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Artwork for Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

iHeartPodcasts
Killing Me Softly With His Song
Pop Music
Maps
Karen O
International Players Anthem
Outkast
BTS
Roberta Flack
Punk Rock
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Southern Hip Hop
Lauryn Hill
Laurie Lieberman
Ms. Jackson
New York City
Missy Elliott
Waterloo Sunset
Daddy Yankee
Pimp C
Wedding Songs

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Br... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes26Foundeda year ago
Categories
Music HistoryMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

Latest Episodes

When Donna Summer was recording her album I Remember Yesterday, she wanted each song to evoke a different decade. "I Feel Love" was meant to represent the future of music, and as time has gone on, that label has been proven to be a prophecy. Co-produ... more

It took two years for Nicki Minaj to take over the world. Following her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty, she caught the attention of Lil Wayne who signed her. Minaj quickly became ubiquitous, taking over the charts and winning over rap heavyweights an... more

When OutKast dropped “Ms. Jackson” in the fall of 2000, the world was stunned. Nobody had ever heard a hip-hop song that sounded anything like this. But there’s never been anybody like OutKast before. On this week’s episode, hosts Rob Sheffield and B... more

One thing Cher's career has never been is predictable.This week, hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos celebrate Cher's incredible legacy with her 1998 hit and best-selling song "Believe" as the focal point. They are joined by artist and DJ Bright ... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Bruce Sudano
Singer-songwriter and husband of Donna Summer.
Episode: How Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' Changed Pop Music Forever
Mankaprr Conteh
Staff writer at Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Episode: Nicki Minaj’s Seminal Pivot to Pop with “Super Bass”
Simon Vozick-Levinson
Deputy Music Editor at Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Episode: How OutKast Took the World By Surprise with “Ms. Jackson”
Rob Thomas
Recording artist, producer and DJ
Episode: How Cher's 'Believe' Has Ruled Dance Floors For Nearly Three Decades
Michelle Kim
Freelance editor and writer with experience writing for Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Teen Vogue, The Guardian, and more.
Episode: How BTS Became an International Pop Phenomenon
Bun B
Legendary rapper and member of UGK
UGK
Episode: Bun B Can't Believe 'Int'l Players Anthem' Has Become a Wedding Staple
Carole King
Singer, songwriter, environmentalist, all around legend.
Episode: Why Carole King Is The Songwriter All Other Songwriters Want To Be
Julyssa Lopez
Senior Music Editor at Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Episode: How Daddy Yankee’s ‘Gasolina’ Fueled Reggaeton’s Global Takeover
Kory Grow
Rolling Stone's Senior Writer
Rolling Stone
Episode: Is The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” The Most Beautiful Song Ever?

Hosts

Brittany Spanos
Host and writer at Rolling Stone, known for her work in music journalism and her insightful commentary on cultural themes in music.
Rob Sheffield
Host and writer at Rolling Stone, recognized for his sharp observations and contributions to music critique and cultural commentary.

Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars from 66 ratings
  • It could be great but…

    I’ve listened to most of the episodes. On the plus side the hosts are obviously knowledgeable and enthusiastic. This podcast would benefit from playing the song at the top or bottom of the show OR sample parts of the song when discussing it. It would provide much more context given that the average listener probably doesn’t know or remember every song.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CJP_ME
    United States9 months ago
  • A fun conversation; no need to take notes

    I’ve been a fan of Rob Sheffield for years and it has been great getting to know Britney Spanos as they talk about the songs on the RS list and their cultural importance.

    Very knowledgeable on culture and history even if they called Madonna punk rock more than I cared for (lol), but I admire the passion for pop and the people who make it. I absolutely loved hearing them go so in depth on Max Martin and his contribution.

    Everyone leaving bad reviews needs to chill. This podcast doesn’t appear... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    duckiedarling666
    United States9 months ago
  • So far, pretty weak…

    I listened to the first episode, which was a song I didn’t particularly care for, learned nothing. I haven’t listened since because somehow the chosen songs are so uninspiring. Keep waiting for one that (a) I have heard of, and (b) I care about. I get it, I’m a grumpy old guy, but come on, there was music before 2010.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ex-Pat in London
    United Statesa year ago
  • Vocal Fry

    I would enjoy it except for the vocal fry.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ri. Enjoyed your show!!!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Instead of an interesting look at the history, context, structure, instrumentation, or whatever makes each chosen song special, this is two people having a personal conversation about the song. It did not hold my attention. I guess I am spoiled by legendary podcasts like Song Exploder or Hit Parade. This is not those.

    Podchaser
    2
    Sarah B
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express disappointment over a lack of musical analysis or educational content, desiring more structured discussions around the music itself.
Hosts are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making for engaging discussions about iconic songs.
The conversational tone and informal approach receive mixed reviews, with some loving the casual atmosphere while others prefer a more serious, analytical format.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into the history and significance of songs, often featuring personal anecdotes from guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Jeff Buckley’s Legacy Was Immortalized with “Grace”
Q: What was your reaction to seeing Grace make the list?
I was a little surprised that Grace would have been the one, but glad that it's Grace because that's one of his own originals.
How Jeff Buckley’s Legacy Was Immortalized with “Grace”
Q: What was it like to watch him live?
It was kind of amazing because Sine was probably about the size of this room and didn't even have a sign out front, where he would sit with his guitar.
How Jeff Buckley’s Legacy Was Immortalized with “Grace”
Q: What prompted your exploration into Jeff and Tim Buckley's lives originally?
I was really fortunate to catch Jeff Buckley live very early in his career when he was playing at this complete kind of hole in the wall coffee house.
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s Everlasting Hit: ‘It Takes Two’
Q: Did you think that the record would last the way it does over time?
No way; I never would have thought in a million years that it would last this long.
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s Everlasting Hit: ‘It Takes Two’
Q: What was it like hearing the innovation that was going on in 88?
Hip hop had a diverse range of styles, and it was an amazing time to experience different flavors of music.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

What is Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of the stories behind the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time' as defined by a well-known music publication. Each episode features hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield as they discuss the cultural, historical, and musical significance of both classic and contemporary tracks. The discussions often include interviews with artists and industry insiders, adding depth to the conversation around each featured song. This unique blend of personal insights, storytelling, and cultural analysis makes it appealing to music enthusiasts who enjoy delving into the significance of iconic tracks throughout music history.

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Which podcasts are similar to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs:

1. Rolling Stone Music Now
2. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
3. Behind The Song
4. The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers
5. Sodajerker On Songwriting

How many episodes of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs are there?

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs launched a year ago and published 26 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs?

Recent guests on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs include:

1. Bruce Sudano
2. Mankaprr Conteh
3. Simon Vozick-Levinson
4. Rob Thomas
5. Michelle Kim
6. Bun B
7. Carole King
8. Julyssa Lopez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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