Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs

We get very crazy and somewhat less sexy and cool as we discuss TLC's "No Scrubs," covering everything from the personae of girl group members to the sassy fun of response songs. Plus, we acknowledge the ongoing cultural contributions of Meadow Soprano. Our outro is from Salt 'n Pepa, and the intro is by Andrew Byrne.   To reach us, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @Talk...

At long last, the Rolling Stones get MASTAS-ized. We're talking about the folksy wisdom and iconic backing vocals of "You Can't Always Get What You Want," not to mention the value of community music, the ways that chart peaks don't always reflect quality, and the hope that America can chill out for a second.   Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Gary Jules. Wanna be pa...

Screw daylight savings: It's always sunny at MASTAS! We're in an especially good mood this week, since we're talking about the bisexual badassery of Halsey's song "Bad at Love." We also create a playlist of musical theater songs that make us happy. We're chorus kids at heart!   Wanna sponsor your own playlist? Make a request? Email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, FB us at facebook.com/ma...

Your podcast hosts may actually be European gay men. We both find parts of ourselves in solo tracks by George Michael and Elton John, and then we have a blast trying to decipher the slurry vocals on their duet of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me." Meanwhile, there's a sidebar about the necessity of small acts of kindness.   Wanna hear a bonus ep about a new George Michael documentary? Be...

While Sarah's away on assignment, Mark suggests four new songs (and one forgotten '80s hit) that you need to hear right now. What'd you think of his choices? Let us know on Twitter at @talksongs, on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or on email at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail [dot] com. And don't forget to become a MASTAS patron at patreon.com/mastas, which will give you access to all sorts of...

Welcome to flavor country, people. In precisely 20 minutes, we're discussing 10 songs. Yes, 10! Together, they create a heady mixture of listener requests, personal faves, and patron-selected cuts, and good LORD, does does it get wild up in here. Come for the Rod Stewart fury and stay for the truly insane impersonations of MC Skat Kat.    Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is...cut...

Can our friendship survive our disagreement about Pink's pop songs? Well, yes. But it's still surprising to discover where we diverge about this particular star's approach to rebellion, politics, romance, and self-laceration. Plus, there's a long, juicy analogy about a dorky girl in your high school who goes wild.    Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by (wait for it) Danity Kane....

What is the sound of hip-hop apathy? It might just be the theme song for "Any Given Sunday"! We're talking about how Jamie Foxx, Common, and Guru ever got into this mess, not to mention our varying levels of enthusiasm for football metaphors in song. Oh, and the Super Bowl Shuffle gets in there, too!    David Gregory Byrne delivers our theme song, and Notorious B.I.G. handles the outro....

Stacy's mom. Thinks MASTAS is the bo-omb. ...While we talk about that hit by Fountains Of Wayne (plus their lesser-known cut "Red Dragon Tattoo"), we also get real about ironic pop songs, female characters who deserve justice, and that time Mark thought he was smarter than G.B. Shaw.    This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne, and the outro is by Ivy, which will make particular sense once y...

We're grappling with the mad genius of Kanye West and his towering single "Jesus Walks." Along the way, we touch on Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and the ability to separate artists' tragedies from their work. Oh, and ass. We also talk about ass.    This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by MC 900 Ft. Jesus. (Praise be!) Email us at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail [dot] com....

Sarah goes solo in this Single -- but not entirely, as you listeners helped decide which vintage Eagles track had "Lyin' Eyes" and which should be "Already Gone." (Your votes did nothing to improve Sarah's puns, however.) See how these classics stacked up!   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast; give us a holler on Twitter at TalkSongs; and support MASTAS (and the next Eagles...

We're ranking every song on REM's sad-boy rock milestone "Out of Time." Will we lose our religion at the sight of all these shiny happy people? Which songs will we decide truly belong, and which songs will we wish were half a world away? Join us and see...and get ready for some startling upsets when we add in votes from our Patreon subscribers!   We want to add your vote to our next rank...

It's the sexiest MASTAS yet as we celebrate Episode 69 with "Summer Of '69." Our special guest Danny MacEachern gets us talking about Bryan Adams, Can-Con and the ongoing mystery of the videos from the "Reckless" album. Plus, we have a special playlist of songs we specifically remember hearing for the first time!   Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Soikus...

Which "Stay" can stay? That's the question in this very special episode, where we rank six hits -- all called "Stay" -- and determine which one gets to keep its title. The rest get renamed (in our hearts, at least), and we all walk away wearing cat-eye glasses, berating our married lovers, and dancing dirty.  Our theme this week is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our out...

It's Mark and Sarah Talk About Mullets! And specifically, the tonsorial glory of Richard Marx. We also discuss his song "Satisfied," the rare ability to write commercial songs that don't suck, and an abundance of David Coles.   Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by Dolly Parton, and if you want access to top-secret MASTAS episodes, then become a Patreon sponsor at patreon....

By the pricking of our thumbs, something MASTAS this way comes! Yes, that's a reference to famous witches, because we're talking about Stevie Nicks. A discussion of "Stand Back" leads to thoughts on her general awesomeness, the price she's paid for it in certain circles, and the value of lyrics that make emotional (not literal) sense. There's also a sidebar about "American Horror St...

Bonus episode! In this MASTAS Single, Mark goes solo to recommend four new songs that you need right now, including cuts from Haim, New Politics, Sara Evans, and Delta Rae. Let us know if you dig them!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inf...

There's a plaaaace for uuuuus...to wonder if the songs of West Side Story don't work better separately than as a show; to rag the soppier selections from the Sondheim catalog; to lament the film's brownface; and to discuss...Rick Springfield? Send in the clowns for an all-new MASTAS!   Today's theme song is by Andrew Byrne. Our outro is The Chairman Of The Board, Mr. Frank Sinatra. Send those song...

Selling out never sounded so good! With a soldier's bravery, we investigate Starship's three number-one hits of the '80s: "We Built This City," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "Sara." And you'd better believe that OUR Sarah is still crying foul about that last one. Plus, Mark has a whole Starship story that involves high-top Converse!    Our theme song is by David...

The tears flow freely as we discuss "The Luckiest," Ben Folds's perfect gem of a love song. We also talk about each other's weddings, the Jason Isbell concert where Mark almost left his drink at the bar, and Sarah's enduring connection to a speech in "The Opposite of Sex."   Our theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Jason Isbell. Follow us on Twitter at @TalkSongs, and...

Have we got a story for YOU! Well, okay, these SONGS have stories, and they are doozies. As we chat about "Ode To Billie Joe" and "Harper Valley PTA," we swoon for the power of a narrative country hits and the film adaptations they inspire. Speaking of the films, please enjoy Sarah's meltdown about the stars of the "Billie Joe" opus.    Our outro is by Waylon Jennings...

Sometimes comprehending evil means looking it in the face, so we're voluntarily talking about the lyrical and sonic crimes of Train's "Hey, Soul Sister." Along the way, we also defend the comparative integrity of Mr. Mister and Everclear. Weird! (To skip the song clip and just hear our ranting, avoid 2:01-2:47.)   This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne. Our outro music is the closing-credi...

Turns out we haven't been silent all these years: We've been podcasting, which is rather noisy. Today, we're making noise about Tori Amos and ranking every song on her album "Little Earthquakes." This leads to some surprising disagreements, an Andrew Lloyd Webber reference, and a story about Mark, his dad, and the Divinyls.    Today's outro is by Joni Mitchell, and our theme is by Jack B...

Can a person even like Michael Jackson anymore? We're wondering as we discuss his maybe-not-classic "Black or White." After we ask the tough questions, we also get into overlooked talents, a young Tyra Banks, and controversial crotches.   After you've listened, go Sarah's MJ obituary: http://tomatonation.com/culture-and-criticism/the-bitter-end/ Our outro song is Jermaine Jackson's &quot...

We are. Your MAS-TAS. Your true. Pod-cas-tass. Backstreet Boys infuse our spirits with "I Want It That Way," and we talk about the best way to get over one's self and just enjoy a pop song. Vin Diesel and Megan Fox sneak in there somehow, and so does a BSB documentary from a few years ago. Plus, listen past the credits for an outtake of Mark losing his mind!   On the subject of boy bands...