What the Riff?!?
Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
1 Listener
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 What the Riff?!? Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best What the Riff?!? episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to What the Riff?!? for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite What the Riff?!? episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
1980 - September: Pat Benatar “Crimes of Passion”
What the Riff?!?
03/01/21 • 37 min
Patricia Mae Giraldo, better known as Pat Benatar, became one of the most prominent female rock stars when she made her debut in 1979. Her most successful studio album was this second album, Crimes of Passion, which would benefit from play on rock stations around the country and the new music video media spearheaded by MTV.
Benatar had actually abandoned early dreams of a singing career, choosing to pursue health (actually sex education) at Stony Brook University, rather than music at Juliard. She dropped out of Stony Brook after a year, married Dennis Benatar, and worked as a bank teller in Virginia while he was stationed at Fort Lee. Her interest in singing was rekindled after attending a Liza Minnelli concert. She had some local success in Richmond and in New York where she and Dennis moved in the mid-70's, — but the real breakthrough would happen in Halloween 1977 when she performed in a spandex costume. Shortly thereafter she was signed by Chrysalis Records. She ended up divorcing Dennis Benatar thereafter, but would keep his last name as her professional name.
While Pat Benatar achieved strong success on her debut album with the hit "Heartbreaker." Crimes of Passion would make Benatar a household name. The album would spend five consecutive weeks at number 2 on the album charts in January 1981, and would net Benatar a Grammy Award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1980. Pat Benatar would appear on the cover of the October 1980 issue of Rolling Stone along with her guitarist and future husband, Neil Giraldo.
We think you will enjoy this excellent album. At least we will do our best to hit you with our best shot!
Hit Me with Your Best Shot
This song is the second single off the album, but the biggest hit, and her first entry into the top 10. The song was written by Canadian musician, songwriter, and producer Eddie Schwartz, inspired by a therapy session he participated in that involved hitting pillows. This is a true rock anthem.
Little Paradise
This deeper cut leads off side two of the album, and was written by guitarist and soon-to-be husband of Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo. To us, it feels a little more like Ted Nugent or southern rock.
You Better Run
The first single released from the album is a cover of a song originally performed by The Young Rascals. Although this song missed the top 40 (peaking at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100), it would become the second music video ever broadcast on MTV after the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."
Hell Is for Children
This emotional song was written by Benatar, Giraldo, and bassist Roger Capps and is Neil Giraldo's favorite song. Pat Benatar was inspired to write this song by a series in New York about abused children. Later on Benatar and Giraldo would actually create foundation for abused children
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the television series “Cosmos”
This popular PBS series premiered in September 1980, and would make Carl Sagan a household name.
STAFF PICKS:
“Introduction/Lola” by the Kinks
Brian's starts our staff picks off with a live version of the 1970's hit about an encounter between a young man and the cross-dressing Lola. In the song the guy meets Lola in Soho, London, but the inspiration was a result of Kinks manager Robert Wace spent an evening in Paris dancing with a cross-dresser.
“Games Without Frontiers” by Peter Gabriel
Wayne's staff pick takes its name from a European TV show, "Jeus Sans Frontieres" where people from different places would play games of skill while wearing strange costumes. The British version of this game show was called "It's a Knockout," and that title also makes it into the song. The song's lyrics are a commentary on war and negotiations between countries being like children on a playground. Kate Bush contributes backing vocals in this song.
“The Legend of Wooley Swamp” by the Charlie Daniels Band
Bruce takes us on a spooky trip to the Wooley Swamp where the ghost of miser Lucious Clay torments the spirits of his killers, the Cable Boys. Today Wooley Swamp is the name of a farm campground and RV park near Raleigh.
“Turn It On Again” by Genesis
Rob finishes off our staff picks with the first single off Genesis' album "Duke," written by band member Mike Rutherford. It is about a man who doesn't do anything but watch TV, and begins to think of the TV personalities as his friends. The song has a complex time signature, with much of the song in 13/8.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
1 Listener
1 Comment
1
1989 - September: Mötley Crüe "Dr. Feelgood"
What the Riff?!?
11/18/24 • 44 min
It is a little surprising that we have gotten this far into the podcast without featuring an album by Mötley Crüe. This is a group that practically defined the hair metal genre of the mid to late-80's. The band formed in 1981 in Hollywood, and featured both a party-oriented lifestyle and an androgynous look. The core and classic members of the band were Nikki Sixx on bass and keyboards, Mick Mars on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tommy Lee on drums and backing vocals, and Vince Neil as front man. Many other musicians would be brought in for sessions, and the group itself would change personnel over the years.
However, the classic lineup was still in place for their fifth studio album, Dr. Feelgood. At the time, the group was facing conflicts that caused Producer Bob Rock to have each member record their parts separately. This was also the first album recorded after the group started a quest to get sober and go through rehab. Additionally, recording took place in Vancouver, getting the band out of the familiar (and seductive) L.A. scene.
The result of these sessions was impressive. Dr. Feelgood was the groups most successful album to date, and went to the top of the Billboard 200 album chart, the only Crüe album to do so. It was also reviewed positively by critics, receiving the award for "Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album of the Year" at the American Music Awards in 1991.
Friend of the show Greg Lyon sits in for Bruce and brings us this excellent glam metal album of the late 80's for this week's podcast.
Dr. Feelgood
This title track peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Mötley Crüe's most successful single to date. The song about a drug dealer chronicles the connection between LA Rock and drug use. It has an infectious funky riff and a more sophisticated production which departs from earlier Mötley Crüe efforts.
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
The softer approach of this power ballad song are betrayed by its adolescent lyrics. Bassist Nikki Sixx was inspired by a movie line to make this sarcastic song. It's tongue in cheek lyrics and reference to earlier Crüe songs make it a favorite at their live shows. like fire, don't you ever take my name in vain."
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)
This fifth single released from the album tells a comedic story of a boy meeting two girls, and by the end of the song the boy has been passed over while the two girls end up together. Many of Mötley Crüe's songs had lighter, humorous lyrics, which contributed to their appeal.
Kickstart My Heart
Do not play this song when driving through a speed trap! The song is not about a relationship, but about Nikki Sixx's heroin overdose. Sixx was clinically dead, requiring the paramedic to inject adrenaline into his heart to get it beating again. This single reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Welcome Home by Willie Nelson (from the motion picture “Welcome Home”)
This film starred Kris Kristofferson as a Vietnam War vet returning to his family after a 20-year absence.
STAFF PICKS:
New Orleans Is Sinking by the Tragically Hip
Wayne turns to the college rock genre to start off our staff picks. The Tragically Hip is better known in their native Canada than in the US, but their music is well worth a listen. This song was recorded in Memphis, and has a delta blues feel, almost rockabilly. The song was temporarily removed from radio playlists after hurricane Katrina broke the levies and flooded New Orleans.
Wait for You by Bonham
If you think that this song sounds like Led Zeppelin, you aren't the only one. Rob features Jason Bonham's band. Jason Bonham was the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Jason Bonham has a playing style very similar to his father, and recruited Daniel McMaster to the band on vocals - a singer with a sound very similar to Zeppelin front man Robert Palmer. This is the main single from the debut album, "The Disregard of Timekeeping."
Poison by Alice Cooper
Lynch brings us a song from Cooper's eighteenth album, "Trash." This song was a major comeback single for Cooper, his first top 10 single in the US in 12 years. The song tells the story of a guy entrapped by a girl that he knows is wrong for him, but also someone he can't let go.
Down Boys by Warrant
Greg finishes the staff picks with another hair metal band. This is the debut single from Warrant's debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich." It reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 10...
1987 - December: Def Leppard “Hysteria”
What the Riff?!?
08/05/24 • 43 min
Hysteria is the album that should not exist. Def Leppard's fourth studio album was plagued with delays and tragedy. Despite this fact, the album would become one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
The band wrapped up their Pyromania tour in early 1984, and started writing their next album shortly thereafter. Producter John "Mutt" Lange began working with them to arrange the songs, but was suffering from burnout and couldn't commit to producing the album. Jim Steinman (of Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell" fame). The fit was not good, and the band parted ways with Steinman by the fall. They began self-producing, but it was slow work. Then in December tragedy struck, as drummer Rick Allen crashed his Corvette, losing his left arm in the accident. The band stuck with him as he returned to the drums, using a combination of acoustic and electronic drums and MIDI pedals to trigger sounds for parts ordinarily played with the left arm. Self-production was continued until Mutt Lange was able to rejoin in mid-1985. Final recording sessions occurred in early 1987, and the finished product finally was released in August 1987.
Def Leppard's goal with the album, was amazingly aggressive: they wanted to create a rock album similar to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," such that every track on the album could potentially be a hit single. This goal was largely achieved, as seven of the albums tracks were released as singles, an unpresidented achievement for a rock band at the time. This would also produce controversy with Def Leppard fans, as the group was perceived by some as selling out to commercial "hair metal" sensitivities popular at the time.
Friend of the show Steve Hardin joins us in Bruce's absence, and Lynch brings us this monster album of heavy metal (or hair metal, depending on your perspecitve) for week's podcast.
Hysteria
The title track was the fourth single from the album, and the group's first top 10 single in the US. Drummer Rick Allen came up with the name for this slow rocker. "'Cause it's a miracle, oh say you will, ooh babe. Hysteria when you're near."
Animal
This fast paced song was the second release in the US and the first single in the UK where it broke into the top 10. It was one of the more difficult songs for the group to write, going through multiple iterations with multiple producers before arriving in the style used on the album.
Rocket
This track was almost created as an instrumental, but morphed into a tribute song, referencing many of the influential groups of the 60's and 70's. It also features a backwards masking vocal from another song on the album (Gods of War) which says, "we're fighting with the gods of war."
Pour Some Suger On Me
Often considered Def Leppard's signature song, this track was a last-minute addition to the album. It came out of an acoustic jam developed by lead singer Joe Elliott. Producer Mutt Lange liked the tune and pushed for its development despite the album being behind schedule. It was created in about 2 weeks, and would reach number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
I Get Around by The Beach Boys (from the motion picture “Goor Morning, Vietnam”)
This movie starred Robin Williams as an Armed Forces Radio Service DJ who is popular with the troops, but problemmatic to the bureaucrats.
STAFF PICKS:
Say You Will by Foreigner
Rob starts the staff pick with a song that hit number 6 on the charts. Foreigner evolved their sound in the late 80's to meet the aesthetic of the day, with heavier use of the synthesizer and less guitar riffs. It is the first single from their sixth studio album, "Inside Information."
No New Tale to Tell by Love and Rockets
Wayne's staff pick is an alternative rock sound with an unusual flute instrumentation from a group out of the UK underground. This was their first US hit, going to number 18 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. It is from their third album, "Earth, Sun, Moon," and they would release another four albums before breaking up in 1989,
Big River by the Beat Farmers
Friend of the show Steve Hardin brings an unusual song with a country/rocakabilly slant. The lyrics discuss following a girl down the Mississippi.
Faith by George Michael
Lynch finishes the title track from George Michael's debut solo album. This song with a Bo Diddley beat on an acoustic rhythm guitar went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael wrote the song because he needed faith in his own abilities after leaving the band W...
1978 - November: Kansas "Two for the Show"
What the Riff?!?
10/14/24 • 45 min
Kansas was at the height of their prowess and popularity as a prog rock-leaning band in 1978 when they released their first live album, Two for the Show. Recorded during tours in 1977 and 1978, the double album gives the listener a glimpse into the energy of the band at the time. The songs span the first five studio albums released by the group, from the eponymously named "Kansas" to the highly successful "Point of Know Return."
Kansas would have a number of personnel changes over time, but this lineup would be the classic one. Steve Walsh is on keyboards and vocals, Robby Steinhardt is on violins and vocals, Kerry Livgren is on guitars and keyboards, Rich Williams is on guitars, Dave Hope is on bass, and Phil Ehart is on percussion.
In addition to the complex metered songs and excellent harmonies, Kansas also features Robby Steinhardt on violin in most of their songs. The unusual use of violin in a rock band would create one of the signature sounds of Kansas.
Kansas would go on to have a number of hits in the 80's. In 1982 front man Steve Walsh would leave the group and be replaced by John Elfante. In 1983 both Livgren and Hope would leave the group to form the contemporary Christian band called AD. Later Elfante would also leave the group to join the Contemporary Christian music genre, replaced by a returning Steve Walsh.
Bruce presents this live prog rock masterpiece for this week's podcast..
Song for America
This long-form masterpiece from the album of the same name was written by Kerry Livgren. Its 3+ minute instrumental prelude did not make it onto the single release, but was a staple of FM rock stations at the time. Livgren was inspired to write the song after viewing the country from a plane flight.
Dust In the Wind
The big hit from "Point of Know Return," went to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Livgren originally wrote the music as a guitar exercise, and his wife encouraged him to develop it into a song. The lyrics for this ballad come from the Bible, where the Preacher from Ecclesiastes says "everything he (man) has accomplished is futile - like chasing the wind." This live version concludes with an acoustic guitar outro performed by Rich Williams.
Lonely Wind
The live version of this song from their debut studio album begins with a piano solo from Kerry Livgren. Steve Walsh penned this melancholy track about loneliness, with the wind personifying that feeling. "Cry for me, sigh for me, sad breezes blow. Stay for me, play for me, the song my friends will know. My lonely wind must blow."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Grease by Frankie Valli (from the motion picture "Grease")
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this blockbuster musical set in a 50's high school. 50's icon Frankie Valli performs the title song, written by Barry Gibb.
STAFF PICKS:
Strange Way by Firefall
Wayne goes more mellow than normal to start the staff picks. This was the first track and big hit from the third album by Boulder, Colorado's Firefall. It talks about a relationship based on relaying sorrow or self-pity, and not being able to move the current relationship forward.
Straight On by Heart
Rob brings us a well-known song from Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. This was the first single off their album "Dog & Butterfly," and became their third top 20 single, hitting number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics compare love to a game of chance, where you have to take some risks if you want to win.
Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen
"Get on your bikes and ride!" Lynch features a hit written by Brian May with Freddie Mercury in mind, knowing that Mercury appreciated women of "substantial girth." It was a part of a double A side release with "Bicycle Race," and the songs reference each other in the lyrics.
How Much I Feel by Ambrosia
Bruce's staff pick is a soft rock hit that went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Front man and co-founder David Pack wrote this song about a long-lost love that the singer will never truly get over. Pack would go on to perform on the Kansas album "Vinyl Confessions" in 1982.
NOVELTY TRACK:
Y.M.C.A. by the Village People
All skate, everyone skate for this fun throwback that tells a young man where he can go when he's short on the dough.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stron...
1985 - November: Bruce Springsteen "Born In the U.S.A."
What the Riff?!?
10/07/24 • 42 min
There were few rock albums in the 80's which achieved the popularity levels of Born In the U.S.A., the seventh studio album by Bruce Springsteen. Songs for this album were recorded with the E. Street Band over a two-year period from 1982 until 1984, the totality of songs far outstripping the available space on the album. Somewhere between 70 and 90 songs were created during those sessions, some being released as B-sides Ultimately twelve songs landed on the album, seven of which were released as singles. All seven singles reached the top 10 in the United States.
The songs reflect Springsteen's blue collar sensibilities, but also have more pop influence musically than some of his earlier works. Springsteen made more prominent use of synthesizers in these pieces, and the shorter, more radio-friendly tracks surely contributed to the success of the album. “Born In the U.S.A.” was the biggest selling album of 1985, and remains Springsteen's most successful studio album. The album's success also catapulted Bruce Springsteen's fame to stratospheric levels, a consequence which he considered a mixed blessing.
While the music is pop oriented and lively, the lyrics are often darker, reflecting the aftermath of the Vietnam war and struggles of blue collar life. It may be a strange juxtaposition, but it worked.
Born In the U.S.A. was released in 1984, but singles from the album were still being released in 1985, the last of which was released in November.
Lynch brings us this monster album of 80's heartland rock in this week's podcast
Glory Days
The fifth single released from the album was inspired by an encounter Springsteen had with an old friend and star high school baseball player in a bar in 1973. It reflects on the passage of time and the way we look back on the days of our youth with nostalgia.
Dancing In the Dark
This track was born out of frustration. Springsteen's manager was pushing for him to write a hit single, and the lyrics reflect the pressire Springsteen felt to write a hit. Interestingly the song became Springsteen's biggest hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The video is famous for a scene where Springsteen pulls a fan - the actress Courtney Cox before her fame on the TV show “Friends” - on stage to dance.
I'm On Fire
Springsteen developed this song in early 1982 while experimenting with a slow Johnny Cash rhythm. The lyrics are built around sexual tension for a seemingly unavailable love. The video portrays Springsteen as an auto mechanic working on a Thunderbird for an unseen female who brings the car in frequently and always asks for him to do the work.
Born In the U.S.A.
The title track and opening song to the album is a protest song disguised as a patriotic song. It was inspired by Ron Kovic, a Vietnam War veteran and wheelchair-bound anti-war activist who wrote the memoir “Born on the Fourth of July.” Despite its protest origins, it became associated with Ronald Reagan's optimistic 1984 campaign due to its strong chorus.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Living In America by James Brown (from the motion picture “Rocky IV”)
Brown makes a cameo in this Rocky movie when Balboa's antagonist turned friend Apollo Creed fights an exhibition against Soviet athlete Ivan Drogo in Las Vegas.
STAFF PICKS:
She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult
Wayne gets the staff picks rolling with the first big hit from the Cult. The lyrics reflect the feeling of safety that the singer receives when being around a particular woman. Front man Ian Astbury has stated that "...plain and simple. It's about sex." This group channels a bit of goth rock and a bit of fuzzy psychedelia.
To Live and Die in L.A. by Wang Chung
Rob brings us a deeper cut from the film noir "To Live and Die in L.A." Director William Friedkin liked the group and asked them to compose the entire soundtrack. This piece is the title track for the soundtrack, and gives off the neo-noir feel of the thriller.
Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
Bruce features a hit song of the twentieth studio album from Stevie Wonder, "In Squared Circle." The song was written back in 1979 for the album "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants," but didn't make that album. It was first performed live on Saturday Night Live in 1983. Jazz guitarist Earl Klugh contributes on this song.
Running Up that Hill (A Deal with God) by Kate Bush
Lynch finishes the staff picks with a song that got new life ...
Rocking Halloween III - A What the Riff Rabbit Hole
What the Riff?!?
10/28/24 • 50 min
What The Riff?!? makes another scary trip down the Halloween rabbit hole with these theme songs, movie and TV music, and rock songs with a bent towards the macabre. We hope you enjoy this third edition of "Halloween" from What the Riff?!?
Highway to Hell by AC/DC The opening track to the 1979 album of the same name features Bon Scott on his last album as lead singer of the group before his untimely death. The name of the song was inspired by the group's gruesome touring schedule.
Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue The Crue's 1983 breakthrough album of the same name would establish them as one of the most successful metal bands of the 80's. The song was controversial, with many believing that it encouraged devil worship, though the lyrics themselves do not explicitly do so.
Disarm by The Smashing Pumpkins Off their breakout album "Siamese Dream," this song references "the killer in me is the killer in you" is inspired by Billy Corgan's contemplation of his negligent parents and suicide. The lyrics "cut that little child" caused the song to be banned by the BBC.
Demons by Imagine Dragons This song off Imagine Dragons' major label debut studio album became their second top 10 single. It is really not about demons in the Halloween sense, but more the tragedies of life like abuse, PTSD, and mental illness.
Voodoo by Godsmack The third single from Godsmack's self-titled debut album was inspired by Wes Craven's film “The Serpent and the Rainbow.” This song became Dave Bautista's theme song as Leviathan when he was in the WWE.
Mommy's Little Monster by Social Distortion The title track from Social Distortion's debut album tells a horror tale of a kid becoming a punk rocker. It is another song about dealing with personal demons rather than the supernatural.
Witch Wolf by Styx Early in their career Styx put out this song to lead off their third album, “The Serpent is Rising.” James Young takes lead vocal duties on this song that tells about a person accursed by a creature called the witch wolf, and night rider.
Dragula by Rob Zombie The lead single from Rob Zombie's debut album may be his biggest hit. The audio clip at the beginning of the song is taken from the 1960 horror film “The City of the Dead.” The name comes from the TV sitcom "The Munsters," where Grandpa Munster has a dragster called "Drag-u-la."
The theme to the TV series "Twilight Zone" This menagerie of bizarre tales from the early days of TV still has staying power in our sci-fi culture.
Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones Mick Jagger walks us through a discussion with Old Scratch himself in this well-known classic from the Stones' catalogue. The idea is a narrative from Satan's point of view as he reviews historical events.
That Old Black Magic by Frank Sinatra Old Blue Eyes gave us this romantic song with a Halloween bent. It was a jazz classic originally written in 1942 with lyrics penned by Johnny Mercer. Love is "that old black magic" in this tune.
Night of the Vampire by Roky Erickson From this cult classic album "The Evil One," this song is one of a plethora of horror-oriented tracks on the album. Erickson spent a significant amount of time in mental institutions.
The Kill (Bury Me) by Thirty Seconds to Mars Jared Leto, front man for the group (and perhaps better known as an actor today), has said this song is about the relationship you have with yourself, and confronting the dark side of who you are.
Take Me to Church by Hozier This haunting hit song compares falling in love with a kind of death, and compares the lover to a kind of religion.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.<...
1992 - February: Ozzy Osbourne "No More Tears"
What the Riff?!?
10/21/24 • 48 min
No More Tears, the sixth solo studio album by Ozzy Osbourne, was released at an interesting time in rock music. Hair metal acts were in decline, and grunge was about to take off. Nevertheless, Ozzy hit it big with this album, reaching number 7 on the Billboard 200 charts, and providing Osbourne's only solo top 40 hit. No More Tears is generally considered his best album since his first two solo albums, "Blizzard of Oz," and "Diary of a Madman," both of which featured the late Randy Rhodes on guitar.
The songs on the album are largely written by Ozzy, drummer Randy Castillo, and guitarist Zakk Wylde. Motorhead bassist and front man Lemmy Kilmister wrote the lyrics to four of the tracks on the album. Additional musicians for this album were Bob Daisley on bass, and John Sinclair on keyboards. This would be the last Ozzy album to feature Castillo and Daisley.
As became more common in the compact disc era of the 90's, the tracks on this album tend to be longer than the typical single. None of the tracks clock in at less than 4 minutes, and the longest falls just short of 7 1/2 minutes.
In addition to boasting Osbourne's first top 40 hit, he also received a Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" for the track "I Don't Want to Chane the World" when released on his "Live & Loud" album in 1994.
Rob brings us this heavy metal throwback for this week's journey back to the 90's.
Mama, I'm Coming Home
This track peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Osbourne's only top 40 solo single. This power ballad contains lyrics by Lemmy Kilmister, the front man from Motorhead. The song is about his wife Sharon, who helped turn his life around.
Desire
A crunchy deep cut talks about going for what you want - not changing over time, seeking the same desire. Osbourne also makes a reference to "Crazy train," his hit from the early 80's. "It's the same old desire, nothing's changed, nothing's the same. Burning like fire, don't you ever take my name in vain."
Road to Nowhere
The last song on the album is a reflection on life. Osbourne had gone sober after 20 years of drugs and alcohol, and he looking at how "the road to nowhere leads to me." "I was looking back on my life and all the things I've done to me."
No More Tears
This very dark title track has an epic feel, and despite its length hit number 5 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 32 on the UK Singles chart. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a stalker in a red light district seeking a victim to torture.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Wayne's World by Aerosmith (from the Saturday Night Live skit “Wayne's World”)
This skit finds Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) partying in their basement with the band Aerosmith.
STAFF PICKS:
Tough It Out by Webb Wilder
Wayne starts out the staff picks with a deep cut. Webb Wilder was born John Webb McMurry in Mississippi, and carries a high energy combination of rock, psychedelic, blues, and rockabilly genres in this song that encourages the listener to keep fighting for dreams even when the odds seem stacked against their fruition.
Alive by Pearl Jam
Lynch brings us a song which evolved from songwriter and front man Eddie Vedder's original intention. Vedder reflects on the feelings of a boy discovering that he was a stepchild. While the lyrics were intended as reflecting the curse of an emotional weight from family history, fans interpreted it as an affirmation of life.
I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt
Bruce takes the energy way down with this soft hit off Raitt's eleventh studio album, "Luck of the Draw." Bruce Hornsby provides the piano accompaniment. Nashville writers Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin wrote the song after hearing about a drunk man being sentenced for shooting at his girlfriend's car. When asked if he had learned anything, he said, "I learned, Your Honor, that you can't make a woman love you if she don't."
Anybody Listening? by Queensryche
Rob finishes the staff picks with a "prog metal" song off the "Empire" album that questions whether we really are communicating with people, and wondering if we are understood whether by word or deed. It was an epic with multiple tempos, dynamics, and key changes that finished off the album.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Masquerade by Yes
We close out with a surprisingly short song by the prog rock virtuosos of...
1972 - August: Emerson, Lake & Palmer “Trilogy”
What the Riff?!?
09/23/24 • 35 min
If you are exploring the rise of prog rock, it doesn't take long until you encounter the power trio of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. This progressive rock band is actually a supergroup. Keyboardist Keith Emerson came from The Nice, vocalist and guitarist Greg Lake was in King Crimson, and percussionist Carl Palmer was from Atomic Rooster. Emerson, Lake & Palmer formed in 1970 and would make their mark as a prog rock band which adapted classic and symphonic music into the rock genre, with elements of jazz, acoustic, and art rock coming into play. Most ELP songs are long and complicated, not making any attempt to stay within the confines of the “hit single” pop track.
Trilogy is the trio's third studio album, following their eponymously named debut, their second studio album entitled “Tarkus,” and their live album, Pictures at an Exhibition. Trilogy continues a tradition of combining original material with adaptations of classical music. It was also a challenging album for the group to make, utilizing more overdubs than previous albums. The upside is a great sounding, polished album. The downside is that the music was difficult to duplicate live, causing a number of the songs from Trilogy to be minimally used in set lists.
The album was considered both a critical and commercial success, reaching number 2 on the UK albums chart, and number 5 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
ELP would continue as a force in the 70's, breaking up in 1979. Both partial and full reunions would continue through the 1980's and 1990's, with their final performance being held in 2010. Both Keith Emerson and Greg Lake died in 2016.
Wayne takes us through this prog rock masterpiece for this week's podcast.
Fugue
We open with an instrumental featuring Keith Emerson on keyboards. A fugue is a style of music involving counterpoint, popular in the Baroque musical era of the 1600's. You will get exposure to a lot of serious musical compositions and style listening to this group.
From the Beginning
This is the "hit" from the album, if you think of Emerson, Lake & Palmer in terms of popularity. It went to number 29 on the US charts, and is the highest charting US single. Greg Lake wrote the music and lyrics, and plays the acoustic guitar for this ballad. The lyrics take on a philosophical sone, emphasizing the importance of the present moment, while not missing past mistakes and missed opportunities.
The Sheriff
Keith Emerson wrote the music and Greg Lake wrote the lyrics to this western-themed track. It tells the story of an innocent man fleeing the law, encountering the law in the form of the Sheriff, then taking the Sheriff's place after shooting him. It ends with a great honkytonk piano solo.
Hoedown
Immediately following “The Sheriff” on the album, the group creates an adaptation of Aaron Copeland's iconic “Hoe-Down,” written for his classic ballet entitled “Rodeo” in 1942. This tune became well known after being used in advertisements by America's Beef Producers.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the motion picture “Super Fly”
Curtis Mayfield created this song for the black-oriented crime drama film of the same name.
STAFF PICKS:
Best Thing by Styx
Bruce leads off the staff picks with the first single from Styx's first album. Dennis DeYoung and James Young wrote the song and trade off on lead vocals. It peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is a great tune to hear and grasp what the early days of Styx sounded like.
Rock and Roll, part 2 by Gary Glitter
Rob brings us a glam rock anthem made famous today by its use in sports stadiums nation wide. This single off “Glitter,” the debut album by Gary Glitter, is the only one of his singles to crack the U.S. top 10. Both “Rock and Roll” part 1 and part 2 peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart.
Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) by Looking Glass
It is a mystery how Lynch was able to pick up this well-known classic of yacht rock this late in the podcasts. This track tells the story of a waitress who gives her love to a sailor, knowing that he would never be on shore for long.
Will It Go Round in Circles by Billy Preston
Wayne's staff pick is a funky tune from the man often known as the fifth Beatle. Preston played with a number of musicians, including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam Cook, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, and of course the Beatles. This soulful tune sold over a million copies and topped the Billboard Hot 100...
1993 - November: Pearl Jam “Vs.”
What the Riff?!?
03/07/22 • 38 min
It is no surprise that Pearl Jam was under intense pressure to follow up their debut album "Ten" with another success. What may be surprising is that the band's second studio album, Vs. (pronounced "versus") did indeed live up to the success for their debut. Vs. started at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart, sold almost a million copies in its first five days, and in its first week outperformed all other albums in the top 10 combined.
Pearl Jam did a number of things differently with this album. First, they recorded the songs one at a time, setting up the band in a similar way to their live concerts, and mixing each song as they went. Second, the songs created were more raw and powerful than those on their first album. Front man Eddie Vedder even began sleeping in his truck and in the sauna at the recording studio to keep up the intensity. Finally, the band deliberately did NOT make videos for any of the songs on this album, preferring to let the listeners visualize the songs rather than have that creativity removed by the presence of a video.
This album also marks a change in the approach the band took to its tours, avoiding the press and focusing directly on the fans. In addition to refusing to make videos, they dramatically scaled down television appearances, and capped the prices of their tickets to make their concerts more accessible to fans.
Guest contributor Joe Davis brings us this outstanding album.
Go
Many interpret this first single and lead-off track from the album to be about child abuse, though Eddie Vedder hinted that it was about his truck breaking down on him!
Animal
The opening lyrics "one, two, three, four, five against one" reflect the originally planned title of the album (Five Against One), and the idea that the five members of the band are up against the machine of the music industry. The album would eventually be called "Vs." instead.
Glorified G
Joe picked this song for the first two lines: "Got a gun, fact I got two. That's OK, man, 'cause I love God." The lyrics come from an argument that Eddie Vedder had with drummer Dave Abbruzzese when Dave brought a gun he bought to rehearsal one day. Dave was from Texas, where guns were more common, while Vedder hated guns.
Rearviewmirror
Eddie Vedder wrote this song about his stepfather, whom he hated. It was about leaving him behind without a second thought. This is a fast-paced song, and Joe recommends it for your running playlist.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from the BBC television special "Mr. Blobby"
The television Christmas special was on the charts in the UK in November 1993. It was panned by critics and almost everyone else as it can be found as the WORST theme song ever...yet it topped the UK charts.
STAFF PICKS:
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
Brian begins the staff picks with a slower and positive song from the album “Automatic for the People.” This track is an anti-suicide song, encouraging people to hold on when things go wrong, because everybody hurts sometimes.
Into Your Arms by The Lemonheads
Rob brings us a hit off the album “Come On, Feel The Lemonheads.” The band was originally from Boston, with Evan Dando on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Deily on vocals and guitar, and Jesse Peretz on bass. This album was a follow-up to their hugely successful album ”It's a Shame About Ray.”
Carry On by Angra
Bruce rocks out with a song off the Brazilian heavy metal band's debut album “Angels Cry.” It encourages you to...well...carry on. “So carry on, there' a meaning to life which someday we may find. And carry on, it's time to forget the remains from the past, to carry on.”
The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana
Joe finishes off the staff picks with Nirvana's MTV Unplugged cover of the David Bowie song. The song lyrics are about a man who is surprised to meet a personality of himself that he thought he had left behind years ago.
COMEDY TRACK:
Bohemian Polka by Weird Al Yankovic
Weird Al stays surprisingly faithful to the original lyrics, but with a polka twist on the music.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, wha...
1980 - May: Devo “Freedom of Choice”
What the Riff?!?
08/26/24 • 34 min
While Devo is known as an early 80's new wave synth pop band, their history goes back to 1973. The classic lineup of Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, and Alan Myers developed the name Devo from "De-evolution," the idea that mankind is regressing to a herd mentality. This was a bit of a joke idea that Gerald Casale and co-founder Bob Lewis formed while at Kent State University. The band gained some local fame in 1976, and were signed to Warner Brothers in 1978 with recommendations from David Bowie and Iggy Pop.
Freedom of Choice is Devo's third studio album and their breakout commercial success. While their first two albums had generated some following, the commercial success was not at the level Warner Brothers sought, and the third album was considered a "make or break," one with the studio ready to drop the group. Success did follow this album, with Devo exploiting the upcoming popularity of new wave while drifting a little bit towards R&B and funk sensibilities within their synth-pop framework.
The album was recorded and mixed in six weeks, with bass, guitars, and drums being recorded together live, and with synthesizers and vocals being overdubbed later. The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200, and the big single, "Whip It," reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Rob brings us this synthisizer-driven new wave album for this week's foray into the early 80's.
Freedom of Choice
Thie post-punk title song initially sounds like it is about freedom of choice. However, it is really about people not really having freedom of choice. Consumerism - choosing between green sneakers and blue sneakers for example - isn't really choice at all. "Freedom of choice is what you got. Freedom from choice is what you want."
Whip It
Everyone knows this signature Devo song. Mark Mothersbaugh has stated that the song was written as a subtle Dale Carnegie-esque message to Jimmy Carter, saying "you can do it." The song benefitted greatly from airplay on the fledgling cable channel MTV, where their strange video involving a guy knocking the clothes off a girl with a bullwhip received continual play.
Gates of Steel
The lead song from side 2 is a bit of a commentary on the mechanization of humanity. No matter how much we believe mankind has accomplished, we're not far removed from the ape. "A man is real, not made of steel."
Girl U Want
This was the first single released from the album, though it did not chart well. The song was supposedly inspired by The Knack, though the track reminds us more of The Cars. "She's just the girl, she's just the girl, the girl you want."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Fame by Irene Cara (from the motion picture “Fame”)
Irene Cara sings the theme song and stars in this teen musical drama about students auditioning to study at the High School of Performing Arts.
STAFF PICKS:
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
Lynch's staff pick is a song inspired by Elvis Presley. Freddie Mercury wrote the song lyrics in about 10 minutes, and the band created the song in about 30 minutes. Mercury played lead guitar for the original stuido recording. It was the first number 1 hit that Queen had on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Cars by Gary Numan
Wayne brings us the signature song from Gary Numan. It was inspired by an incident of road rage Numan experienced in London, where he had to lock his doors and drive on the sidewalk to avoid getting attacked. He was safe in his car, and inspired to write a song in about 30 minutes. It is a signature song of the New Wave genre, and there are no guitars in this track.
Two Headed Dog (Red Temple Prayer) by Roky Erickson
Bruce features a strange hard rock song with lyrics inspired by Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov. Demikhov's research focusted on organ transplants, and he conducted dog head transplants in the 1950's. This song is off Erickson's debut album with his band the Aliens, and is considered a cult classic.
Call Me by Blondie
Rob finishes the staff picks with a hit that feaured in the film "American Gigolo." It went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, the biggest hit of Blondie's career. Lead vocalist Debbie Harry wrote the lyrics from the perspective of the main character in the film, a male prostitute.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Airlane by Gary Numan
We close out with a double dip on new wav...
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does What the Riff?!? have?
What the Riff?!? currently has 341 episodes available.
What topics does What the Riff?!? cover?
The podcast is about History, Music, Fun, Humor, Entertainment, Podcasts, Rock and Music Commentary.
What is the most popular episode on What the Riff?!??
The episode title '1980 - September: Pat Benatar “Crimes of Passion”' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on What the Riff?!??
The average episode length on What the Riff?!? is 39 minutes.
How often are episodes of What the Riff?!? released?
Episodes of What the Riff?!? are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of What the Riff?!??
The first episode of What the Riff?!? was released on Jun 1, 2018.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ