Episode 137: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 137: "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown
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James Brown (r) dancing with Johnny Carson (l)

Episode one hundred and thirty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown, and at how Brown went from a minor doo-wop artist to the pioneer of funk. 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 “I’m a Fool” by Dino, Desi, and Billy.

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/

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Episode 125: “Here Comes the Night” by Them

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 125: "Here Comes the Night" by Them
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Them

Episode 125 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Here Comes the Night”, Them, the early career of Van Morrison, and the continuing success of Bert Berns.  Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a twenty-minute bonus episode available, on “Dirty Water” by the Standells.

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 125: “Here Comes the Night” by Them”

Episode 94: “Stand By Me”, by Ben E. King

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 94: "Stand By Me", by Ben E. King
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Ben E. King

Episode ninety-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King, and at the later career of the Drifters. 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 “If I Had a Hammer” by Trini López.

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/

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Episode 75: “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 75: "There Goes My Baby" by the Drifters
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The Drifters

Episode seventy-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters, and how a fake record label, a band sacked for drunkenness, and a kettledrum player who couldn’t play led to a genre-defining hit. 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 “Rebel Rouser” by Duane Eddy

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 75: “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters”

Episode 49: “Love is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 49: "Love is Strange" by Mickey and Sylvia
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Mickey and Sylvia

Welcome to episode forty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “Love is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia, and how a reluctant bluesman who wrote books on jazz guitar, and a failed child star who would later become the mother of hip-hop, made a classic. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a bonus episode available. This one’s on “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” by Jimmy Witherspoon, and is about blues shouting and the ambition to have a polyester suit.

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Episode 17: “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 17: "Money Honey" by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
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Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters

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

Continue reading “Episode 17: “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters”