Author Archives: Tim Malcolm

1981! Darkness! Choosing Our Top-12 Songs From This Wild Year

Welcome to 1981. It’s a year that marks some big changes in the music and pop culture landscape. For one, everything sounds so crystal clear and digital this year. Plus, “Ladies and gentlemen … rock ‘n’ roll.” MTV debuts and completely shifts everything, from how we look at music to what songs actually chart.

Tim and Chris talk about 1981 and pick their top-12 songs from the year that was. 

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1981, plus tunes from 1980, ’79, ’78, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on May 6, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1981 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “Tom Sawyer” as performed by Rush
    • Written by Rush and Pye Dubois; recorded October 1980; released February 1981
  • “Bette Davis Eyes” as performed by Kim Carnes
    • Written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon; recorded December 1980; released March 1981
  • “Dancing With Myself” as performed by Billy Idol
    • Written by Billy Idol and Tony James; recorded 1980; released March 1981
  • “Super Freak” as performed by Rick James
    • Written by Rick James and Alonzo Miller; recorded December 1980; released April 1981
  • “Computer Love” as performed by Kraftwerk
    • Written by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider; recorded 1979-80; released May 1981
  • “Pull Up to the Bumper” as performed by Grace Jones
    • Written by Kookoo Baya, Grace Jones and Dana Mano; recorded 1980; released May 1981
  • “We Got the Beat” as performed by The Go-Go’s
    • Written by Charlotte Caffey; recorded late 1980; released July 1981
  • “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” as performed by Daryl Hall and John Oates
    • Written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates; recorded March 1981; released September 1981
  • “Controversy” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded August 1981; released October 1981
  • “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” as performed by The Police
    • Written by Sting; recorded June 1981; released October 1981
  • “Don’t You Want Me” as performed by The Human League
    • Written by Jo Callis, Philip Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright; recorded summer 1981; released October 1981
  • “Under Pressure” as performed by Queen and David Bowie
    • Written by Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, John Deacon and Brian May; recorded July 1981; released October 1981

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on May 6, 2022 to find out the voting results, and May 8, 2022 for our discussion on 1982.

Modern Songs Ep. 9: An Arcade Fire Party: ‘The Lightning I, II’ + ‘My Body is a Cage’

Celebrated rockers Arcade Fire is back with a new album, “We,” set to be released this May. The album’s first single is “The Lightning I, II,” and Tim and Chris settle in to discuss the new track. And considering the moment, they go even deeper into Arcade Fire history and talk about the arresting “Neon Bible” closer “My Body is a Cage,” which just end up being the band’s legacy.

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

26th Election Results! 1 Host, Multiple Hall of Songs Inductees

One-half of the Hall of Songs crew is here for this show, which addresses the latest election to determine exactly which songs are the greatest of all-time.

Tons of great tunes from 1976-80 (including “Good Times,” “Heart of Glass,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “I Will Survive”) were up for induction, and you decided … that more than one song would get in.

Listen in to hear which songs became Hall of Songs members, and find out what new problems are bugging our host.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!

Modern Songs Ep. 8: Harry Styles & Smash-Hit ‘As It Was’ + Kanye West, Maggie Rogers, Orville Peck and More

Harry Styles has finally given 2022 its big pop smash. On this episode of Modern Songs, Tim and Chris talk about “As It Was,” the first song to come out of Styles’ forthcoming album “Harry’s House.” Spoiler: They like it. Then, they talk some Kanye by going deep into “Black Skinhead,” a song from his 2013 album “Yeezus.” Following that, Tim and Chris discuss some recent favorites, including music by Orville Peck and Maggie Rogers.

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

Modern Songs Ep. 7: The Ascent of Wet Leg + Looking Back at HAIM’s ‘The Wire’

Everyone is talking about Wet Leg, the duo out of the Isle of Wight whose witty, ribald brand of punk and power pop took music lovers by storm over the last several months. On this episode of Modern Songs we join the conversation and talk specifically about “Ur Mum” from the new self-titled album. Plus, we’ll go back nine years to discuss another all-female rock band, HAIM, and its sensational “The Wire.”

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

1980! Looking to a Synthesized Future with a New Decade

The ’80s. We did it! In this episode of Hall of Songs, we begin our journey through this turbulent decade by highlighting 12 songs that reflect the changing sound and landscape in popular music. We have old standbys like country, reggae, and arena-sized rock, but we also have more electronic-based songs from the likes of Talking Heads and Joy Division.

These are our picks for the top-12 songs of 1980. The songs join others already nominated for the Hall of Songs in our ballot.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1980, plus tunes from 1979, ’78, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on April 22, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1980 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “He Stopped Loving Her Today” as performed by George Jones
    • Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman; recorded fall 1979; released April 1980
  • “Breaking the Law” as performed by Judas Priest
    • Written by Rob Halford, KK Downing and Glenn Tipton; recorded January 1980; released April 1980
  • “I’m Coming Out” as performed by Diana Ross
    • Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; recorded December 1979; released May 1980
  • “Could You Be Loved” as performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers
    • Written by Bob Marley; recorded early 1980; released June 1980
  • “Redemption Song” as performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers
    • Written by Bob Marley; recorded early 1980; released June 1980
  • “The Breaks” as performed by Kurtis Blow
    • Written by Kurtis Blow, Robert Ford Jr., James B Moore, Russell Simmons and Larry Smith; recorded spring 1980; released June 1980
  • “Love Will Tear Us Apart” as performed by Joy Division
    • Written by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; recorded March 1980; released June 1980
  • “You Shook Me All Night Long” as performed by AC/DC
    • Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson; recorded April 1980; released July 1980
  • “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” as performed by Pat Benatar
    • Written by Eddie Schwartz; recorded spring 1980; released August 1980
  • “Once in a Lifetime” as performed by Talking Heads
    • Written by David Byrne, Brian Eno, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth; recorded July 1980; released October 1980
  • “Romeo and Juliet” as performed by Dire Straits
    • Written by Mark Knopfler; recorded summer 1980; released October 1980
  • “Ace of Spades” as performed by Motörhead
    • Written by Eddie Clark, Lemmy and Phil Taylor; recorded August 1980; released October 1980

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on April 22, 2022 to find out the voting results, and April 24, 2022 for our discussion on 1981.

25th Election Results! We’re Numb After This Outcome

Did any songs join the 48 already inducted into the Hall of Songs? Chris and Tim go over the results of the latest election, in which songs from 1976 to ’79 battled against one another. Find out how the voters (you) voted, and listen to an impassioned plea by one of our hosts. You’ll never guess which one.

Songs by artists including Bill Withers; Chic; Blondie; Pink Floyd; The Cars; The Clash; and The Police – among others – are vying for Hall of Songs supremacy. Find out here how the voting shook out.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!

Modern Songs Ep. 6: Gang of Youths, Jay-Z, Camp Cope, Wallows, Sam Outlaw, Soccer Mommy

We talk about a lot of new, lightly explored music in this episode of Modern Songs. Gang of Youth’s has a new album called “Angel in Realtime.” We discuss one of its singles, “In the Wake of Your Leave.” We stay in Australia to talk about Camp Cope’s “Caroline,” then dig into the newest from Sam Outlaw, Soccer Mommy, and California indie band Wallows. In our segment looking farther back in time, we chat about the strengths and weaknesses of Jay-Z’s anthem “Empire State of Mind.”

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

1979! Bad Times? Good Times? This Year, New Voices Emerge

Welcome to 1979, and in this episode of Hall of Songs, we find that the 1970s are over a year early. Synthesizers are taking over popular music, totally new sounds hit the airwaves, and darkness seeps into just about everything … even the cheery songs.

Here we pick our top-12 songs of 1979. Agree? Disagree? After listening, head to hallofsongs.com to vote for the best of the best. Our ’79 picks join picks from years past in the Hall of Songs ballot. Vote, and you’ll have a say into what’s considered the absolute greatest songs of all-time.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1979, plus tunes from 1978, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on April 8, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1979 nominees:

  • “Pop Muzik” as performed by M
    • Written by Robin Scott; recorded fall 1978; released March 1979
  • “Good Times” as performed by Chic
    • Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; recorded fall 1978; released June 1979
  • “My Sharona” as performed by The Knack
    • Written by Doug Fieger and Berton Averre; recorded April 1979; released June 1979
  • “Rock With You” as performed by Michael Jackson
    • Written by Rod Temperton; recorded early 1979; released August 1979
  • “Cars” as performed by Gary Numan
    • Written by Gary Numan; recorded summer 1979; released August 1979
  • “I Wanna Be Your Lover” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded spring 1979; released August 1979
  • “Typical Girls” as performed by The Slits
    • Written by Viv Albertine, Ariane Foster, Tessa Pollitt and Paloma Romero; recorded summer 1979; released September 1979
  • “Rapper’s Delight” as performed by The Sugarhill Gang
    • Written by Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Sylvia Robinson, Henry Jackson, Michael Wright, Guy O’Brien, Curtis Brown and William Hankshaw; recorded August 1979; released September 1979
  • “Message in a Bottle” as performed by The Police
    • Written by Sting; recorded February 1979; released September 1979
  • “Here Comes My Girl” as performed by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
    • Written by Tom Petty; recorded spring 1979; released October 1979
  • “Comfortably Numb” as performed by Pink Floyd
    • Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters; recorded summer 1979; released November 1979
  • “London Calling” as performed by The Clash
    • Written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones; recorded August 1979; released December 1979

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on April 8, 2022 to find out the voting results, and April 10, 2022 for our discussion on 1980.

24th Election Results! Let’s Add Some Drama to This Induction Ceremony

In this episode recapping our most recent voter election for the Hall of Songs, Chris asks Tim to make it a little more dramatic. Does it pay off? Did any songs make our prestigious hall of fame for songs, and if so, did more than one? 

Songs by artists including Bill Withers; Queen; Earth, Wind & Fire; Stevie Wonder; and the Ramones – among others – are vying for Hall of Songs supremacy. Find out here how the voting shook out.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!