Saturn’s Favorite Music the Podcast

From Christian Rock to Jesus and Mary Chain (Also Barenaked Men)

We welcome self-proclaimed adult contemporary fan Denise Goetz for an episode with musical styles that range from Christian rock to grunge. Denise explains her judging system, “If I can’t sing along or be part of it, I’m not interested." We discuss exclusive versions of songs created by vinyl skips, take a nostalgic look back at Detroit's City Club and revisit the spat entertainment reporters tried to gin up between Amy Grant and Madonna.  Denise worries that fans of Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen might come after her. Things get dark as we delve into the story behind "Jeremy." Songs this episode include Amy Grant's "I Will Remember You," Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," Jesus and Mary Chain's "April Skies" and Billy Joel's "A Matter of Trust." You won't believe which of these artists leads down a path to naked men.

Guilty Pleasure Songs

Jenny and Kara Hunter join us in an episode dedicated to 1970s guilty pleasures. There is discussion of picardy thirds, paradiddles, classical music radio voices and cold endings. We wonder at the plethora of versions of "I Write the Songs" released in 1975. Kara decides to change her name to Dragon and reveals her dream radio format-- all Abba all the time. We consider whether you can still be a "Dancing Queen" if you are over the age of 17.  Plus we try to decide whose version of "Hazy Shade of Winter" was better, Simon & Garfunkel or The Bangles. Captain and Tennille, Barry Manilow, David Cassidy and, for some reason, Lenny Kravitz are part of the freewheeling conversation. 

Sleeping Late With Sophisti-Pop Swing

In this episode of the Saturn's Favorite Music podcast, guests Justin and Jane return to explore the adult contemporary phenomenon of sophisti-pop and ask whether Air Supply could crash the world economy. There is a hit song that you might not know was co-written by Kenny Loggins, a duo who met during a tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and a song that managed to land entirely off Justin's radar despite being a top 20 AC hit. The celtic rock band Enter the Haggis gets another name drop. The Monkees elbow their way into a conversation about record executives manufacturing hits and Laura adds another song to her "Cheery Sounding Songs About Dysfunctional Relationships" playlist. The featured artists are The Doobie Brothers, Curtis Stigers, Swing Out Sister and Air Supply. Can you guess which of these artists always rubbed Justin the wrong way?

Chart Floppers and Sonic Departures

In this episode Laura and music teacher Kara Hunter examine the songs that two DJs would have put on the air in 1992 if their adult contemporary format would have allowed it. Only one of the songs in this episode cracked the top 40. Can you guess which one it is? Along the way we discuss sonic departures including the Kinks' social commentary in "Shangri-La," and a very non-extreme track by the band Extreme. During a discussion of Nirvana's "Lithium" we muse on the fate of the album cover's naked baby and we even discuss a Depeche Mode solo project that had reviewers critiquing the audience more than the music.  

The Motor City, Literary Lyrics, Self-Help Anthems and Synth Pop Sea Shanties

Laura and author Lisa Peers discuss Detroit's influence on music, rock inspired novels, where rock stars do their laundry and a bagpipe infused cover of a song originally recorded by a Dutch Elvis impersonator.  Songs this episode include Rod Stewart's "Rhythm of My Heart," Sting's "Fortress Around Your Heart," Wilson Philip's "Hold On" and The Surfaris "Wipe Out." Plus they talk about Lisa's new novel Motor City Love Song. 

How Many Hands? Celine, Sailing and Mama Cass Plus a Very Small Pony

In Episode 12 of the Saturn's Favorite Music podcast, Justin and Jane return to revisit songs about the seas. Justin explains why he is not a fan of the title of the Little River Band's "Cool Change." We discuss days of the week songs with the Mamas and the Papas' "Monday Monday." We go acoustic with Jim Croce's "Operator" and peak 1992 adult contemporary with Celine Dion's "If You Asked Me To."  Resident horse expert Jane explains how many hands it takes to measure a typical horse. (Hint: More than five.) 

Time Passages, Beginnings and the End of the World (As We Know It)

Jenny Hunter is back for an episode that is surprisingly upbeat for a set of songs that cover the temporal nature of existence, nostalgia and the end of the world as we know it. Also Leonard Bernstein. Songs include Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages," Chicago's "Beginnings" and R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)," the only track that is less than six minutes long, but which makes up for it with the length of its title. Jenny talks about the best moments at Chicago concerts and Laura and Jenny explore whether there is a reference to Trump in a 1987 R.E.M. song. 

EBS Tests, The Pie Song, and The Difference Between Players and Cats

Laura calls in musician Will Hoppey to talk about  Don McLean's “American Pie” and Steely Dan's “Deacon Blues” — two very different long songs with one thing in common: they’ve rescued a lot of DJs and working players over the years. The conversation wanders from radio-cart disasters and EBS tests gone wrong and why surrounding yourself with better musicians is the best career move you can make.

Wilkommen to Rickrolling, World Weariness, Alice's Restaurant, and Cabaret

Nick Bean is back to talk about Broadway, Liza Minelli and jazz hands. Nick laments never being rickrolled when Rick Astley's “Never Gonna Give You Up” was a meme. Bruce Springsteen's “Human Touch” leads to a discussion of when you need an uplifting song and when it's more cathartic to wallow in the sadness. And there are divergent opinions on Arlo Guthrie's “Alice's Restaurant.” One of the hosts gives it an A, while the other thinks it is 20 minutes of his life he'll never get back.

Lee Michaels is Stoned and So is the Plexiglass Toilet

Vinyl rules in this episode. A 1969 stoner anthem crashes a small-market radio shift as the wrong Lee Michaels song is played on air, the conversation wanders through hidden vinyl tracks, chateau recording studios in France with Elton John, the surprise appearance of Styx’s “Plexiglass Toilet,” and the classical roots of Eric Carmen’s All By Myself. Plus, a personal bombshell: Jenny reveals her all-time favorite song.