When we all fall asleep, where do we go? In this episode, we dig up Billie Eilish’s mysterious 2019 gem “Bury a Friend.” Mark shows how the song gets its creepy vibe in part by using some very simple and clever melodic tricks. Nichole talks about the monster under the bed and how nightmares can actually play a useful role in treatment. Also, why are lullabies so creepy?

Other music heard in this episode: Billie Eilish - “Ocean Eyes”, Ariana Grande - “Problem”, System of a Down - “Hypnotize”, Justin Timberlake - “Mirrors”, Meghan Trainor - “All About That Bass”

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Hey, who ordered the nipple gong? In this sidetrack we celebrate the unusual instruments that grace us in pop music. From the hurdy-gurdy to the musical saw, underappreciated instruments, we salute you! Tune in next week for some normal instruments in a full episode!

Music heard in this episode: Kate Bush - "The Dreaming", Earth, Wind & Fire - "Evil", The Beach Boys - "I Know There's an Answer", Depeche Mode - "Everything Counts", The Troggs - "Wild Thing", Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Give it Away", Neutral Milk Hotel - "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", Buddy Holly - "Everyday", Korn - "Shoots and Ladders", The Rolling Stones - "Lady Jane", Donovan - "Hurdy-Gurdy Man", Metallica - "Low Man's Lyric", Soundgarden - "Spoonman", Incubus - "Aqueous Transmission"

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How do you do it? Here we meet in outer space with Incubus’ 2000 rock radio staple “Stellar.” Mark can’t get enough of how rhythmically confusing the song is, with different possible ways to count the beat. Nichole tries to figure out why that kind of thing tickles us so much, and how we change our attitudes and identity over time. Listen close and learn something about how stupid Mark was in high school…

Other music heard in this episode: Incubus - "Drive", Incubus - "New Skin," Incubus - "Pardon Me," Incubus - "Redefine", Mike Einziger - "Wake Me Up", Wynonie Harris - "Good Rockin' Tonight", Queen - "We Will Rock You", The Beach Boys - "Slip on Through", 311 - "Loco", Chris Thile - "On Ice", Coldplay - “Clocks”

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Who’s your favorite female trombone player? Male flautist? Here we talk about how some instruments are weirdly gendered, find out which girly instrument Mark tried to learn, and hear a bit from Nichole about the brain differences between the biological males and females. Is all this nature or nurture? See you next week for a full episode!

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Did I hear a music major alert? Grab your college degree and geek out with us about Lizzo’s 2019 soul/hip-hop hybrid “Cuz I Love You.” Mark can’t stop crying thinking about the musical foreshadowing that occurs in this song’s bombastic hook, and how that fits perfectly with its genre blending stew. Nichole brings it all together through cognitive biases, especially that pesky hindsight bias.

Other music heard in this episode: X Ambassadors - "Renegade", The Flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes For You", The Specials - "Ghost Town", The Beatles - "Help!", Styx - "Renegade"

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What do artists owe the audience? In this sidetrack, we talk about when fans only want to hear an artist’s old material, even when they keep making new great music. The hosts share some artists they think haven’t received enough attention of late, and ponder what it means to be a “real fan.” Lastly, when is it OK to be “that guy” at a concert?

Music heard in this episode: Fiona Apple - “Criminal”, Fiona Apple - “Shameika”, Nickel Creek - “The Lighthouse’s Tale”, Nickel Creek - “Holding Pattern”, The Beach Boys - “‘Til I Die”

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What’s a better introduction to an artist, a ballad or a bop? With all due respect to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” we’d rather overthink Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 hit “Time After Time.” Mark has something to say about the relationship between syncopated rhythms (big word alert!) and the song’s themes, while Nichole shares the psychological take on whether people’s personalities can change or stay the same (time after time). Importantly, the hosts end by considering which The Breakfast Club character they most embody.

Other music heard in this episode: The Hooters - "And We Danced", Dire Straits - "Money for Nothing", Bonnie Tyler - "Total Eclipse of the Heart", Scott Joplin - "Maple Leaf Rag", Louis Jordan - "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie", Daft Punk - "Around the World", Aretha Franklin - "Chain of Fools", Carly Rae Jepsen - "Call Me Maybe"

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What are all these hashtags all over my sheet music? In our final music review session, Mark and Nichole talk sharps, flats, scales, and chords. Get your head on straight with all things pitch before the class withdrawal deadline! Another full episode next week!

Music heard in this episode: Coolio - “Gangsta’s Paradise”

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