Perfectly Good Podcast - John Hiatt from A to Z

In this episode of the Perfectly Good Podcast, hosts Jessie Jackson and Sylvan Groth explore John Hiatt's rare cover of 'I Spy for the FBI' from his 1980 album '2 Bit Monsters.' They delve into the song's origins, originally recorded by Jamo Thomas and Luther Ingram and the G Men, and written by Richard Wiley and Herman Kelly. The discussion highlights the song's historical context, chart performance, and how it fits into Hiatt's discography. The hosts also compare the song's playful take on infidelity to the teenage romances and simple comedies of the 60s and 70s, reflecting on the cleverness of the lyrics. Additionally, the episode touches on broader themes like musical joy and artist tribute albums, with teasers for future guest commentators and avenues for fan interaction via social media and email. The hosts wrap up by expressing gratitude to their listeners.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:39 Discussing 'I Spy for the FBI'

02:23 Song Background and History

04:33 Break and Return

07:53 Analyzing the Lyrics

10:16 Cover Versions and Interpretations

11:46 John Prine Tribute Album Speculations

13:00 Analyzing the Lyrics: I Spy for the FBI

13:26 Fun and Light-hearted Infidelity Themes

14:48 John Hiatt's Unexpected Covers

17:03 The Joy of Musical Homage

20:26 Connecting with Fans and Future Plans

22:06 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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In this episode of the 'Perfectly Good Podcast,' hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth recount a memorable meet-up in Stockbridge, sharing a meal and live music. They then dive into an analysis of John Hiatt's song 'I Love That Girl' from the album 'Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns.' They explore the song's lyrics and the portrayal of love, delving into both personal anecdotes and broader relatable themes. The discussion addresses various interpretations, including the significance of a '65 dress,' the romantic narrative amidst life's struggles, and characters’ emotional journeys. The speakers also reflect on love's joyous essence, supported by Hiatt's soulful music, and discuss the song's technical production, ending with an invitation for listener participation

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In a lively podcast episode, hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth explore John Hiatt's song 'I Look for Love' from his 1982 album 'All of a Sudden,' produced by Tony Visconti. They discuss its 80s production, notable reception, and the impact of its lyrics, including power dynamics in relationships and emotional themes. The hosts share a deep appreciation for the song while expressing curiosity about acoustic or rock renditions. They also mention Roseanne Cash's version and their personal experiences with that song.

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This episode of the podcast dives deep into John Hiatt's music, discussing I Know How to Lose You' from 'Mystic Pinball.' Hosts Jesse and Sylvan analyze the themes of loss, self-recrimination, emotional honesty, and identity in Hiatt's lyrics. They explore the lyrical intricacies, the emotional nuances of vocal performances, and how songs can shift in meaning when detached from their albums. The discussions also cover the impact of different musicians' contributions, the interpretations brought by cover versions, particularly those by non-native English speakers, and the varied emotional expressions in acoustic versions. Reflecting on personal connections and thematic depth, the hosts invite audience engagement and offer a rich analysis of love, heartache, and personal growth through Hiatt's musical journey.

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In this podcast episode, hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth discuss the song 'I Know a Place' from John Hiatt's album 'Tiki Bar is Open.' They touch on the album's release date, production credits, and the various versions of the song available on Spotify and YouTube. They delve into the lyrical content, interpreting themes of trauma and redemption, and express mixed feelings about the song's impact. The hosts also highlight a live duet version of the song performed by John Hiatt and Joe Bonamassa, which they feel elevates the song significantly.

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In this episode of the 'Perfectly Good Podcast,' hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth discuss the John Hiatt song 'I Killed an Ant with My Guitar' from his 1975 album, Overcoats. They analyze the humor, musical arrangement, and deeper meanings behind the song's seemingly simple and quirky lyrics. The hosts explore Hiatt's use of wit and character, calling attention to the song's whimsical approach and unconventional cover versions from international bands. Comparing early and later works, they delve into Hiatt’s evolving vocal style and thematic depth.

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This special episode of Perfectly Good Podcast/Set Lusting Bruce deviates from its usual focus on Bruce Springsteen to honor the late Kris Kristofferson, who passed away a day before recording. Host Jesse Jackson welcomes a group of passionate guests, including music historian Scott, podcast host Joe, longtime fan Winn, and frequent concert-goer Tim. Each shares their personal connections to Kristofferson's music, films, and activism. The discussion highlights his major songs, his influence on country music and the outlaw movement, his diverse career from Rhodes Scholar to helicopter pilot and actor, and his steadfast political activism. The episode encourages listeners to appreciate Kristofferson's extensive catalog and cherish live music experiences.

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In this podcast episode, hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth discuss John Hiatt's song 'I Just Don’t Know What to Say' from the album Mystic Pinball. They explore the song's themes of forgiveness, emotional turmoil, and the complexities of adult relationships. Throughout the discussion, they share personal anecdotes related to the song's lyrics and reflect on the maturity and introspection in Hiatt's music. The hosts also dive into the song's production details and commercial performance, eventually reevaluating their initial ratings based on the depth of their conversation.

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In this episode of 'Perfectly Good Podcast,' hosts Jesse Jackson @jessejacksonDFW and Sylvan Groth @sylvangreeneyes welcome guest Joe Kay @playthatpodcast from the Play that Rock n' Roll podcast to delve into John Hiatt's song 'I Got a Gun' from the album 'Warming Up to the Ice Age.' The trio discusses the song's dark themes of abuse and revenge, the implications of its lyrics, and the 1980s influences on its production. They also touch on the broader context of domestic violence in media and the emotional catharsis potentially offered by the song. The episode includes a lively analysis of the song's narrative perspective, the problematic nature of vigilante justice, and comparisons to other media. They conclude with individual ratings of the song and Joe's enthusiastic participation in the ongoing exploration of John Hiatt's discography.

Podcast: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/playthatrocknroll

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playthatpodcast 

YouTube: youtube.com/c/playthatrocknroll 

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In this episode of Perfectly Good Podcast, hosts Jesse Jackson and Sylvan Groth are joined by comedian Tania Pearl Lewis to discuss and analyze John Hiatt's song 'I Don't Even Try' from the album Riding With The King. The discussion covers the song's clever lyrics, the humor, and the emotions it portrays. Tania shares her personal connection to the song and her experiences as a long-time Hiatt fan. The hosts also touch on the nostalgia of phone numbers in songs, and the relatability of the lyrics. Additionally, Sylvan provides historical context and mentions other similar 'phone number' songs from the era. The episode concludes with the hosts rating the song and Tania promoting her parody travel guide book and her comedy-related endeavors. 

https://www.amazon.com/Other-Guide-World-Atlas-Snubbed/dp/B0CSYH83Z8

http://www.tanialewiscomedy.com/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/@tlewis1834

https://www.instagram.com/taniapearllewis/

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