The virtuosity of Stevie Wonder

The virtuosity of Stevie Wonder

Author: Switched on Pop October 22, 2024 Duration: 1:06:58
Stevie Wonder may very well be our modern-day Mozart. A child prodigy, he joined Motown as a preadolescent, marketed as “Little Stevie Wonder.” He amazed audiences with his virtuosic command of the piano, harmonica, drums, and, of course, his vocals. At just 13, he achieved his first number one hit with “Fingertips Part II,” an unusual chart-topper that featured a live recording of mostly improvised music, with Wonder switching between instruments as the audience cheered him on. However, his talent far surpassed this early novelty. In the 1970s, Wonder broke free from the constraints of his initial recording contract, gaining both artistic and financial independence. Between 1971 and 1976, during what is now known as his "classic period," he released five of the most iconic albums in popular music, beginning with Music of My Mind and culminating in Songs in the Key of Life. These albums showcased his musical genius and included timeless songs that have become part of the modern pop...

Ever wondered how a pop song gets its hooks into you? Switched on Pop digs into that question, peeling back the glossy layers of mainstream music to explore the craft and theory that make hits work. Hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding, this podcast is a conversation that feels like eavesdropping on two friends who are deeply passionate about the music everyone is hearing. They break down the mechanics of a track, from a surprising chord progression in a Taylor Swift bridge to the rhythmic patterns driving a Dua Lipa anthem, all while keeping the discussion accessible and engaging. Each episode focuses on a specific song, artist, or trend, treating pop not just as entertainment but as a rich subject worthy of serious, playful analysis. You’ll hear audio examples that illustrate their points, making the musical concepts tangible even if you’ve never read a note. It’s for anyone who has ever found themselves humming a tune and then stopped to ask why it’s so compelling. By connecting music theory to cultural impact, Switched on Pop offers a fresh lens on the soundtrack of our daily lives, revealing the intelligence and intention behind the music on the charts. Tune in and you might just find your listening habits forever changed.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Switched on Pop
Podcast Episodes
The many lives of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musi…
Breaking Through: Doechii, Mk.gee, Rosé [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:55
Three artists quietly reshaped pop music in 2024, though you might not know it from your Spotify Wrapped. As listeners question the accuracy of their year-end streaming stats, we explore the innovative sounds bubbling up…
The best (and worst) of holiday music in 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
It's an annual tradition: Every December, artists release their bids to join the hallowed halls of holiday music history. The gold standard remains Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which reportedly earns…
Kendrick Lamar: from Pulitzer to pop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:37
In 2024, Kendrick Lamar pulled off what seemed impossible: winning hip-hop's biggest rap battle in recent history, securing the Super Bowl halftime show, and dropping GNX, a surprise album that might be the year's defini…
We're off to see the "Wicked" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:39
The year's hottest movie is, against all odds, a musical. Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, just hit theaters, and tells the tale of how a green-skinned girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the W…
Listening 2 Madonna: Ray of Light [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
TIME Magazine once said, “there are few figures more closely associated with religion in pop culture than Madonna.” And looking at her catalog, it’s hard to disagree. From cheeky double entendres on “Like A Prayer,” to e…
Listening 2 Madonna: Spanish Eyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:17
Throughout her forty-year career, Madonna has managed to travel the globe, both literally and musically. Despite being a white woman from the midwest (Michigan, to be exact), her discography has been influenced by countl…
Listening 2 Madonna: Who's That Girl? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:01
Madonna is the world's biggest female pop star. She's influenced everyone from Beyoncé to Britney Spears; is the most successful solo artist in Hot 100 chart history; and is the best-selling female recording artist of al…
Fleetwood Mac perfected turning drama into hits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:19
In 1973, before their ascent to rock superstardom with Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were just two young lovers making music in Los Angeles. Their debut album, Buckingham Nicks, though commercially u…
Still Freaky After All These Years: Gaga, Tyler, The Cure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
A musical "freak," to us here at Switched On Pop, is an artist who is unique, non-conforming, and always manages to surprise. We're living in some freaky times right now, so there's no better way to honor that than to li…