The Art of the Playlist

Can you throw a Halloween party without “Thriller,” “Monster Mash,” or “Ghostbusters”? Patty thinks so. Rob and Christian have questions. 🎃

Three people. Three Halloween playlists. Three very different parties.

Christian Godbout brings the classics, camp, and a little chaos, from Bach’s spooky organ to “Time Warp,” Ozzy Osbourne, and the Halloween standards. Patty Pino takes inspiration from Halloween and Día de los Muertos, mixing spirits, soul, and personal memories into a playlist for a more relaxed gathering. Robert LaFrance leans into his nightclub DJ roots with a soundtrack that starts eerie and builds toward the dance floor. Turn shuffle off for this one.

Along the way, we revisit our first Rocky Horror screenings, Patty shares a musical tribute to her father, and Rob remembers playing a techno version of “Phantom of the Opera” at Toad’s Place. There’s also a disagreement about the word “autumnal,” because apparently even fall needs defending.

Then Patty says it: “Thriller” is overplayed. Christian calls it obligatory. Rob loves it, but knows firsthand how tricky it can be to keep a dance floor moving through the whole song.

Is “Thriller” essential or ready for a rest? Tell us your take and the one song your Halloween playlist needs.

PLAYLISTS:

Rob’s AOP: Shake Your Boo-ty This Halloween, Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-shake-your-boo-ty-this-halloween/pl.u-e98lmkEf07m5W

Christian’s Halloween Party Music, Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ufxHUcFaXZ8HQL8gMx0JF

Patty’s Halloween Dios de los Muertos, Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0B0dLXBkszvBDOlESOb6Ne

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Three people, three Halloween parties
01:25 No “Thriller,” “Monster Mash,” or “Ghostbusters”?
02:14 Does a Halloween playlist have to make you dance?
02:56 Christian’s playlist: Bach, “Ghostbusters,” and “Time Warp”
04:11 Our first Rocky Horror screenings
06:39 Classic rock, punk, and Halloween camp
08:06 Why Christian closes with “Thriller”
08:50 Patty’s playlist: Halloween and Día de los Muertos
09:44 Death Cab for Cutie and songs about love and loss
10:58 A tribute to Patty’s father through “St. James Infirmary Blues”
12:35 Latin music, spirits, and unexpected picks
13:49 Hollywood Vampires cover “People Who Died”
14:51 Closing with Death Cab for Cutie
15:59 Honoring those who passed: turn it up
16:29 Rob’s problem with “autumnal”
17:18 Rob’s playlist: Shake Your Boo-ty This Halloween
18:21 “Tubular Bells” and a childhood scare from The Exorcist
19:08 “I Put a Spell on You,” “Ghost Town,” and an ’80s run
21:25 “Phantom of the Opera” on the Toad’s Place dance floor
22:00 Dark pop, Tame Impala, and a heavier turn
23:24 Ending the party with John Carpenter’s Halloween theme
23:58 Is “Thriller” overplayed?
26:22 “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Dream Weaver”
27:16 Share your Halloween picks and follow the show

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When it rains, do you put on music to cheer yourself up, or lean into the misery? 🌧️

The plans are canceled. The couch is calling. Christian checked the forecast, Patty brought the whiskey-and-chowder vibe, and Rob brought the feelings.

Robert LaFrance, Christian Godbout, and Patty Pino build three very different rainy day playlists. Christian takes the weather literally, with The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Carpenters, and a little sunshine at the finish. Patty captures a New England autumn afternoon through classical music, blues, and powerful voices like Adele, Tori Amos, and Björk. Rob leans into beautiful sadness with The Cure, ambient piano, trip-hop, and a darker cover of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.”

Along the way, we debate where “Purple Rain” belongs in a playlist. Rob says it’s the finale. Christian says he still has more to say. Patty explains why classical music belongs in the rain, and Rob shares how a Gregory Alan Isakov performance sent him further down the beautiful-but-sad rabbit hole.

What’s your essential rainy day song? And do you want your playlist to match your mood or change it? Tell us in the comments.

PLAYLISTS:

Rob’s Beautiful & Sad Rainy Day Songs, Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-beautiful-sad-rainy-day-songs/pl.u-d2b0WqjT2Y7KB

Christian’s Rainy Day Songs, Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SKeQeNURfvMIaNnDmXxGn

Patty’s Rainy Day, Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67KzyOEsO74IkFJtroxgRi

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Rainy day outtakes
00:43 Cheer up or lean into it?
02:20 Three playlists, three different approaches
03:39 Where does “Purple Rain” belong?
05:36 Patty’s playlist: whiskey, chowder, and autumn rain
06:57 The Who and a first-boyfriend memory
08:23 Why classical music fits a rainy day
09:06 Adele, Tori Amos, and voices for the melancholy
10:25 Peter Gabriel, autumn moods, and Papadosio
12:54 Christian’s playlist: from blues to grunge
13:35 The Doors and “Riders on the Storm”
14:33 The Carpenters and “Rainy Days and Mondays”
15:11 Prince, “Purple Rain,” and the Super Bowl downpour
16:25 T-Bone Walker, Led Zeppelin, and finding the sunshine
17:14 Introducing John to Led Zeppelin
18:02 Rob’s playlist: permission to do nothing
18:31 Ambient piano and easing into the mood
20:28 The Cure’s “Plainsong” and beautiful sadness
21:37 A darker take on “Teardrop”
21:57 Gregory Alan Isakov and the “Are you okay?” texts
23:01 The Smiths, Zero 7, and trip-hop discoveries
24:30 Building toward a dramatic finish
26:43 What would jam-band fans add?
27:40 Björk and two versions of “Hyperballad”
28:20 Final laughs and a questionable tattoo idea
29:09 Share your rainy day songs

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What does Italian music sound like to you? Sunday dinner, Sinatra, or a dance floor at 3 a.m.? 🇮🇹

The smell of garlic and olive oil. Meatballs in your grandmother’s kitchen. A song that brings the whole family back to the table. That’s where we start. Where we end up depends on who gets the speaker.

Robert LaFrance, Christian Godbout, and Patty Pino welcome Rob’s son John for four different takes on Italian music and Italian-American favorites. John brings his Italian studies background and a playlist that moves from Neapolitan classics to Sinatra, movie soundtracks, and modern Italian rap. Patty mixes Italian party staples with rock, ska, punk, and memories from her travels. Christian goes from the Rat Pack to Madonna and Lady Gaga. Rob starts with classic Italian elegance, then heads toward Giorgio Moroder, Italo disco, and after-hours house music.

Along the way, we talk grandmother’s Sunday dinners, The Godfather, and why “Tarzan Boy” might stay in your head all afternoon. Mind Enterprises brings back memories of Rob’s DJ days, and John makes the case for an Italo disco party. The Negronis? Rob still needs convincing.

What’s the one song that belongs on your Italian playlist? Tell us in the comments.

PLAYLISTS:

Rob’s Italy After Dark, Apple Music

John’s Italian Music, Apple Music

Patty’s Wildcard Italiana Mista, Spotify

Christian’s Kinda Italian, Spotify

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Mind Enterprises, Instagram

Big Night, starring Stanley Tucci

Cinema Paradiso

Tom Morello, “Soldier in the Army of Love,” Jimmy Kimmel Live!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Grandmother’s meatballs and the soundtrack to Sunday dinner
02:14 Meet John LaFrance and celebrate Italian-American heritage
03:09 What inspired our four playlists
07:52 Rob’s family memories and Italy After Dark
10:19 John’s playlist: Neapolitan roots and “O Sole Mio”
14:57 Sinatra, movie soundtracks, and The Godfather
17:01 Bocelli and modern Italian rap
19:51 Patty’s playlist: Italian classics, rock, ska, and punk
22:52 Måneskin and The Talented Mr. Ripley
25:39 Family vinyl, “Arrivederci Roma,” and Tom Morello
27:58 Christian’s playlist: from the Rat Pack to right now
29:23 Rob’s playlist: from Italian elegance to the dance floor
30:55 Giorgio Moroder, Donna Summer, and Daft Punk
33:38 Cerrone and Rob’s five-CD box set
34:57 Italo disco, “Dolce Vita,” and “Tarzan Boy”
37:20 Mind Enterprises, “Negroni Love,” and Rob’s DJ days
39:05 An Italo disco party and the Negroni debate
41:33 Modern Italian house and the after-hours finish
42:32 Big Night, family, and Stanley Tucci
45:53 Final picks and farewell

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What’s the one song that belongs on every fire pit playlist? 🔥That first cold night. The smell of woodsmoke. Friends heading outside with a drink and a jacket they didn’t think they’d need. The fire does half the work. The music does the rest.Christian Godbout, Patty Pino, and Robert LaFrance bring three different takes on the soundtrack for a night around the fire. Patty shares her boyfriend Jeff’s playlist, mixing southern rock, classic rock, and hip-hop, with a few song dedications thrown in. Rob brings sing-alongs, air guitar favorites, and the story behind Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.” Christian mixes familiar favorites with an unexpected closer.From Nirvana’s unplugged “All Apologies” to The Church’s “Under the Milky Way,” there’s room for loud choruses and quieter moments. Just don’t ask Rob to keep the volume down for the neighbors.What’s your must-have fire pit song? Tell us in the comments.PLAYLISTS:Rob’s Fire Pit Playlist, Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/fire-pit-playlist/pl.u-aZb0v36sJqGDVChristian’s Campfire Anthems Playlist, Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6KEjuDbakQhR6QhnpWI6JzJeff’ Lights my Fire-Pit Playlist, shared by Patty, Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tPLbOJ1UO2BOicGDaGV1jCHAPTERS:00:00 Fire pit nights and the music that fits02:15 Friends, backyard fires, and guitar sing-alongs03:01 Jeff’s fire pit traditions and mix CDs04:37 “Jeff Lights My Fire Pit”05:36 Southern rock, hip-hop, and chill energy06:36 Jeff’s song dedications to Patty08:00 Rob’s playlist: sing-alongs and air guitar10:12 The story behind Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life”12:08 Discovering Talk Talk’s Spirit of Eden14:14 The Church’s “Under the Milky Way”15:13 Nirvana’s unplugged “All Apologies”16:49 Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”17:44 Christian’s playlist and finding the right volume21:26 Keeping the neighbors up21:55 Follow the show and share your picksTrust us, not the algorithm.Subscribe for songs worth discovering and music opinions worth arguing about.#FirePitPlaylist #MusicPodcast #ArtOfThePlaylist

Music stirs the soul, but sometimes the songs we love don’t exactly match the personality we present to the world. 😏Those are our “guilty pleasure” tunes — the songs and genres we might hesitate to admit we love… until now!On this episode of AOP: The Art of the Playlist, we’re confessing our musical guilty pleasures. You may be surprised, amused, or perhaps even horrified by some of our selections. And who knows? You might just discover your next guilty pleasure playlist favorite!🎧 Listen in. Judge us if you must. And then confess your own..Rob’s Surprising Song Selections on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-guilty-pleasures/pl.u-d2b0deXT2Y7KB.Christian’s Expansive Personality Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0yFvloQGJLv30fikO4Njzs?si=0ZfMecSPRYWjzJPDCpJLPA.Patty’s Very Specific Genres of Music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3hkgXuZLefUtS2nCZUjyRm?si=LRTvK1KRSF-HV65hB2yMdw. ..#AOP #TheArtofThePlaylist #ArtOfThePlaylist #MusicPodcast #Podcast #MusicLovers #MusicDiscovery #Playlist #Playlists #GuiltyPleasure #GuiltyPleasureSongs #GuiltyPleasureMusic #SecretFavorites #SongsILove #MusicConfessions #DiscoverMusic #MusicDiscovery

🎶Welcome to AOPTTT! One tune, three versions - how do artists interpret, adopt, and adapt a song? Which musicians’ recording captured the spirit of the song, the instrumentation, the lyrics? Join The Art of the Playlist Podcast for Triple Threat Tunes - Shorts/Reels exploring three versions of a tune on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & YouTube Shorts. Will you add one to your next playlist? Follow and enjoy! 🎶

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Rob’s TTTune “Lovesong” on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-triple-threat-tune-lovesong/pl.u-e98ldKjC07m5W

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Patty's TTTune “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0w8Ss2HyfTWMcIXGGdsqqR?si=GLTDV1g-QKi__LD_DHMTgA

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Christian’s TTTune “Hurt” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1q96wcPcZTvfFFyGbRKKtU?si=G4zHpFTdTb6G9_waF4LffQ&utm_source=copy-link&pi=jlx-w6szR5-18

#AOP #triplethreattunes #musicpodcast #playlist #whodiditbest

#hurt #NIN #johnnycash #keepyourhandstoyourself #lovesong #thecure

🎵 From Marvin Gaye to SZA, R&B never stopped evolving.We brought in a Gen Z R&B obsessive to argue about where the genre came from, where it’s going, and whether Drake actually beat Kendrick.On this episode of The Art of the Playlist, Rob, Christian, and Patty are joined by special guest James LaFrance, college basketball player, social media influencer, and lifelong R&B fan.We start with the roots of R&B in gospel, blues, jazz and jump blues, then follow its evolution through Motown, Memphis soul, Philadelphia soul and funk, all the way to the modern sounds of Frank Ocean, SZA, Drake, Brent Faiyaz, Bryson Tiller, PARTYNEXTDOOR, The Weeknd, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiro, Summer Walker and more.James brings a Gen Z perspective with his massive “Read Receipts Off” playlist. Christian digs into classic soul and Motown. Patty explores everything from ’80s R&B to international artists. And Rob builds a modern R&B playlist inspired in large part by the music James has introduced him to over the years.Along the way, we get into:🎧 Shuffle vs. sequencing. Is a playlist still supposed to tell a story?🔥 Drake vs. Kendrick. Yes, we went there.😬 Can you separate the art from the artist?🎤 What actually counts as R&B anymore?🌍 Why some of the most interesting R&B may be happening outside the U.S.❤️ And what happens when the kid you introduced to music starts introducing music to you.Different generations. Different definitions of R&B. Four very different playlists.Trust us, not the algorithm.🎧 Listen to the playlistsJames, “Read Receipts Off”https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/read-receipts-off/pl.u-MDAWeMjC127xokRob, Modern R&Bhttps://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-modern-r-b/pl.u-76oNod6F8bRLNChristian, Classic R&B / Funk and Soulhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/1RvIwHBe7MhEwbuT09BUTy?si=20zIn8SnTZOLFYRZ1LZ3fAPatty, “Soulfully Groovy”https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cH7nT1gsUcTjbkqSDutn4?si=BuHEIIywRcui2aRipwoE6g🎶 Featured artistsMarvin Gaye • Aretha Franklin • Stevie Wonder • Al Green • Otis Redding • James Brown • Earth, Wind & Fire • Al Jarreau • SZA • Frank Ocean • Drake • The Weeknd • Bryson Tiller • Brent Faiyaz • PARTYNEXTDOOR • Tory Lanez • Summer Walker • H.E.R. • Olivia Dean • Sienna Spiro • Kelela • Sabrina Claudio • Meshell Ndegeocello and more.#TheArtOfThePlaylist #AOP #RnB #RnBMusic #RhythmAndBlues #ModernRnB #ClassicRnB #SoulMusic #MusicPodcast #MusicDiscovery #MusicHistory #Motown #FrankOcean #SZA #Drake #TheWeeknd #BrysonTiller #BrentFaiyaz #PARTYNEXTDOOR #OliviaDean #SiennaSpiro #MarvinGaye #StevieWonder #ArethaFranklin #GenX #GenZ #TrustUsNotTheAlgorithm

🏈🎵🍂Are you ready for some Football? Or maybe Soccer, Rugby, Lacrosse, or Field Hockey? Tailgating is a time-honored tradition for Fall Sports, and The Art of the Playlist Podcast has your music covered. We dive into the ultimate tailgate playlist, crafted with an eye for every vibe you want in the parking lot before the big game. We have rock hits (a la Christian), funky cuts (Patty’s groove), and even some unexpected tunes (Thanks, Rob?!) Whatever your autumnal outdoor plans, check out AOP’s podcast & playlists ⚽️🏉🏟️🍁🎶.Christian’s Classic Jock Hits Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5BrUhaliW9ePU4dAbwF78Y?si=y56a9oPmRjGNaOK6lQM-1A&utm_source=copy-link&pi=ztRr2AsNS5SW0.Patty’s Rock, Funk, Groove Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59SO9383oo40Or5XMBzRPz?si=JWQ4KhlvQ1mrPm_U_u3TcA&utm_source=copy-link&pi=6fTxnEB0Q7Ovc.Rob’s From Manchester to the Mosh Pit Playlist on Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-tailgate-tunes/pl.u-11zBb1mt953WZ..#aop #TheArtofThePlaylist #Podcast #MusicPodcast #Playlist #TailgatePlaylist #Tailgating #FootballSeason #GameDay #PregamePlaylist #ClassicRock #RockAnthems #JockJams #PunkRock #HipHop #MusicNostalgia #SpotifyPlaylist #AppleMusic #PartyPlaylist #RockAndRoll #NowPlaying #Funk #FunkMusic #artoftheplaylist #playlistpodcast #autumn #fall #music #football #soccer #rugby #fieldhockey #lacrosse

What defines Psychedelic Music, and does it go beyond 60’s Psychedelic Rock? The Art of the Playlist Podcast discusses concepts, songs, and some of the framework that helps define the psychedelic music experience. Tune in, turn on, and drop out with playlists from Christian, Rob, & Patty! ♥️🎵.Dive deeper into the world of psychedelic music bychecking out the playlists linked below. Trust us, not the algorithm!.Christian’s Psychedelic Rock Origins Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dQyUQVYClyAse1JXEwGso?si=WD78uv4SQTmWHVqdRcZoXw&utm_source=copy-link&pi=z7VHJP3RSDiaH.Rob’s Psychedelic Eclectic Playlist on Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-psychedelic-and-beyond/pl.u-11zBzKyU953WZ.Patty’s Multi-Version Psychedelia Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2NYOMxtuCX2cDZuKh5JrHg?si=NGwpOgytTgWZ9C8_WiaY1g&utm_source=copy-link&pi=-YeJLa5zRjazN.SoundMind Psychedelics library of Playlists on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/user/dqkqox7yejwce1717awjzjnb9?si=waCOWRWuQ-mYAxkfQDM7cA&utm_source=copy-link.Music Is None Of Our Business Podcast on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-is-none-of-our-business/id1822121909..#aop #psychedelic #psychedelicplaylist #psychedelicmusic #psychadelicmusicpodcast #musicpodcast #musicplaylist #playlistlife #artoftheplaylist#theartoftheplaylist #spotify #applemusic #youtube #AOPPodcast#MusicPodcast#MusicLovers#MusicDiscovery #Playlist #GreatMusic #MusicStories #MusicalJourney#MusicCommunity#Music #MusicLover #NowPlaying #DiscoverMusic #MusiclsLife #MusicMakesTheWorldGoR-ound #christiangodbout #godbout #chrisgodbout #robertlafrance #lafrance #roblafrance #patriciapino #pino #pattypino #pattypinopower #pinopower #musicisnoneofourbusiness #soundmind #PsychedelicMusic #PsychedelicRock #PsychRock #NeoPsychedelia #MusicDiscovery #PlaylistCurator #NewPodcastEpisode #TrippyVibes #SixtiesMusic #TuneInTurnOnDropOut #PodcastRecommendations #VinylCommunity #NowListening

Professional musicians Shari Puorto and Doug Woolverton share the music that inspires them on The Art of the Playlist Podcast. Along with AOP hosts Rob, Christian, and Patty, they talk about the musical sparks that led to their careers, what makes a song memorable, and the musicians who keep their creativity flowing.Great artists, great playlists, and great stories abound! Let the music fill your soul..Shari & Doug’s Inspirational Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5zQqksQslPv3VenYgf9nOg?si=ZAah1mMYRASQ31NeIeixtA&utm_source=copy-link&pi=CpS_rtjySquet.Patty’s Inspired by Music Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0DMMbxzQmTgDdpOr6zHA3E?si=22BdjTiwT0-U2KNwZp73Ag&utm_source=copy-link&pi=aUIr7i8IRr622.Christian’s Inspirational Tunes Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iKFXlmpxARorPAGn9kt0Z?si=CEc1aRvXRIWHSL9rOt2BqQ&utm_source=copy-link&pi=-LkStPcpQkCEO.Rob’s Songs that Lift You Up Inspiration Playlist on Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/aop-inspiration-songs-that-lift-you-up/pl.u-aZb0brruJqGDV.Shari Puorto’s Website:https://www.sharipuorto.com/.Shari”s Socials: @sharipuorto.Shari’s Music & Albums on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/70HyEQK2QylTNAbjdrfS0d?si=D6M7X7CcScySi4ePbJjysA&utm_source=copy-link.Doug Woolverton”s Website: https://dougwoolverton.com.Doug’s Socials: @dougwoolverton1.Lightning’s Lessons Album on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/album/7kXal1BKQWNK47WgQrnU44?si=8-GC4ucPQgCJWRv_3TSMUA&utm_source=copy-link...#aop #sharipuorto #dougwoolverton #musicpodcast #inspiration #inspirationalmusic #musicplaylist #playlistlife #artoftheplaylist #theartoftheplaylist #spotify #applemusic #youtube #trumpet #trumpetplayer #vocalist #singer#AOPPodcast #MusicPodcast #MusicLovers #MusicDiscovery #Playlist #GreatMusic #MusicStories #ProfessionalMusicians #Musicians #Songwriters #LiveMusic #MusicInspiration #MusicalJourney #MusicCommunity#Music #MusicLover #NowPlaying #DiscoverMusic #MusicIsLife #MusicMakesTheWorldGoRound #LetTheMusicFillYourSoul