Saturn’s Favorite Music the Podcast

Don't Say "Vibe."

We get on the blue bus with Justin and Jane and travel to a spooky funeral for a horror film star, a sweaty beer filled UK dance club, and a smoke filled room with velvet curtains and we run screaming instead of walking on down the hall. On the way we take detours into British cuisine, songs you should not put on mix tapes and a missed opportunity to see The Beatles in concert. We try to avoid using the word "vibe" while describing The Stone Roses' "Fool's Gold," Bauhaus' "Bela Lugosi's Dead," and The Doors' "The End." And we return to the "Cheery Songs About Dysfunctional Relationships" file with a song by Michael Nesmith that was rejected by the producers of the Monkees, but became a hit for the Stone Poneys by way of a New York bluegrass band. 

It's the Calypso and Country Episode!

Laura and guest Mary Lanphier talk sensual zombies, the musical uses of press on nails, and compare Genesis's 1970s way out prog rock sound to its 1980s adult contemporary incarnation. Plus we cover what may be the greatest key change in pop music history. Songs include Harry Belafonte's "Zombie Jamboree," Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," Genesis' "Land of Confusion," and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." 

Happy Songs About Loss, Faux Live Recordings, and Undead Video Choreography

Jenny is back. In this episode we discuss a Kinks song that turns personal tragedy into warm nostalgia and we wonder at the delta between the influence of Kinks songs and their U.S. chart positions. We veer between trying to figure out what electric boots and mohair suits look like and exploring Biblical references in Elton John songs. And no mere mortal can resist the evil of our last selection. Cue the Vincent Price laugh. 

Hip Hop Meets Adult Contemporary

Jamie Robinson of the classic hip hop podcast Mr. Throwback Thursday is here to discuss progressive rock, 90s power ballads, and yacht rock harmonica because, why not? We get into the bpm of "Hold on to the Nights" by Richard Marx, and what the Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin" has in common with "O.P.P." by Naughty By Nature. Laura reveals the first single she ever bought. Plus we add two songs to the happy sounding songs about sadness playlist. Earth Wind and Fire's "September," and Supertramp's "Take the Long Way Home" round out this episode's list of songs. 

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.)