The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest songs that never actually mention the title in the lyrics of the song. If you can never really judge a book by its cover, the same might be said about songs. Bands and artists discussed include Alice In Chains, The Who, Coldplay, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, STP, The Band and many more. In episode 90...the guys also unveil a link to new TAOQ merch. P...

In this episode, Rich and Clint talk about the greatest breakup songs - it's possible that half of all songs ever written are in some way or another a "breakup song," so that means there's only about a billion songs to choose from. Artists discussed in this episode include Garth Brooks, Olivia Rodrigo, Lewis Capaldi, Gloria Gaynor, Brian Chartrand, Gotye, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dyl...

In this episode, Rich and Clint celebrate the 50th season of SNL and the role that music has played from the very first season, when Billy Preston and Janis Ian were musical guests. Over the years, music has continued to be almost as important as the comedy to SNL. Bands discussed include Tom Petty, Nirvana, Sinead, U2, Paul Simon, The Stones and many more. Proudly part of Pantheon Pods. Learn mor...

In this episode, Rich and Clint explore the greatest songs that pose a question in the title - artists discussed in today's question Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, The Beatles, Four Non-Blondes, Bob Marley and many more awesome questioners. The guys also do a "we found it on the internet" and a "let's go to the comments." Proudly part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

In this episode, Rich and Clint explore the most memorable references to drugs in song. This episode is not an endorsement of drug use, like that's needed, but instead a celebration of the songs that were inspired by it. Artists discussed include Tom Petty, Jefferson Airplane, Prince, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Beatles (of course), Steely Dan, Ben Harper and many more. Proudly part of Pantheon...

In this episode, Rich and Clint celebrate the artists that drifted from relevance and, through an inspired song, album or performance, shot back to the center of the universe. After a hiatus on this podcast...Rich and Clint are ready for their big comeback too. Proudly part of Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rich and Clint celebrate the songs that celebrate other bands - the greatest references that one band or artist makes to another band or artist. Sometimes it's a tribute and act of reverence...sometimes it's a diss and a slam. Bands and artists discussed in this episode include Bruce Springsteen, Wheatus, David Bowie, Phish, Van Morrison, Eminem, Will Smith, Bob Dylan and more. Pr...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest songs to drive to. But, of course, it's highly dependent on what type of driving. Clint walks through the critical driving scenarios (e.g. driving after a breakup, driving in the morning up to the ski mountain, white-knuckle driving at night...). Artists discussed in this episode include Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, Beck, Sting, Pearl Jam, U2, Lindsay...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the great singing drummers - the multi-tasking geniuses that held down the groove and sang lead vocal. As Levon said, "normally singing is a full-time job, and drumming is a full-time job." He and a handful of others did it so well they'll be remembered always. With special guests Jeff Symonds and Will Evans. Proudly part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more abo...

In this episode, Rich and Clint celebrate the songs where the bands or artists give themselves a shout-out. Special phone-in guests include Brian Chartrand (of The Sweet Remains) and Jeff Symonds. Artists celebrates this week include The Monkees, The Beastie Boys, NWA, Eminem, Survivor, Steely Dan, The Who, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beatles and more. Proudly part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn m...

This week, Rich and Clint explore the great "numbers about numbers," the songs with numbers in the their titles. It turns out, numbers have inspired some of the greatest songs in music history, but what's the greatest of them all? Special guest this week is Chris Baron, lead singer and writer in the Spin Doctors. Chris talks about their big hit "Two Princes" and shares some stories of their rise t...

In this episode, Rich and Clint go deep on the world of James Bond themes. There have been 25 "official" James Bond films, and each one features an iconic opening credits theme. Through the years, the Bond theme is a time capsule of its time, featuring a band or artist of its era, from Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones of the 60s, Paul McCartney and Carly Simon of the 70s, Duran Duran in the 80s, Madon...

This week, Rich and Clint return to "most profound lyrics," with some great suggestions from listeners and regular guests, including Kelli O'Hara (currently starring on Broadway in Days Of Wine & Roses), Will Evans, Josh Panda, Jack Gauthier, Rian Alfiero and many more. The episode explores examples of lyrics that somehow distill the human experience down to a simple phrase. Artists discussed incl...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the most profound lyrics of all-time. Every so often, an artist distills the entire human experience down to a single line or phrase in a way that is so moving or surprising it stops you in your tracks. Artists discussed today include The Rolling Stones, Greg Brown, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Crosby Stills & Nash, John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dyl...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest music for kids - which, by the way, is often music that wasn't made for kids at all. Listeners won't be surprised to hear some stories about The Beatles, but also Ziggy Marley, Jerry Garcia, Johnny Cash, Jack Johnson, Vince Guaraldi and more. Part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rich and Clint follow up their Dec 2020 episode ("Best Opening Lines" episode) by discussing the greatest CLOSING lines in music history. Which song has the most impactful, surprising, meaningful, evocative closing lyric of all-time? The guys discuss Frank Sinatra, Led Zeppelin, Tenacious D, Eminem, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, The Kinks, The Grift, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, The Eag...

In this episode, Rich and Clint talk about the greatest songs about songs, the ones about the art and inspiration of writing the song itself. Sometimes, the writing of the song is the main inspiration and subject of the song that's being written. It's all very meta, and Rich and Clint have fun with it. Songs and artists discussed include Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, Sara Bareilles, Fine...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest TV theme songs of all-time? From the Flintstones to Family Guy and all the great ones in between, what is the greatest?! With phone-in nominees from Stephen Kellogg, Kelli O'Hara, Jeff Symonds, Dave Levine, Brian Chartrand and Peter Day. Proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss some of the ways in which artificial intelligence is transforming the music industry — the creation of music and how we consume it. What are the legal implications of AI-generated compositions that are created by neural networks that ingest and learn from source material by actual artists? Is it a force for good? Or evil? Ever wanted teo hear Frank Sinatra s...

In this episode, Rich and Clint recap HUG YOUR FARMER, a music benefit concert in Burlington that raised $219K for Vermont farmers reeling from July's flooding. The concert's theme was a celebration of the music of Bob Dylan, and featured Chadwick Stokes (of Dispatch), Tony-winner Kelli O'Hara, Martin Sexton, Mike Gordon (of Phish) with his daughter Tessa Gordon, Kat Wright, Dwight & Nicole, The S...

This week, Rich and Clint celebrate the songs that offer the listener instructions - "you've got to know when to hold them...", "step out the back, Jack!" The songs that don't just put us in a particular frame of mind but offer instructions on what to do and how to do it. With special guest Peter Day. • Intro • Two starters (as provided by listener) - 50 Ways & The Gambler • The great "dance instr...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the great songs written outside of 4/4. Most songs in popular music are in 4/4, but occasionally songwriters venture outside of what's familiar to our ears, and the odd time signature is a brilliant and critical component of the storytelling. Without getting too deep into the music theory, Rich and Clint highlight some examples of popular songs that perhaps you ne...

In this episode, Rich and Clint celebrate the great puns in country music. Why does country music gravitate towards word play more than any other genre and what are the best examples? Puns are easy to disdain, but everyone secretly loves a good (or a bad) pun. • Intro • Can't Wait to Get Laid Off (The Grift) • George Jones - the master of the pun • Toby Keith • Bellamy Brothers • Roger Miller • Ge...

In this episode, Rich and Clint discuss the great sing-along songs. When there's an acoustic guitar, a campfire, and an appetite for a big sing-along...which songs are you choosing? The question came from Waldron of Their Very Best (podcast), and the guys discuss: • Clint's "Rules For A Great Sing-Along" • Country Roads, Take Me Home (John Denver) • The Pleasing "Organized Sound" of the I-V-iv-IV...

This week, Rich and Clint take a suggestion from a listener in the UK - thanks Laraine! - and tackle this age old question - what's the best whistling in a song? Whistling a melody over a solo is a rarely used move in recording, but when done well...it's the perfect choice. From Otis to Maroon 5...which songs do it best? • Intro • Otis • G&R • Lennon • Bobby McFerrin • Let's Go To The Comments • Q...