logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2019
32m 49s

Shawn Mendes and the Rhythm of Rhyme

Vulture
About this episode
Shawn Mendes’ hit song “If I Can’t Have You” is so ridiculously catchy that Charlie had it stuck in his head after the first chorus. How is that possible?! Declamation, or the way that text is set to music, is a big part of the song’s appeal—every word that Mendes sings is perfectly in rhythm. In this episode we use Mendes’ latest track to explore creative d ... Show More
Up next
Jan 21
Robyn’s new songs bring “drum 'n' grace” to the dance floor
Swedish pop star Robyn emerged as a phenomenon in the mid 1990s, an ingenue whose work with Max Martin presaged the R&B crossover hits of acts like Britney and the Backstreet Boys. Since her debut, she’s released a string of albums that have shaped the sound of dance music as we ... Show More
46m 20s
Jan 13
Audrey Hobert says the quiet part out loud
Two years ago, Audrey Hobert had never written a song. She was a staff writer on a Nickelodeon series and had recently moved in with her childhood friend Gracie Abrams in Los Angeles. About six months later, a phrase spoken by a heartbroken acquaintance caught their attention; Ho ... Show More
55m 16s
Jan 6
2026 Pop Predictions: big beat, animated avatars, and Bruno Mars
It’s a brand new year, and what better way to ring it in than with the second annual Switched On Pop bingo? Like last year, Charlie, Nate, and Reanna polish their crystal balls and play Popstradamus, each throwing out eight outlandish pop predictions for the coming months. This t ... Show More
58m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
Shawn Mendes
We don’t think of world-famous singers having anxiety about performing their songs for live audiences. But the truth is, sometimes they do. In this episode, Eric talks with Shawn Mendes about how hard he has worked to get comfortable trusting the process and trusting his voice. L ... Show More
36m 24s
Nov 2023
SwifTea: Love is in the Lyrics and on the Lips
Are we in the official Love Era? After this weekend, it sure feels like it!Buenos Aires got quite the shows over the weekend after one small hiccup.. Taylor Swift had to do the unimaginable and cancel one of her shows. This has only happened one other time and she wasn't happy ab ... Show More
51m 25s
Apr 2016
Music is Music: Gabriel Kahane
American composer Gabriel Kahane originally wrote The Fiction Issue for a 2012 Carnegie Hall commission. He reached out to his pals in the string quartet, Brooklyn Rider, and My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden to collaborate. All parties got back together to record The Fiction I ... Show More
18m 8s
Dec 2023
The Kelce Brothers Song That Went to #1- "Fairytale of Philadelphia"
It’s a breakdown of different sorts.. Not a Swiftmas song and not even a Taylor Swift classic. We breakdown a Kelce brothers classic that went to #1… "Fairytale of Philadelphia", and the proceeds from this song went to a very great charity!Questioned asked and answered during thi ... Show More
27m 45s
May 2021
Breathe (Taylor's Version)
Taylor Swift really wanted to work with Colbie Caillat on the Fearless album so she brought her back for the re-recording of Breathe.. and there is a reason why Colbie is more audible on this version! If you don't know what this song is really about, the answer may surprise you. ... Show More
15m 47s
Nov 2023
Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)
Say Don’t Go is such a heartbreaking song, especially giving the fact that they are continuously given the chance to just say it. Why was this song ever left in the vault? Who famously cowrote this song and has been singing the praises for it since first hearing it in 2013? And h ... Show More
30m 14s
Apr 2021
Love Story (Taylor's Version)
Taylor Swift was a young girl that wrote this song in a matter of minutes... but there is a lot to discuss here! Who inspired it? And why did the Shakespeare stans get upset? Amy, Ana, Lacey and Nick dive deep into this classic song and find the real meaning behind it, and what " ... Show More
26m 52s
Aug 2023
The Music that Shaped Us with Renee Rapp
<p>There is something so special about the art form of music, don’t you think? Music helps document big and small moments of our lives, whether it’s blasting a break up song to heal your broken heart, or slow dancing to a love song at your wedding. But what about the process of m ... Show More
54m 29s
Nov 2023
SwifTea: Secret Song Sentiments, Grammys and a Big Reputation
Last night, Taylor Swift returned to the stage in Buenos Aires, Argentina and What. A. Night. Everyone was in awe waiting to see what Taylor had planned for the evening.. and it was an enchanted show for sure. Were there changes/ additions to the setlist? Any malfunctions or ward ... Show More
32m 56s