In 1995, ESPN launched Jock Jams Volume 1, a compilation record that would define the sound of sports for the next quarter century. We listen to the album's biggest songs to define what makes a "Jock Jam," and tell the story of how this record came to define the sound of the stadium.
MORE
Read Emily VanDerWerff's article: “The Jock Jam” megamix inadvertentl ... Show More
Nov 18
Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley
This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars.
Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200, where it spent one week and then fell ... Show More
48m 6s
Nov 11
Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club
Spanish pop star Rosalía is back with her new album, Lux. Over eighteen tracks, she trades in the dembow beats that filled her last record Motomami for maximalist orchestral sounds more in line with Björk than Bad Bunny. The album is dense: there's four movements, thirteen langua ... Show More
44m 2s
Nov 4
Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem
They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s ex ... Show More
33m 50s
Feb 2022
'The Gambler' by Kenny Rogers
Evan and Andrew delve into the deep philosophical meanings & mysteries of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler," a song in which technically more dying than gambling transpires. Meanwhile, while staring out the window of their podcast, they stumble upon a shocking secret that will turn the ... Show More
1h 1m
Jan 2021
Greatest Stadium Songs with Joe Kwaczala
On this episode of The Greatest, listen as Megan, C.J. and guest, Joe Kwaczala (Who Cares About the Rock Hall? podcast) fondly recall a time when throngs of fans would move as one to the irresistible sound of a stadium anthem. Perhaps those times will be back again soon, but unti ... Show More
51m 41s
Dec 2022
Y.M.C.A. by Village People
Y.M.C.A....an absolutely loony song. Yet also a generational anthem. And also, a red herring, because this episode is not actually about Y.M.C.A. This episode is actually about a shocking reveal that will change the future of this podcast and possibly the world. Goodbye, for now. ... Show More
1h 25m
Jun 2022
'I'm Not Okay' by My Chemical Romance (w/ Gianmarco Soresi)
ARE YOU OKAY? Gianmarco Soresi stops by the podcast to discuss goths, outsized teenage emotions, music made in response to 9/11, debate the attractiveness of a sulky man, and much more. Read the bad, bad book that is this episode because unlike your jock boyfriend, this podcast j ... Show More
1h 20m