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
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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”

Episode 88: “Cathy’s Clown” by the Everly Brothers

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 88: "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers
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The Everly Brothers

Episode eighty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers, and at how after signing the biggest contract in music business history their career was sabotaged by their manager. 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 “Poetry in Motion” by Johnny Tillotson.

Continue reading “Episode 88: “Cathy’s Clown” by the Everly Brothers”