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Podcast Mixtape: Switched on Pop

Podcast Mixtape

Originally Aired: Friday, January 10, 2020

Courtesy of the hosts

Overview

Find out what makes a pop song a hit in this live taping of the Vox.com podcast Switched On Pop, featuring co-hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding.

With live musical illustrations and joyful pop discourse, they will reveal how iconic modern pop songs utilize timeless musical concepts to animate their lyrics e.g. how Beyoncé’s key changes literally put her “Love On Top,” or how Carly Rae Jepsen dances around her chords to evoke relationship anxiety in “Call Me Maybe.” Charlie and Nate will also bring to life the best examples from their new book, Switched On Pop: How Popular Music Works, And Why It Matters.

“Filled with sophisticated but accessible discussions,” The Wall Street Journal says, Switched on Pop “provides a toolkit for appreciating popular music.” Whether you’re a pop snob or pop fan, virtuoso or musical novice, if you’ve ever loved a song, you’ll come away listening with a new set of ears.

In partnership with the Strand Bookstore, the official bookseller for this event.

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