Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

What happens when Kim Gordon and L.L. Cool meet for an interview 1989? You get this week’s song, Sonic Youth’s 1990 major label debut single “Kool Thing.” Join Diallo and LUXXURY as they unpack where the interview went awry, debate the song’s subtle (or not so subtle) L.L. references, and untangle the layers and layers of Sonic Youth’s trademark guitar noise. One Song Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40SIOpVROmrxTjOtH7Q1yw?si=fe485f0104594825 Songs Discussed: "Kool Thing" - Sonic Youth "BYE BYE" - Kim Gordon "Bull in the Heather" - Sonic Youth "Cheree" - Suicide "You Got Me" - Theoretical Girls "Indeterminate Activity of Resultant Masses" - Glenn Branca "Teenage Riot" - Sonic Youth "Rock the Bells" L.L. Cool J "I Can't Live Without My Radio" - L.L. Cool J "Into the Groovey" - Ciccone Youth "Going Back to Cali" - L.L. Cool J "I Against I" - Bad Brains "In the Air Tonight" - Phil Collins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY dive into the lore of Roberta Flack's 3x Grammy-winning cover of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” In their discussion, they journey through the life of the song, unpacking the complicated origins of Lori Lieberman's original folk ballad and highlighting the transformative changes in Roberta Flack’s iconic interpretation. Plus, Diallo shares a remix of the Fugees' version that all the heads used to love. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ONESONG and get on your way to being your best self. Songs Discussed: “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Roberta Flack “American Pie” - Don McLean “Empty Chairs” - Don McLean “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Lori Lieberman “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” - Roberta Flack “Days Go By” - Dirty Vegas “Back Together Again” - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Fugees “Killing Me Softly (Sound Barrier Mix)” - Fugees ft. Bounty Killer “Bonita Applebum” - A Tribe Called Quest “Fool Yourself” - Little Feat “Memory Band” - The Rotary Connection “wanna be tied” - Salon Music “Won’t Cry” - Amber Mark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who’s calling? It’s One Song calling all you listeners in faraway towns. This week, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined by award-winning comedian, actor, musician, and writer Fred Armisen to discuss what makes “London Calling” by The Clash an enduring punk classic. They debate their favorite Clash albums, break down the epic (and backwards) double guitar solos by Mick Jones, and hear what happens when “London Calling” gets a reggae beat. Songs Discussed: “London Calling” - The Clash “Lost in the Supermarket” - The Clash “Power To The Amplifier” - Trenchmouth “Pay to Cum” - Bad Brains “I Luv I Jah” - Bad Brains “Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)” - The Clash “Safe European Home” - The Clash “Julie’s Been Working for the Drug Squad” - The Clash “Queen of the Minstrel Dub (aka Natural Dub)” - King Tubby “Singing the Blues” - Guy Mitchell “Had To Hear” - Real Estate “Golly! Golly! Go Buddy!” - Bow Wow Wow “The Candy Man” - Sammy Davis Jr. “Girl U Want” - DEVO “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker” - Prince One Song Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40SIOpVROmrxTjOtH7Q1yw?si=d783b5243b3049b9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY unpack Motown’s secret sauce through the lens of The Supremes’s electrifying 1966 hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Diallo and LUXXURY highlight every element that makes this track a timeless classic: Diana Ross’s subdued vocals, James Jamerson’s groovin’ bassline, and the iconic Morse Code-esque guitar riff. Join them as they celebrate the brilliance of this song and give flowers to all the unsung heroes. Songs Discussed: “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” - The Supremes “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” - The Temptations “Buttered Popcorn” - The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go” - The Supremes “Baby Love” - The Supremes “Come See About Me” - The Supremes “Stop! In The Name Of Love” - The Supremes “Back In My Arms Again” - The Supremes “Back to Black” - Amy Winehouse “Be My Baby” - The Ronettes “Take Me Home Tonight” - Eddie Money “Wichita Lineman” - Glen Campbell “I Want You Back” - The Jackson 5 “Starman” - David Bowie “London Calling” - The Clash “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” - Vanilla Fudge “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” - Kim Wilde “Set Me Free” - Ken Boothe “All I Want Is You” - Zilla Mayes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relax yourself and settle into part two of One Song’s A Tribe Called Quest deep dive with Relax yourself and settle into part two of One Song’s A Tribe Called Quest deep dive with “Electric Relaxation.” This week, Diallo and LUXXURY discuss Tribe’s shift towards a grittier sound on Midnight Marauders, Diallo shares his old lunchroom lyrical theories, and LUXXURY recreates one of Q-Tip’s mindblowing samples.  Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/onesong today. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and go to ZocDoc.com/OneSong to find and instantly book a top rated doctor today. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ONESONG and get on your way to being your best self. Don’t cut corners on your grooming routine— Visit Manscaped.com and use code ONESONG to get 20% off plus free shipping. Songs Discussed: “Electric Relaxation” - A Tribe Called Quest “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang” - Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg “Bring Da Ruckus” - Wu-Tang Clan “I Went For Mine” - Diamond and The Psychotic Neurotics “I Got Cha Opin” - Black Moon “One Love” - Nas ft. Q-Tip “Return of the Boom Bap” - KRS-One “Take It Personal” - Gang Starr “On and On” - Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth “Midnight Marauders Tour Guide” - A Tribe Called Quest “Sucka N*gga” - A Tribe Called Quest “Red Clay” - Jack Wilkins “The Chase Part II” - A Tribe Called Quest “Outside Love” - Brethren “Mystic Brew” - Ronnie Foster “Forbidden Fruit” - J. Cole ft. Kendrick Lamar “Lyrics To Go” - A Tribe Called Quest “Dreams” - Ramsey Lewis “Knockin’ Da Boots” - H-Town “8 Million Stories” - A Tribe Called Quest “Resurrection (Extra P. Remix)” - Common “Dreadlocks Dub” - Bullwackie’s All Stars “Out Of Bounds” - Koastle, Conrad & DLG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here we go, yo, here we go, yo! This week, Diallo and LUXXURY unpack A Tribe Called Quest’s generation-defining posse cut “Scenario.” They discuss the sonic workings of Tribe’s engineer Bob Power, the show-stopping verse that changed the trajectory of Busta Rhymes’ career and LUXXURY unearths unused samples on the song, bringing you a version of "Scenario" you've never heard before. This is part one of a two-parter spotlighting the influence of Tribe’s most debated albums — Low End Theory and Electric Relaxation. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/onesong today. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and go to ZocDoc.com/OneSong to find and instantly book a top rated doctor today. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ONESONG and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s song is a sure bet — no bluffin’ here. Join us this week on One Song as Diallo and LUXXURY dive deep into Lady Gaga’s career-breaking 2008 hit “Poker Face.” They discuss her early performance art collaborations with DJ Lady Starlight, explore how "Poker Face" almost became a track for the Pussycat Dolls, and finally tackle the burning question: Is Lady Gaga really dropping uncensored f-bombs? Get to Insurify.com to compare car insurance quotes in real-time and start saving today! Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Go to tailorbrands.com/podcast35 for 35% off all Tailor Brands services today. Songs Discussed: “Poker Face” - Lady Gaga “SOS” - Rihanna “SexyBack” - Justin Timberlake “Gimme More” - Britney Spears “I’m In Miami Trick” - LMFAO “What Is Love” - Haddaway “Just Dance” - Lady Gaga “Girls, Girls, Girls” - Mötley Crüe “Boys Boys Boys” - Lady Gaga “The Final Countdown” - Europe “Step Up” - Darin “Whine Up” - Kat DeLuna ft. Elephant Man “Pretty Vacant” - Sex Pistols “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” - Judas Priest “Enter Sandman” - Metallica “Ready to Uff” - Uffie “Ma Baker” - Boney M. “Live At Dominoes” - The Avalanches “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” - Kendrick Lamar “Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?” - The Monkees “Street” - Egor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re trying to bring a wild man back home, have we got the song for you. This week on One Song join Diallo and LUXXURY as they break down Donna Summer’s 1979 hit “Hot Stuff.” They discuss Donna Summer’s theater roots, discover a secret sax, and analyze where the disco ends and the rock begins in her genre-blending banger. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/onesong today. Get to Insurify.com to compare car insurance quotes in real-time and start saving today! Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Go to tailorbrands.com/podcast35 for 35% off all Tailor Brands services today. Songs Discussed: “Hot Stuff” - Donna Summer “I Feel Love” - Donna Summer “Sunset People” - Donna Summer “Bad Girls” - Donna Summer “Our Love” - Donna Summer “Blue Monday” - New Order “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” - Kiss “Miss You” - The Rolling Stones “Emotional Rescue” - The Rolling Stones “Street Player” - Chicago “The Bomb” - The Bucketheads “Love To Love You Baby” - Donna Summer “One Blue Morning” - Amon Düül II “Rasputin” - Boney M “Daddy Cool” - Boney M “The Number One Song In Heaven” - Sparks “Axel F” - Harold Faltermeyer “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” - Gary Portnoy “Dream Police” - Cheap Trick “Hot Stuff” - Hatsumi Shibata “New New York” - Tes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fold it? Fallin’? Or something completely different? This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down “1901” by Phoenix, exploring the split between rock and electronic music that occurred in the 2000s, how their relationship with producer Philippe Zdar brought that electronic influence to their sound, and the guys try to definitively solve just what this song is about.  Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/onesong today. Get to Insurify.com to compare car insurance quotes in real-time and start saving today! Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Go to tailorbrands.com/podcast35 for 35% off all Tailor Brands services today. Songs Discussed: “1901” - Phoenix “If I Ever Feel Better” - Phoenix “Ballade de Melody Nelson” - Serge Gainbourg “Losing My Edge” - LCD Soundsystem “Deceptacon (DFA Remix)” - Le Tigre “Floating” - Jape “Meddle (Baron Von Luxxury’s Technicolor Remix)” - Little Boots “Phoenix” - Daft Punk “Feeling for You” - Cassius “1999” - Cassius “(If It) Hurts Just a Little” - Donna Summer “I Love You So” - Cassius “I Feel a Song (In My Heart)” - Sandra Richardson “Why I Love You “ - Jay-Z and Kanye West “Lisztomania (Classixx Version)” - Phoenix “Cyan” - Kindness “We Danced Together (SebastiAn)” - The Rakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined by Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, DJ and music executive Bryan-Michael Cox to break down what makes DeBarge’s “I Like It” so special.  They discuss the group’s experiences with Motown and the Gordy family, the lofty expectations the label had for them as successors to the Jackson 5’s throne, and the just why “I Like It” has been sampled and interpolated countless times. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/onesong today. Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Go to tailorbrands.com/podcast35 for 35% off all Tailor Brands services today. Get to Insurify.com to compare car insurance quotes in real-time and start saving today! Songs Discussed: “I Like It” - DeBarge “Believe” - Usher “Saturday” Childish Gambino “Stop! Don’t Tease Me” - DeBarge “I Call Your Name” - Switch “Throw Some D’s” - Rich Boy fr. Polow Da Don “30 for 30” - SZA and Kendrick Lamar “What’s Your Name” - DeBarge “A Dream” - DeBarge “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” - 2Pac  “Somebody’s Watching Me” - Rockwell “I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are)” - Grand Puba “Ride Wit Me” - Nelly “My Place” - Nelly “I Want It All” - Warren G “Joy” - Blackstreet “The Lady In My Life” - Michael Jackson “Candy” - Cameo “I Said I Love You” - Babyface “Love’s Train” - Con Funk Shun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices