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Switched on Pop

Switched on Pop

By: Vulture
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About this listen

 A podcast all about the making and meaning of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding pull back the curtain on how pop hits work magic on our ears & our culture. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.2021 Vox Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Music
Episodes
  • A brief history of terrible lyrics (with Sam Sanders)

    A brief history of terrible lyrics (with Sam Sanders)
    Aug 12 2025
    Why do bad lyrics happen to good people? From "suckin' on a chili dog" to "making love to his tonic and gin," even the biggest hits from our favorite artists can feature lyrical turns that make us feel quizzical, offended, or even downright nauseated. With the help of Sam Sanders, brilliant host of The Sam Sanders Show, we plumb the depths of the worst pop lyrics of all time—culled from hundreds of submissions form Switched on Pop listeners—to try categorize, historicize, and, perhaps, celebrate the art of the lyrical faux pas. Follow Sam on Instagram and check out The Sam Sanders Show for more hot takes on entertainment and culture. We recommend you start here. Songs Discussed Benson Boone - Mystical Magical Velvet Sundown - Rebel Shout Live - Lightning Crashes Captain and Tennille - Muskrat Love John Mellencamp - Jack and Diane Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry, London Bridge Katy Perry - Firework Billy Joel - Piano Man Richard Harris - MacArthur Park Imagine Dragons - Sharks Des'ree - Life, You Gotta Be One Direction - Don't Forget Where You Belong, Little Things Taylor Swift - Willow, Anti Hero, I Hate it Here, ME! Train - Hey Soul Sister, Meet Virginia, Drops of Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Summer Bummer (with Commotion’s Elamin Abdelmahmoud)

    Summer Bummer (with Commotion’s Elamin Abdelmahmoud)
    Aug 5 2025
    Every music critic seems to agree: 2025 has no true song of summer. Last August, Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominated the charts. This year…Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominates the charts. What’s going on? Why is there no new summer song to unite us in collective listening, and will there ever be again? Elamin Abdelmahmoud, host of the CBC’s daily culture podcast Commotion, joins Nate and Charlie to discuss the dearth of seasonal bops, and suggest some possible contenders for sleeper summer hits, from the soundtrack of the anime film KPop Demon Hunters to the latest from the Haim sisters. Despite the moribund status of the Hot 100, there is no shortage of great music to be found in the dog days of summer if you’re willing to listen closely. More Check out more music commentary from Elamin and Commotion, like their dive into Bruce Springsteen’s unreleased albums, or their dissection of Bieber’s latest with our very own Reanna Cruz. Songs Discussed HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA - Golden Tyler Childers - Eatin’ Big Time Haim - Relationships Ravyn Lenae - Love Me Not Amber Mark - Sweet Seratonin Sly and the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Justin Bieber's Lo-fi Bedroom Swag

    Justin Bieber's Lo-fi Bedroom Swag
    Jul 29 2025
    Justin Bieber is back with his seventh studio album: the aptly-titled SWAG. The lo-fi, reverb-laden record is a remarkably candid look inside the world of Bieber, using the palette of both underground pop and 90's R&B to accentuate lyrics about his wife, his struggles, and his "standing on business." Notably, it's his first album post-split with manager Scooter Braun, and the first where Bieber has been in full artistic control. On this episode of Switched On Pop, we tap into the SWAG mindset and attempt to understand Bieber's newfound vision, what it's saying, and ultimately, if it even still matters. Songs discussed: Justin Bieber – DAISIES Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, Giveon – Peaches Justin Bieber, Sexyy Red – SWEET SPOT The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY Justin Bieber, Druski – STANDING ON BUSINESS Justin Bieber – ALL I CAN TAKE Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes Justin Bieber – GO BABY Justin Bieber – TOO LONG Justin Bieber, Gunna – WAY IT IS Justin Bieber, Dominic Fike – Die For You Justin Bieber, Burna Boy – Loved By You Justin Bieber, Lil B – DADZ LOVE Mk.gee – Alesis Mk.gee – Are You Looking Up Dijon – The Dress Justin Bieber – WALKING AWAY Haim – Don't Wanna Justin Bieber, Dijon – DEVOTION Justin Bieber – One Less Lonely Girl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
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