ONE SONG is an award-winning music podcast where friends Diallo Riddle (Emmy-nominated star and creator of HBO Max’s South Side and IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase) and Blake "LUXXURY" Robin (Songwriter, Producer, KCRW DJ & TikTok “Interpolation” whisperer) hilariously break down ONE SONG from the pop musi
We’re revisiting an episode with all you ever wanted and all you ever needed from Diallo and LUXXURY. Okay, well, not everything, but in Part 2 of our Depeche Mode special, the guys break down the band’s biggest hit, “Enjoy the Silence.” Get ready to learn Depeche Mode’s techniques for crafting moodier, darker, and more atmospheric sounds, why this song took them to global superstar status, and how they paved the way for countless bands to create synth-driven, danceable music. New episodes return next week! Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong for early/ad-free access and…
This week, we’re revisiting an important question: How much do Diallo and LUXXURY love Depeche Mode? Answer – so much that they couldn’t pack it all into one episode. So get ready for a thorough two-part deep dive on these pioneers who defined the sound of electronic music! In Part One, the guys discuss Depeche Mode’s early years and their dynamic approach to using synthesizers and drum machines to make their music. Plus, they break down how “People Are People” was made—the song that took them global. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hey One Song Nation, we’re excited to announce a whole spate of new episodes coming your way starting October 15! We’ve got a new partner and a bunch of new songs to break down. But first, we’re opening the Patreon to share the full version of an instant classic: our contentious (but not really) interview with Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak>, Ex Machina) where we tried to answer the question: Does breaking down music ruin it? This feud began in the comments of our Pharcyde "Runnin'" episode where Barrow commented, “Why does everyone need to break everything down to weird maths?” Thus…
We’re revisiting an episode that goes beyond music’s cultural impact to talk about its meteorological impact. When Rihanna's Umbrella topped the charts in the UK, it coincided with a period of heavy rain and flooding. The same thing happened in Romania and New Zealand. Coincidence, or did Rihanna's hit change the weather? On this episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the song's backstory, delve into the stems, and get to the bottom of how Rihanna arrived as a global megastar and made it rain. Literally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is made in partnership with Spotify. SongDNA beta is available on Spotify Premium. Check out “Funky Drummer” on SongDNA via the Spotify mobile app. Why did the drum beat that birthed hip hop only cost 50 bucks? In Part 2 of our “Funky Drummer” breakdown, Diallo & LUXXURY devote an entire episode to the genius and legacy of the funky drummer himself: Clyde Stubblefield. It’s our “Oops! All Drummers!” episode, so strap in for some syncopations, paradiddles, breaks, ghost notes, backbeats, ostinados, tresillos, and the eight simple bars of hi-hat, snare, and kick that birthed…
Was James Brown the inventor of funk? Diallo & LUXXURY dive into “Funky Drummer (Part 1)” the first half of the nine-minute funk epic that cemented James Brown as a true master of the genre. They get into the song’s legacy as a treasure trove for hip hop samples, James Brown’s unique presence as a bandleader, and what makes the song fit in the pantheon of perfect wedding DJ songs. Then, they bust out the stems to discuss the percussive nature of every instrument in the ensemble, including the greasy guitar licks, trumpet blasts, legendary sax and organ solos, a rarely heard set of James…
In memory of Dolly Parton, we’re revisiting our episode about her seminal 1973 track “Jolene.” In the years that have followed, the song has been reinterpreted and reimagined by many artists including Olivia Newton John, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, the White Stripes, and, of course, Beyonce. On this episode of One Song, LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle are joined by comedy legend Andy Richter to talk through the history and impact of this singular anthem, and the many Jolenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hey One Song Nation, we hope you enjoy this snippet of our conversation with comedian, musician, and internet sensation Kyle Gordon. You can find the full interview free on our Patreon at patreon.com/onesong. And if you haven’t joined our Patreon yet…please do, its free! At patreon.com/onesong we post bonus episodes of the show, interviews, new music reactions and so much more. Join to get our full hour-long interview with Kyle Gordon (“Mr. Jambo”, “Planet of the Bass”), where we discuss the fine line between music and comedy (and getting both right), the difference between parody and…
This week, we’re revisiting a One Song favorite. Bob Marley’s music is everywhere. And, in a sense, so is Bob Marley: His image appears in murals around the world, on college dorm-room posters, and in a recent Hollywood biopic. But has that ubiquity changed the way we hear his music? On this encore episode of One Song, revisit Bob Marley’s “Jamming” as you’ve never heard it before. LUXXURY breaks out the stems, interpolations, and contrafacts, while Diallo Riddle delivers the Bob backstory—and some hot takes on music biopics. One Song LIVE 9/6 @ Skirball Museum 🎟️…
We revisit this classic episode where Diallo and LUXXURY break down “7 Rings,” Ariana Grande’s smash hit that puts a modern twist on the classic Broadway tune “My Favorite Things.” Grande has since become one of pop’s most reliable chart-toppers, tying the record for the most songs by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. They discuss how Ariana was inspired to write “7 Rings” after a post-breakup shopping spree, and how she and her songwriting team worked in cadences and flows inspired by several different rappers. Plus, the guys peel back the layers of how the famous melody…
Destiny has called us to revisit one of our favorite One Song episodes about the making of an unforgettable jam you’ve heard at countless weddings, karaoke bars, and sporting events. So open up your eager eyes (and ears)! On this episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down The Killers’ 2003 hit, “Mr. Brightside.” They discuss where frontman Brandon Flowers drew inspiration to write this song (i.e.: Oasis, U2, and a bout of infidelity), why it’s become a catchy millennial anthem, how The Killers became one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century. Learn more about your ad choices.…
How do you follow “I Want You Back” when the world still sees you as kids? Diallo & LUXXURY dive into “Can You Feel It,” the record that helped transform the Jackson 5 into The Jacksons. They explore the musical legacy of the whole family, Randy’s lead-vocal moment, the way Michael’s entrance changes the energy of the song, and the massive music video that pointed toward Thriller. Then LUXXURY breaks down the soaring strings, gospel-inspired vocals, and huge arrangement behind one of the Jacksons’ boldest records. Songs discussed: “Can You Feel It” — The Jacksons“Back Stabbers” — The…
How do five brothers from Gary, Indiana arrive at Motown and change pop music almost overnight? This week, Diallo & LUXXURY dive into the Jackson 5’s explosive debut, “I Want You Back,” and break down the impossible chemistry behind the record that introduced Michael Jackson to the world. The guys explore Michael’s astonishing lead vocal, the overlooked role of Bobby Taylor, the songwriting precision of The Corporation, and the trail the song left through decades of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Then LUXXURY opens up the stems to reveal how one of the tightest arrangements in music history became…
From the One Song archives, we’re going metal with one of the biggest riff monsters ever recorded: Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” Diallo and LUXXURY break down a song bursting with musicianship, angst, and intricate instrumentation. Come for the stems of Lars Ulrich bashing away at the drums, and stay for LUXXURY’s metal origin story and his thoughts on the infamous Some Kind of Monster documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we dig into the archives to revisit a One Song favorite. Diallo and LUXXURY break down The Pharcyde’s “Runnin’,” the track from the legendary hip-hop group that brought new flavor to the West Coast sound in the ‘90s. They dive into the group’s introspective lyrics about vulnerability and personal struggle, how they met and collaborated with soon-to-be legendary producer J Dilla (at the time known as Jay Dee), and how Dilla’s genre-reinventing beatmaking style – blending old school hip-hop and bossa nova samples – helped The Pharcyde popularize the alternative hip-hop movement.…
This week on One Song, we're re-sharing another favorite from our archives, “Into the Groove”. Hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are joined by Madonna superfan — and star of hit show, Scandal — Guillermo Díaz to discuss the iconic dancefloor-filler. Come for the isolated Madonna vocals, lore surrounding the recording, and all of the synths. Stay for a breakdown of Guillermo’s many Madonna tattoos and his recollection of the time he met the Queen of Pop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we’re leaving the guitar-smashing world of Blur behind and stepping into the strange, animated universe of Gorillaz with their massive 2000s classic “Feel Good Inc.” Diallo & LUXXURY break down how Damon Albarn went from Britpop frontman to the voice behind one of the most original bands of the era — and how a song built on a nasty bassline, eerie laughter, acoustic strums, and De La Soul’s unforgettable feature became impossible to pin down and even harder to forget. The guys get into Demon Days, Jamie Hewlett’s wild Gorillaz concept, the genius of turning a “band” into a whole…
This week, we’re turning the amps all the way up and diving deep into Blur’s explosive, ridiculous, accidentally immortal anthem “Song 2.” Diallo & LUXXURY break down how a two-minute blast of blown-out drums, filthy guitars, and one unforgettable “woo-hoo” became one of the loudest pieces of late-90s pop culture. The guys get into Blur’s post-Britpop reinvention, Damon Albarn’s restless creative brain, Graham Coxon’s chaotic guitar energy, and the question at the center of the whole song: was “Song 2” a joke, a parody, or just a perfect rock record by accident? Along the way, they trace how…
How did a personal tragedy influence one of the most essential party anthems in the new wave canon? This week on One Song, Diallo & LUXXURY break down the B-52’s “Love Shack” with legendary Grammy award-winning producer, director and president of Blue Note Records, Don Was. They dive into how the track began as a 10+ minute long jam, outline the influences from classic Motown and Stax records and Don shares the surprisingly emotional story behind the iconic “Tin Roof Rusted” breakdown. Songs Discussed: “Love Shack” - The B-52’s “Walk The Dinosaur” - Was (Not Was) “Numbers” - Kraftwerk…
This week, we're taking you back to another of our favorite episodes... so get ready to share the spice of life and glide like a 747 to a classic cookout jam from one of the best selling bands of all time! On this episode of One Song, Grammy Award-winning pop star, rapper, and actress Estelle joins Diallo and LUXXURY to talk about Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1981 hit “Let’s Groove.” They break down band leader Maurice White and his bandmates’ recipe for creating certified gold songs and albums that blend funk, soul, disco, jazz, and beyond; and how their music spreads messages of Afrocentricity,…
This episode is made in partnership with Spotify. SongDNA beta is available on Spotify Premium. Check out This Is How We Do It on mobile here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6uQKuonTU8VKBz5SHZuQXD/dna?si=re8LBCVNSLWW4zl2LKSSQg&pi=BWykl12PTk22r This week, we’re bringing the old school back and diving deep into Montell Jordan’s 90’s party anthem “This Is How We Do It”. Diallo & LUXXURY break down the song’s iconic sample of Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” and use SongDNA to show the intricate web of connected songs, taking us all the way back to an oft-sampled 70’s Jazz track. Diallo shares…
This week on One Song, we're re-sharing another favorite from our archives. This time, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are joined by singer, Durand Bernarr. The trio explore Mariah Carey’s Fantasy, and talk through every single one of Mariah’s five octaves — not to mention her whistle registers. But, because we’re talking the Bad Boy Remix version of Fantasy, there’s also a lot of ODB high jinx. Including Diallo’s story about the time he had a brush with the ol’ dirty doggy himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale join Diallo & LUXXURY to break down their classic new-wave hit “Whip It.” They discuss the band’s origins at Kent State, share the surprising influences on the song from Roy Orbison to Thomas Pynchon, and break down that iconic music video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fab 5 Freddy says One Song’s fly, stems are playing, you’ll say “my my!” This week, Fab 5 Freddy returns to help Diallo and LUXXURY breakdown the first Billboard #1 song to feature rapping, Blondie’s “Rapture”. They touch on earlier takes on the song, including an unreleased Fab 5 Freddy verse that may have influenced the song, Freddy shares his experience when he first heard the song, and he talks about how his experience appearing in and creating art for that iconic music video helped him secure his role as host of Yo! MTV Raps. Diallo & LUXXURY Patreon Songs Discussed: “Rapture” - Blondie…
Have you ever wondered where the name hip-hop came from? This week, Diallo and LUXXURY sit down with artist, television host and cultural steward of the early New York hip-hop scene, Fab 5 Freddy, to discuss his new memoir Everybody's Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture. They touch upon Fab 5 Freddy’s earliest graffiti works and how he helped usher graffiti art into the mainstream, his work on seminal hip-hop film Wild Style, his friendship with fellow New York artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and the members of Blondie. And stay tuned for next week’s episode, where Fab 5 Freddy…
Hey One Song Nation! We're bringing you a special episode pulled from Diallo & LUXXURY's new Patreon. In this episode, the guys talk about Coachella, break down the viral KEXP performance from Angine De Poitrine and react to some new music by Earl Sweatshirt. For more bonus content from Diallo and LUXXURY, go to patreon.com/dialloluxxury and subscribe today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We’re taking you back to one of our very first episodes, talking mosquitos and libidos. That’s right, Diallo and LUXXURY are off on a sonic adventure with Nirvana’s 1991 grunge rock juggernaut, Smells Like Teen Spirit. Hear why Diallo thinks it’s one of the most important songs in pop culture, and strap in for some rarely heard Kurt Cobain vocal stems. There’s also a lot of talk about blap-um-blap-um drum patterns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes of One Song this week featuring award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Danyel Smith (Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop). Danyel joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” the 1978 disco crossover hit that launched her incredibly successful solo career. They discuss Chaka’s powerful, dynamic vocal range (just wait until you hear the isolated stems!), how the song became an anthem for female empowerment (among many other things), and Chaka’s professional and personal connections with…
How do you end one of the greatest albums of all time? Maybe you need to bring in a 40 person orchestra. This week on One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY continue their two-part exploration of the Beatles with one of the greatest album closers of all time, “A Day In The Life.” They dive into the silly hats and carnival novelties that helped create the chaotic orchestral sections of the song, the headlines that inspired John Lennon’s lyrical odyssey, and debate whether or not Sgt. Pepper’s can truly be considered a concept album. Songs Discussed: “A Day In The Life” - The Beatles “Within You…
A flaming ashtray. A saxophone mouthpiece. Blistered fingers. How did one of the Beatles’ most chaotic recording sessions lead to a raucous masterpiece that paved the way for metal? On the first part of this Beatles Two-Parter, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dive into the tumultuous creation of “Helter Skelter,” tracking its origins as a 30-minute mellowed out blues-rocker to the review that inspired Paul McCartney to crank the track up to an eleven. Plus, LUXXURY tries to convince Diallo to listen to Wings. Songs Discussed: “Helter Skelter” - The Beatles “Mama’s Pearl” - The Jackson 5 “Helter…
About One Song
ONE SONG is an award-winning music podcast where friends Diallo Riddle (Emmy-nominated star and creator of HBO Max’s South Side and IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase) and Blake "LUXXURY" Robin (Songwriter, Producer, KCRW DJ & TikTok “Interpolation” whisperer) hilariously break down ONE SONG from the pop music canon that you know - or need to know - but have never heard quite like this. The show was named top 25 of the year by The Atlantic, and has featured guests from Devo to Lil’ Jon.
One Song is a English music podcast from One Song. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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