Buzz
The beauty of music podcasts lies in their abundance. The challenge? There are countless options. But that’s also a blessing in disguise, as it ensures there’s a podcast for every musical taste. Pop music, in particular, is a fascinating topic—it mirrors its era, reflects cultural trends, and sparks lively discussions. These 12 podcasts will break down the pop charts, offer exclusive interviews with your favorite artists, and provide deep dives into the history and significance of pop. Add them to your playlist to elevate your music knowledge and fandom.
Switched on Pop
Switched on Pop features Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, who meticulously analyze pop music, exploring its historical roots, cultural significance, and the musical techniques that create chart-topping hits. This isn’t just a showcase of their personal favorites but a scholarly exploration of popular tracks. Even if the songs aren’t to your taste, their storytelling and insights into what makes a hit resonate will captivate you. By the end of each episode, you might find yourself a new fan. Nate, a musicologist, and Charlie, a songwriter, bring unique perspectives. Whether they’re breaking down a major album release (like Taylor Swift’s Midnights), exploring niche genres (like Sapphic music), or unraveling musical trends (such as why many songs sound alike), you’ll walk away with fresh knowledge and a playlist full of new additions.
Every Single Album
Nora Princiotti and Nathan Hubbard are passionate about music, and on Every Single Album, they explore the entire discographies of artists such as Adele, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift. The podcast blends education with a conversational tone—you’ll enjoy the music analysis as well as the engaging dynamic between Nora and Nathan. Nora brings a fan’s perspective, while Nathan, a former Nashville recording artist and ex-CEO of Ticketmaster, adds industry insights. Their energy is infectious, and the consistent episode structure—ranking top collaborators, identifying skippable tracks, and tracing an artist’s growth—makes for an easy and enjoyable listen. Each series deepens your appreciation for the artist’s body of work.
Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs
On Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs, longtime friends and pop culture experts Mark Blankenship and Sarah D. Bunting (a co-founder of the groundbreaking site Television Without Pity) use individual tracks as springboards for rich discussions. They weave in music theory, history, and witty exchanges. Recent episodes feature March Madness-style brackets ranking genres like ‘90s rap and Lilith Fair anthems. Expect fun detours, like ranking songs with ‘song’ in the title or tracks impossible to sing along to. For more of Mark and Sarah, explore their book or join their livestream happy hours. Support them on Patreon to request song analyses or even a pop chart astrology reading.
The B-Sides
The B-Sides caters to pop culture enthusiasts with a passion for progressive causes. Weekly, Becky, Hannah, and Mimi explore album releases, the influence of Christian rock, the legacy of protest music, women in country, artist rivalries, and other unique pop music topics. They stay current with major pop moments, offering a feminist and liberal perspective. Listening to them will expand your understanding of artists like Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Katy Perry, with discussions you won’t find elsewhere.
Punch Up the Jam
Every week on Punch Up the Jam, Andrew and Evan Gregory, along with a guest, dissect a song in detail, pausing to highlight absurd lyrics, share fun trivia, crack jokes, and offer unique musical insights. (The duo is known for their viral music videos, such as the Songify the News series and the “Bed Intruder Song,” which garnered over 141 million YouTube views and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.) They conclude by reimagining the song in an attempt to enhance it. While this might sound pretentious, the show is comedy-driven, prioritizing humor over perfection. A standout segment involves guests selecting their “walk-in song”—the track they’d want playing as they enter a room. Earlier episodes, hosted by Miel Bredouw and Demi Adejuyigbe, are equally brilliant (check out Amy Miller’s take on “Love Shack” or Nicole Byer’s analysis of Cher’s “Believe.”)
60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s
If ‘90s music shaped your life in any way, 60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s will serve as both a nostalgic playlist and your next obsession. Revisit tracks from artists like Fiona Apple, Counting Crows, and DMX, which dominated the airwaves during that era. Each episode dives deep, offering historical context, storytelling, and insightful commentary from host Rob Harvilla on how these songs reflected their time and why the ‘90s marked a transformative period in music history.
Song vs. Song
Todd Nathanson (known as Todd in the Shadows on YouTube) and Alina Morgan co-host Song vs. Song, a podcast that compares two similar tracks from a specific musical era. Perfect for music history buffs and debate lovers, the show features matchups like “Mr. Brightside” vs. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” “Fly” vs. “What I Got,” and “Low” vs. “Get Low,” with Todd and Alina deciding the winner. Their chemistry, ability to connect songs, and the historical context they provide make for an engaging listen, even if you don’t always agree with their verdicts.
Unflopped
Though Unflopped has concluded, its tribute to overlooked pop flops remains timeless. Each episode features pop enthusiasts Stuart and Sean selecting a flop single they believe deserved more success. Judge Joe, a “musical genius,” evaluates the track, and the trio debates whether it should be “unflopped.” Their lively banter, chart trivia, and segments like “close brackets” and “banger” kept listeners hooked for 100 episodes, proving Unflopped was far from a failure.
Name 3 Songs
The sexist stereotype that women can’t be genuine music fans is debunked by the reality that fangirls often drive the music industry and shape its future. Name 3 Songs was born from the dismissive question, “You like music? Name three songs.” Co-hosts Sara Feigin and Jenna Million tackle feminist issues in music and pop culture, critiquing the industry, artists’ careers, media-fueled controversies, and systemic sexism. The show celebrates pop music and its female fans, featuring interviews and insightful discussions on topics like why gay men idolize divas to challenge the patriarchy, the cultural fascination with girl groups, and the impact of celebrity abuse cases. Sara and Jenna deepen your appreciation for pop’s cultural significance.
Pop Shop
Billboard’s Pop Shop Podcast, hosted by Keith Caulfield, senior director of Billboard charts, and Katie Atkinson, executive digital director, offers a lively breakdown of the weekly Billboard charts, music news, and highlights from major events. Data enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed analysis, while casual listeners will enjoy the engaging discussions. Stay updated on current chart trends or explore past hits from the archives. Keith and Katie share insider knowledge and personal anecdotes from their work at Billboard. Missed a Lady Gaga concert? Katie’s reviews will make you feel like you were in the front row. The show also features pop stars discussing their hits, collaborations, and tours, often sharing exclusive insights.
Toxic: The Britney Spears Story
Britney Spears’ story is more captivating than any podcast dissecting her discography (though that would be worth a listen too). Toxic, a limited series hosted by comedians Tess Barker and Babs Gray, chronicles the tumultuous journey of the late ‘90s/early 2000s icon. From her humble beginnings to her public struggles and the controversial conservatorship that placed her father, Jamie Spears, in control of her finances, the series leaves no stone unturned. Tess and Babs, the minds behind the #FreeBritney movement, initially gained attention with their podcast Britney’s Gram, which humorously analyzed Britney’s eccentric Instagram posts. However, after an anonymous tip revealed darker truths, they dedicated themselves to exposing her plight. Toxic tells the story of their relentless efforts to #FreeBritney.
Song Exploder
While not exclusively dedicated to pop music, it would be a disservice not to highlight one of the most respected music podcasts. Song Exploder explores tracks across all genres, including plenty of pop. Host Hrishikesh Hirway collaborates with artists to deconstruct their songs piece by piece, revealing the journey from initial inspiration to the final recording. Legendary artists like Madonna (“Hung Up”), Rick Astley (“Never Gonna Give You Up”), and Franz Ferdinand (“Take Me Out”) open up to Hrishikesh, sharing intimate details about their creative process, the challenges of their careers, and the unexpected ways their music connects with audiences. Each episode is meticulously crafted, offering a transformative experience for music lovers. Hrishikesh has also expanded his format with Book Exploder, applying the same in-depth approach to authors. (I can’t wait for the potential launch of Podcast Exploder.)
