LYRICS FOR LUNCH

LYRICS FOR LUNCH

By Lindsay Tucker & Aviv RubinstienMusicMusic Commentary
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LYRICS FOR LUNCH episodes

  • "Baby Got Back" Got A Lot to Unpack
    In 1992, Sir Mix-A-Lot's ode to big butts seemed catchy, lighthearted, silly, and fun. But if you ask the Sir himself, he'll tell you we got it all (mostly) wrong. Thirty years later, we reflect on what the song did for body image despite the track's overtly misogynistic messaging  — and how Mr. Mix gave name to an entire generation of Beckys who eventually grew up to become Karen.
    1 hr 25 min
  • Does Anybody Remember Tubthumping?
    This is the story of 8 anarchist punks squatting in an empty house in Leeds, playing in a band and picked up by a major record label. Listen to find out what happens when people stop being polite, and start Tubthumping.
    1 hr 44 min
  • Hold Us Closer Tiny Dancer
    In the wake of 2022, we look back at an epic song that transcends generations. What is it about Elton John's 1971 sleeper hit "Tiny Dancer" that has stuck with us all these years? On this eve of a new one, we give thanks to Cameron Crowe's film Almost Famous for putting Tiny Dancer on the map, helping it finally earn its rightful place in history. But what does all this have to do with New Years Eve? And who is the OG Tiny Dancer? We've got the story behind the storied song. We hope you've all enjoyed yourselves. And we'll see you all again, in ... 2022. 
    And for all you superfans, here's the video for Hitchcock Blonde: https://vimeo.com/159226004
    HAPPY NEW YEAR.
    1 hr 5 min
  • Accidentally the Worst Song of All Time? "Accidental Racist" by Brad Paisley ft. LL Cool J

    This week, Aviv gives Lindsay the best gift of all: the knowledge that this song exists, Accidental Racist by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J. How could this have happened? Is it possible that a song *on its face* allegedly meant to promote racial understanding does way more harm than good? Spoilers: YES. And what does all this have to do with Cracker Barrel? We have the unfortunate details. 

    1 hr 51 min
  • "We Are the World" — Behind the Scenes of the Hit that Raised Over 60 Million to Fight Hunger
    In 1985, more than 45 of pop music's biggest stars got together for one wild night that would churn out a recording that would ultimately raise more than $60 million to fight hunger in Africa. Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles  — it was a who's who of Billboard's top performers. This massive collaboration represented the best that music had to offer and the best America had to offer .... which was a muddled message, a pantheon of big egos, and uncertainty as to whether they'd helped anyone at all. This week, we welcome comedian and podcast host Kyndra Crump to share the devilish details — right down to Michael Jackson's socks.
    1 hr 34 min
  • Oh My Darling Nikki

    This week we're discussing the song that Diffuser once said "almost led to the downfall of society" — Prince's "Darling Nikki." How could a little song about female empowerment and public masturbation cause so much uproar? If you don't know, then you clearly haven't been paying attention. As the supreme court prepares to dismantle Roe V. Wade, we bring you different kinds of oppression: censorship and sexual repression. With appearances from Tipper Gore, Dave Grohl, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, and John Denver, this episode runs the musical gamut to tell you the story of how we got those pesky parental advisory labels and how we can all blame capitalism, the patriarchy, and white supremacy in the end.  

    1 hr 20 min
  • Ace of Base's "The Sign" is Ruined Forever
    This week, Aviv ruins another childhood favorite of Lindsay's: Ace of Base. How much of their sound do they owe to the reggae band that practiced next door to them? What made their lead singer want to give up touring? And just how many of them were white nationalists? We’ve got the upsetting details.
    1 hr 29 min
  • Taylor Swift is Breaking the Internet “All Too Well” — With Special Guest Elayna Harrison
    You'd be hard pressed to ignore that something is going on with Taylor Swift this week. The release of her re-recorded 2012 album Red (Taylor's Version) last Friday — complete with 14 never released tracks and a 10-minute version of fan-favorite heartbreak anthem "All Too Well" — sent Swiftie's on a tizzy of epic proportion. And in classic Swift "Style," Queen Tay did not disappoint: surprise dropping a short film, a new music video directed by Blake Lively, and in the time between recording this episode and uploading it, a #sadgirlautumn version of "All Too Well" featuring The National's Aaron Dessner. But why is Taylor re-recording her first 6 albums in the first place? And why is everyone so worried about the mental health of notorious scarf thief Jake Gyllenhaal? We've got the whole scoop — plus the inside story from our special guest, musician Elayna Harrison, one of the lucky few Swiftie's invited to the secret All Too Well film premier. I think it’s safe to say we Need to Calm Down.
    1 hr 29 min
  • Ladies and Gentlemen of the Imploding Planet Earth, Wear Sunscreen

    In 1999, alongside Y2K hysteria, an unlikely chart-topper was also sweeping the globe: a five-minute-long spoken-word pop hymn that earnestly dispensed life advice of the "Live, Laugh, Love" ilk. Something about the song's message -- guised as a commencement address delivered by what could have been your crazy, old uncle -- resonated with humanity in a way that no one could have predicted. "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen" charted alongside songs like LEN's "Steal My Sunshine," Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way," Vengaboys' "We Like to Party," and Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca." But who wrote it? Was it Baz Luhrmann, who the song is credited to? Or was it based off a commencement address given in 1997 by Slaugherhouse-Five author Kurt Vonnegut as the freshly oiled Internet machine would suggest? This week, we've got the full story, as we take an honest look at an unlikely earworm still echoing through the hearts and minds of those who came of age in the new millennium. 

    1 hr 13 min
  • Let Them Eat Pancakes: Rich Girl, Satan, Stockholm, and the Son of Sam

    With Lindsay on vacation in Mexico, this week Aviv is joined by very special guest Alex Ronallo (@alroxro on Twitter) as he dives into Hall and Oates' 1976 #1 single, "Rich Girl." Did Darryl Hall make a deal with the devil for a number one? Why is there a box of Ritz Crackers on the cover of the record? Should the song be called Ritz Girl? And what does all this have to do with a Chicagoland pancake house, famous kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst, and notorious serial killer David Berkowitz? Find out this week on a Lindsay-less Lyrics for Lunch.

    1 hr 8 min

About LYRICS FOR LUNCH

From the publisher's feed

A podcast serving up the snackable stories behind your favorite songs.