Look, we're not saying that Patty Griffin makes the perfect music for your tailgating party, but we ARE saying that her song "Making Pies" epitomizes her gift for condensing an entire life into four minutes. Come cry with us, sigh with us, and talk about potato salad that makes you die with us. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Sam Cooke. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at f...
Jul 27, 2020•36 min•Ep. 218
The legendary "Ladies First" gets us talking about how Queen Latifah can apparently do everything, and how both she and co-star Monie Love were fully formed artists from the jump. We also discuss duet partners who balance each other, lyrics that footnote themselves, and the appropriate moment to punch somebody in the face. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Def Jef. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @tal...
Jul 20, 2020•20 min•Ep. 217
Because we believe in angels, we're talking about Dolly Parton. More specifically, we're talking about seven of her less-remembered songs that deserve more attention, including a startling ballad from the '60s, a zippy kiss-off from the 2000s, and a late-'80s ode to cowboys with fine asses. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Patsy Cline. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us...
Jul 13, 2020•51 min•Ep. 216
Thanks to "This Time Around," the jangly jam by '90s alt-rockers Luna, we're digging into bands worth loving for 25 years, our grandmothers' strangest advice, and our favorite concert memories. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by The Stills. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking episodes), bec...
Jul 06, 2020•21 min•Ep. 215
While talking about "Ride Wit Me," we realize that Nelly can basically do everything. From poetic flourishes to inspiring biography to exceptional celebrity connections, we're discussing it all! 'Round about minute 17, we're also losing our fool minds. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Duran Duran. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podc...
Jun 29, 2020•22 min•Ep. 214
Talking about Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" means talking about how covers can redefine songs, and how Gaye himself can always make us feel things. We also navigate Mark's disdain for the movie Practical Magic and once again let ourselves revel in Pip shade. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Marvin Gaye. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mast...
Jun 22, 2020•30 min•Ep. 213
We're joined by special guest Chris Barron (of Spin Doctors) to talk about "Some Enchanted Evening," a perfect song tucked inside the musical South Pacific. Get ready for talk of the Muppets, surprising chord progressions, and the ukulele. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Sly and the Family Stone. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get...
Jun 15, 2020•44 min•Ep. 212
We've both had Sinead O'Connor's album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" stuck in our heads for 30 years, but ranking it proved challenging. How do we choose among so many evocations of pain, love, and three babies? Our path includes political rage, feelings you can't understand until you're older, and, of course, and the William Tell overture. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, as heard on the Brassed Off soundtrack. Want to leave us a voicemail? J...
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 211
The passionate throwback pop that Yola delivers on "Faraway Look" gets us talking about how stories dictate performances, how to sneak stupid stuff into serious moments, and how to suffer with toast. And thanks to a patron's request, we're also talking about Annie Lennox's "Little Bird" video and the many costumes therein. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Dusty Springfield. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com,...
May 18, 2020•35 min•Ep. 210
We go deep with "Always On My Mind," discussing versions by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Pet Shop Boys. In the midst of discussing storytelling structure, vocal choices, and the magic of an extra chord, we also take a break to deliver a listener-requested playlist of stay-at-home dance songs. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Patsy Cline. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talkson...
May 11, 2020•49 min•Ep. 209
We're talking about Bjork's "Big Time Sensuality," which means we're talking about blue raspberry ice cream, people with flowers for heads, and throwing up on rollercoasters. Because Bjork is surreal, see?!?! We're also talking about our preferred musical balance between experimentation and discipline, among other musical things. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Everything But the Girl. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmai...
May 04, 2020•26 min•Ep. 208
We may not agree on Nelly Furtado and her big hits, but we DO agree about Paul Rudd and the peak years of Entertainment Weekly. We're talking about all that and more! Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Dover. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking episodes), become a patron at patreon.com/mast...
Apr 27, 2020•36 min•Ep. 207
We're ranking songs with dubious heroes -- meaning tunes about people who are quite possibly jerks. We're also talking about the legacy of Kenny Rogers, the reason not to discuss babies in an Arby's, and the worst approximations of calypso music. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Jude. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus con...
Apr 20, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 206
A listener request for INXS gets us talking about "New Sensation," grade-grubbing, and the need for artists who are very good...but not quite revolutionary. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Karen Carpenter. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking episodes), become a patron at patre...
Apr 13, 2020•30 min•Ep. 205
We're talking about songs we like by artists we don't, which means we're venting our spleens about Rod Stewart, pondering the blandness of Five For Fighting, considering the alleged history of Kenny Chesney, and breathing heavily about Scotty McCreery. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Chris Carmack (as Will, on Nashville). Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mas...
Apr 06, 2020•53 min•Ep. 204
We get our indie feelings out with a song from Canadian rock band The Stills. Meanwhile, Mark surprises Sarah on his journey with this week's tune, and Sarah makes Mark realize he misunderstood something she said like 100 episodes ago. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Boards of Canada. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to b...
Mar 30, 2020•24 min•Ep. 203
Talking about Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas" gets us deep into Sarah's family tree, the limits of irony as a pop-music strategy, and the reasons Weezer probably developed it super-intense fan base to begin with. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by the Jonas Brothers. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in...
Mar 23, 2020•19 min•Ep. 202
Madonna is such a BOSS that she has 13 top-20 hits that don't appear on The Immaculate Collection or GHV2. 13! For most artists, that would be a career. For Madge, it's table scraps. But of course, these songs aren't scraps at all. They deserve to be ranked, and so we're ranking them, along with your help! Please enjoy our whoops of joy, hollers of dissent, and gasps of surprise as we learn how we feel about "Causing a Commotion," "Rain," and more! [This Single first appeared on our Patreon (htt...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 201
We're ranking "argumentative duets" from the Human League, Brandy & Monica, and more. We're also talking about Scandinavian animators, the music in bubble tea places, and the various meanings of the term "booty basement." Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Etta James. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote ...
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 200
Talking about Donna Summer's '80s hit has us pondering artists who can outlast backlashes, enjoying music to spite someone, and the unheralded legacy of a restroom attendant named Onetta. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Q-Feel. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking episodes), be...
Mar 09, 2020•23 min•Ep. 199
A dance-floor masterpiece is our topic today, but in addition to the Village People's hot hot disco hit, we're also talking about stuffed animals, allies in getting loud, and that time Sarah set a world Macarena record. Come for the disco, stay for Uncle Popper's Playhouse! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Queen. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcas...
Mar 02, 2020•35 min•Ep. 198
Talking about Rufus Wainwright's "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" gets us thinking about turning big emotions into digestible songs, the dramatic impact of opera, and the times parents are allowed to read their kids' diaries. (Answer: Almost never!) Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne and our outro is by Ben Folds. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access...
Feb 17, 2020•30 min•Ep. 197
There are so many ways to be happy, and Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" pretty much covers them all. We're also talking about songs that sound confident, honeymoon rituals, and important hats of 2014. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne and our outro is by Katrina and the Waves. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking epis...
Feb 10, 2020•20 min•Ep. 196
It's our third annual Oscar-themed episode with our good pal Joe Reid! This year, we're talking about Oscar-winning songs having major anniversaries -- from The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and Crazy Heart -- and making an unexpected turn into our grandmother's favorite tunes. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by the Cox Family. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com...
Feb 03, 2020•50 min•Ep. 195
We bow before the incredible rhymes in "Passin' Me By" by the Pharcyde, and we also talk about the pleasure of parsing lyrical references, the "collegiate" rap of the early '90s, and the best time to call someone a nincompoop. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by De La Soul. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote...
Jan 27, 2020•22 min•Ep. 194
It's a crazy miracle that "One Night In Bangkok" was a top-three single, but here we are. As we talk about Murray Head's hit song -- written by the guys from ABBA (!) and Tim Rice (!!) -- we also talk about the special weirdness of the early '80s, the least likely musicals, and George Michael's little white shorts. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Taco. (OF COURSE IT IS.) Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@g...
Jan 20, 2020•18 min•Ep. 193
[Content advisory: This episode touches on family separation, American slavery, and cultural trauma.] We welcome back Eli Oberman (a great musician and our resident wind expert) to discuss Nina Simone's "Wild Is The Wind." We cover the upbeat moments in sad songs, singers who make you glad to feel wistful, and the perfect time to call a skiffle band. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Johnny Mathis. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can em...
Jan 13, 2020•37 min•Ep. 192
Our roller skating dreams are fueled by Hall & Oates, "Private Eyes," and the simple pleasures of an effortless groove. Then we think about the fate of being the second most-famous member of a duo. Shut up, And! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Huey Lewis and The News. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vo...
Jan 06, 2020•23 min•Ep. 191
The time has come for us to rank every song on Alanis Morissette's decade-defining album. Which songs sound different to our middle-aged ears? Which songs have unexpectedly become favorites? Why is Judith Light involved? Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne and our outro is by Michelle Branch. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and...
Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 190
Yes, Heidi Klum recorded a Christmas song, and no, we can't believe it either. Her Teutonic hubris has us talking about frightened children, Seal's domestic coping strategies, and those rare cultural artifacts that deserve both an F and an A. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Fountains of Wayne. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get ac...
Dec 16, 2019•17 min•Ep. 189
