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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.

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 decades of great (and not-so-great) samples. 

We start in the stems, deep diving on what makes this iconic beat so damn good, including the four ideas that Stubblefield abandons along the road to the titular funk. Then, we get into the song’s legacy and the decades of samples that Stubblefield’s beat created, from 80s hip hop to 90s rock to 2000s cartoons. 

We’re giving Stubblefield his due. Because after all—the name of the tune is Funky Drummer. 

Songs Discussed:

“Cold Sweat” (1967) – James Brown

“Give It Up or Turnit a Loose” (1970) – James Brown

“Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” (1968) – James Brown

“Mother Popcorn” (1969) – James Brown

“The Classy M.C.'s” (1985) – MC Quick Quintin and MC Mello J.

“It’s A Demo” (1986) – Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

“South Bronx” (1987) – Boogie Down Productions

“Jack the Ripper” (1989) – LL Cool J

“Mama Said Knock You Out” (1990) – LL Cool J

“Rock the Bells” (1985) – LL Cool J

“Rebel Without A Pause” (1987) – Public Enemy

“Bring the Noise” (1987) – Public Enemy

“Fuck Tha Police” (1989) – N.W.A.

“Run’s House” (1988) – Run-D.M.C. 

“Let Me Ride” (1992) – Dr. Dre

“Justify My Love” (1990) – Madonna

“To My Donna” (1991) – Young Black Teenagers

“Where I’m From” (1993) – Digable Planets

“The Next Movement” (1999) – The Roots

“The Magic Number” (1989) – De La Soul

“Freedom! '90” (1990) – George Michael

“2001” (1992) – Melissa Etheridge

“G-Bop” (1992) – Kenny G

“The Powerpuff Girls Theme” (1998) – James L. Venable, Thomas Chase, and Stephen Rucker

“In Effect” (1995) – DJ Red Alert & Mike Slammer

“Officer” (1992) – The Pharcyde

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Check out the One Song Spotify playlist

Engineering by Katie Gilchrist

Produced, edited, and mixed by Eric Hicks

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James Brown’s “Funky Drummer (Part 2)”

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 Brown vocals, and the titular funky drumming that combine to make a colossal 70s classic. 

Songs Discussed:

“Living in America” (1985) – James Brown

“Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” (1968) – James Brown

“Please Please Please” (1958) – James Brown and the Famous Flames

“Try Me” (1958) – James Brown and the Famous Flames

“Buddy Bolden’s Blues” (1939) - Jelly Roll Morton

“Out Of Sight” (1964) - James Brown

“Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” (1965) - James Brown

“Cold Sweat” (1967) - James Brown

“Fun House” (1970) - The Stooges

“So What” (1959) - Miles Davis

“Mahna Mahna” (1977) - Mahna Mahna and The Snowths

“I Be Blowin’” (1993) - De La Soul ft. Maceo Parker

“The Grunt (Pts 1 & 2)” (1972) - The J.B.’s

“Protect Ya Neck” (1993) - Wu-Tang Clan

“Doing It To Death (Pts. 1 & 2)” (1973) - The J.B.’s

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Check out the One Song Spotify playlist

Episode produced, edited, and mixed by Eric Hicks.

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James Brown's "Funky Drummer" (Part 1)

Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak>, Ex Machina) defends his claim that breaking down music ruins it. We brought Geoff and LUXXURY’s social media argument to One Song to get into it. 

Here’s a short preview of our conversation with Geoff from our Patreon episode.

You can listen to the full interview (for free) by joining our Patreon, where you can hear Geoff go deep on Portishead’s influences, get real about a beloved band he does not like, and break down his classic post-Portishead albums by Beak and Anika in ways you’ve never heard before. 

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Episode produced by Demian Kendall.

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BONUS: Geoff Barrow (Portishead) Interview/Battle!

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.
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Dolly Parton's "Jolene"

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 satire, and the delicate process of composing “Mr. Jambo” (spoiler: it involves actually learning Zulu). In addition to bonus content, our Patreon gives you access to perks like our Discord, early access to episodes, and much more coming soon! 

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Check out the One Song Spotify playlist

Episode produced, edited, and mixed by Demian Kendall.

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BONUS: Interview with Kyle Gordon (Preview)

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 🎟️ https://www.skirball.org/programs/blitzkrieg-bop-one-song-podcast-live-skirball

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Bob Marley's "Jamming"

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 went from the stage and screen to a pop banger several decades later.

Join One Song Live! 9/6 @ Skirball Museum TICKETS 
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Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings”

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. 
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The Killers' "Mr. Brightside"

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 O’Jays“Blame It on the Boogie” — The Jacksons“Centipede” — Rebbie Jackson“Dancing Machine” — The Jacksons“Do What You Do” — Jermaine Jackson“Hard” — Rihanna“If You Feel the Funk” — LaToya Jackson“T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)” — MFSB“Show You the Way to Go” — The Jacksons“Stars on 45” — Stars on 45“Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming (Too Good to Be True)” — Jermaine Jackson“Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” — Stevie Wonder“Wake Up Everybody” — Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes“White Rabbit” — Jefferson Airplane“Can You Feel It” — Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard)“Also sprach Zarathustra” (“2001” Theme) — Richard Strauss“Can You Feel It” — Southern University Human Jukebox
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"Can You Feel It" by The Jacksons

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 the first chapter in the story of the biggest musical family the world has ever known.

Songs discussed in this episode:

"I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5

"O.P.P." - Naughty By Nature (1991)

"ABC" - Jackson 5 (1970)

"Jump" - Kris Kross (1992) 

"The Twist" - Chubby Checkers (1960)

"Let's Twist Again" - Chubby Checkers (1961)

"...Baby One More Time" - Britney Spears

"Oops...I Did It Again" - Britney Spears

"Mama's Pearl" - Jackson 5 

"Only One Can Win" - The Sylvers (1972)

"Time To Change" - The Brady Bunch 

"Boogie Oogie Oogie" - A Taste Of Honey (1978)

"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor (1978)

"Big Boy" - The Jackson Five (1968, Steeltown Records)

"Last Train To Clarskville" - The Monkees

"Sprit In The Sky" - Norman Greenbaum (1969)

"Jump Around" - House Of Pain (1992)

"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" - JAŸ-Z (2001)

"One More Chance" (Album Version) - The Notorious B.I.G.

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The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back"

On this special rerun, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY get Toxic! Join for LUXXURY’s thesis on why the song is a pop masterpiece that weds high art and obscure sonic references with Britney Spears’ bubblegum vocals. There’s also all of the usual deep dives, rabbit holes, and interpolations — Including a James Bond connection. 

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Britney Spears' "Toxic"

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