From The Vault: True Faith
It may not be the most difficult of metaphors, but New Order's True Faith contains enough symbolism to baffle the listener on first listen.
James' Blog - SongbookLM
Using Google's extraordinary NotebookLM tool to create mini artificial intelligence podcasts, conducting what they call a "deep dive" into both the big songs of the moment and some particularly notable classics. And you'll be amazed just what they uncover.
Chappell Roan x 3
Good luck babe, there's a total giver dancing at the Pink Pony club. How do you pick one Chappell Roan song for Steve and Sharon to break apart? You don't. You pick her two smash hits from the past 12 months and stir in new single The Giver, and listen to the magic happen.
Not Like Us
The Super Bowl blew this one up, sending it skyrocketing to the Top 3 after months in abeyance. We all know Not Like Us is Kendrick Lamar's brutal (and at times libellous) takedown of Drake. But just what exactly is he saying?
Messy
Breaking news: Messy has finally made it to the top of the charts for Lola Young. Further breaking news: Steve believes the song "speaks to a change in our culture". We find out more inside.
From The Vault: How Soon Is Now
"A shyness that is criminally vulgar". The Smiths' ode to the angst of the unloved is - scarily - 40 years old. It remains Morrissey's most celebrated and affecting lyric.
Defying Gravity
It ain't easy being green, just ask Elphaba. The signature song from Wicked winds up a UK Top 10 hit for the very first time thanks to the brand new movie. But just what is the song all about deep down?
From The Vault: Pillowtalk
Topical, as he's staging live shows in Britain for the first time in forever, a short and sweet dive into ZAYN's debut solo hit (and his only UK No.1 single to date) - Pillowtalk.
People Watching
Sam Fender's highest new entry ever took him straight into the UK Top 5, just a few weeks before Christmas. And our AI hosts love it to bits.
From The Vault: Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through
"The angels had guitars even before they had wings". Jim Steinman's ultimate paen to the redemptive power of rock and roll remains one of his most powerful lyrics. But will Steve and Sharon end up moved by it too?
Angel Of My Dreams
Jade Thirwall's vicious swipe at the fame that made her landed her a huge smash hit on her debut. And Steve and Sharon get where she is coming from.
From The Vault: Rotterdam
The best listens are when Steve and Sharon pull apart a song that swirls with metaphors. And nail it too.
That's So True
NotebookLM's podcast voices dig deep into Gracie Abrams' No.1 hit. And start to get a bit emotional themselves.
