

Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs
Mark Blankenship & Sarah D Bunting
Mark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting are journalists, friends, and music fans who love talking about pop music of all stripes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 22, 2017 • 23min
Episode 61: Train, "Hey Soul Sister"
Sometimes comprehending evil means looking it in the face, so we're voluntarily talking about the lyrical and sonic crimes of Train's "Hey, Soul Sister." Along the way, we also defend the comparative integrity of Mr. Mister and Everclear. Weird! (To skip the song clip and just hear our ranting, avoid 2:01-2:47.) This week's theme is by Andrew Byrne. Our outro music is the closing-credits music from Big. Get access to top secret content by becoming a MASTAS producer at patreon.com/mastas.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 15, 2017 • 1h 11min
Episode 60: Tori Amos's "Little Earthquakes," Ranked
Turns out we haven't been silent all these years: We've been podcasting, which is rather noisy. Today, we're making noise about Tori Amos and ranking every song on her album "Little Earthquakes." This leads to some surprising disagreements, an Andrew Lloyd Webber reference, and a story about Mark, his dad, and the Divinyls. Today's outro is by Joni Mitchell, and our theme is by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger. And here's some great news: You can become a MASTAS producer! Support us at Patreon to unlock special content, interact with us in fresh ways, and help us keep the lights on!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 8, 2017 • 22min
Episode 59: Michael Jackson, "Black Or White"
Can a person even like Michael Jackson anymore? We're wondering as we discuss his maybe-not-classic "Black or White." After we ask the tough questions, we also get into overlooked talents, a young Tyra Banks, and controversial crotches. After you've listened, go Sarah's MJ obituary: http://tomatonation.com/culture-and-criticism/the-bitter-end/ Our outro song is Jermaine Jackson's "Do What You Do." This episode's theme is by David Gregory Byrne. And oh yeah: If you like the podcast, please leave us a positive review on iTunes!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 1, 2017 • 26min
Episode 58: The Backstreet Boys, "I Want It That Way"
We are. Your MAS-TAS. Your true. Pod-cas-tass. Backstreet Boys infuse our spirits with "I Want It That Way," and we talk about the best way to get over one's self and just enjoy a pop song. Vin Diesel and Megan Fox sneak in there somehow, and so does a BSB documentary from a few years ago. Plus, listen past the credits for an outtake of Mark losing his mind! On the subject of boy bands, this week's outro is "New Kid (On The Block)" by Barenaked Ladies, and our theme is by future boy-band impresario Andrew Byrne. Remember: legally download this week's songs, and if you want to buy an ad or request a song, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 25, 2017 • 21min
Episode 57: En Vogue, "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)"
And now it's time for a podcast! Thanks to multiple requests, we're talking about En Vogue's "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)", and we are grateful for the funkiness. We're also brimming with theories about the song's major characters, facts about its important place in 90s pop, and sidebars about Paula Abdul. Speaking of: Paula provides "Opposites Attract," which is this week's outro. Our theme is by David Byrne. As always, please legally download them music you hear on MASTAS, and if you'd like to buy an ad or request a song, email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 11, 2017 • 44min
Episode 56: Single Moms In Pop
Just in time for Mother's Day, we're talking about pop songs featuring single moms. As a chorus of birds chatters outside Sarah's house, we consider how society's shifting attitudes about motherhood are reflected in a variety of dope hits. We also consider roller skating, Motown writer's rooms, and beats that make any subject enjoyable. MASTAS is Mark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting, This week's theme song is by Andrew Byrne. The outro is "Mama" by Spice Girls. Tweet us at @TalkSongs. And please download all the songs we discuss legally.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 4, 2017 • 44min
Episode 55: Four By Phair
Sarah wanted to talk about a Liz Phair song, and then it became FOUR Liz Phair songs. And even that seems a little scant, actually, as we dive into the far-reaching excellence of her music, the weird demands of her fans, and the unlikely heartbreak of the cast of 24. MASTAS is Mark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting. Theme song by Jack Baldelli and Laura Barger. Outro by Liz Phair. Visit us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. And don't forget to legally download the music you enjoyed in this episode.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 27, 2017 • 28min
Episode 54: Stone Temple Pilots, "Plush"
We have theories about grunge! MANY THEORIES! A discussion of "Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots leads to everything from the band's unexpected evolution to the possibility that true-crime shows inspired the whole genre. Listen closely for Mark's special grunge vocals and Sarah's explanation of our whole Candlebox thing. MASTAS is Mark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting. Theme song is by David Gregory Byrne. Outro by Foo Fighters. Please visit us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast and don't forget to download everything you hear legally.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 20, 2017 • 19min
Episode 53: Roxette, "Listen To Your Heart"
Roxette uses "Listen To Your Heart" to blast us with power-ballad glory. That gets us talking about the value of being earnest, the glory of not-quite-English lyrics, and the exciting (for Mark, at least) chart facts surrounding Sweden's most popular bands. Bonus drinking game: Take a shot every time we say "Scandi"!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 13, 2017 • 20min
Episode 52: Todrick Hall feat. RuPaul, "Low"
Our booties may never stop shaking! We are gagging over "Low" by Todrick Hall and RuPaul, which gets us talking about the joy of hot beats, the magic of witty lyrics, and the necessity of unapologetic sexuality in queer anthems.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


