Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs

As we finish our countdown of our favorite songs of 2017 and 1967, we're startled to discover that a horn line has made us pregnant, a bouncy New Wave groove has masked our rage, and a gentle country song has essentially reminded us to love. And speaking of love: We love YOU, our listeners, for being such wonderful companions on our weekly wanders. See you next year!   Our theme song is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by Cat Power, and the best ways to reach us are @TalkSongs (Twitter), patreon.com/mastas (to become a Patron), talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, or facebook.com/mastas.podcast.

We're counting down our 10 favorite songs of 2017 AND ALSO 1967. Because that's how we roll, y'all! In this episode, we look at #s 10-6 on both lists, which lets us cover everything from sultry R&B piano to #MeToo anthems to the surprising excellence of One Direction's solo efforts. Join us next week for our top 5 in both years!   Our theme song is by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger, and our outro is by Van Morrison. This episode also contains a birthday chart reading, and if you'd like your own, just email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com. You can also tweet us at @talksongs or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To become a patron and get access to special content, just head over to patreon.com/mastas. 

MASTAS is doin' it for ourselves! And by "it," we mean "discussing a classic cut by Eurythmics and Annie Lennox." Diverging opinions on the song lead to lively chat about Aretha's eras, the good and bad of '80s pop, and the reason we need so many different kinds of feminist art. Plus, there are references to semiotics, Swann's Way, and coffee shops!   Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, our outro is by that blue-eyed soulster Huey Lewis. If you want to join the fun, become a Patreon sponsor at patreon.com/mastas to get bonus content and voting privileges in ranking episodes! Tweet us at @talksongs, Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, and email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com.

MASTAS is a battlefield! As we rank the songs on Pat Benatar's "Best Shots" album, Sarah briefly quits the podcast, parts of Mark are predicted to explode, and "The Legend Of Billie Jean" is revealed as the film that unites the planets.   Special thanks to our patrons, whose votes directly impacted the rankings. To become a patron, join us at patreon.com/mastas. Meanwhile, our theme music is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Karla Bonoff. Lastly, you can tweet us at @talksongs, email us at talkaboutsongs[at]gmail[dot]com, and facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast.

We get very crazy and somewhat less sexy and cool as we discuss TLC's "No Scrubs," covering everything from the personae of girl group members to the sassy fun of response songs. Plus, we acknowledge the ongoing cultural contributions of Meadow Soprano. Our outro is from Salt 'n Pepa, and the intro is by Andrew Byrne.   To reach us, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @TalkSongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To support MASTAS (and get bonus content!) become a patron at patreon.com/mastas.

At long last, the Rolling Stones get MASTAS-ized. We're talking about the folksy wisdom and iconic backing vocals of "You Can't Always Get What You Want," not to mention the value of community music, the ways that chart peaks don't always reflect quality, and the hope that America can chill out for a second.   Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by Gary Jules. Wanna be part of the fun? Email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, and tweet us at @talksongs. And if you want to help us keep the lights on (AND get access to bonus content), become a patron at patreon.com/mastas.

Screw daylight savings: It's always sunny at MASTAS! We're in an especially good mood this week, since we're talking about the bisexual badassery of Halsey's song "Bad at Love." We also create a playlist of musical theater songs that make us happy. We're chorus kids at heart!   Wanna sponsor your own playlist? Make a request? Email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, FB us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or tweet us at @TalkSongs. Wanna hear bonus content? Become a patron at patreon.com/mastas. Digging our theme music? Our intro is by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger, and our outro is from Broadway's own "Guys and Dolls," heard here via Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely.

Your podcast hosts may actually be European gay men. We both find parts of ourselves in solo tracks by George Michael and Elton John, and then we have a blast trying to decipher the slurry vocals on their duet of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me." Meanwhile, there's a sidebar about the necessity of small acts of kindness.   Wanna hear a bonus ep about a new George Michael documentary? Become a Patreon patron at patreon.com/mastas! Plus, you can email us at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail [dot] com, tweet us at @talksongs, and Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. And finally: Our theme song is by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger, and our outro is by Sinead O'Connor, for reasons that will become clear as you listen. 

While Sarah's away on assignment, Mark suggests four new songs (and one forgotten '80s hit) that you need to hear right now. What'd you think of his choices? Let us know on Twitter at @talksongs, on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or on email at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail [dot] com. And don't forget to become a MASTAS patron at patreon.com/mastas, which will give you access to all sorts of bonus content. 

Welcome to flavor country, people. In precisely 20 minutes, we're discussing 10 songs. Yes, 10! Together, they create a heady mixture of listener requests, personal faves, and patron-selected cuts, and good LORD, does does it get wild up in here. Come for the Rod Stewart fury and stay for the truly insane impersonations of MC Skat Kat.    Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is...cut for time! Wanna join the patron-sponsored fun? Go to patreon.com/mastas. Tweet us at @talksongs. Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. Email us at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail. And of course, download all the songs you hear legally!

Can our friendship survive our disagreement about Pink's pop songs? Well, yes. But it's still surprising to discover where we diverge about this particular star's approach to rebellion, politics, romance, and self-laceration. Plus, there's a long, juicy analogy about a dorky girl in your high school who goes wild.    Our theme song is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by (wait for it) Danity Kane. If you want special MASTAS content, become a patron at Patreon.com/mastas. If you want to ask us questions, make a request, or ask for a birthday song reading, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or FB us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast.

What is the sound of hip-hop apathy? It might just be the theme song for "Any Given Sunday"! We're talking about how Jamie Foxx, Common, and Guru ever got into this mess, not to mention our varying levels of enthusiasm for football metaphors in song. Oh, and the Super Bowl Shuffle gets in there, too!    David Gregory Byrne delivers our theme song, and Notorious B.I.G. handles the outro. If you wanna talk gridiron songs, just email us at talksongs@gmail.com, Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast, or tweet us @TalkSongs. If you want to be a patron and get exclusive content, then join us at patreon.com/mastas. 

Stacy's mom. Thinks MASTAS is the bo-omb. ...While we talk about that hit by Fountains Of Wayne (plus their lesser-known cut "Red Dragon Tattoo"), we also get real about ironic pop songs, female characters who deserve justice, and that time Mark thought he was smarter than G.B. Shaw.    This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne, and the outro is by Ivy, which will make particular sense once you've heard the episode. To reach us, just shoot us a message on Facebook (facebook.com/mastas), Twitter (@talksongs), or email (talkaboutsongs [at] gmail). To become a patron and get access to exclusive special content, join us at patreon.com/mastas.

We're grappling with the mad genius of Kanye West and his towering single "Jesus Walks." Along the way, we touch on Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and the ability to separate artists' tragedies from their work. Oh, and ass. We also talk about ass.    This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne, and our outro is by MC 900 Ft. Jesus. (Praise be!) Email us at talkaboutsongs [at] gmail [dot] com. Tweet us at @talksongs. Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. And if you want to support this podcast AND get access to special content, become a patron at patreon.com/mastas.

Sarah goes solo in this Single -- but not entirely, as you listeners helped decide which vintage Eagles track had "Lyin' Eyes" and which should be "Already Gone." (Your votes did nothing to improve Sarah's puns, however.) See how these classics stacked up!   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast; give us a holler on Twitter at TalkSongs; and support MASTAS (and the next Eagles ranking Single) at our Patreon page, patreon.com/mastas.

We're ranking every song on REM's sad-boy rock milestone "Out of Time." Will we lose our religion at the sight of all these shiny happy people? Which songs will we decide truly belong, and which songs will we wish were half a world away? Join us and see...and get ready for some startling upsets when we add in votes from our Patreon subscribers!   We want to add your vote to our next ranking episode, so become a patron at patreon.com/mastas. We'd also love to hear from you, so email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or find us on Facebook at face book.com/mastas.podcast. 

It's the sexiest MASTAS yet as we celebrate Episode 69 with "Summer Of '69." Our special guest Danny MacEachern gets us talking about Bryan Adams, Can-Con and the ongoing mystery of the videos from the "Reckless" album. Plus, we have a special playlist of songs we specifically remember hearing for the first time!   Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, and our outro is by Soikus Peynoot. To become a MASTAS sponsor, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/mastas. To send us song requests or general inquiries, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at twitter.com/talksongs, or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast.

Which "Stay" can stay? That's the question in this very special episode, where we rank six hits -- all called "Stay" -- and determine which one gets to keep its title. The rest get renamed (in our hearts, at least), and we all walk away wearing cat-eye glasses, berating our married lovers, and dancing dirty.  Our theme this week is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys. We'd love to have you vote in rankings like this one, so become a Patreon sponsor at patreon.com/mastas. We'd also love to hear from you, so email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. More on those teeny songs that fit on the end of your mixtapes' Side A right here: http://tomatonation.com/culture-and-criticism/the-end-of-side-a-the-end-of-an-era/

It's Mark and Sarah Talk About Mullets! And specifically, the tonsorial glory of Richard Marx. We also discuss his song "Satisfied," the rare ability to write commercial songs that don't suck, and an abundance of David Coles.   Our theme is by David Gregory Byrne, our outro is by Dolly Parton, and if you want access to top-secret MASTAS episodes, then become a Patreon sponsor at patreon.com/mastas. We'd also love to hear your requests and comments, so hit us up at twitter.com/talksongs or facebook.com/mastas.podcast. 

By the pricking of our thumbs, something MASTAS this way comes! Yes, that's a reference to famous witches, because we're talking about Stevie Nicks. A discussion of "Stand Back" leads to thoughts on her general awesomeness, the price she's paid for it in certain circles, and the value of lyrics that make emotional (not literal) sense. There's also a sidebar about "American Horror Story"!    This week's theme is by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli, and our outro is by Donovan. To contact us with song requests or other observations, just tweet us at  @TalkSongs, email us at talkabout songs [at] gmail [dot] com, or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To become a patron and get access to special content, join us at patreon.com/mastas.