logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2022
31m 2s

The Accidental Invention of Holding Musi...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

We've all been there -- you're calling a bank, a loan company, you name it, and boom: you're put on hold. But where does that music come from? In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive into the strange origin story of telephone holding music. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 9
The Dumbest Mobster Ever Tried To Steal Ruby Slippers
There are few pieces of film history more iconic than Dorothy's magic ruby slippers from 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Yet, at first, the studio had no idea how valuable these would become. The multiple pairs of slippers languished in obscurity until costume department worker named Ke ... Show More
40m 23s
Oct 7
The Ridiculously Disturbing History of North Korea
As one of the most isolated countries on the planet, it's no surprise the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains mysterious in the modern day. So, how did it become a thing? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the bizarre origin story of the "Hermit Kingdom," a t ... Show More
48m 25s
Oct 4
CLASSIC: The Forty Elephants: London’s All-Female Jewel Thieves
For at least 200 years, part of London’s criminal underground was ruled by a gang of brilliant, all-female jewel thieves. In this week's classic episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the rise and fall of the notorious Forty Elephants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati ... Show More
42m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
CLASSIC: Superstars and Satan: Music and the Occult
Why have rumors of dark arts so often dogged musicians? Have any of the rock stars of yesteryear ever actually believed they contacted the underworld? Join Ben, Noel and Matt as they explore the murky relationship between music and the occult. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
1 h
Dec 2022
Outsider Music
When it comes to what you are about to hear, there is nothing wrong with your equipment or how it was produced...this music is exactly as it was intended to be. It is exactly as it was record, and exactly as it was to be presented to the universe. We are now ready to dive into so ... Show More
39m 42s
Aug 2022
Mariachi: The Rodney Dangerfield of Music
Mariachi bands have a bad rap as nothing more than "restaurant music." But there is a rich and long cultural tradition many people are missing and the music deserves our respect. Listen in today!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
53m 46s
Sep 2012
Why does music provoke emotion?
A well-crafted piece of music can bring us to incredible highs and crushing lows, sometimes within the same song. Why does music affect humans this way? Join Chuck, Josh and special guest cellist Ben Sollee as they get to the bottom of music and emotion. Learn more about your ad- ... Show More
1h 4m
Mar 2023
CLASSIC: STDWYTK Presents: See You Next Time
In 1933, a composer named Rezső Seress created one of the world's most infamous tunes -- a melancholy, mysterious piece known as "Gloomy Sunday." Over the following decades, this song became notorious for the sinister effects it had on anyone who listened to the song in full. Joi ... Show More
40m 4s
Apr 2022
La musique de Travail (en cours)
La musique a des effets puissants sur notre cerveau, elle active ce que le neurologue Hervé Platel appelle une "symphonie neuronale". C'est pourquoi chez Louie Media, on accorde beaucoup d'attention au choix des musiques de nos podcasts. Dans ce bonus de Travail (en cours), on vo ... Show More
4m 3s
May 2023
Les origines de la sonnerie de téléphone
'Depuis quand, comment et surtout pourquoi a-t-on créé ça ?' Vous ne vous êtes peut-être jamais posé la question. Qu’importe ! Lui a la réponse… David Castello-Lopes remonte, avec humour, aux origines d’un objet de notre quotidien. Aujourd'hui, les origines de la sonnerie de télé ... Show More
6m 43s
Jun 2016
The Lady Vanishes
In the late 19th century, a painting titled The Roll Call, by a virtually unknown artist, took England by storm. But after that brilliant first effort, the artist all but disappeared. Why? And what does The Roll Call tell us about the fate of those first through the door? To lear ... Show More
33m 48s