The Perfect Song For ... a podcast about the perfect song

How many of us have stood in front of a mirror, pretending we are Jimi, or Keith, or Slash, or Jimmy. And how many of us still do it, playing air guitar when we hear those screaming strings rising above the rhythm section? We have all seen them at live concerts, faced contorted, hands cramped in the air, fingers touching invisible strings. Air guitar, says Wikipedia, is ‘a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play an imaginary rock or heavy metal style electric guitar, including riffs and solos. What makes a great air guitarist? Are there competitions? There are compilations with dozens of perfect songs to play air guitar to. Famous ones include ‘Layla’ by Derek and the Dominos, ‘Free Bird’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd and ‘Paradise City’ by Guns ‘N Roses. In this episode, journalists and music writers Fred de Vries and Tim Cohen try to answer some of the questions raised above. They also confess to being amateur air guitarists, and introduce you to six of their favourite air guitar songs, with, as usual, some twists. The featured songs are ‘I’m Going Home’ – Ten Years After; ‘Voodoo Chile’ – Stevie Ray Vaughan; ‘Bohemian Like You’ – Dandy Warhols; ‘The End’ – The Beatles; 'Painkiller' - Judas Priest; ‘Sultans Of Swing’ – Dire Straits. Song suggestions, comments, episode suggestions to [email protected]

How do you feel about Saturday night? Sounds like a bit of an inane question, but is more interesting than it might seem. Traditionally Saturday night is party night, the time in the middle of the weekend when you can go wild, make love, meet people, be your total self. But ironically, precisely because that’s its reputation, not living your perfect life on Saturday night can result in depression and disappointment. Saturday night is, in short, Janus-faced, and it turns out their are songs which express both sides of the coin; songs which build you up for romance and fun on the way … and songs which bemourn the failure of those hopes and wishes. In this episode, journalists and music writers Fred de Vries and Tim Cohen gallop over songs you might listen to before the wild partying begins, songs you might listen to while the parting is happening, and songs that bemoan the dashed hopes that Saturday night promised. The songs in this set are: (Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night by Tom Waits; Saturday Night by Herman Brood and his Wild Romance; 10:15 Saturday Night by The Cure; Forever Young by Sparks; Saturday Nite by Earth Wind and Fire and Another Saturday Night by Sam Cooke. Finally we choose the perfect song for a Saturday night … or do we. Maybe there should be a song for the hopeful Saturday night and another for the hopeless Saturday night. Let us know your thoughts, preferences, songs we left out and whether, in fact, the best night of the week is not actually Saturday night, but Friday night. Emails us on [email protected]; donations at patreaon.com/theperfectsongfor. Full songs on Spotify

Breaking up is hard to do, as Neil Sedaka once reminded us. But what about bouncing back? Breaking up is sad - but bouncing back is what happens next, and it can be exhilarating, fun, revengeful and rewarding. Of course, you need the perfect song, so in the podcast, regular hosts Fred de Vries and Tim Cohen are joined by arts writer and music aficionado Sarah Buitendach to sample a selection of songs which will move you off the couch, dump the ice cream bucket, and get out there again. But before that happens, there is gonna be some getting even, self affirmation, and a few scores gonna be settled. Our selection consts of Back in the Saddle - Aerosmith; We are never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift; Dead Flowers - The Rolling Stones; You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette; Another Girl - The Beatles; New Rose - The Damned; good 4 you - Olivia Rodrigo; I will Survive - Gloria Gaynor; and Fuck You - CeeLo Green. As always feedback, songs we missed and general comments to [email protected]; full songs on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2jxfNyjELfB8HDQAsBFVMg?si=NV8G28NLSxSFwcnAVhggJA and Patreon here patreon.com/ThePerfectSongFor The full versions of the songs here · ThePerfectSongFor patreon

By reputation, there is an art to seduction. It's an intricate and delicate web spun by the protagonist, who needs all the tricks of the trade available. In its best form, you are never quite sure who is doing the seducing and who is getting seduced. Whatever the case, you are going to need the perfect song. Journalists and writers Fred de Vries and Tim Cohen are joined by entrepreneur and musician Gary Rathbone to discuss the finer details of songs of seduction, and the perfect song for couch ballet. Our choices are: Wicked Game - Chris Isaak; Lover’s Rock - The Clash; Je T’aime moi non plus: Serge Gainsbourg/JaneBirkin; Wild is the Wind - David Bowie, Diamonds, FurCoat, Champagne - Suicide; Dirty Diesel - Paul Westerherg; Body Language - Isaac Hayes; Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues and Your Love Is King - Sade. And the timing is great for Gary, who has just brought out a new album, Where We End Is Where We Begin, available here https://orcd.co/mr-opportunity He is also launching the album at The Radium Beer Hall, on Saturday, September 14th 2024. For alternative song suggestions, ideas, pod proposals email us here [email protected] The full tracks are available here · Follow us on X · And Insta