Music Notes with Jess

Thanks to a TikTok video, Fleetwood Mac's #1 hit "Dreams" made a comeback. Learn the chart history of this 1976 song from its original release, popularity after being covered on Glee, and Nathan Apodaca's viral TikTok video. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac (1976) "Dreams" (Glee Cover) - Kristin Chenoweth & Matthew Morrison (2011) Interview cli...

Van Halen co-founder and rocker Eddie Van Halen, sadly passed away 10/6/20 from a 20-year on and off battle with cancer. I discuss his biography, countdown 10 of my favorite music riffs of his, and share personal memories. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7hutaSEa2bkAJbOOecmdNH?si=15f2efadc6b04c64 "Feel Your Love Tonight" - Van...

To celebrate the first anniversary of Music Notes and International Podcast Day (September 30th), I share 10 podcast tips I've learned within this year. If you're interested in how I make each episode or thought about starting your own podcast, these are the tips I discuss: 1. Format 2. Choosing a Title 3. Scheduling 4. Equipment 5. Music Use 6. Sources 7. Episode Time Length 8. Demographic 9. Soc...

Earlier this week, I unexpectedly lost my aunt. As a tribute to her, I dedicate 4 songs she enjoyed. Songs Used: "When You Wish Upon a Star" - Cliff Edwards (1940) (Pinocchio) "Somewhere Out There" - James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt (1986) (An American Tail) "Edelweiss" - Bill Lee (1965) (The Sound of Music) "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban (2003-2004) Follow us on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram ,...

The 55th ACM Awards got postponed 4/5/20 due to the Coronavirus shutdown. It rescheduled 9/16 for the first time ever in Nashville! I reveal 4 pre-winners, and "announce" my predictions who I think will win the remaining music categories. Songs Used: "Somebody's Daughter" - Tenille Townes (2018-2019) "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" - Riley Green (2019-2020) "Fooled Around and Fell In Love" - Elvin Bi...

Music producers Timbaland and Swiss Beatz created livestream webcast Verzuz in March 2020: reuniting 2 hip-hop or R&B artists to perform their own music against each other. On 8/31/20, Brandy & Monica's 2 1/2 hour reunion livestream had 1.2M viewers! Learn brief bios of Brandy & Monica's careers, the inspirations of writing their #1 duet "The Boy Is Mine", and historic statistics these...

Labor Day is one of the few national holidays most Americans have off from work. Since 1894, it's observed the first Monday in September. Traditionally, radio stations broadcast themed countdowns to entertain for the long weekend. I countdown 9 working songs for this 9th month’s national holiday. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YswX8Czn0NEolgs8ORWIl?si=FXN66aijR5mlM2IfGkEJ5g T...

TikTok is a social video app that showcases music using song samples and talented dance videos. Each video can last 15 seconds-1 minute. U.S. President Donald Trump passed an Executive Order to ban this app stating the Chinese government could track personal info. TikTok filed a lawsuit against this accusation, and Microsoft offered to become a business partner. TikTok's CEO resigned because of th...

August 20th is National Radio Day, and radio turned 100 this year! To celebrate, I countdown 10 songs about radio, and reminisce my own radio experiences from the past decade. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena 10. “On the Radio” - Donna Summer (1979) 9. “Turn on the Radio” - Reba McEntire (2010) 8. “Stereo Hearts” - Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine (2011) 7. “My Church” -...

Phil Collins' song "In the Air Tonight" is a mesmerizing hit for almost 40 years! It's trending again thanks to a YouTube reaction video of hearing the song for the first time. Explore 5 different examples of how this song has been used across pop culture. Songs Used: "In the Air Tonight" - Phil Collins (1981) "Misunderstanding" - Genesis (1980) "In the Air Tonight" - Mike Tyson, Zack Galafanakis,...

Gabby Barrett came in 3rd place on American Idol in 2018. She's been promoting her debut single "I Hope" for over a year, and one of the biggest 2020. Learn about Gabby's music background, both versions of "I Hope", and chart success. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "I Hope" (2019-2020), "Good Girl" (American Idol audition, 2019), "Last Name" (American Idol pe...

Taylor Swift released folklore 7/24/20; it's her first surprise album, folk styled, and explicit. I discuss the making of folklore, its streaming world records, all 16 album tracks, and the only way it could be purchased. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena folklore Songs: 1. "the 1" 2. "cardigan" 3. "the last great American dynasty" 4. "exile" (feat. Bon Iver) 5. "my tears r...

Nicki Minaj posted 3 photos on her Instagram posing a baby bump! I countdown 10 of her popular hits from the past decade. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/09HJJ5Om101XH6a4Y3hdwX?si=80bc2acab2ce4129 "Baby Got Back" - Sir Mix-a-Lot (1992) "Trollz" - 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj (2020) "No More “I Love You's”" - Annie Lennox (19...

Maroon 5 posted their 2021 tour dates, so I countdown 20 of my favorite songs of theirs with you. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/63MWztoiGmcF8IAWPSMrFA?si=8ea299734d504b00 "Every Breath You Take" - The Police (1983) "She Will Be Loved" - Maroon 5 (2002/2004) 20. “What Lovers Do” feat. SZA (2017) 19. “Animals” (2014) 18....

Happy 80th Ringo Starr! Besides being known as The Beatles' drummer, he sang lead in 11 of their songs. I flashback each in this episode. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0RDjP1J56oaTJ0U7aInIRW?si=6019327fe07e4ddc "Boys" - The Shirelles (1960) "I Wanna Be Your Man" - The Rolling Stones (1963) "Matchbox" & "Honey Don't"...

Happy Independence Day & 4th of July weekend! Bloggers and music enthusiasts question what songs are appropriate to play for this holiday, so I chose 7. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "Eh Cumpari!" - Julius LaRosa (1953) "California Gurls" - Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg (2010) "God Bless the U.S.A." - Lee Greenwood (1983) 7. “Saturday in the Park” - Chicag...

It's summertime! I'm known for making annual summer playlists for everybody to enjoy. Check out this list of throwbacks and obscure songs from well known artists. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gIQpLVixxqRkSHaGpTy2n?si=4CEupK7MTfuxDCUyhEBm7A Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "Summer" - Calvin Harris (2014) "We Got the Beat (Live)" - The Go-Go's (2016)...

Happy Fathers Day! Here's 10 songs dedicated to our dads and father figures. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2cPSZmbOXcFa8fjnIoBBSR?si=LlLYfKKdRqSAs7tCp7BAFg Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: 10. “A Father’s Song” - Fred Penner (1988) 9. “You’re Gonna Miss This (Live)” - Trace Adkins (The Celebrity Apprentice Finale, 2008) 8. “I Hold On” - Di...

Prom 2020 isn't canceled, because I'm DJing throwbacks and modern hits to share the moments together. Songs to get ready to, fun dance songs, eat/drink, taking photos, Prom King & Queen, slow dance song, and after prom. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tNcffyEeEF3n4JDsLRRP4?si=AxjK5Z6CTCezPHTkdh5mlA "Good As Hell" -...

Soul Train was one of the most innovative music shows ever made. BET's American Soul, is an autobiographical miniseries about it, that returned for season 2. In this episode, learn about Soul Train, its creator Don Cornelius, popular songs performed on the show, and portrayal on American Soul. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "Friendship Train" - Gladys Knight...

American Idol's 18th winner "Just Sam", is a 20-year-old former Harlem busker that had a tough upbringing. Learn how she adapted to American Idol's innovative programming this season, family background, and her performances on the show. Songs Used: "American Idol Theme" - Julian Gingell, Barry Stone, & Cathy Dennis (2002) "You Say", "Rise Up", "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie", "I'm Here", "Como la Flo...

As your podcast commencement speaker, I dedicate 10 songs to the Class of 2020, and give a brief commencement speech. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5hoZw8ZR35E5lXJds3SwZS?si=oGDWpvQQQZSXedRBLj62Tw Songs Used: "Pomp and Circumstance" - Sir Edward Elgan (1904) "Graduation Day" - The Four Freshmen (1956) "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" - Pink Floyd (1979-1980) 10. “Graduation...

Happy Mothers Day! For all the moms and mother figures in our lives, here's 10 songs I dedicate in this top 10 countdown. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fuwmIcXOkXnmTHv8mlGdS?si=mAtGydjbTaSQRTqtqu1lVg 10. “Wings” - Little Mix (2013) 9. “Your Mother Should Know” - The Beatles (1967) 8. “This One’s for the Girls” - Marti...

Post Malone's song "Circles" recently made Billboard Hot 100 history. In this episode, I playback his 5 other singles from his third album Hollywood's Bleeding, discuss how unique "Circles" is produced, and why its recent charting is historic. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "Jackie Chan" - Tiësto & Dzeko feat. Preme & Post Malone (2018) "Stay" (2018),...

A particular song is turning 20 and comes to mind around every May 1st: 'NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me." Flashback to 'NSYNC's boy band background, the record breaking stats of their second album No Strings Attached, play "It's Gonna Be Me", and learn how it became an annual meme. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "Tearin' Up My Heart" (1998), "It's Gonna Be Me", "N...