Switched on Pop

By: Vulture
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  • Summary

  • 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
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Music
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Episodes
  • How Missy Elliott and Timbaland Freaked the World

    How Missy Elliott and Timbaland Freaked the World
    Mar 11 2025
    When the song “Get Ur Freak On” hit radio in 2001, it set the world of popular music on fire. Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s first crossover hit sounded nothing like the chart-topping bluesy rock of Aerosmith or Lenny Kravitz, or the smooth R&B of Joe or Jagged Edge. It was a song that compelled you to dance - literally, with Missy issuing repeat commands to “get ur freak on” and encouraging crowds to gather ‘round in what we’ve only ever experienced as a hot slick mess of bodies, cheering and vibing as one pretzeling mass. But this song was years in the making. Timbaland and Missy had been hard at work on the sound for nearly a decade before “Get Ur Freak On” was heard by anyone. This week, in yet another segment of our Modern Classics miniseries, our guest host and former producer Megan Lubin shares the story of the sound that made “Get Ur Freak On” a pop music phenomenon, and transformed Timbaland into one of the most ubiquitous producers of the aughts. Songs Discussed Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On Tweet - Oops (Oh My) Jay-Z - Dirt off Your Shoulder Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around... Comes Around 2Pac - Me Against The World TLC - Creep Ginuwine - Pony Aaliyah - One in a Million Jay-Z ft. UGK - Big Pimpin’ Jay-Z - Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous Justin Timberlake ft. T.I. - My Love Timbaland ft. One Republic - Apologize Sports Car - Tate McRae Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Playing "Hide and Seek" with Imogen Heap

    Playing "Hide and Seek" with Imogen Heap
    Mar 4 2025
    It may be hard to believe it in this technology-driven day and age, but one of the most pervasive sounds in popular music came about when a computer STOPPED working. In 2005, artist and innovator Imogen Heap released "Hide and Seek," a mysterious and emotional song featuring just her voice and a digital harmonizer. In this episode, Nate and Reanna dissect a song that launched a thousand memes and gave the world one of the defining sonic textures of our time. Songs Discussed Imogen Heap - Headlock Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight Daft Punk - Around the World Imogen Heap - Getting Scared Frou Frou - Let Go Jason Derulo - Whatcha Say Bon Iver - Woods Coldplay - Hurts Like Heaven Kacey Musgraves gracias a la vida Frank Ocean - Close To You Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey - The Middle Caroline Polachek - So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • The Umbrella Effect: How Rihanna’s Breakout Hit Changed Pop Music Forever

    The Umbrella Effect: How Rihanna’s Breakout Hit Changed Pop Music Forever
    Feb 25 2025
    In 2007, a 19-year-old Barbadian pop singer released the lead single off her third album. By doing so, she didn't just give us a timeless, undeniable banger -- she changed the way pop music is made, and became the global superstar that we know Rihanna to be today. In this episode we go back in time to unearth the origins of "Umbrella," and how the song blossomed as a result of many shifting currents in the music industry, the democratization recording technology, and the persistence of Rihanna and her team to record the song instead of the artist for whom it was intended. SONGS DISCUSSED James Brown "Funky Drummer" Funkadelic "Get Off Your Ass and Jam" Soft Cell "Tainted Love" N.W.A. "100 Miles and Runnin" Mya "Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do?)" Britney Spears featuring Madonna "Me Against the Music" Nine Inch Nails "The Hand That Feeds" Rihanna "Pon de Replay" Rihanna "S.O.S." Shakira "Hips Don't Lie" Rihanna "Umbrella" Justice "Stress" Usher "Love in This Club" Childish Gambino "Bonfire" A$AP Rocky featuring Skepta "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" Asher Monroe "Synergy" Justin Bieber & Lil Dicky "Running Over" Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins

Featured Article: 20+ of the Best Music Podcasts to Play on Repeat


These are 20+ of the best music podcasts around. They're as different from one another as rock 'n' roll is from opera; some are funny and lighthearted, while others explore hefty social issues. Some focus on specific kinds of music—rap, country, classical, rock, pop—and others highlight diverse artists working in just about every musical style. Music fans are as varied as the music they listen to, but we promise there's something here for everyone.

Featured Article 20 of the Best Music Podcasts to Play on Repeat

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Fame and fortune

Charlie and Emily Bring to light the music world‘s bedroom issues plaguing the most creative aspect of this art form. Only by coming together to stand up to those with power can we move toward a more equitable balance in this industry. None of us on the receiving end want songwriters to have difficulty paying their rent, living, being creative. Thank you Emily. Thank you Charlie.

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