Switched on Pop

By: Vulture
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  • Summary

  • A podcast all about the making and meaning of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding pull back the curtain on how pop hits work magic on our ears & our culture. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
    2021 Vox Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Episodes
  • Fall Out Boy and the worst earworm ever

    Fall Out Boy and the worst earworm ever
    Oct 1 2024
    Marianne Eloise has had the same Fall Out Boy song stuck in her head for over three years. "It’s Hard to Say 'I Do,' When I Don’t," an relatively obscure cut from the band's 2007 album Infinity on High has taken up permanent residence in her brain as the ultimate earworm. Everybody has had a riff or a melody stuck in their head, but not at this . Eloise, a journalist and music writer, decided to turn her malady into a story. Her pursuit of the science behind "stuck songs" led her to our unique bureau of forensic musicology. On this episode of Switched on Pop, Charlie and Nate talk about earworms: what they are, why are they so catchy, and how we might get rid of them. Then, Nate confronts his own stuck song: The Lemon Twigs's "In My Head," and in talking to the two brothers behind the group, finds a novel approach to giving an unwanted musical guest the boot. Songs Discussed Fall Out Boy - It’s Hard to Say “I Do,” When I Don’t The Lemon Twigs - In My Head Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out of My Head Gene Wilder - Pure Imagination Dave Harrington Group - Pure Imagination More Read Marianne Eloise’s Vulture article, “My Quest to Exterminate an Earworm” Catch the Lemon Twigs on Tour (at your own peril) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Mexican pop is bigger than you think

    Mexican pop is bigger than you think
    Sep 24 2024
    Last month, our producer Reanna Cruz had the opportunity to attend Baja Beach Fest in Rosarito, Mexico, a three-day Latin music festival set on the Mexican coastline. While they were there, they got the chance to tap into what's happening in the world of Mexican music – from romantic tumbados and lovesick R&B to multi-language crossovers and genre experimentation. This episode, Reanna takes us through the newest gems of the Mexican pop scene, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Songs discussed: Xavi – La Diabla Xavi – La Victima LATIN MAFIA – Julieta LATIN MAFIA – Julietota Peso Pluma, DJ Snake – TEKA Peso Pluma, Cardi B – PUT EM IN THE FRIDGE Tito Double P – MARAVILLA Son Rompe Pera – Cumbia is the New Punk Ivan Cornejo – Aquí Te Espero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • How Megan Thee Stallion brought Japanese hip hop to the Hot 100

    How Megan Thee Stallion brought Japanese hip hop to the Hot 100
    Sep 17 2024
    "Mamushi," the fourth single from Megan the Stallion’s album Megan, was not supposed to be a huge hit. But thanks to a viral dance, the song has become the first song on the Billboard Hot 100 to feature Japanese lyrics since 1963. With a feature from rapper Yuki Chiba and a beat from producer Koshy, "Mamushi" creates the kind of cross-cultural musical collaboration that helps correct a long record of U.S. pop stars appropriating Japanese culture. Songs Discussed Megan Thee Stallion (feat. Yuki Chiba) - Mamushi Megan Thee Stallion - Hiss, Boa, Cobra, Savage, Megan's Piano, Otaku Hot Girl Kyu Sakomoto - Sukiyaki A Taste of Honey - Sukiyaki Selena - Sukiyaki Pikotaro - PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) Hikaru Utada, Skrillex - Face My Fears Gwen Stefani - Harujuku Girls Avril Lavigne - Hello Kitty More Hannah Lee of the Japan Society NPR on the story of "Sukiyaki" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
Music
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Featured Article: 20+ of the Best Music Podcasts to Play on Repeat


These are 20+ of the best music podcasts around. They're as different from one another as rock 'n' roll is from opera; some are funny and lighthearted, while others explore hefty social issues. Some focus on specific kinds of music—rap, country, classical, rock, pop—and others highlight diverse artists working in just about every musical style. Music fans are as varied as the music they listen to, but we promise there's something here for everyone.

Featured Article 20 of the Best Music Podcasts to Play on Repeat

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Fame and fortune

Charlie and Emily Bring to light the music world‘s bedroom issues plaguing the most creative aspect of this art form. Only by coming together to stand up to those with power can we move toward a more equitable balance in this industry. None of us on the receiving end want songwriters to have difficulty paying their rent, living, being creative. Thank you Emily. Thank you Charlie.

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