Will this be Mark's favorite song of the year? And can he convert Sarah? The maturity ship sails with mentions of Alanis, Miranda Lambert, Hopkins (drink!), and the cool girl looming large. Our intro is by David Byrne (not that one), and our outro is by Ivy. For more episodes and/or to buy our book, visit our website at markandsarahtalkaboutsongs.com , and get even more eps and discussion on our Patreon page, patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...
Nov 08, 2021•17 min•Ep. 247
We both had taste in 7th grade. Was it good taste? Listen to us discuss our favorite songs from that long-ago time and then decide! Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by A.B. Logic. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 01, 2021•38 min•Ep. 246
There are MANY songs about how hard it is to be famous, but which one is the best? In this ranking episode, we anoint the most valuable tune in the "I hate my rockstar life" canon. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Ray Charles. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 245
We're going all the way back to Bon Jovi's first hit single, "Runaway" -- and we're digging into Journey keyboards, bad daddies, and lyrical choices that hit differently today than they did back then. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Joe Jackson. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy...
Oct 11, 2021•20 min•Ep. 244
Joey Lawrence once released a teen pop album, and three of its songs demand attention. Join us for an investigation of white-boy rapping, smoove grooves, and the best way to hold your butt. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by The Archies. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-...
Oct 04, 2021•34 min•Ep. 243
Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" gets us talking about no-good boyfriends, drums that arrive at just the right time, and structural choices that make a song more exciting. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli and our outro is by Lyn & The Invaders. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...
Sep 27, 2021•31 min•Ep. 242
Etta James is ready for love (and other things), and we're ready to listen to her sing about it in "Something's Got a Hold On Me." All that, plus Xtina, palimpsests, and songs that make you feel cute. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Sarah's true beloved, Def Jef. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...
Sep 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 241
We're ranking every song on the "Clueless" soundtrack, which means we're talking about '90s fashion, the essence of college rock, and the justice we want for No Doubt. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by DJ Tei Towa. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 240
We're discussing The Replacements' "Alex Chilton" with special guest Taylor Cole ( The Great American Pop Culture Quiz Show ). The conversation covers everything from the pop music history of the mandolin to the changing nature of selling out. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne and our outro is by The Queers. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...
Aug 30, 2021•34 min•Ep. 239
Have you noticed that "The Tracks of My Tears" is a perfect song? We dig into the excellence of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' original version, the precision of the songcraft, and the narrative complexity of the background vocals. Plus, we've got a pop-chart astrology reading! Our intro is by Andrew Byrne and our outro is by The Hollies. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at http...
Aug 23, 2021•27 min•Ep. 238
It's a battle of the Genesis frontmen as we consider Peter Gabriel's "Digging in the Dirt" and Phil Collins's "Thru' These Walls," two songs about dudes with serious issues. Only one, however, is about a grade-A creep. Can you guess which? Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli and our outro is, naturally, by Genesis. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr...
Aug 16, 2021•30 min•Ep. 237
Lyle Lovett's "If I Had a Boat" gets us talking about surreal lyrics, traditional country, and at least one great film starring Christina Ricci. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Band of Horses. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 09, 2021•26 min•Ep. 236
We're digging deep into Netflix's eight-part docuseries This Is Pop. Join us as we discuss women in country, the merits of AutoTune, and the value of taking silly songs quite seriously. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Kraftwerk. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i...
Aug 02, 2021•43 min•Ep. 235
A pair of songs from The Killers' latest album (and a k.d. lang guest vocal) get us on some of our favorite subjects: death as pop-music fodder, poetic strategies in lyrical storytelling, and the definition of "Marknip." Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Cat Power. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Jul 26, 2021•38 min•Ep. 234
As we talk about George Benson's cover of "On Broadway," Mark makes visceral sounds about the singing, Sarah makes a case about the lyrical storytelling, and we both make references to chair-dancing. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by The Candy Skins. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...
Jul 19, 2021•18 min•Ep. 233
Is Lenny Kravitz undervalued? As we discuss "Are You Gonna Go My Way," we talk about his hot licks, his knack for controlling what consumes other artists, and his ability to make the phrase "rub-a-dub" sound sexy. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Jimi Hendrix. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...
Jul 12, 2021•20 min•Ep. 232
Yes, Rihanna's "We Found Love" is joyous, but it's also aching, sophisticated, and Calvin Harris-y. We're talking about all that...and Hostess Cakes. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by the Soup Dragons. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 28, 2021•17 min•Ep. 231
We're ranking every song on The Postal Service's album "Give Up," which means we're bleeping and blooping about grad school fan networks, lyrics with the right amount of self-consciousness, and intros that go on forever. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by The Knife. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Jun 21, 2021•51 min•Ep. 230
We're going back to the '50s with "Thirteen Women," Bill Haley's ditty about the ladies who will pleasure him during nuclear winter. Naturally, this makes us think about Greek tragedy, documentary films, and the subtle sexuality of jelly rolls. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by the Stills. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva...
Jun 14, 2021•23 min•Ep. 229
A listener request has us discussing the (very long) (frequently inaccurate) history lesson in Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." We've also got a birthday chart reading about a massively popular novelty song. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Bob Dylan. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...
Jun 07, 2021•24 min•Ep. 228
Tease up those bangs, because we're talking about Trisha Yearwood's 1991 country hit "She's in Love With the Boy." Why is Mark crying? Why is Sarah talking about subversive feminine narratives? Why are we using these accents? Listen and find out! Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Steve Wariner. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...
May 31, 2021•26 min•Ep. 227
Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" gets us chair-dancing like unleashed beasts, and then it gets us talking about narrators we can relate to, hooks we can savor, and vocals we can love and hate at the same time. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Howard Jones. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...
May 17, 2021•29 min•Ep. 226
The esteemed John Ramos returns to help us rank Prince covers, which means we're discussing everyone from Cyndi Lauper to Chaka Khan to [ checks notes ] Tevin Campbell. We're also confronting strong feelings about Martika and parsing the fashions of Vanity 6. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Prince. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art1...
May 10, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 225
Dua Lipa's "Levitating" makes it look easy to fill a song with killer hooks, and she's got us talking about words invented by pop stars, the surprising depth of dance anthems, and the way, inevitably, that Madonna is always there. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Gramatik. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...
May 03, 2021•19 min•Ep. 224
We wanna rock right now, so naturally we're talking about "It Takes Two," the timeless jam by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock. We're also talking about the beauty of last-minute inspiration and who can or can't stand sex. Our intro is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Run-DMC. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...
Apr 26, 2021•30 min•Ep. 223
As we talk about the power pop of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know," we also dig into American Idol , emotional British bands, and songs that are required to soundtrack a montage. Our intro is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Everything But the Girl. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...
Apr 19, 2021•21 min•Ep. 222
As we talk about "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees, we also talk about the long road to authenticity, the secret excellence of Micky Dolenz, and the various ways you could exist in the '60s. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by The Soup Dragons. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . SHOW NOTES Episode 16 on the Monkees' "Circle Sky" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...
Apr 05, 2021•36 min•Ep. 221
Our Teen Idol Tournament reaches its legally binding conclusion as we discuss the championship match-up between The Monkees and Britney Spears. This live episode features analysis, predictions, and our wistful thoughts on NKOTB. Go vote at patreon.com/mastas . (You just need a free Patreon account to vote.) Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Barenaked Ladies. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/ma...
Mar 29, 2021•38 min•Ep. 251
It's getting REAL as we reach the Final Four in our March MASTAS tournament to choose the all-time best teen idol. This live episode features analysis, predictions, Intro to Max Martin Theory, and the Monkees. Go vote at patreon.com/mastas. (You just need a free Patreon account to vote.) Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Katy Perry. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com. To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas. See Privacy Policy at...
Mar 22, 2021•29 min•Ep. 250
It's the Elite 8 in our March MASTAS tournament to choose the all-time best teen idol. This live episode features analysis, predictions, and various ways to root for Boston bands. Go vote at patreon.com/mastas . (You just need a free Patreon account to vote.) Our intro is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Britney Spears. To contact us or buy our books, visit MarkAndSarahTalkAboutSongs.com . To become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...
Mar 15, 2021•41 min•Ep. 249
