Episode 92: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by the Tokens

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 92: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens
/

The Tokens

Episode ninety-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens, and at a seventy-year-long story of powerful people repeatedly ripping off less powerful people, then themselves being ripped off in turn by more powerful people, and at how racism meant that a song that earned fifteen million dollars for other people paid its composer ten shillings. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Tossin’ and Turnin'” by Bobby Lewis.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/

Continue reading “Episode 92: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by the Tokens”

PLEDGE WEEK: “The Flying Saucer” by Buchanan and Goodman

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
PLEDGE WEEK: "The Flying Saucer" by Buchanan and Goodman
/

Welcome to the second in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at http://patreon.com/join/andrewhickey .

Click the cut to view a transcript of this episode:

Continue reading “PLEDGE WEEK: “The Flying Saucer” by Buchanan and Goodman”

Episode 45: “Blueberry Hill”, by Fats Domino

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 45: "Blueberry Hill", by Fats Domino
/

Fats Domino

Episode forty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino, and at how the racial tensions of the fifties meant that a smiling, diffident, cheerful man playing happy music ended up starting riots all over the US.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Birmingham Bounce” by Hardrock Gunter.

Continue reading “Episode 45: “Blueberry Hill”, by Fats Domino”

Episode 30: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 30: "Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley
/

Bo Diddley

Welcome to episode thirty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This is the last of our three-part look at Chess Records, and focuses on “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Continue reading “Episode 30: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley”

Episode 27: “Tweedle Dee” by LaVern Baker

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 27: "Tweedle Dee" by LaVern Baker
/

LaVern Baker

Welcome to episode twenty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at LaVern Baker and “Tweedle Dee”. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Continue reading “Episode 27: “Tweedle Dee” by LaVern Baker”

Episode 18: “Sh-Boom” by the Chords

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 18: "Sh-Boom" by the Chords
/

The Chords

Welcome to episode eighteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Sh-Boom” by the Chords. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Continue reading “Episode 18: “Sh-Boom” by the Chords”