One Song

One Song Nation – won’t you smile for another episode? Because we know you’re gonna love it! On this episode of One Song, actor, comedian and musician Jon Benjamin (Archer, Bob’s Burgers) joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down one of Steely Dan’s most beloved, jazz-infused songs from 1977, “Peg.” They discuss the lengths the band’s core duo – Walter Becker and Donald Fagen – went to achieve their vision for this song and its album 'Aja' (it took 40 musicians!), and why it may be “one of the strangest hits to ever grace the mainstream.” (Pitchfork’s words, not ours.)

As Spooky Season falls across the land, no mere mortal can resist the power of this 1983 smash hit. On this very special Halloween episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down Michael Jackson’s spookiest pop song, “Thriller.” They discuss how the King of Pop teamed up with Quincy Jones to make the iconic title track for the best-selling album of all time (70 million+ copies!), and how its cinematic music video redefined what a music video can even be. And prepare yourself to hear Michael’s isolated and stacked vocals…they’ll make you jump right out of your seat!

Get ready to share the spice of life and glide like a 747 to a classic cookout jam from one of the best selling bands of all time! On this episode of One Song, Grammy Award-winning pop star, rapper, and actress Estelle joins Diallo and LUXXURY to talk about Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1981 hit “Let’s Groove.” They break down band leader Maurice White and his bandmates’ recipe for creating certified gold songs and albums that blend funk, soul, disco, jazz, and beyond; and how their music spreads messages of Afrocentricity, universal love, harmony, and spiritualism.

If there’s anything you want done, baby, just turn to a legendary artist who knows how to do it naturally. On this episode of One Song, award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Danyel Smith (Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop) joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” the 1978 disco crossover hit that launched her incredibly successful solo career. They discuss Chaka’s powerful, dynamic vocal range (just wait until you hear the isolated stems!), how the song became an anthem for female empowerment (among many other things), and Chaka’s professional and personal connections with Whitney Houston, who famously covered the song 15 years later for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

All you ever wanted and all you ever needed from Diallo and LUXXURY is here in this episode. Okay, well, not *everything,” but in Part Two of our Depeche Mode special, the guys break down band’s biggest hit, “Enjoy The Silence.” Get ready to learn Depeche Mode’s techniques for crafting moodier, darker, and more atmospheric sounds, why this song took them to global superstar status, and how they paved the way for countless bands to create synth-driven, danceable music.

Question – how much do Diallo and LUXXURY love Depeche Mode? Answer – so much that they couldn’t pack it all into one episode. So get ready for a thorough two-part deep dive on these pioneers who defined the sound of electronic music! In Part One, the guys discuss Depeche Mode’s early years and their dynamic approach to using synthesizers and drum machines to make their music. Plus, they break down how “People Are People” was made – the song that took them from the underground scene to breaking into the U.S. market.

This week on One Song, we’re sharing another podcast that LUXXURY and Diallo both love: Petty Crimes. It's a weekly comedy podcast where co-hosts and long-time friends Ceara Jane O’Sullivan and Griff Stark-Ennis add a playful twist to the world of true crime. In each episode, the hosts passionately investigate minor interpersonal disputes and deliver a hilarious yet analytical verdict. 

Live from Las Vegas, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined by Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, producer, and actor Tank to discuss one of the top party jams of the 1990s: “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe. On this special episode, they discuss how three former members of New Edition took R&B to a new level by blending rapping and singing, pull back the curtain on how the song was made (remember that iconic drum intro and those smooth harmonies?!), and state the case for why you should never trust a big butt and a smile. 

One Song Nation – you don’t have to worry no more. Diallo & LUXXURY know you can go without learning how The Weeknd’s massive 2015 hit, “Can’t Feel My Face,” made him into a global megastar. On this episode, they break down how The Weeknd collaborated with Swedish powerhouse songwriter Max Martin and his team to make a diamond-certified, chart-topping, dark R&B song, and peel back the layers on those Michael Jackson-inspired vocals.

You're gonna burn, burn, burn to the wick if you don't recognize this song as one of the greatest rock anthems of all time! On this episode, Diallo and LUXXURY break down "Barracuda," a rally cry for empowerment and defiance that broke barriers for women in rock in the 1970s. They dive into Ann and Nancy Wilson's masterful vocal and guitar work respectfully, discuss how the song was fueled by anger and frustration over sexist activity they faced, and talk about how Heart became one of the first successful women-led rock bands.