Switched on Pop

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**Switched on Pop**

Listen closer to pop music, and hear how it moves us. Hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Latest Episodes:

The Most Popular Song In The World Oct 06, 2016

Show notes

The Nokia ringtone used to be heard more than a billion times per

day, making it one of the most popular songs in the world. We tend to

consider cellphone rings as somewhat antithetical to

music. There is a whole subset of YouTube videos dedicated to the perverse thrill of

watching a delicately beautiful musical moment ruined by the harsh cry

of a default ringtone. In this episode, we zoom in on one of these

annoying melodies to see if there's not some hidden musical craft

present in the ubiquitous bleeps and bloops that envelop us. Later,

Charlie shares a piece made solely of this sonic detritus, and a data

scientist locates surprising musical patterns in a most unexpected

source.

Featuring:The Nokia TuneThe Beatles - She's So HeavyOne Direction - Live While We're YoungFrancisco Tarrega - Gran ValsLinks:Charlie Harding - Bowl ArrowJonathan Berger's Article in Nautlius: How Music Hijacks our Perception of TimeFamous Cell Phone Rings Played on the Piano by Tony Ann Greg Hochmuth's work

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Lady Gaga Is A Perfect Illusion Sep 22, 2016

Show notes

Lady Gaga's new single "Perfect Illusion" is the apotheosis of her artistic statement. She is well known for her visual style that too often overshadows her music. But when taken together, it is evident that Lady Gaga is playing all of us because the non-conformity of her outward appearance is reflected back in her compositions. On first listen, her songs may sound like just another catchy pop tune and this is intentional. Gaga lures us close with the sound of pop fame and then hooks us and reels us into into her dungeon of monstrous sounds.

FeaturingLady Gaga - Perfect IllusionLady Gaga - Just DanceLady Gaga - Government HookerQueen - Radio GagaLady Gaga - Love GameLady Gage - ScheisseMichael Jackson - ThrillerPhantom Of The Opera - OvertureJohn Carpenter - Halloween Theme (Main Title)Lady Gaga - Bad RomanceLady Gaga - AlejandroAce Of Bass - I Saw The SignLady Gaga - SpeechlessQueen - Don’t Stop Me NowLady Gaga - So Happy I Could DieNatasha Bedingfield - Pocket Full of SunshineLady Gaga - Born This WayMadonna - Express YourselfLady Gaga - TeethLady Gaga - Bloody MaryLady Gaga - Dance In The DarkTony Bennett and Lady Gaga - Anything GoesTony Bennett - I Wish I Were In Love Again

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How Beyoncé to The Beatles Modulate Your Emotions Sep 09, 2016

Show notes

Certain pop songs have that moment, when everything seems to change but still remain the same, when the drama gets ratcheted up, when the tension increases and our emotions take an elevator ride to the heavens. From Beyoncé to Johnny Cash, savvy pop songwriters know a well-placed harmonic modulation can leave listeners reeling. But what is this mysterious musical trick, and how does it work? Tune in and let us take you higher, and higher, and higher, as we explore the wild world of modulation.

FeaturingOne Direction - Night ChangesTaylor Swift - Love StoryBackstreet Boys - I Want it That WayStevie Wonder - Knocks Me Off my FeetBeyonce - Love On TopWhitney Houston - I Will Always Love YouMozart - Queen of the Night AriaMichael Jackson - Man in the MirrorThe Beatles - Penny LaneJohnny Cash - Walk the Line

Hear more of Dru Cutler's work at www.drucutler.com

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Pop Drops and Chipmunk Soul Aug 25, 2016

Show notes

A strange syndrome is wreaking havoc on the voices of our biggest pop stars. From Rihanna to Justin Bieber, no one is safe from having their beautiful vocals chopped up, screwed down, repitched and repurposed. As dance music takes over the charts and new software grants vocal manipulation at the click of a button, this uncanny production technique has become nearly ubiquitous. But is this ultramodern sound really that new? We dig deep into the roots of the sound of the moment.

Featuring:

• Kiaara - Gold

• Coldplay - Hymn for the Weekend (Seeb remix)

• Hailee Steinfeld ft. Grey & Zedd - Starving

• Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna - This is What You Came For

• Mike Posner -I Took a Pill in Ibiza (Seeb remix)

• DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You

• Cold Crush Brothers - MC Battle (Live)

• Cerrone - Rocket in the Pocket

• Wu Tang Clan - Tearz

• Wendy Rene - After Laughter

• Kanye West - School Spirit

• Whistle - Just Buggin

• Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait

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The Gideon and Hubcap Show Aug 15, 2016

Show notes

This episode marks something of a departure from the norm. With Charlie away, host Nate, aka "Hubcap," takes us on a home-show tour of the Scottish Highlands with his traveling minstrel act, The Gideon and Hubcap Show. It's an entirely different kind of summer music spectacle.

Featuring:

•13,000 Miles - Gideon Irving

•Oh Wow - Gideon Irving

•Ida Done - Gideon and Hubcap

•Safe Word - Gideon and Hubcap

•Hebrides Overture – Felix Mendelssohn

•Mouth Music - From the Smithsonian Folkways Collection, Scottish Drinking and Pipe Songs

•Breabach - Gig Face

•Cuyahoga - Gideon and Hubcap

Check out www.mynameisgideon.com and www.gideonandhubcap.com for more.

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Breaking Down The House Aug 01, 2016

Show notes

The fingerprints of house music are all over mainstream pop, but much of its sound has been whitewashed. That ubiquitous four-to-the-floor kick and synth bass sound draws from Chicago's queer, black and latinx warehouse club culture. Micah Salkind is working on a book on the history of these communities. Together we break down the sonic origins of this music through a modern track that fully embraces its cultural nexus: "Hideaway" by Kiesza. Micah takes us back to Chicago in the 1980s, and we explore how this sound came to be and where it is going today.

FEATURINGKiesza - HideawayLoleeta Holloway - Love SensationBlack box - Ride On TimeMadonna - VogueMr. Fingers - The JuiceKanye West - FadeRythim Is Rythim - Strings Of LifePaul Oakenfold - You Could Be HappyFrankie Knuckles - Your LoveMFSB ft The Three Degrees - T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)Jesse Saunders - On and OnDiplo - Be Right There Justin Bieber - SorryCalvin Harris - This Is What You Came ForShaun J. Wright & Alinka - Love Inspired

MORE STUFFFind more of Micah's work at micah-salkind.squarespace.com/about/ and his DJ sets at www.mixcloud.com/micahjacksonListen to Shaun J. Wright & Alinka on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/aalinkaa/shaun-j-wright-alinka-love

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Around The World With Drake Jul 14, 2016

Show notes

How do you create a hit that both breaks sound barriers and chart records? Drake has done this with a unique mix of international sounds from Africa, the Caribbean, the U.K. and Canada. But is his chart topping success musical appropriation or celebration? A deep listening reveals diverse influences and musical rhythms that have crossed oceans centuries before "One Dance" was even conceived. Plus, we debut Blinky Bill's "So Strong," his first single off his upcoming solo album.

FEATURING

- Drake - One Dance (feat. Whizkid & Kyla)

- Ojuelegba Remix - Wizkid ft. Drake & Septa

- 2Baba - Coded Tinz ft. Phyno, Chief Obi

- DJ Maphorisa - Soweto Baby feat Wizkid & Dj Buckz

- Crazy Cousinz - Do You Mind ft. Kyla

- The Revolutionaries - General For General

- Barrington Levy - Dance Are Changing

- Joh Thomas - Ghetto Dance

- Papa Biggie - Youth Them Have To Grow

- Yellowman - Adam & Eve

- Mighty Diamonds - Love Me Girl

- Drake - Hotline Bling

- Timmy Thomas - Why Can’t We Live Together

- D.R.A.M. - Cha Cha

- Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie XX - Take Care Of You

- Drake - Take Care ft. Rihanna

- Drake - JunglePaul Simon - Graceland

- Paul Simon - I Know What I Know

- Moby - Natural Blues

- Vera Hall - Trouble So Hard

- David Guetta - Hey Mama (ft. Nicki Minaj)

- Sangkala - Gamelan Degung

- Joel Francisco Perri - Las llamas de Potosi

- Habib Koité - Africa

- Kwaa Mensah - Odo Me, Me Sum No DoChico O’farrell - Sin Titulo

- Trio Matamoros - El Que Siembra Su Maíz

- Joseph Kabasele - Africa Bola Ngombi

- E.T. Mensa & The Tempos - Fom Fom

- Fela Kuti - Lagos Baby

- Fela Kuti - Elbe Moi (Carry Me)

- Fela Kuti - LadyWizkid - Show You The Money

- Blinky Bill - So Strong

Check out Blinky's music at www.soundcloud.com/blinkyb

Supported by Casper and Amazon Prime Music's Song of Summer Playlist Amazon www.amazonsongsofsummer.com/pop

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When Good Music Happens To Bad People Jun 30, 2016

Show notes

We have more information about pop stars lives than ever before, but this transparency is not always uplifting for music lovers. Just as we may enjoy following the intimate lives of celebrities on Instagram, we simultaneously uncover how stars abuse their power to marginalize others, commit heinous crimes and inspire mass atrocity. Sometimes skeletons in the closet turn our to be literal skeletons. As listeners, this undoubtedly colors the way we hear our old favorite songs. Join us as we explore how to listen to good music that happens to bad people.

FEATURING

Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire

The Righteous Brothers - You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

Garry Glitter - Hey

R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)

Wagner - Ride Of The Valkyries

The Ronettes - Be My Baby

Queen - You’re My Best Friend

Drake - Keep The Family Close

Wagner - Tristan Und Isolade: Prelude

Wagner - Tristan Und Isolade: Liebestod

Wagner - Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus

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Justin Timberlake Goes Medieval Jun 16, 2016

Show notes

Summer heat is upon us and so are the jams. Our ears are hooked on Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling." What you may not know is that this song leans on the success of mononymous giants: Pharrell, Michael and Handel. If you think that pop is a modern phenomenon, you may be surprised by medieval references and techniques comped by JT. Join us as we break down the hidden hooks and musical tricks that make this song an ear worm.

Featuring

Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling!

Pharrell Williams - Happy

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

Elvis Costello - Allison

M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This

Electric Six - Improper Dancing

Nicki Minaj - Feeling Myself ft. Beyonce

Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around

Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River

Bernart De Ventadorn - Can Vei La Lauzeta

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All About Those Baseline Assumptions About Femini$m in Pop Jun 06, 2016

Show notes

With Meghan Trainor's new singles "No" and "Me Too" ubiquitous on the radio dial, a larger discussion about the uneasy relationship between social movements and selling records takes a feminist bent. Memories of the polarizing 2014 hit "All About that Bass" come to the surface, reigniting debates over whether Trainor's songs express radical thought or package it for mass consumption. Or is that distinction a distraction, forgetting that manufactured pop can still pack a political punch? That might depend on how you listen. Andi Zeisler, author of "We Were Feminists Once," professor Robin James, blogger Jenny Trout and writer Andrea Warner join for a dive into the complexities of feminist pop politics. FEATURING Meghan Trainor - Me Too Meghan Trainor - No Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass Spice Girls - Wannabe Big Sean - Dance (A$$) Taylor Swift - Shake It off Demi Lovato - Confident Grimes - Flesh Without Blood The Slits - Typical Girls Sleater-Kinney - #1 Must Have Jonathan Hoyle - Never Ending Road Lizzo - Good As Hell

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