Switched on Pop

By: Vulture
  • 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
  • We're off to see the "Wicked"
    Dec 3 2024
    The year's hottest movie is, against all odds, a musical. Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, just hit theaters, and tells the tale of how a green-skinned girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West. And with any musical, the songs are just as important as the narrative. On this episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie, Nate, and Reanna hop on their broomsticks to break down the music powering this cultural phenomenon. Songs Discussed The Wizard And I - Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh The Wizard And I - Carole Shelley, Idina Menzel Popular - Ariana Grande Popular Song - MIKA, Ariana Grande Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande What Is This Feeling? - Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Defying Gravity - Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel You'll Be Back - Jonathan Groff, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Listening 2 Madonna: Ray of Light
    Nov 29 2024
    TIME Magazine once said, “there are few figures more closely associated with religion in pop culture than Madonna.” And looking at her catalog, it’s hard to disagree. From cheeky double entendres on “Like A Prayer,” to explorations of alternative philosophies on Ray of Light, spiritual practice has always been a core aspect of Madonna’s work. And as she dips her toes in different ideologies, she eventually comes to mold her own special religion in the process. On our final episode of our week-long Listening 2 Madonna series, we take a look at the third essential part of Madonna’s holy trinity: spirituality. Songs discussed: Madonna – "Like A Prayer" Madonna – "American Life" Sister Cristina – "Like A Virgin" Ray Charles – "What I'd Say" Madonna – "Live to Tell" Madonna – "Oh Father" Madonna – "X-Static Process" Madonna – "Bedtime Story" Björk – "Hyperballad" Madonna – "Ray of Light" Madonna – "Nothing Really Matters" Madonna – "The Power of Good-bye" Madonna – "Sky Fits Heaven" Madonna – "Shanti / Ashtangi" Addison Rae – "Aquamarine" Madonna – "Vogue" Madonna – "Music" Madonna – "Isaac" Madonna – "Like It Or Not" Madonna – "Get Together" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Listening 2 Madonna: Spanish Eyes
    Nov 27 2024
    Throughout her forty-year career, Madonna has managed to travel the globe, both literally and musically. Despite being a white woman from the midwest (Michigan, to be exact), her discography has been influenced by countless different cultures and sounds. Even from her very first single, Madonna has frequently paid homage to those she has encountered, reflecting (and sometimes appropriating) the cultures that surrounded her. But because she's the world's biggest pop star, this globalist approach created space in the mainstream for artists from different cultures to follow in her footsteps. This episode of Switched On Pop, we're Listening 2 Madonna and exploring the second aspect of her Holy Trinity: multiculturalism. Songs discussed: Madonna – "Everybody" La India – "Dancing on the Fire" Miami Sound Machine – "Dr. Beat" Madonna – "Holiday" Shannon – "Let the Music Play" Madonna – "Music" Madonna – "Vogue" Madonna – "La Isla Bonita" Madonna – "Spanish Eyes" Madonna – "Who's That Girl?" Ricky Martin – "Livin' La Vida Loca" Los Lobos – "La Bamba" Lady Gaga – "Alejandro" Malcolm McLaren – "Deep In Vogue – Introducing Lourdes & Willie Ninja" Madonna – "Deeper and Deeper" Derrick May – "Strings of Life" Ariana Grande – "yes and?" Beyoncé – "Break My Soul – The Queens Remix" Madonna – "Faz Gostoso" Blaya – "Faz Gostoso" Anitta – "Funk Rave" Madonna – "Batuka" Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B – "Bongos" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins

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.

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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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