Pop Could Never Save Us

Holly sits down for a long chat with Monia Ali of the Fandom Exile Substack to discuss stan culture, online platforms, the industry's hand in shaping our current media landscape, and how Louis Tomlinson's career was kneecapped to ensure the success of Harry Styles.

Monia's Fandom Exile newsletter can be found here: https://exiledfan.substack.com

A list of all songs and video clips played in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/42ko2dru

Holly and James continue watching Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Holly geeks out over songwriting, while James endures it. And this episode ends with a good moral for the kids!

A full list of songs played in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/s6fx6fhv

If you haven't heard enough people talking about Taylor Swift yet, have we got a show for you! Holly and James sit down at their moss-covered podcasting desks to talk about Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie and her surprising lack of chart megastardom until the pando.

A full list of songs used in this episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/vz277mym

It's the final episode of Pop Could Never Save Us, and Holly and James finish off their time in 2018 by picking through the dust of the mumble rap debate and Eminem's kamikaze attack on the game.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

1) I Love It - Lil Pump & Kanye West

2) FEFE - 6ix9ine & Nicki Minaj

3) Lucky You - Joyner Lucas & Eminem

4) RAP DEVIL - Machine Gun Kelly

5) Killshot - Eminem

A full list of all songs featured on the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/uyrqa

The Pick of the Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=8fb096655979462c

It's 28th September 2018 and Holly and James settle in for the worst Top 5 of the entire show while musing about dubstep, the Millennial/Zoomer generational handover, and whether Kanye was always like he became.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

1) Promises - Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Jessie Reyez

2) Eastside - Benny Blanco, Halsey, Khalid

3) I Love It - Kanye West, Lil Pump

4) Happier - Marshmello, Bastile

5) Body - Loud Luxury, Brando

A list of all songs featured in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/3dp5i

Holly and James are back in the present day for one last time to enjoy life in plastic!

SONGS DISCUSSED:

5) Barbie World - Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj

4) vampire - Olivia Rodrigo

3) Dance The Night - Dua Lipa

2) What Was I Made For - Billie Eilish

1) SPRINTER - Dave & Central Cee

A full list of all songs played in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/zie8d

The Pick of the Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=7b5a3c8fd56e47c2

Holly and James finish off their time in 2003 to discuss Sugababes and Shadymania.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

5) Sugababes - Hole In The Head

8) Obie Trice - Got Some Teeth

11) 50 Cent - P.I.M.P.

A full list of all songs featured in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/6vh4f

PART 1 OF A TWO PARTER. Holly and James go back in time to 21st October 2003, preminisce about the stars who are still relevant, reminisce about 9/11, MTV Cribs, and childhood egg throwing antics, and attempt to find where the love is.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

1) Fatman Scoop - Be Faithful

2) Blue - Guilty

3) Kevin Lyttle - Turn Me On

4) Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love

5) XXXX XXXXX XXXXX [SEE PART 2!!]

A full list of all songs played in the episode can be accessed here: https://rentry.co/i7zqt

While Holly and James were recording a real episode, Melle Mel put out a diss track to Eminem and James thought we should do an episode on their beef and careers.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

EZ Mil & Eminem - Realest

Melle Mel - Response To Eminem's Latest Diss

List of all songs featured in episode -

Eminem - Kamikaze

DJ Kay Slay Feat. Melle Mel, Raekwon, Cee-Lo Green & Grandmaster Caz - Hip Hop Frontline

The Last Poets - On The Subway

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat. Melle Mel and Duke Bootee - The Message

Run-DMC - My Adidas

Grandmaster Melle Mel - Don't Shoot

DJ Kay Slay Feat. Various Artists - Rolling 110 Deep

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz - Downtown

DJ Shadow & De La Soul - Rocket Fuel

Scroobius Pip feat. De La Soul - Thou Shalt Always Kill

Method Man interview on Math Hoffa's podcast

Eminem - Survival

Eminem - These Demons

Eminem feat. Joyner Lucas - Lucky You

Eminem - The Conspiracy Freestyle

Eminem - Right For Me

Eminem - Venom

Juice WRLD - ON GOD

XXXTentacion - Jocelyn Flores

J.I.D. feat. Lil Durk - Bruddenem

Kid Bookie - Don't Get Drunk And Beef Freestyle

Juice WRLD rapping along to Eminem - Role Model in his car

Cyne - Steady

Eminem - Kamikaze interview

Metal Gear Solid 4 - After defeating Liquid Ocelot (boss)

Melle Mel interview - The Art of Dialogue podcast

50 Cent - In Da Club

Jay Z - The Story of O.J.

Eminem - Yah Yah

Eminem - Rap Olympics 1997 battles

EZ Mil & Eminem - Realest

Grandmaster Melle Mel - One More

KRS-One tells the story of his rap battle against Melle Mel

Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee Starski Rap Battle at the Harlem World, Manhattan, 1981

Melle Mel - Response To Eminem's Latest Diss

Eminem - Elevator

Melle Mel - M-3

Eminem's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

Eminem - Just Lose It

The Game - The Black Slim Shady

Eminem - Big Weenie

Eminem - Stan

Eminem - Bad Guy

Eminem - The Real Slim Shady

Eminem - Rap God

SNL Live - Eminem vs Old School Rappers

Holly and James continue enjoying their time in 1994, chatting about Disney, gangsta rap, fading old rock stars, and the birth of nu-metal.

SONGS DISCUSSED:

1) A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) - Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle

2) That's How I'm Livin' - Ice-T

3) Come Baby Come - K7

4) My House - Terrorvision

5) I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra & Bono

6) Bat Out Of Hell & I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf

The PCNSU Pick Of The Week playlist is available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK?si=c0221471ef8842cf

A playlist of the 2nd-8th January 1994 chart is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33uwR8G9HCxvr2GEorefUt?si=63b43381afce4bb8

A full list of all songs appearing in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/fmgzc

Holly and James visit the first chart of 1994 to talk boy bands, novelty songs, Golden Age hip-hop and diva adult contemporary.

DISCUSSED -

1) Twist & Shout - Chaka Demus & Pliers

2) Babe - Take That

3) Mr. Blobby - Mr. Blobby

4) It's Alright - East 17

5) The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll

A full list of all songs played in the episode can be accessed here: https://rentry.co/sc2t8

Talking about the UK Charts from 19th May - 1st June 2023, Holly and James take a holiday in Europe and find no love.

DISCUSSED:

1) Tattoo - Loreen

2) Cha Cha Cha - Kaarija

3) Queen of Kings - Alessandra

4) I Wrote A Song - Mae Muller

5) Giving Me - Jazzy

6) Say Yes To Heaven - Lana Del Rey

7) Baby Don't Hurt Me - David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray

Visit the pick of the week playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK

A full list of all songs featured in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/mofbr

Holly and James visit the UK Top 40 for 12th-18th May 2023 for a battle of the Sheeranoids plus a chart record and a novelty song.

DISCUSSED:

1) David Kushner - Daylight

2) Lewis Capaldi - Wish You The Best

3) Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed

4) Switch Disco, Ella Henderson, Robert Miles - REACT

5) FIFTY FIFTY - Cupid

6) Mae Stephens - If We Ever Broke Up

7) The Krown Jewelz - Scrap The Monarchy

Visit the pick of the week playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tc2ZHF8JGfdlA7wdm74lK

A full list of all songs featured in the episode can be found here: https://rentry.co/3icxg

Holly and James take a radical trip back to the 1980s and learn about FM synthesis.

TOP 5:

1. The Power Of Love - Jennifer Rush
2. Take On Me - a-ha
3. Trapped - Colonel Abrams
4. Nikita - Elton John
5. Gambler - Madonna

ALSO DISCUSSED:

• Theme to Miami Vice - Jan Hammer
• A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey
• Slave To The Rhythm - Grace Jones
• Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
• Cloudbusting - Kate Bush
• Road To Nowhere - Talking Heads
• Dancing In The Street - David Bowie
• Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits

A full list of all songs in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/i6dp2

James and Holly discuss the last two weeks' UK Top 40, and Holly attempts not to have a breakdown.

• Miracle - Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding
• Mother - Meghan Trainor
• Tiesto - 10:35
• People - Libianca
• Strandz - Us Against The World
• Taylor Swift - All Of The Girls You Loved Before
• Mimi Webb - Red Flags
• Coi Leray - Players

A full list of all songs in the episode is available here: https://rentry.co/86xin

Holly & James discuss the week's UK top 40, including 

Sure Thing by Miguel

Boy's a liar Pt. 2 - PinkPantheress, Ice Spice

Die For You - The Weeknd

ceilings - lizzy mcalpine

As It Was - Harry Styles.

James and Holly discuss the highest entries which weren't in the Top 5 in the pilot episode, including the number 1 hits Pointless by Lewis Capaldi and Flowers by Miley Cyrus. Also charting:

Let Go -  Central Cee

Miss You - Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz

Creepin' - Metro Boomin/Weeknd/21 Savage

Out of Nowhere - Bugzy Malone & Teedee

Holly and James discuss the UK Top 40.

Top 5:

1. RAYE - Escapism
2. Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero
3. Venbee, Goddard - Messy in Heaven
4. SZA - Kill Bill
5. Meghan Trainor - Made You Look

Archival hits:

1. David Guetta feat Bebe Rexha - I'm Good (Blue)
2. Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary
3. Eminem - Mockingbird

Other songs we talk about:

1. Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy
2. Anne-Marie, Aitch - PSYCHO
3. Stormzy - Hide And Seek
4. Central Cee - LET GO
5. Lil Uzi Vert - Just Wanna Rock

Track list in order of appearance - 

• Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (Remixed)
• RAYE - Escapism
• The Weeknd - High For This
• Rihanna - Hard
• Katy B - Katy On A Mission
• Young Thug - Rich Nigga Shit
• Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero
• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• Venbee, Goddard - Messy in Heaven
• Konflict - Messiah
• SZA - Kill Bill
• Frances Gall - J'etends cette musique
• Eminem - Kim
• Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin To Fuck With
• KiNK resamples drums with the E-Mu SP-1200 (video)
• Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass
• Meghan Trainor - Made You Look
• Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl
• Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
• Daft Punk feat. Pharrell - Get Lucky
• Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
• Pharrell - Happy
• Paloma Faith - Only Love Can Hurt Like This
• Plan B - She Said
• Eminem - Berzerk
• Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
• David Guetta feat Bebe Rexha - I'm Good (Blue)
• Lady Gaga - Paparazzi
• Lady Gaga - Born This Way
• Lady Gaga - Judas
• Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory
• Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary
• The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (Wednesday dance scene)
• Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary (TikTok Remix)
• Eminem - My Mom
• Katy Perry feat Snoop Dogg - California Gurls
• Eminem - Medicine Ball
• Eminem - Evil Twin
• Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
• Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - I Get A Kick Out Of You
• Eminem - Big Weenie
• Eminem - Mockingbird
• Central Cee - LET GO
• Eminem - Mockingbird (TikTok Remix)
• Eminem - Without Me (stem)
• Dr. Dre feat. Eminem - Forgot About Dre
• Eminem - Gnat
• Eminem - My Name Is
• Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)
• Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy
• Anne-Marie, Aitch - PSYCHO
• Ava Max - Sweet But Psycho
• Stormzy - Hide And Seek
• Passenger - Let Her Go
• Central Cee - LET GO
• Central Cee - Doja
• Lil Uzi Vert - Just Wanna Rock
• Quincy Jones - Ironside (excerpt)