
Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak>, Ex Machina) defends his claim that breaking down music ruins it. We brought Geoff and LUXXURY’s social media argument to One Song to get into it.
Here’s a short preview of our conversation with Geoff from our Patreon episode.
You can listen to the full interview (for free) by joining our Patreon, where you can hear Geoff go deep on Portishead’s influences, get real about a beloved band he does not like, and break down his classic post-Portishead albums by Beak and Anika in ways you’ve never heard before.
Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong
Episode produced by Demian Kendall.
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Sep 1
4 min

In memory of Dolly Parton, we’re revisiting our episode about her seminal 1973 track “Jolene.” In the years that have followed, the song has been reinterpreted and reimagined by many artists including Olivia Newton John, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, the White Stripes, and, of course, Beyonce. On this episode of One Song, LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle are joined by comedy legend Andy Richter to talk through the history and impact of this singular anthem, and the many Jolenes.
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Aug 27
1 hr 22 min

Hey One Song Nation, we hope you enjoy this snippet of our conversation with comedian, musician, and internet sensation Kyle Gordon. You can find the full interview free on our Patreon at patreon.com/onesong.
And if you haven’t joined our Patreon yet…please do, its free! At patreon.com/onesong we post bonus episodes of the show, interviews, new music reactions and so much more. Join to get our full hour-long interview with Kyle Gordon (“Mr. Jambo”, “Planet of the Bass”), where we discuss the fine line between music and comedy (and getting both right), the difference between parody and satire, and the delicate process of composing “Mr. Jambo” (spoiler: it involves actually learning Zulu). In addition to bonus content, our Patreon gives you access to perks like our Discord, early access to episodes, and much more coming soon!
Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong
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Episode produced, edited, and mixed by Demian Kendall.
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Aug 26
17 min

This week, we’re revisiting a One Song favorite. Bob Marley’s music is everywhere. And, in a sense, so is Bob Marley: His image appears in murals around the world, on college dorm-room posters, and in a recent Hollywood biopic. But has that ubiquity changed the way we hear his music? On this encore episode of One Song, revisit Bob Marley’s “Jamming” as you’ve never heard it before. LUXXURY breaks out the stems, interpolations, and contrafacts, while Diallo Riddle delivers the Bob backstory—and some hot takes on music biopics.
One Song LIVE 9/6 @ Skirball Museum 🎟️ https://www.skirball.org/programs/blitzkrieg-bop-one-song-podcast-live-skirball
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Aug 21
1 hr 25 min

We revisit this classic episode where Diallo and LUXXURY break down “7 Rings,” Ariana Grande’s smash hit that puts a modern twist on the classic Broadway tune “My Favorite Things.” Grande has since become one of pop’s most reliable chart-toppers, tying the record for the most songs by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. They discuss how Ariana was inspired to write “7 Rings” after a post-breakup shopping spree, and how she and her songwriting team worked in cadences and flows inspired by several different rappers. Plus, the guys peel back the layers of how the famous melody went from the stage and screen to a pop banger several decades later.
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Aug 13
1 hr 14 min

Destiny has called us to revisit one of our favorite One Song episodes about the making of an unforgettable jam you’ve heard at countless weddings, karaoke bars, and sporting events. So open up your eager eyes (and ears)! On this episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down The Killers’ 2003 hit, “Mr. Brightside.” They discuss where frontman Brandon Flowers drew inspiration to write this song (i.e.: Oasis, U2, and a bout of infidelity), why it’s become a catchy millennial anthem, how The Killers became one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century.
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Aug 7
1 hr 30 min

How do you follow “I Want You Back” when the world still sees you as kids? Diallo & LUXXURY dive into “Can You Feel It,” the record that helped transform the Jackson 5 into The Jacksons. They explore the musical legacy of the whole family, Randy’s lead-vocal moment, the way Michael’s entrance changes the energy of the song, and the massive music video that pointed toward Thriller. Then LUXXURY breaks down the soaring strings, gospel-inspired vocals, and huge arrangement behind one of the Jacksons’ boldest records.
Songs discussed:
“Can You Feel It” — The Jacksons“Back Stabbers” — The O’Jays“Blame It on the Boogie” — The Jacksons“Centipede” — Rebbie Jackson“Dancing Machine” — The Jacksons“Do What You Do” — Jermaine Jackson“Hard” — Rihanna“If You Feel the Funk” — LaToya Jackson“T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)” — MFSB“Show You the Way to Go” — The Jacksons“Stars on 45” — Stars on 45“Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming (Too Good to Be True)” — Jermaine Jackson“Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” — Stevie Wonder“Wake Up Everybody” — Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes“White Rabbit” — Jefferson Airplane“Can You Feel It” — Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard)“Also sprach Zarathustra” (“2001” Theme) — Richard Strauss“Can You Feel It” — Southern University Human Jukebox
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Jul 31
1 hr 10 min

How do five brothers from Gary, Indiana arrive at Motown and change pop music almost overnight? This week, Diallo & LUXXURY dive into the Jackson 5’s explosive debut, “I Want You Back,” and break down the impossible chemistry behind the record that introduced Michael Jackson to the world. The guys explore Michael’s astonishing lead vocal, the overlooked role of Bobby Taylor, the songwriting precision of The Corporation, and the trail the song left through decades of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Then LUXXURY opens up the stems to reveal how one of the tightest arrangements in music history became the first chapter in the story of the biggest musical family the world has ever known.
Songs discussed in this episode:
"I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5
"O.P.P." - Naughty By Nature (1991)
"ABC" - Jackson 5 (1970)
"Jump" - Kris Kross (1992)
"The Twist" - Chubby Checkers (1960)
"Let's Twist Again" - Chubby Checkers (1961)
"...Baby One More Time" - Britney Spears
"Oops...I Did It Again" - Britney Spears
"Mama's Pearl" - Jackson 5
"Only One Can Win" - The Sylvers (1972)
"Time To Change" - The Brady Bunch
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" - A Taste Of Honey (1978)
"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor (1978)
"Big Boy" - The Jackson Five (1968, Steeltown Records)
"Last Train To Clarskville" - The Monkees
"Sprit In The Sky" - Norman Greenbaum (1969)
"Jump Around" - House Of Pain (1992)
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" - JAŸ-Z (2001)
"One More Chance" (Album Version) - The Notorious B.I.G.
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Jul 23
1 hr 10 min

From the One Song archives, we’re going metal with one of the biggest riff monsters ever recorded: Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” Diallo and LUXXURY break down a song bursting with musicianship, angst, and intricate instrumentation. Come for the stems of Lars Ulrich bashing away at the drums, and stay for LUXXURY’s metal origin story and his thoughts on the infamous Some Kind of Monster documentary.
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Jul 17
55 min

This week we dig into the archives to revisit a One Song favorite. Diallo and LUXXURY break down The Pharcyde’s “Runnin’,” the track from the legendary hip-hop group that brought new flavor to the West Coast sound in the ‘90s. They dive into the group’s introspective lyrics about vulnerability and personal struggle, how they met and collaborated with soon-to-be legendary producer J Dilla (at the time known as Jay Dee), and how Dilla’s genre-reinventing beatmaking style – blending old school hip-hop and bossa nova samples – helped The Pharcyde popularize the alternative hip-hop movement.
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Jul 9
1 hr 18 min
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