The Kinks were heading into uncharted territory in the Sixties. The London rockers blew up in the early days of the British invasion, topping the charts with violently rowdy bangers like “You Really Got Me.” But Ray Davies began to explore a new kind of introspective songwriting, telling stories of everyday heartbreak. “Waterloo Sunset” is his artistic triumph: the delicate 1967 ballad of a lonely man by a train station, watching lovers from his window. 

This one-time cult favorite has become The Kinks’ most beloved classic, setting a standard that all kinds of songwriters aspire to reach. On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos are joined by their Rolling Stone colleague Kory Grow, to explore the mystery of how such a quiet song has just kept growing more beloved and influential over the years.

The Kinks were heading into uncharted territory in the Sixties. The London rockers blew up in the early days of the British invasion, topping the charts with violently rowdy bangers like “You Really Got Me.” But Ray Davies began to explore a new kind of introspective songwriting, telling stories of everyday heartbreak. “Waterloo Sunset” is his artistic triumph: the delicate 1967 ballad of a lonely man by a train station, watching lovers from his window. 
This one-time cult favorite has become The Kinks’ most beloved classic, setting a standard that all kinds of songwriters aspire to reach. On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos are joined by their Rolling Stone colleague Kory Grow, to explore the mystery of how such a quiet song has just kept growing more beloved and influential over the years.

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Britney Spears' “...Baby One More Time," we talk to artists and insiders about what makes these the greatest songs of all time.

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Britney Spears' “...Baby One More Time," we talk to artists and insiders about what makes these the greatest songs of all time.

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

Is The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” The Most Beautiful Song Ever?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/72121048-bd7c-4508-9760-b19a015462a1/transcript

Rob Base never thought “It Takes Two” would become a massive hit. He and DJ E-Z Rock were just aiming to make a neighborhood party record, straight from the streets of Harlem, to get bodies moving in their local clubs and skating rinks. But “It Takes Two” blew up into a monster hit around the world, forever changing hip-hop.

The music business was shocked when this raw rap anthem crashed into the U.S. Top 40, with zero crossover or compromise. “It Takes Two” transformed history, yet it’s also a dance-floor banger that never fails to light up a wedding or party. This song changed the way people thought about hip-hop, at a time when it was still considered a fad; it also altered the way people thought about sampling, reviving James Brown for a new era.

On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss how “It Takes Two” changed pop history, and why it lives on. They’re also joined by a special guest: Rob Base himself, as he tells the story of how the song came together. But like everyone else, Base was stunned when their street beats conquered the world.

Rob Base never thought “It Takes Two” would become a massive hit. He and DJ E-Z Rock were just aiming to make a neighborhood party record, straight from the streets of Harlem, to get bodies moving in their local clubs and skating rinks. But “It Takes Two” blew up into a monster hit around the world, forever changing hip-hop.
The music business was shocked when this raw rap anthem crashed into the U.S. Top 40, with zero crossover or compromise. “It Takes Two” transformed history, yet it’s also a dance-floor banger that never fails to light up a wedding or party. This song changed the way people thought about hip-hop, at a time when it was still considered a fad; it also altered the way people thought about sampling, reviving James Brown for a new era.
On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss how “It Takes Two” changed pop history, and why it lives on. They’re also joined by a special guest: Rob Base himself, as he tells the story of how the song came together. But like everyone else, Base was stunned when their street beats conquered the world.

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s Everlasting Hit: ‘It Takes Two’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2cb7c187-394a-440c-9994-b19301497846/transcript

Gladys Knight and the Pips were two decades into their career when they released their signature song, “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Formed in 1952, the legendary band was comprised of Gladys Knight, her brother Bubba Knight and their cousins William Guest and Edward Patten. They were originally signed to Motown Records in1966 but found their time on the label to be an uphill battle, with acts like Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Supremes given priority.

Their eventual 1973 signing to Buddha Records ended up giving them an unexpected fresh start. For their debut single on the label, they recorded a new version of Jim Weatherly's folky track "Midnight Plane to Houston,” pulling from a Cissy Houston cover of Weatherly's song that had already changed the city and mode of transportation in the title. The rest is history, with "Midnight Train to Georgia" becoming the group's biggest and most signature track. 

On this week’s episode our hosts are joined by the song's engineer and mixer Ed Stadium, who shares the fascinating history of how this song came together, as well as an alternate version of the song from his archives. Listen in as they explore why this track remains a standout in the group's illustrious career and the emotional depth that Gladys Knight's voice brings to the song.

Gladys Knight and the Pips were two decades into their career when they released their signature song, “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Formed in 1952, the legendary band was comprised of Gladys Knight, her brother Bubba Knight and their cousins William Guest and Edward Patten. They were originally signed to Motown Records in1966 but found their time on the label to be an uphill battle, with acts like Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Supremes given priority.
Their eventual 1973 signing to Buddha Records ended up giving them an unexpected fresh start. For their debut single on the label, they recorded a new version of Jim Weatherly's folky track "Midnight Plane to Houston,” pulling from a Cissy Houston cover of Weatherly's song that had already changed the city and mode of transportation in the title. The rest is history, with "Midnight Train to Georgia" becoming the group's biggest and most signature track. 
On this week’s episode our hosts are joined by the song's engineer and mixer Ed Stadium, who shares the fascinating history of how this song came together, as well as an alternate version of the song from his archives. Listen in as they explore why this track remains a standout in the group's illustrious career and the emotional depth that Gladys Knight's voice brings to the song.

How 'Midnight Train to Georgia' Gave Gladys Knight & the Pips a Fresh Start

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/80c8cc76-b39d-418b-a706-b18c011afffd/transcript

In 2003, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were not only emerging as one of the most stellar bands in a particularly thrilling New York rock scene, but also as one of the most exciting bands in the world. Their breakout hit "Maps" would be a major pop crossover moment, joining the lexicon of great and timeless rock and roll love songs.

At the band's helm was Karen O, the firecracker of a lead vocalist whose songwriting, style and stage presence has influenced an ever-growing list of rock and pop stars in her wake. She met drummer Brian Chase while attending Oberlin and later connected with guitarist Nick Zinner at NYU. When the three combined forces in 2000, it would lead to the arty-punk tour de force that was their debut album Fever to Tell and some of the most talked about gigs around NYC during the Meet Me in the Bathroom era.

On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and are  joined by their brilliant colleague Julyssa Lopez to meditate on what makes the song (and its legendary video) so iconic, while also breaking down Karen O's legacy as one of the great vocalists and frontpeople in rock history.

In 2003, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were not only emerging as one of the most stellar bands in a particularly thrilling New York rock scene, but also as one of the most exciting bands in the world. Their breakout hit "Maps" would be a major pop crossover moment, joining the lexicon of great and timeless rock and roll love songs.
At the band's helm was Karen O, the firecracker of a lead vocalist whose songwriting, style and stage presence has influenced an ever-growing list of rock and pop stars in her wake. She met drummer Brian Chase while attending Oberlin and later connected with guitarist Nick Zinner at NYU. When the three combined forces in 2000, it would lead to the arty-punk tour de force that was their debut album Fever to Tell and some of the most talked about gigs around NYC during the Meet Me in the Bathroom era.
On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and are  joined by their brilliant colleague Julyssa Lopez to meditate on what makes the song (and its legendary video) so iconic, while also breaking down Karen O's legacy as one of the great vocalists and frontpeople in rock history.

Why 'Maps' Is One of Rock's Most Iconic Love Songs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/42180a54-e5ce-435a-9715-b1860045dead/transcript

Is The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” The Most Beautiful Song Ever?

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