Episode notes
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…
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 musi
More from One Song
-
10 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
James Brown’s “Funky Drummer (Part 2)”
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…
-
3 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
James Brown's "Funky Drummer" (Part 1)
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…
-
27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
Dolly Parton's "Jolene"
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
-
21 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
Bob Marley's "Jamming"
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 🎟️…
-
13 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings”
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…
-
7 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 31 min
The Killers' "Mr. Brightside"
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.…
-
8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 8 minNew
Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence"
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…
-
2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Depeche Mode's "People Are People"
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
-
24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Geoff Barrow (Portishead) interview/battle!
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…
-
18 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Rihanna's "Umbrella"
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
