American Soundtrack

It isn't what you think it is! MMMBop is fun and catchy and everyone in 1997 was bopping along when it played on the radio, but this seemingly nonsensical tune has real meaning and depth and it's so surprising that it was written by 3 young brothers. Join us as we explore one of the most popular songs of 1997!

https://youtu.be/NHozn0YXAeE?si=nN4KHMmY9xigqOCM

https://open.spotify.com/track/0lnxrQAd9ZxbhBBe7d8FO8?si=5442fa340e744771

https://music.apple.com/us/song/mmmbop/1440790544

This breakout hit for The Mamas and The Papas is a song that has lived on for 60 years! Join us as we explore California Dreamin' and seek to understand the story behind one of the most memorable singles from this group.

This summer time anthem has been played by many generations! Feelings of nostalgia suddenly find their way into your mind when the line "I got my first real six string, bought it at the five and dime" comes blasting through the radio. Join us as we explore one of the best summer nostalgia songs.

As the rivalry heated up between The Beach Boys and The Beatles, Brian Wilson was determined to write and record one of the best albums ever, and boy did he do just that! Hailed as one of the greatest songs from one of the greatest albums ever, God Only Knows showcased Wilson's and The Beach Boys' full range of talent.

In 1964 The Beach Boys drove from the beach to a new place that showed the world they were a truly talented band and not just some guys with a cool beach schtick. I Get Around became the group's first number 1 hit and put the bands from the British Invasion on notice. Join us as we shift things into a new gear and see how The Beach Boys cemented themselves as a cultural phenomenon.

It was a time of surfboards, sun soaked beaches, and teenage dreams. A group of boys from Hawthorne, California formed a band and created a sound that perfectly captured the culture of early 1960's southern California. Teenagers from all over America listened to their songs and dreamed of being a surfer somewhere along the coast. In this first episode of The Beach Boys files we explore the breakout hit Surfin' USA and how the song put this young band on the map.

In this episode, we begin The Beach Boys Files. We will spend the next three weeks exploring the sound of a band that made people everywhere wish they were in sunny California enjoying the surf!

Join us as we rewind the soundtrack and journey back to earlier episodes! Today we will listen to the first podcast we recorded for American Soundtrack, and enjoy the iconic Thriller by Michael Jackson.

In this episode, we dive into the iconic Backstreet Boys hit "I Want It That Way." From its unforgettable lyrics to the mystery behind what “that way” really means, we break down the song’s lasting impact on pop music. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just curious about why this 90s anthem still hits, you won't want to miss this one.

https://open.spotify.com/track/47BBI51FKFwOMlIiX6m8ya?si=aee6d5c128a349e2

https://youtu.be/4fndeDfaWCg?si=-8MVyaVMIq2nHAUy

https://youtu.be/yzzWW9uKqxE?si=IGT665SwTO0DoKPp

Originally written to be a completely different style, Tainted Love is now considered a mainstay in the Synth-pop New Wave genre. Join us as we explore this hit from 1982 that turned the music world upside down.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0cGG2EouYCEEC3xfa0tDFV?si=bbeb11d2e3734456

https://youtu.be/XZVpR3Pk-r8?si=w7FCf3NYwGk0e9tI