joins us to discuss mysterious lyrics and peppy songs about dark deeds. We also discuss Duran Duran's cover of this joint and what makes a cover work in the first place. Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by the Police. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us (talkaboutsongs@gm...
MASTarot Reading!
July 05, 2018 13:00 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MBGo beyond the veil as Sarah tells your future with the help of Jimi Hendrix -- then learn more about our July promotion for new Patreon patrons!
Episode 107: Bond-Movie Songs, Ranked
June 28, 2018 13:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBMASTAS is for your ears only as we rank 7 Bond themes that reached the top 10. Will the sky fall as we discuss everything from Duran Duran's sex appeal to Sheena Easton's Oscar misadventures? Will we live and let die after Mark's shocking revelation about his dessert preferences? Listen and find out! Our theme this week is the Bond theme. Obvs. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us ([email protected]), tweet us (@TalkSongs), or Fac...
Episode 106: Turnerdome! (Two #2 Hits By Tina)
June 21, 2018 13:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBTina Turner had a pair of weird (but wonderful) #2 hits in the '80s, but which one is the WEIRDEST? We're sussing it out as we discuss "We Don't Need Another Hero" and "Typical Male." Naturally, we also discuss thunderdomes, children's choirs, and men who still wear spats. Listen closely for a cameo by a Finnish metal supergroup! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne. Our outro is by Sting. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us (talkaboutsongs@gma...
Episode 105: Miley Cyrus, "See You Again"
June 14, 2018 13:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MB[NOTE: MB's sound is tinny; that's all SDB's fault. Our apologies! We're working on it.] ...Turns out we're both big Miley Cyrus fans, and proud of it! A discussion of her breakthrough hit "See You Again" leads to a defense of her buttcheeks, an aside about power pop choruses, and a contest that could win you a MASTAS t-shirt. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Lennon & Maisy. Want to request a song, buy a birthday chart reading, or just say hello? Email us (talkabou...
Episode 104: Smashing Pumpkins, "Today"
June 07, 2018 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBIf it makes us happy, does it matter what Billy Corgan says "Today" is about? That question drives our conversation about the Smashing Pumpkins classic, though there are sidebars about poetry, MTV, and (yet again) Candlebox. Our theme is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Hole. Talk to us on Twitter (@TalkSongs), Facebook (facebook.com/mastas.podcast), and email ([email protected]), where you can also request songs or arrange for birthday chart readings....
Episode 103: Meat Loaf, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"
May 31, 2018 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBWho'd have guessed we'd disagree this much about Meat Loaf? For one of us, "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" is just the tonic, and for the other, it's a dram of poison. That disagreement leads to reflections on excess, mid-air motorcycles, and the existential reckoning that comes with a really long song. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by William Joel. You can reach us via email ([email protected]), Twitter (@TalkSongs), or Facebook (facebook.com/mastas.podca...
Episode 102: Olivia Newton-John, "Magic"
May 24, 2018 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBOne of us loves Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" and the other can't remember it, even after hearing it. But which is which? Listen to find out, and you'll also hear about Olivia's enduring legacy, an unexpected covers album of her greatest hits, and the glory of musicals on roller skates. Our theme is by Andrew Byrne. Our outro is from Starlight Express (yessir!). Want to request a song, a pop chart astrology reading, or similar? Tweet us at @TalkSongs, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmai...
Episode 101: Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B, "Finesse"
May 17, 2018 13:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBCan anyone look good in an olive cotton suit? Bruno Mars can! We talk about his mastery of '90s style and New Jack Swing on his new song "Finesse" featuring Cardi B, and that gets us thinking about the glory of good nostalgia, the reasons beats sound cheap, and our varying tolerances for eating concentrated orange juice straight from the can. Our theme song is by David Gregory Byrne, and you'd better believe that our outro is by Bobby Brown. Want to request a song, a birthday readi...
Episode 100: Surprise Party
May 10, 2018 13:00 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBIt's our hundredth episode! To celebrate, Sarah and Mark surprise each other on-air with their song choices, and their esteemed colleague Tara Ariano delivers a surprise listener request. Will they like the unexpected choices? Will they occasionally squeal with delight? Will Teddy Ruxpin have an opinion? Listen to find out! The intro for this episode is by everyone who's ever written a MASTAS theme. The outro is by Chemical Brothers. To support our next 100 episodes -- and get bonu...
Episode 99: Prince, "Little Red Corvette"
May 03, 2018 13:00 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBCan a song make you pregnant? Listen to "Little Red Corvette" and call us in nine months. Our appreciation of Prince involves the two-way street of sexual objectification, guitar riffs that double as orgasms, and the varying fortunes of the Purple One's proteges. Our intro is by Laura Berger and Jack Baldelli. The outro is by Sheila E. Wanna vote in ranking episodes and get bonus content? Join us at patreon.com/mastas. Wanna request a song, ask for a birthday horoscope, or just say...
Episode 98: Two "Moon River"s
April 26, 2018 13:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBWhat takes "Moon River" from "great song" to "timeless classic"? We have several theories to discuss, and only one of them involves the essential bleakness of the Finnish. We also touch on lyrics that make space for interpretation, Judy Garland's inspirational pain, and Henry Mancini's spot-on conducting. Plus: Teddy Ruxpin gets pissed! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Jason Castro (yes, of American Idol). Want to request a song, ask for a birthday chart reading, o...
Single No. 13: Ranking Whitney Houston's 'Bodyguard' Songs
April 24, 2018 13:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBMark journeys through Whitney Houston's songs on the 'Bodyguard' soundtrack, ranking each one alongside the Patreon patrons. This leads to chart facts, appreciations of sass, and a sidebar about your friend's dad who wanted you to call him by his first name. Want to discuss the NON-Whitney songs on this soundtrack? Join us at patreon.com/mastas for even more 'Bodyguard' action. Want to make a request or just say hello? Email us at talkaboutsongs[at]gmail[dot]com, Facebook us at fa...
Episode 97: Hit-Single TV Themes Of The '90s
April 19, 2018 13:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBWe don't wanna wait...to get on with this ranking! If you need a podcast that discusses '90s TV themes which were also chart hits, then we'll be there for you. We're also searching our souls to explain our feelings about Dawson, strong margaritas, and Bryn Mawr. All that, plus a super-funky birthday chart reading! (More on Jamie Walters from Mark right here.) This week's intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and the outro is by Crowded House. Wanna get closer to free...ing up our abili...
Episode 96: Paul Simon, "You Can Call Me Al"
April 05, 2018 13:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBThe huge Paul Simon hit from the huge Graceland album is our topic today, along with the redemption of Chevy Chase; relationship realism in pop music; AND a playlist about earworms that goes in a very unexpected direction. Grab a piccolo and join us! Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is also by Paul Simon. Wanna make a request or just say hello? Tweet us at TalkSongs, Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or email us at [email protected]. Join us ...
Episode 95: Outkast, "Hey Ya"
March 29, 2018 13:00 - 30 minutes - 28 MBThe massive Grammy-winner from Andre 3000 and Big Boi left Sarah cold...at first, but soon enough she and Mark were hip-deep in an exploration of Elvis, Queen Bey, jukebox America, and how much Beatles-adjacent content Mark can tolerate. (Answer: some!) And don't miss a novelty-song birthday reading that reveals one listener's Rick Dees-tiny! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Mr. James Brown. Wanna make a request or just say hello? Tweet us at @talksongs, Faceb...
Episode 94: The Police, "Don't Stand So Close To Me"
March 22, 2018 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBOh Sting, you old button-pusher! We're digging into the moral and sexual politics of The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me," which leads us to hit songs about unexpected subjects, literary references, and (naturally) tantric intercourse. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Sting. Wanna make a request or just say hello? Tweet us at @talksongs, Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or email us at [email protected]. Want to vote in ranking episodes and ge...
Episode 93: Ace Of Base, "The Sign"
March 15, 2018 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBWho needs fluent English when you've got dope Scandinavian beats? Mark and Sarah succumb to the joy of Ace of Base's "The Sign," meaning they write their own vaguely grammatical lyrics, have specific memories about nerding out to this music in a friend's pickup truck, and figure out the exact number of times you can hear this track before it drives you crazy. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Stereo MCs. We'd love to hear from you! So send us a req...
Episode 92: Heart, "What About Love"
March 08, 2018 14:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBWhen we get drunk and discuss listener requests, we land on Heart's "What About Love" and the journey the band's sound took between the '70s and the '80s. Along the way, we discuss guitar solos, weird subjects for hit songs, and (somewhat unexpectedly) why King Lear is a frustrating play. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by the Haden Triplets, and our interest in your requests in strong. Send them to us at [email protected], @talksongs (on Twitter), or faceb...
Episode 91: 2018 Oscars Best Song Nominees, Ranked (With Joe Reid!)
February 28, 2018 17:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBLook out, 'cuz here we come! Joined again by the delightful Joe Reid, we're unraveling the mysteries of this year's Oscar-nominated songs, and we're ranking our favorites to determine a winner. We stand up for some of these tracks, and we pray some of them to get washed away by a mighty river. And of course, we remember to go deep with Oscar facts, Broadway shade, and pre-exhaustion for meaningful performance numbers. (NB: Still some sound issues for Mark in this episode; we should...
Episode 90: Madonna's GHV2, Ranked
February 22, 2018 14:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBMadonna from the '90s is not Madonna from the '80s, and we really need to parse what that means. (Yes. Need!) That's why we're ranking every song on GHV2, her second greatest hits album. Get ready for tales of late-night drives, thoughts about "transitional pop," and a whole thing about the sexiness of restraint. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Clinton. Want to request a song or be in touch? You can email us at [email protected], tweet us at @TalkSongs, or Fa...
Episode 89: The Carpenters, "We've Only Just Begun"
February 15, 2018 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBThings get experimental as we discuss "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters. We not only talk about this song's unusual history and the variety of mixed emotions that any Carpenters tune evokes, but ALSO take an improvised dip into Karen's solo work. As in, Sarah loads it into the sound board mid-discussion, and we just go wild! Our theme song is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Paul Simon. Wanna request a song? Email us at [email protected], tweet us at @tal...
Episode 88: Four Journeys With Walker Hayes
February 08, 2018 14:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBA few weeks ago, Mark discovered the remarkable songwriting of Walker Hayes and told Sarah about it. Inside his songs, Sarah discovered some stirring similarities to her own life. This led to our current episode, where we dig into four Hayes tunes, geek out over their structural ingenuity, and remember yet again that great music can show you back to yourself. Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Lou Reed. Wanna be a patron and get special content? Join us at patre...
Episode 87: Mariah Carey, "Emotions"
February 01, 2018 14:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBOh, Mariah! You want tea, and we're spilling it. More to the point, we're talking about "Emotions," a perfect example of why Mimi got famous in the first place. As we think about where she was then and where she is now, we discuss the sound of actual joy, the power of tall women, and the ability of some divas to go crazy on their own terms. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, our outro is by Booker T and the MGs, and our Patreon page is at patreon.com/mastas. So why not join us there for...
Episode 86: The Smiths, Morrissey, And Marr
January 25, 2018 14:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBWe're not miserable people, but we still love The Smiths. Go figure! Sarah tees up one tune each from the Smiths, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr, which leads to jaunty lyrical analysis, MANY disagreements about the band's best work, and a reminder that Mark's husband once mowed the lawn in all black, because his soul insisted he should. Mark's husband (Andrew Byrne) also delivers our intro, and the outro comes from Teenage Fanclub. Share your Smiths musings via email (talkaboutsongs@gm...
Episode 85: Why Aren't These Songs Super-Famous, With Pam Ribon
January 18, 2018 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIt's time for musical justice! Joined by the glorious Pam Ribon, we discuss three songs that should be famous, but somehow aren't. Come for Beyonce, Annie Lennox, and Bic Runga, but stay for Billy Joel stripteases, unusual uses for cream soda, and the cockney rage of Teddy Ruxpin III. ALSO: Pre-order Pam's rom-com graphic novel, MY BOYFRIEND IS A BEAR. And go enjoy WRECK-RALPH 2 this fall, which she wrote! Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by Weezer, and our con...
Episode 84: The Cars, "Magic"
January 11, 2018 14:00 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBWe kick off 2018 with a truly magical episode, in the sense that "Magic" by the Cars is a fantastic song. Joined by special guest Kevin Smokler, we discuss making rock look easy, polishing your production juuuust enough, and getting over yourself to enjoy a bouncy hook. Plus, we explore the many ways to pronounce "Ocasek" and the secret history of our patron saint, Soikus Paynoot. Speaking of...Soikus delivers our theme song this week, and our outro is by Fountains of Wayne. Stay ...
Episode 83: Our Top 10 Hits Of 2017 -- And 1967 (1-5)
December 28, 2017 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBAs we finish our countdown of our favorite songs of 2017 and 1967, we're startled to discover that a horn line has made us pregnant, a bouncy New Wave groove has masked our rage, and a gentle country song has essentially reminded us to love. And speaking of love: We love YOU, our listeners, for being such wonderful companions on our weekly wanders. See you next year! Our theme song is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by Cat Power, and the best ways to reach us are @TalkSongs (T...
Episode 82: Our Top 10 Hits Of 2017 -- And 1967 (6-10)
December 21, 2017 14:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBWe're counting down our 10 favorite songs of 2017 AND ALSO 1967. Because that's how we roll, y'all! In this episode, we look at #s 10-6 on both lists, which lets us cover everything from sultry R&B piano to #MeToo anthems to the surprising excellence of One Direction's solo efforts. Join us next week for our top 5 in both years! Our theme song is by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger, and our outro is by Van Morrison. This episode also contains a birthday chart reading, and if you'd li...
Episode 81: The Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin, "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves"
December 14, 2017 14:00 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBMASTAS is doin' it for ourselves! And by "it," we mean "discussing a classic cut by Eurythmics and Annie Lennox." Diverging opinions on the song lead to lively chat about Aretha's eras, the good and bad of '80s pop, and the reason we need so many different kinds of feminist art. Plus, there are references to semiotics, Swann's Way, and coffee shops! Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, our outro is by that blue-eyed soulster Huey Lewis. If you want to join the fun, become a Patreon s...
Episode 80: Pat Benatar's Greatest Hits, Ranked
December 07, 2017 14:00 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBMASTAS is a battlefield! As we rank the songs on Pat Benatar's "Best Shots" album, Sarah briefly quits the podcast, parts of Mark are predicted to explode, and "The Legend Of Billie Jean" is revealed as the film that unites the planets. Special thanks to our patrons, whose votes directly impacted the rankings. To become a patron, join us at patreon.com/mastas. Meanwhile, our theme music is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Karla Bonoff. Lastly, you can tweet us at @talkso...