One Song

A wild behind-the-scenes tale of a chaotic studio night: flaming ashtrays, sax mouthpieces, blistered fingers and 21 takes. They trace the song’s shift from a slow blues jam to a condensed, raucous rocker and debate who plays bass. There’s talk of heavy, proto-metal sounds, fretless guitar tones, layered overdubs, and a push to convince someone to give Wings a chance.

This week on One Song, we're re-sharing one of our favorite episodes, possibly the greatest ever apology song ever recorded: It’s OutKast’s multi-platinum ode to a complicated relationship and “baby’s drama mama”, Ms. Jackson. One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They dig into the raw vocal take and how one first-take performance became a defining ’90s moment. Conversation focuses on Flea and Dave Navarro’s groove and the drum-machine/live-drum hybrid that shapes the track. They examine production secrets hidden in stems, the rapid Glenn Ballard–Alanis writing process, and the cultural surge that propelled Jagged Little Pill to massive success.

They debate whether “Just Like Heaven” is The Cure’s pop masterpiece and trace the band’s shift from goth atmosphere to euphoric pop. They pick apart signature sounds like chorus and reverb-heavy guitars, bass motifs, and drum patterns. They survey key songs, notable covers, and how MTV and 80s production shaped the track’s crossover success.

Why does “N.Y. State of Mind” still feel like the gold standard for hip-hop lyricism three decades later? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into Nas’ landmark track, tracing its origins from Queensbridge to Columbia Records, unpacking DJ Premier’s haunting piano sample, and exploring how a dream team of producers reshaped hip-hop forever. Songs Discussed: “N.Y. State Of Mind” - Nas “Halftime” - Nas “The Genesis” - Nas “Professor Booty” - Beastie Boys “Subway Theme” - DJ Grand Wizard Theodore “Live At The Barbeque” - Main Source feat. Nas “Life’s A Bitch” - Nas feat. AZ & Olu Dara “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” - Nas “Long Red” - Mountain “The World Is Yours” - Nas “Just A Friend” - Biz Markie “I Love Music” - Ahmad Jamal Trio “N.T.” - Kool & The Gang “Gangsta Gangsta” - NWA “Breathe And Stop” - Q-Tip “Flight Time” - Donald Byrd “Mind Rain” - Joe Chambers “White Rabbie” - Jefferson Airplane “Milkshake” - Kelis “This Is How We Do It” - Montell Jordan “Children’s Story” - Slick Rick “Mahogany” - Eric B. & Rakim “I’m Glad You’re Mine” - Al Green “Five Man Army” - Massive Attack “New York State of Mind” - Billie Joel “SexyBack” - Justin Timberlake “Gin And Juice” - Snoop Dogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did one of rock’s most successful bands of all time accidentally create one of the darkest hits in pop history? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” unpacking the band’s complicated legacy and tracing the blend of American blues, surf rock, and global sounds that gave the song its spell-like power. Songs Discussed: “Paint It Black” - The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” - The Rolling Stones “Miss You” - The Rolling Stones “Emotional Rescue” - The Rolling Stones “Brown Sugar” - The Rolling Stones “Shattered” - The Rolling Stones “Under My Thumb” - The Rolling Stones “Boléro” - Maurice Ravel “Norwegian Wood” - The Beatles “Pipeline” - The Chantays “Bir Eylül Akşamı” - Erkin Koray “My World Is Empty Without You Babe” - The Supremes “Lorelei” - Cocteau Twins “Love Attack” - Konk One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did “Crazy in Love” announce Beyoncé’s arrival as a solo superstar? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into this career-defining moment, breaking down the iconic Chi-Lites horn sample, Beyoncé’s commanding vocal performance, and an early demo from producer Rich Harrison that reveals how the song’s infectious hook came together. Songs Discussed: “Crazy In Love” - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z “Flat Beat” - Mr. Oizo “Survivor” - Destiny’s Child “Independent Women Part I” - Destiny’s Child “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” - Destiny’s Child “Bootylicious” - Destiny’s Child “Work It Out” - Beyoncé “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” - Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé “Me and My Girlfriend” - 2Pac “I Used to Love H.E.R.” - Common “I Gave You Power” - Nas “Bonnie and Clyde” - Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainbourg “Dilemma” - Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” - Amerie “Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)” - The Chi-Lites “Oh Girl” - The Chi-Lites “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” - Beyoncé “Talkin’ About” - Amerie “1 Thing” - Amerie “Get Right” - Jennifer Lopez “Part Time Punks” - Television Personalities “Blessings” - p-rallel & Sam Deeley One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a song with no bass and no chorus become a global anthem with the most recognizable riff of the 21st century? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY break down The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” exploring the cultural moment, the iconic bass-that-isn’t-a-bass riff, and the analog choices that turned a stripped-down idea into a modern classic. SONGS DISCUSSED “Seven Nation Army” - The White Stripes “You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)” - The White Stripes “St. James Infirmary Blues” - The White Stripes “St. James Infirmary” - Cab Calloway “St. James Infirmary” - King Oliver “Grinnin’ In Your Face” - Son House “Fell In Love With A Girl” - The White Stripes “Feral” - The Gories “Symphony No. 5” - Anton Bruckner “All By Myself” - Eric Carmen “Otoma Da Naba” - Florence Adooni “Dead End Love” - Phaidia One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What song connects 1960s soul, Irish new age, and ’90s hip-hop? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY go deep on Fugees’ classic “Ready or Not” with special guest Wyclef Jean. Together, they deconstruct the track’s haunting beat, uncover its surprisingly sourced bassline, and unpack the layered samples and interpolations that helped turn the song into a defining moment in hip-hop history. Songs Discussed: “Ready Or Not” - Fugees “Maria Maria” - Santana feat. The Product G&B “No, No, No Part 2” - Destiny’s Child feat. Wyclef Jean “Hips Don’t Lie” - Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean “What Would You Do?” - City High “Fu-Gee-La” - Fugees “Shook Ones, Pt. II” - Mobb Deep “Temperature’s Rising” - Mobb Deep feat. Crystal Johnson “Vocab (Refugees Hip Hop Remix)” - Fugees “Orinoco Flow” - Enya “Boadicea” - Enya “Ready or Not Here I come (Can’t Hide from Love)” - The Delfonics “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” - Nas feat. Lauryn Hill “If I Ruled The World” - Kurtis Blow “Ninety Nine (Flash the Message)” - John Forté “99 Red Balloons” - NENA “Anything Can Happen” - Wyclef Jean “Bubblegoose” - Wyclef Jean “Gone Till November” - Wyclef Jean “Dance Like This” - Wyclef Jean feat. Claudette Ortiz “Amores Como el Nuestro” - Jerry Rivera One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the iconic hit 'Upside Down' and how Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards transformed disco with their unique sound. Dive into Diana Ross's career reinvention and the creative spark behind the song's title. Discover the influence of Chic and their rhythmic signature, while dissecting Tony Thompson's drum patterns and Bernard Edwards' bass techniques. The hosts also explore the song's legacy, its reception through pop culture, and the nuances of its production. Join them as they celebrate a classic and its impact on music history.