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
JASTAS: Til Tuesday, "Voices Carry"
November 04, 2016 19:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBMark's not feeling well, so special guest John Ramos sat down with Sarah for a discussion of Til Tuesday's "Voices Carry," including the secret history of the song's cast of characters, swearily relatable feminist icons, and Sarah's cassette-klepto situation. Theme song by Tara Ariano!
Episode 32: Beck: "E-Pro"
October 27, 2016 18:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBBeck's sick groove gets us talking about hits that don't reflect their artists, songs that work best when they open an album, and, of all things, Radiohead.
Episode 31: The Beach Boys, "Kokomo"
October 20, 2016 18:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBKokomo's not a real island, but MASTAS is a real podcast! A request for the Beach Boys' comeback hit gets us discussing chant-songs, celebrity bartending, and (of course) John Stamos.
Episode 30: Robyn, "Call Your Girlfriend"
October 13, 2016 15:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBSwedish diva alert! MASTAS goes electro with Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend," which gets Mark all tongue-tied with enthusiasm and gets Sarah wondering if the beat and the subject matter are such a good fit. Plus, there's important discussion of Old Lady Walks (tm).
Episode 29: Dan Bern, "Marilyn"
October 06, 2016 20:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIt's twisted history as MASTAS considers Dan Bern's "Marilyn" and his sassy rewrite of Monroe's life. That leads to us to Hollywood iconography, the value of having fun with an acoustic guitar, and at least one too many versions of "Candle In The Damn Wind."
Episode 28: Lefty Folk Songs We Love (...To Hate?)
September 29, 2016 16:00 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBWhen is a lefty folk song terrible and when is it wonderful? Mark and Sarah make arguments on both sides, getting their social consciousness going with Indigo Girls, Simon and Garfunkel, Dar Williams, and at least one mention of Corazon Aquino.
Episode 27: Patrick Swayze feat. Wendy Fraser, "She's Like The Wind"
September 23, 2016 11:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBWith our special guests The Shondes, we get all up in our feelings and talk about Patrick Swayze's "She's Like the Wind." Naturally, this leads to talk of Dirty Dancing, freeze-frame peen, implied blazers on jazz singers, and the mysterious life of Wendy Fraser. Special Guest: Eli Oberman.
Episode 26: Salt-n-Pepa, "I'll Take Your Man" and Meshell Ndegeocello, "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"
September 16, 2016 11:00 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBMASTAS isn't single, but we WILL take your man! Classic cuts from Salt-n-Pepa and Meshell Ndegeocello get our attitudes up to eleven. We also reflect on smiling in hip-hop, being grateful to lose your lover, and double-dutch as a metaphor.
Episode 25: American Anthems / Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The USA" and the Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready To Make Nice"
September 09, 2016 11:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBWe're rocking the vote (or something) with Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" and Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," which may be the most politicized pop songs of the last 35 years. In between the punditry, Sarah does her best Bruce impression, Mark invents a rap about big booties, and nobody cuts Billy Joel any slack.
Episode 24: Britpop Battle! Blur's "Song 2" vs. Oasis's "Wonderwall"
September 01, 2016 21:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBA '90s feud lives on! This week, we pit Blur's "Song 2" against Oasis's "Wonderwall," and along the way, we make up tons of fake facts about Damon Albarn. We also fall deep into a memory well of hangovers, high-school friends, and dubious fashion.
Episode 23: Scandal feat. Patty Smyth, "The Warrior"
August 26, 2016 11:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBShootin' at the walls of MASTAS! Kevin Smokler's listener request, '80s classic "The Warrior," gets Mark talking about his childhood dance parties, Sarah discussing her Patti Smith/Patty Smyth confusion, and both of us praising the women of Reagan-era rock. Now pardon us while we fist-pump to a killer (Homeric?) chorus.
Episode 22: Tinie Tempah, "Written In The Stars"
August 18, 2016 17:15 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBMark and Sarah Disagree About Songs! Opinions are divided on Tinie Tempah's hit featuring Eric Turner, which leads to lively debate about rap-rock, the numbing power of sports promotion, and a shuddering remembrance of Limp Bizkit.
Episode 21: Olympics Songs feat. Mancini Houston Smith Estefan Perry LLC
August 10, 2016 15:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBAnd the participation ribbon goes to...MASTAS! As Olympians compete in Rio, we rank five songs with various ties to the Olympic games. As medals are awarded, there's also talk of Whitney Houston's glory, unexpected uses for cotton, Sarah's memories of the Fresh Prince, and Mark's favorite babysitter, plus Bebel Gilberto sings us home!
Episode 20: Color Me Badd, "I Wanna Sex You Up"
August 03, 2016 16:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBWe wanna sex you up, and we PROMISE we know how to do it! Special guest Tara Ariano joins us to stare into the abyss of Color Me Badd's sex-clumsiest hit, which makes us ponder terrible backing tracks, surreal lyrics, and the power of the duffel coat. Bonus points if you spot the cameo from MASTAS Associate VP of feline outreach, Mabel!
Episode 19: George Michael, "Freedom '90"
July 27, 2016 14:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBGuest 'caster Tara Ariano gets our church arms swaying when she brings us George Michael's "Freedom 90," a perfect slice of funky fame-hating. Talk of Michael's legacy leads us to supermodel shout-outs, analysis of the singalong chorus, and a whole thing about sweaters.
Episode 18: Led Zeppelin/Dread Zeppelin/Dolly Parton, "Stairway To Heaven"
July 21, 2016 15:00 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBMark can't remember ever hearing "Stairway to Heaven," so Sarah (and special guest Olivia) take him on an educational journey through the Led Zep original and notable covers by Dread Zeppelin and Dolly Parton. This leads to detours through the power of guitar solos, the band T-shirts New Yorkers love most, and art you can make with potatoes.
Episode 17: Sia, "Reaper"
July 14, 2016 15:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBThis podcast is just like Sia: You can't see our faces, but you CAN hear our voices! This week, we're talking about "Reaper," Sia's bouncy ode to cheating death. Along the way, Sarah writes the world's weirdest fanfic, Mark wonders what kind of lemonade you bring to a morbid pep rally, and we both get fired up about how female artists are treated. Use the comments to share your favorite Sia song, Six Feet Under memory, or story about convincing death to chill for a minute!
Episode 16: The Monkees, "Circle Sky"
July 01, 2016 17:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBHey hey, we're the MASTAS! ...Ahem. The point is, we're digging this killer '60s jam from the Monkees, and we're talking about how the band members went from TV show jokes to venerated rock icons. That doesn't mean we account for the Monkees movie, though. Meanwhile, Mark tries to remember the name of Linda Ronstadt's band and Sarah wonders how many times Mike Nesmith's songwriting has gotten him laid. (Let us know, Mike!)
Episode 15: Guns N' Roses, "November Rain"
June 23, 2016 14:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBIt's a sad day for wedding cake as we discuss Guns N' Roses big hairy spectacle of a big hair ballad. Get ready to learn about Mark's weird habits from middle school, Sarah's deep research on this killer music video, and the ways Smashing Pumpkins might have had more fun if they had just been around in the '80s. (Note: Mark forgot to mention it in the episode, but he'd like you to know this is the longest song ever to reach the Top 10.)
Episode 14: Bastille, "Pompeii"
June 16, 2016 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBSomehow, talking about Bastille's big hit from last year sends Sarah to her college English papers, Mark to his lifelong obsession with Suzanne Vega, and both of us to a surprisingly emotional reflection on the role of the human body in making music. Plus we pinpoint the exact moment that Coldplay became a bunch of jerkwads!
Episode 13: Supremes Covers
June 09, 2016 16:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBWe asked for Supremes covers, and you really went to (Mo-)town! Based on your suggestions, we discuss everything from lounge lizards to dance divas, all doing their best Diana Ross. We also ponder what makes a cover awesome (or terrible) and why the Motown sound works so well in other genres. While we bleach that La Toya Jackson vocal out of our ears, amuse yourselves with joints from Kim Wilde, Reba, Tim Curry, the Stray Cats, and the high priest of girls' bikes.
Episode 12: Young MC's "Principal's Office" And DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand"
May 26, 2016 15:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBMark and Sarah get funky fresh with Young MC's "Principal's Office" and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand." In between dope late-'80s beats, we discuss the sneaky wit of party rap, the power of your drive-thru order, and the difference between charming confidence and sheer jackassery.
Episode 11: Chic's "Le Freak" and R. Kelly's "Ignition (Remix)"
May 19, 2016 15:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBMark's friend Erin requests "Le Freak," which takes us to Mark's birthday pop chart reading and funky dances you can't do at home. Then a listener requests R. Kelly's "Ignition (remix)", and we try to process the gross things America avoided when the song became a hit. Tweet us at TalkSongs to tell us how to dance the freak or how to bleach R. Kelly from our minds.
Episode 10: John Parr, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)"
May 12, 2016 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBJoe Reid returns to request "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)", which gets us ALL up in the business of '80s movie songs and their inspirational key changes. Plus, Sarah remembers horrifying high-school traditions and Mark recalls that time he invented a stupid dance. Tweet at us @TalkSongs with our favorite "watch the video instead of the movie" songs.
Episode 9: Joplin Carlile LLC, "Get It While You Can" And "That Year"
May 04, 2016 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBIt's wailin' ladies this week, with Janis Joplin's immortal "Get It While You Can" sharing the docket with "That Year," a cathartically sad song by Brandi Carlile. That leads us to Janis's enduring awesomeness, cover versions that trump the originals, and that time Mark thought he was reincarnated. Tweet us at talksongs to tell us about your Janis memories, your Brandi Carlile favorites, and the songs that make you feel it all.
Episode 8: Jewel-erdome! "You Were Meant For Me" vs. "Hands"
April 28, 2016 14:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBWelcome to Jewel-erdome, where two awful Jewel songs enter and only one leaves. As we decide which single commits the greater crime, we discover Mark's rage for terrible lyrics, Sarah's dark past with a cappella groups, and yet another way that Dawson's Creek is relevant. Tweet us at talksongs to tell us who dies in YOUR Jewel-erdome! (Note: It's acceptable to say that your hopes are what die in Jewel-erdome.)
Episode 7: Mazzy Star, "Fade Into You"
April 21, 2016 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBSpecial guest Joe Reid joins us as we open the listener mailbag and pluck out Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You," our most-requested song. This sad '90s classic leads us everywhere from emotional trends in pop music to those short songs you put on mix tapes. Oh, and Sarah and Mark continue their ongoing discussion of Candlebox. Tweet us at TalkSongs with your requests, mixtape preferences, and ideal soundtrack cut from My So-Called Life. Special Guest: Joe Reid.
Episode 6: Jesus Christ Superstar, "I Don't Know How To Love Him"
April 14, 2016 15:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBThere’s a little Broadway and a little rage as we talk about “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.” Join us as we consider the anti-feminism of '70s ballads, the political power of musical theater divas, and Mark's dramaturgical dorkiness for Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tweet us at talksongs with your song requests, favorite musicals, and tip for Sarah's performance in Oklahoma!
Episode 5: Cam, "Mayday"
April 07, 2016 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBIn Episode 5, we've got a brand-new verzh of our MASTAS theme song -- and lots of thoughts about the dramaturgical rigors of country music (...you heard us), Friends, Junior Brown, Dolly, Dolly-WOOD, noun salads, Garth Brooks's alter egos, and what makes a good driving song. Tweet us at @TalkSongs with your favorite driving songs, and whether you too want to become a mule-skinner.
Episode 4: Ellie Goulding, "Codes"
April 01, 2016 14:00 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBIn MASTAS Episode 4, we're riding the sweet wave of Ellie Goulding's "Codes," while also pondering Swedish hitmakers, songs that help us get over terrible boyfriends, and that band from the Buffy soundtrack that Sarah FINALLY remembered. Tweet us at TalkSongs to suggest future songs, share your favorite Max Martin hits, and identify your favorite "old-lady walk."
Episode 3: Madonna, "Get Together"
March 25, 2016 09:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBIn Episode 3, MASTAS FINALLY gets to Madonna. What took us so long?! While celebrating the neo-retro glory of "Get Together," we consider how Madge references her own past material, wonder why American radio hates people over 40, and admit that her weird religious references don’t bother us that much. Tweet us at TalkSongs to praise your favorite forgotten Madonna track, suggest songs for future eps, and share your enthusiasm for Mark's cheapo keychain.
Episode 2: Luscious Jackson, "Naked Eye"
March 22, 2016 18:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBIn Episode 2 of MASTAS, Sarah asks us to ponder "Naked Eye" by Luscious Jackson, which leads to tributes to '90s ladyrockers, theories about the career prospects of former drummers, and fond/horrified remembrances of our Clinton-era hairstyles. Tweet us at TalkSongs to get your riot grrrl on, suggest songs for future eps, and tell Mark if he correctly remembered who was in Belly.
Episode 1: Heavy D and the Boyz, "Now That We've Found Love"
March 15, 2016 13:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBWhat ARE we gonna do...with it? The inaugural episode of MASTAS gets into it with Heavy D's "Now That We've Found Love" and covers such burning questions as why everyone shot videos in abandoned warehouses and why only one guy got to wear a transparent rain dance suit. Don't forget to hit us on Twitter at TalkSongs to discuss the ep, suggest cuts for future eps, and wonder why Sar so square.
Episode 1: Heavy D and the Boyz, "Now That We've Found Love"
March 15, 2016 13:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBWhat ARE we gonna do...with it? The inaugural episode of MASTAS gets into it with Heavy D's "Now That We've Found Love" and covers such burning questions as why everyone shot videos in abandoned warehouses and why only one guy got to wear a transparent rain dance suit. Don't forget to hit us on Twitter at TalkSongs to discuss the ep, suggest cuts for future eps, and wonder why Sar so square.