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They said it couldn’t be done. #NPGWAR

Thirteen years ago today, we published the first-ever episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s listened, contributed, produced, edited, participated, and otherwise kept the show alive all this time. Thank you!

Somehow setting aside the decision to define Apple and O'Connor as one-hit wonders (!!!), the inclusion of Simple Minds on this list is *baffling* to me. That band has sold tens of millions of records in an ongoing career that spans decades! "Alive & Kicking" hit the U.S. Top 5!

Not sure how many people heard this piece on All Things Considered today, given its proximity to some indictment or other, but this was about as much fun as I've had doing a radio interview (which is saying something). Ailsa Chang is a national treasure! npr.org/2023/08/01/119…

In which I demand "Running Up That Hill"/"Fast Car"-style comebacks for 10 of the best songs of the '80s -- Dream Academy! Terence Trent D'Arby! Michael Penn! Tanita Tikaram! Patty Loveless! -- and suggest contemporary stars who might want to cover them. npr.org/2023/08/01/119…

I'm not doing much on this site these days, so you'll have to subscribe to the NPR Music newsletter (npr.org/musicnewsletter) to discover what I REALLY think about my colleague Bob Boilen on the occasion of his retirement. Coming Saturday!

Signal-boosting this note raising money for the wonderful Brian Jarboe, whose fundraiser is nearing its goal. As Steve notes below, Brian is one of the truly good people in this business -- unfailingly kind, brilliant to work with, great to have around.

Jumping back on Twitter/X to tell Chuck E. Cheese that if they're looking for a home for Munch's Make Believe Band, we've still got a spot waiting for them at the Tiny Desk. My DMs are open! washingtonpost.com/history/2023/1…

A very silly (and treasured, at least by me) year-end tradition resumes: It's the All Songs Considered Holiday Special, with a fresh round of celebrity guests!

Bummer to see the Packers' season end, but this was supposed to be a 6-11, 7-10 rebuilding year. Jordan Love is for real (that last throw aside), and somehow I never once saw him gripe about his young receivers. A refreshing change of pace! Good time to be a Packer fan. #GOPACKGO

Two of my favorites are "There She Goes" by The La's and "Crush Story" by Too Much Joy. But you should describe your own favorite crush songs for an upcoming All Songs Considered special! (Or steal mine; I'm not on that episode.)

I had the privilege of producing this one, and it's a doozy! npr.org/2024/03/21/123…

So wild and surreal that this exists; I guess we're officially a household name? Kudos to the SNL set designers, who did a beautiful job -- especially with the cutout names on top of the shelves! youtube.com/watch?v=e_Ae2u…

New All Songs Considered, in which Robin Hilton and I discuss some of our favorite funny songs with the aid of our trusty new intern, Al Yankovic. npr.org/2024/04/09/119…

It's the most wonderful time of the year -- SNL musical-guest ranking time! npr.org/2024/05/20/125…

Robin Hilton and I went deep with this episode -- and stuffed it with gorgeous music -- in case you need it today: npr.org/2024/11/05/121…