Stereothematica

Forget “please allow me to introduce myself” or “my name is….” What if your introduction were a song, or a mesmerizing opening credit sequence, or maybe even a reference you can’t stop thinking about? This episode is about the art of introduction through music, because before a single word is spoken, music can tell us exactly who we’re meeting and what kind of world we're about to enter. SONG...

Ever feel like skipping ahead to see what's in store for the next chapter? Understandable, but it's probably best to let your next chapter unfold naturally. That's what we're doing this week--embracing next chapters and the music we listen to as we mentally settle into a new path. Welcome to Season 3, friends! SONGS: Broadcast: Before We Begin (2003) Canned Head: Going Up the C...

Memorable melodies. A theatrical flair. A note only a Broadway star could hold. It's showtime, baby! This week we're puttin' on the ritz and singing along to our favorite showtunes. Join us in the chorus line, won't you? SONGS: Big Spender from Sweet Charity (Original, Broadway cast 1966)  Cats Memory Reprise (Original Broadway cast 1983)  RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Big Spender...

"Not knowing is the most intimate." We might not be Buddhists, but we can definitely get behind this logic. Join us as we lay bare our ignorance and learn some really cool stuff along the way (to enlightenment???). SONGS: Flying Burrito Brothers: If You Gotta Go (1970)   Minnie Riperton: Lovin’ You (1974) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Bob Dylan - If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got to S...

What makes a perfect road trip song? That depends on countless factors and combinations, it's really its own sort of equation. And while we don't go through all the possibilities, we do talk about a couple of our favorite tracks for trippin', and we hope you'll share yours on Instagram. SONGS: Ana Tijoux: 1977 (2010) Steely Dan: Reelin’ In the Years (1972) RESOURCES AND REFEREN...

Natural beauty can be ephemeral. Take wildflowers, for example. They bloom and often quickly disappear, leaving you wishing it were springtime again. How do you capture that feeling of fleeting beauty? Maybe with a song. And that's exactly what we attempted this week. SONGS: Hot Chip: Colours (2006) Dina Ögon: Undantag (2021) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: How Did the Bluebonnet Become a Symbol of...

Do you have a personal motto? Should you? We think it's fine. After all, nothing matters... but music. Join us this week as we dive into the songs we utilize as our personal mottos of sorts. SONGS: Bomba Estéreo: Soy Yo (2015)   Charli XCX: Twice (2022) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Merrell Wrapt (POOG 20% OFF: HAGFOOT20)  Bomba Estereo: Huepaje (2005) NPR with Bomba Estéreo Founder Simón Mejía a...

Can you remember what you were listening to in 2016? It was a different world, an end of an era, a sad time, in fact, a shit year, some might say–we say it pretty unequivocally. But the music we listened to provided an escape, relief, and sometimes just a pleasant enough distraction. Join us on this (brief) trip down memory lane! SONGS: Julia Jacklin: Pool Party (2016) Gal Costa: ​​Vou Recomeçar (...

As we established back in March of last year, all protest songs are love songs ! If you're confused, check out the episode . And if you're intrigued, join us for this week's sweeping statement: Resistance is NOT futile. The world might seem like it's imploding. You might be mad as hell (we are). So join us, and the resistance. We need you.  SONGS: Nina Simone: Mississippi Godda...

"Nepo babies." Pejorative term or celebration of creative lineage? We don't care, as long as the outcome is good! And the outcome from our nepo baby musicians is, indeed, good. Whether your parents are indie folk legends or you're part of Hollywood royalty.... it doesn't really matter to us. Keep making the hits!   SONGS: Going to a Town: Rufus Wainwright (2007)  Coconut R...

One of the things we love most about music is its power to transport. It can carry us somewhere locational, philosophical, psychological, even quantal (as we explored more overtly in our Time Machine episode ). A single song can shift the room, unlock memories, or reveal a door we didn’t even know was there. Music is the vessel that cracks open our hearts and minds, taking us on a long and winding...

Brr. Did someone just open a window? Or did I catch a crazy vibe from this funky ass song? Ok enough silliness. This week we deep dive into the songs that give us the literal chills. You know, the type of song that makes the hairs on your arm stand up. A song that makes you sit up a little straighter... makes you "lock in" as the youth say. And no, we DIDN'T just explore this theme...

Music has the power to soothe, excite, stir emotions, or make you get up and dance ! And sometimes it elicits a visceral reaction that you weren't expecting... even after the umpteenth time you've heard the song. That's right, this week, we're talking about songs that wreak havoc on your nervous system. SONGS: David Bowie: Blackstar (2015)  Bjork: hyperballad (1996) REFERENCES...

Fa La La. Shoo ba doo bee. MmmmBOP! Did you read those out loud just now? Congratulations. You can scat! All jokes aside, this week we’re focused on made up words in music! Some of the greatest hits of all time have a nonsensical word (or two!) in their lyrics, and we’re deep diving into some of our favorites in this episode!  SONGS :  Ooh Poo Pah Doo: Jessie Hill   Serge Gainsbourg: Shu Ba Du Ba...

We’re not making any friends with this episode. But hopefully we don’t lose any either.  We’re just being honest …and mildly obnoxious. Please listen until the end (unless you’re a Swiftie!). SONGS: Tom Waits: All the World is Green (2002)  Beyonce: 7/11 (2014) EXTRAS: Live Circus Live at Jacksonville (2008) Tom Waits Library   Tom Waits - IMDb Cinematic Appearances of Tom Waits and His Music Tom...

Ever think there might be an invisible thread holding things together that you cannot see, but perhaps... you can feel? This week's theme centers on the question, "Are these songs related somehow?" And the resounding answer: "No." SONGS Pino D'angio: Ma quale Idea (1980)  Brian Eno: Baby’s on Fire (1973) EXTRAS Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It Sister Sledge: He’...

Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 with a deadly fall and a sliced off ear! That's right, movie magic music is back, and this time we’re talking about the most haunting use of a song in a movie. Brace yourself for spoilers!  SONGS Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band: P.I.M.P. (2008) Stealers Wheel: Stuck in the Middle with You (1972) EXTRAS P.I.M.P. Scene from Anatomy of a Fall   Stuck in the...

The year is (almost) over! And we are delighted. So what better time to share our most-loved and most-listened to bands with our dutiful, beautiful listeners? If the year-end "best of" lists overwhelm you, we hope you'll enjoy a mini-deep dive into two bands we kept coming back to all year long. And truly, we cannot wait to discover more new (and old) music with you in 2026! Thanks...

It's winter, minus the tinsel! And the only red noses here are Christina's and Christine's on account of their rosacea. One pick retreats inward, finding comfort in solitude and stubborn self-protection; the other stares at the cold and dreams of somewhere sunnier. Two very different ways of surviving a winter’s day--and you might just be surprised by who picks what.  VIDEOS  Simon...

We’re wrapping up our winter re-releases with “Predictions.” Not to be confused with “ PredictABLE ,” this episode has us trying to predict which songs in our own libraries are perfectly up the other’s alley. Think of it as a little love letter to each other’s musical taste from the early days of the show. Until next week! ------ How well do Christina and Christine know each other's musical t...

Remember when Arnold from Diff’rent Strokes showed up on Facts of Life and ratted out the girls to Mrs. Garrett? This episode is that…but for music lovers! Stereothematica teams up with our friends at the Who Will Save Generation X trivia podcast for peak crossover chaos, hijinks, and lightly scarring embarrassment. ------------------------------------------ Who Will Save Generation X Happy Thanks...

We’re taking a short break, so today we’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes: “DO Call It a Comeback.” If you’re new here, this one’s all about the songs that marked big returns for some of our favorite artists after a hiatus from music. And if you’ve already listened, we think it’s a fun one to revisit. We’ll be back soon with more music therapy to help you cope with the holidays. Until...

Some of you might be thinking we already did this theme, and honestly… fair, but this isn’t our Predictions episode , this is its annoying cousin Greg. And this time we’re embracing the idea of being predictable (though we've never not embraced it)! One pick spirals through existential dread by way of psychedelic retro Turkish disco, and the other is an emo/math-rock heart-tugger that feels l...

In a world too often divided, we are celebrating the songs that unite us, that bring us to a shared understanding, that give a sense of togetherness, and yes, even hope. Whether with a group on a desert pilgrimage or singing along in isolation in the midst of a pandemic, we explore the songs that, religion aside, give us a sense of communion. VIDEOS  Violeta Parra: Gracias a la Vida C. Tangana: Lo...

In this episode, we lean into our inner goths and imagine the songs we’d want played at our own memorials…IF we even have one. One of us goes full velvet-draped drama with sweeping strings and tragic romance; the other is all about spiritual soulfulness, reggae-tinged resilience, and a send-off that feels more like a tipsy singalong than a dirge. We may have gone in completely different directions...