“Give Me One Reason”—Tracy Chapman

We should have known that, despite the irony, the kid from New Jersey who defended the purchasing of serial killer comics would grow up to become the defender of the broken, beaten, and damned. Today, Rob recollects the discovery of his emo phase with the enduring anthem “Welcome ...  Show more

We’re going back to our roots this week—back to our Toyota Corollas and Chrysler LeBarons or whatever other shitty cars we drove back in the ’90s—to blast some Bush. Rob ponders whether frontman Gavin Rossdale is a good lyricist and extends some empathy in the age of Nirvana, whe ...  Show more

There's no music writer like the essayist and poet Hanif Abdurraqib: whether he's narrating the beautiful awkwardness of a Carly Rae Jepsen concert or talking jazz and eastern spirituality with Andre 3000, he manages to coax stories and insights out of songs in a way that never f ...  Show more

More than 35 years after its release, Tracy Chapman’s eponymous debut album – and the single Fast Car – hit #1 on the charts last week, fueled by her performance with country star Luke Combs at the Grammy Awards. Kara speaks with Lydia Polgreen of the New York Times’ Matter of Op ...  Show more

The Roots' Questlove, author of the new book Creative Quest, breaks down a dazzling list of musical influences, from Michael Jackson to Meg White, in a wide-ranging interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

A conversation about his winding path to a receptive, ready audience — and how music can be a bulwark against cynicism and trauma. Guests: Taja Cheek and Mina Tavakoli. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favor ...  Show more