Music Is The Glue Podcast

• Footloose: The Soundtrack that Defined the 80s

  Ever wonder how a broken rib led to one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s? The story behind that song is just one of the fascinating revelations in this episode as we dive deep into the soundtrack that dominated the charts for an incredible 10-week run. Beyond just being a collection of songs for a movie about rebellious dancing teens, this soundtrack produced six Top 40 hits and launched careers—all inspired by a real Oklahoma town that had banned dancing since 1898!We pull back the curtain on the casting process that almost saw Tom Cruise or Rob Lowe in Kevin Bacon's star-making role, and how difficult production decisions shaped what would become cultural touchstones. The soundtrack's journey to success mirrors many of our discussions about how music creates lasting connections across generations, despite the movie itself being... well, less than Oscar-worthy.Our A to Z segment takes us to the letter E, where Tony shares his unexpected appreciation for a rapper, introduced to him by his wife who knew the rapper during his early days hustling tapes in Vallejo. Meanwhile, Smitty celebrates Earth, Wind & Fire's "Gratitude" album, highlighting their electrifying live performances that dominated the 70s music scene. These personal connections to music remind us why we started this podcast—because these songs become intertwined with our life stories.Perhaps most mind-blowing is our exploration of legendary songs that never reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. From "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" to Bruce Springsteen's entire catalog—these cultural monuments somehow missed the top spot despite their enduring legacy. We peek behind the curtain at how radio promotion and chart mechanics actually work, showing that even the biggest songs sometimes don't get the chart recognition they deserve.Subscribe, share with friends, and join the conversation! What "E" artist would be in your collection? Which non-#1 hit shocked you the most? Remember, no matter the genre or decade, music is the glue that keeps us connected.Check us out to us on social media! Your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/tmoney1968/ & https://www.instagram.com/smittys_soul_shack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicisthegluepodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicIsTheGluePodcast Twitter (X): https://x.com/MusicIsTheGluehttps TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicisthegluepodcast Reach out with questions, comments, collabs, etc: [email protected] Remember: No matter the genre, no matter the decade, music is the glue that keeps us together. Stay tuned; stay connected.

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• From Jazz Samples to Hip-Hop History: The Story Behind A Tribe Called Quest's Debut. Music Is The Glue, Episode 5

  The greatest hip-hop group of all time? That's a bold claim worth exploring. In this episode, Tony and Smitty dive deep into A Tribe Called Quest's groundbreaking 1990 debut album "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm," examining how it revolutionized hip-hop with its jazz-infused production and laid-back approach.When Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White burst onto the scene from Queens, New York, the hip-hop landscape was dominated by aggressive sounds from artists like Public Enemy and Ice Cube. What made Tribe different was their willingness to venture into uncharted territory, creating a sound unlike anything else at the time. As Smitty explains, "They absolutely changed the way I listen to rap music."The conversation explores how Q-Tip's innovative production techniques—digging through crates of jazz, funk, and soul records instead of relying on heavy drum machines—created a template that would influence generations of artists to follow. From the sample clearance issues of "Can I Kick It?" to their connection with the Native Tongues collective alongside De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers, we unpack what made their debut so revolutionary, even if it wasn't an immediate commercial success.The episode also features our recurring A-to-Z segment where both hosts share albums from their collection starting with the letter D, plus a surprisingly candid discussion of guilty pleasure artists ranging from Barry Manilow to the Backstreet Boys. It's a reminder that great music transcends boundaries and sometimes the songs we love most are the ones we least expect.Whether you're a long-time Tribe fan or discovering their music for the first time, this episode celebrates how "music is the glue" that brings us together. Subscribe now and join the conversation about the artists and albums that bridge cultural divides and shape our musical landscapes.Check us out to us on social media! Your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/tmoney1968/ & https://www.instagram.com/smittys_soul_shack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicisthegluepodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicIsTheGluePodcast Twitter (X): https://x.com/MusicIsTheGluehttps TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicisthegluepodcast Reach out with questions, comments, collabs, etc: [email protected] Remember: No matter the genre, no matter the decade, music is the glue that keeps us together. Stay tuned; stay connected.

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• The Voice That Shook R&B: Teddy Pendergrass' Legacy. Music Is The Glue, Episode 4

  "Music is the Glue" isn't just a podcast title – it's a philosophy that guides Tony and Smitty through this engaging exploration of how melodies and rhythms connect us, even when everything else threatens to pull us apart. Their infectious enthusiasm for vinyl treasures kicks off with tales of recent record store hauls, from Miles Davis to MF Doom, showcasing the hosts' eclectic tastes.The episode truly shines during their fascinating deep dive into Teddy Pendergrass, soul music's powerhouse vocalist whose story rivals any Hollywood drama. From his humble beginnings as a drummer for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes to becoming the voice behind classics like "If You Don't Know Me By Now," Teddy's journey represents music's transformative power. Tony and Smitty skillfully navigate the complex narrative of his meteoric rise, including the fascinating dynamic of being the unnamed voice behind Harold Melvin's group.What makes this episode particularly compelling is how the hosts balance Teddy's musical achievements with the darker elements of his story – the unsolved murder of his manager, his groundbreaking ladies-only concerts that revolutionized live performance, and the devastating 1982 car accident that left him paralyzed at the height of his career. Rather than treating these as mere tabloid fodder, Tony and Smitty explore how these events shaped both Teddy's artistry and resilience, culminating in his emotional 1985 Live Aid comeback that left tears streaming down his face.The episode rounds out with an enlightening segment on "Song Behind the Sample," dissecting how Chic's "Good Times" became the backbone for "Rapper's Delight" – complete with the behind-the-scenes drama of uncleared samples and borrowed lyrics. It's these musical connections across genres and generations that reinforce the podcast's core message: no matter how divided we may seem, music remains the universal language that brings us together.Whether you're a longtime vinyl collector or just discovering these legendary artists, this episode offers a perfect blend of music history, cultural context, and pure listening joy. Subscribe now to join Tony and Smitty on their ongoing exploration of the sounds that bind us together.Check us out to us on social media! Your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/tmoney1968/ & https://www.instagram.com/smittys_soul_shack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicisthegluepodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicIsTheGluePodcast Twitter (X): https://x.com/MusicIsTheGluehttps TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicisthegluepodcast Reach out with questions, comments, collabs, etc: [email protected] Remember: No matter the genre, no matter the decade, music is the glue that keeps us together. Stay tuned; stay connected.

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• When Hip-Hop Rescued Rock & Roll: Music Is The Glue, Episode 3:

  A wall between two musical worlds came crashing down in 1986 when Run-DMC and Aerosmith joined forces for "Walk This Way," forever altering the landscape of American music. Tony and Smitty take listeners back to this pivotal moment when a struggling rock band met an ascending rap group, creating a collaboration that would save one career while launching another into the mainstream.Before diving into this genre-defining partnership, we kick things off with our A to Z segment featuring Babyface's groundbreaking debut album "Tender Lover" and the Beastie Boys' diamond-certified "Licensed to Ill." Both records represented watershed moments in music history—Babyface establishing himself as an R&B songwriting powerhouse and the Beasties becoming the second rap act to achieve platinum certification.The episode's centerpiece explores how "Walk This Way" transformed from an unlikely pairing into a cultural phenomenon. You'll learn how Aerosmith's manager responded with "What's rap?" when first approached about the collaboration, how Steven Tyler discovered hip-hop while buying drugs in New York City neighborhoods, and how Run initially described Aerosmith's lyrics as "gibberish" and "country bumpkin bullshit." Recorded in just one day for $8,000, this collaboration rescued Aerosmith from commercial irrelevance and helped bring rap music into America's living rooms via heavy MTV rotation.We close with memories of U2's "The Joshua Tree" album, discussing where we were when we first heard these iconic songs and debating why Bono generates such strong reactions among music fans. Whether you're fascinated by musical crossovers, cultural turning points, or simply love hearing about the moments that redefined what music could be, this episode celebrates how unexpected collaborations can break down barriers and create something greater than the sum of its parts.Check us out to us on social media! Your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/tmoney1968/ & https://www.instagram.com/smittys_soul_shack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicisthegluepodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicIsTheGluePodcast Twitter (X): https://x.com/MusicIsTheGluehttps TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicisthegluepodcast Reach out with questions, comments, collabs, etc: [email protected] Remember: No matter the genre, no matter the decade, music is the glue that keeps us together. Stay tuned; stay connected.

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• Starting With "A": Music Is The Glue, Episode 2

  Dive into a fresh discussion about the wild world of music collections in our latest episode! When listeners offered feedback on Smitty's disorganized vinyl records, he took it to heart and has embarked on a mission to restore some order to his collection. Join us as we examine the emotional connections we have with our records and explore what it means to cherish and organize our music.We introduce our fun “A to Z” segment, featuring 2 VERY different artists. See what we bring to the table from our respective collections. Next, we take a Deep Dive into the talent of one of the greatest vocalists in music history —musical genius, collaborator, and one of the most recognizable voices in the industry.Lastly, we'll perform a "Re-Review" on a huge star's unforgettable debut album and evaluate how well it holds up today. Does it still captivate listeners, or have years dulled its shine? These discussions and personal anecdotes are peppered throughout the episode, creating a narrative that resonates with all music lovers.We invite you to be part of this journey—share your own organizing tips, reflect on your music collection, and perhaps revisit some cherished records along the way. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast for more engaging discussions on the soundtrack of our lives!Check us out to us on social media! Your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/tmoney1968/ & https://www.instagram.com/smittys_soul_shack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicisthegluepodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicIsTheGluePodcast Twitter (X): https://x.com/MusicIsTheGluehttps TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musicisthegluepodcast Reach out with questions, comments, collabs, etc: [email protected] Remember: No matter the genre, no matter the decade, music is the glue that keeps us together. Stay tuned; stay connected.

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